After marrying the heirless prince, I gave birth to three children

The night was dark, but Xie Yao was still galloping through the forest.

Even though the guard commander and his men had been riding past her for a long time, she did not stop.

The guard leaders would quickly realize that she only had a pair of legs and couldn't walk that fast.

The reason he ran so far just now was probably because he was completely angry and not thinking rationally.

And considering the time now... maybe those people should turn back.

As Xie Yao was thinking this, she suddenly saw bright flames gathering in the distance. Judging from the situation, there were definitely more than a dozen people.

Is it... reinforcements?

Xie Yao's heart sank.

At this moment, she heard a uniform shout, "Crown Princess!"

Along with the shouts, a white flag was raised in the night. The flag was particularly conspicuous against the firelight.

Not the emperor's man!

Xie Yao made this initial judgment in her mind, but she did not act rashly. Instead, she looked at it inquiringly.

Her eyes passed through the gap in the woods and she saw the person under the flag at a glance.

Even though it was only a side view, Xie Yao was able to confirm his identity instantly!

Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji was leading his men slowly forward towards the villa, calling out "Crown Princess" as he walked.

He was obviously waiting for her response.

Xie Yao didn't hesitate any longer and made a sound immediately.

In an instant, Xiao Ji looked in her direction. Even though she was dressed in black and had a mask on her face, Xie Yao knew: His Highness saw her.

Xie Yao rushed directly towards Xiao Ji.

The same was true for Xiao Ji.

He immediately stopped the team, dismounted, and ran into the forest regardless of anything!

Si Nan and his men followed closely behind.

Although Xie Yao was walking in the woods, she was not very far from the main road. Although she was very tired, Xiao Ji was walking very fast.

Soon, Xiao Ji stopped in front of her.

Xie Yao subconsciously smiled at him, but then she felt a sense of resistance and remembered that she was still wearing a mask.

She raised her hand to take off the mask, but was hugged by someone first.

Xiao Ji used almost all his strength to hug her tightly. He didn't care even if her body was covered with dry thorns and leaves.

Xie Yao hugged Xiao Ji with her backhand, and neither of them spoke for a while.

Si Nan led the others to stand aside, all with their heads lowered.

"Your Highness." After a long while, Xie Yao finally spoke, "It's me."

Xiao Ji let go of Xie Yao, but picked her up and walked towards the main road. Xie Yao subconsciously hooked her arms around Xiao Ji's neck, feeling a little embarrassed in front of so many people, "Your Highness, I can walk by myself..."

"You must be very tired after walking for so long." Xiao Ji said, "Be good, don't move."

Xiao Ji put Xie Yao beside the horse, then raised his hand to take off the mask on Xie Yao's face. Seeing Xie Yao's dry lips, pale cheeks, tired and weak appearance, he felt very distressed.

He pursed his lips tightly, and the anger in his heart was rising and surging.

Xie Yao gently tugged at Xiao Ji's hand and took the initiative to change the subject, saying, "Your Highness didn't even see my face just now. Aren't you afraid of holding the wrong child?"

Xiao Ji answered as a matter of course, "I know, it's you."

It was just a mask, of course he wouldn't be unable to recognize his Yaoyao because of it.

Xie Yao pursed her lips and smiled, a hint of sweetness rising in her heart. His Highness had found her faster than she had imagined.

But soon, Xie Yao began to share with Xiao Ji about her arrest and the current situation of the villa.

In Xie Yao's current situation, she naturally wouldn't rush to the villa. Everything was handled by Si Nan, while Xiao Ji prepared to return to Beijing with Xie Yao.

After Si Nan and his men left, Xie Yao asked another question, "Your Highness, did my disappearance disturb Grandmother?"

Xiao Ji nodded and gave Xie Yao a reassuring look. "I know Yaoyao definitely doesn't want to bother Grandmother, so I've already told Grandmother that everything should remain the same."

