Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Who would have thought—Fang Yuan'er visited Linxuan Pavilion in the morning, and by afternoon, news that she intended to use the soap recipe to regain the Prince's favor had already spread throughout the entire rear courtyard of Prince Jing's estate. Xie Run's scalp went numb. She quickly called Dantao and Yuli over to ask questions. "Since Sister Fang left, has anyone from our courtyard been in contact with people outside?" Yuli answered promptly, "At noon, only I and the new girl Yueya'er went to fetch the meals. On the way, we ran into Luoshuang from Concubine An's courtyard and chatted briefly, but we didn't say much." Dantao reminded her, "You said today that you wanted the bedding and gauze screens changed, Mistress. In the afternoon, Xiaoshu, Xiaoci, and Granny Ma were busy in the courtyard the whole time." Xie Run nodded. "Since nothing originated from our courtyard, then someone on Sister Fang's side must have let it slip." Xie Run said to Dantao, "Go to Jinxiu Pavilion and tell Sister Fang that the news has leaked. Tell her to act with caution and not be harmed by others." Dantao asked, "Mistress, should I remind Mistress Fang that the leak came from her own courtyard?" "No need. Just say that we found no problems on our end." If she said it that plainly, what if she ended up with egg on her face? "Yes." As soon as Dantao left, Yuli muttered softly, "If you had listened to me in the beginning, Mistress, and kept your distance from Concubine Fang, today's troubles wouldn't have happened." "Concubine Fang had barely left when the news spread across the entire rear courtyard. She might even suspect that our courtyard leaked the information. If that happens, you'd truly be wronged, Mistress." Xie Run frowned slightly and said in a calm voice, "You may go now." Yuli was taken aback but still obediently bowed. "Yes, Mistress." Leaning against the bolster, Xie Run pondered Yuli's words. Xie Run knew that Yuli's ambitions had grown. Yuli had always been impulsive by nature. It was only because Xie Run had just entered the household and the situation was unclear that she had been able to suppress that restlessness and remain cautious and meticulous. Now that Xie Run enjoyed considerable favor from Prince Jing, Yuli had grown smug along with her and gradually began to look down on the fallen Fang Yuan'er. With such a temperament, she would likely cause trouble sooner or later. Qiulan by Fang Yuan'er's side was already a cautionary tale. Xie Run did not want to see a second Qiulan. She slowly lowered her gaze, thinking about how to arrange Yuli's future. Soon, Dantao returned with news. Dantao: "Mistress, Mistress Fang said she has everything under control and asked you not to worry too much." Xie Run nodded slightly. "In that case, I won't interfere any further." Dantao reminded her with a smile, "Mistress, a month has already passed, and your pouch still isn't embroidered yet." Xie Run couldn't help but show a pained expression. She helplessly extended her hand and said, "Look at these hands of mine—they're full of needle pricks... The Prince truly has no pity for anyone." Dantao disagreed. "It's precisely because the Prince cherishes you that he asked you to embroider the pouch. Other concubines wouldn't even have the chance to embroider a pouch for the Prince." Xie Run sighed and obediently picked up the embroidery hoop. "Fine." At least this employer provided food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—she really should be more proactive in her work. The news of the soap spread beyond the rear courtyard. The Princess Consort paid it no mind, but Concubine Ning caught a different scent in the air. Using a soap recipe to regain favor? She sent Nanny Zhang to investigate. "Can this soap really make a shop earn a hundred gold pieces a month?" Nanny Zhang came from a poor background and didn't believe a word of it. "Mistress, for ordinary folks in business, earning a hundred taels of silver a month is already remarkable. A hundred gold pieces a month, and just from a little soap... Don't be deceived, Mistress. Look—the main courtyard hasn't made a single move." Concubine Ning laughed self-deprecatingly. "The main courtyard has never cared about the Prince's favor, so of course they wouldn't make a move." Nanny Zhang said with concern, "Mistress, are you thinking..." Concubine Ning's eyes lit up. "Nanny Zhang, find a way to get that soap recipe." Nanny Zhang frowned. "What use would you have for the recipe, Mistress?" Having spent so many years in Prince Jing's estate, Nanny Zhang didn't believe for a moment that Prince Jing would favor someone over a mere recipe. She was about to offer a word of advice when she heard Concubine Ning sneer, "Only a woman like Fang, born into a merchant family, would view the Prince so shallowly. Even if she offered up a hundred secret recipes, if the Prince doesn't favor her, he simply doesn't favor her. I might as well take the recipe and use it myself..." "Then what do you mean to do?" Concubine Ning's smile faded. "There's no one in this world who doesn't want money. If it truly can make money... I should also make plans for Jue'er's future. Let's make the first move. If Fang really gets the Prince to open a shop with this recipe, then things will get interesting." Nanny Zhang's eyes were also full of amusement. Jinxiu Pavilion— Fang Yuan'er reclined half-lying on the noble consort's daybed, a young maid fanning her beside her, while a cool breeze drifted in from the ice chest by the door. Qiuxiang brought over a plate of pastries and said to the young maid, "You may go now." The young maid set down the fan. "Yes." Once the girl was gone, Qiuxiang spoke up. "Mistress, I've already found a way to deliver the soap recipe to Lanxiang Pavilion." Fang Yuan'er slowly opened her eyes, a flash of ruthlessness passing through her narrow, bright, and alluring gaze. "You did very well." "Now that the recipe has been delivered, I refuse to believe Ning Yanyan won't be tempted. As long as she dares to reach out, I'll make her pay for what she did back then!" Fang Yuan'er's things were not so easily taken. As for Princess Ruyi's poisoning, Fang Yuan'er had failed to react in time during the banquet, and Concubine Ning had used that single move to cost her half her life. This grudge, Fang Yuan'er would never forget for the rest of her life. During the month she spent recuperating, Fang Yuan'er had not been idle. She was not foolish; she knew that a soap recipe alone could not possibly make Prince Jing favor her again. She had brought out this recipe for two reasons: one was to test Xie Run, to see whether she was truly a transmigrator like herself, and the other was to set a trap for Concubine Ning.