Chapter 228

Chapter 228 The Princess Consort glanced at Consort Hua and the little dumpling below. "Rise." "Consort Hua, although there is no evidence linking you to this matter, your deliberate act of sending lilies to Concubine Lian already implicates you." "This time, you will be fined one month's allowance. Let this be the last time." The Princess Consort looked at her coolly and spoke slowly: "Otherwise, both offenses will be punished together severely!" Consort Hua quickly nodded. "This concubine knows her mistake. This concubine will never do anything foolish again." Tinghe stepped forward to support Consort Hua and comforted her gently: "Mistress Hua, it's not that the Princess Consort deliberately wanted to punish you." "It's just that you sent lilies to Concubine Lian out of a moment of pique, and someone with ill intentions took advantage of that." "Because your matter stood in the way, if the Prince and Princess Consort could not investigate with discernment, the blame for Concubine Lian's death would have fallen on your head." "Such improper actions—Consort Hua must never repeat them in the future, for not every time will the Prince and Princess Consort trust you." Consort Hua was startled and blurted out: "There definitely won't be a next time!" Only after saying this did she belatedly realize that she had been used by someone. She blurted out: "It must be Wan Linlang!" Everyone else was taken aback. Tinghe sighed inwardly. "Mistress Hua, do you have any evidence for saying this?" Hua Yu lowered her head. "No." Tinghe continued to comfort her patiently. "In that case, Mistress Hua should say less, or it will easily breed more trouble." Hua Yu muttered softly: "But everyone in the residence is saying she wants to raise Concubine Lian's child and deliberately got close to Concubine Lian. Concubine Lian just happened to die on the day of childbirth, and the child is left in her care—isn't that a scheme succeeding?" She thought her voice was low, but everyone present heard it clearly. Xie Run raised an eyebrow and reached for the tea on the table to ease the awkwardness. Tinghe said seriously: "That rumor was deliberately spread by Consort Jiang. She also had people spread rumors that Concubine Lian's death was related to Side Consort Fang. Did Consort Hua believe that too?" Hua Yu was stunned. "This... I didn't know." The Princess Consort finally spoke slowly: "Since you don't know, then don't speak so readily. Have you heard the saying that disaster comes from the mouth?" Consort Hua obediently acknowledged. But judging by her expression, she hadn't truly taken it to heart. After Tinghe saw Consort Hua off, Xie Run said softly: "It must be difficult for the Princess Consort to be unwell and still have to teach the sisters of the inner court every day. Even this concubine can't help but feel distressed for the Princess Consort." The Princess Consort chuckled lightly. "I did find it troublesome at first, but after being cooped up in this inner court for so long, I just take such matters as entertainment." Xie Run was somewhat surprised inwardly. The Princess Consort's words carried a hint of genuine feeling. As Concubine Lu had said, the Princess Consort had never been fond of talking much with the women of Prince Jing's inner court, and her interactions with them were always distant. Today's words were the first time she had spoken like this. Xie Run measured her words carefully: "Consort Hua is innocent by nature and doesn't understand the gravity of things. For some matters, when people teach you, you don't learn—but when events teach you, you learn naturally." "The Princess Consort need not be anxious." The Princess Consort looked at Xie Run with a hint of appreciation in her eyes. "I said Consort Xie could do it. Though you've never managed affairs before, you're perceptive and intelligent—that's enough." Xie Run gave an awkward smile. The Princess Consort suddenly said: "On the fifth day of the second month, Consort Sun will be entering the residence." Xie Run was startled. "Why is it earlier?" The three side consorts bestowed by the Emperor were originally scheduled to enter the Prince's residence on the same day, in early March. Moreover, Noble Consort Chen had just passed away, and the Emperor was gloomy and despondent all day... Would it really be fine for Prince Jing to hold a joyous occasion at this time? The Princess Consort said calmly: "Yesterday, the Prince went to ask Mother for help, and somehow the Imperial Father learned of it. Knowing that no one in the Prince's household was taking care of Sixth Young Master, the Imperial Father directly ordered Consort Sun to enter the residence early, with the celebration kept simple. He also bestowed two daughters of minor officials." Xie Run: "..." For a moment, she didn't know whether to praise Prince Jing for his good fortune or praise the Emperor for handling matters so efficiently. The Emperor either bestowed no one, or bestowed three at once—not even sparing a thought for his beloved consort who had just died, but first taking care to "dote" on his son. Consort Sun was also unlucky. Entering the residence on such a day, with the celebration said to be simple—who knew how simple it would actually be. Thinking deeper, how did news of the Prince's request reach the Emperor's ears? There was no one else but the Prince's own mother, Noble Consort Rou. Xie Run hesitated for a long while before saying: "The Princess Consort has worked hard." The Princess Consort looked at her quietly, then suddenly smiled. "No wonder the Prince dotes on you so much. You truly are interesting." Xie Run closed her mouth, maintained her smile, and said no more. Just as she was thinking of an excuse to leave, a young maid ran in and announced at the doorway: "Reporting to the Princess Consort, something terrible has happened—a corpse has been found in the well at the rear building." A hint of gravity appeared on the Princess Consort's face. She was about to rise when a sudden pain struck her abdomen. Nanny Li and Tinghe immediately stepped forward. "Mistress, what's wrong?" The Princess Consort's face turned pale. She was about to say she was fine when the pain slowly came again. She dared not take it lightly and said in a low voice: "Send for Doctor Hu, and also deliver a card to request the imperial physician. I am feeling unwell..." The Princess Consort's gaze fell on Xie Run, who stood to the side. "Perfect timing. Let Consort Xie handle this matter for now. Tinghe, accompany Consort Xie there. If anyone dares to raise objections, seize them first." Tinghe looked at her Princess Consort with worry in her eyes, but she understood the gravity of the situation. "This servant understands." With matters pressing upon her so directly, Xie Run found it difficult to refuse. She could only bow and say, "This consort obeys." She then added a few gentle reminders: "Since the Princess Consort has abdominal pain and discomfort, she should not be moved lightly. First, find a sturdy matron to carry the Princess Consort onto the couch so she can rest properly..." Nanny Li nodded hurriedly. "Consort Xie has been through childbirth herself, so her words carry sense." Xie Run glanced at the Princess Consort, whose face had turned pale, then led Tinghe, Dantao, and a few others as they hurried toward the rear chambers. The rear chambers were where the household's maidservants resided. On the way, Xie Run asked the messenger girl, "Do you know who exactly has met with misfortune?" The girl replied, "It's one of the new arrivals arranged by Nanny Li yesterday. I heard she came from the palace." Xie Run's steps faltered, and she immediately realized this matter was not as simple as it seemed. She said to Dantao, "Dantao, this matter is likely not straightforward. Hurry to the front courtyard and deliver a message." "The Prince is not in the residence at the moment, but he should have left people behind. First, inform them of the situation and have the front courtyard steward dispatch guards to surround the rear chambers. Then summon a residence physician!" She then instructed Tinghe, "Tinghe, if you would be so kind as to relay a message—have all the maidservants and matrons in the rear chambers stay put and remain in their own rooms. Anyone who disobeys orders is to be arrested on suspicion of being the culprit." Tinghe had accompanied the Princess Consort through many significant and minor affairs. Upon hearing that the deceased was a palace maid who had just arrived from the palace, she too realized there was likely more to this matter than met the eye, and hurried off to carry out the tasks.