Chapter 49

Chapter 49

The two walked together for a while before Xie Run thought to ask, "Has Your Highness dined?"

Prince Jing replied calmly, "No."

Xie Run opened her mouth, a trace of incredulous surprise on her face.

He hadn’t eaten dinner, yet he was accompanying her, who had already eaten, on a walk?

How unusual!

Perhaps Xie Run’s surprised expression amused Prince Jing, so he reached out and tweaked her nose.

"I had no appetite today. I’ll just have your personal kitchen throw together a few dishes."

Xie Run figured that made sense.

After everything that had happened today, if she were Prince Jing, she’d have no appetite either.

Soon, the dishes from the personal kitchen were laid out on the table.

After all, it was Prince Jing dining—how could anyone really be casual?

Stewed snow frog with pear, lamb rib bamboo shoots, five-spiced steamed chicken, goose vermicelli noodles, stir-fried bean sprouts, and fresh mushroom and greens soup.

Xie Run saw the colorful, fragrant dishes spread across the table and felt hungry again.

Prince Jing, as if reading her mind, said to Dan Tao, "Bring your mistress another set of chopsticks and a bowl. Look how eager she looks."

He sounded dismissive, but there was no disdain in his tone.

Xie Run, trying to save face, emphasized, "It’s not that I want to eat; it’s that His Highness’s child wants to eat."

Prince Jing laughed even harder. "Fine. It’s not you who wants to eat, but my child."

"Dan Tao, why haven’t you brought your little master a set of chopsticks and a bowl yet?"

He laughed freely, his joy unrestrained.

Xie Run couldn’t help but blush.

The maids and eunuchs of Spring Mountain Court also found the scene amusing.

That evening, after Prince Jing finished bathing, he lay on the bed in his undergarments, holding a book in one hand, glancing over it casually.

Xie Run, resting her hand on her belly, paced beside the bed to help digest the meal.

Turning back, she caught sight of Prince Jing bathed in the warm orange candlelight.

The dim flame softened the sharp lines of his face, softening his usual coldness, making him seem more gentle and refined.

With his eyes lowered to the book, every movement was incredibly captivating.

Xie Run, captivated by his handsome appearance, forgot her pacing and just stared blankly.

Prince Jing seemed to sense something, and as he turned his head, his eyes met hers. A smile flickered in his eyes. "Staring at me in a trance?"

Xie Run stepped closer and nodded earnestly, sparing no praise.

"Your Highness is truly handsome!"

She added, "The undergarments Your Highness is wearing today look a little familiar?"

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "Just familiar?"

Before Xie Run could respond, she heard his teasing voice.

"With such coarse stitching, it’s hard to find anywhere else in the manor. How could Suisui not recognize it at a glance?"

Xie Run’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she pretended to be annoyed. "Your Highness, if you keep teasing me, I won’t make any more!"

Prince Jing stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace, his lips lightly nibbling her earlobe.

His hot breath fell on her ear, instantly turning her cheeks bright red.

His voice deepened to a low, husky tone, as if he were coaxing her: "I like it very much."

"Make two more for me?"

Xie Run’s smile faded, and Prince Jing laughed, "No rush. Do it whenever you have time. I won’t be stingy with the reward."

Xie Run’s face immediately brightened. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, and couldn’t resist kissing him on the cheek.

"Thank you, Your Highness. You’d better keep your promise!"

Prince Jing’s eyes grew darker, and his voice took on a hoarse edge. "When have I ever broken my word?"

After a moment, he added, "You’re getting bolder and bolder."

How dare she kiss him so openly!

Xie Run played dumb, wriggling in his arms with a smile. "If I’m bold, it’s because Your Highness indulged me!"

She even straightened her back with feigned indignation.

In the midst of their playful banter, Prince Jing’s worries and melancholy from the day vanished completely.

Sometimes, just seeing Xie Run’s smile warmed his heart deeply.

"Forget it, be bold if you like."

These words were full of endless affection.

And Xie Run realized that ever since the poisoning incident happened, Prince Jing had been treating her better and better.

The next morning, as soon as Prince Jing stirred, Xie Run opened her eyes.

He glanced at her. "Did I wake you?"

Xie Run sat up in bed and shook her head obediently. "I’ve been sleeping too much these past few days. Now I can’t seem to get back to sleep."

With that, she suddenly had an idea. "Let me dress Your Highness."

Prince Jing found that amusing. "Aside from that first time, when you only barely managed to help me dress while half-asleep, I’ve always left while you were still fast asleep."

Having spent more time with him, Xie Run was becoming increasingly at ease with him.

"I'm still young. I need enough sleep to grow."

Prince Jing glanced at her chest with a half-smile. "Not growing anymore now?"

Xie Run's cheeks flushed slightly as she feigned composure. "Now it's my belly that's growing."

Prince Jing nearly laughed out loud.

This Lady Xie was becoming more and more interesting!

Xie Run threw on a robe and began figuring out how to help Prince Jing dress.

She treated it as a bit of fun, fiddling with this and that.

"Your Highness, how do you fasten this belt? I couldn't figure it out last time."

Prince Jing was patient enough to take her hand and teach her.

"And this sash, how does it tie?"

"The button won't fasten."

With all this dawdling, it was an hour later than usual.

Prince Jing barely had time for breakfast before rushing off to court.

Xie Run sat alone in the main hall having her meal, her cheeks warm.

The two of them secretly playing around—that was just marital intimacy.

But delaying serious matters for the sake of fun would seem very undignified in others' eyes.

Xie Run took a bite of the steamed bun, chewing slowly. It took her a while to finish it.

Suddenly, she said to Dan Tao, "Go tell everyone in the courtyard that not a word of what happened today is to leak out."

For one, it would show a lack of respect and undermine the mistress's authority.

For another, it might make people mistakenly think Xie Run was spoiled and arrogant, inviting idle gossip.

She always followed a low-key, survival-first approach and didn't want to be talked about.

Dan Tao smiled. "I've already instructed them."

After breakfast, Xie Run took a few maids to stroll around and familiarize herself with the layout of Spring Hill Court.

"They say Spring Hill Court is the smallest of the four courtyards, but to me, it seems larger than three or four Forest Pavilion complexes."

This was Xie Run's own observation.

Dan Tao said, "Originally, the area wasn't small, but having half a hill makes it feel a bit cramped."

Xiaoshu had been in the manor longer and knew a bit of information: "When the manor was built, they planned to level this hill, but I heard it would affect the feng shui, so they kept it."

Lu Zhi, also a servant born into the household, nodded in agreement. "I've heard that too. They say Spring Hill Court is a bit out of the way, but its feng shui is excellent."

Listening to them talk made Xie Run happy.

She pointed a finger. "In a couple of days, we can set up a swing over there."

Dan Tao asked with a smile, "So the little master will have a place to play later."

Xie Run: "...No. It's for me to play on later."

The maids covered their mouths and giggled.

Xie Run felt no embarrassment at all.

She had suffered enough in her previous life; in this life, she didn't want to endure any hardship. That meant the children would have to bear it instead.

If Prince Jing heard this, he would probably tease her again.