Chapter 87: Crown Prince’s Concubine – 15

Xie Liangchen had barely stepped through the door when an imperial decree summoned him away. His grandmother was deeply worried; the last time he had been carried home unconscious had clearly left a lasting shadow on the elderly woman’s heart.

Seeing the exhaustion and anxiety etched on her face, Ren Xin hurried to comfort her. “Grandmother, it’s alright. Don’t overthink things. Have something to eat and get some rest. Liangchen will be back in a little while.”

Grandmother could only nod. “You should head back as well. Everything is in such a mess right now; there are plenty of places that need your attention.”

In truth, there wasn’t actually much for her to do. She had already delegated all the chores, and all she had to do was wait for the feedback later.

She was quite bored, actually.

Since she had nothing better to do, she decided it was time to play with the little cubs!

“Do you know who I am?”

The three of them responded with a chorus of incoherent babbles and shrieks.

“I’ll carry whoever calls me ‘Mother’ first.”

“Pfft, pfft, pfft—”

The three little ones blew raspberries in unison. It was more than she could handle. Ren Xin buried her face in the babies’ necks, inhaling that distinct baby scent—a mix of milky sweetness and a hint of sweat. They all burst into fits of giggles.

After playing for a while, Ren Xin felt hungry.

Once she had eaten her fill, it was time for a nap!

When she woke up, Xie Liangchen was sitting by the bed reading a book. He smiled and asked, “Would you like some water?”

“Yes, please.”

Ren Xin gulped down several cups of water before her thirst was finally quenched. Then, her entire ginseng-self began to zone out.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you curious about what I did at the palace?”

Ren Xin shook her head. “You have a loose tongue. You’ll end up telling me yourself in a moment anyway.”

Xie Liangchen: “…” He didn’t! He wouldn’t! That was pure slander!

A short while later, Xie Liangchen couldn’t hold it in anymore and started venting.

“The Crown Prince suggested that I accompany him to Jiangnan, and the Emperor agreed. We leave the day after tomorrow. It looks like I’m going to miss the babies’ hundred-day celebration again. I really do owe that father and son pair…”

Ren Xin immediately grew wary. “The Crown Prince? Is he trying to steal my man?”

Xie Liangchen: “…” Just what goes on in that head of yours!

As long as he wasn’t, it was fine. She had already claimed this man for herself; if anyone tried to take him, she would bare her teeth and refuse to let go.

“The Crown Prince suggested that I bring my family along. I wanted to ask what you thought.”

Ren Xin had no thoughts on the matter. The roads of this era weren’t smooth like in the modern world; they were incredibly bumpy. Not a chance!

“I’ll really miss you, but I pity myself for having to suffer the journey even more. Sacrificing one husband for the happiness of his wife—it’s a very fair trade, don’t you think?” Ren Xin offered him a large, round “pie” of empty promises.

Xie Liangchen didn’t fall for it at all. Seeing that she was truly unwilling, he could only nod in agreement. “I’ll miss you too. So, let’s try for a daughter!”

Ren Xin politely declined. “Keep your wits about you. I haven’t eaten yet, and doing it now would feel unsatisfying!”

Xie Liangchen: “…” Eating is a mood-booster? That’s a rather unique turn-on!

Xie Liangchen set off, carrying the collective love of the manor’s cooks and seamstresses. He departed with several carriages laden with large bags and small bundles.

The first day Xie Liangchen was gone: She missed him!

The second day Xie Liangchen was gone: Not so much!

Little Qingfeng had entered a honeymoon phase with the cat; they were inseparable. He hadn’t come to play with her for several days now, showing a clear tendency to favor the new over the old.

Since he wasn’t coming to her, she wasn’t going to look for him either. They were officially unfriended.

She had three little ones to play with, while Little Qingfeng only had one cat. She won this round by a landslide!

One month after the Crown Prince left with Xie Liangchen, the Third Prince was placed under house arrest! That same month, the Sixth Prince was stripped of his titles and reduced to a commoner!

The other princes all tucked in their claws, terrified of being the next ones cut down!

The partisans of the Third and Sixth Princes were either executed or exiled. So many people were killed that it felt as though the very sky was being stained red with blood.

Ren Xin’s mother wrote to her, saying that they were all doing well. She expressed her regret at not being able to return for the babies’ birth, and sent along several crates of gifts.

Not long after Ren Xin’s wedding, her father had been posted to a provincial office, and the whole family had moved with him. Xie Liangchen had arranged it, saying that Beijing was becoming chaotic and that a few years in the provinces would keep them safe.

Father Ren was a compliant man. Whatever his son-in-law said, he did! He went wherever he was told to go