Chapter 217

Chapter 217 Xie Run looked as if she had been taught a lesson, and said softly, "Then I'll just offer my regards in the courtyard, and won't disturb the Princess Consort at all." Consort Li was left speechless for a moment. "Consort Xie is joking." "The Prince dotes on you so much, and if you personally went to Green Pine Court to visit the Princess Consort, how could she possibly not even let you into the courtyard?" "If word of this got out, people might say the Princess Consort was mistreating you, Consort Xie..." Xie Run let out a helpless sigh. "I hold the Princess Consort in my heart. Thinking that she is unwell, I naturally must go and visit her, to express my concern." "But from what Consort Li is saying, not only can I not visit the Princess Consort at her door, I can't even stand at the entrance of the courtyard. I'd best stay far away..." "But if that were the case, who would understand my worry for the Princess Consort?" Xie Run said calmly. "Those who don't know might think I have no respect for the Princess Consort." "The Princess Consort is unwell, and I don't even come to her door—it would seem as if I'm relying on the Prince's favor to act arrogantly, knowing nothing of propriety..." Consort Li was not skilled at argument. When she first spoke, it was only out of concern for the Princess Consort, casually making a few snide remarks at Xie Run. Now that Xie Run had gently but firmly pushed back, she felt stifled in her chest, but had no intention of continuing the dispute. Consort Li's tone softened somewhat: "...What you say is also true, sister." She had forgotten—Consort Xie appeared soft on the surface, but her temper was just as unyielding. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xie Run asked the attending maid, "Why is it that I don't see Sixth Young Master and Concubine Wan?" The maid replied respectfully, "To answer Consort Xie, Concubine Wan is currently in the eastern side chamber looking after Sixth Young Master." "Then I'll go over and take a look," Xie Run said. "Lead the way." "Yes." Upon arriving at the eastern side chamber, Xie Run glanced at Sixth Young Master in his swaddling clothes. "His features somewhat resemble the Prince, but he looks more like Sister Lian." Concubine Wan kept her head lowered, her tone tinged with sadness. "Sister Lian left so suddenly, leaving only Sixth Young Master as a remembrance..." Xie Run said gently, "Your devotion to Concubine Lian—I'm sure her spirit in heaven can see it clearly." After seeing Sixth Young Master, Xie Run encountered Consort Hua, who had just arrived, the moment she stepped out. Concubine Lian's courtyard was small—the main hall held the mourning altar, the western side chamber had previously served as the birthing room, and the eastern side chamber now housed Sixth Young Master and Concubine Wan. Everyone was bound to run into each other, with no way to avoid it. Consort Hua lowered her head and stepped forward to greet Xie Run: "This concubine pays her respects to Consort Xie." Xie Run glanced at the sky. "The snow makes the road difficult to walk. Did Sister Hua have a smooth journey here?" Consort Hua had only now come to pay her respects, and in truth, she felt guilty. Not long ago, she had been in conflict with Concubine Lian over moving courtyards, and then Concubine Lian had died in childbirth. She herself was afraid that Concubine Lian had truly been "suppressed" to death by Autumn Maple Court. That was why she had delayed and procrastinated, only arriving at this hour to pay her respects. Hearing Xie Run's words now, she couldn't help but suspect that Xie Run was mocking her. She said awkwardly, "The road isn't too difficult to walk." Xie Run nodded slightly upon hearing this and didn't ask further. After leaving Cloud Emerald Pavilion, Dantao noticed that Xie Run wasn't walking back the way they came, and asked curiously, "Mistress, where are we going?" Xie Run said calmly, "Didn't I just say so?" "The Princess Consort is unwell. As a Side Consort, it's only natural that I go to visit her." Dantao was momentarily stunned. "I thought you were just teasing Consort Li, mistress." Xie Run lowered her eyes and said nothing more. Green Pine Court—she definitely needed to go there. The Princess Consort had been ill for far too long this time. Was it really just from exhaustion while attending to the Prince's illness? There were many consorts who had attended to the Prince's illness together, and none of the others had been reported as falling ill. Moreover, the Princess Consort had even received care from Noble Consort Rou afterward. And the Princess Consort was strong-willed by nature. If her body truly hadn't been failing, she would never have let Fang Yuan'er preside over Concubine Lian's funeral rites. From this matter alone, one could see that the Princess Consort's health was in very poor condition. Xie Run needed to see for herself to confirm something. Just as she reached the entrance of Green Pine Court, Xie Run ran into Qiuxiang, Fang Yuan'er's personal maid. Qiuxiang bowed to Xie Run: "Greetings, Consort Xie." Xie Run smiled. "Has your mistress sent you to visit the Princess Consort?" Qiuxiang replied, "To answer Consort Xie, my mistress heard that the Princess Consort was unwell and was extremely worried, so she specially sent me to visit