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

It was the dead of night, at the end of the long corridor.

Changsong squatted at the door of the side room, resting his chin on his hands, staring at the copper bell hanging under the corridor for several hours.

The bell remained completely still.

Bai Zhi, holding the tray, squatted down beside him and whispered, "Brother Changsong, is that bell broken?"

Changsong's expression was inscrutable: "It's not broken."

"Then why hasn't it made a sound?"

Changsong stood up and stretched his legs, which had gone numb from squatting. "It probably won't ring tonight."

Bai Zhi looked at him blankly, "Huh?"

……

The following day at noon.

When Afu woke up, she found herself lying on the low couch in the inner room of the bathroom, where she was changing clothes, with a blanket covering her.

The entire bathroom was empty; Xie Xun had long since disappeared.

She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, moved to the edge of the couch, and was about to stand up to find her clothes when her legs suddenly gave way and her knees almost hit the footstool.

Afu quickly grabbed the clothes rack next to her to steady herself. She looked down at her slightly trembling legs, a complex look of bewilderment on her face.

She had never experienced this level of leg weakness before, only after climbing Mount Hua in her previous life.

Activating and repairing core muscle groups usually requires gradual training, and last night's exercise intensity was roughly equivalent to a maximum physical exertion.

...This kind of exercise is really good.

Afu took a deep breath and slowly moved her ankle. Just as she was about to rest a bit longer, there was a gentle knock on the side door three times.

"Sister Afu?"

It was Bai Zhi's voice, very low, as if afraid of startling her.

"Are you awake? The young master instructed me to serve you here."

Afu paused in her movements.

Was this Xie Xun's instruction?

She lowered her eyes, suppressing her complicated emotions, and spoke in her usual gentle and calm voice: "You're awake. Come in."

Bai Zhi pushed open the door and came in, carrying a neatly folded bundle of clothes.

She looked up at Afu and stopped in her tracks.

Afu leaned against the edge of the couch, her upper body completely wrapped in a plush blanket, revealing only a section of her fair, smooth calves and bare feet.

She had just gotten up from the couch, her hair loose and falling over her shoulders, which made her already beautiful face look even more languid.

Afu's eyes were still misty from just waking up, and her expression was one that Baizhi had never seen before. It wasn't the obedient and proper Afu she usually was, but rather a kind of indescribable... coquettishness.

It wasn't intentional; it came from within.

Bai Zhi's face flushed red.

She placed her bundle on the low table beside her and said in a voice so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, "The water for the washroom is ready. Sister, call me when you're done washing up."

After saying that, she turned and ran, her skirt almost getting caught on the door frame.

Afu watched her figure disappear through the door, paused for a moment, and subconsciously curved the corners of her lips into a smile.

However, a sharp pain came from the corner of my lips.

She reached up and touched her lower lip, her fingertip touching a small wound that had already scabbed over.

Memories of last night flooded back... It was Xie Xun who bit me.

Afu lowered her hand, stopped laughing, and slowly stood up, leaning against the wall, and walked towards the washroom.

The water in the bathtub has been changed; it's now lukewarm.

She took off the blanket, held onto the edge of the pool, and slowly slid into the water. The hot water washed over her sore muscles, and she sighed softly in comfort.

After tidying up, Afu took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the bathroom.

Bai Zhi was waiting outside the door, and upon hearing the commotion, she immediately came forward to help.

"Sister, let me help you back to rest."

Afu did not refuse, put her hand on Afu's forearm, and slowly walked towards her house.

It only took about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to walk from the washroom to Afu's room, but Afu's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

Bai Zhi opened the door for her, "Sister, slow down—"

He stopped speaking halfway through his sentence.

Afu saw it too.

Granny Cui sat upright on a round stool in her room, her back straight, her hands folded on her knees, her posture impeccably dignified.

Two maids stood behind her, one of whom was carrying a tray with a blue and white porcelain bowl on it.

The bowl contained dark-colored medicinal soup, from which wisps of steam rose.

Afu paused for a moment, then resumed her normal pace.

She stopped in front of Granny Cui and bowed her head slightly: "Granny."

Granny Cui sized her up.

She observed carefully everything from the way Bai Zhi helped her in, to her new clothes and half-wet hair.

A moment later, Granny Cui gave a perfectly timed smile, neither too friendly nor too cold.

"It's good that you're awake." She stood up and turned her head slightly to the maid behind her.

