Chapter 108

Chapter 108 Fang Yuan'er had just gritted her teeth and drunk the labor-inducing medicine when a young maid called out from beneath the corridor. "Reporting to Mistress, Concubine Wan has arrived!" Fang Yuan'er endured her discomfort and rose with Qiuxiang's support. "At this late hour, I've troubled Sister Wan." Truth be told, this was the first time since entering the prince's household that Fang Yuan'er had called Wan Linlang "Sister Wan" with such genuine sincerity. As she left the bedchamber, Fang Yuan'er suddenly gripped Qiuxiang's hand tightly. She whispered, "If it truly comes to a moment of necessity... remember to have Concubine Xie come and take charge for me!" Qiuxiang's face showed obvious shock. She clearly never expected her mistress to make such a request. "And if Concubine Xie is unwilling?" "Then beg her in front of the Prince and Princess Consort. No matter what... even inside the delivery room, I dare not say I'm truly safe." "In this rear courtyard, the only person I can trust even three parts is Xie Run." Qiuxiang was deeply puzzled. Aside from entering the household on the same day, Concubine Xie and her mistress had little connection. On ordinary days, they rarely even saw each other twice. How could her mistress trust Concubine Xie and not even the Prince and Princess Consort? Fang Yuan'er didn't explain. She couldn't tell Qiuxiang that she trusted Xie Run simply because of intuition. The longer she stayed in this world, the less her love and hate were under her own control. She trusted Xie Run just as she loathed Wan Linlang—purely out of instinct! Early the next morning, Xie Run had just woken up when she heard a faint rustling sound by the window. She called out, "Dantao?" Dantao came in, lifting the curtain and hanging it up. "Mistress is awake." Xie Run asked in confusion, "Who were you just talking to?" Dantao's expression was somewhat strained. "Let this servant first help Mistress wash up. I'll speak while helping you change." Xie Run frowned. "What's happened?" Dantao said softly, "Last night, Concubine Wan clashed with Consort Fang. Consort Fang's pregnancy was disturbed—she's been in pain all night and may go into premature labor." The mistress and maid exchanged a glance, showing not a trace of surprise. "Is that all?" Xie Run was perfectly calm. "This was expected long ago. Why are you being so hesitant?" "It's not that this servant is being hesitant." Dantao's face showed bitterness. "It's just that no one knows what Consort Fang is thinking!" "Last night, the Prince and Princess Consort both went to the Xiachi Courtyard. Consort Fang was in pain until midnight, then suddenly cried out for Mistress to come and take charge." "She said she was afraid someone would harm her, and that she only trusted Mistress." Xie Run looked utterly bewildered. "...And the Prince agreed?" Dantao said with difficulty, "The Prince did consider Mistress's wellbeing. He didn't have anyone disturb you in the middle of the night—he only said he'd invite Mistress over once dawn broke, to at least settle Consort Fang's mind." Dantao nodded toward the window. "The person sent by the Princess Consort has been waiting outside." "This servant was hesitant because I wanted to let Mistress take her time, so you wouldn't lose your composure by rushing." Dantao was wholly devoted to Xie Run, and naturally didn't want Xie Run to wade into troubled waters. But the Prince had agreed, and the Princess Consort's envoy was waiting at the door—as a servant, she couldn't refuse. How could Wan Linlang, in the Xiuyue Pavilion, have clashed with Fang Yuan'er in the middle of the night? Could it be that Fang Yuan'er was looking for trouble with Wan Linlang and ended up harming her own pregnancy instead? It wasn't just Xie Run who guessed this—everyone in the entire household thought the same. They simply didn't say it openly. Xie Run let Dantao help her change clothes, then unhurriedly went out. The person sent by the Princess Consort was Tinghe, who also wore a somewhat helpless expression. "Greetings to Concubine Xie!" "The weather is freezing cold now, and my mistress would rather not trouble Concubine Xie." "But Consort Fang's cries were truly pitiful, and her maidservants were kneeling and kowtowing. The Prince's heart softened and he agreed..." Tinghe was explaining on behalf of the Princess Consort, lest Xie Run become angry and blame the wrong person. Xie Run's delicate brows and eyes carried a hint of worry. "Sister Fang still hasn't given birth?" "I slept deeply last night and knew nothing of these matters." Tinghe nodded. "I heard Mistress Fang cried out all night in the Xiachi Courtyard and still hasn't given birth." "The Prince also specifically instructed this servant not to wake Mistress in the middle of the night, lest it disturb Mistress's own pregnancy." "He only asked that Mistress go take a look after waking, to settle Consort Fang's mind." "At the very least, let her give birth in peace." As she spoke, Tinghe glanced outside and said, "To be safe, the Prince even specially sent his own sedan chair to fetch Mistress." "You can see the Prince truly dotes on Concubine Xie." That last sentence was Tinghe's genuine feeling. If Prince Jing wanted Xie Run to go, it would only take a word—would Xie Run dare not go? But instead, he had people wait half the night and sent his own sedan chair to fetch her, with all sorts of careful instructions... This was truly treatment reserved for someone cherished in his heart. If it had been Concubine An that Consort Fang cried out to see last night, do you think Concubine An would have received such treatment? Xie Run's worried expression didn't fade. "In that case, let's set out early." "Sister Fang's labor is not going smoothly—I feel deeply troubled hearing about it." Tinghe couldn't have been happier to hear those words. After all, if this mistress threw a tantrum and refused to go, Tinghe wouldn't be able to report back. She quickly had someone help Xie Run into the sedan chair. It was Xie Run's first time riding in a sedan chair. The rules above are strict—within the Prince's residence, only the Side Consort may ride in a two-person sedan chair, the Princess Consort in a six-person one, and the Prince himself in an eight-person one. Prince Jing's eight-person sedan chair corresponds to the Emperor's sixteen-person one. The ceremonial procession of a Prince of the First Rank is second only to the Emperor's. Unless Prince Jing ascends the throne in the future, and Xie Run becomes Noble Consort, otherwise, the eight-person sedan chair—Xie Run may only ever ride in it this once in her lifetime. To be honest, this is Prince Jing's genuine favor. Both for the child in her belly, and for Xie Run herself. From the very beginning, Xie Run's desires were modest. She only asked that no matter whom Prince Jing favored, he would spare her a sliver of affection when weighing matters. Her ambitions were small, so she was easily satisfied, and never swayed by gains or losses. With more bearers, the ride was exceptionally smooth. As soon as Xie Run arrived at Xiachi Courtyard, she first paid her respects to the Princess Consort. "Your subject pays respects to the Princess Consort." The Princess Consort hurriedly had someone help Xie Run up: "You've finally arrived. No need for so many formalities at a time like this—have someone help you sit down and rest." With that, she also sent someone to relay a message to Fang Yuan'er in the delivery room, "Tell your mistress that Concubine Xie has arrived." "Let her focus on giving birth in peace!" "Yes!" A young maid hurried off to deliver the news. The Princess Consort then asked Xie Run, "Was the journey here comfortable?" The Princess Consort was also worried that Xie Run might encounter some mishap along the way.