Chapter 24

Chapter 24

When Concubine Yun was critically ill, it was Fang Yuaner who sent ginseng at a crucial moment, saving Concubine Yun's life.

Upon hearing that Fang Yuaner had intervened, Xie Run was not surprised at all.

After all, this woman knew the plot.

She was merely curious: why would Fang Yuaner save Concubine Yun?

Fang Yuaner was far from a kind-hearted person. Logically, the two were rivals for the prince's favor, especially since Fang Yuaner had already abandoned the path of winning people over.

Unless Concubine Yun's survival would influence the subsequent plot... Xie Run suddenly shuddered.

That was it. If Concubine Yun died, new concubines would enter the prince's residence!

Although the timeline now differed somewhat from the book, the general storyline would still unfold.

In the original book, after seeing the sparse offspring in Prince Jing's rear courtyard—one miscarried and the other still precarious—his birth mother, Noble Consort Rou, specially begged the emperor to bestow two more women.

Both were daughters of officials.

In the original plot, at this time, Secondary Consort Ning was out of favor, Concubine Yun had died young, Xie Run had long become an early casualty, and the rear courtyard had Fang Yuaner with the upper hand.

Later, she was promoted to Secondary Consort after becoming pregnant.

Fang Yuaner was just gearing up to compete with the princess consort when the imperial palace suddenly sent two women, who became Secondary Consorts right away, on par with her.

More importantly, these two were strikingly beautiful, each with their own charm, and they immediately took away some of Fang Yuaner's favor.

Later, after Prince Jing ascended the throne, the children born to these two became Fang Yuaner's formidable rivals.

Now that Fang Yuaner had traveled into the book and knew two rivals were coming, she was likely making preparations in advance.

Concubine Yun had originally been quite favored by Prince Jing, and now she had nearly died while carrying his child.

Prince Jing was not cold and heartless; mindful of her sacrifice, he would surely treat her well.

Fang Yuaner, at such a time, was cultivating an ally to bolster her confidence when the newcomers arrived.

Xie Run, having figured out Fang Yuaner's calculations, looked at the determined Fang Yuaner, then at her own lazy self, and sighed at the vast difference between them.

Still, she finally felt a sense of urgency.

First, new women were about to enter the residence.

Second, Fang Yuaner might soon become pregnant.

Xie Run couldn't help touching her own slightly rounder belly. This time, she actually hoped she was pregnant.

She thought: at least before losing favor, she should have a child of her own.

To secure a future of lazing around and watching the drama, Xie Run decided to put in some effort.

Two days after the commotion over Concubine Yun subsided, Xie Run quietly asked someone to deliver an embroidered pouch to Prince Jing.

Yes, she was preparing to court his favor.

When she was punished by Prince Jing before, Xie Run had embroidered two pouches for practice.

She had given the ugly one to Prince Jing first, keeping the slightly better one for herself.

At the time, Dan Tao was puzzled: "My lady, aren't you afraid His Highness will dislike it..."

Xie Run calmly replied: "His Highness grew up in luxury. What exquisite embroidery hasn't he seen? He'd dislike either pouch I give him. By giving the ugly one first, I leave myself some room to improve."

Having served Prince Jing for several months, Xie Run knew his prickly temper well.

Ever since Concubine Yun's miscarriage, Prince Jing had not entered the rear courtyard but stayed in the front courtyard.

Shi An suddenly delivered a message: "Your Highness, Dan Tao from Linxuan Pavilion is waiting outside."

Prince Jing actually disliked women from the rear courtyard coming to the front courtyard to curry favor.

Staying in the front courtyard meant he didn't want to see anyone.

If someone still came despite such an obvious signal, they were either not smart or deliberately defying him.

If they were that unintelligent (or deliberately defiant), why would he favor them?

But hearing the words "Linxuan Pavilion," he paused and didn't immediately refuse to see them.

Eunuch Shi'an smiled and added: "I usually dismiss others, but Lady Xie has always been well-behaved and discreet, so I didn't dare make a decision for Your Highness. That's why I came to ask."

"Discreet" here meant that Xie Run kept to herself and never vied for favor.

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow: "Did she say what she was here for?"

Shi An: "She said she specially made an embroidered pouch for Your Highness..."

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow again, recalling the pouch Xie Run had embroidered last time.

It was so ugly he couldn't bear to wear it.

Lady Xie was usually honest; could the recent events have scared her, prompting this clumsy attempt to win favor through embroidery?

Such a straightforward and somewhat foolish act was exactly what Lady Xie seemed capable of.

Suddenly, Prince Jing became curious about how ugly the new pouch would be.

He put down his brush: "Go and bring the pouch in."

"Yes."

Soon, the pouch was in Prince Jing's hands.

When he saw the green bamboo embroidered on the pouch, Prince Jing frowned, sighed, and said after a long while, "That's really ugly."

Shi An pretended not to hear.

