Chapter 61: The Empress’s Niece

The young girl who was just chatting with Yao Yao inadvertently glanced at Xie Yixing. The moment their eyes met, she was momentarily dazed. Her heart suddenly started racing, and a flush crept onto her flawless, jade-like cheeks. Even her ears began to heat up.

So this was the heir of the Marquis of Chengming her aunt had mentioned?

He really was handsome.

The girl lowered her head shyly, but her eyes couldn’t help being drawn to his clothes.

Yao Yao noticed that a few girls around her, all about four years old, kept sneaking glances at Xie Yixing. Her chubby little hand scratched her chin in confusion.

Why were they staring at Brother Persimmon?

Did he put his clothes on inside out?

Or did he get something on his face?

Yao Yao tilted her little head up and rested her chin on her hands, looking up at Xie Yixing from below. She didn’t find anything strange about his face.

Xie Yixing sensed Yao Yao’s odd gaze and, ignoring the others around them, directly reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The young girl who had just been talking to Yao Yao couldn’t help but feel suspicious at the sight. Wasn’t the Marquis of Chengming’s household known to have only one son? When did they gain a daughter?

Yao Yao’s fine clothing, costly accessories, even the tiny bit of decoration at the tips of her shoes—all made of precious Sichuan brocade—made it clear she came from wealth.

Not to mention her round, fair little face, full of health and vitality. She was clearly very well cared for—definitely not an ordinary child!

Especially the way Xie Yixing treated her, holding her so protectively and unwilling to let go—it made people even more curious about Yao Yao’s true identity.

Nanny Wu followed behind Xie Yixing, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Before entering the palace, Madam had instructed her repeatedly to keep a close eye on Miss Yao Yao and not let anyone bully her.

As for the Young Master, Madam wasn’t worried.

After all, the Young Master didn’t even care about Princess Junhe, let alone the other sons and daughters of noble families.

At this point, Xie Yixing didn’t yet know that the matter of him ordering someone to cut off Princess Junhe’s hair on New Year’s Eve had already spread across the entire capital.

Because it involved the royal family and news of the Empress receiving joyful tidings had recently broken out, no one had dared to discuss it for the time being.

Many of the noble children in this gathering had heard the story but, seeing Xie Yixing’s stunning appearance, forgot all about it for the moment.

Then a youth wearing a dark brocade robe appeared near the front of the group. Though not as breathtakingly beautiful as Xie Yixing, he was still considered one of the more handsome young men in the capital.

Someone in the group whispered, “Is that the Prime Minister Wei’s grandson? Wei Guifei’s nephew, Wei Tuzhi?”

“Seems so. I saw him at the racetrack last spring. Back then he was so skinny he looked like a monkey. Who knew he’d grow taller and more handsome in just one year.”

“He’s better-looking now, sure, but he still doesn’t compare to the Young Heir of the Marquis of Chengming.”

“Shh, don’t let him hear that. My father says both of them are people we can’t afford to offend.”

Wei Tuzhi heard the whispers behind him and slightly raised the corners of his narrow eyes.

Hmph.

What’s so impressive about the Marquis of Chengming’s heir?

How dare he harm a royal by cutting her hair in public!

Just thinking about how his cousin had spent years growing out her hair, only to have it ruined overnight, filled Wei Tuzhi with fury.

From the beginning, Xie Yixing had already noticed the unfriendly look Wei Tuzhi was giving him.

But he wasn’t interested in getting to know him. They’d only be in the palace for a few hours. As long as Wei Tuzhi didn’t provoke him or target Yao Yao, Xie Yixing had no intention of wasting his energy on him.

After a quarter of an hour, everyone was led into Empress Xu’s palace quarters.

This was Yao Yao’s first time seeing such a grand hall.

The Empress’s palace alone could accommodate over a hundred people.

A total of twenty-three young nobles had been invited into the palace—thirteen girls and ten boys.

But since there were also princes and princesses in the palace, once everyone was gathered in the Empress’s palace, it no longer felt that spacious.

The Empress had been in great spirits the past two days, especially after learning that Consort Wei had twice been denied an audience with the Emperor. She was even more pleased and had been eating heartily. She’d also taken the initiative to distribute rewards in the inner palace, winning some hearts and minds.

Seated at the head, the Empress watched as all the children knelt in greeting before her. She instinctively caressed her lower abdomen.

Although she already had a child, becoming a mother again after so many years made her feel nervous.

The inner palace was full of intrigue. Even though she was the mother of the nation and held the highest position among the women, that didn’t mean she was free from danger.

Throughout history, many imperial heirs had fallen victim to schemes—especially with her carrying twins, drawing attention and potentially threatening the interests of certain courtiers.

The crown prince’s position was still unstable. If she protected the children in her belly, she might inadvertently neglect the crown prince.

After the initial joy, what filled the Empress’s heart more was unease and anxiety. But once the sons and daughters of powerful families arrived in the palace, she quickly recognized a few of the most outstanding children and couldn’t help but smile.

“Sang Ning, your grandfather finally allowed you into the palace.”

Empress Xu first beckoned to the young girl who had been chatting closely with Yao Yao earlier. The girl removed her frost-covered cloak and walked forward lightly, her every step graceful and elegant. Her gentle smile was like a spring breeze—poised and dignified.

“Auntie, it’s not that Grandfather wouldn’t allow me into the palace. I was unwell a few days ago, and he worried that I might bring bad luck to you or the royal children. Now that I’ve recovered, he has permitted me to stay in the palace and serve you.”

The Empress smiled gently. “Good child. With you here, I won’t feel so bored.”

Since Xu Sangning had stepped forward to speak, everyone else respectfully stepped back to the sides.

Xie Yixing disliked the spotlight, so he stood at the very end of the line.

Nanny Wu kept a tight grip on Yao Yao’s hand, not letting her approach recklessly.

This was not the marquis’s residence—danger lurked everywhere.

Yao Yao was just an innocent little girl, her heart purer than spring water. She absolutely couldn’t afford to offend someone important.

What they didn’t know was that this warm winter banquet had been arranged specifically so the Empress could meet the Young Heir of the Marquis of Chengming.

Though it was their first meeting, the Empress immediately recognized the boy in the dark green robe standing proudly and coldly—it was the infamous, dazzling young heir.

She had thought the rumors were exaggerated. How could a half-grown child be called “demonic” in looks?

But now that he stood before her, even though she could only see his profile, the Empress was momentarily taken aback.

First, his appearance really was too outstanding. At sixteen, most children’s features were still maturing, some even going through an awkward phase. Even when the crown prince was this age, she couldn’t help but find him a bit unsightly.

But Xie Yixing had red lips, white teeth, and impeccably refined features. The Empress had met Wei Shi before and vaguely remembered what the Marquis of Chengming looked like—both were attractive people, but not the best-looking in the capital.

She hadn’t expected their child to inherit all the best traits. Especially those cold, emotionless peach blossom eyes—once seen, never forgotten.

Even she, who had seen countless people, couldn’t confidently say that any of her own children could surpass Xie Yixing in looks.