Chapter 127

Chapter 127 A woman of the inner household? Princess Consort Su! Prince Jing reacted in an instant, his laughter turning cold and harsh. "My royal brother truly married a fine wife!" Yet Prince Jing simply could not understand—why would Princess Consort Su set her sights on his household?! "Investigate again. There must be more to this than meets the eye!" Jing Wu hurriedly acknowledged the order. But in his heart, he knew all too well. Though this matter was not Prince Su's doing, Princess Consort Su represented Prince Su in all things. Between these two brothers, a rift had already formed. Leaving the front courtyard, Prince Jing went directly to Spring Mountain Court to see Xie Run. The troubles of these past two days had conveniently given Prince Jing an excuse to visit Spring Mountain Court without restraint. The moment he entered the courtyard, he dismissed everyone else. Xie Run was still half-dazed. Then she heard Prince Jing snort lightly. "So this is what you fancied back then?" Xie Run: "...What is Your Highness talking about?" Yet in her heart, she vaguely knew he was referring to Fang Huaian. Prince Jing snorted again, saying with disdain, "Truly poor taste!" Now Xie Run understood. He was disparaging Fang Huaian, and by extension, disparaging "her" judgment. Prince Jing had likely guessed that "she" and Fang Huaian had once shared genuine feelings, but his attitude made it clear he would not pursue the matter. Xie Run's heart warmed. She curved her lips into a smile. "Your Highness, Taotao smiled today. It's a pity you weren't there to see it." Prince Jing's attention shifted. "Taotao?" "The pet name this concubine gave Fifth Young Master." "'And Taotao—joy in its purest innocence.'" Xie Run smiled gently. "This concubine is very fond of that line." Prince Jing nodded. "Indeed, it's quite good." Xie Run leaned against the bed, gazing at him with a smile in her eyes. The charcoal fire still burned in the room, bringing considerable warmth. The two gazed at each other in silence, their hearts calm and at ease. Xie Run began to praise him again. "Your Highness, having you here is wonderful." Prince Jing feigned restraint. "Wonderful in what way?" "Just seeing you makes this concubine feel that all is well." Xie Run's sweet words flowed freely, as if they cost nothing. "As long as I see you, I fear nothing. My heart grows peaceful and still, and even my sleep at night has become much deeper." Prince Jing truly was a good man. As he had said himself, he was a man of broad heart. He knew full well that Xie Run and Fang Huaian might have once shared some private feelings, yet he could see everything clearly without clinging to a person's past. He understood in his heart, but did not mind, and was even willing to play along with Xie Run's act to put her at ease. And after investigating everything, he still had the humor to tease Xie Run about it. Compared to whoever Xie Run might have had feelings for in the past, Prince Jing was far more concerned about someone plotting against his concubine consort and his offspring. Such breadth of heart—rare even in modern times, let alone in ancient days. Because of his magnanimity, Xie Run had been spared countless storms. How could she resist praising him again and again? And whenever Xie Run praised him, Prince Jing could not help but feel a touch of pride, and the frustration from being schemed against by his elder brother quietly dissipated. He reached out and gently stroked Xie Run's head. "Rest assured, this time I will see justice done for you." Even if the one who sought to harm Xie Run truly was his own brother. Xie Run looked at Prince Jing with complete trust. "Your Highness, this concubine believes in you!" Prince Jing could not help but laugh. That evening, Prince Jing told Xie Run something. "This year's snow disaster has been severe, and spring plowing has been affected everywhere. Imperial Father will surely select several people to go out and provide disaster relief." Xie Run blinked. "Is Your Highness going on another long journey?" Xie Run asked worriedly, "The weather is cold and the roads are slippery, and with the disaster on top of that—where is Your Highness going?" Prince Jing: "Yunzhou." Xie Run: "Where is Yunzhou? How long will Your Highness be gone? And when will you return?" Hearing Xie Run's string of questions, Prince Jing found it amusing, yet he knew it was Xie Run's way of showing concern. Instead, he teased her. "You ask so many questions now—why aren't you worried about me bringing back another 'sister' from outside?" Xie Run blushed. "Your Highness is truly petty. Still remembering that from last time?" "That was merely this concubine speaking casually." Last time Prince Jing went to Mizhou to relieve the drought, Xie Run had teased him about not bringing anyone back from outside. Who would have thought he would remember it until now? Prince Jing feigned surprise. "I was merely speaking casually as well. Why has Suisui taken it so seriously?" Xie Run let out a light snort, no longer blushing, but instead puffing up with indignation. "Your Highness, don't even start!" "Last time you went to Mizhou, you came back with Consort Jiang and Concubine Wan... Which of those two is easy to deal with?" "Bold of you, discussing a side consort like that?" Prince Jing laughed. Xie Run turned her head away, refusing to look at him. "The moment she entered this household, she tried to step on this concubine to show off her authority. Bullying someone right at their own doorstep." "Even if she is a side consort, this concubine has no desire to respect her!" Seeing her angry expression, Prince Jing found it both novel and amusing. "Did I not already discipline her for you?" "She is a side consort. There are places where you must still show respect, lest you give others a handle to use against you." There was a hint of curiosity in Xie Run's eyes. Was Prince Jing teaching her how to deal with Consort Jiang? How rare. Prince Jing continued, "But if she is unreasonable and bullies you, don't be afraid. With the Princess Consort in charge, she wouldn't dare turn the heavens upside down." "She may be a side consort, but you are a concubine consort as well. As long as you stand on the side of reason, you may strike back as you please." "After all, I've favored you for so long—don't go losing face for me." Xie Run smiled. "Those are Your Highness's own words!" "From now on, if I ever clash with Consort Jiang, Your Highness had better not deny it." "I've yet to see you cause a scene. Why don't you show me one now?" Xie Run and Prince Jing locked eyes, and as they looked at each other, they both began to laugh. She couldn't help but say, "I can't even imagine what I'd look like throwing a tantrum and being unreasonable." Xie Run thought she'd never have such an opportunity. But man proposes, heaven disposes. Things always take unexpected turns. That evening, Xie Run lay in bed mulling things over. "Yunzhou... now there's a fine place." A land of abundant resources and outstanding people. Local heroes who wield their own military power, an iron mine on the verge of being developed, and a young general who, after enduring endless humiliation, finally rises to glory... Don't mistake Xie Run's praise. As things stood in everyone's impression, Yunzhou was a resource-poor region, rife with powerful local factions, bordering the Xia Dynasty, with border conflicts that could erupt at any moment. Prince Jing chose such a place for disaster relief... outsiders might think he'd fallen out of favor, but Xie Run knew he was like a rat falling into a rice barrel. Prince Jing had truly picked a fine place for this relief mission. Xie Run couldn't help but suspect that between the one who'd been reborn and the one who'd transmigrated into a book in the household, one of them had played a game of "prophecy" with Prince Jing. Otherwise, how could Prince Jing have chosen Yunzhou out of all the places? The relief mission had caused quite a stir at court. After all, this year's snow disaster was truly severe—the Emperor had already performed several heaven-worshipping ceremonies in succession. The snow had finally stopped, but by April, the disaster had spread from regional to nationwide. So this relief effort wasn't assigned to Prince Jing alone—all the other princes and imperial sons were sent out as well. The Eighth Prince was the exception. The Emperor now doted on the Eighth Prince like a precious treasure. At every ceremony, the Eighth Prince was given an important role, and the Emperor brought him along wherever he went. Naturally, he couldn't bear to let the Eighth Prince leave the capital on his own.