Chapter 13

Chapter 13 Since Fang Yuan'er had transmigrated into the book, she hadn't done much that overstepped the bounds. The general plot was still following the content of the book. One could say that her time serving Prince Jing differed, but in the book, Fang Yuan'er didn't have Xie Run as a competitor, so she had served Prince Jing even more often. Yet in this life, she had gotten pregnant and then miscarried. Perhaps even Fang Yuan'er herself was confused about it, right? This showed that not everything that happened in this world would necessarily match the book. Xie Run realized that she couldn't rely on the book's content to predict everything. The path within the Prince's residence would ultimately have to be walked on her own. After waking from her afternoon nap, Xie Run brought Dantao to the Brocade Pavilion. The once bustling Brocade Pavilion was now eerily quiet, with only the rustling sounds of a few maids walking with their heads lowered. Fang Yuan'er leaned against the couch, her face swollen and red, yet tinged with a pallor that robbed her of her former beauty. But the aura about her had become much more restrained. Xie Run sat upright in her chair, her gaze gentle as she looked at her. "I've brought some tonics with me. I hope you won't mind, sister." With that, she shyly lowered her head. Fang Yuan'er had been somewhat vacant, but now she stared at Xie Run, lost in thought. "You... why have you come to see me?" Because of Fang Yuan'er's miscarriage, the Princess Consort had taken pity on her and lifted her House Arrest. However, having just miscarried, Fang Yuan'er couldn't go anywhere anyway—it wasn't much different from being under house arrest. Of the concubines who had once been close to her, not a single one had come this time. Xie Run said softly, "We entered the residence together. Now that you've miscarried, I had to come see you." She was full of gentleness, with a hint of timidity—the kind of person least likely to put others on guard. Fang Yuan'er let out a light laugh, a strange one. "Just for that?" Xie Run looked at Fang Yuan'er with puzzled eyes. "What else could it be for?" They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Xie Run's eyes were a great advantage. When she looked at someone seriously, they were clear and bright, as if holding a pool of water—so clear you could see the bottom, full of harmlessness and obedience. When she smiled charmingly, her eyes curved upward, naturally revealing a hint of playful brightness. In short, they captivated both men and women alike. Meeting those eyes, Fang Yuan'er, against her better judgment, actually believed Xie Run's words. Xie Run smiled. "Anyway, the Prince no longer favors me, so I don't need to worry too much. It's just that you're truly pitiable. When something happens to you... I can't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow. That's why I came specifically to see you." Fang Yuan'er's eyes reddened, and she began to sob, "I was blinded by greed and couldn't see who was sincere and who meant well. Those people benefited so much from me on ordinary days, yet last night not a single one spoke up for me. Today, the Brocade Pavilion doesn't even see a shadow of them. Only you, sister, came to see me... I'm truly moved." Xie Run silently handed over a handkerchief, occasionally offering Fang Yuan'er a word or two of comfort. She showed not the slightest sign of anything unusual. The two chatted pleasantly. Before leaving, Fang Yuan'er reluctantly had her maid see Xie Run out. The moment Xie Run was gone, the reluctance on her face vanished, replaced by cold indifference. When she had transmigrated over, Fang Yuan'er had sorted through the plot of the book, and the first thing that felt wrong was Xie Run. According to the plot, Xie Run should have hanged herself on the very first day she entered the residence. But she hadn't. Not only that, she had even gained considerable favor with Prince Jing. Fang Yuan'er suspected Xie Run might also be reborn or transmigrated, so she had someone watch her for over a month. Seeing Xie Run go from favored to disfavored without revealing the slightest hint, she couldn't help but feel puzzled. Until today, when she herself miscarried. Fang Yuan'er suddenly realized that this was a real world—not everything would follow the book. The Fang Yuan'er in the book had never been pregnant, let alone been framed by Consort Ning into a