Chapter 7

Chapter 7

After serving tea, Prince Jing did not forget to test Xie Run's chess skills.

Mainly because he arrived early today and would be bored if he had nothing to do.

Seeing that Xie Run had indeed solved the previous chess puzzle, Prince Jing deliberately set up an even more difficult endgame.

Prince Jing held his teacup unhurriedly, savoring the tea, every gesture exuding noble grace. "If you solve this puzzle, I'll come visit you again tomorrow."

He thought that with this promise, Xie Run would be overjoyed.

Unexpectedly, Xie Run looked distressed, bit her lip, and said, "In that case, could Your Highness come back in a couple of days?"

Prince Jing paused mid-sip, his brow twitching. "What did you say?"

Xie Run said earnestly, "This puzzle—I definitely can't solve it in a day or two..."

After speaking, she gave him an aggrieved look.

If he didn't want to come, he just didn't have to.

He deliberately set a hard puzzle and then promised to come if she solved it.

An impossible task—what use was such a promise? Wasn't it just to toy with her?

Prince Jing read her expression and felt both amused and a bit annoyed.

This Xie Run was clever when she shouldn't be, and not clever when she should be.

If she really couldn't do it, couldn't she just act coy and smooth things over? Would he really hold it against her?

Other concubines usually did that, but she had to be different.

But being different was a good thing.

If Xie Run had actually done that, Prince Jing would probably have found it cloying and boring.

Prince Jing intended to tease her, so he put on a serious face. "A gentleman's word is as good as gold. If you can't solve it, it means you don't want me to come."

Xie Run: "..."

So unreasonable!

To solve the puzzle, Xie Run was distracted while attending to the prince that evening.

Prince Jing noticed, and for some reason, his mood lifted, and he teased her even more.

As a result, Xie Run couldn't get out of bed the next day.

She slept until nearly noon, and when she woke up, she was still dazed.

Dan Tao helped her wash up, and Yuli asked softly, "My lady, shall I bring the chessboard?"

Xie Run's vision swam. "No! I don't want to see the chessboard today! Last night, I dreamed only of chess pieces, and I was trapped inside, unable to get out—it scared me to death."

Dan Tao covered her mouth with her hand, comb still in hand, and chuckled.

Yuli's eyes widened. "But yesterday, the prince said that if you couldn't solve it, it means you don't want him to come. If he gets angry..."

Xie Run helplessly spread her hands. "Even if he gets angry, I can't solve this puzzle. I might as well take it easy today and try again tomorrow."

Besides, there were signs of trouble brewing in the inner courtyard recently, and Xie Run felt it was better for the prince not to visit too often.

Yesterday, she heard a rumor from the main courtyard that the prince was dissatisfied with Secondary Consort Ning's inability to care for the child and planned to have the second young master raised by the Princess Consort.

Whether this news was true or false, once it spread, it would stir up trouble.

Xie Run, new to the scene, dared not get involved in such conflicts.

That day, true to his word, Prince Jing did not come to Linxuan Pavilion.

Mindful of what he had said to Xie Run, Prince Jing deliberately avoided Linxuan Pavilion and went to Concubine An.

Concubine An had entered the household two years ago, known for her honest and simple nature.

She was not favored by Prince Jing and had not been called to attend to him for over half a year.

Upon suddenly hearing that Prince Jing was coming to her place, she was stunned by joy, flustered and at a loss.

When Prince Jing arrived at Concubine An's place, he was about to have dinner.

Seeing Concubine An standing by to serve him, he gestured casually and said, "You sit down too. No need to be so stiff."

Concubine An curtsied, unable to hide her excitement. "I don't need to sit. I'll just stand and serve you, Your Highness."

Prince Jing frowned, but before he could say anything, Concubine An trembled and stammered, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. I... I..."

Prince Jing waited a long time, but Concubine An couldn't even finish a sentence, which made him even more displeased.

He wasn't a ghost—was he really that frightening?

Just then, there was some commotion outside.

Prince Jing put down his chopsticks and snapped, "What's going on out there?!"

It was also because of the incompetence of Concubine An's servants that a maid managed to barge in.

Qiu Lan cried bitterly, "I am Qiu Lan, from Concubine Fang's residence. I beg Your Highness to save my mistress!"

Prince Jing's brows furrowed slightly, and he asked in a deep voice, "What happened to your mistress?"

"I don't know what happened. As soon as night fell, she started vomiting, and she's been drowsy and unable to speak clearly." Though her voice was choked with sobs, Qiu Lan spoke clearly through her sobs. "Please, Your Highness, go see my mistress quickly!"

Prince Jing rose and headed out. "Shi'an, summon the physician."

Eunuch Shi'an quickly acknowledged and followed.

Qiu Lan walked behind and cast a smug glance at Concubine An. "Lady An, I'll take my leave now."

Concubine An pressed her lips together, her face pale.

Prince Jing had come once in half a year, and was snatched away like this.

Who knew when he would come again?

That night, Prince Jing naturally stayed at Concubine Fang's Jinxiu Pavilion.

Taking the prince away from Concubine An's place was a minor matter, but using illness as an excuse to disturb the peace of the inner courtyard—that was a slap in the face for the Princess Consort.

When the women of the inner courtyard fell ill, they did not seek out the princess for a physician but instead bypassed her and went directly to the prince.

This shows a complete disregard for the princess.

Moreover, competing for favor is also an unhealthy practice.

The princess was always decisive. The very next day, she advised the prince to visit other concubines, citing Concubine Fang’s illness as the reason.

As his lawful wife, it was only right for her to care for her husband's health and manage the affairs of the inner courtyard, and even Prince Jing couldn't complain.

The princess declared outright, "Concubine Fang may serve the prince only when she is fully recovered. If her illness is severe, she will be sent directly to the estate to recuperate."

In truth, Concubine Fang had only suffered a mild heatstroke. She had deliberately exaggerated her condition to compete for the prince's favor.

With the princess's words, Prince Jing would not set foot in Concubine Fang's quarters for at least several days.

This slap in the face finally brought Concubine Fang to heel.

There were two newcomers in the household. With Concubine Fang subdued, Xie Run came out ahead.

Subsequently, Prince Jing stayed at Xie Run's place for three consecutive nights.

Having gained favor, Xie Run began to feel uneasy, constantly worried that someone might harm her.

But before anyone could make a move, a major incident occurred in the inner courtyard.

The Second Young Master had fallen into the lake!

Xie Run had just risen from her afternoon nap when she heard the news.

She hastily pinned up her hair in a simple bun and rushed out of Secondary Consort Ning's courtyard with Dan Tao and Yuli.

On the way, she wondered, "The Second Young Master is only two years old. How could he fall into the lake? Could it be someone's scheme?"

Dan Tao frowned. "I don't know either. But the Second Young Master is only two—who would take him to the lakeside?"

Yuli was timid and worried greatly, "Could this implicate our mistress?"

Hearing this, Xie Run also felt uneasy. "It shouldn't, right?"

The Prince Jing’s residence was quite large, and Xie Run had to cross a bridge on her way to Secondary Consort Ning’s Lanxiang Court.

As she reached the middle of the bridge, she saw a beauty approaching from the opposite direction, a willowy figure with a face as dazzling as a rose.

The beauty’s skin was blindingly fair, and her attire was exceptionally luxurious and striking.

Xie Run froze, instantly recognizing her as Concubine Fang, who had entered the household on the same day as her.

But as she looked at Concubine Fang, a sudden pain shot through Xie Run’s head.

Everything went black, and she collapsed.

Dan Tao and Yuli screamed, "Mistress!"