Chapter 2

Chapter 2 At some point, a strikingly handsome man had appeared beside Xie Run. His eyes were dark as lacquered dots, his brows and features like a painting—a picture of unrestrained charm and elegance. Yet the noble coldness brewing between his brows instantly tempered that charm, adding a measure of solemn dignity befitting one of royal blood. So it was the prince that Yuli had called for—the prince had truly come in person. Xie Run was not foolish. She immediately performed a salute and said, "This servant pays respects to Your Highness." Prince Jing glanced at Xie Run. "The rain came suddenly. I happened to be passing by and thought to take shelter here. I didn't expect to overhear such words." Xie Run felt a twinge of regret and wished she could take back what she had just said. If Prince Jing had heard that and decided never to visit Linxuan Pavilion again, her days ahead would become difficult. Though she truly didn't long to serve him in bed, she was still his concubine. If she couldn't attend to the prince properly, her good fortune would likely come to an end. Xie Run's forehead broke out in a sweat from anxiety. Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself to go all in. "This servant... this servant was merely worried about Your Highness's health. It's not that I don't wish for Your Highness to visit." Xie Run had delicate, refined features—a blend of pure beauty and subtle allure—with a pair of classic peach-blossom eyes. Her eyes were clear with distinct black and white, so limpid they invited affection—the kind of gaze that, as the saying goes, looked even at a dog with deep tenderness. Now, flustered and anxious, her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, and that natural seductive charm seemed to seep from her very bones, winding its way into one's heart. At first glance, Prince Jing had been satisfied with Xie Run's appearance. Now, seeing her speak such shameless words in front of everyone, Prince Jing was somewhat annoyed, yet he couldn't help but feel a measure of satisfaction. It was likely just the innate baser nature of men. Prince Jing said, "Enough. Attend to me for my bath and change of clothes first." Xie Run rose and followed behind Prince Jing into the room, walking almost stiffly, arms and legs moving in awkward coordination. Her mind was occupied with one thought. She was to attend to the prince's bath and change of clothes? Wouldn't that mean seeing the prince's body? Though she knew this was inevitable, knowing and doing were two different things. Xie Run spent a long time mentally preparing herself, but when she saw Prince Jing spread his arms, waiting for her to help him change, her mind went blank. Despite her inner panic, Xie Run managed to keep her composure. She stepped forward, fumbled with Prince Jing's sash, and after some fumbling finally undid it, then helped him out of his robes. As he stepped into the bath, she caught a glimpse of his lean waist, where six abdominal muscles were clearly outlined. Just one glance sent heat rushing to Xie Run's cheeks. She quickly made an excuse to turn around and fetch a towel, keeping her back to Prince Jing the whole time, pretending to tidy his clothes. Prince Jing lounged lazily in the tub, taking in all of Xie Run's flustered behavior, a hint of amusement surfacing in his eyes. This Xie woman—say she's timid, yet she dares to speak shameless words in front of everyone. Say she's bold, yet right now she wishes she could be a turtle and pull her head entirely into her shell. Perhaps finding Xie Run's temperament rather amusing, Prince Jing didn't make things difficult for her. "Go out and attend to matters. Call Shi'an in." Xie Run quietly let out a sigh of relief and quickly saluted. "This servant will go fetch Eunuch Shi'an at once." Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. What did that look of relief on Xie's face mean? He wasn't some lecherous man. In broad daylight, what could he possibly do to Xie anyway? Prince Jing felt somewhat displeased. After finishing his bath and changing clothes, he sat on the couch, slowly savoring his tea, saying nothing at all. As a concubine, Xie Run was expected to stand and attend to the master at such times. Since Prince Jing hadn't dismissed her, Xie Run could only stand to the side awaiting orders. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere surrounded them, making Xie Run's heart flutter with unease. After mulling it over for a moment, Xie Run finally gathered her courage and said, "It's still early before the evening meal. Would Your Highness care to do something to pass the time?" Having said that, Xie Run fell silent, appearing very proper and measured. Prince Jing glanced at her with a faint, ambiguous smile. "What are you skilled at?" Xie Run paused for a moment. "The qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, tea..." Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, finding it somewhat interesting. "You're skilled at all of these?" Xie Run smiled. "I've only studied them superficially, none to any depth." Prince Jing: "..." Xie Run inwardly complained—it would be a miracle if she were truly skilled at all of them. The original owner was just the daughter of a scholar; the fact that she could learn anything at all was due to her parents' indulgence. To master any of these arts, didn't one need money and connections? Such things could be easily verified with a little investigation, so there was no point in lying about it. Prince Jing found this Xie woman rather intriguing. To dare bring such things up in front of him—wasn't she afraid he might disdain her for it? Setting down his teacup, Prince Jing said in a calm voice, "What do you suggest?" Xie Run: "...Your Highness, perhaps this servant could play a game of chess with you?" Of qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea—in her previous life, Xie Run had lain on a sickbed and only studied Go. Back then, she played Go online and lost again and again. In a fit of frustration, she went looking for guides and learned quite a few techniques and strategies. The original Xie Run had only beginner-level skills in everything, and after thinking it over, Xie Run felt that her chess ability was the only thing she could offer without making too much of a fool of herself. Soon, the maids set up the chessboard. Xie Run tactfully said, "Your Highness, will you take the black stones?" The black stones went first, of course—one couldn't let this esteemed lord take the black stones. Prince Jing didn't decline either. He quickly picked up a black stone and placed it down. Xie Run sat upright, her eyes fixed on the chessboard, looking every bit the picture of solemn readiness. Seeing her like this, Prince Jing assumed Xie Run must have at least some skill. Who would have thought that a full game would end in just a quarter of an hour? Prince Jing's expression was somewhat complicated. Xie Run's face was full of embarrassment as well. "This servant's skill is lacking." Prince Jing nodded. "Indeed, it is lacking." Xie Run, after all, didn't possess the innate reverence and fear that ancients held for their superiors, and deep in her bones, she had a stubborn refusal to admit defeat. "Would Your Highness be willing to offer this servant some guidance? I refuse to believe I'll lose this quickly in the next game!" Back then, everything she'd learned online was theoretical knowledge, and her actual opponents had mostly been AI bots and novices. Xie Run felt she still had plenty of room for improvement. Prince Jing was taken aback by the sudden request, his expression turning somewhat odd. "You want me to teach you to play chess?" Xie Run explained seriously, "...It's guidance. Your Highness's chess skills are superb. Even if this servant could learn just a sliver, it would benefit me endlessly." Having lain in a hospital bed for over ten years, Xie Run was well-versed in the art of winning people over. She softened her voice, sounding a little aggrieved, almost like she was coaxing. "That way, when this servant plays chess with Your Highness again in the future, I won't be so easily dismissed." Xie Run was only sixteen now, at the very peak of youth and charm. When she acted coy, she was utterly endearing—and to Prince Jing, it was a kind of intimate pleasure found within the inner chambers. Prince Jing nodded and casually pointed out the problems in Xie Run's play from the previous game. Seeing that Xie Run was listening attentively, occasionally asking questions that were substantive and showed she was truly taking it in, he said a bit more. By the time the second game came around, Xie Run had clearly improved. At the very least, she never repeated the mistakes from the first game, and she lasted longer as well. Perhaps there's a bit of the eager teacher in everyone's bones. Prince Jing felt a sense of accomplishment and no longer guided Xie Run with a face full of disdain. Back and forth, after a dozen or so games, the sky had turned dark. Eunuch Shi'an could no longer hold back and stepped forward to remind him, "My lord, it's time for the evening meal." Prince Jing set down his chess piece, still looking somewhat reluctant to stop. "Let's eat, then." He looked up and saw Xie Run staring at the chessboard, deep in thought, as if she wished she could dive right into the board and crack the game. Prince Jing couldn't help but laugh. "So serious about this—shall I hire a tutor to teach you?" Xie Run looked up and only then realized it was dark outside. Her mind hadn't caught up yet, and her words came out all jumbled. "Your Highness, you need to eat now, or you'll go hungry. It's already dark out." Prince Jing rose from the couch, allowing Eunuch Shi'an to attend to him. "How thoughtful of you to notice it's gotten dark." Xie Run smiled foolishly, masking her embarrassment. Dantao stepped forward to clear the chessboard, but Xie Run quickly stopped her. "Don't move—don't mess up the board. I want to study it tonight." Dantao was taken aback, thinking to herself, Your task tonight is to attend to the prince. But how could she possibly say that out loud?!