Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Xie Run had recently put on some weight, grown drowsy, and her monthly cycle had been delayed by a few days. Both of her maids suspected she might be pregnant. But Xie Run thought... even if she were pregnant, it couldn't possibly show this quickly, could it? She held back the two maids' excitement. "Don't rush to conclusions just yet. I've heard there are medicines that can make a woman who isn't pregnant display pregnancy symptoms." Dantao immediately calmed down. "Master, are you worried someone is scheming against you?" Xie Run nodded. "If I'm branded with the crime of faking a pregnancy to compete for favor, I'm afraid I'd truly fall out of favor for good." Prince Jing wasn't known for having a good temper when it came to people playing mind games. The two maids immediately looked worried. "Master, what should we do?" "It's fine. I'll be extra careful with what I eat and wear during this period. After the Mid-Autumn Festival passes, I'll go find the mansion physician to take my pulse..." Given her status, she wasn't qualified to request an imperial physician. Unfortunately, all the mansion physicians were arranged by the Princess Consort, so Xie Run didn't have a single person on her side. When the mansion physician took her pulse, whether she was pregnant or not would be entirely up to him to decide. Xie Run sighed. "I'll deal with whatever comes my way. There's nothing else to do." After this incident, everyone's excitement about the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival diminished. Especially since Xie Run had "fallen out of favor" — the main kitchen served people according to their standing. They didn't deliver her meal until it was completely dark, and by then it was barely lukewarm. The person delivering the food even complained at length, saying the main kitchen was so busy they couldn't stop for a moment, and that they'd rushed over as soon as they had a free second. Xie Run knew this was a request for a tip. She smiled and handed over a handful of copper coins before sending the person away. Dantao remained composed, but Yuli was furious. "Master, why did you stop me? These people look down on those out of favor — they need a good scolding to learn their lesson." Xie Run glanced at her. "It's always been the way that the favored outrank the unfavored. Would scolding them change anything? More likely, they'd spread word that we're arrogant and don't know proper manners." Yuli was frustrated but said nothing more. Because that had just been her venting in anger. Dantao smiled and tried to smooth things over. "At least it's still warm. From the way they talked, several other courtyards haven't been served yet — theirs will probably be cold by the time they arrive." "Those are all people who've never been favored. How can they compare to our master?" Yuli added another defiant remark. Xie Run gave her a faint glance and said calmly, "If you think Linxuan Pavilion isn't good enough for you, I can go beg the Princess Consort to send you to another courtyard. How about that?" Yuli was instantly scared pale, finally realizing she had overstepped her bounds. "Master, I was wrong... I followed you into this household. In this life, I'm yours in life and yours in death. I will never go to another courtyard!" In the past, whenever Yuli admitted her mistake, Xie Run would always comfort her with a few words and let the trivial matter go. But today's incident made Xie Run realize that her kindness toward Yuli was merely indulgence. "Since you know you were wrong, go to your room and reflect on your actions." "For the next half month, you won't need to serve by my side." Yuli looked up, staring at Xie Run in disbelief. "Master..." Xie Run gave her a faint glance, her eyes exceptionally calm, which cut off any thought Yuli had of begging for forgiveness. The moment Yuli left, someone came knocking at the door. Granny Ma went to open it and was extremely surprised at who she saw. It was actually Nanny Li from the Princess Consort's courtyard. Granny Ma said, "Nanny Li, you're so busy with important matters — what brings you to our Linxuan Pavilion?" Nanny Li walked into the courtyard, followed by several sturdy matrons who lined up in a row. Nanny Li walked up to Xie Run and gave a salute. "Greetings to Mistress Xie." Xie Run was slightly taken aback by the display. "Nanny Li, has something happened?" Nanny Li didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Concubine Yun has had a miscarriage. It was discovered that safflower was added to her miscarriage-prevention tonic." "What?! How is Sister Yun now?" Xie Run's face was full of shock. At that moment, she suddenly remembered the plot from the book. In the original novel, Concubine Yun was like Xie Run — an insignificant little cannon fodder mentioned only twice in total. Once was when Concubine Yun used Princess Ruyi to compete for favor, stealing Fang Yuan'er's opportunity to serve the Prince that night and offending Fang Yuan'er. The second time was when she miscarried during her second pregnancy and died from massive hemorrhaging. After that, there was no more plot involving her. That was why neither Xie Run nor Fang Yuan'er had paid her much attention. Nanny Li sighed. "She's alive, barely. But as for getting pregnant again in the future... that will be difficult." Xie Run was stunned speechless. Concubine Yun... was still alive?