Chapter 59: Jealousy

As their eyes met, Xia Tong suddenly lowered her hea d, her heart racing. Why was the villain thinking about such things every day? He hadn’t been like this before!

“Your Highness… Aren’t you very busy lately?” she mumbled, staring at the ground.

“No matter how busy I am, I need to make time to have a child,” he said, his gaze intense.

Xia Tong wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in. Was this really the villain? Where had the aloof and cold man who avoided women gone?

Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself and cautiously looked up. “Then… Your Highness needs to save my mother first.”

If she was going to sell her beauty, then so be it. Her integrity had long been thrown out the window.

Gu Qin didn’t respond right away. Instead, he suddenly pulled a small red seal from his sleeve, seemingly intending to give it to her.

Xia Tong was taken aback. She had thought he would send someone to rescue her mother directly, but to her surprise, he was actually handing over the seal. Being valued so highly by that Grand Tutor meant it must be something extraordinary.

“What… is the use of this?” she asked softly.

The man raised his eyes slightly, his voice deep. “To mobilize all the imperial guards in the capital.”

Xia Tong: “…”

“Are you…are you crazy?” She couldn’t help but say seriously, “I’m not asking you to give this to me. Otherwise…you can just give me a fake one. If you do this, won’t it give others an opportunity to take advantage of you?”

She blinked, her little face solemn, feeling that he must be crazy for actually giving her something so important. Did he not realize how serious the consequences could be?

Looking at her serious little face, Gu Qin’s brow twitched slightly. He wrapped his arm around her waist while glancing at the documents on the table, his expression calm. “So, you know how good I am to you?”

It seemed he didn’t care about the consequences at all. Xia Tong was about to say something when she suddenly looked at him with suspicion. This villain wasn’t the type to be at a disadvantage. How could he truly give her such an important item just to save her mother? There must be some hidden agenda.

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist in a flattering manner, whispering, “Does the prince have any plans?”

There would be a significant change in the palace in five days. The villain couldn’t possibly be unaware. Why would he give her such a crucial item now? What was he really up to?

“I plan to have a child,” he said seriously.

Her face flushed, and she shot him a fierce glare before falling silent.

On their way back, the heavy snow continued to fall. Xia Tong sat in the carriage, fiddling with the seal, reluctant to give it away. Yet, she couldn’t believe Gu Qin would willingly hand over something so important to an enemy.

When they returned to the city, the carriage didn’t head back to the regent’s residence but stopped in front of the Jinyue Teahouse. Xia Tong thought he wanted to stroll around outside, but she wasn’t in the mood to wander. However, she had no choice but to accompany him.

As soon as they entered the teahouse, the shopkeeper approached them with great enthusiasm. After they settled into a private room, Xia Tong took off her heavy fox fur coat and began making tea.

Although her technique was not proficient, no one laughed at her. After filling two cups, she turned to watch the street performers below and suddenly asked the person next to her, “How much is Xifeng’s monthly salary?”

The tea she brewed was not filtered properly, with a concentration of only about thirty percent, and it was as thin as water. After taking a sip, the man frowned, and upon hearing her question, his expression suddenly changed. His thin lips parted slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I just think he has it tough, and he’s quite capable. With the year-end approaching, he should receive a raise. What do you think, Your Highness?”

Xia Tong took a sip of tea while glancing sideways at him, her delicate features showing a hint of expectation, the droplets in her hair swaying, as if trying to catch his attention.

Gu Qin didn’t say anything, but there was a meaningful look in his eyes. This woman certainly had a special favor for Xifeng.

Outside the partition, someone broke out in a cold sweat. What had he done to offend the princess?

“Then you can determine his salary from now on,” the man suddenly said casually.

After he spoke, Xia Tong fell silent for a moment, realizing he wasn’t joking. She nodded, “Then let’s give him fifty taels a month.”

Seeing that she was calculating seriously, Gu Qin slightly curled his lips, seemingly approving of her idea.

Outside, Xifeng’s expression turned particularly grim. All other incomes of the regent’s residence were accounted for by him and others, and it was inevitable that he would take a cut. The master usually turned a blind eye to it, but after what the princess said, how could he dare to do so in the future?

Feeling that she had secured a benefit for Xifeng, Xia Tong continued eating pastries while watching the street performers. Suddenly, she asked the shopkeeper to bring her a chess set.

“I know I can’t beat you, so could you let me have a few pieces?” she asked shamelessly.

The man, engrossed in his book, didn’t respond, and the atmosphere in the room held a rare tranquility.

Since he was silent, Xia Tong took it as consent and placed her first nine pieces. Only then did the person opposite pick up a black piece and casually place it somewhere.

Noticing that he was still reading, Xia Tong felt a bit indignant. This was clearly a dismissal of her. He didn’t even show the basic respect for an opponent.

However, less than half a teacup later, she started to sweat nervously, looking around, feeling very frustrated. Why couldn’t he give her a break? He had no gentlemanly demeanor at all.

Just as she was about to say something, her peripheral vision caught sight of something in the hall, and her gaze froze. “The Crown Prince?”

The man, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly shifted his gaze, seemingly displeased to hear another man’s name from her lips.

