Chapter 99:- Minister Xie’s Fatherly Heart

Xiao Ji’s hand froze slightly in midair before he calmly took the scroll as though nothing had happened.

At the same time, oddly weighted voice sounded. “Dealt with?”

Emperor believed Xiao Ji had already seen through everything. “The royal bloodline must not be confused.”

Such matters were not for Xiao Ji to trifle with.

Xiao Ji gave a soft laugh, his tone firm. “That is my child.”

He is absolutely certain.

Hearing this, the Emperor’s frown deepened. His eyes revealed helplessness, as if Xiao Ji were making trouble without reason.

“Crown Prince!”

He emphasized the two words, reminding Xiao Ji of his identity and there was no room for recklessness.

Xiao Ji answered with silence.

The Yangxing Palace became oppressively quiet.

Just then, Chief Eunuch Li entered and whispered to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, the person has returned.”

Though Chief Eunuch Li spoke very softly, Xiao Ji’s keen ears caught every word.

The corner of his lips curved ever so faintly.

Back today… excellent.

This was the true birthday gift he had prepared for the Emperor.

Xiao Ji withdrew.

Chief Eunuch Li then presented a sealed letter. The Emperor stared at the thin envelope, for a moment actually reluctant to open it.

Chief Eunuch Li offered him a cup of hot tea with both hands.

The Emperor took it, drank, and his body stiffened. A flicker of nostalgia and longing flashed in his eyes. This was the tea most beloved by the late Empress.

The Emperor gave Chief Eunuch Li a glance. “You’ve grown more adept at anticipating my thoughts.”

Chief Eunuch Li immediately dropped to his knees in panic. “Your Majesty, forgive me. This servant would not dare!”

“Hmph.”

The Emperor gave a cold, ambiguous snort, then raised his hand and tore open the letter.

As his eyes swept across the contents, his face quickly darkened.

The letter recorded clearly: the Imperial Diviner and Consort Li had been childhood sweethearts.

There were also many witness statements enclosed, enough to prove it true.

Bang!

The Emperor slammed the letter onto the table.

Childhood companions, keeping such a secret even from him…

…

Dragged away by Song Wenbo, Xie Yujiao had finally been silenced, and Xie Yao thought she might enjoy a moment’s peace.

But soon another figure appeared before her.

Xiao Ning, her face adorned with a smile, but her eyes void of warmth, filled only with icy frost. “Congratulations, Imperial Sister-in-law.”

Xie Yao’s own smile was bright and dignified, perfectly sincere. “Many thanks, Imperial Sister.”

Xiao Ning could not smile back.

She had already been plotting how best to “send” Xie Yao away in order to maximize her own gain. She had not expected Xiao Ji and Xie Yao to play such a card.

It had ruined all her carefully laid schemes.

She would just wait and see, whether two years from now; Xie Yao would still be smiling so brightly!

No sooner had Xiao Ning left than Xiao Hong stepped forward.

This time, he did not bother to hide his feelings, his face dark, his words blunt. “Who is it!”

His expression looked ready to kill.

He refused to believe that there could be anyone better than him for Xie Yao.

“What is Second Imperial Brother asking?”

Xiao Ji strode to Xie Yao’s side, standing with her shoulder to shoulder. Together, they looked at Xiao Hong. “Why not ask me?”

Xiao Hong: “…”

What could he ask Xiao Ji?

Ask who had cuckolded him?

Even with ten times his courage, he wouldn’t dare voice such words.

And the look in Xiao Ji’s eyes… it was terrifying.

Xiao Hong forced a stiff smile and squeezed out four words. “Congratulations, Elder Brother.”

Xie Yao’s own smile remained radiant. “No need to be envious, Second Brother. I’m sure there will always be someone blind enough.” But that someone would never be Wei Chan.

Xiao Hong: ???

What kind of words were those?!

He had half a mind to lash out at her, but when he met Xiao Ji’s gaze… he shriveled at once.

All he could do was slink away in embarrassment.

Watching his retreating figure, Xie Yao tilted her head toward Xiao Ji, her sparkling eyes full of admiration. With worship in her voice, she said, “Your Highness is mighty.”

Xiao Ji lightly scratched her palm with his finger.

She caught his finger in return. “Your Highness, was Father making things difficult for you?”

No matter how the Emperor reacted, they had already anticipated it.

Xiao Ji gave a quiet “Mm.” “So, Yao-yao, shouldn’t you reward me?”

The two of them leaned close, whispering to each other. Xie Yao’s smile bloomed brilliantly, and though Xiao Ji’s lips did not curve, his brows and eyes softened. His whole demeanor glowed. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s affection was obvious to all.

Many at the banquet witnessed this scene, each with a complicated expression.

As her father, Minister Xie naturally received many congratulations from his peers. Outwardly he smiled, but inside he felt bitter.

Xie Yao’s rising fortune…

Might not bode well for him.

“Father.”

Xie Yuru stepped forward, taking his arm affectionately. “I hear the Crown Prince has only my elder sister as consort. Now that Sister is pregnant, I’m truly happy for her.”

Minister Xie’s eyes flickered.

Yes.

With Xie Yao pregnant, the Crown Prince’s side must not lack for attendants.

He glanced sidelong at Xie Yuru, calculations gleaming in his eyes.

During the later half of the longevity banquet, the Emperor did not reappear, leaving the ministers to feast.

The Princess Yongle and Consort Li also soon departed.

The main drama had already been staged. Finding it dull, Xie Yao too left early…

“Crown Princess.”

As soon as she stepped out of the hall, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

Xie Yao turned her head to see.

It was her father, Minister Xie, hurrying over, slightly breathless, his eyes full of concern. “The Crown Princess being with child is joyous news. I offer my congratulations.”

Congratulations?

Hardly.

Xie Yao looked at him with a faint, mocking smile.

That look made Minister Xie bristle inwardly with anger. As expected, Xie Yao was nothing but an ungrateful wretch!

No respect whatsoever for her father.

“The Crown Princess, being pregnant, must often think of family. Why not let Yuru accompany you in the Crown Prince’s residence?” Minister Xie once again raised the old proposal, hoping to push Xie Yuru into the Prince’s household.

The Crown Prince would eventually take others into his rooms.

So why not Xie Yuru?

Compared to Xie Yao, Yuru was far more likable. Winning the Prince’s favor would be no difficulty at all.

As for Xie Yao…

Such a disrespectful daughter was as good as none.

Xie Yuru hurried forward just then, her face flushed. She cast a shy glance at Xiao Ji and said timidly, “As long as it makes Sister happy, Yuru is willing to do anything.”

Xie Yao gave a light laugh and turned to Xiao Ji, her smile bright. “What does Your Highness think?”

Minister Xie suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Though Xie Yao was still smiling, the Crown Prince’s eyes toward him carried only icy disdain.

His throat tightened as he swallowed, forcing out a stiff explanation. “It is… all for the Crown Princess’s happiness…”

Xiao Ji sneered. “Minister Xie’s fatherly heart, I shall remember it.”

With that, he wrapped his arm around Xie Yao and moved to leave.

“Your Highness.”

Xie Yuru, unwilling to give up, called out softly once more.

Xiao Ji halted, turned, and looked at her. “You truly are willing to do anything?”

Her face flushed even redder. She bit her lip shyly, nodding. “I’ll do whatever Your Highness commands.”

“Then get far away. Do not appear before me again.”