She should have quietly left without disturbing Xie Yuanchu and Zhenzhen, since they were obviously in a mutual and affectionate relationship.

However, Rongrong thought about the kindness Zhenzhen had shown her, and she had to consider Zhenzhen’s situation.

Zhenzhen wanted to be Xie Yuanchu’s concubine, but if she was taken in by Xie Yuanchu without any clear status, it would be hard to obtain a formal title later.

The wife of the Jingning Marquis valued propriety greatly.

Before Xie Yuanchu got married, all his concubines were carefully chosen and sent away by the marquis’s wife herself.

If things were done hastily now, it would definitely anger the marquis’s wife.

If Zhenzhen became the heir’s concubine without getting the proper status, it would be difficult for her to find a good match in the future.

After several considerations, Rongrong deliberately made some noise outside the door and loudly asked the servant where Zhenzhen was, wondering why there was no one on duty outside the heir’s residence.

The servant, not daring to enter, replied that Miss Zhenzhen was on duty, and if she wasn’t there, she must be busy.

As Rongrong was about to say something else, the door behind her opened.

She turned around and saw Zhenzhen standing at the door, her face flushed and her hair slightly disheveled.

“Zhenzhen, I’m supposed to be on duty tonight,” Rongrong said, pretending not to notice Zhenzhen’s unusual state, and smiling as she approached.

“Didn’t we agree that you would rest for a few days first?” Zhenzhen said. “Besides, I made a mistake in front of the emperor today. Thanks to you, since you’re still recovering, let me take the duty tonight.”

As Rongrong was about to respond, Xie Yuanchu’s voice came from inside the room: “Rongrong is still weak. She should rest another day and doesn’t need to be on duty.”

Since the master had spoken, Rongrong naturally couldn’t argue.

However, she had come to see Xie Yuanchu for another reason: “Your Highness, may I come in to report something?”

“Come in.”

Rongrong entered the room, and Zhenzhen did not follow in but helped pull the door shut for their conversation.

Rongrong approached Xie Yuanchu’s desk and bowed.

She noticed that Xie Yuanchu’s hair was indeed a bit disheveled, confirming her suspicion about what had happened in the room earlier.

“Has Your Highness returned?” Xie Yuanchu felt a bit uneasy under Rongrong’s gaze.

Rong Rong and Zhen Zhen were both personally chosen to stay by the Young Master’s side.

They were both outstanding in appearance and character, though each had her own unique qualities.

Zhen Zhen was charming and lively, while Rong Rong was refined and graceful.

The Young Master was usually impartial, but he secretly favored Zhen Zhen a bit more.

In his heart, Zhen Zhen was straightforward and candid, full of youthful charm.

Although Rong Rong was beautiful, she was too proactive, losing the delicate beauty of shyness.

Now, seeing Rong Rong looking at him so boldly, without any softness or shyness, Xie Yuanchu guessed that Rong Rong must have been upset, especially since he had joked about sending them to serve the Crown Prince.

“I’m clumsy,” Rong Rong said. “The Crown Prince asked Fuqian to come in and assist. When I came out, I saw the little Prince had arrived…”

Upon hearing “clumsy,” Xie Yuanchu was once again helpless and interrupted Rong Rong, “The Crown Prince dismissed you?”

“Yes,” Rong Rong answered with her head lowered.

She had to wait for Xie Yuanchu’s approval before leaving the Crown Prince’s presence.

“What happened?” Xie Yuanchu asked, feeling inexplicably irritable.

Losing face repeatedly in front of the Crown Prince had made Xie Yuanchu feel his pride was at risk.

Rong Rong didn’t expect Xie Yuanchu to ask for details and had to tell the truth: “The Crown Prince asked me to massage his shoulders, but I didn’t do it well.”

Xie Yuanchu’s expression changed to one of quiet contemplation as he looked at Rong Rong with an indescribable gaze.

Uncertain of his reaction, Rong Rong mustered the courage to say what she had planned: “Young Master, I am not suited to serving in such a high position and keep making mistakes that displease the noble ones. Please forgive me and don’t send me to serve them again.”

Xie Yuanchu thought for a moment, then nodded slightly, indicating agreement, but his response was not very clear. “Go and rest.”

Rong Rong could only leave quietly.

As she went out, she saw Zhen Zhen sitting in the corridor, staring blankly at the distant mountains.

“Zhen Zhen, I’m going back to my room.”

Zhen Zhen turned her head and nodded in response.

Seeing that Xie Yuanchu hadn’t called Zhen Zhen in, Rong Rong bent down and whispered in her ear, “The things you can’t have are always the most tempting.”

