He smiled and voluntarily explained: “I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. He said lying at home wasn’t comfortable, and he wanted to go personally before people to see who dared mock him.”
Who would dare mock him to his face? Regardless, he still had the status of a Xie family son. Thinking of those who had originally wanted to gossip and ridicule him behind his back now having to hold it in, and perhaps even having to pinch their noses and fake concern about Xie Yanlai’s injury—
Making others uncomfortable was exactly what he liked to do.
Chu Zhao smiled and set Xie Yanlai aside: “Third Young Master, why did you come?”
Xie Yanfang smiled. He was standing right in front of her, yet she asked about someone else first, and only then asked about him—
The girl’s expression was solemn, worried, and anxious.
“You should be guarding the Crown Prince right now. The Crown Prince going out alone—how dangerous!”
Of course Xie Yanfang knew. She also knew the Crown Prince wouldn’t be going out alone. There were so many people around the Crown Prince—guards, tutors, strength officials, Yang family members, and the Emperor had sent people along too—
What she meant by that statement was that in her eyes, the truly capable one who could protect the Crown Prince was him alone.
He had grown up being praised and surrounded by admirers all his life, but at this moment, looking at the girl’s earnest gaze, he couldn’t help but break into a smile.
He put away his smile, moved closer to her, and said in a low voice: “The Crown Prince has sufficient personnel on alert there. I came here specifically to personally watch the Third Prince. With me watching him, I can detect any irregularity in his every move. Not just him—the entire Wangchun Garden, the Zhao family—I’ve had people watch them all.”
He looked at Chu Zhao.
“Please rest assured, Miss A’Zhao.”
With Xie Wolf watching the fierce beast that was the Third Prince, she was indeed relieved. Chu Zhao smiled and nodded.
The girl seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, her happiness overflowing. Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but smile along with her. She was so happy—then let her be even happier.
“Miss A’Zhao,” he said. “Your father’s men have already arrived in the capital.”
Father’s men? Chu Zhao was startled, then shocked, asking tensely: “Who? What happened?”
“Don’t worry, your father is fine. It’s not about him.” Xie Yanfang quickly reassured her. The Crown Prince had said that Chu Ling’s life was running out, so this girl must surely know too—
Don’t frighten her.
Just now the girl’s face had turned pale in an instant, and she’d murmured something about “it’s not time yet”—he didn’t know what she meant.
“It’s a deputy general surnamed Zhong who came to the capital to submit a memorial on your father’s behalf,” Xie Yanfang continued to reassure. “And then, to bring you home.”
Chu Zhao’s breath stopped for an instant. She could feel her eyes like exploding fireworks, and also like a bursting river dike.
“Really?” she asked loudly, her eyes fixed on Xie Yanfang as if his one sentence could decide her life or death.
Xie Yanfang’s voice became gentle, as if afraid of breaking the girl before him.
“It’s true. They’re currently lodged at the capital garrison. My men personally received them. They also know you’re attending the literary gathering and said they want to come watch.”
He paused here and softly called the girl’s name.
“A’Zhao, if you want to see them right now immediately, I’ll have them brought in right away.”