the Princess Consort. If not for having to preside over Concubine Lian's funeral and being unable to get away, she would certainly have come in person to pay her respects." "What a coincidence—I happened to have the same thought as your mistress." Qiuxiang smiled and stepped back, making way for Xie Run. "My mistress and Consort Xie share the same reverence for the Princess Consort." Upon arriving at Green Pine Court, Qiuxiang was kept in the main hall, but Xie Run was invited to the bedchamber in the back. As soon as she entered, she saw the Princess Consort reclining against the headboard, wearing a sable headband adorned with blooming peonies, looking extremely dignified and elegant. But her face was pale with a hint of blue, clearly indicating great discomfort. Xie Run paid her respects to the Princess Consort, and saw a maid beside her approaching with a bowl of medicine. Xie Run stepped forward proactively and said, "Why don't I do it?" "Attending to the Princess Consort is my duty as a concubine." The Princess Consort was also taken aback. All the concubines in the Prince's household had the duty of attending to the principal wife, but the Princess Consort had never cared for their company and had never used this to trouble anyone. At this moment, Xie Run took the initiative to attend to her, and the Princess Consort did not refuse. "Then I'll trouble Consort Xie." Xie Run gently took the medicine bowl and said with a warm smile, "How could attending to the Princess Consort be considered trouble?" The soft clinking of the spoon against the porcelain bowl was light and delicate, like a string of wind chimes brushing against one another. Xie Run continued, "When I was young, I heard my mother mention that in some wealthy households, concubines were required to pay their respects to the principal wife at dawn and dusk, and attend to her meals and daily needs. Some principal wives had fierce tempers and loved to deliberately make things difficult, even having them rise in the middle of the night..." She paused, cutting off words that might offend the ears. "Later, when I entered the Prince's household, I didn't have to pay respects or attend to meals and clothing, and I could always receive the Princess Consort's care... I often found myself marveling at my good fortune, to have encountered such a kind principal wife as the Princess Consort." "I have never once fulfilled my duties as a concubine, properly attending to the Princess Consort. Sometimes when I think of it, I still feel ashamed." "Now that I have this opportunity, I must seize it well, to win the Princess Consort's favor, and hope that she will continue to look after me in the future." The Princess Consort was amused by her words. "Hearing Consort Xie say this, I feel quite light-headed. I didn't know I was so wonderful?" "Before, I only knew Consort Xie was a woman of inner refinement. Now I see that this refinement not only lets you argue eloquently in the hall, but also lets you charm people here." Xie Run blushed shyly. "These are words from the bottom of my heart. If they can bring the Princess Consort joy, then nothing could be better." The Princess Consort asked, "You've just come from Cloud Emerald Pavilion—have you seen the Sixth Young Master?" "I have. He's currently in Concubine Wan's care, eating and sleeping well..." Xie Run said. "For a child, being able to eat and sleep well is a good thing. He'll surely grow up healthy." "That is indeed good news." The Princess Consort smiled. "Concubine Wan sent someone to plead with me today, saying she wishes to raise the Sixth Young Master. What does Sister Xie think?" Xie Run scooped a spoonful of medicine and brought it to the Princess Consort's lips. After a moment, she said, "The young masters of the Prince's household are precious. I wouldn't dare presume to comment on who should raise him." She smiled. "I don't understand such matters, but I know that following the Prince and Princess Consort's arrangements is sure to be right." The Princess Consort said with a meaningful look, "You're quite timid, unwilling to say even a single word." "Last night, Side Consort Fang had someone send word ahead, saying that since Concubine Lian's cause of death has yet to be determined, the Sixth Young Master shouldn't be casually handed over to anyone else to raise." "It's a pity that Consort Jiang is too impatient, and Consort Hua is still young... there isn't a single person of sufficiently high rank suitable to raise the Sixth Young Master." Xie Run simply continued attending to the Princess Consort's medicine, smiling faintly, like a shy person with no opinions of her own. The Princess Consort added, "In truth, since the Sixth Young Master is healthy, there's no need for him to be raised by anyone in particular." "Let Concubine Wan care for him for a few days first. When he's older, he can be raised in the front courtyard—he won't be any worse off than the others." Xie Run knew that the Princess Consort was expressing her own opinion. However, the premise of raising him in the front courtyard was that the child had to be healthy. For a child without illness or disaster, having a wet nurse raise him was naturally no problem. But if he fell ill easily and required careful tending, then a "foster mother" would have to be found to look after him attentively.