Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Outside, Shi An could no longer contain himself. He approached the door and whispered, "Your Highness, Lady Xie, would you like me to come in and serve you?"

Before Xie Run could speak, Prince Jing's deep voice rang out, "Wait outside!"

"Without my command, no one is to enter!"

The attendants waiting outside, including Shi An, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. They kept their eyes downcast and pretended to be oblivious to everything happening inside the study.

When Xie Run could find nothing else to throw, Prince Jing finally spoke lazily, "Done throwing?"

"Mm." Xie Run gave a soft reply, gently touching the hairpin at her temple to make sure her appearance was still in order.

Xie Run gave up and said, "Anyway, I'm about to lose your favor. If Your Highness wants to punish me, then punish me!"

With that, she turned to leave.

Prince Jing, who had been enjoying the show, finally showed a hint of surprise on his face.

"Stop!"

Xie Run ignored him. The gemstone tassel hairpin in her bun swayed gently, making her slender neck look even more fair and delicate.

She had just reached the door when her arm was grabbed by a large hand.

Xie Run struggled slightly to break free, but Prince Jing pulled her back into his embrace.

With her soft, fragrant body in his arms, Prince Jing's heart truly stirred.

His long arm wrapped around Xie Run's slender waist, and his other hand lifted her chin. "You were bold enough to wreck my study. I haven't even questioned you yet—who allowed you to leave?"

Xie Run's red lips pressed together, her eyes moist and full of defiance. "I'm leaving!"

Prince Jing smirked. "You've smashed everything, and you're still not satisfied?"

Those words hit a sore spot. The tears she had been holding back finally fell.

Xie Run accused him, "I've been treated terribly throughout the manor. I was waiting for Your Highness to return and seek justice for me."

"But who would have thought—after more than ten days back, you go see the new Miss Hua during the day, and at night you stay in the newly promoted Consort Fang's chambers. You've even visited the concubines who have children, but you never once come to Spring Mountain Courtyard!"

"I've been on edge every day, wondering if I've done something wrong."

"Everyone in the manor is gossiping that I'm about to lose your favor..."

Prince Jing reached out and brushed away her tears, finding it funny. "So you came here to throw a tantrum at me?"

"I thought you..."

Xie Run looked up, her lips pressed together as she stared at Prince Jing with full accusation. "What did Your Highness think?!"

"My and Taotao's fate rests entirely on Your Highness. If you won't come see me, what am I supposed to do?"

"But I won't take it lying down. Even if I've done something wrong, at least let me know what I did wrong—instead of just torturing me like this!"

"Anyway, I'm about to lose your favor. Do whatever you want—beat me, scold me!"

With that, she turned her head aside, refusing to meet his eyes.

Just then, a glistening tear slipped from the corner of her eye, sliding down her delicate chin.

From Prince Jing's vantage point, he could see her luscious, tempting lips, like a red plum painting bleeding across rice paper.

Prince Jing's tone grew gentler, and he smiled. "So bold—are you really not the least bit afraid?"

Xie Run snapped her head around, her long, narrow peach-blossom eyes filled with sorrow and anger. "Bold?"

Suddenly, Xie Run flashed a coquettish, bewitching smile, like a phoenix flower in full bloom on a branch—brilliant and eye-catching.

She dropped her voice, drawing out her words with a seductive lilt.

"I can be even bolder. Would Your Highness care to see?"

A glint of interest sparked in Prince Jing's eyes. He was about to speak when Xie Run shoved him, pinning him against the bookshelf.

Prince Jing froze. "Lady Xie, what do you think you're doing?"

For some reason, he felt a stirring of excitement.

Xie Run ignored him.

Earlier, while smashing things, she'd spotted a wine flask nearby. She snatched it up, bit off the cork, and took a sip to steel herself.

Before the fiery burn could spread, she seized Prince Jing's collar, yanked him down, and kissed him.

After half a mouthful of wine, Xie Run was genuinely a little dizzy.

By the time she snapped back to reality, a big hand was already cradling the back of her head, holding her fast, not letting her pull away an inch.

This kiss, sharpened by strong liquor, was utterly wanton.

In a daze of tangled desire, they tumbled onto the bamboo couch beside them.

Xie Run's gold hairpin clattered to the floor, and half her raven hair spilled loose.

She braced herself on Prince Jing's chest and wrinkled her nose in disdain. "This bamboo couch is way too small and cramped."

Prince Jing was already swept up in the heat of it, his dark eyes flushed with a hint of red. He pulled her back down, slipping off her outer robe and tugging at her sash.

Prince Jing said in a low voice, "Next time, I'll change it to one you like!"

His fingertips traced the flower ornament between Xie Run's brows, a hint of infatuation in his eyes.

"I rarely see you dressed up so beautifully."

"Today's Suisui is truly stunning."

Xie Run was languid, her tear-stained peach-blossom eyes fixed directly on Prince Jing.

She nearly stole his soul away.

Xie Run couldn't help but argue, "No matter how beautiful, won't I still lose your favor?"

Prince Jing wanted to laugh. "Who dares say you're losing my favor?"

"You little seductress—I'll spoil you for a lifetime!"

Xie Run: Hmph!

Prince Jing's arm was as hard as iron, locked tightly around Xie Run's waist, refusing to let her pull back even an inch.

Xie Run could no longer support herself, yanking an ancient painting off the wall and nearly falling, only for Prince Jing to catch her just in time.

Prince Jing spun her around, still not letting her go one bit.

Exactly as Xie Run had expected.

Prince Jing had been craving her ever since before he left the capital, and when he came back, he deliberately acted aloof, waiting for her to come to him and ask for his attention.

Wasn't he just dying to get his hands on her?

This romp went from broad daylight all the way into the evening.

The whole study was a mess, not even a single lamp lit, with just the faint light from outside barely showing their shapes.

Xie Run was dead tired, not even wanting to lift a finger, lying in Prince Jing's arms playing dead.

Even if she were made princess consort right this second, she couldn't have faked it even if she tried.

But judging by how wild Prince Jing was in bed, she didn't have to worry about falling out of his good graces anytime soon.

Just as Xie Run was dozing off, she heard Prince Jing ask, "Would you like to have a meal?"

Xie Run said in a daze, "Tired."

She didn't want to move at all.

Prince Jing, brimming with energy, patted her on the back and said, "Be a good girl, get up and eat first."

"I have something to tell you!"

Xie Run: "..."

Once Prince Jing got serious, Xie Run didn't dare act too bold.

At dinner, Xie Run ate like she was starving, polishing off three full bowls of rice, which was a first for her, totally throwing her usual health rules out the window.

Prince Jing watched from the side, a big grin spreading across his face.

Xie Run couldn't be bothered to deal with him.

Who said that after sleeping together, you just act like nothing happened?

After she was full and satisfied, Xie Run lounged on the daybed in the front courtyard, drawling lazily.

"Today, I've totally lost all my face. From now on, I'll definitely stay holed up in Spring Mountain Courtyard every day and never dare come out to embarrass myself again."

Xie Run had meant to tease Prince Jing with a coy, flirtatious tone, but she'd misjudged her approach and ended up making Prince Jing lose control.

By now, everyone in the back courtyard probably knew she'd come to the front courtyard to seek his favor.

Now that everyone had seen her stay from noon all the way to dinner without leaving the front courtyard, even an idiot would know what she'd been up to in there.