Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Prince Jing sighed: "For the first time, I regret not having taken more concubines in the inner courtyard."

If there were anyone capable enough, even a concubine, Prince Jing would be willing to make an exception and let her raise the child.

But fate had other plans.

Xie Run couldn't comfort him, so she let him hold the child.

"Your Highness, would you like to hold the child?"

Prince Jing was startled, feigning composure, "Nonsense!"

"What would a grown man like me want with holding a child?"

As he said this, he glanced at the child in the swaddling clothes.

"So small, what if I accidentally bump or hurt them?"

He looked utterly alarmed.

Xie Run stifled a laugh, knowing she couldn't persuade him.

She couldn't resist teasing Prince Jing, "They say a man holds his grandson, not his son, but Your Highness is still young and strong now—who knows how many years you'll have to wait for a grandson."

"Why not hold your son first, and at least enjoy the joys of fatherhood."

"What joys of fatherhood?" Prince Jing said seriously, "I don't need any of that."

The moment he said that, he saw Xie Run secretly smiling.

Her alluring eyes were brimming with laughter, as if they held the very essence of spring.

Gentle and affectionate, so soft they could melt anyone's heart.

Prince Jing reached out and pinched her nose, "You're a mom now, and still so playful!"

Xie Run shot him a coy look, "Your Highness is a dad now, but aren't you still holding a grudge?"

Prince Jing was slightly annoyed: "Say one more word and you'll lose your reward."

Xie Run instantly went quiet, covering her mouth with her hand.

Her big, clear eyes looked up at Prince Jing eagerly, as if she was dying to get her reward.

Prince Jing let out a soft chuckle, and from his sleeve he pulled out a finely crafted white jade plum blossom hairpin.

The hairpin was small and exquisite, the head and shaft carved from a single piece, each petal of the plum blossom distinct, delicate, and lifelike.

White jade wasn't all that rare, but craftsmanship and carving of this quality were rarely seen anywhere.

Xie Run's gaze was clear, a smile hidden in her eyes, "Thank you for the gift, Your Highness."

Prince Jing placed the white jade plum blossom hairpin in her hand, "When I have time, I'll personally put it in your hair."

"This hairpin—you're the only one in the household who has one."

When he said this, Prince Jing revealed a rare hint of tenderness.

Xie Run's eyes instantly welled with tears, but a faint smile lingered at the corners of her lips as she said softly, "I am beyond fortunate to have entered the Prince's household and to serve by Your Highness's side for life."

She leaned gently into Prince Jing's embrace, soft as water, tender and shy.

Prince Jing was deeply moved: "Having Suisui is my fortune as well."

Since Prince Jing had returned late, he had dinner at Chunshan Courtyard.

Xie Run was in the bedchamber, thinking the time was about right, and quietly dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

In an instant, those expressive peach-blossom eyes turned red, and tears silently streamed down.

Dan Tao came in to check on the child, and the moment she turned, she saw her mistress's eyes were completely red.

She said at once, worried, "Mistress, why are you crying on such a happy day?"

"The imperial physician said you shouldn't cry right after giving birth, or it could leave lasting problems."

Xie Run wiped her tears and said softly, "I know. Go check on the child, will you?"

"The Fifth Young Master is fast asleep. Please don't cry anymore..."

Xie Run nodded obediently.

As Dan Tao left the room, her brows were furrowed tightly, and she let out a sigh.

After Prince Jing finished his meal, he appeared out of nowhere, his voice cold: "On such a fine day, what are you sighing for?"

Dan Tao was startled and immediately bowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness. This servant... this servant is just worried about my mistress."

Prince Jing frowned. "What happened?"

Dan Tao glanced around, saw that Prince Jing was only accompanied by Eunuch Shi'an, and seemed to grit her teeth and make up her mind: "Your Highness, today while my mistress was giving birth, a young maid outside the window suddenly mentioned that the eldest master of the family had broken his leg, which nearly made my mistress's labor difficult..."

Prince Jing's eyes darkened. "When did this happen? Why haven't I heard anything about it?"

Dan Tao said, her eyes reddening, "That maid has already been tied up and thrown in the woodshed by Chun Juan, waiting for my mistress to finish her confinement before being questioned."

"But my mistress is worried about the eldest master and is quietly crying right now."

"This servant was just worried about my mistress, which is why I lost my composure."

Prince Jing had never once seen Xie Run cry.

Back when Xie Run had spoken out of turn and angered him, Prince Jing hadn't even seen a hint of fear on her face, let alone tears.

Now that he heard Xie Run had cried, Prince Jing felt quite unsettled.

Prince Jing ignored Dan Tao and strode into the bedchamber.

As soon as he entered, he saw Xie Run on the bed, flustered, as if hiding something.

Xie Run kept her head down. "Why has Your Highness come? Have you finished your meal so quickly?"

Prince Jing said flatly, "Lift your head."

Xie Run stiffened and slowly raised her head, revealing a pair of reddened eyes.

Prince Jing's face, which he had managed to keep cold, immediately couldn't stay cold any longer.

The moment he opened his mouth, the pity and heartache in his voice were almost overflowing.

"What's wrong? What's got you crying quietly in here?"

"Tell me, and I'll make it right for you."

Prince Jing, at this moment, was thinking that someone was trying to harm Xie Run, and he was seething with anger.

But to his surprise, Xie Run hesitated for a long while before saying, "I've done wrong, please punish me, Your Highness."

Prince Jing frowned even harder. "You've given me a healthy son—how could you possibly be at fault?"

"Are you worried about your father?"

"I'll send someone to Chen Commandery to see how he's doing. You don't need to worry so much."

A look of surprise crossed Xie Run's delicate face, as if she'd forgotten her grief for a moment.

After a moment, as if snapping back to reality, she gave a bitter smile and said, "Did Dan Tao tell you, Your Highness?"

Prince Jing replied, "The world doesn't have that many coincidences."

"That little maid chose the critical moment of your labor to tell you these things—she had bad intentions she shouldn't have had. She'd deserve death for this!"

"News of your father's broken leg didn't come earlier or later—it came exactly at this time. Someone was deliberately trying to harm you and your child."

By the time he finished, Prince Jing's face had turned grim.

"Don't worry, I won't let this go easily."

Xie Run wiped the tears that had fallen from the corners of her eyes and said softly, "Your Highness, what I need to confess isn't this matter."

"Then what is it?"

Xie Run clutched the bedcovers tightly, lowering her head. "There's something I've never confessed to you, Your Highness."

"Now that someone has used this matter against me, I have grievances I can't voice."

"It's all because of a mistake I made when I was young and foolish."

Prince Jing said, puzzled, "If you don't tell me what it is, how am I supposed to know if you're really at fault or not?"

Xie Run didn't dare meet Prince Jing's eyes, as if steeling herself for a heroic sacrifice.

"Your Highness, back then, I was unwilling to enter the prince's household as a concubine."

Prince Jing: "..."

The moment those words left Xie Run's mouth, the room fell into utter silence.

Was Prince Jing happy?

Of course not—he was even somewhat angered!

His beloved concubine, who had just given him a healthy son, chose the happiest moment to tell him she'd never actually wanted to marry him.

Who could be happy about that?

Had he been a proud, face-conscious man, he might well have stormed off in a huff.