Chapter 3

Chapter 3 It was only after Xie Run spoke that she remembered she was supposed to accompany Prince Jing to bed tonight, so she probably wouldn't have time to study the chess game. She turned her head and met Prince Jing's half-smiling gaze. Xie Run blinked her moist, sparkling eyes, wearing a sweet smile and putting on an innocent look. "Your Highness, let me serve you your meal." "No need. Sit down and eat with me." Xie Run obediently sat down. Fortunately, Prince Jing didn't make an issue of this small matter. Just as they finished their meal, before the discomfort and the "fairies fighting" could begin, Prince Jing gave Xie Run a few more pointers on chess. Watching her break through the deadlock, he felt deeply satisfied inside. It was even more gratifying than if he had solved the endgame himself. Then, with a grand wave of his hand, he prepared to bathe and rest. The bed curtains were lowered. Prince Jing glanced at Xie Run, who sat beside him with her head bowed, feigning obedience, and suspected she was still mulling over the chess game from tonight. Prince Jing: "Your surname is Xie. What is your given name?" Xie Run blinked, lowered her head to study the embroidery on her skirt, and said softly, "Run. 'Slowly the fair scene arrives, mist and dew moisten all.'" "I was born in early spring. My mother said that when I was born, the spring days were warm and gentle, the misty rain soft and moistening, so my father gave me the name Run." Prince Jing raised his hand and pressed her down beneath him. As he lowered his head, he met Xie Run's pair of clear, moist peach-blossom eyes. Their gazes locked, and an awkward silence hung between them. Prince Jing's brows and eyes darkened. "Why are you staring at me like that?" Many women had served Prince Jing before, but on the first night, they were all too shy and bashful. Who would stare at him with wide eyes like this? Shameless! Xie Run replied frankly yet delicately, "This servant is shy and doesn't know where to look." She wasn't lying either. The more nervous she was, the more she tended to fixate on one thing. Her face was fair and delicate, flushed with a noticeable blush. That faint, elusive charm seemed ready to seep out from her cheeks and ensnare Prince Jing. Prince Jing was momentarily dazed by the clear shyness held in her peach-blossom eyes, and couldn't help but lean down. He only regretted that the night was too short and the tide of passion too long. Whether Prince Jing was hooked by Xie Run's eyes or had been holding back for a long time and deliberately wanted to torment her, his enthusiasm tonight was especially high. As consciousness ebbed and flowed like the tide, Xie Run heard Prince Jing ask in a hoarse voice, "Do you have a childhood name?" Xie Run was startled and unconsciously blurted out two words: "Suisui." Sui meant peace, and sui meant years—together meaning peace and health year after year. It was the nickname her parents from her previous life had given her after consulting a fortune teller. Unfortunately, she had never been able to enjoy peace year after year. But Prince Jing misheard her and murmured, "Suisui? That's a good name." After that, he tirelessly called her Suisui, tormenting Xie Run until she was utterly exhausted. The next morning, the moment Prince Jing stirred, Xie Run woke up. Prince Jing was considerate enough. He glanced at Xie Run and said, "You were tired last night too. No need to serve me. Go back to sleep." That was what he said, but Xie Run couldn't possibly skip her duties. Of the four maidservants in Linxuan Pavilion, Xiaoshu and Xiaoci were assigned by the household—who knew if they were someone's spies? If she slept in on her first day of service, word would get around and it wouldn't sound good. Xie Run yawned gracefully. "Let me serve Your Highness first. Once you leave, I'll catch up on sleep." After all, she was only a concubine, not even qualified to pay respects to the Princess Consort. She had plenty of time for a nap. Prince Jing didn't refuse. As he looked down, he could see Xie Run dozing off while fastening his belt for him. With each tie of the knot, her head would droop lower, her long lashes falling to veil her eyes. She looked just like the lazy cat in his mother's palace—both greedy and slothful. Sometimes, when she was so sleepy her eyes were about to close, she still didn't forget the food at her mouth. Prince Jing could tell that Xie Run was trying her hardest to keep her eyes open, but she simply couldn't resist her drowsiness. He also developed a bit of a mind to watch the show, so he didn't tell Xie Run to rest. He just watched her stumble through helping him dress, then turn around and collapse onto the bed without looking back. He was still in the bedchamber when Xie Run was already lying in