Zhen Zhen was startled and blushed deeply. “I… I…”

Seeing Zhen Zhen stammering, Rong Rong covered her mouth gently and shook her head before leaving the courtyard.

Zhen Zhen sat there in a daze, not even hearing Xie Yuanchu calling her from the study.

“Zhen Zhen, Zhen Zhen, is there no one outside?” Xie Yuanchu came out of the study, seeing Zhen Zhen in a daze and feeling sorry for her, thinking that tonight’s events had frightened her.

However, he was concerned with more than just the matters of men and women.

He walked towards the courtyard gate and called for the gatekeeper.

“Go and send a message to Fuqian, the Crown Prince’s eunuch. Ask him to come to my study when he’s free.”

“Yes.”

The servant, having received his orders, quickly ran off.

Xie Yuanchu turned around and saw Zhenzhen standing awkwardly behind him, looking down and apologizing, “Your Highness, I was a bit distracted just now.”

“Zhenzhen, earlier…”

“Your Highness, there was nothing important earlier,” Zhenzhen was unsure if Rongrong’s comments were out of jealousy, but she trusted their sisterly bond and thought Rongrong had a point—things that are hard to get always seem more appealing. “Your Highness, I’ll go check on the soothing soup in the kitchen for you.”

“Go ahead.” Xie Yuanchu waved her off, feeling a slight sigh of relief inside.

He wasn’t a man driven by lust; he genuinely cared for both Zhenzhen and Rongrong.

He had just been a bit out of control today, and since Zhenzhen was willing to act as if nothing had happened, he would let it be.

Xie Yuanchu returned to his study and wrote several letters. Zhenzhen came in midway to attend to the soup and then went to wait outside.

As midnight approached, Xie Yuanchu heard Zhenzhen knocking on the door. “Your Highness, Master Fuquan has arrived.”

“Let him in quickly,” Xie Yuanchu said.

Zhenzhen opened the door, and Fuquan walked in, removing his thick cloak. “Your Highness called me so late at night. Is there an important matter?”

“You tell me!” Xie Yuanchu indicated for Zhenzhen to close the door, leaving only himself and Fuquan in the study.

“Do you know about the matter regarding the Empress summoning me to the palace the other day?” Fuquan asked.

“Yes,” Xie Yuanchu replied.

“Then you know what the Empress wanted to discuss with me?”

“Was it about the matter of your marriage?” Fuquan inquired.

Xie Yuanchu sighed and slapped the desk. “Yes, it was about that. The Empress asked me to bring more women to please the heir. What kind of request is that!”

Fuquan smirked. “So it was the Empress’s idea. It must have been quite a task for you to bring out your two favored maidservants.”

“Don’t you know his temper? If I had found beauties from outside, he would have felt I was deliberately trying to provoke him,” Xie Yuanchu vented his frustration.

Although Rongrong and Zhenzhen were his maidservants, he hadn’t meant to offer them to the Crown Prince.

He only wanted to show off the pleasure of having beautiful companions and make the Crown Prince realize how dull it was to have only eunuchs around.

Unexpectedly, when Rongrong had come earlier, Xie Yuanchu had even felt short of breath.

“Your Highness, you might as well be straightforward,” Fuquan suggested.

Fuquan knew that Xie Yuanchu was speaking the truth.

Over the years, many beauties had been sent to the Eastern Palace, only to be put to work in the garden or given to the staff, with none being kept.

“If the Crown Prince asks Rongrong to change clothes and give him a massage tonight…” Xie Yuanchu didn’t finish his sentence.

Fuquan’s smile remained, but it carried a hint of helplessness and sadness. “To be honest, since that incident, the Crown Prince has not allowed any woman near him.”

“What about Rongrong?” Xie Yuanchu’s gaze grew complex.

“Rongrong is indeed special. Not only does the Crown Prince like her, but even Prince Yuanbao does.”

“So should we bring Rongrong into the Eastern Palace?” Xie Yuanchu was unsure of his own feelings.

Naturally, he didn’t want to part with Rongrong, but the Crown Prince was interested in her.

It wasn’t flattery; after being a monk for so many years, the Crown Prince was finally breaking his vow.

It was only right for Xie Yuanchu to help.

However, Rongrong had asked him not to make her serve the Crown Prince, showing she wasn’t interested in the wealth and status of the Eastern Palace.

Xie Yuanchu didn’t want to force her.

Fuquan thought for a moment and then waved his hand. “Not so fast. I’ll first find out the Crown Prince’s thoughts. Acting too hastily might backfire.”