Chapter 123

Chapter 123 Prince Jing: "The more these people wish to resent you, the more I shall reward you!" He was inwardly contemplating what fine gifts to bestow upon Xie Run. By custom, concubines received rewards after childbirth, but what was given, and how much, depended entirely on Prince Jing's whim. For a fleeting moment, Prince Jing wished he could throw open the treasury and let Xie Run choose whatever she pleased. Of course, such a thought lasted only a moment. The Princess Consort was still present, and everything in the rear courtyard was managed by her. Prince Jing could not act solely on his own wishes. Prince Jing lowered his head and asked, "What reward does Suisui desire?" Only then did he notice that Xie Run had, at some point, fallen asleep curled against his chest. Her thick, curled lashes trembled slightly, still adorned with undried teardrops. That delicate, charming face was filled with exhaustion and pallor, enough to make one's heart clench with worry. Recalling Xie Run's words, Prince Jing could already imagine how dangerous her labor had been today. After barely surviving childbirth, she had still dragged her weary body to explain herself to him. The more he thought about it, the more he could not help but feel tender pity for Xie Run. That night, Prince Jing rested at Spring Mountain Court. Early the next morning, no sooner had Xie Run awakened than she saw Dantao with a grave expression. Xie Run: "What's wrong?" Dantao said, "Mistress, His Highness rested in our courtyard last night, and this morning he did not attend court. He was summoned away by the Princess Consort's people at first light." "If there were no urgent matter, the Princess Consort would never summon someone from a concubine's chambers..." Xie Run said with great composure. "It seems the one behind this has made their move." "This was anticipated long ago." Since the other party had uncovered the matter of Fang Huaian, they could not have used it merely to frighten Xie Run. Having Fang Huaian come to cause a scene at the door during her labor was only the first act. The second act would surely be to expose Xie Run's connection with Fang Huaian within the rear courtyard, telling everyone that Xie Run and Fang Huaian had been carrying on an illicit affair! Once this matter was confirmed, even if Prince Jing did not punish Xie Run, it would inevitably leave a thorn in his heart. With that thorn lodged in Prince Jing's heart, he could no longer continue to dote on Xie Run. Even if it were not confirmed, the rear courtyard could stir up waves from calm waters, and rumors would surely fly thereafter. Many words, once passed around, would twist and change meaning. No matter how much Prince Jing favored Xie Run, he could not bear hearing rumors about Xie Run and another man day after day. These two acts had to be performed in succession to achieve their maximum effect. One link after another—this was clearly meant to drive Xie Run to her death! If Xie Run had not detected it in advance, she would absolutely not have escaped with her life. At this thought, Xie Run's gaze darkened. "Don't be nervous either. First tell me what happened." Dantao lowered her head, feeling only bitterness at the corners of her mouth. Dantao said, "This morning, someone was loitering outside the mansion gate. The gatekeeper caught her, and she said she was a maidservant who had served you since childhood, begging you to save her life." "The moment she was brought to Green Pine Court, she told everything about what happened between you and that man back then." Xie Run's brows knitted slightly, and she said coolly, "It's Chunxing?" Dantao nodded. Xie Run laughed in fury. "Quite impressive." "They even managed to track down a little maid sold off nearly a year ago!" Chunxing was indeed the maidservant who had served Xie Run since childhood. Because many matters between the original mistress and Fang Huaian had been facilitated by Chunxing in the middle. When the original mistress jumped into the water and was rescued, the Xie family had Chunxing sold off through a broker. Now that the other party wanted to confirm Xie Run and Fang Huaian's "illicit affair," Chunxing, as the maidservant who had served Xie Run since childhood, was simply too useful. Xie Run lay back against the bed. "Last night I already explained everything to His Highness and denied the matter with Fang Huaian, saying it was only rumors." "You only need to insist firmly that nothing of the sort happened. They have no evidence." "Even if Chunxing talks until the sky falls, without evidence, His Highness will not believe it." Dantao's expression turned solemn. "This servant knows what to do!" When they arrived at Green Pine Court, Prince Jing and the Princess Consort were both seated at the head. After Dantao had paid her respects, Nanny Li, who stood beside the Princess Consort, spoke up: "Miss Dantao, you are one who entered the mansion together with your mistress." "Take a look—do you recognize this person before you?" Dantao stepped closer to look and recognized Chunxing kneeling on the ground at a single glance. She had originally served at the old lady's side and was a few years older than Chunxing, so she had seen this girl often enough. Dantao calmly performed a bow. "To answer His Highness and the Princess Consort, this servant does recognize her." "She is Chunxing, formerly a maidservant to my mistress. But back then she incited my mistress to run away from home, nearly causing my mistress to fall into the water and drown. For that, she was sold off by the head of the household." Chunxing, who had been cowering with her head lowered, suddenly looked up and shouted, "You're lying!" "It was clearly the Second Miss who wanted to elope with Young Master Fang. When Young Master Fang failed to show up, the Second Miss jumped into the lake in shame and anger!" "The head of the household feared that the Second Miss's scandal would be exposed and affect her entry into the Prince's mansion as a concubine, so he sold me off!" Dantao looked coldly at Chunxing. "It seems the First Madam was right—you are a girl with treachery hidden in your heart, wicked from the very start." "Back in the household, you were restless, stirring discord between the young mistresses, deceiving those above and bullying those below. Later, you even urged my mistress to flee in secret. And now you've traveled a great distance to splash dirty water on my mistress!" Back in the Xie household, Dantao had served the old lady and was a few years older than Chunxing. Even Chunxing had to respectfully address her as "elder sister" when they met. Having served as a head maid in Chunshan Courtyard for quite some time now, she had developed an imposing bearing, and with her refined appearance, she instantly cowed Chunxing. Dantao knew well that this was precisely the moment when one must seize the upper hand in presence. She pressed on with a barrage of questions: "You were never a decent sort to begin with—who would believe a word you say?!" "With nothing but empty words, you splash filthy water on people that can never be washed clean, and who knows how many lives such slander could destroy." "And you—coming all this way from a thousand li, just to pin a charge of illicit affair on my mistress. What good does that do you?" "Or has someone promised you some reward?!" "Otherwise, who gave you the courage to do something that could cost you your head?!" By the end, Dantao was shouting sternly: "Confess the truth at once!" Chunxing was so frightened by this outburst that her soul nearly fled her body. She blurted out instinctively: "I didn't! I truly didn't mean to harm anyone!" "It's..." "It's what?" Dantao pressed step by step. "Who exactly sent you?" "What instructions did she give you?!" "Did she promise to spare your life? Do you know that what you've done is a capital crime that will implicate your entire family?!" "Do you truly think the person behind you can protect you?!" From that moment on, Dantao knew she had already gained the upper hand in their exchange. Fortunately, there was no need to pay respects today, and no concubine consorts had come to Princess Consort's Qingsong Courtyard. Had they been here, a few instigating words from them would have made matters worse. Chunxing could only tremble and retort weakly: "I'm not lying—the Second Miss clearly had an illicit affair with Young Master Fang!" Dantao asked unhurriedly: "Let me ask you—you say my mistress and Young Master Fang had a past relationship. Where's your proof?!" Chunxing, as if granted a reprieve, hastily pulled out several handkerchiefs and a few letters from her bosom. She said excitedly: "I have the letters the Second Miss exchanged with Young Master Fang in secret! And the handkerchief my mistress gave to Young Master Fang!" "These are all evidence! I truly am not lying!" Little did she know that Prince Jing and Princess Consort above, witnessing this scene, wore only cold expressions, with barely a ripple in their eyes.