bed, seeing him off. "This servant bids Your Highness farewell." Prince Jing glanced over—she was already dead asleep. He shook his head helplessly. He knew what Xie Run was worried about, so he just straightened his sleeves and said to Yuli beside him, "Stay here and attend to your mistress. Don't wake her." Seeing Xie Run put on such a show of virtue in that state, Prince Jing almost wanted to laugh. Yuli and Dantao were nearly frightened to death watching Xie Run serve Prince Jing. A concubine was supposed to serve the prince. Now, before the prince had even left, their mistress was already lying in bed asleep—a grave breach of propriety. But seeing that Prince Jing wasn't angry, they heaved a great sigh of relief. As Prince Jing exited the inner chamber, he saw Xiaoshu and Xiaoci waiting nearby to serve him. He said calmly, "I don't want to hear a single word about what happens in Linxuan Pavilion outside these walls." Prince Jing's tone was flat, but the unspoken authority of one in power made Xiaoshu and Xiaoci tremble with fear involuntarily. The two quickly bowed. "This servant obeys Your Highness's command." By the time Xie Run was fully awake, it was already a quarter past nine in the morning. Dantao gently nudged Xie Run. "Mistress, the Princess Consort and Consort Ning have sent over quite a few gifts. You need to receive them in person." According to the rules, when a concubine first serves the prince, gifts are bestowed from above. The household regulations of the prince's residence were one principal consort, two secondary consorts, and four lesser consorts; there were no requirements for concubines or chambermaids. At present, the only legitimate masters in Prince Jing's residence were the Princess Consort and Consort Ning. Xie Run slept her fill and said lazily, "Then let's get up." Dantao caught a glimpse of the marks on her neck, blushed, and immediately averted her gaze. When applying Xie Run's makeup, she deliberately applied a generous layer of powder to her neck. After receiving the gifts, Xie Run had Xiaoshu and Xiaoci go inquire what the Princess Consort and Consort Ning had bestowed when Concubine Fang had first served the prince. These two were household-born servants with their own networks of connections. By assigning this task, Xie Run was also testing whether the two could be of use, and how they should be used. Soon, Xiaoci brought news. "Master, the Princess Consort has always been fair. The gifts she gave you and Concubine Fang are the same, and even for previous concubines they were similar—only the seasonal gifts differ slightly." Xiaoshu quickly added, "I also learned that Consort Ning's gift to Concubine Fang's side was heavier than yours." Xie Run glanced at the pile of fabrics and jewelry on the table, smiled lightly, and gained some measure of the Princess Consort's and Consort Ning's temperaments. It seemed the Princess Consort was a steady character who wouldn't treat people differently based on a concubine's status—at the very least, she knew how to maintain appearances. This was a good thing. Having a good mistress meant her days ahead probably wouldn't be too difficult. Consort Ning, on the other hand, seemed inclined to fawn on the powerful and slight the lowly—she likely truly looked down on Xie Run. After all, Xie Run was merely the daughter of a scholar, how could she compare to Concubine Fang, who had a wealthy Jiangnan merchant behind her? Moreover, Concubine Fang had long enjoyed a fine reputation in the Jiangnan region, and when she was sent into the prince's residence this time, the Fang family carried some intention of currying favor and forging closer ties—no wonder Consort Ning valued her more. But being looked down upon was fine! If she were truly favored by the women of Prince Jing's harem, Xie Run felt she wouldn't even be able to sleep soundly at night. It seemed Prince Jing was fairly satisfied with Xie Run's service, for he stayed at her quarters for three consecutive days. And each day, he arrived half an hour earlier than he went elsewhere. Since it was only half an hour in the morning, it wasn't conspicuous, and no one noticed anything unusual—they simply assumed Prince Jing was going through his usual routine. After all, he had stayed five days with Concubine Fang. If anyone was going to get anxious, they'd have to wait until Prince Jing had spent five days at Linxuan Pavilion. That early half hour was naturally spent instructing Xie Run in chess. Watching Xie Run go from a complete novice to a true beginner, Prince Jing's penchant for playing the teacher was thoroughly roused. But this was also thanks to Xie Run's quick wit—she grasped things at a single hint and almost never made the same mistake twice. How could teaching such a student not bring a sense of accomplishment?