After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

Afu listened, seemingly believing her, and didn't press for details. She simply reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Afu's ear, her tone softening considerably.

"The people over there have bad tempers. You're young, so you're bound to get some abuse if you go. If you're wronged, just come back and tell me. I'm practically your mentor, so I won't let you go there and be bullied for nothing."

As she spoke, she gently patted Yunxi's shoulder, as if she were genuinely concerned for her.

Yunxi didn't look up, only gave a soft "hmm". The celadon bottle hidden under her sleeve was pressing against her palm, and she clenched it tightly until her knuckles turned white.

Afu saw it, but didn't say anything. She withdrew her hand and turned to walk towards the side room.

She knew perfectly well that Yunxi hadn't been "summoned for questioning," but rather had gone to deliver a message.

Those words were deliberately said to Yunxi: You can turn back anytime, and I'll take over.

However, she also knew that a gentle approach alone was not enough; Yunxi needed a reason strong enough to make her decide.

The dog days of summer are approaching.

The weather in June was so hot and humid that the ice jar in Shi'an Courtyard was filled with crushed ice, and it melted into a pool of water in less than two hours. The maids had to keep changing it without their feet touching the ground.

That day, Afu carried the newly made plum snow cheese towards the main room. Just as she turned the corner of the moon gate, she saw Taoyao coming from the other side, carrying a red lacquered food box in her hand. Her steps were light, and her skirt swept across the bluestone slab.

The two of them walked to the study door at almost the same time.

Tao Yao turned her head and saw Afu. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

Recently, he has been delivering pastries and soups to Shian Temple every day, and he arrives at the exact time, always a quarter of an hour before Afu delivers anything.

The plum sorbet that Afu made these past few days was inexplicably brought back untouched. Baizhi felt sorry for her and accepted it all, saying that even if the young master couldn't eat it, she could.

At that moment, Tao Yao stood at the door of the study, partially blocking it, and said with a smile, "Sister Afu has come again to bring snacks? Unfortunately, Brother Shizi has already eaten the snow crystal cake I brought."

Afu held the tray and didn't reply.

This snow crystal cake was an idea she unintentionally revealed to Yunxi: modern milk ice cream with a layer of glutinous rice skin. She never expected that Taoyao would come up with it so quickly.

Tao Yao took half a step forward, lowered her voice, and said with a deliberately feigned intimacy, "As you know, my mother, Granny Wen, has served the young master since he was a child, and she knows his tastes best. From now on, you don't need to worry about these things, so as not to work hard for nothing."

Afu glanced at her, about to speak, when Xie Xun's voice came from inside the door: "Who's outside?"

Tao Yao immediately put on a smile and pushed open the door: "Brother Crown Prince, it's me."

Afu stood at the door, still holding the plate of snow-white plum sorbet, unsure whether to go in or back.

Just as she was about to hand the tray to Changsong, Xie Xun's voice came from inside the door, a few degrees deeper than before: "You come in too."

Afu had no choice but to carry the tray into the house.

Xie Xun sat behind his desk with a plate of snow crystal cakes in front of him. Two pieces of cake were missing from the plate, which meant that the cakes must have been to his liking.

When he looked up at Afu, his gaze was somewhat displeased.

"These past few days," he began, speaking slowly and deliberately, "why haven't you come to serve me at noon?"

Afu was somewhat speechless, and paused while holding the tray: "This servant is late, and dared not disturb Miss Taoyao's visit to the young master."

Xie Xun chuckled inwardly upon hearing this: there was clearly a hint of sourness in those words.

Though she was a little temperamental, she still cared for him. However, not wanting to encourage this trend, he deliberately spoke up: "Is this your excuse for not being attentive?"

Afu took a deep breath but swallowed it back. She lowered her head and said, "It was my oversight. I will definitely serve you wholeheartedly in the future."

In this situation, whatever she says will only result in Xie Xun scolding her, so she might as well give up.

Xie Xun didn't press further, turning to look at Tao Yao, his tone softening slightly: "Yao'er has been very thoughtful these past few days."

A faint blush rose on Tao Yao's face. She stood obediently with her head down, but her eyes glanced at Afu for a moment, filled with a clear sense of smugness.

Xie Xun added, "Your health is already weak, so you don't need to come here every day. It's best to rest and recuperate in the courtyard."

Tao Yao raised her head, her voice soft: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I'm much better now. I just want to do what I can for you, so as not to let down your years of care and support."

Xie Xun hummed in agreement, his tone indifferent: "I should be the one taking care of you. Alright, go back and rest."

Tao Yao curtsied and turned to leave.

Afu also came out carrying the tray, and the two of them left the study one after the other.

After walking more than ten steps down the corridor, Tao Yao suddenly slowed down and turned to look at her.

"Don't think you can overpower me just because you've become a concubine." Tao Yao's voice wasn't loud, but each word was clearly enunciated. "You're nothing but a toy."

Afu stopped, holding the tray.

She turned her head to look at Tao Yao's affected face, and for some reason, a feeling of anger welled up inside her.

With the prospect of leaving the manor seemingly far off, she was already on edge.

At that moment, Tao Yao moved closer, and she suddenly didn't want to hold it in anymore.

Afu slightly curved the corners of her mouth, her voice soft and her tone flat: "Yes, I'm not like you, I'm nothing!"

Tao Yao's smile froze on her face.

Afu looked at her and continued, "That's why the Crown Prince doesn't want to choose you."

Tao Yao's face instantly changed color. She opened her mouth, but the words "You're talking nonsense" stuck in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Afu didn't look at her again, and walked straight past her with the tray. The wind in the corridor blew the stray hairs by her ears back, but she didn't raise her hand to tidy them up.

Behind her came the sound of Tao Yao stomping her feet in frustration, and a curse being uttered in a low voice. Afu didn't hear it clearly, nor did she care to.

After nightfall, Sean-in became quiet.

The lights were still on in the main house. Changsong was waiting under the eaves. When he saw Afu carrying the "Hundred Family Surnames" and several pieces of cut Xuan paper, he quickly lifted the curtain for her.

"Please go in, young lady. The young master is waiting."

Afu responded and entered with a smile on her face.

It wasn't a genuine smile, but the kind of smile she'd practiced in the Marquis's mansion, her eyebrows curving just right. She hadn't forgotten Xie Xun's words from earlier that day: "Not doing your best."

The study was filled with the scent of aloeswood incense, and an ice mirror sat in the corner, its coolness spreading along the floor.

Xie Xun sat behind his desk, dressed in a moon-white casual robe, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin, his eyebrows and eyes appearing softer in the candlelight than in daylight.

Afu curtsied and said, "Young Master."

Xie Xun looked up from his documents and glanced at her face, where her eyebrows and eyes were curved, and felt an indescribable sense of incongruity.

He paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "Grind the ink."

"Yes."

Afu walked to the desk, put down the books and paper, rolled up her sleeves, took the ink stick, and slowly swirled it in the inkstone.

The scent of ink gradually spread.

Xie Xun lowered his head to review official documents, occasionally picking up his pen to write a few words.

After grinding the ink, Afu sat down at a small table and began writing large characters.

She had written about three pages when she suddenly felt a pressure descend on her shoulders, and her fingers tightened instinctively around the pen.

Xie Xun saw it and gently tapped the back of her hand.

"relax."