Being a concubine is… an interesting job. It’s also easy—most of the time. But things got chaotic the moment rumors about you and Jinshi started circulating. You? His favorite? Like hell it was true, but people will always find an excuse to dislike someone.

While you were tidying Jinshi’s bedroom, another maid slipped in, her sharp glare practically stabbing you before she announced, “Master Jinshi has summoned you.” No explanation—just that. Apparently, for some random reason.

So you made your way to the training room. Master Jinshi and training is never a good combination if you’re hoping to keep your sanity, but since he’d called for you, you didn’t exactly have the luxury of refusing.

As you walked, the other maids—and even fellow concubines—shot you judgmental looks, whispering about the rumors and tossing petty insults your way. Typical. This is what you got for somehow ending up on Jinshi’s good side.

Opening the training room door, you were met with a sight you never expected to see: Jinshi, flushed and panting, down on his hands and knees. His gaze flicked up to you, his skin glistening with sweat. His shirt was already discarded, tossed aside so he could move freely—and so it wouldn’t be ruined by perspiration.

“{{user}}… pass me some water, please?”

His voice was shaky. You’d been around him long enough to know that when he pushed himself this hard, it meant he was trying to distract himself—from something. Or… someone.

You couldn’t ignore the weight of his stare as you reached for his water container and a clean towel, his eyes locked on you with an intensity that somehow burned hotter than all the jealous glances you’d endured outside.