Xie Yao finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "Your Highness, how did you find me so quickly?"

She thought that she would have to rely on herself for the rest of the journey.

But His Highness was more reliable than she had imagined and expected.

"Not happy." Xiao Ji had no intention of taking credit for it. Instead, he looked at Xie Yao with eyes full of heartache. His eyes fell on Xie Yao's hand, "My Yaoyao has suffered."

Xie Yao's delicate hands, which had never touched water before, were now covered with tiny scars, all of which were scratched by branches and thorns while walking through the forest.

"Your Highness." Xie Yao stretched out her hand in front of Xiao Ji. "Although it hurts a little now, it will go away if Your Highness blows on it."

Xiao Ji gently held Xie Yao's hand, brought it to his lips, and gently kissed her.

Xie Yao immediately retracted and glared at Xiao Ji, "Dirty."

She was talking about hands, of course.

Xiao Ji said, "It's not dirty."

"Then don't kiss me after you kiss my hand." Before Xie Yao finished speaking, Xiao Ji immediately picked up the tea on the table, rinsed his mouth, looked at Xie Yao and said, "Is it okay now?"

Xie Yao was convinced.

Fortunately, although Xiao Ji wanted to kiss her very much, he had no intention of doing so now. After all, Madam Zhao had just passed away.

Xiao Ji knew that Xie Yao was sad and would not offend her at this time.

He wiped Xie Yao's hands with clean water and then carefully applied medicine. There was an oil lamp in the carriage. Xie Yao lowered her eyes and saw Xiao Ji's focused and serious expression, and she felt her heart was filled with joy.

How to do?

She seems to love His Highness even more.

Xiao Ji applied medicine to Xie Yao's wound, and then began to take Xie Yao's pulse. He did not forget that Xie Yao was still pregnant.

But compared to Xie Yao's safety, nothing else matters.

After confirming Xie Yao's physical condition, Xiao Ji breathed a sigh of relief. Although Xie Yao was a little exhausted, the fetus was still stable and there was no problem.

The carriage drove into the city, and Xiao Ji took Xie Yao back to the Prince's Mansion first. The mansion quickly became busy, preparing hot water and food.

Zhu Qing and Lin Xia almost cried when they saw Xie Yao for the first time.

The two of them didn't rest either. Their eyes were red at this moment, and they looked embarrassed and haggard. Then they both knelt down, their voices choked with sobs, "Crown Princess!"

I'm glad the Crown Princess is okay!

Xie Yao quickly helped the two of them up. "It's a good thing I'm back. Why are you still kneeling?"

"We failed to protect the Crown Princess properly. Please punish us, Crown Princess." The two said in unison.

Xie Yao supported the two men's arms with her hands and helped them up forcefully. "How can I blame you for this? I didn't even notice it myself, so shouldn't I punish myself too?"

On the way back, she had heard Xiao Ji's account of the whole incident and knew how he had been tricked. Naturally, she also understood that it had nothing to do with Zhu Qing and Lin Xia.

Seeing that Lin Xia and Zhu Qing were still blaming themselves, Xie Yao said, "Since you are my people, naturally I have the final say."

Xie Yao showed her fatigue appropriately, "I'm very tired now, I want to take a shower and then eat something..."

Zhu Qing immediately said, "I will help you bathe, Crown Princess."

"No." Xie Yao looked at the two of them, "You don't look like you've had any rest, right? Go take a shower, eat something, and have a good sleep, then come back and serve me."

Seeing that the two were unwilling, Xie Yao said, "You don't even want to listen to me?"

The two had no choice but to do as Xie Yao said.

Xie Yao then looked at Xiao Ji, "Your Highness, this matter..."

Xiao Ji knew that Xie Yao was worried that he would be dissatisfied with her handling of the matter and would severely punish Lin Xia and Zhu Qing.

He felt angry and amused at the same time. He raised his hand and tapped Xie Yao's forehead. "They are yours."

