Chapter 106

Chapter 106 Prince Jing looked at her coldly. "What? Did Concubine Xie specifically summon you to the entrance of Chunshan Courtyard to commit an offense?" "And specifically told you to wear the phoenix hairpin that only the Princess Consort is permitted to wear?" Jiang Baobao was choked speechless. She was never a clever person to begin with, and couldn't explain herself clearly in the moment. She could only cry out her grievances, weeping pitifully. There wasn't the slightest ripple in Prince Jing's eyes. He merely said coolly to the maids and matrons behind her, "Why haven't you escorted your mistress back to learn proper conduct?" "Yes!" The group practically carried Consort Jiang back as they fled. Those who had managed to secure positions serving in Songya Courtyard had originally pulled considerable strings and paid no small amount of silver. After all, she was the only Side Consort in the household. Who would have thought that within just a few days of entering the residence, this Side Consort would do something so foolish? Those who had once fought tooth and nail to get into Songya Courtyard now regretted it so deeply their intestines had turned green. It wasn't that they feared their mistress being out of favor—they feared a mistress who didn't know her place and stirred up trouble day after day. That was truly the worst misfortune of eight lifetimes! As soon as Xie Run entered Chunshan Courtyard, she had the gates closed. A maidservant was stationed at the Half-Mountain Pavilion to keep watch, and immediately reported that the Prince had arrived. Xie Run didn't rush out. Instead, she instructed Dantao to arrange for a few more maidservants to go out and receive him. Xie Run said, "Don't let Zihu suffer any injustice!" Dantao quickly acknowledged the order. Just as the arrangements were made, Prince Jing strode into Chunshan Courtyard with his entourage, his steps carrying the wind. When he lifted the curtain and entered, Xie Run was holding a hand warmer, lost in thought. Seeing Prince Jing, she called out softly, "Prince..." Prince Jing stepped forward, the coldness about him dissipating, his tone unconsciously softening. "You weren't frightened, were you?" Xie Run shook her head, then nodded, looking utterly gentle and obedient. She said softly, "A little, actually." "But my maidservant offended Consort Jiang. Everything she did was to protect her mistress. I hope the Prince won't punish her." "If it's truly unacceptable, I'm willing to accept the punishment in her place." "Do you really see me as such an unreasonable person?" Prince Jing asked coolly. Xie Run timidly lifted her eyes to glance at Prince Jing, then reached out and tugged at the corner of his robe. "It's just... shouldn't one confess one's faults first before lodging a complaint?" Prince Jing burst into laughter. "I knew it. How could you be so well-behaved and honest?" Xie Run sighed. "I truly didn't expect Consort Jiang to act this way today." Prince Jing looked at her with a hint of pity in his eyes. "You're the one who dislikes stirring up trouble the most—the type to flee ten thousand miles away when trouble comes." "But precisely because you're usually too good-natured, others think they can step on you to establish their authority." Hearing his words, Xie Run felt there was another layer of meaning. Could it be... that Prince Jing was fully aware of all of Concubine Han's schemes back then? Xie Run only dared to make bold guesses. Concubine Han was already dead, so dwelling on such matters was meaningless. Still, she knew Prince Jing was quite familiar with the inner court and was not someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong. She secretly felt relieved. Xie Run took Prince Jing's hand. "I believe the Prince will grant me justice." Then she added, "Since the Prince rarely visits Chunshan Courtyard, let's not discuss these unpleasant matters." Seeing her awkwardly change the subject, Prince Jing found it amusing. "Fine, we won't discuss it." "But do you have anything pleasant to share with me?" Xie Run's eyes sparkled. "As a matter of fact, I do." Xie Run smiled. "Does the Prince remember the fabrication I made up at Qiufeng Courtyard last time?" Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "You mean the poison?" Prince Jing chuckled. "You certainly have nerve. I actually believed you at the time." Xie Run had been perfectly composed then, even carrying an air of having everything under control. Who would have thought it was a lie she'd made up on the spot to fool everyone? "It wasn't entirely made up," Xie Run said with a faint smile. "I read about it in a book. Inspiration struck at the moment, so I spun that tale." "So what amusing thing do you want to tell me?" Xie Run pursed her lips and said helplessly, "My elder sister heard about this from somewhere, and she actually managed to find this kind of powder for me." "Although it's not poison, it does have some remarkable effects." Prince Jing was genuinely surprised this time. First, that Xie Jiang had actually obtained this powder for Xie Run. Second, that Xie Run didn't hide a single thing from him. Faced with a beloved woman who trusted him completely and was entirely honest with him, how could Prince Jing not believe in her and dote on her? Xie Run smiled. "Now that Feihua has been captured, I don't have much use for this thing, so I thought I'd give it to the Prince as a gift." Seeing that Xie Run spoke with complete sincerity, Prince Jing wouldn't tease her about it. "Your sister was worried about you, so she specially obtained this to protect you." "I have no use for it. Keep it for yourself." Xie Run nodded. "Then I'll keep it for my own use." Prince Jing's mouth twitched. "You're actually going to use it?" "If too much time passes, the potency will fade. I can't let my sister's good intentions go to waste." Xie Run said seriously. "Consider it a precaution." "This powder isn't as potent as I claimed, but at least it's not poisonous, so there's no need to worry about accidentally harming anyone." "It's your own thing. Arrange it as you see fit." Just as Prince Jing finished speaking, he met Xie Run's sparkling, clear eyes, which held an endearing charm that was hard to resist. Prince Jing smiled knowingly. "What mischief are you plotting now?" "How could you call it mischief?!" Xie Run pouted coquettishly, playfully leaning toward Prince Jing. "My sister cares for me so deeply, I ought to return the favor." "But all I can offer are mere trinkets of gold and silver—useful, perhaps, yet they never quite reach the heart of the matter." Prince Jing saw through her little scheme at a glance. "Out with it—what do you want?" Xie Run's eyes lit up. "I'd like to ask for a person on my sister's behalf!" By the current reckoning of time, Xie Jiang was already five months pregnant. She was alone in the capital, striving on her own, with few people around her she could trust or rely on. Even as a skilled physician herself, she could not safely deliver a child all alone. Xie Run remembered that in Xie Jiang's storyline, there was an incident of difficult labor.