The maidservant came forward carrying a tray.

Granny Cui's gaze fell on Afu's face. Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear and distinct.

"This is a contraceptive soup that the lady sent me to bring. Drink it while it's hot."

Afu looked down at the bowl of steaming, dark-colored herbal soup, her expression clear.

Having spent so many years in the Marquis's mansion, she had long since come to understand the rules of the inner quarters.

The reputation of the heir apparent and his offspring are of utmost importance to the Marquis's household; they would not allow a maid to bear a child.

But a slight gloom settled in her heart, she couldn't quite put her finger on whether it was grievance or something else, but in an instant, Afu completely suppressed this emotion.

She never intended to have any official title. Even without the medicine of being the wife of a marquis, she would have found a way to prevent pregnancy afterward.

What she wanted was never to depend on anyone, but simply a piece of paper granting her freedom so she could leave the mansion without any problems.

Since we share the same goal, why be coy?

Afu looked up, her expression calm and indifferent, and reached out to take the blue and white porcelain bowl.

Without the slightest hesitation, she tilted her head back, raised her hand, and poured the entire bowl of dark, bitter medicine down her throat. The intense bitterness instantly spread to her tongue and throat, settling deep within her internal organs and lingering for a long time.

She handed the empty bowl back to the maid, her expression calm, showing no sign of embarrassment or resistance.

Granny Cui saw her reaction clearly, and a hint of approval flashed in her eyes.

"She's quite sensible," said Granny Cui, nodding slowly, her tone softening.

Afu lowered her head slightly, behaving with impeccable manners, and said in a gentle and calm voice, "Thank you for troubling you to make this trip yourself, Granny."

She personally escorted Granny Cui and her entourage out of the courtyard gate, stood under the corridor and watched them disappear into the distance. Only after they were completely out of sight around the corner did she slowly turn around and go back to her room.

As soon as she closed the door, Afu quickly walked to the table, grabbed the iced tea, and gulped down several large mouthfuls.

Barely suppressing the nauseating bitterness, she leaned on the edge of the table and let out a soft breath, a faint trace of weariness flashing across her face.

Meanwhile, Granny Cui returned to the main house of the courtyard and went straight to report to Madam Hou.

The hall was quiet. Lady Hou sat upright on the couch, and upon hearing this, slowly raised her eyes: "How is it?"

"Reporting to Madam, Miss Afu is an extremely understanding and honest person," Granny Cui replied with a bow, her tone carrying a hint of approval. "She drank the medicine calmly as soon as she received it, without showing the slightest resentment."

Upon hearing this, Lady Hou spoke calmly: "What happened last night was not her fault, but rather an opportunity for her. Since she is a sensible and well-mannered person, there is no need to be too harsh on her."

"Let's give her the title of concubine," the Lady Hou said slowly, her tone calm and composed. "She can stay at Shi'an Courtyard to serve Xun'er closely in the future. With a proper title, she can be more devoted."

Granny Cui immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, this old servant has remembered."

At that time, the main building of Sean-in.

The morning light streamed through the window, and Xie Xun stood before it.

Others would have collapsed long ago after staying up all night, but he remained sharp-eyed, exuding a restrained excitement.

He wore a plain robe loosely, the collar slightly open, his posture upright, seemingly lost in thought.

Changsong stood not far behind, bowing his head and speaking softly in response.

"Your Highness, just now, Granny Cui went to Miss Afu's residence to deliver a contraceptive medicine. Miss Afu drank the medicine in its entirety, completely accepting it without the slightest refusal."

He paused, then continued his report: "Just now, Granny Cui returned to the main courtyard. The Madam intends to bestow upon Miss Afu the title of concubine."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

The wind rustled softly, causing the window paper to flutter slightly. The person standing by the window listened to the entire message, yet their face remained completely expressionless, leaving no room for guessing their thoughts.

Changsong lowered his head, secretly sweating for Afu.

He had followed Xie Xun since childhood and knew his master's temperament best. Ever since that incident, the young master had been most disgusted by the scandalous private affairs between master and servant.

Last night's events were beyond the master's control, which led to his entanglement with his personal maid.

Given the Crown Prince's usual practices, he would not only not give Afu a title, but would also send her away or even completely eliminate her.

A deathly silence lingered for a long time. Xie Xun remained silent for so long that Changsong thought he wouldn't speak again.

He twirled the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his voice indifferent and devoid of warmth: "Have Afu come here."