Prince Jing not only complained but also wanted someone to back him up: "Tell me, her hands are so fair and slender—how can she embroider something so ugly?"

"In all my life, I've never seen such an ugly pouch."

Shi An chuckled: "I think it's much prettier than the last one."

In his heart, though, he thought that His Highness must have some affection for Lady Xie.

Any other woman, even if her embroidery were a masterpiece of ugliness, he would have taken one look at it and thrown it away. He wouldn't have bothered complaining to his servants.

Prince Jing listened to Shi An’s words and let out a light snort. “Well said. It is indeed more pleasing than the last one.”

As he fingered the pouch, Prince Jing noticed a corner of white paper peeking out from inside.

He opened the pouch and unfolded the paper within, finding two characters written on it: “Suisui.”

After reading it, Prince Jing shook his head with a complex expression. “Forget it—I can’t let her teach the child calligraphy in the future.”

“She’ll lead the child astray!”

Having said that, Prince Jing laughed.

Though still clumsy, her handwriting had indeed improved significantly.

She had deliberately written her pet name inside the pouch—if that wasn’t an invitation for him to visit, what was?

Shi An chuckled. “Your Highness thinks far ahead. Lady Xie has only been in the household for three months, yet you’re already considering teaching the young master calligraphy. It truly shows how much Your Highness cares for Lady Xie.”

Prince Jing shot him a glance. “I care for her because she pleases me.”

With that, he tucked the note back into the pouch. “Very well—it’s been a while since I last visited her.”

He realized her pet name wasn’t the common “Suisui” (Suìsuì) but the characters “Suīsuì.”

As he reached the door, Prince Jing suddenly stopped. “Shi An!”

Shi An immediately stepped forward.

Prince Jing: “Go find a fine piece of jade and have these two characters engraved on it.”

He flashed the note before Shi An’s eyes just once before tucking it back into the pouch.

Fortunately, Shi An was quick-witted and immediately replied with a smile, “This servant will see to it.”

Prince Jing let out a light snort and headed straight for Linxuan Pavilion.

After formal greetings concluded and the servants withdrew, Xie Run quietly reached out and tugged at the hem of Prince Jing’s robe.

She was dressed today in a pink ruqun, her hair simply coiled—gentle and alluring.

Prince Jing was taken aback and softly scolded, “This… is improper.”

Though his words were reproachful, he did not shake off her hand, allowing her to hold onto his robe.

After all, men often say one thing but mean another.

Xie Run spoke in a soft, tender voice: “This servant… missed Your Highness.”

At these words, Prince Jing felt as if his heart were bathed in warm spring water—a strange warmth welling up within him.

In the past, Xie Run had been compliant, but she rarely spoke such direct, flirtatious words.

Hearing her say this now was deeply stirring.

The two sat down, and Xie Run served Prince Jing tea.

Prince Jing sniffed its fragrance and murmured, “Not bad.”

Xie Run was startled.

She had been so distracted lately that she hadn’t practiced tea ceremony at all—the quality should be about the same, right?

Since Prince Jing praised her, she accepted it without question.

To ward off boredom, Xie Run took Prince Jing to the study.

She blinked her eyes. “This servant has been practicing calligraphy diligently lately…”

With that, she handed Prince Jing several sheets of large characters she had recently practiced, looking at him expectantly—as if to say, “Praise me!”

Prince Jing found it amusing and glanced at the characters, which had indeed improved. With a smile, he said, “Barely passable.”

Xie Run beamed with joy.

Outside the window, a few red flowers vied for beauty—but none could rival the springtime glow in Xie Run’s brows.

“You called me here just to show me your calligraphy practice?”

Prince Jing was not truly oblivious to romance.

On the contrary, though outwardly stern and composed, he quite enjoyed a touch of romantic playfulness.

Xie Run spoke softly: “These past days… this servant has been a little scared. I thought—if I could see Your Highness—perhaps I wouldn’t be so frightened.”

She did not mention recent events, fearing they might displease Prince Jing.

Prince Jing’s throat tightened. He reached out and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, his voice deepening. “Seeing me makes you unafraid?”

Xie Run looked up with dewy, peach-blossom eyes and nodded obediently. “I was scared before—but seeing Your Highness puts my mind at ease.”

She even leaned against Prince Jing’s broad chest.

Prince Jing: “Is there nothing you want to tell me?”

Xie Run looked up, a hint of confusion on her face. “What should I say?”

Seeing her still bewildered, Prince Jing sighed helplessly. “Never mind. With your mind, you probably wouldn’t think of scheming anyway.”

Xie Run: “…”

In the past, whenever trouble arose in the inner courtyard, other concubines would always chime in upon seeing Prince Jing—either slandering someone, claiming they never expected her to be so malicious, or defending someone, insisting she was a good person who wouldn’t harm others.

Even when the matter had nothing to do with them, they still felt compelled to say a few words.

Prince Jing was already annoyed; when he sought their company, it was for peace and quiet—yet even then, he found no tranquility.

