The bright moon hung high in the sky.
The night wind rustled through the trees.
Several bowl lotuses in the pond swayed gracefully in the breeze, while golden carp darted beneath the lush lotus leaves.
With a splash, a palm-sized carp leaped from the water.
Its tail flicked lightly, sending droplets flying.
The golden scales shimmered under the moonlight, a breathtaking sight.
Under the corridor eaves,
Hansu, Tiao Zhu, Xiao Guizi, and the others were flushed red, wishing they could bury their heads in their belts.
Besides them, there were also the Crown Prince’s attendants.
These were the Crown Prince’s retinue, who followed him everywhere and were seasoned veterans by his side.
Previously, whenever the Crown Prince visited the Crown Princess or Cao Liangyuan, they would wait outside.
During such times, they became deaf and mute.
The intimate matters between the Crown Prince and his consorts were not for them to inquire about, and they knew nothing of them.
Yet now, listening to the sounds coming through the doors and windows, even these seasoned veterans couldn’t help but blush.
They couldn’t help but compare the Crown Prince’s previous visits to Jiarong Hall and Cao Liangyuan’s quarters with the current situation.
And then they grew somewhat puzzled.
Wasn’t this Song Zhaoxun of humble origins? Why was she acting more delicate than even the Crown Princess and the others?
The palace had strict rules.
Even when serving in bed, women were expected to maintain dignity and propriety, avoiding frivolous behavior or any hint of seduction.
Even if discomfort arose during the process, it must never be shown, and at key moments, gratitude for favors must be expressed.
Otherwise, it would be seen as improper virtue and disrespect toward imperial authority—many in the rear palace had been demoted for this in the past.
When Ying Gugu was still in the Guangchu Department, she often heard people mention that the Crown Prince was extremely strict about rules.
This made her somewhat worried.
She feared that Kan’er’s current behavior would anger the Crown Prince, or that he would settle scores after the fact.
If she had known this would happen, regardless of whether Dianxia came or not, she should have reminded her mistress of these rules during the day!
Over there, Hai Shun’s emotions were also on a rollercoaster.
One moment he worried that the bold Song Zhaoxun would displease the Crown Prince, the next he feared the Crown Prince might have an episode midway.
After all, his Dianxia hadn’t taken his medicine tonight!
Yet, hearing the commotion inside, Hai Shun couldn’t help but grin, his eyes narrowing to slits.
His Dianxia had finally consummated!
Half an hour later, everyone visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
They waited for the bell to ring, ready to go in and serve.
But instead of the bell, they heard yet again…
This repeated four times.
Catching sight of the flushed faces around him, Hai Shun’s eyes shifted, and he turned to pretend to scold them in a low voice:
“Keep your mouths shut tight! If anyone questions you about tonight’s events tomorrow, dare to leak even half a word, and don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Everyone naturally agreed in unison.
Half past the hour of the ox, the night was deep.
The bed curtains were pushed aside by a large hand.
Luo Xun got off the bed, picked up the inner garments scattered on the floor and put them on, then sat back on the edge of the bed with his eyes closed for a while.
After a long time, he looked toward the inner side of the bed, his voice gravelly: “Get up and wash before sleeping.”
He waited a while but heard no movement.
Luo Xun cleared his throat softly, stood up, and directly put on the outer robe he had earlier placed on the rack.
“This person will have your people come in to assist you with your bath.””
Kan’er wanted to ignore him.
She had finally figured it out—this man was just taking revenge!
To retaliate for her making him lose face last night!
She had initially wondered, if the Crown Prince acted like last night again tonight, what should she do? How could she pretend convincingly?
To coax him into being satisfied.
But what was the result?
Right now, Kan’er felt uncomfortable all over.
She was miserable and also felt wronged.
How many years had it been since he had treated her like this?
But Kan’er also understood.
This version of the Crown Prince was simply this kind of person.
His status destined that even in such matters, he didn’t need to care about anyone’s feelings or be considerate toward anyone.
In the first few years of her previous life, whenever the Crown Prince came to her room, Kan’er felt like she was being subjected to torture.
Yet she was so afraid of him that she didn’t dare say anything.
It wasn’t until later, when she truly couldn’t bear it and fell ill, that things changed.
She didn’t know what the Imperial Physicians said to the Crown Prince, or what he did, but afterward, the Crown Prince seemed like a completely different person.
It had been so long that Kan’er had forgotten about these matters.
Hearing the Crown Prince finish dressing and about to call someone in, Kan’er didn’t think twice and forced herself to push back the covers and get off the bed.
Unfortunately, as soon as her feet touched the floor and she tried to stand, her legs gave way uncontrollably, and she stumbled toward the ground.
Luo Xun swiftly caught her and pulled her into his arms. “What are you doing? If you’re unwell, why are you moving around recklessly?”
