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

He seemed surprised to run into someone here. He stopped in his tracks, looked straight at him, and his eyes showed a hint of anxiety that he couldn't hide.

Upon seeing that it was her, the anxiety in his eyes seemed to ease somewhat.

A few thoughts raced through Afu's mind. He had come in such a hurry, most likely because of that messy matter involving the luminous pearl.

She composed herself, curtsied to him, and spoke first, her voice extremely low: "Young Master, are you here to see the Young Master? The Young Master is in his study. Go through this corridor and turn right. Young Master Song Yan is also inside."

Her voice was calm, and there was no trace of panic on her face, as if the storm that had just happened, which could have determined her life or death, had nothing to do with her.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Xu Heng was completely relieved, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

He cupped his hands in thanks and replied, "Thank you for your guidance, young lady."

Afu nodded, just in time to hear Li Heng being dragged out of the study with shouts and curses. She turned aside and whispered, "This servant will take her leave now."

Having said that, she didn't linger any longer. Lifting her skirt, she hurried along the covered walkway towards her own courtyard.

She walked quickly, wanting to return immediately to the small courtyard where she could catch her breath, unaware that the gaze behind her lingered on her back for a moment.

She didn't even see that right after she turned the corner of the moon gate, the study door was pushed open from the inside, and Xie Xun walked out with a sullen face.

He immediately spotted Xu Heng standing in the courtyard, looking in the direction Afu had left.

Xie Xun stopped in his tracks.

The dappled sunlight under the eaves cast shadows on Xu Heng's blue robes. His features were clear and bright, his expression gentle, and his eyes held a hint of a smile as he stared straight in the direction where Afu had disappeared.

Xie Xun's brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Junior brother, what brings you here?" Song Yan followed Xie Xun out and immediately called out upon seeing Xu Heng.

Xu Heng then came to his senses, withdrew his gaze, turned to Xie Xun and Song Yan, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Senior Brother."

He took out a small brocade pouch from his sleeve, handed it over, and said calmly, "The luminous pearl has been found."

Song Yan was taken aback, then instinctively took the brocade pouch and opened it. Inside lay a shimmering, iridescent bead. He was overjoyed: "Found it? Where did you find it?"

"Last night, after drinking, Prince Li casually stuffed the brocade pouch into a plum vase on the antique shelf in his study, and then forgot about it."

Xu Heng explained, "The servant in his courtyard found it while cleaning. When I heard about it, I immediately brought it over to prevent any further misunderstanding."

He rushed over because he wanted to tell them that they didn't need to look anymore.

While Li Heng was still cursing and swearing, the actual owner of the lost items had already found them.

This farce is utterly absurd.

Song Yan held the luminous pearl, feeling its heat, and chuckled dryly, "Sigh, I told you it was a misunderstanding... This Prince Li, really..."

Xie Xun didn't look at the bead; his gaze fell on Xu Heng, scrutinizing this most prized student of Prime Minister Song from head to toe.

After a long pause, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.

"Young Master Xuheng," he spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "truly remarkable skill, knowing exactly where the treasures of the Prince of Yong's mansion are kept."

These words sound like praise, but they actually carry a barb.

Song Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly tried to smooth things over: "Brother Xie, my junior brother meant well..."

Xu Heng remained calm and, meeting Xie Xun's scrutinizing gaze, replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highness is too kind. It was only because the servant beside Prince Li was clever that we were able to avoid a commotion."

He casually attributed the credit to someone else, his words leaving no room for doubt.

Xie Xun stared at him for a few moments, then turned and went back to his study without saying anything more.

into the night.

On a rainy night at Qixia Mountain Villa, the air is filled with the fresh scent of damp grass and trees.

As soon as Afu changed her clothes, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Xie Xun, still dressed in his black riding and archery uniform, walked in, bringing with him a chilly night breeze.

He walked straight to the table, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and moved without the slightest hesitation, as if this were his own room.

Afu silently stepped forward, ready to help him undress.

"No need." Xie Xun raised his hand to stop her, took a sip of tea, and looked at her. "Were you frightened today?"

Afu lowered her eyes and said softly, "With the young master here, this servant is not afraid."

Looking at her docile appearance, Xie Xun's irritation subsided considerably. Remembering his promise from earlier that day, he said, "I won't take you to see the deer in the back mountain today."

Afu paused for a moment, then looked up. "Why?"

"The deer kept in the manor are wild and untamed," Xie Xun said calmly. "They don't like being confined. This afternoon, one of them rammed its head against the fence and died."

Afu's pupils contracted slightly.

She could almost see the scene: agile creatures, having exhausted all their patience and hope in their cages, finally choosing to rush towards freedom in the most tragic way.

They originally lived in the mountains and fields, so why would they like to be kept in captivity?

Afu subconsciously turned her gaze to the window.

The swaying bamboo shadows were reflected on the window paper, and the night wind blew freely, making the whole bamboo forest seem to sing softly. A longing that she herself was unaware of flickered in her eyes.

Xie Xun took in her expression, and suddenly felt a slight pang in his heart.

He frowned, and surprisingly, a hint of tenderness arose in his eyes.

"If you like going out," he looked at her, his voice a little gentler than usual, "when we return to the capital, I'll take you out for walks whenever I have time."

Upon hearing this, Afu turned back to look at him with some surprise.

Is he trying to comfort her and make up for her regret of not being able to leave the hospital these past few days?

Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, but on her face she only showed a flattered and grateful expression: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

Xie Xun was fairly satisfied with her reaction and stood up, saying, "Take a bath."

Afu immediately understood and turned to prepare hot water.

After Xie Xun finished bathing, the two went to bed, and the bed curtains were drawn, blocking out all the light from outside.

In the darkness, his body pressed against mine, carrying the scent of soap after his bath and a burning heat.

As she had the night before, Aphrodite obediently catered to him.

Xie Xun quickly sensed something was amiss.

Although she was obedient, her body was not as passionate and engaged as it had been the night before, lacking the vibrancy of when she was completely ignited.

He stopped moving, propped himself up, and looked down at her blurry silhouette in the darkness.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice somewhat somber. "Are you still grieving over those two deer?"

Afu opened her eyes in the darkness. "No."

She said softly, "I was just thinking that I'll be returning to the capital in a few days."

Her answer was impeccable, both explaining her distraction and demonstrating her submissiveness.

Xie Xun remained silent for a moment, then didn't press the matter further. He covered her again, but this time, he lacked the fierce determination he had before, the urge to crush and devour her completely.