Chapter 226

Chapter 226 When Jiang Baobao heard that Xiao Guizi had taken her hundred taels of silver but only used ten taels to get things done, pocketing ninety taels for himself, she nearly fainted from rage. She lifted her foot and kicked Xiao Guizi hard in the shoulder, sending him tumbling over backwards. Jiang Baobao cursed furiously, "Wretched slave! How dare you embezzle my money! Who gave you the nerve?!" "You took the money and couldn't even get the job done right, and you dragged me down with you, you idiot!" Xie Run very much wanted to suggest that Jiang Baobao take a mirror and look at herself. How did she have the face to scold Xiao Guizi?! In just this short span of time, Jiang Baobao had already confessed without being pressed. The Princess Consort couldn't be bothered with idle talk: "Drag Consort Jiang away and send her back. Five strokes of the cane, then send her to the small Buddhist hall for half a month of house arrest!" The Princess Consort rarely resorted to corporal punishment against the concubines of the inner court. Five strokes of the cane was already a very heavy punishment. Originally, the Princess Consort hadn't planned to punish her this severely, but Consort Jiang was stupid and vicious, showing no sign of repentance. If she weren't punished harshly, she would certainly not learn her lesson. The Princess Consort didn't want to see such foolishness a second time. Only after Consort Jiang was dragged out to receive her caning did the Princess Consort ask Xie Run with a smile, "Sister Xie, do you think I punished her too heavily?" Xie Run replied softly, "Consort Jiang has been admonished time and again without reform. Without heavy punishment, I fear she won't learn her lesson." "The Princess Consort acts with careful deliberation. I am full of admiration." The Princess Consort waved her hand. "Keep observing for a while. Once you've seen enough, you'll naturally know how to handle such matters." The Princess Consort's words were almost as good as saying outright that she intended to put Xie Run in charge of the household affairs in the future. Yet at this point, standing in her position, Xie Run truly found it difficult to keep declining again and again. Xie Run was about to leave Qingsong Courtyard when she suddenly heard someone say that Prince Jing had arrived. She was slightly surprised. In the blink of an eye, Prince Jing strode into the main courtyard with the wind at his heels, his expression very grim, followed by Eunuch Shian and others. Seeing Xie Run, Prince Jing was also somewhat surprised. "Today isn't a day for paying respects. Why are you here?" After Xie Run performed her salute, she said gently, "The Princess Consort invited me to Qingsong Courtyard to taste tea." Prince Jing nodded, his expression improving slightly, and sat directly in the seat of honor. Prince Jing: "I saw punishment being carried out in the courtyard as I came in. What happened in the household this time?" The Princess Consort slowly returned to her seat and said unhurriedly, "Consort Jiang bullied Concubine Fang, then deliberately spread rumors that Side Consort Fang had plotted against Concubine Lian and Sixth Young Master. I dared not be lenient, and since she refused to admit her fault and behaved arrogantly, I punished her with five strokes." Prince Jing gave a cold snort. "She loves stirring up trouble so much. Several punishments and she still hasn't learned her lesson. How are five strokes enough?!" "Add five more!" Both Xie Run and the Princess Consort instinctively glanced at Prince Jing. It was clear that Prince Jing had been holding a fire in his heart, and happening upon Consort Jiang's matter, he vented it all at once. The Princess Consort wasn't afraid of his anger, and only asked sweetly, "Your Highness is this furious—has something happened?" Prince Jing glanced sidelong at Eunuch Shian. Eunuch Shian stepped aside, and only then did everyone see that beside him stood a comely young woman dressed as a palace maid. Her features were not particularly outstanding, and her temperament was gentle and submissive, but her figure was especially striking. Her chest was full and round, while her waist was exceptionally slender—fitting perfectly the older generation's notion of "good for bearing children." The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile, "Has Mother Consort bestowed another attentive person upon Your Highness?" Prince Jing's mouth twitched, and he retorted with equal sarcasm, "The Princess Consort is so virtuous—why is it that she's constantly hoping Mother Consort will gift me people?" "Do I recall that when Mother Consort originally said she wanted to take another Side Consort for me, the Princess Consort was full of objections?" The Princess Consort smiled, not taking up his words, and asked instead, "So this young lady truly is a gift from Mother Consort?" Prince Jing fell into silence at once. He said coldly and with some disdain, "Seeing that Little Six had no one to look after him, I specifically asked Mother Consort for an experienced nursemaid to care for the child. Who knew she would send someone like this?" If not for the occasion, the Princess Consort would have burst out laughing. This was exactly the sort of thing Noble Consort Rou would do. In Noble Consort Rou's eyes, when her son's household lacked a virtuous person capable of raising children and he specifically asked her for someone, her first thought was that the servants in Prince Jing's household weren't enough and he was subtly asking her for a gift of people. Of course, she immediately picked a well-built and docile palace maid and sent her over. How could an old nursemaid compare to an attentive companion? A palace maid could care for the child and also serve Prince Jing. If she gained favor and bore a son or daughter, adding to the Prince Jing household—that would be a wonderful thing. Mother and son had always been like a chicken talking to a duck—never able to communicate. The Princess Consort was happy to watch the show. "Since you've already brought her back, what rank does Your Highness think would be appropriate?" Prince Jing shot a glance at the Princess Consort, and the anger in his chest rose again. But remembering that the Princess Consort was now with child, he couldn't mock her as he once had, so he said coldly, "When did I ever say I wanted to take a concubine?" "This person was sent directly to the household by Mother Consort. Just send her back tomorrow." The palace maid standing nearby was so frightened she knelt down on the spot. "Please spare me, Your Highness! Please spare me!" The Princess Consort sighed. "Since she was chosen by Mother, she must be quite outstanding in the palace." "If she were sent back as she is today, first, it would be hard to explain to Mother, and second, her days ahead would be difficult." Prince Jing waved his hand casually. "Since the Princess Consort wishes to protect her, arrange it as you see fit." The Princess Consort nodded slightly. "If you wish to return to the palace, I'll send you back after reporting to Mother in a couple of days. If not, you may stay in the Prince's residence as a maidservant." The palace maid lowered her head, trembling as she thought for a moment, then said softly, "To answer the Princess Consort, this servant is willing to stay in the Prince's residence." The Princess Consort glanced at Nanny Li. "Then take her down and settle her in." Nanny Li had originally assumed the palace maid was another one rushing to become a concubine, so her gaze was not very friendly. Now that she heard the girl had become a maidservant in the residence, her demeanor immediately softened considerably. "Miss, come with me to collect your monthly allowance first." The palace maid said obediently, "Thank you for your trouble, Nanny." Xie Run, having finished watching the scene, slowly offered a bow and said to Prince Jing, "Prince and Princess Consort, this concubine will take her leave now." Prince Jing paused, then asked Xie Run a few more questions about Taotao. Xie Run answered each one without saying more, behaving with great propriety and restraint. Prince Jing, seeing her feigning obedience, felt a hint of amusement. He decided not to press Xie Run further. "You may go back as well, lest it snows again on the road." "Yes." Xie Run gracefully offered another bow.