He frowned, his voice cold.
Even though he didn’t intend to scold the person in his arms, to Kan’er, it sounded like he was being harsh with her.
Kan’er refused to accept it.
Her eyes shifted, and she shrank in his arms as if frightened. “Dianxia, please forgive me. This humble consort only wished to see you off.”
Her voice was hoarse, her tone feigning caution and fear.
Luo Xun felt extremely uncomfortable hearing it.
His hand around Kan’er’s waist tightened, and that tightening made him realize that the person in his arms was still unclothed.
Her skin, fairer than frost and snow, stood out distinctly even in the dim light.
Luo Xun had exceptional eyesight.
Coupled with their close proximity, a single glance was enough to stir a resurgence of certain urges.
But even though Luo Xun didn’t know how to be gentle, he understood that he couldn’t continue.
He lifted her horizontally into his arms.
“There’s no need for you to see me off.”
He wasn’t so inhumane as to demand that someone he had just rendered unable to stand should see him off.
Kan’er knew the Crown Prince was leaving.
This was his rule.
Except for his principal wife, Zheng Shi, he wouldn’t make exceptions for any concubine, and no concubine could make him break his rule.
It had been the same in her previous life.
Before she became his successive empress, no matter how much he favored her, he never spent the night in her room.
Kan’er remembered it all.
So she didn’t insist that he stay—she hadn’t yet earned the right to act spoiled—but she wanted him to remember her.
“Alright, this humble consort actually just wanted to spend a little more time with Dianxia.”
Kan’er leaned against the Crown Prince’s shoulder, her voice devoid of feigned attachment, carrying only a hint of shy laughter.
“Last time, Dianxia said this humble consort would see you again, and tonight, I truly did. It’s wonderful.”
Luo Xun didn’t expect her to so easily express wanting to spend more time with him. He was surprised.
Hearing her mention their first night together, Luo Xun said coldly, “If a man does not keep his word, what is he good for?”
Kan’er kissed his chin.
“Dianxia is a gentleman.”
Cough!
She had the nerve to say it; Luo Xun felt too embarrassed to hear it.
If he were truly a gentleman, he wouldn’t have acted that way earlier. Moreover, he had indeed started with some intention of revenge.
Luo Xun placed her back on the bed.
Then, he rang the golden bell outside the bed curtains.
Considering that the Crown Prince needed to bathe and change clothes after visiting his consorts, Kan’er’s room had two separate bathing chambers.
Ying Gugu and Tiao Zhu entered with lamps, supporting Kan’er—still wrapped in her quilt—into the western bathing chamber.
The Crown Prince went to the eastern one.
By the time Kan’er emerged, the bedroom windows had been opened to air out the room, and the bed had been tidied neatly, looking completely refreshed.
Luo Xun had finished preparing half an incense stick’s time earlier than Kan’er.
When she came out, he didn’t say much.
His gaze merely paused briefly on the young woman’s increasingly charming face before he remarked indifferently, “Rest well,” and then strode off with Hai Shun.
The night deepened, enveloping the entire Eastern Palace in silence.
Hai Shun followed closely beside the Crown Prince.
Noticing that his master showed no discomfort at this late hour—instead, his brow carried an unprecedented ease—Hai Shun felt completely reassured.
No wonder they said Song Zhaoxun was blessed.
Not only had their Crown Prince granted her a position, but today, breaking precedent, he had visited Yongxu Yuan even though the Crown Princess hadn’t arranged for anyone to serve in bed.
And judging by Dianxia’s demeanor, he clearly found Song Zhaoxun’s service satisfactory—what tremendous fortune.
Hai Shun marveled inwardly.
Then, suddenly recalling something, he hesitated, on the verge of speaking.
“Out with it,” Luo Xun glanced at him sideways.
Hai Shun grinned.
They had already left the Back Palace, so he didn’t hold back.
“It’s nothing major, really. It seems something happened today when Song Zhaoxun went to pay respects at Jiarong Hall. I only heard about it from the subordinates after we finished our duties this evening.”
He summarized the incident concisely for the Crown Prince.
Finally, he added:
“Those gossipmongers truly treat the palace like an outside marketplace. They forget that without Your Highness’s benevolence, they wouldn’t enjoy such comfortable days. But the Crown Princess made an example of them this time, so likely no one will dare repeat such behavior.”
Luo Xun walked with his hands behind his back. “She accused the wrong person?”
“Yes, it’s said the Crown Princess asked Song Zhaoxun for evidence, and Zhaoxun, frightened and flustered, mistakenly identified someone.”
Frightened and flustered.
Luo Xun turned these words over in his mind.
After a moment, he instructed:
“Select some fine fabric from my treasury, along with a few presentable sets of head ornaments and jewelry. Have them delivered to her tomorrow.”
“Make sure they suit her.”