TRBDM -Chapter 163 Zhao Jingrui’s Discovery

Although Xie Yu was a little stunned, out of courtesy, he still lifted her up.

He had intended just a gentle hug before stepping back, but unexpectedly, Boss Qin’s arms held him tightly, almost encircling him completely, making it a little difficult for him to breathe.

Feeling the surge of emotion from Boss Qin, Xie Yu thought she must have encountered some trouble and refrained from pushing her away.

Zhao Lingchen held him for a while, repeatedly forcing herself in her mind to let go—but she simply couldn’t.

This was her child with Fu Wei. Thirteen years had passed in a haze, living numb and empty, but now her heart was beating, her blood calling out.

How could she bear to let go?

During countless sleepless nights, she had thought of following Fu Wei and her child into death, yet in the end, she had held on—living like a walking corpse.

Now, her blood boiled again, and the gray world began to regain color. All of it was because of Xie Yu.

A hug thirteen years delayed—at this moment, she felt so happy she wanted to cry.

It was Xie Lan’s voice that finally reminded her: “Boss Qin.”

Zhao Lingchen suddenly came back to herself.

She released her hold, flustered, saying, “Sorry, I’m not in a good mood. Did I hurt you by holding you too tightly?”

Xie Yu shook his head. “It’s nothing. A hug can’t hurt. Boss Qin, if you’re upset, did something happen at home? If Third Brother and I can help in any way, you can tell us.”

Over the past few days, Xie Yu had gotten along well with Boss Qin. Running a business as a woman surely wasn’t easy, and he wanted to help however he could.

Zhao Lingchen looked at kind-hearted Xie Yu, both comforted and pained.

Suppressing the sourness at the corner of her eyes, she said, “No, I can handle it myself. Alright, it’s getting late—you should head back. By the way, not far ahead there’s a shop called Linlangzhai; you can buy longevity locks there.”

Xie Yu immediately nodded: “Alright, thank you, Boss Qin. Third Brother, it’s getting dark—we should hurry.”

Having spent some time at the dessert shop and now needing to buy longevity locks, if they delayed much longer it would be completely dark. He worried his mother and eldest sister might be concerned.

“Okay, let’s go.”

The two of them left the dessert shop. Zhao Lingchen sat on a bench, lowering her gaze to her palm.

Just now, when she held Xie Yu, her hand pressed against his thin back—such a feeling, so beautiful.

But beauty vanished in an instant; she hadn’t even had time to savor it before it was gone.

A chill spread through Zhao Lingchen’s eyes. Once she had cleared Fu Wei’s case, she would definitely bring Xie Yu back to the Princess Mansion openly and properly.

Nanny came up to Zhao Lingchen, tenderly wiping away her tears. “Princess, our young master is far too kind. If only he could return to the Princess Mansion earlier…”

“Don’t worry, soon!” Zhao Lingchen said firmly.

“By the way, how is the investigation into the poisoning of the Tenth Prince going, Jiang Yuelin?”

“Lord Jiang is still searching for clues; there’s no progress yet.”

Everyone in the palace was clever. Whoever dared to poison a prince would have made thorough preparations and wouldn’t easily leave a trace. This case would be difficult to solve.

“Princess, rest assured. With Wei Qing and the other three, they’ll protect the Tenth Prince’s safety.”

Zhao Lingchen’s emotions had been shaken greatly today; after a moment, she said, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”

The dessert shop closed, and the carriage waited in the back alley. Zhao Lingchen got in.

Once the carriage left, not far in the alley, Fifth Prince Zhao Jingrui peeked out, eyes fixed on the departing carriage.

He recognized this carriage. Though low-key and plain, he knew it belonged to the Princess Mansion.

Eldest Princess… why is she here?

Zhao Jingrui kept alert, having someone nearby watch and report immediately if they saw the Princess Mansion’s carriage again.

What he didn’t know was that, while he was arranging his men, a hidden guard had perched on a rooftop above, watching his every move.

As soon as Zhao Lingchen returned to the Princess Mansion, she received the message from the hidden guard.

“Heh, Zhao Jingrui, it’s him again.”

Zhao Lingchen despised people from the Northern Frontier and had never shown any kindness to Zhao Jingrui, whose appearance marked him as foreign.

If he were smart, he would have behaved himself and simply been a dutiful prince. But he wasn’t. Not only did he join Zhao Jingyan’s faction, stirring trouble everywhere and urging the deposition of the crown prince, he had also secretly set his sights on her.

Last time he had someone tail her, and now he was planning the same trick again.

This was courting death!

“Investigate—see if Zhao Jingrui has any secret connections with the Northern Frontier.”

Zhao Jingrui’s birth mother, Consort Ling, was a princess of the Northern Frontier. Years ago, when the Northern Frontier suffered a crushing defeat, she had been sent in marriage to the royal family.

But Zhao Lingchen knew better than anyone: the Northern Frontier people were ambitious wolves—they would never be content to submit under the Dachong dynasty.

And Zhao Jingrui was disobedient, always scheming in secret. A mere warning would not be enough to deter him.

“Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has stationed people to monitor the market streets. During these days, you shouldn’t go to the dessert shop.”

Zhao Lingchen already knew!

She slammed her hand onto the table. “Damn Zhao Jingrui! Since you’re so reckless as to seek death, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

By setting up obstacles in her way to see her son, Zhao Jingrui really didn’t want to live.

Zhao Lingchen’s anger could lift the roof off the house, and even Nanny Nai dared not say a word.

At Linlangzhai, Xie Lan and Xie Yu had already picked out the gifts.

A dainty longevity lock adorned with a few tiny bells jingled delightfully—it was incredibly cute.

Another pair of bracelets each had two small bells, which Xie Yu liked immensely.

“Third Brother, children’s hands are really this small? So tiny—it’s fascinating.”

Xie Lan carefully put the jewelry box away, had the shopkeeper wrap it in brocade, and tied a neat butterfly knot.

“Let’s head back.”

“Mm-hmm.”

On their way back, they passed Zhang Family’s stationery shop. Xie Lan glanced inside and found it empty.

Looking closer, he saw a “sealed” notice pasted on the door.

No need to think twice—it must have been done by the Princess.

The Princess wielded immense power; with just a snap of her fingers, she could make the Zhang family pay a heavy price.

Xie Lan looked at Xie Yu and smiled with relief. With such a strong mother protecting him, their youngest brother would surely live a smooth and happy life, free from suffering.

The two returned to the Marquis residence and went straight to Ruixiang Courtyard.

“Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, congratulations!”

Seeing their two younger brothers arrive, Xie Chuan laughed heartily and pulled them inside.

Xie Chuan’s eyes caught the gifts. “Oh? What do you have there?”

“These are gifts for Big Sister-in-law, to celebrate her pregnancy.”

Dou Shuyao had received so many gifts today that her hands were almost sore. She hadn’t expected another one just before bedtime.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, how thoughtful of you.”

“Big Sister-in-law, see if you like it,” Xie Yu said eagerly.

Dou Shuyao opened the box and exclaimed with delight, “So cute! Such exquisite longevity locks, and little bracelets too.”

She took out the longevity lock, admiring it endlessly.

Xie Chuan also leaned over. “Haha, so tiny—big enough to fit my finger.”

“Don’t be cheeky. Little ones are naturally small; you can’t compare.”

“You’re right, Madam, I was wrong,” Xie Chuan said with a smile.

The eldest couple were deeply affectionate. Xie Lan and Xie Yu exchanged a knowing look and smiled at each other.