Chapter 224

Chapter 224 Xie Run said in surprise, "How can this be? Everything I have done is merely my duty." But inwardly she thought, these two really are of one mind. Even their way of doing things is so similar. Using the matter of Xie Run saving the Sixth Young Master for widespread publicity was a reminder to everyone of how Wan Linlang's excessive selfishness had nearly cost the Sixth Young Master his life. With this praise and that disparagement, Wan Linlang dreaming of raising the Sixth Young Master was nothing but a fantasy! She could only hope Wan Linlang wouldn't be angered to death. Nanny Li smiled and said, "When I came, I vaguely caught sight of Eunuch Shian by the Prince's side?" Dantao answered on Xie Run's behalf, saying modestly, "The Prince and Princess Consort are of one mind—both have specially sent rewards, saying it is to commend our mistress for saving the Sixth Young Master." Nanny Li said, "Consort Xie is beautiful and kind-hearted, the most gracious and amiable of all. The Prince and Princess Consort have both taken note of it." Nanny Li then continued, "Besides the rewards, the Princess Consort also asked me to convey a message—she would like to invite Consort Xie to Green Pine Court for tea." "The Princess Consort has been feeling unwell lately and, being bored with nothing to do, wishes to have a chat with Consort Xie." This time, Xie Run was genuinely surprised. Why would the Princess Consort, who was perfectly fine, want to chat with her? "Please convey to the Princess Consort that once Taotao finishes his meal, I shall go to Green Pine Court." Nanny Li said, "Then this old servant will take her leave." "You've worked hard, Nanny." After seeing off the gift-bearers, Concubine Lu quietly asked from the side, "Sister Xie, this is the first time the Princess Consort has invited you to the main courtyard for tea, isn't it?" Xie Run nodded slightly. "I'm a bit surprised as well." Concubine Lu was equally puzzled. "Usually the Princess Consort dislikes people like us the most—she barely even lets us come for morning greetings. Yet now she suddenly extends an invitation. Could there be some trick?" Not many people knew of the Princess Consort's pregnancy yet. Concubine Lu was indeed completely in the dark at this moment. But Xie Run had a vague suspicion—the Princess Consort was probably having difficulty with her pregnancy and didn't want to see Fang Yuan'er take power again, which was why she wanted to find Xie Run. "Meet scheming with scheming, and force with force." Xie Run said gently, "After all, she is the Princess Consort. If she invites me, I cannot refuse." Concubine Lu's eyes were full of worry. Xie Run patted her hand. "Don't worry about me. Nothing major will happen on my end. Just be careful yourself—don't let Concubine Wan catch you in her schemes." "I understand." After accompanying Taotao through his meal, Xie Run led her maids and matrons to Green Pine Court. Upon arriving at the courtyard, the Princess Consort was in the main hall handling affairs, with many steward matrons lined up outside the door awaiting instructions. One tally token after another was distributed, and the stewards, some pleased and some worried, all turned to hurry off to their duties. Upon hearing that Xie Run had arrived, Tinghe personally came to the door to receive her and directly led Xie Run into the main hall. Xie Run found herself rather bewilderingly seated below, with tea set on the table before her. The Princess Consort was... truly inviting her for tea? Xie Run had patience, however, and didn't dare disturb the Princess Consort. She simply held her tea and sipped it quietly, occasionally overhearing the steward matrons discussing which household expenses couldn't be avoided, what items needed replacing, and how the maids and matrons refused to follow orders... She sat there for a full shichen, drinking several cups of tea, before the Princess Consort finally finished. Xie Run glanced at the Princess Consort's lower abdomen, thinking that if she kept up this exhausting pace, how could she possibly carry her pregnancy steadily? After dismissing the steward matrons, the Princess Consort took the tea handed over by a maid, took a light sip, and said, "I've kept Sister Xie waiting a long while. Are you tired?" Xie Run immediately rose and bowed. "I was merely sitting and waiting—not tired at all. In fact, I've helped myself to quite a bit of the Princess Consort's tea." A trace of a smile appeared on the Princess Consort's usually indifferent face. "My body has been feeling increasingly unwell lately, and my energy has grown short. There are many matters in the household that I cannot attend to." "But Side Consort Fang has just made a mistake, Consort Hua is rash by nature, and Consort Jiang goes without saying... For certain matters, I will need Sister Xie's assistance from now on." Xie Run was inwardly startled. Was the Princess Consort truly preparing to delegate authority and hand over the household management of the Prince's residence to her? Xie Run's expression stiffened. "I do wish I could share some of the Princess Consort's burdens, but my abilities are truly limited—I have never handled household affairs before. All these social courtesies and steward assignments... just hearing about them gives me a headache." The Princess Consort set down her teacup and smiled lightly. "Didn't Sister Xie just listen for over a shichen? Clearly, you can take it in." Xie Run: "..." "As for not knowing how to handle things... no one is born knowing these matters. Everyone goes from not knowing to knowing. Listen more, observe more, and you'll learn in time." Xie Run inwardly groaned. The Princess Consort had come prepared today—she was determined not to let Xie Run live in peace. The Princess Consort said, "I called Sister Xie here today precisely because there are two household matters to handle, and I wanted you to listen in and offer some opinions." Xie Run couldn't refuse and could only smile shyly. "I will follow the Princess Consort's lead entirely." The Princess Consort smiled but said nothing. Soon, Consort Jiang was led into the main hall with her maid. The corner of Xie Run's mouth twitched. She never would have imagined that the first matter she encountered would involve Consort Jiang. Wait—hadn't she been confined for half a year already? What trouble could she possibly stir up now? Ever since Consort Jiang went to the front courtyard to curry favor with the Prince, her maid had knocked over the soup bowl of Fang Yuan'er's maid, and then ran to Prince Jing to play the victim and lodge a false complaint first. Coincidentally, Prince Jing was tired of Fang Yuan'er and wanted to suppress her arrogance, so he let Consort Jiang win the case. Because of this incident, Jiang Baobao felt she was capable again. Xie Run vaguely knew that she and Fang Yuan'er had clashed a few times, but they were all trivial matters that wouldn't warrant being brought up for formal judgment, right? Just as Xie Run was pondering this, she heard Tinghe ask on behalf of the Princess Consort, "Consort Jiang, someone has lodged two accusations against you with the Princess Consort." Jiang Baobao had been staying quietly in her own courtyard when she unexpectedly received a summons from the Princess Consort. She had been nervous the entire way there. But who would have thought that the moment she walked in, she would see Xie Run. Frightened out of her wits, she instantly recalled the times she had been bullied before, and her stomach began to ache faintly. Her heart raced wildly as she thought fearfully—surely she hadn't offended this smiling tiger in any way recently? Consort Jiang unconsciously shifted to one side, putting more distance between herself and Xie Run. Seeing that she didn't respond, Tinghe had to ask again, "Consort Jiang, is there anything you wish to confess?" Jiang Baobao said with some grievance, "The Princess Consort is wise. This concubine has been staying obediently in her own courtyard lately, going nowhere. I don't know how I've offended Consort Xie, nor do I know what I should confess." "If there is anything, it must be someone deliberately slandering me..." As she said this, she deliberately glanced at Xie Run, shifted further to one side, and added, "Someone who can't bear to see me do well." Xie Run, who was drinking tea: "..." The Princess Consort's life in the manor was truly not easy—having to face so many eccentric people every day and deal with all sorts of trivial matters. Tinghe was clearly taken aback too, not expecting Consort Jiang to suddenly drag Xie Run into it. Her expression turned somewhat strange.