Chapter 160

Chapter 160 "If my reaction had not satisfied him, I'm afraid the position of Side Consort today would have gone to Consort Hua." Xiaoshu said, "No wonder the Prince brought Miss Hua back to the rear courtyard and settled her according to the rank of Concubine Consort, yet without confirming her official position." "Everyone initially called her Miss Hua—it was awkward for those addressing her, and I imagine it was even more awkward for her to hear." If he truly held Miss Hua dear to his heart, how could he place her in such an awkward position? Xie Run smiled. "I only just realized this. The Prince isn't in a hurry to give Consort Hua her rank—he's waiting to see how I perform..." Fortunately, Xie Run's performance had been satisfactory enough for Prince Jing. Dantao said worriedly, "Mistress, could it be that the Prince doesn't trust you?" "Of course he trusts me—just not enough." Having figured it out, Xie Run was now at ease. "At least the Prince is still willing to test me, which shows I still carry some weight in his eyes." If Xie Run truly held no weight at all in Prince Jing's eyes, he wouldn't even give her a chance—the position of Side Consort would have fallen directly to Consort Hua. Xie Run walked over and gently touched Taotao's cheek. "When you endure in the rear courtyard, isn't it sometimes just for this sliver of opportunity?" As for the Prince's wholehearted favor... dreaming would be more realistic. Since that day in the study, Prince Jing had tasted the sweetness and, taking advantage of the occasion of her promotion to Side Consort, stayed in Xie Run's courtyard for ten consecutive nights. Xie Run suddenly stole all of Fang Yuan'er's limelight. This wasn't Xie Run's intention, after all, she could barely withstand the Prince's ardor herself. Not only did Prince Jing have boundless energy, but he also kept wanting Xie Run to dress up in that day's attire and try things again in the study. Xie Run initially pretended not to understand, but when she could no longer endure it, she tactfully expressed her refusal. Although Prince Jing rather missed that day in the study, he wasn't one to force others, so he simply kept a small regret in his heart. On the twentieth day of the seventh month, Prince Jing returned to the manor early. Xie Run wore only an ordinary house dress, her hair half-coiled, focused on her embroidery. Hearing the sound, she looked up and calmly stepped forward to help him change clothes. "The Prince has returned quite early today." Prince Jing gazed at Xie Run and smiled. "I have good news to tell you." Xie Run paused. "Has the location for my elder brother's post been decided?" "Oh? Has the Xie family already sent you word?" Xie Run said, "The Prince just returned from the Ministry of Revenue, so what you speak of must be related to government affairs. The only thing here that could be connected to government affairs would be my elder brother's matter." Prince Jing squeezed her hand. "You've always been clever. The Ministry of Personnel sent word today—your elder brother is about to take up his post in Shang County." Xie Run was taken aback. "Where is Shang County?" "Yunzhou." After saying this, Prince Jing's dark, deep gaze remained fixed on Xie Run's face. Xie Run gave an "oh" and smiled warmly. "I hope my elder brother handles his duties well, strives for an excellent evaluation, and can return to the capital early." Prince Jing smiled. "Yunzhou is poor and bitter, and Shang County is even a lower-ranked county. Aren't you worried about your elder brother?" Xie Run shook her head. "I don't like to interfere in matters I don't understand." Xie Run certainly couldn't say, "I've already read the script in advance and know you've set your sights on Yunzhou's mineral resources and talent." Arranging for Xie Jing to go to Yunzhou—rather than calling it training, it was more like wanting to use Xie Jing's hand to completely subdue Yunzhou. Xie Run said with great understanding, "The Prince said you would arrange things for my elder brother. Since you chose Shang County, then Shang County must have advantages that I don't know about." Hearing this, Prince Jing grew even more satisfied with Xie Run. The news that Xie Jing had been assigned as an official in Shang County would eventually reach Xie Run. Prince Jing didn't like women of the inner household meddling in government affairs. But Xie Jing was Xie Run's own elder brother, and Prince Jing was also afraid Xie Run would worry, so he came to speak with her first. If Xie Run hadn't understood, he would have patiently explained a thing or two—though he wouldn't have been too happy about it. But now Xie Run had shown herself to be thoroughly sensible and proper, which pleased Prince Jing greatly. And because Xie Run was understanding and considerate, Prince Jing shared another piece of news with her. "The Imperial Father feels he has wronged me and Fifth Brother in the past, so in a while, he will likely bestow people upon our household." Hearing this, Xie Run's expression turned somewhat strange. Prince Jing had already lived to twenty-five, and only now did the Emperor remember he had wronged this son? And since when was the way to make up for a son by bestowing people upon him? If he truly felt he had wronged him, he should give money, power, troops... What was the meaning of giving a woman of the inner household to serve him? Xie Run quickly sensed something was off and asked softly, "If His Majesty personally bestows someone, she must be of noble status, so her rank cannot be low, right?" But Prince Jing's manor already had two full Side Consorts—surely they wouldn't make the Emperor's bestowed woman a Concubine Consort? Prince Jing said calmly, "The Imperial Father wishes to select an outstanding woman from among the nobility, so she naturally must be treated as a Side Consort." Xie Run said, "But our household already has two Side Consorts?" Prince Jing lifted her chin and smiled. "Then Suisui will have to suffer a little injustice and delay her promotion for now?" Xie Run brushed his hand away. "The Prince shouldn't joke about such matters—I might take them seriously!" "Then why don't I see you afraid?" Prince Jing said with amusement. Xie Run shot him a glare. "Because I'm not stupid!" "Your Highness only elevated me a few days ago, and now you're going to demote me to Concubine Consort? Is this to tell everyone that Your Highness changes his mind at will and doesn't keep his word?!" Xie Run leaned against Prince Jing's chest, a brilliant smile curving on her lips. "I once praised Your Highness as a noble gentleman, and surely you wouldn't do something that contradicts your own words." If the Emperor wanted to force a gift upon him, then it was the Emperor who was being unreasonable—Prince Jing merely needed to accept another Lady of Beauty into his service. But if Prince Jing were to demote a newly elevated Side Consort who had committed no fault, all in a bid to curry favor with the Emperor, that would be an unsightly display indeed. With his ambitions set on the struggle for succession, Prince Jing naturally wouldn't leave himself open to criticism. Xie Run even suspected that Prince Jing had known in advance about the Emperor's intention to bestow a Side Consort upon him, which was why he had elevated both her and Fang Yuan'er to the position of Side Consort in such a short span of time. She just wondered whether he had other motives behind these actions. Prince Jing removed his outer robe and lounged lazily against his chair, smiling. "With Suisui praising me so highly, how could I bear to let you suffer any grievance?" Xie Run sneered inwardly. A man's tongue was truly the devil's advocate. Smiling sweetly, she took the tea brewed by the maid and handed it to Prince Jing. Prince Jing accepted the cup, brought it to his nose to inhale the aroma, then took a shallow sip—his bearing elegant and noble. Xie Run suddenly recalled something. "If another Side Consort is to come, how will the courtyards be arranged?" Ever since news of Xie Run's elevation to Side Consort had spread, Lanxiang Court had begun renovations. But Prince Jing and the Princess Consort had never once mentioned moving Xie Run to Lanxiang Court. Xie Run had harbored some doubt at the time but had temporarily set it aside, feigning indifference. Now, upon deeper reflection, it only further confirmed her earlier suspicions. Prince Jing said calmly, "The Princess Consort said that courtyard carries some inauspicious energy. She plans to leave it vacant for a while and invite a master to examine the feng shui."