Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Xie Run did not know when a strikingly handsome man had come to stand by her side.

The man had eyes like black lacquer and features like a painting, exuding a dashing, carefree charm.

Yet the noble aloofness gathering in his brows instantly suppressed that charm, adding a layer of royal gravity.

So it turned out that when Yuli called out "Your Highness," the prince had truly arrived.

Xie Run was not foolish; she immediately bowed and said, "Your servant pays respects to Your Highness."

Prince Jing glanced at Xie Run. "This rain came suddenly. I happened to be passing by and stopped to take shelter. I didn’t expect to overhear those words."

Xie Run regretted her words and wished she could take them back.

If Prince Jing heard that and never came to Linxuan Pavilion again, her life would become hard.

Though she truly wasn’t all that eager to serve him in bed, as his concubine, if she couldn't serve him properly, her good fortune would likely end.

Sweat beaded on Xie Run's forehead, she gritted her teeth, and steeled herself for what was to come.

"Your servant... Your servant was only worried about Your Highness’s health. It’s not that I don’t wish for Your Highness to visit me."

Xie Run had delicate features, a blend of purity and allure, with a pair of typical peach-blossom eyes.

Her eyes were clear, with distinct black and white, so clear they were endearing—the kind of gaze that seemed to be full of affection even when looking at a dog, as the saying goes.

Now, flustered and anxious, her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, and that natural seductiveness seemed to emanate from her very being, coiling around one’s heart.

At first glance, Prince Jing was satisfied with Xie Run’s appearance.

Now, seeing her speak such shameless words in public, he was somewhat annoyed, yet couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction.

It was probably the inherent flaw of men.

Prince Jing said, "Enough. First, help me bathe and change clothes."

Xie Run rose and followed him into the room, walking stiffly, as if her arms and legs were out of sync.

Her mind was consumed by one thought: she would have to help Prince Jing bathe and change? That meant she’d see his body?

Though she knew it was inevitable, knowing and doing were two different things.

After mentally preparing herself for a long time, when she saw Prince Jing spread his arms, waiting for her to undress him, her mind went blank.

Despite her panic, she maintained her composure. She stepped forward, fumbled with his belt for a bit before finally untying it, and helped him remove his clothes.

As Prince Jing stepped into the bath, she stole a glance at his lean waist, where six-pack abs were clearly defined.

That single glance made her cheeks flush. She quickly made an excuse to turn around and fetch a towel, keeping her back to him as she pretended to tidy his clothes.

Prince Jing reclined lazily in the tub, taking in all her flustered behavior with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

This Xie woman—if you said she was timid, she dared to speak shamelessly in public.

If you said she was bold, now she wished she could retract her head into her shell like a turtle.

Perhaps finding her temperament amusing, Prince Jing didn’t press her. "You may go out and attend to things. Call in Shi An."

Xie Run let out a quiet sigh of relief and quickly bowed. "Your servant will go call Eunuch Shi An."

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. What did that look of relief on her face mean?

He wasn’t a lustful man.

Was he going to do anything to her in broad daylight?

He felt a bit annoyed.

After his bath, he changed clothes and sat on the daybed, sipping tea slowly, saying nothing.

As his concubine, Xie Run had to stand and attend to him at times like this.

Since Prince Jing hadn't dismissed her, she could only stand by and wait for his orders. The heavy, oppressive silence made her heart race.

After composing herself, she mustered her courage and said, "It's still early for the evening meal. Would Your Highness like to do something to while away the time?"

After saying that, she fell silent, acting with proper restraint.

Prince Jing glanced at her, with a faint, knowing smile. "What are you skilled at?"

Xie Run hesitated. "Music, Go, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, tea..."

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Are you skilled in all of them?"

Xie Run gave a small smile. "I've only dabbled in them—nothing more than a basic grasp."

Prince Jing: "..."

Xie Run thought to herself, that would be a miracle if she were skilled in all of them.

The original Xie Run was merely the daughter of a scholar. She had learned some things thanks to her parents’ indulgence, but mastering any of them required money and connections.

Such things could be easily checked, so Xie Run wasn’t about to lie about it.

Prince Jing found this Xie woman somewhat intriguing.

To dare say such things in front of him—wasn't she afraid he would look down on her?

He put down his teacup and said flatly, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Xie Run: "...Your Highness, would you like to play a game of Go with me?"

Of all those arts—music, Go, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, tea, in her past life, Xie Run had only studied Go while bedridden in a hospital.

Back then, she played Go online and lost repeatedly. In a fit of frustration, she searched for guides and learned many techniques.

The original Xie Run had only a beginner's grasp of various skills, so after much thought, she felt her Go skills were the only thing she could offer.

Soon, the maids set up the Go board.

Xie Run said tactfully, "Your Highness, would you like to take the black stones?"

The black stones go first, so naturally the noble prince should take them.

Prince Jing didn’t refuse. He promptly picked up a black stone and placed it on the board. Xie Run sat upright, her eyes fixed on the board, looking as if she were prepared for battle.

Prince Jing saw her expression and assumed Xie Run must have some skill. But the game ended in just a quarter of an hour.

Prince Jing's expression was complicated.

Xie Run's face was full of embarrassment, "Your servant's skills are lacking."

Prince Jing nodded: "Indeed, lacking."

Deep down, Xie Run lacked the innate reverence and fear ancient people had for their superiors, and had a deep-seated unwillingness to lose.

"Could Your Highness please give me some guidance? I don't believe I'll lose that quickly in the next game!"

Previously, all she had learned was theoretical knowledge from the internet, and she mostly faced AI and amateurs, so Xie Run felt she still had great room for improvement.

Upon hearing this request, Prince Jing's expression turned odd, "You want me to teach you how to play Go?"

Xie Run explained seriously, "...Guidance, Your Highness. Your skills are superb. If I can learn even a little, I would benefit greatly from even that little."

Having spent over a decade in a sickbed, Xie Run knew well the essence of pleasing others.

She softened her voice, sounding somewhat wronged and almost coaxing, "In the future, when I play Go with you, I won't be so quickly dismissed."

At sixteen, Xie Run was at her most youthful and charming. Her coquettishness was endearing and, to Prince Jing, a kind of private amusement.

Prince Jing nodded and casually pointed out the problems in her play in the previous game.

Seeing that Xie Run listened attentively and occasionally asked insightful questions, showing she was really taking it all in, he said a few more things.

When they started the second game, Xie Run had clearly improved.

At least she no longer repeated the mistakes of the first game, and she lasted longer.

Perhaps everyone has a natural love of teaching. Prince Jing felt a sense of accomplishment and no longer lectured her with a look of disdain.

After a dozen or so games back and forth, it had turned dark.

Eunuch Shi'an finally couldn't help but remind, "Master, it's time for dinner."

Prince Jing put down the stone, still wanting to play more, "Let's eat."

Looking up, he saw Xie Run staring at the board, as if she wanted to dive into the board and solve the game.

Prince Jing couldn't help but laugh, "So engrossed, should I find a teacher for you?"

Xie Run lifted her head, only then realizing it was dark outside. Her mind was slow to react, and her words came out all jumbled.

"Your Highness, you need to eat, or you'll get hungry. It's already dark outside."

Prince Jing got off the couch and let Eunuch Shi'an attend to him, "How considerate of you to notice it's dark."

Xie Run grinned sheepishly to cover her embarrassment.

Dan Tao stepped forward to clear the board, but Xie Run quickly stopped her, "Don't touch it! Don't disturb the board. I need to study it tonight."

Dan Tao was stunned, thinking to herself, "But your task tonight is to attend to His Highness!"

How could she say that?