Chapter 154

Chapter 154 "Rebellion?" Concubine Lu's face turned pale at those two words. She couldn't understand: "In times of peace, how could anyone raise an army to rebel?" "That's not something you or I could know." Xie Run also let out a soft sigh. But in her heart, she was thinking that there must be more to this matter. It took Concubine Lu a moment before she thought to ask Prince Jing: "Since Prince Taiyuan has already been escorted to the capital, does that mean the Prince has also returned?" "The disaster situation in Yunzhou hasn't been properly handled yet. They say it will be another half month before he can return." Concubine Lu: "The Prince has rendered great service this time. He'll receive quite a lot of rewards, won't he?" "Indeed." Xie Run smiled. "The Princess Consort also told me some news—it seems we're about to have another sister." Concubine Lu... didn't feel much about it. Given Prince Jing's status, it was only natural that he would bring attendants when traveling outside. Even if he didn't bring any, he would mostly select suitable women to serve him locally. So it was a common occurrence for Prince Jing to bring back new concubines after every trip. Those who entered the household like Consort Jiang and Wan Linlang were the rare ones. As long as he informed the Princess Consort in advance according to protocol, giving her time to make arrangements and allowing everyone to mentally prepare, no one would say anything. Rather, it was the favored concubines and Concubine Consorts who had to worry about whether their own favor would be affected by the newcomer. Concubine Lu frowned and asked worriedly: "Sister Xie, are you worried that the Prince will dote on her especially?" "I'm not worried." Xie Run smiled. "It's just that this person's identity is somewhat special, and everyone is curious about what position the Prince will grant her." "Special identity?" Xie Run shook her head: "In the Prince's letter, he said to first arrange her residence according to Concubine Consort standards." Concubine Lu's eyes widened. "The household already has three Concubine Consorts. Is the Prince going to give her the last Concubine Consort position? I'm afraid others won't be willing." Xie Run nodded. "It may not necessarily be four Concubine Consorts." Concubine Lu didn't understand: "What does Sister Xie mean by that?" Xie Run: "If someone is promoted to Side Consort, wouldn't there still be only three?" Concubine Lu: "...Consort Fang?" "Perhaps." If Xie Run were to be promoted, it would depend on Prince Jing's favor and her family background. Xie Jing was a promising prospect, but for now, that was all he was—potential. Her chances of being promoted in the short term were slim. Concubine Lu asked in confusion: "Does Sister Xie know what this person's identity is? For the Prince to treat her with Concubine Consort standards right away, could her status be extremely noble?" Xie Run shook her head: "From what the Princess Consort said, she seems to be the orphaned daughter of some general. That general was killed by horse bandits while saving the Prince, and he entrusted his daughter to the Prince's care." "No matter how rampant the horse bandits in Yunzhou are, they wouldn't easily dare to lay hands on a Prince. It was likely an assassination attempt." "Then she's the daughter of the Prince's benefactor..." Concubine Lu couldn't help but feel worried for Xie Run at this point. Xie Run wasn't too concerned: "Consort Jiang's contributions aren't small either. How is she doing now?" In her previous life, Wan Linlang had saved Prince Jing's life, yet Xie Run hadn't seen much sincerity from him. She was more worried that this woman had other identities. After all, the Prince had specifically instructed the Princess Consort to arrange her accommodation at Concubine Consort standards, which showed he thought quite highly of this woman. Being just the daughter of a benefactor wasn't quite enough for that. Prince Jing was actually a rather pragmatic man. Concubine Lu: "That's true. The Prince hates troublemakers the most. As long as Sister Xie stays steady, you can just sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight." "If a Concubine Consort position opens up, there are plenty of people in the household eyeing it eagerly." Xie Run said calmly: "That's the logic of it." Having said that, Xie Run then asked: "When you went to see Concubine Lian, did you gain anything?" Concubine Lu's eyes brightened slightly, and she remarked with feeling: "I never noticed it before, but this Lady Wan is truly capable." Xie Run took the tea from the maid's hands and took a light sip, concealing the smile in her eyes. How capable Wan Linlang was—Fang Yuan'er must know best. Concubine Lu: "Today I went to visit Concubine Lian and happened to see Concubine Wan feeding her porridge." "Before I left, I made some inquiries. It turns out Concubine Lian has been worrying about the injury on her face and hasn't wanted to eat." "These past few days, Concubine Wan has personally come to coax her through every meal." Xie Run smelled the tea's fragrance and said calmly: "Concubine Wan has truly put in considerable effort to get a hold on Concubine Lian." "And the results are evident." Concubine Lu nodded in full agreement. "Today when I delivered medicine to Concubine Lian, everyone from Concubine Lian down to the entire Luoshuang Courtyard was taking orders from Concubine Wan." One's own courtyard, yet someone else was running the show. Over time, who would still recognize Concubine Lian as the mistress? Concubine Lu leaned in closer: "Thinking of the worst—when Concubine Lian gives birth, if Concubine Wan wants to harm her, it would be utterly effortless!" Xie Run: "...If someone is determined to seek death, no one can stop them." Moreover, with Concubine Lian's status and temperament, it would be difficult for her to establish herself in the household anyway. Concubine Lu asked curiously: "Does Sister Xie plan to do anything?" Xie Run shook her head: "I don't plan to do anything." "But I need to find a way to pass the news to Consort Fang, at least so she knows what's going on." Xie Run feared that Fang Yuan'er might be carried away by the promotion to Side Consort, letting her guard down and falling into Wan Linlang's schemes. Concubine Lu was somewhat puzzled. If Xie Run intended to do nothing, why pay such close attention to Concubine Wan and Concubine Lian? Was it merely to give Consort Fang a word of warning? Concubine Lu suddenly recalled how Consort Fang had insisted on Xie Run's presence during her childbirth. Could the relationship between these two really be that close? Xie Run saw through her thoughts at a glance and explained calmly, "I may choose not to involve myself in the affairs of this household, but I absolutely cannot turn a blind eye." "A blind person does not live long." Concubine Lu silently added a line to herself. The blind do not deserve favor either! She vaguely understood why Prince Jing favored Concubine Xie. Xie Run continued, "Telling Consort Fang is simply to let her deal with Concubine Wan." "With Consort Fang around, I can enjoy a few days of peace." Concubine Lu seemed to grasp the meaning. Back at Qingfeng Courtyard, Cuiniao stepped forward to offer tea: "Mistress, did Concubine Xie say anything?" Concubine Lu took the tea and slowly shook her head. "Sister Xie didn't say much, but we still need to keep watching Concubine Lian." "At the very least, if something happens, we'll have some idea of what to expect." Even if one does not harm others, one must not be harmed by them. She took a gentle sip of tea, and a faint fragrance spread across her palate. Concubine Lu paused, lowering her head to look into the teacup. "This tea... it doesn't taste like what I usually drink?" Cuiniao said with a smile, "It's the newly delivered White Hair Silver Needle—we only got one liang of it. I brewed it specially for you to try." Concubine Lu laughed. "I'm like a cow chewing on peonies—what flavor could I possibly discern?" Back when she was a maidservant, she had never tasted anything fine, so naturally she couldn't tell good tea from bad.