Chapter 216

Chapter 216 Yuyan, with tears in her eyes, thanked Xie Run: "This servant thanks the Side Consort for her kindness." It was too late by the time they returned. Xie Run forced herself to go check on Taotao. Her big, chubby son was sleeping soundly, not at all fussy about the change of place. According to the maids and eunuchs attending him, everyone had been on high alert, worried he wouldn't adapt to the front courtyard. But who would have known that Taotao, upon arriving at the new place, would be so excited—crawling all over the room with a crowd of people trailing behind him. After crawling around, he fell asleep on his own, completely unaware of how long his attendants' hearts had been in their throats. Xie Run gently pinched her son's cheek, and the worry that had been weighing on her heart finally settled. Prince Jing, having finished washing up, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Feeling reassured now?" Xie Run turned her head to look at him. She had let down her hair, and a cascade of silky black locks fell over her shoulders, making her look especially gentle and graceful. The flickering lamplight lent her a hint of allure as well. "As the saying goes, 'Raise a child for a hundred years, worry for ninety-nine.'" "He isn't even a year old yet—how could I possibly feel at ease?" Prince Jing raised a hand to stroke Xie Run's hair, saying no more words of reassurance. Some things, no matter how many times said, are less effective than showing through action. After washing up, the two went to bed and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, when Xie Run rose, Prince Jing had already left the front courtyard. The senior maid attending her toilette said, "His Highness went to thoroughly investigate the assassination attempt and entered the palace early this morning." "His Highness dotes on the Side Consort and instructed this servant not to disturb you, to let you sleep longer, saying there will be much fatigue in the days ahead." Xie Run rubbed her temples, thinking of how she still needed to go to Cloud Emerald Pavilion to pay her respects. "I should get up anyway. Thank you for your trouble, miss." She was staying in the front courtyard, where the maids had served Prince Jing since childhood and all held some standing. Xie Run felt somewhat awkward giving them orders, and couldn't very well continue sleeping in. After washing and dressing, Xie Run changed into plain-colored garments, draped a thick cloak embroidered with winter jasmine over her shoulders, and led her attendants to Cloud Emerald Pavilion. As for Taotao, she left him in the front courtyard. At this moment, no place was safer than the front courtyard. But just as she arrived at Cloud Emerald Pavilion, Xie Run saw an unexpected person—Fang Yuan'er. Having been confined for a period, Fang Yuan'er had grown considerably thinner, and her entire demeanor had become subdued. Added to that, she usually favored bright and colorful attire, yet now she wore plain-colored clothing. When she first reached the entrance, Xie Run nearly didn't recognize her. The two met in Concubine Lian's mourning hall. Fang Yuan'er stared at Xie Run for a long while, her gaze deep and inscrutable. Xie Run smiled lightly. "It's been a while, Sister Fang. You've grown much thinner—I almost didn't recognize you." Fang Yuan'er said meaningfully, "That's what I should be saying." "It feels like I'm meeting Sister Xie for the first time today." After speaking, Fang Yuan'er couldn't help but cough twice. Hearing herself addressed as "older sister," Xie Run grew inwardly wary. Fang Yuan'er was the type who had likely transmigrated into a book, holding herself as someone with the script in hand, and was extremely proud by nature. She and Xie Run had entered the prince's household at the same time, so by rights there was no seniority between them. In terms of age, Xie Run was actually half a month older. But from the very beginning, relying on her favored status, she had called Xie Run "Sister Xie" and "Sister Xie" left and right. Xie Run calling her "Sister Fang" was out of modesty and courtesy. Her calling Xie Run "younger sister" wasn't presumptuous, but it showed she considered herself a cut above Xie Run. Later, she gave birth to a child before Xie Run did, but because the child wasn't healthy, she was cold-shouldered by Prince Jing for a time. She still called Xie Run "younger sister." At that time, she considered herself superior for having borne a son first, and her status likewise more noble than Xie Run's—she never bent even half a knee. Now, after being confined for several days, she actually opened her mouth to call Xie Run "older sister"... Xie Run felt not a trace of smugness. The greater the change, the more it indicated that Fang Yuan'er's mentality had shifted, and her conduct and temperament might differ from before. But that heart full of desire and ambition would never change. Xie Run said with a concerned expression, "I heard Sister Fang cough twice—are you feeling unwell?" She looked around. "Why haven't you burned a couple more braziers?" Fang Yuan'er smoothed her sleeve and smiled lightly. "It's nothing. I just caught a chill at night recently and picked up a bit of a cold." "Then Sister Fang should take care of herself and not dress too thinly." "Thank you for your concern, Sister." The two exchanged polite greetings, and Xie Run stepped forward to burn three sticks of incense for Concubine Lian, also helping to burn some spirit money. She muttered a few words of remembrance and shed a few tears to go through the motions. During this time, several maids came in to ask questions, all directed at Fang Yuan'er. Fang Yuan'er handled them methodically as well. From the looks of it, the person managing Concubine Lian's funeral arrangements seemed to be Fang Yuan'er?! After paying her respects, Xie Run was led by a maid to a side room for tea, where she happened upon Consort Li and Concubine Fang, who were also having tea. Concubine Fang had the young Princess Ruyi by her side. Consort Li and Concubine Fang rose and bowed to Xie Run. "This concubine pays respects to Side Consort Xie." "Rise." Xie Run's voice was calm, her gaze settling on Princess Ruyi. "It's been a while—the Princess has grown much taller. She looks quite different from before the new year." Princess Ruyi looked at Xie Run for a moment before speaking, "How are you, Consort Xie?" "It has been a long time since we last met, and Consort Xie has grown even more beautiful—more dazzling than the green peonies newly bloomed in the flower house." Xie Run smiled. "The Princess flatters me." A maid brought tea, and Xie Run took a light sip before asking softly, "When I was offering incense for Sister Lian just now, I noticed Sister Fang was managing the arrangements." "Have the Prince and Princess Consort given any particular instructions?" Concubine Fang, who never cared to discuss matters with others, simply lowered her head and counted the tea leaves in her cup. It was Consort Li, usually cold and aloof, who spoke up to explain: "The Princess Consort woke up this morning with a headache and truly could not manage Concubine Lian's funeral rites. She pleaded with the Prince to first lift Side Consort Fang's house arrest, and once Concubine Lian's funeral is over, the house arrest will resume." "The truth is, there is no one else available in the household right now... The Princess Consort only hopes that Consort Sun will enter the household soon, so she can share some of the household duties." Xie Run could tell that Consort Li was speaking up for the Princess Consort's grievances. First, she mentioned that the Princess Consort had specially begged Prince Jing to release Fang Yuan'er, and then said there was no one available in the household—wasn't that just saying Xie Run was always pretending to be weak and refusing to step up? Otherwise, the Princess Consort would not have bypassed Xie Run and directly let Fang Yuan'er handle Concubine Lian's funeral. Xie Run smiled upon hearing this, but did not take up her words. Instead, she brought up another matter. "Since the Princess Consort is so unwell, why don't you come with me to the Green Pine Courtyard to visit her?" Consort Li paused for a moment. "The Princess Consort's headache is quite severe right now. If we both go, the noise and commotion might only make her feel worse."