Chapter 158

Chapter 158 Outside, Shi'an could no longer restrain himself. He crept to the door and asked softly, "Your Highness, Concubine Xie, does this servant need to come in and attend to you?" Before Xie Run could speak, Prince Jing's deep voice rang out: "Wait outside!" "Without my command, no one is to enter!" Those waiting outside, including Shi'an, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. They kept their eyes lowered and their minds focused, pretending to know nothing of what was happening in the study. It wasn't until Xie Run had run out of things to throw that Prince Jing finally spoke in a lazy drawl: "Done throwing?" "Mm." Xie Run responded softly, gently touching the hairpin at her temple to make sure her appearance was still in order. Xie Run let things rot and said, "Anyway, this concubine is about to fall out of 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 jeweled tassel hairpin in her bun swayed gently, making her slender, fair neck look even more elegant. She had barely reached the door when her arm was seized by a large hand. Xie Run struggled with some effort, but Prince Jing pulled her along with the motion, drawing her into his embrace. With warm, soft beauty in his arms, Prince Jing's heart truly stirred. His long arm bound Xie Run's slender waist while his other hand lifted her chin. "You're bold and reckless, smashing my study. I haven't even questioned you yet—who allowed you to leave?" Xie Run's red lips pressed together slightly, her eyes moist and shimmering with a hint of defiance. "This concubine will leave!" Prince Jing chuckled. "You've smashed everything, and you're still not satisfied?" Those words seemed to strike Xie Run's soft spot. The tears she had been holding back finally fell. Xie Run accused him: "This concubine has been bullied all over the prince's residence. I waited for Your Highness to return to seek justice on my behalf." "But who would have thought that after Your Highness returned over ten days ago, you go to see the new Miss Hua during the day and spend your nights in the newly promoted Side Consort Fang's chambers. Even the other concubines with children have been visited—only Chunshan Court is ignored!" "This concubine has been anxious day and night, always wondering if I've done something wrong." "Everyone in the residence is also gossiping that this concubine is about to fall out of favor..." Prince Jing raised his hand to wipe away her tears, amused. "So you came to make a scene with me?" "I thought you..." Xie Run lifted her head, pressing her lips together as she stared at Prince Jing, full of accusation: "What did Your Highness think?!" "This concubine's honor and Taotao's are all tied to Your Highness. If Your Highness won't come to see me, what can I do?" "I'm just not willing to accept it. Even if I've done something wrong, Your Highness should at least let me die knowing why, rather than tormenting me like this!" "Anyway, this concubine is about to fall out of favor. Beat me or scold me—do whatever Your Highness pleases!" With that, she turned her head away, refusing to look at him. Just then, a crystalline teardrop slipped from the corner of her eye, rolling down her delicate chin. From Prince Jing's angle, he could see her fresh, alluring lips, like a painting of red plum blossoms blooming on rice paper. Prince Jing's tone softened a few degrees as he laughed. "So audacious—are you truly not afraid at all?" Xie Run whipped her head around, her narrow, deep peach-blossom eyes filled with grief and anger. "Audacious?" Suddenly, Xie Run curved out a charming, seductive smile, like phoenix flowers blooming at the tips of branches—dazzling and radiant. She lowered her voice, speaking slowly with a teasing, alluring lilt. "This concubine can be even more audacious. Would Your Highness care to see?" A flicker of interest appeared in Prince Jing's eyes. He was about to speak when Xie Run shoved him, pushing him back against the bookshelf. Prince Jing was startled. "Xie, what are you doing?" For some reason, he felt a faint thrill. Xie Run ignored Prince Jing. While smashing things earlier, she had already spotted the wine flagon nearby. Now she casually picked it up, bit off the stopper, and took a sip for herself—liquid courage. Before the burning sensation could spread, she grabbed Prince Jing's collar, pulled his head down, and kissed him. After half a mouthful of wine, Xie Run was actually a bit dazed. By the time she came to her senses, a large hand was already at the back of her head, firmly holding her in place, not allowing her to retreat an inch. This kiss, spurred by strong liquor, was utterly audacious. In a tangle of confusion and lost senses, the two of them tumbled onto the bamboo couch nearby. The gold hairpin fell from Xie Run's head, and half her dark tresses cascaded down. She braced herself against Prince Jing's chest and sat up, frowning slightly in distaste: "This bamboo couch is too small and too narrow." Prince Jing was already lost in the moment, his dark eyes tinged with red. He reached out and pulled her back down, smoothly removing her outer robe and undoing her sash. Prince Jing said in a low voice: "Next time, I'll change it to one you like!" His fingertips traced the floral ornament between Xie Run's brows, a hint of infatuation in his eyes. "I rarely see you dressed so beautifully." "Today's Suisui is truly lovely." Xie Run was languid and lazy, but her tear-stained peach-blossom eyes stared straight at Prince Jing. They nearly stole his soul away. Xie Run, ever the contrarian, said: "No matter how beautiful, won't I still fall out of favor?" Prince Jing wanted to laugh. "Who dares say you've fallen out of favor?" "You little seductress—I'll dote on you for a lifetime!" Xie Run: Hah! Prince Jing's arm was like iron, tightly binding Xie Run's waist, not allowing the person atop him to retreat even a fraction. Xie Run couldn't support herself and pulled down an ancient painting from the wall, nearly falling before Prince Jing caught her in time. Prince Jing turned her around, still refusing to let her off even slightly. Exactly as Xie Run had anticipated. Prince Jing had been craving her long before he left the capital, and now that he was back, he deliberately put on airs, waiting for her to come and seek his favor. Hadn't he been holding himself back all this time? That one round of exertion stretched from daylight all the way into the evening. The entire study was in complete disarray, not even a single lamp lit—only the faint light from outside allowed them to barely make out each other's figures. Xie Run was truly exhausted to the bone. She couldn't even be bothered to move a finger, lying in Prince Jing's arms like a corpse. Even if she were made Princess Consort right this moment, she couldn't have put on a single act anymore. But judging by Prince Jing's ferocity in bed, she had no need to worry about losing his favor anytime soon. Just as Xie Run was dozing off, she heard Prince Jing say, "Would you like to have a meal?" Xie Run replied numbly, "Tired." She didn't want to move an inch. Prince Jing was brimming with energy, patting her back with his large palm. "Be good, get up and eat first." "I have something to tell you!" Xie Run: "..." Whenever Prince Jing turned serious, Xie Run didn't dare get too presumptuous. At the meal, Xie Run ate like a starving ghost, breaking all precedent by devouring three full bowls of rice, completely going against her principles of health and moderation. Prince Jing watched from the side, a rich smile spreading across his face. Xie Run couldn't be bothered to acknowledge him. Who said that after sleeping together, everything had to go back to normal as if nothing had happened? After eating and drinking her fill, Xie Run reclined on the Noble Consort's daybed in the front courtyard, speaking lazily. "Today this humble one has thoroughly lost all face. From now on, I'll surely stay in Spring Mountain Courtyard every day and never dare come out to make a fool of myself again." Xie Run's original intention was to tease Prince Jing with a bit of coyness, but who knew she'd misjudge her limits and cause Prince Jing to lose control. The fact that she'd come to the front courtyard to seek favor was probably known throughout the rear quarters by now. Now that everyone saw Xie Run staying from midday all the way to dinner time without leaving the front courtyard, even a fool would know what she was doing there.