Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The Princess saw that he was about to leave and suddenly remembered something.

"Your Highness, as for easing your worries, by all means, but the two newly pregnant concubines haven't stabilized yet. Your Highness must absolutely restrain yourself."

"Even for those with stable pregnancies, you must be careful…"

Prince Jing’s face visibly darkened.

"Do you see me as such a wanton man?!"

Would he be so desperate as to sleep with a pregnant concubine?!

The Princess said without changing her expression: "I know Your Highness has always valued offspring and won’t act rashly. But some concubines, to secure favor, might overstep. That’s why I specifically offered a reminder."

"If Your Highness dislikes it, I won’t say more."

The Princess finished speaking, and Prince Jing was thoroughly disgusted; her last sentence was merely perfunctory.

Prince Jing, with a dark face, turned and left Qingsong Courtyard.

Eunuch Shi’an led the way, guiding the group out of Qingsong Courtyard’s gate.

After Prince Jing left, the Princess asked in confusion: "I know he’s upset, so I specifically told him to go cheer up with the other concubines, yet he’s being sarcastic to me—what’s the logic in that?"

Mama Li hesitated, as if wanting to say something.

The Princess glanced at her and said, "Mama, better not speak. If you hesitated, it must be something I don’t want to hear."

"Enough, it’s so cold. Let’s rest early too."

Mama Li’s words were stuck in her throat, nearly choking her.

After a while, Mama Li couldn’t help herself: "Why did you say those things, Your Highness? The Prince has never been lustful; he has restraint in such matters."

"Even if some deliberately seduce him, they’ll bear the consequences themselves. By saying this, you’ve only made the Prince unhappy for no reason."

Didn’t you see how dark Prince Jing’s face was, blacker than charcoal?

The Princess said calmly, "Mama, you don’t understand. I am wholeheartedly thinking of the Prince’s offspring. Even if he dislikes it, I still have to say what must be said."

Mama Li: "…"

How had she not known her own Princess was so virtuous and endearing?

The Princess did not explain.

This reminder was of course not out of virtue, nor was it pointless.

On the contrary, she was setting a trap for Concubine Han.

If Concubine Han is faking pregnancy, Prince Jing won’t touch her, so she can’t turn the fake into a real one quickly, and it also makes it easier for Concubine Li to act.

Since she planned to win over Concubine Li, the Princess had to do something.

Prince Jing has always cared about face and does protect the pregnant concubines.

After hearing the Princess’s "heartfelt advice," he will certainly not casually sleep with a pregnant concubine.

The Princess looked forward to seeing how Concubine Han would turn fiction into reality.

Prince Jing exited Qingsong Courtyard, then paused his steps.

Eunuch Shi’an asked considerately, "Your Highness, would you like to go to Chunshan Courtyard or Qiufeng Courtyard?"

In Eunuch Shi’an’s understanding, Shufei Yun was Prince Jing’s "comforting flower," and Shufei Xie was his "warming soup."

When Prince Jing was troubled, he liked to visit these two places.

But lately Shufei Yun showed signs of losing favor, so this comforting flower wasn’t so comforting anymore.

Sure enough, Prince Jing chose Chunshan Courtyard.

Eunuch Shi’an sighed inwardly: It seems the warming soup is more reliable.

"I wonder if she’s already asleep."

Prince Jing muttered to himself.

He remembered that Xie Run had been sleeping quite early since she became pregnant.

Just now, when the Princess told him to find someone to comfort him, Xie Run’s image unconsciously appeared before his eyes.

Back when Xie Run’s poisoning was discovered, with her hair half loose and no jewelry, her features were both clear and charming, gentle and elegant yet alluring—leaving a deep impression on Prince Jing.

Whenever he was troubled and thought of her, the tightness in his chest seemed to ease.

Eunuch Shi’an said with a grin, "Not necessarily."

"I heard Lady Xie prepared a feast for the festival, called a few singing girls, and brought everyone in Chunshan Courtyard together for a lively celebration."

"I reckon it’s not over yet," Eunuch Shi’an said, with some envy in his eyes.

It’s hard for a servant not to envy such a good mistress.

Hearing this, Prince Jing became interested.

The manor naturally kept a theatrical troupe.

But since it was just a holiday, Xie Run didn’t dare to go overboard, so she only called three girls to sing, just for some fun.