miscarriage! Once one link changed, it could trigger a chain reaction. Fang Yuan'er no longer had the confidence of holding the plot in her hands. Having seen Xie Run in person today, Fang Yuan'er could detect nothing about her that suggested a transmigrator or reborn person. She seemed like a true ancient. The doubts in her heart were completely dispelled, but they were replaced by many worries. Consort Ning struck ruthlessly—one blow to kill. Prince Jing abhorred infighting in the inner court, and he abhorred even more anyone who laid hands on his offspring. Fang Yuan'er was now tainted by both. Though it wasn't her doing, what Qiulan had done was no different from her doing it. Her situation was dangerous—perhaps she would lose favor forever. Qiulan's poisoning was something Fang Yuan'er had never anticipated at all. In the original book, Qiulan had relied on Fang Yuan'er's favor to commit many offenses. Later, when Fang Yuan'er was dealt with, Qiulan wasn't spared either. After transmigrating into the book, Fang Yuan'er had learned from the book's lessons and had already warned Qiulan several times, even planning to find an opportunity to send Qiulan away. Who would have thought that before Fang Yuan'er could act, Qiulan would bring such a disaster upon her? Everything was in chaos. Fang Yuan'er leaned against the couch, closing her eyes in exhaustion. She no longer had the confidence of holding the script, but instead began to feel anxious. How should she live her days ahead? How could she regain favor? After a moment, Fang Yuan'er suddenly opened her eyes, a gambler's fervor flashing in their depths. Since that was the case, she could only take a gamble! …… Returning to Linxuan Pavilion, Xie Run took a sip of tea and went to check on the honeysuckle and jasmine she had planted. The heat was intense this season, which was hardly suitable for growing flowers. Yet Xie Run had managed to keep them alive. The jasmine buds had already unfolded, releasing a faint, delicate fragrance. Xie Run also had people pick the honeysuckle, planning to dry it for steeping in water. Dantao and Yuli noticed her unusual silence today and quietly stayed by her side, not daring to ask questions. After a moment, Xie Run suddenly spoke: "You must be curious why I went on that visit." "After this, Concubine Fang is bound to fall out of favor and be seen as a thorn in Consort Ning's side..." Dantao said softly. "Mistress has always been cautious—why wade into this muddy water?" Xie Run smiled. "Aren't you both hoping I'd strive for more?" "I can't make any headway with the Prince, so I had to take a gamble with Concubine Fang." Dantao, being quick-witted, immediately understood Xie Run's meaning. "Does Mistress mean... Mistress Fang still has hope of regaining favor?" Xie Run said, "It's not just hope. She will definitely regain favor..." For one, Fang Yuan'er was someone who had transmigrated into a book. Even if the plot changed, some things remained constant, and Fang Yuan'er could fully use those constants to win back favor. For another, Fang Yuan'er was ambitious and would never resign herself to living out her days in a courtyard after falling from grace. But she couldn't tell these two maids all that, so Xie Run only deliberately played mysterious: "Just wait and see." She said this to fob them off, but only Xie Run herself knew the truth. The real purpose of her visit was to dispel Fang Yuan'er's suspicions. The moment the transmigration plot appeared, Xie Run realized she was a huge bug. A person who should have died long ago hadn't, and had even gained the Prince's favor—unless Fang Yuan'er was stupid, she ought to be wary of her. So ever since learning of the plot, Xie Run had kept her doors tightly shut and rarely ventured out. Even when Prince Jing grew irritated by her words and actions and stopped favoring her, Xie Run didn't care much. She waited for a long time, and then suddenly came news of Fang Yuan'er's miscarriage. There was no miscarriage in the plot, and Xie Run instantly knew her chance had arrived. When Fang Yuan'er discovered that the plot wouldn't unfold as written in the book, then her—someone who should have died—still being alive... seemed perfectly normal, didn't it? Now that her goal was achieved, Xie Run felt satisfied and complete, ready to continue holing up in Linxuan Pavilion to nurse her health. Who would have thought that change would come faster than expected.