TRBDM -Chapter 223 Xie Yu Has Grown Taller

“Zhao Jingrui, three days from now, are you willing to testify that Zhao Jingyan was the mastermind behind Zhao Jingheng’s poisoning?”

Zhao Lingchen wanted to strike Zhao Jingyan with a decisive blow—this was not something a mere palace maid could accomplish.

A testimony from a prince carried far more weight than one from a maid.

“I can, but I have a condition.”

Zhao Jingrui had only a tiny bit of leverage, and he had to use it to its fullest.

“You want me to release Consort Fei.”

“No—not only release Mother Fei, but also send her back to Northern Border.”

Zhao Lingchen hadn’t expected Zhao Jingrui to push his luck so far.

She said coldly, “Impossible. Now that she has entered the Dachong dynasty as a princess for marriage, she must never dream of going back in this lifetime.”

“You—!”

Zhao Jingrui had thought his offer was a strong enough bargaining chip to win Consort Fei’s freedom.

“I can ensure Consort Fei lives a safe and stable life, but only under my supervision. I always keep my word.”

Zhao Lingchen delivered her final verdict.

Zhao Jingrui gritted his teeth, silent for a long while.

“Your Highness,” Wei Zhaorong, who had not spoken until now, finally said, “you have no choice but to agree to the Princess’s terms. Otherwise, three days from now, even after taking the truth serum, you will still have to reveal the Third Prince.”

Reminded by Wei Zhaorong, Zhao Jingrui glanced warily at the truth serum on the table.

At this moment, he had no choice.

Lowering his head, he muttered, “Fine, I agree.”

With her goal achieved, Zhao Lingchen stood and was the first to leave the hidden prison.

Zhao Jingheng and Wei Zhaorong followed closely behind.

Back in the courtyard, Zhao Jingheng said, “Madam Hou, please wait a moment.”

Wei Zhaorong knew exactly what he wanted to ask.

“Your Highness, Second Miss Dou is well in the residence. There is no need to worry too much about her.”

Zhao Jingheng was taken aback for a moment, then a faint smile curved his lips. “Madam Hou, how did you know that’s what I wanted to ask?”

“Your Highness and Second Miss Dou understand each other’s hearts. How could I not see it? A few days ago, when she asked me about your news, this is exactly what I told her.”

“I see. Thank you, Madam Hou.”

“No need to thank me, Your Highness. Second Miss Dou is also family of the Mingde Marquis House. Protecting her is my duty.”

Zhao Jingheng stepped out of the long corridor, looking up at the sky. The blue sky and white clouds held no charm for him. “I owe her so much.”

“Second Miss Dou truly gives without expecting anything in return. I believe it won’t be long before the two of you, as lovers, are destined to be together.”

“Thank you for your kind words. It’s getting late—I should return to the palace.”

“Your Highness, take care. I won’t see you out.”

Zhao Jingheng left first, but Wei Zhaorong did not follow.

She had come today to see Xie Yu.

Ever since Xie Yu entered the Princess’s residence, he had been cut off from the Mingde Marquis House.

Everyone in the residence missed him.

Xie Wanrou would almost daily mention Xie Yu to Wei Zhaorong, talking about the day she could personally make some pastries for him.

Only Xie Lan had never mentioned Xie Yu in front of anyone, not even once.

After Xie Yu left, the already taciturn Xie Lan became even more silent.

Apart from eating and sleeping, he spent all his time studying.

Today, Wei Zhaorong came to visit Xie Yu, to learn how he was doing and report back to the family of the Marquis House, so that everyone could rest assured.

“Madam Hou, this way please,” a maid led Wei Zhaorong to Xie Yu.

The Princess’s residence was very large, more noble and luxurious than the Mingde Marquis House.

As they walked, the knowledgeable Wei Zhaorong occasionally couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The maid led her into a courtyard.

Upon entering, Wei Zhaorong felt as if she had stepped into a martial arts training ground.