When Prince Jing arrived with his people, Xie Run had just finished burning spirit money, and candles were still burning in the corner of the courtyard.

These spirit money and candles were not for the Xie family, but for the original Xie Run.

Whether the original was good or bad, since Xie Run had taken over her body, she had to remember her kindness.

She only hoped the original would have a smooth journey in reincarnation and not meet another scumbag in her next life.

After burning the paper, she turned around. In the yard, a small stage was set up; a young actress hummed softly to the sound of strings, and the eunuchs and maids watched intently.

In the distance, a tall figure emerged from the snowy ground.

Xie Run froze in place.

At some point, snow began to fall. The tall figure in a great cloak came through the snow, approaching in the night.

From his purple-gold jade crown hung two tassels, making the man appear even more dignified and handsome.

Some sharp-eyed maidservants saw Prince Jing arriving and rose to bow respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Xie Run slowly snapped out of it. "Your Highness, why have you come?"

She was genuinely surprised.

For one thing, it was a festival; for another, she had heard that Prince Jing and the Princess Consort had gone to the sacrificial banquet at the palace and only just returned.

Normally, Prince Jing would have already retired to the main courtyard, so why would he come all the way to Spring Mountain Court?

Prince Jing approached and reached out to cover Xie Run's hands. "Your hands... they're quite warm."

He had intended to warm her hands, but unexpectedly, Xie Run’s constitution was robust, her hands still warm even outdoors in the dead of winter.

Leaving Prince Jing no chance to show his concern.

Xie Run pulled her hand away and lightly tapped his, teasing playfully, "Your Highness, your hands are really cold!"

Then she added softly, "The maids are still here!"

Her delicate face, lit by the snow and the orange glow of the lanterns, was exquisite and lively, radiating a gentle warmth.

Especially her peach blossom-shaped eyes, so deeply affectionate... Prince Jing's heart softened.

"The Princess Consort, being virtuous, urged me to visit the pregnant concubines in the back courtyard more often, so I thought I'd come see you."

Xie Run wasn't sure if she was imagining it.

She felt that Prince Jing's mention of the Princess Consort's virtue carried a hint of sarcasm.

Xie Run didn't like discussing the Princess Consort with Prince Jing.

Or rather, in her own courtyard, she disliked discussing any other woman with him.

"Your Highness, you must have had a tiring journey. Have you had dinner yet?"

Prince Jing replied, "I've been craving that fragrant dew pigeon soup you make. It's late now, so a heavy meal wouldn't digest well. Just a bowl of noodles will do."

"What a coincidence." Xie Run walked with Prince Jing into the courtyard, making small talk. "The small kitchen has had soup simmering on the stove all day. Otherwise, it wouldn't be ready so soon."

The fragrant dew pigeon soup was quite a hassle to make.

Every time Xie Run wanted it, she had to order it a day in advance, have the small kitchen simmer it for half a day before it could be served.

As they walked, Prince Jing took Xie Run's hand in his.

Hidden by his cloak, it was invisible to anyone behind them—such secret closeness was heartwarming.

Xie Run also keenly sensed that Prince Jing was in a bad mood.

She didn't like being his soothing companion and refrained from asking too many questions.

Once inside the room, Xie Run helped Prince Jing remove his cloak, handing it to Dan Tao.

She also instructed, "Tell the kitchen to cook a bowl of noodles in winter bamboo shoot and chicken broth, and bring a bowl of white dew pigeon soup, along with a few refreshing side dishes."

Dan Tao took the cloak. "Yes, my lady. Some fresh fruits just arrived. Would you like to try some?"

Xie Run nodded. "That would be nice."

And some fruit after the meal too.

A charcoal stove burned in the room, filling it with warmth as soon as they entered, dispelling much of Prince Jing's frustration.

He sat down off to the side, and a maidservant immediately served tea.

Prince Jing took a sip, glancing at the white baby undergarment laid aside. He smiled. "When will I get to see this worn?"

Xie Run, without missing a beat, replied, "Soon."

Prince Jing teased her, "How soon is soon?"

Xie Run paused. "Perhaps three to five months, or maybe a year or half a year."

Prince Jing was speechless.

The two looked at each other in silence, then both suddenly burst into laughter.

In the midst of their laughter, Xie Run suddenly cried out "Ouch!"

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"