He certainly wouldn't overstep his bounds.

Xie Yao pursed her lips and smiled, without wasting any more time, choosing to take a shower first.

She was very tired, and it was very comfortable to soak in the warm water at this moment, but she didn't soak for too long because she was really hungry, her body was tired and weak, and she was afraid that she would faint if she soaked for too long.

Zhuqing went to rest, and Yuyan became the one who served her.

"Crown Princess." Yuyan's gaze fell on Xie Yao's neck. "Was this bitten by an insect?"

Although Yuyan has always been serving in the main courtyard, she is not very clear about some things because she is closely cared for by Zhuxin and Zhuqing.

Xie Yao's hand fell on her neck and she pursed her lips slightly.

This is where Song Wenbo gnawed, so I think he must have left traces.

Xie Yao lowered her eyes slightly, "Well, there are many insects and ants in the mountains, so I think it should be."

"Go get another piece of clothing and cover it up, lest His Highness see it and worry."

Yuyan didn't suspect anything, answered yes and immediately took out another piece of clothing.

Xie Yao changed into her clothes and left the house.

Xiao Ji was sitting at the table waiting for her, and the rich aroma of food made Xie Yao's appetite whetted.

"I haven't eaten for a day. Let's eat something easier to digest first." Xiao Ji placed a small bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of her.

Xie Yao took it and asked, "Your Highness, have you eaten?"

Xiao Ji picked up another bowl and placed it in front of himself, then replied, "Now."

Xie Yao and Xiao Ji looked at each other and smiled.

They had already instructed their servants to deliver the news of Xie Yao's safe return to the Zhao family so as not to cause the Zhao family to worry.

Today is the third day, the day when Old Madam Zhao was buried. Xie Yao and Xiao Ji changed into plain clothes and went to the Zhao family.

Because it is winter, the sun rises late.

When Xie Yao arrived, the lights in the Zhao family's house were still on. The Taoists had already rested, but everyone in the Zhao family was still there.

Seeing Xie Yao, they all came forward and were relieved only after confirming that she was okay.

Everyone tacitly agreed not to ask any more questions about the circumstances of the kidnapping, and surrounded Xie Yao to the mourning hall.

In a while, the coffin will be buried.

Xie Yao looked at the Zhao family and said, "I want to be alone with my grandmother for a while, is that okay?"

The Zhao family naturally would not refuse.

Everyone, including Xiao Ji, left the mourning hall, leaving only Xie Yao alone.

The mourning hall was so quiet that only the humming sound of the wind could be heard.

Xie Yao knelt in front of Old Madam Zhao's coffin, her eyes stained red, "Grandma, it's Yaoyao who is sorry for you."

Although Song Wenbo denied assaulting his grandmother, Xie Yao did not believe such a coincidence.

Even if my grandmother's health was deteriorating, it happened so suddenly that I was afraid someone might have contributed to the situation.

"Please rest in peace. I won't let any of those people go."

Soon the appointed time arrived for Madam Zhao to be buried. With Xiao Ji and Xie Yao present, the powerful families of the capital held roadside memorial services along the way.

Until the sun rises and everything is over.

Xie Yao's eyes were red from crying. Xiao Ji wiped her tears, supported her trembling body, and said, "Yaoyao, you need to rest."

"Grandma just passed away. Don't let her worry about you in heaven."

The Zhao family members also came to persuade her, and Xie Yao was helped into the carriage.

She then said to Xiao Ji, "Your Highness, we need to investigate the Zhao family. I suspect my grandmother..."

When mentioning Old Madam Zhao, Xie Yao choked up again.

Xiao Ji held Xie Yao's hand and said, "I have already given orders to the Zhao family to not let go of any clues."

Xie Yao was lost in the Zhao family. It was such an important matter, so he naturally would not miss any possible clues.

Naturally, the Zhao family would have no objection to this.