Chapter 245

Chapter 245

Xie Run walked over and sat down across from Prince Jing, her demeanor calm and composed.

Xie Run had noticed earlier that Prince Jing wasn't in high spirits when he entered the courtyard today.

Even though Taotao had amused him for a while, once things quieted down, a hint of gloom still hung on his brow.

From the look of him, he'd just come back from the palace.

Xie Run didn't ask further, only smiling as she spoke of the day's matters: "The weather's been nice these past two days. I was planning to take Taotao to the garden to go fly kites in a couple of days, and also teach him to practice walking more."

"All the maids dote on him, afraid he'll catch a chill the moment he steps outside. They wrap him in layers upon layers, until he's bundled up like a ball."

"He could walk fine before, but once wrapped up in those clothes, he can't even keep his balance—waddling around sideways like a crab."

Prince Jing's brow relaxed slightly as he looked at Xie Run with a hint of exasperation: "Is that any way for a mom to talk?"

Xie Run sat up straight and said matter-of-factly: "So what if I'm a mom?"

"Does being a mom mean I have to lie through my teeth—when he's clearly wrapped up like a ball, I'm supposed to praise him for being as skinny as a rail?!"

Prince Jing thought of Taotao bundled up like a ball and couldn't help but laugh.

Xie Run continued: "I never knew how hard the Princess Consort had it before. These past two days, a managing maid has been showing up at our door at the crack of dawn waiting for me. I haven't even had a moment to sleep in."

Prince Jing slouched back lazily, said with his eyes downcast: "I'm afraid you'll be even busier in the days to come."

Xie Run was startled. "Your Highness, what do you mean?!"

Seeing her usually smiling face overtaken by surprise, Prince Jing grinned slyly: "Worried you won't be able to sleep in anymore?"

Ever since the first time she'd served Prince Jing, he'd never made Xie Run get up early to help him dress. From then on, Xie Run had almost never gotten up early to attend to him.

Prince Jing had let it slide at first.

But one day, unknown when it started, as he braved the freezing wind to get to court, he looked up at the dark, gloomy sky, then glanced at Xie Run sleeping soundly.

Something about that just... didn't sit right with him.

So now he was deliberately teasing her.

Xie Run said calmly: "...Then I'll just have to go to bed earlier, that's all."

With that, she grabbed Prince Jing's hand: "But Your Highness, why would I be busy? Do tell me quickly, so I can at least be prepared."

Prince Jing patted her hand and dropped two bombshells.

"Concubine Jing is dead."

"I'll likely be leaving the capital in a few days—anywhere from two weeks to three to five months before I return. During that time, the household will be in your and Concubine Sun's hands."

Upon hearing these two pieces of news, Xie Run's first thought was that Concubine Jing's death was connected to Prince Jing, which was why he would leave the capital for a time at such a critical moment in the fight for the throne.

After a moment, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The fact that Prince Jing was telling her this so calmly now suggested it had nothing to do with her.

Xie Run asked softly: "How did Concubine Jing just up and die like that? She was still pregnant with His Majesty's child..."

Prince Jing's voice dropped, low and serious. "Don't you ever say such a thing again!"

He was rarely this stern, his dark eyes full of complicated emotions. "Not only must you not speak of it, you also need to keep everyone in this household from talking—not a single word of discussion."

Xie Run realized the seriousness of the matter and nodded.

In the past, things that happened in the palace were never discussed by Prince Jing with the side consorts or lesser consorts in the household.

It was only because the Princess Consort was in poor health and the household was now under the management of Xie Run and Concubine Sun that he was telling her these things.

Xie Run had a vague suspicion—maybe Concubine Jing's death was... shameful.

Even Prince Jing didn't dare bring it up.

With Concubine Jing dead, what about Prince An?

From the look of him, Prince Jing didn't seem to want to talk about Prince An.

She changed the subject and asked, "Then where is Your Highness heading this time when you leave the capital?"

Prince Jing: "Yunzhou."

Xie Run nodded. "Even though it's spring, it's still cold out. Let me at least hurry and make you a few spring clothes to take with you."

Before Prince Jing could speak, Xie Run had already covered herself in advance.

"My sewing is rough, I know, but it's the thought that counts. Even if you won't wear them, don't turn them down now."

"Once you reach Yunzhou, so far off in the middle of nowhere, I won't know whether you actually wear them. If you just lie and say you did, I'd be happy for days."

Prince Jing smiled. "You're getting more and more bold with your words these days."

Xie Run: "I've been serving you for two years now, and we've even had a kid together. If I still watched every word I said, you'd start to feel distant from me."

Prince Jing reached over and poked her in the forehead. "And you're getting smoother with your words too."

Xie Run took the compliment in stride.

It had probably been a while since he'd been to Spring Mountain Courtyard, so Prince Jing was feeling quite fond of Xie Run.

That night, as he massaged her waist, he said in a low voice: "Don't you think your waist has gotten a bit thicker?"

Xie Run: "..."

If he weren't Prince Jing, she'd have kicked him straight out of bed.

So what if she'd gained weight? Was she eating his rice?

Come to think of it—she guessed she really was eating his rice.

Xie Run clenched her teeth and said quietly: "Is Your Highness saying I'm fat now?"

Prince Jing said seriously: "No. It's just that you used to be too thin—a bit too bony, kind of rough on the hands. Now that you've put on a little weight, it's much nicer."

"Not that you're fat, just fuller—there's a different appeal to it..."

Before Prince Jing could finish, Xie Run shut him up with a kiss.

"If Your Highness likes it, then just shut up already!"

Just do the job, why all the commentary?

The next day, as Prince Jing was changing clothes, his shoulder was still sore.

Unable to resist, he turned his head and saw a row of teeth marks on his shoulder—the bite was deep enough to draw blood.

Prince Jing looked at it and let out a hiss: "She really sank her teeth in!"

He knew, of course, that Xie Run was still sore about him calling her plump last night.

She was always so gentle, but who knew she'd bite when she was mad?

As he left, Prince Jing glanced at the sky—still dark and heavy.

That bitter, grudging feeling welled up again.

He spun around and strode back into the courtyard.

Eunuch Shi'an and the others following behind had no idea what was going on.

Prince Jing entered the inner chamber and caught sight of Xie Run sleeping soundly on the daybed, her fair, delicate face looking softly alluring.

The room was warm and cozy, with a faint, feminine scent in the air.

Prince Jing stepped forward, reached out, and pinched Xie Run's nose.

Xie Run was sleeping soundly when she suddenly couldn't breathe and had to open her eyes.

Her big, dreamy eyes opened with a dazed, innocent look, only to meet Prince Jing's deep, smiling gaze.

Xie Run asked, "My lord... has something happened?"

Prince Jing hid his smile and said, deadpan, "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to let you know I'm off to court."

Xie Run stared at him quietly, her brain taking a moment to catch up.

Once Prince Jing flicked his sleeves and left, Xie Run snapped back to reality and, lying in bed, suddenly burst out laughing.

Wasn't Prince Jing being a bit too childish?!

Prince Jing, who hadn't walked far, heard her laughter and unconsciously quickened his pace, a smile tugging at his lips.

Thanks to Prince Jing's little stunt, Xie Run dozed back off and ended up waking late.