The spacious courtyard had a horse-riding track, archery targets, sand pits, wooden dummies, straw targets, weapon racks…

Xie Yu, dressed in a dark combat outfit, was shooting arrows.

Swish.

The long arrow sliced through the air, creating a faint swirl in its wake before embedding itself in the target.

“Missed the bullseye. Again.”

The man beside Xie Yu was tall and broad-shouldered, half of his face covered in scars, giving him a rather intimidating appearance.

Without a word, Xie Yu pulled out another arrow, adjusted his breathing, drew the bow, and released.

This time, the arrow hit the target again, but still missed the bullseye.

“Again!”

Xie Yu kept drawing and shooting, over and over, until the fifth arrow finally struck the bullseye.

He furrowed his brows, clearly dissatisfied with his performance.

“All right, take a rest.”

“No, Master, I want to keep practicing.”

His archery master nodded in approval. “Okay, keep practicing for a bit, then go have some water and rest.”

Xie Yu’s eyes were fixed solely on the target. Arrow after arrow, he continued shooting until his quiver was empty.

“Chen San, prepare more arrows.”

“Yes, sir.”

The boy named Chen San immediately ran to the target to collect the spent arrows.

Xie Yu set down his bow and opened his palm—his hand was covered in a row of shocking blisters.

The bow was heavy; every practice left his arms trembling.

The archery session for the day was over, but dissatisfied with himself, he decided to practice for another hour.

“Yu’er.”

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. Xie Yu immediately turned around.

“Godmother!”

Delighted, Xie Yu ran toward Wei Zhaorong.

“Godmother, what brings you here?”

His eyes were shining, not a trace of the cold, focused look from earlier while practicing.

Wei Zhaorong looked at him affectionately. “I came to see the Princess, and I thought I’d check on you as well.”

Xie Yu glanced behind her. “Did you come alone?”

“Yes. To avoid drawing attention, the Marquis Residence must act discreetly.”

“You’re right, Godmother.”

Half the sparkle left Xie Yu’s eyes, but he quickly composed himself and took Wei Zhaorong’s hand. “Godmother, come inside and sit.”

Wei Zhaorong didn’t move, instead holding his hand in hers, asking with concern,

“Yu’er, does it hurt? Your palms are full of blisters.”

Xie Yu clenched his fist to shield the blisters. “It’s fine. Once the blisters break and scab over, it won’t hurt anymore.”

Wei Zhaorong sighed and followed him into the room.

The room was small, with no bedroom—it seemed Xie Yu didn’t usually stay here.

After more than a month apart, Wei Zhaorong had many questions to ask.

“Yu’er, you’ve grown taller.”

“Yes, I’ve grown taller, and I’ve built some muscle. Godmother, feel for yourself.”

Xie Yu extended his arm for her to touch.

Indeed, he was noticeably more solid than before.

Xie Yu had always been slight. Even after being recognized as the foster son of the Marquis Residence, which greatly improved his diet, he hadn’t put on much weight, remaining lean and slender.

Yet, in just a month at the Princess’s residence, the change was remarkable.

“You’ve put on some weight, Yu’er. That puts my mind at ease.”

Smiling, Xie Yu withdrew his hand and poured tea for Wei Zhaorong.

“Yu’er, is the Princess training you in martial arts?”

Xie Yu had nothing to hide from Wei Zhaorong, so he spoke honestly: “Yes. Mother said I’ll go to the battlefield to fight in the future, so I must start practicing martial arts and archery now.”

Wei Zhaorong immediately understood Zhao Lingchen’s intentions.

General Fu Wei had died at the hands of the Northern Borderers, and they wanted Xie Yu to personally avenge him.

Wei Zhaorong’s heart ached.

The battlefield spared no one. If even General Fu Wei could be betrayed, how could Xie Yu possibly be safe?

Her face was full of worry.

She would rather Xie Yu, like Xie Lan, take the path of a civil official and spend his life safely in the capital.

But she also knew that Xie Yu and Xie Lan were different. The responsibilities they bore were not the same. After walking part of the path together, they would inevitably have to go separate ways.