Downstairs, a tall, elegant figure appeared, dressed in a fine white brocade robe that exuded a royal elegance, making it seem unapproachable. Perhaps sensing something, his gaze suddenly moved toward the upstairs.

Their eyes met, and Xia Tong was surprised by how quick his reaction was. Out of politeness, she could only smile faintly, then straightened up to look at the chessboard, not expecting the Crown Prince to notice her so quickly. As expected, the male lead was simply good.

Seeing her smile at the person downstairs, Gu Qin’s expression instantly darkened. He coldly stared at her and lifted a piece to place on the chessboard.

“You…”

Xia Tong stared blankly at the chessboard, shocked to find that she had lost so quickly. Had he just been teasing her?

“What a coincidence, I didn’t expect the Regent to have such refined tastes.”

Suddenly, a leisurely figure walked in from outside, and upon hearing the voice, they turned to see a man with a smile at the corner of his mouth, his handsome features looking well-rested. It was impossible to tell that he had been poisoned before, and with the old emperor seriously ill, he showed no signs of worry at all.

Xia Tong remained silent. Every time the villain and the male lead met, something unpleasant happened, so it was better for her to stay quiet and be inconspicuous.

“Just taking a break from work. Unlike the Crown Prince, who seems very relaxed despite the emperor’s critical condition.” Gu Qin’s brow twitched as he leaned back, leisurely playing with a jade ring.

He wasn’t angered by the other party. Xiao Jing glanced at the silent woman and suddenly smiled lightly, “My father taught me from a young age to keep my emotions in check. How would the prince know that I’m not anxious inside?”

The tea room, filled with a rich aroma, was enveloped in an eerie atmosphere. Xia Tong quickly made way for the male lead to sit down and then took a round stool behind Gu Qin, showing her loyalty.

Glancing at the expressionless woman beside him, Gu Qin’s gaze flickered. He would teach her a lesson later.

Watching her actions, Xiao Jing’s eyes changed slightly as he walked over to sit across from Gu Qin. He glanced at the chessboard, his expression peculiar. It was clear that the black pieces were holding back the white pieces, creating deadly traps while leaving openings for the white pieces to escape. He wondered why the black pieces suddenly blocked all routes of retreat.

“I’ve heard that the prince excels at chess. I’ve wanted to ask for your guidance for a long time,” he said with a sudden smile.

Exchanging glances, Gu Qin remained unchanged in expression, his voice calm, “How could a mere official refuse?”

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly strange. As a minor presence, Xia Tong suddenly transformed into a busybody, quickly clearing the chessboard to prevent the two prominent figures from engaging.

Her skin was as fair as snow, her sleeves slightly rolled up, and her wrists were alarmingly thin, indicating that life in the regent’s residence hadn’t been easy. Xiao Jing’s gaze shifted as he noticed her.

Once the chessboard was cleared, Xiao Jing made the first move. While Xia Tong prepared tea for both of them, she continued to observe. Their playing styles were completely different. Xiao Jing’s approach was defensive yet capable of immediate counterattacks, while Gu Qin seemed to play erratically but could catch his opponent off guard at any moment. Xia Tong had suffered losses several times and still couldn’t grasp Gu Qin’s tactics.

The room was silent. After a whole tea session, neither side had made significant moves, and Xia Tong began to feel anxious. Truly, prominent figures were on a different level, their patience was unmatched.

“The Rongdi people are becoming too rampant. What punishment does the regent believe they deserve?” Xiao Jing asked casually.

Gu Qin replied disinterestedly, “Whatever you think is appropriate, Your Highness.”

As Xia Tong peeled an orange, she had no idea how long the two would play. She tuned out their political conversation and instead watched the street performers downstairs.

The tea house was relatively quiet, but the young girl performing was giving it her all, even if the audience was sparse. Once her performance ended, an old man rushed up, seemingly the girl’s father. He snatched the money from her plate, angrily hitting her on the head while berating her for being useless.

The little girl cried in fear, and the onlookers were indifferent, showing little concern. Xia Tong didn’t want to intervene, but when she heard that the man intended to sell his daughter to a brothel, she felt displeased. How could there be such a father in this world?

Unable to watch any longer, Xia Tong called the shopkeeper to handle the situation. He glanced at the two men engrossed in their game and quietly retreated.

“You seem quite idle,” Gu Qin suddenly remarked, glancing at Xia Tong.

While peeling the orange, she shrugged dismissively, “I’m idle every day.”

Xiao Jing gave a casual glance at the two across from him. The woman seemed completely unafraid of the man, exuding an air of ease. She had always appeared that way. He had never noticed any false flattery from her.

Seeing that the person opposite him was not paying attention to the chessboard, Gu Qin’s eyes changed, and he suddenly turned his head to look at the person next to him, “I’m hungry.”

Xia Tong: “……”

She froze, wondering if she had misheard him. But seeing his cold expression, she slowly reached for a grape, peeled it, and inexplicably held it up to his mouth.

Watching this scene unfold, Xiao Jing’s grip tightened slightly. After making his move, he casually remarked, “A batch of beauties just arrived from Suzhou. The regent must be exhausted from managing state affairs day and night. Later, I’ll have someone send a few to the prince.”