Chapter 78

Chapter 78 During the meal, Concubine Han was also exceptionally eager, her pair of amorous, captivating eyes brimming with tenderness, drifting over Prince Jing several times. Prince Jing, under her gaze, felt a wave of heat churning within him. But he kept remembering the Princess Consort's words, and only assumed he was too unaccustomed to visiting the rear courtyard, making him somewhat easily stirred. He drank a cup of wine, trying to suppress the restlessness inside him, his expression remaining composed throughout. He could remain composed, but Concubine Han was finding it harder to hold steady. She was being quite bold today. The fragrance on her body had a mild aphrodisiac effect—sniffed alone, it would cause no noticeable difference. But when paired with the potent herbs in the soup, it would silently stir a man's desire. This recipe was specially obtained by her mother for her, originally intended for use on that person in the palace. Now used on Prince Jing, it seemed to have no effect at all. Concubine Han's smile did not waver, but inwardly she grew increasingly anxious. Having just finished the meal, she couldn't very well drag Prince Jing straight to the bedchamber. Afraid that being too hasty would arouse Prince Jing's suspicion. With a turn of her eyes, Concubine Han said with a beaming smile, "My Lord, I've recently acquired a new painting. Since we have nothing to do after the meal, why not come appreciate it together?" Prince Jing, having relaxed his imposing demeanor, was quite indulgent with his own woman. "Whatever you say." The two arrived at the study. Maidservants lit the lamps one by one. Concubine Han unhurriedly retrieved the painting and spread it out on the table. Every movement she made was exceptionally graceful, while subtly revealing a hint of charm and allure, silently enticing him. Unfortunately, Prince Jing seemed genuinely uninterested today, his face taut the entire time. Concubine Han even began to wonder if Prince Jing had been overworked lately and was simply unable to perform. Prince Jing stood by the desk, carefully appreciating the painting. "This is Shi Fangyun's 'Gazing at Geese'?" "He hasn't painted in years. Where did you get this?" Concubine Han smiled. "My father and Censor-in-Chief Shi were fellow townsmen and close friends. It's just that later my father joined the military, while Censor-in-Chief Shi served in the Censorate, so they rarely kept in touch." Shi Fangyun was the renowned Sage of Painting of the current dynasty. Because he had risen to the rank of Censor-in-Chief, everyone called him Censor-in-Chief Shi. "He retired to his hometown a few years ago and passed through Jiangzhou, staying at my family's home for a few days, leaving behind several paintings." "Knowing that my Lord appreciates paintings, I begged my father to give me one of them as part of my dowry." Prince Jing nodded slightly. "I've vaguely heard that Shi Fangyun is from Jiangzhou. I didn't know he was acquainted with your father." Concubine Han smiled but didn't respond to that. She said softly, "Does my Lord find it too dim? I'll add a few more lamps." Prince Jing did indeed love paintings, and his gaze was now drawn to the painting before him, so he nodded casually. Concubine Han walked to the side and slowly lit several candles. She then carried one of them over to the desk. The flickering lamplight cast a soft glow on the stretch of fair wrist exposed on Concubine Han's arm, making it appear even more white and smooth as snow, captivating to the heart. The red candle burned, and a faint wisp of smoke, barely visible to the naked eye, drifted slowly through the air, silently entering one's nostrils and beguiling the mind. Prince Jing was enchanted by the glimpse of Concubine Han's snow-white wrist. His gaze fixed intently on her hand, then traveled upward along her arm, landing on Concubine Han's alluring, amorous face. A fire was quietly burning within him. Prince Jing felt a stirring of desire, but his mind was filled with the Princess Consort's words from the winter solstice. Prince Jing didn't take it as the Princess Consort's advice; he felt it was more like mockery. At the time, Prince Jing had been righteously indignant. Of the several women who were pregnant, he had only gone to see them after they conceived, never doing anything more—he was rather proud of that. If he now broke his vow for Concubine Han, wouldn't he be slapping his own face? And what face would he have left to be angry with the Princess Consort? Besides, Concubine Han's pregnancy wasn't even stable yet; he wasn't so desperate as to be that reckless. With this thought, Prince Jing's mind cleared somewhat. Concubine Han's heart was sinking to the bottom, her eyes deliberately drifting over the candle flame on the table as she inwardly fretted. This was her last resort, the trick she had saved for the most critical moment. Why was Prince Jing still showing no reaction? The more potent folk remedies were too easy to expose, and she didn't dare use them. With that thought, Concubine Han decided not to sit idly by any longer. Pretending to fetch some tea, she deliberately stumbled, and her boneless, delicate body happened to fall right into Prince Jing's lap. Before she could make another move, a sound suddenly came from outside the door. Eunuch Shian: "My Lord... Concubine Wan requests an audience!" Startled by the interruption, most of Prince Jing's arousal subsided, and he immediately returned to his composed demeanor. He helped Concubine Han up and said, "Pouring tea and such is for the maidservants to handle. You're pregnant—it wouldn't be worth it if you bumped into something." As he spoke these words, Prince Jing's gaze was perfectly clear, with none of the deep, burning desire from before. In that instant, Concubine Han wished she could skin Wan Linlang alive. She still had to grit her teeth and explain: "I only thought it was a simple thing to do. It won't happen again." Prince Jing was no longer listening to her. With a displeased expression, he called out, "Come in and report." Eunuch Shian pushed open the door and entered. Prince Jing had no good impression of Wan Linlang whatsoever, yet hearing that she sought an audience, he inexplicably felt a moment of relief. Of course, afterward, he still felt rather displeased. The main reason was that upon hearing Wan Linlang's name, Prince Jing was reminded of the incident where he had been drugged. Prince Jing: "What is she doing here?" Eunuch Shian: "Mistress Wan says she has important matters to report to Your Highness. She begs Your Highness, for the sake of your past connection, to at least grant her an audience." The "past connection" referred to Concubine Wan's contributions during Prince Jing's disaster relief efforts. For that merit, Prince Jing had granted her the position of concubine, which had already settled the debt. Still, Prince Jing did harbor some lingering goodwill in his heart. He lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them. "Have her come in." Concubine Han's meticulously prepared scheme had yet to succeed when it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Concubine Wan. She was extremely unwilling to accept this. But given the current situation, she had no way to shamelessly remain. She picked up the candle from the table and set it aside. "Your Highness, this concubine will take her leave and not disturb your conversation with Sister Wan." Prince Jing gave a slight nod, offering no words of retention. Before leaving, she glanced at the red candle placed in the corner, then withdrew her gaze. With delicate, graceful steps, she departed the study. Outside the study, Wan Linlang was also gambling. She knew that Prince Jing was not a man entirely devoid of sentiment. When she had provided the prescription for treating the plague in Mizhou, Prince Jing must still hold some gratitude toward her. Otherwise, her days in the rear courtyard would be as difficult as Concubine Lu's. But Wan Linlang also knew that this small measure of goodwill could not be squandered—once used, it would be gone, so it had to be saved for a critical moment. She had remained silent for several months, all to wait for this very day! Hearing that the Prince was willing to see her, Wan Linlang's spirits lifted, and she couldn't help but raise her chin. She had already won half the gamble!