Chapter 160

Chapter 160

"If my reaction hadn't satisfied him, I'm afraid the position of Ce Fei would have gone to Shufei Hua today."

Xiaoshu said, "No wonder the Prince brought Miss Hua back to the inner court and settled her according to the rank of Shu Fei, yet without officially confirming her title."

"Everyone initially called her Miss Hua, which made the people calling her that feel awkward, and she probably felt awkward hearing it as well."

If he truly cared about Miss Hua, how could he leave her in such an awkward position?

Xie Run smiled and said, "I just figured it out. The Prince wasn't in a hurry to give Shufei Hua her title—he was waiting to see how I'd do..."

Fortunately, Xie Run had done well enough to satisfy Prince Jing.

Dan Tao asked with concern, "Master, doesn't the Prince trust you?"

"Of course he trusts me, just not completely." Having figured it out, Xie Run was at peace with it. "At least the Prince is still willing to test me, which shows I matter to him at least a little."

If Xie Run truly meant nothing to Prince Jing, he wouldn't even give her a chance—the position of Ce Fei would have gone straight to Shufei Hua.

Xie Run walked over and gave Taotao's cheek a gentle pat. "Sometimes, putting up with life in the inner court is all for that one tiny chance, isn't it?"

As for the Prince loving her with his whole heart... she might as well be dreaming.

Since that day in the study, Prince Jing, having gotten a taste of it, used her promotion as an excuse to stay in Xie Run's courtyard for ten nights in a row.

Xie Run suddenly stole all the spotlight from Fang Yuaner.

This wasn't Xie Run's intention, as she too was having a hard time keeping up with Prince Jing's enthusiasm.

Not only did Prince Jing have endless energy, but he also kept wanting Xie Run to dress up in that same outfit from that day and do it again in the study.

At first, Xie Run pretended not to understand, but eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and tactfully declined.

Although Prince Jing looked back fondly on that day in the study, he wasn't one to force others, so he just felt a twinge of regret about it.

On the twentieth of July, Prince Jing returned to the manor early.

Xie Run was dressed in casual clothes, her hair loosely pinned, focused on her embroidery.

Hearing his footsteps, she looked up and got up to calmly help him change. "You're back pretty early today, my Lord."

Prince Jing looked at Xie Run and smiled. "I've got some good news for you."

Xie Run paused. "Has my eldest brother's assignment been decided?"

"Oh? Has the Xie family already told you?"

Xie Run replied, "You've just returned from the Ministry of Revenue, so what you have to say must be about official business. The only thing here that could be related is probably my eldest brother's situation."

Prince Jing gave her hand a squeeze. "You've always been clever. Today, the Ministry of Appointments sent word that your eldest brother will soon be posted to Shang County."

Xie Run was caught off guard. "Where is Shang County?"

"Yunzhou."

After saying this, Prince Jing's dark eyes stayed fixed on Xie Run's face.

Xie Run said "oh" and smiled warmly. "I hope my eldest brother handles his duties well, gets a good review, and can return to the capital early."

Prince Jing chuckled. "Yunzhou is poor and desolate, and Shang County is even a lower-ranked county. Aren't you worried about your eldest brother?"

Xie Run shook her head. "I don't like to interfere in things I don't understand."

Xie Run certainly couldn't say, "I've seen how this plays out and know you have your eyes on Yunzhou's mineral resources and talent."

Arranging Xie Jing's post in Yunzhou wasn't so much about testing him as it was about using him to fully bring Yunzhou under control.

Xie Run said, being very understanding, "You said you would arrange things for my eldest brother, and since you chose Shang County, then Shang County must have advantages I don't know about."

Hearing this, Prince Jing was even more pleased with Xie Run.

The news that Xie Jing had been assigned to Shang County would eventually get to Xie Run.

Prince Jing didn't like the women of the household getting involved in politics.

But since Xie Jing was Xie Run's own brother, Prince Jing was worried she might be concerned, so he came to speak with her first.

If Xie Run hadn't understood, he would have patiently explained a bit—though he wouldn't have been too happy about it.

But now, Xie Run showed she was remarkably perceptive and proper, which pleased Prince Jing a lot.

Also, because Xie Run was considerate and sensible, Prince Jing shared another piece of news with her.

"His Majesty feels he has wronged me and Fifth Brother in the past, so in a while, he'll probably send people to our households."

Hearing this, Xie Run's expression turned a bit odd.

Prince Jing was already twenty-five, and the Emperor is just now remembering he wronged this son?

And since when is giving someone a woman the way to make up for a son?

If he truly felt guilty, he should give money, power, an army... What was the point of giving a woman to serve in the inner court?

Xie Run quickly realized something wasn't right and asked softly, "If His Majesty personally bestows someone, she must be from a noble family, so her rank can't be low, right?"

But the manor already has two Ce Fei—surely the Emperor wouldn't expect her to be made a Shu Fei?

Prince Jing said calmly, "His Majesty wishes to select an outstanding woman from the noble families, so naturally she must be treated as a Ce Fei."

Xie Run asked, "But don't we already have two Ce Fei?"

Prince Jing lifted her chin and smiled. "Then Suisui will have to take one for the team and put off her promotion for now?"

Xie Run pushed his hand away. "Don't make jokes about such matters, my Lord—I might take them seriously!"

"Then why don't I see you afraid?" Prince Jing asked, amused.

Xie Run gave him a dirty look. "Because I'm not stupid!"

"You've only just promoted me to Ce Fei a few days ago, and now you want to downgrade me to Shu Fei? That would tell everyone you're fickle and don't keep your word?!"

Xie Run leaned against Prince Jing's chest, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"I once praised you as a noble gentleman, and surely you wouldn't go back on your own words."

If the Emperor insisted on sending someone, then the Emperor is the one breaking the rules—Prince Jing would just have one more pretty woman to serve him.

But if Prince Jing, in order to welcome a new Ce Fei, downgraded a Ce Fei who had just been promoted and done nothing wrong, all to curry favor with the Emperor, that would be a really bad look.

Prince Jing, intent on vying for the throne, naturally wouldn't leave any ammunition for others to use.

Xie Run couldn't help but suspect that Prince Jing had known in advance about the Emperor's intention to grant him a secondary consort, which was why he had promoted both her and Fang Yuaner to secondary consorts within such a short span of time.

But she couldn't help wondering if he had other motives behind his actions.

Prince Jing slipped off his outer robe, lounged back lazily in his chair, and said with a smile, "With Suisui singing my praises like that, how could I ever let you feel wronged?"

Xie Run sneered inwardly.

Men's mouths are full of lies.

She smiled, took the tea the maid had brewed, and handed it to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing took the cup, sniffed it, and then took a light sip, his manner elegant and regal.

Xie Run suddenly recalled something: "If another secondary consort comes, how will we arrange the courtyard?"

Ever since the news of Xie Run's promotion to secondary consort spread, Lanxiang Courtyard had been under renovation.

But neither Prince Jing nor the Princess Consort had ever mentioned moving Xie Run to Lanxiang Courtyard. At the time, Xie Run had harbored some doubt but chose to ignore it for the moment.

Now, upon careful reflection, it only further confirmed her earlier suspicions.

Prince Jing said calmly, "The Princess Consort said that courtyard is considered unlucky, so she plans to leave it vacant for a while and invite a master to inspect the feng shui."