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

The next morning, the carriage headed towards the outskirts of Beijing.

Today, Afu wore a very simple blue cloth cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her hair was styled in the double buns of an ordinary maid, with only two inconspicuous velvet flowers.

This was Xie Xun's special instruction before his departure: not to wear the conspicuous formal attire of the Marquis's residence, but to accompany him as the most ordinary maid.

Xie Xun leaned back on the soft cushions in the carriage, closing his eyes to rest. Afu obediently huddled in the corner, trying to minimize her presence.

Qixia Mountain Villa is built halfway up the mountain, famous for its lush bamboo forests and stunning sunsets. As the carriage stopped at the villa's entrance, Afu lifted the curtain and immediately felt a refreshing coolness. This place was indeed an excellent summer retreat.

The owner of the villa was extremely refined, even enclosing a large forest on the back mountain and raising many rare birds and animals. As soon as Afu entered the courtyard, she heard several clear deer calls coming from the back mountain.

The banquet was held in a spacious courtyard on the mountaintop. There were no elaborate formalities or strict separation of men and women. Dozens of long tables were arranged in a pleasing manner, and the young gentlemen sat on the floor, most of them accompanied by beautiful maids.

The sunset glowed like fire, burning half the sky red, and reflected in the wine glass, even giving the wine a touch of enchanting color.

Seated at the head table was Song Yan, the eldest son of the Prime Minister's family. This Qixia Manor was the Song family's property. Song Yan had a dashing and debonair air about him, and was raising his wine cup, chatting and laughing with those around him; he was clearly the host for the evening.

Afu knelt diagonally behind Xie Xun, pouring him wine. Her gaze swept across the table, finally landing on a white-robed scholar sitting below Song Yan.

Among a group of wealthy and noble young men in fine clothes, this man was truly eye-catching. He wore a plain white robe without any official accessories, yet he possessed a handsome and refined appearance.

With delicate features and a refined demeanor, he listened quietly to people talking while holding a wine glass, a perfectly measured smile playing on his lips, like a clear and elegant ink painting.

Afu couldn't help but steal a few more glances. She had seen many powerful and wealthy young men in the capital, most of whom were cold and domineering like Xie Xun, or aloof and superior. She rarely saw someone so clean and gentle.

"That's Young Master Xuheng from Jiangnan," a maid at another table whispered, her voice filled with barely suppressed amazement. "He's the Prime Minister's prized student. I heard he doesn't want to enter officialdom, but he's extremely talented and is the most renowned scholar in Jiangnan."

"He's so handsome..." another maid chimed in, blushing.

Afu withdrew her gaze, a slight thought stirring within her. So he was a renowned scholar; no wonder his demeanor was so outstanding.

In stark contrast to Xu Heng's refined elegance was Li Heng, the heir apparent of the Prince of Yong, who sat opposite Xie Xun.

The man had dark circles under his eyes and a pale, wan face. It was clear that he had been drained of his vitality by wine and women. He couldn't even sit up straight and was slumped limply on the table.

Several sons of minor officials around him were flattering him enthusiastically, and Li Heng listened with a smug air, occasionally letting out a few cloying laughs.

Those present with even a modicum of status only exchanged superficial pleasantries with him, never developing any real relationship. Xie Xun didn't even lift his eyelids, preoccupied with whispering matters of the court to the person beside him.

Such banquets are inherently relaxed, and after a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere becomes increasingly lively. Many young men have begun to flirt with the beautiful maids beside them, and some even directly pull the maids into their arms and feed each other wine and food.

Xie Xun's side, on the other hand, was very disciplined, with Afu dutifully playing the role of a wooden stake, never interfering except by pouring wine.

Just then, a small white porcelain bowl was quietly pushed along the edge of the table and placed in front of Afu's knees.

Afu was taken aback.

The bowl was piled high, with several pieces of sizzling, fragrant venison at the bottom, interspersed with stir-fried fresh bamboo shoots, and topped with two delicate jade belt cakes.

She looked up at Xie Xun. Xie Xun's back was straight, and he was clinking glasses with Song Yan from afar, without even turning his head, as if the small bowl had grown legs and run over by itself.

Looking at the bowl of meat and vegetables, Afu felt a surge of unexpected joy. The dishes at the banquet were indeed tempting; she had been kneeling for a long time and was starving.

She shrank back slightly, using Xie Xun's wide sleeves as cover, and picked up her chopsticks to eat in small bites. The venison was succulent, the bamboo shoots were crisp and tender, and the pastries were soft and chewy. Afu ate with great satisfaction, and even Xie Xun's back seemed much more pleasing to the eye.

Just as Afu swallowed the last bite of pastry, a pungent smell of alcohol mixed with a heavy scent of perfume wafted over. Li Heng, carrying a wine jug, staggered toward Xie Xun's table.

"Young Master Xie, come, let me toast you!" Li Heng slurred and squeezed into the empty seat next to Xie Xun.

Xie Xun frowned almost imperceptibly, but out of consideration for the occasion, he still picked up his wine glass.

Afu put down her chopsticks, leaned forward, and poured Li Heng a full glass of wine.

Li Heng's gaze was initially just casually sweeping across the room, but it suddenly stopped when it landed on Afu. His eyes lit up instantly, and he stared intently at Afu, his body involuntarily leaning forward.

"Yo."

Li Heng smacked his lips as if he had discovered some rare treasure, "Xie Xun, where did you find such a gem?"

Xie Xun's smile vanished completely, and he said coldly, "Young Master Li has had too much to drink."

"I'm not drunk!" Li Heng became more and more excited as he looked at Afu, pointing at her, "Don't be fooled by this girl's tattered clothes and lack of makeup. She looks so ordinary."

But look at that figure, that waist, the curve of that neck… tsk tsk, of all the women in my harem, not one can compare!

While he was praising her, he was also leering at Afu's chest, completely unaware that Xie Xun's face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

"This face may not be absolutely beautiful, but it's still above average." Li Heng got carried away and reached out his chubby hand, which was covered in jade thumb rings, to grab Afu's wrist.

Afu's eyes turned cold, and she quickly leaned back, nimbly dodging the lewd hand.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

Xie Xun's silver chopsticks struck Li Heng's hand with great precision, leaving a red mark.

"Li Heng." Xie Xun's voice was icy cold, skipping even the most polite form of address.

Li Heng winced in pain, shook his hand, and then belatedly realized what had happened.

But instead of being annoyed, he laughed even more lewdly: "Xie Xun, don't be so stingy. It's just a maidservant. Here's what we'll do: you give her to me, and I'll trade you a beauty from my own household!"

He patted his chest, guaranteeing with absolute certainty, "Ten! I'll trade you ten for one. The ones in my household are all handpicked by me. The ones with the most alluring eyes, the softest lips... each one is a beauty in her own right, I guarantee you'll be a groom every night!"

The noise around them gradually subsided, and many people turned to look in their direction.

Xie Xun's hand was already on the edge of the table, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, and the fierceness in his eyes was impossible to suppress.