Chapter 78

Chapter 78

During the meal, Concubine Han was also very attentive, her charming and amorous eyes brimming with tenderness, as she kept casting amorous glances at Prince Jing.

Feeling her gaze, Prince Jing felt a wave of heat rise inside him.

But he kept recalling the princess's words, thinking he was just a bit restless from not visiting his concubines for a while.

He drank a cup of wine, trying to suppress the restlessness, maintaining a calm exterior.

While he stayed composed, Concubine Han grew increasingly restless.

She was quite bold today.

The scent she wore had a mild aphrodisiac effect, undetectable by itself.

But when combined with the drug in the soup, it could silently stir a man's desires.

Her mother had specially obtained this recipe for her, originally intended for the emperor in the palace.

But now, used on Prince Jing, it seemed to have no effect.

Concubine Han maintained her smile, but inside she grew increasingly anxious.

Just after the meal, she couldn't very well drag Prince Jing straight to the bedroom.

She was afraid that being too eager would arouse his suspicion.

With a glint in her eyes, Concubine Han said sweetly, "Your Highness, I’ve acquired a new painting. Since we’ve just finished eating and have nothing to do, how about we go look at the painting together?"

Prince Jing, having dropped his stern demeanor, was quite indulgent with his concubines. "As you wish."

The two went to the study.

The maids lit the candles one by one.

Concubine Han leisurely retrieved the painting and unrolled it on the desk.

Every movement she made was exceedingly graceful, subtly revealing a touch of coquettish charm, quietly tempting him.

Unfortunately, Prince Jing seemed genuinely uninterested today, his face staying stern.

Concubine Han even began to wonder if Prince Jing was simply too exhausted to perform.

Prince Jing stood by the desk, examining the painting closely. "Is this Shi Fangyun's 'Viewing Wild Geese'?"

"He hasn't painted in years. Where did you obtain this?"

Concubine Han smiled. "My father and Vice Censor-in-Chief Shi were old friends from the same hometown. Later, my father joined the military, and Vice Censor-in-Chief Shi served in the Censorate, so they rarely interacted."

Shi Fangyun was a renowned painting sage of the current dynasty, known as Vice Censor-in-Chief Shi because he held that post.

"He retired to his hometown a few years ago. When passing through Jiangzhou, he stayed at my home for a few days and left behind several paintings."

"I heard that you love paintings, Your Highness, so I asked my father to give me one as part of my dowry."

Prince Jing nodded slightly. "I vaguely recall that Shi Fangyun is from Jiangzhou. I didn't know he was acquainted with your father."

Concubine Han smiled but didn't pursue the topic.

She said softly, "Does Your Highness find it too dark for you? Shall I add a few more lamps?"

Prince Jing, indeed captivated by the painting, nodded casually.

Concubine Han walked to the side and slowly lit several candles.

She then carried one of the candles to the desk.

The flickering flames cast light on her exposed wrist, making her skin look as white and smooth as snow, alluring and captivating.

The red candle burned, emitting a faint, almost invisible smoke that drifted subtly, enchanting the senses.

Prince Jing was entranced by Concubine Han's snowy wrist.

His gaze fixed on her hand, then slowly traveled up to her alluring face.

A fire began to stir within him.

Prince Jing felt tempted, but his mind was filled with the princess's words from the Winter Solstice.

He didn't see those words as a reminder, but rather as mockery.

At the time, Prince Jing had been full of righteous indignation.

Among his concubines who were pregnant, he had only visited them and not touched them—he was quite proud of that.

If he broke his rule for Concubine Han now, wouldn't he be slapping his own face?

How could he then have the face to be angry at the princess?

Besides, Concubine Han's pregnancy was not yet stable; he wasn't so desperate.

With that thought, Prince Jing's mind cleared somewhat.

Concubine Han's heart sank to the pit of her stomach. Her eyes swept unconsciously over the candles on the desk, growing quietly anxious.

This was her last resort.

How could Prince Jing still not show any reaction?

The more potent folk remedies were too easily detected; she dared not use them.

Thinking this, Concubine Han decided not to wait passively. Pretending to serve tea, she deliberately tripped, her supple body falling right into Prince Jing's arms.

But before she could make another move, a voice came from outside the door.

Eunuch Shi'an: "Your Highness... Concubine Wan begs to see you on an urgent matter!"

Interrupted, Prince Jing's arousal faded significantly, and he quickly regained his composure.

He helped Concubine Han up, saying, "Leave tasks like pouring tea to the maids. You’re pregnant; it's not worth risking a fall."

His eyes were clear, devoid of any earlier heat or intensity.

At that moment, Concubine Han wished she could tear Wan Linlang apart.

Through clenched teeth, she explained, "I thought it was just a small thing. It won’t happen again."

Prince Jing was no longer listening. Frowning, he called out, "Come in and speak."

Eunuch Shi'an pushed the door open and entered.

Prince Jing had no good impression of Wan Linlang at all. Now hearing that she wanted to see him, for some reason, he felt a momentary relief.

But then, he was still not quite pleased.

Mainly because hearing Wan Linlang's name reminded Prince Jing of the incident when he was drugged.

Prince Jing: "What is she doing here?"

Eunuch Shi'an: "Lady Wan says she has important news to tell you, Your Highness. She begs you, for the sake of the past bond, to at least see her once."

The past bond referred to Shiqie Wan's merit during Prince Jing's disaster relief efforts.

For that merit, the prince granted her the position of a shiqie, which already squared things.

However, Prince Jing did still feel some gratitude in his heart.

He lowered his eyes to conceal the emotions within. "Let her in."

Shiqie Han’s carefully laid plan hadn’t succeeded yet, interrupted by the sudden arrival of Shiqie Wan.

She was extremely reluctant.

But under these circumstances, she couldn't bring herself to stay shamelessly.

She set aside the candle on the table. "Your Highness, then I shall take my leave and not disturb your conversation with Lady Wan."

Prince Jing nodded slightly, saying nothing to detain her.

Before leaving, she glanced at the red candle placed in the corner but looked away.

With delicate steps, she left the study.

Outside the study, Wan Linlang was also taking a gamble.

She knew that Prince Jing was not a completely cold-hearted man.

When she had given the prescription for treating the plague in Mizhou, the prince must have been somewhat grateful for her kindness.

Otherwise, her life in the inner courtyard would probably be as difficult as Shiqie Lu’s.

But Wan Linlang also knew that this bit of goodwill could not be squandered; once used, it was gone, and it had to be used at a critical moment.

She had remained quiet for months, all to await this day!

Hearing that the prince was willing to see her, Wan Linlang’s spirits lifted, and she couldn't help lifting her chin proudly.

She had already won half the bet!