Chapter 188

Chapter 188 As the orders came down one after another, Xie Run could tell that Prince Jing's heart had softened after all. In the end, he had spared the lives of everyone in this courtyard. It was only that the lives of those beneath him were as thin as paper. With one light remark, he had still decided the suffering of their remaining years. When the maids Shunxin and Shunyi heard their punishment, they collapsed directly to the ground, utter despair in their eyes. They didn't even dare to weep and beg. Afraid that if they angered Prince Jing, they would lose their lives. The other maids and serving women were also filled with grief, all silently covering their faces and crying. After dealing with the people, Prince Jing finally said to Xie Run, "You go back to Spring Mountain Courtyard first. I'll come see you later tonight." Xie Run nodded wearily. "Then I'll be heading back." Prince Jing said the same words to the Princess Consort. The exhaustion on the Princess Consort's face was even more pronounced, the darkness under her eyes impossible to hide. By the time Xie Run returned to her courtyard and finished washing up, Prince Jing arrived under the cover of night. Xie Run rose to greet him and said softly, "You've been busy outside all day, Your Highness. Have you had your evening meal? I'll have the kitchen make something easy to digest—why don't you eat a little first?" "The kitchen has already heated water, so you can also bathe and change first..." A trace of a smile slowly spread across Prince Jing's solemn brow. "How did you know I would be staying the night?" He reached out and took her hand. Xie Run was startled, asking knowingly, "It's so late—where else would Your Highness be going?" After a full day of rushing about, did he still have the energy to go to other courtyards and make a fuss? Prince Jing understood her implication. "You've grown bold, daring to tease me now!" Xie Run denied it. "I'm just worried about you, Your Highness." Prince Jing led Xie Run inside as he walked. "Let's eat something first. Later tonight, I have something to tell you." Xie Run nodded slightly. In truth, the moment Prince Jing had asked about staying the night, she had already sensed that something might have happened in the palace. By his usual habits, at this hour, Prince Jing wouldn't need to say anything—it simply meant he was staying at Spring Mountain Courtyard. But since he had asked that question, it meant there was some troubling matter he needed to deal with. After attending to Prince Jing's meal and bath, the two of them got onto the bed. Xie Run leaned against Prince Jing's legs, her long hair spilling across the floor. Prince Jing idly played with a strand of her hair, and only after a long while said, "Something happened in the palace today." Seeing that Xie Run wasn't too surprised, Prince Jing asked curiously, "Why aren't you curious?" Xie Run was silent for a moment. "Today I saw the Princess Consort looking utterly exhausted, her spirits very low... Even when she used to enter the palace to attend to the Emperor's illness, she wasn't this tired." Prince Jing said, "I forgot—you've always been observant." As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Jing said, "Noble Consort Chen had a miscarriage." Xie Run was startled and quickly sat up. "This... how did it happen?" Prince Jing patted her back, signaling her not to be afraid. "Originally, these matters shouldn't be told to you." "It's just that the household has been in constant turmoil lately. The Princess Consort and I fear we won't have the time, nor will we be able to look after you and Taotao. That's why I'm telling you these things—at least so you have an idea of what's going on." Xie Run nodded. "I understand." "But with the Emperor's illness not improving, and Noble Consort Chen having a miscarriage, Your Highness must be quite exhausted from attending to the Emperor in the palace, isn't that so?" Prince Jing's gaze was deep and dark. "Serving Father—how could that be considered exhausting? I'm only worried that the Princess Consort will have a tiring period ahead." Xie Run couldn't quite understand Prince Jing's words. Now that the Emperor was ill, Prince Jing and the Princess Consort, as son and daughter-in-law, entered the palace to attend to him. But the actual work of serving didn't require them at all. It was just that staying in the palace day after day was somewhat draining. Now that Prince Jing said the Princess Consort would have a tiring period ahead—could it be that the Empress was unwell and needed her daughter-in-law and consorts to attend to her? With a vague guess in her mind, Xie Run didn't ask further. After all, if the mother of the nation were unwell, news would soon spread from the palace. Seeing that Xie Run was very quiet today, Prince Jing suddenly said, "The grievances you and Taotao have suffered—I know them all." "But these matters end here." Prince Jing's dark eyes looked at Xie Run, expecting her to be angry or hurt. Unexpectedly, her face was calm. Xie Run raised her eyes, her long, narrow peach blossom eyes gazing at Prince Jing. Her clear, glass-like gaze seemed to hold only Prince Jing within it. She said slowly, "Your Highness, although I have no evidence in my hands, I can vaguely guess who was behind these two incidents." "I believe Your Highness, being clever and resourceful, can naturally also see who has been stirring up trouble behind the scenes. But in these troubled times, investigating further would only implicate more innocent people." "I am not afraid of suffering grievances. As long as Your Highness understands the grievances I've endured, that is enough." After speaking, Xie Run slowly leaned into Prince Jing's embrace. He half-embraced her. "You have always been clever and sensible. I will not let your devotion be in vain." Xie Run said softly, "I trust Your Highness." Today, Prince Jing had spared Concubine An's life. Toward Prince Jing, Xie Run... finally felt a trace of reassurance. At the very least, she could see that he still had some affection for the women who had served him and borne him children. Since that was the case, she would listen to Prince Jing and let this matter end here. Throughout the capital, the places that were not at peace were not just Prince Jing's residence, but also the imperial palace. Early the next morning, Prince Jing and the Princess Consort entered the palace once again. This time, word came that the Empress was ill and had summoned all the Imperial Concubines of the inner court and the Princess Consorts of the various princely mansions to attend to her. This kind of attendance was not the casual, social sort—it very likely meant personally tending to the patient with one's own hands. Before even a cup of tea had cooled, Xie Run received more news. Prince Jing's birth mother, Noble Consort Rou, had also fallen ill, and she insisted that Princess Consort Jing personally attend to her, keeping the Princess Consort detained in Rouyi Palace. Xie Run listened, then pondered for a moment before saying, "I was initially surprised at how coincidental this all was, but now that I think on it, the Empress's illness is probably genuine. As for Noble Consort Rou's illness... there's likely some water in it."