Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Prince Jing, who had been giving the cold shoulder to Xie Run for a long time, suddenly arrived at Linxuan Pavilion.

The maids in Linxuan Pavilion were overjoyed, and Xie Run also welcomed him with a smile.

Acting as if nothing had happened that day, she cheerfully showed off the chess manual she had recently studied to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing, who had been somewhat indifferent at first, was swept up by her cheerful demeanor. "It seems that while I haven't been here, you've been quite at ease."

He said this with a slight smile, not being sarcastic.

"Your Highness may not have come in person, but this servant has been thinking of you every moment. That's why I've been studying chess manuals daily, hoping that when you came, you'd say it was at least decent."

Words could be deceptive, but whether Xie Run's chess skills had improved was obvious at a glance.

Prince Jing couldn't help picturing that after he had left in anger, Xie Run had been constantly on edge, yet missed him deeply, and could only study chess manuals every day, hoping for his return.

With this thought, Prince Jing's demeanor softened considerably.

Xie Run waved her hand, had the chessboard put aside, and set out a tea set to begin making tea.

In a gentle voice, she said, "I'm not completely heartless. Yesterday, when I saw Princess Ruyi vomiting and crying, I was truly startled. After returning, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her."

Such a little kid had been set up; it was clear that even with the title of princess, safety was not guaranteed.

Prince Jing's smile faded. "You feel sorry for her, yet some people don't know when they're lucky."

Xie Run was taken aback, immediately catching the implication in his words.

Some people don't know when they're lucky?

Whose blessing was Princess Ruyi?

Xie Run quickly thought of Shiqie Yun.

Could it be... that the fact that Princess Ruyi was poisoned last night was also related to Shiqie Yun?

Indeed, the poison was originally meant for Shiqie Yun, but how did the sour plum soup end up in Princess Ruyi's stomach?

A kid only a few years old has a sweet tooth, but a mother should know that she shouldn't be casually given cold drinks, especially since Princess Ruyi had a sensitive stomach from childhood.

But how did Shiqie Yun know that the sour plum soup had been tampered with?

Xie Run pretended not to understand, finished making the tea, placed it before Prince Jing, and looked at him with clear, bright eyes full of hope, looking obedient and radiant.

"Your Highness, would you like to taste the tea I made?"

Prince Jing glanced at her, picked up the cup, and took a light sip.

Today, Prince Jing wore a black robe embroidered with gold patterns, with a golden belt at his waist, emphasizing his broad shoulders and slim waist. His long eyebrows swept into his temples, keeping his usual rakish charm in check and adding a touch of solemn dignity.

Seeing Xie Run staring at him eagerly, Prince Jing chuckled, "What are you looking at?"

Xie Run, annoyed that he was playing dumb, still said with a sweet, demure tone, "I've been practicing making tea these days, just waiting for you to praise me."

Prince Jing frowned.

A hint of uncertainty flickered in Xie Run's eyes, as if aggrieved, she said, "If it doesn't taste good, it means my skill isn't good enough. I'll go back and practice some more..."

Seeing she looked like she was about to cry, Prince Jing forced himself to say, "It's passable. Drinkable."

Xie Run sighed in relief, letting out a soft, playful hum, "Your Highness always likes to tease."

With that, she shot him a sidelong glance with her peach-blossom eyes, pure and seductive, with a hint of allure.

Prince Jing felt a flutter and couldn't help clearing his throat.

Xie Run, completely oblivious, propped her chin on her hand and excitingly shared her thoughts on making tea and chess with Prince Jing.

When two people are together, they need something to talk about; otherwise, just sitting in silence would be boring.

Xie Run didn't like talking about matters among the women in the household, so she only mentioned fun little incidents from her day.

Her soft, gentle voice was like a babbling brook, pleasing to the ear.

When Prince Jing found something interesting, he would chip in with a question or two; if not, he would simply listen quietly as Xie Run spoke.

As it got dark, Xie Run had the maids bring dinner.

Just as they were about to eat, suddenly a shout came from outside.

Xie Run put down her chopsticks and asked Dan Tao beside her, "What happened? Wasn't that Xiao Ci's voice?"

Dan Tao bowed. "I'll go out and check."

A moment later, Dan Tao returned. "Ma'am, Xiao Ci dropped a flowerpot on her foot while moving flowers."

Xie Run quickly asked, "How is she?"

"She's fine. It's nothing serious."

"Give her some safflower oil to rub on it, and check that no bones are broken."

"Yes."

After Dan Tao left, Xie Run picked up her chopsticks to continue eating.

Prince Jing casually remarked, "You seem a bit short-staffed in your courtyard."

Xie Run was taken aback. "What do you mean? I have four people serving me—that's already a lot."

Xie Run genuinely felt that was plenty.

Back in the Xie manor, Xie Run had only one maid. After moving into Prince Jing's estate, she had three more. She now didn't have to lift a finger, and life was pretty cushy.

She really couldn't lie and say that the number of servants was insufficient.

Prince Jing said with slight disdain, "What can four young maids do? You don't even have someone to do the rough work..."

Seeing that Xie Run didn't get the hint and looked at him innocently, Prince Jing sighed. "Forget it, let's just eat."

Xie Run looked totally confused.

But since Prince Jing didn't want to continue, she naturally didn't dare ask any more.

After the meal, Prince Jing played a game of chess with Xie Run looking all proper, then dragged her over to the couch.

Candlelight flickered, soft murmurs lingered.

Just before dawn, Prince Jing got up to attend court. With a sidelong glance at the slender figure lying on the couch, he thought of the scratches on his back.

He thought to himself, "This Xie Run is quite delicate."

It seemed the Xie family had raised her well.

By the time Xie Run got up, it was almost noon.

Even someone as thick-skinned as her couldn't help blushing a little at this point.

Last night, Prince Jing acted as if he had been holding back for half a lifetime, tormenting her with every trick in the book.

Xie Run's back was nearly giving out.

When she heard Yuli happily tell her, "His Highness said before he left that he would come to Linxuan Pavilion again tonight."

Xie Run's vision darkened. Leaning on Yuli's hand, she trembled and said, "First, help me get something to eat."

If I don't eat soon, I won't survive.

Just after finishing the meal, she heard Dan Tao say with a smile, "Mistress, Nanny Liu from the Princess Consort's quarters has arrived."

Xie Run quickly said, "Please invite her in."

Yuli whispered in Xie Run's ear, "I heard that this Nanny Liu is the second most capable person after the Princess Consort, and all the maids and matrons in the courtyard are under her charge."

Hearing this, Xie Run understood the situation and exchanged a few pleasantries with Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu got straight to the point: "The Princess Consort says we don't have enough servants attending the masters. Although it follows precedent, times have changed, and it seems improper."

"Other princely mansions have also added staff as appropriate. Therefore, the Princess Consort has specially added one maid for heavy chores and one matron to each courtyard. From now on, any heavy or dirty work won't bother the young ladies."

Xie Run was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, "The Princess Consort is kind and compassionate. We servants are truly fortunate."

Yuli handed over a pouch.

Nanny Liu accepted it calmly and said with a smile, "I'll take my leave now."

Xie Run smiled and said, "Dan Tao, see Nanny Liu out."