Seeing that Xie Run had not yet picked up this habit, he was quite pleased.

Xie Run wanted to argue—to prove she wasn’t that dull—but after a moment’s thought, she decided not to explain.

Being dull was fine, since Prince Jing seemed to like her that way.

Prince Jing raised his hand. “Enough. Go grind me some ink…”

With that, Prince Jing paused. "You do know how to grind ink, don't you?"

Xie Run's face reddened, and she bit her lip as she chided softly, "Does Your Highness think I'm that stupid?"

Prince Jing gave her a deep look.

Xie Run: "..."

Although she wanted to play the fool to hide her intelligence, she didn't actually want to come across as stupid.

Xie Run couldn't help but pinch Prince Jing's waist.

And indeed, Prince Jing's waist was lean and toned, felt really nice to the touch.

The moment she pinched, Xie Run realized what she had done.

Her expression stiffened, and she secretly glanced at Prince Jing's reaction, only to get caught.

Xie Run immediately put on a bright smile, changing the pinch into a caress, "Your Highness, I noticed your robe is a bit dirty."

"Heh." Prince Jing glanced sideways at Xie Run.

Seeing her guilt-ridden face, he felt both amused and scornful.

Her soft fingers brushed across his waist, leaving a trail of heat.

Prince Jing unconsciously stepped back, snorting, "Then hurry up and grind the ink, will you?"

Xie Run promptly smiled, "Yes, I'll go now."

Standing to the side, Prince Jing took up his brush and wrote in one fluid motion.

Xie Run leaned in to look and finally understood what "iron strokes and silver hooks" meant.

Xie Run murmured admiringly, "No wonder you always complain about my handwriting..."

What Prince Jing had written were two characters: Suisui, Xie Run's childhood name.

Just these two characters exuded a fierce aura.

As they say, the writing reveals the man—looking at his writing, you could tell Prince Jing was ambitious.

He put down the brush, admired his own work for a moment, and then said, "I've had a gift prepared for you."

"A gift?" Xie Run looked at Prince Jing curiously.

Soon, Eunuch Shi'an brought in an exquisite box.

Prince Jing: "Open it and take a look."

Xie Run opened the box to find a jade pendant placed neatly inside. The jade was of excellent quality, warm to the touch, with a deep emerald green spreading through the middle—absolutely stunning.

Xie Run turned it over and saw two characters carved on the back: Suisui.

It was her childhood name.

Xie Run's long, narrow peach blossom eyes sparkled with joy, like rippling green water, quietly alluring.

Before Prince Jing could ask, she said willingly, "Your Highness, I really like it!"

Prince Jing couldn't help but curl his lips, but quickly suppressed it, putting on a serious face, "It's just a jade pendant, and your mouth is already stretched from ear to ear..."

He was implying that Xie Run was too easily impressed.

Having served Prince Jing for so long, Xie Run had come to understand his tough exterior but soft heart.

She replied cheekily, "I come from a humble family, so I haven't seen much."

"This jade pendant is already the finest piece I've ever seen in my life."

Prince Jing felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing this, and inexplicably, a hint of pity stirred in his heart.

"You are my woman—how could I ever let you lack good things?"

Xie Run just held the jade and giggled foolishly.

"I like nice things, but I like even more the nice things you give me yourself."

Hearing this, Prince Jing's heart felt warm.

That night, Xie Run was thoroughly worn out by Prince Jing and couldn't help but bite his shoulder before falling asleep.

As she drifted off, she thought, "I already offended him once during the day—what's one more offense?"

The next morning, when Prince Jing woke, he noticed the bite mark on his shoulder and let out a soft hiss.

"This Xie woman is getting more audacious by the day."

Dan Tao and Xiaoshu, who were attending to him as he dressed, didn't dare to speak.

Only after Prince Jing left did they let out a big sigh of relief.

Not long after, Linxuan Pavilion received many fine gifts.

When Xie Run lazily got out of bed to dress and do her makeup, she was stunned by the dazzling array of jewelry on her dressing table.

Holding her aching waist, she froze, "What's all this...?"

Dan Tao said with a smile, "These are gifts from His Highness, sent over first thing this morning."

Xie Run glanced at the gold and jade hairpins and ornaments on the dressing table, then her gaze fell on the two boxes in the middle.

One box contained a complete set of butterfly-and-flower jade hairpieces, and the other was filled with gemstones.

There were large and small ones—the biggest ruby was almost the size of half a baby's fist.

Xie Run murmured softly, "I've hit the jackpot..."

Prince Jing was indeed a wealthy benefactor.

These jewels alone could secure her finances for life.

Dan Tao added, "Madam, today's gifts were all delivered by Jing Wu from the front courtyard; it seems they all came from the prince's private stash—no one else knows."

Hearing this, Xie Run was even happier.

With a big wave of her hand, she said, "Tips for everyone!"

Everyone in Linxuan Pavilion was overjoyed.