Chapter 237

Chapter 237 If the Princess Consort were to give birth now, it would be the Prince's legitimate son—the future Heir Apparent of Prince Jing's estate! For a moment, everyone's thoughts were scattered. Only Xie Run let out a soft sigh. The matter of handing over household management to Consort Sun must have been approved by Prince Jing beforehand. But the difference between transferring authority two days earlier versus two days later was significant indeed. Now that Consort Sun had entered the estate on her very first day, and the Princess Consort brought up this matter—aside from the Princess Consort being unwell, the only other possibility was that Prince Jing held Consort Sun in high regard and had specifically mentioned it. The Princess Consort had likely known about this for some time. Worried that Consort Sun would gain power, she had pulled Xie Run up early, wanting Xie Run to act as a counterweight against Consort Sun. Naturally, Consort Sun made her share of polite refusals: "Princess Consort, I have only just entered the estate and am not familiar with its affairs. How could I possibly take on such an important responsibility?!" The Princess Consort was not one for pleasantries. "These words are mine, and they are also the Prince's." "If you are unwilling, then go speak with the Prince yourself." Consort Sun had a strong temperament as well. Upon hearing the Princess Consort's words, her expression remained composed, and she tried to explain herself further. The Princess Consort continued, "Now that Side Consort Fang is under House Arrest, the only ones in this estate capable of holding things together are you and Consort Xie. And Consort Xie must also raise Fifth Young Master... Even if you try to decline now, in the end, it will still fall to you to manage." With the matter put that way, Consort Sun found it difficult to refuse any longer. The Princess Consort added, "I heard the Prince didn't rest in your courtyard last night?" Even as composed as Consort Sun was, she couldn't help but blush at this. She said softly, "To answer the Princess Consort, last night Consort Jiang said she was feeling unwell. I thought of the child she carries—the Prince's offspring—and couldn't delay, so I urged the Prince to go see Consort Jiang first." The Princess Consort raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and praised her with considerable sincerity: "You are a sensible one. The grievances you've endured, both the Prince and I know well." "Consort Jiang has always been that way—no amount of teaching can correct her. That's precisely why the Prince Demoted her Rank." "Now that she is with child again, I fear she will only become harder to manage. With household management now in the hands of you and Consort Xie, I can only ask that the two of you put in extra effort." Xie Run, who had been lost in thought, jolted suddenly. Looking at Jiang Baobao's conduct since entering the estate—she was arrogant when favored, and still arrogant when out of favor. Now that she carried a child in her belly, wouldn't her tail be raised to the heavens?! Having her and Consort Sun manage Jiang Baobao? Xie Run's vision went dark at the thought. She immediately rose and bowed. "I have an idea, though I'm not certain if it's appropriate." The Princess Consort smiled faintly. "Speak, let me hear it." She thought to herself that Xie Run had finally been unable to hold back. She had wondered if Xie Run planned to keep playing dumb forever. Xie Run spoke in a gentle voice: "Consort Jiang is of a restless temperament, and this is her first pregnancy. For the sake of the Prince's offspring, I believe we could request several steady and experienced matrons from the palace to care for Consort Jiang and her child." "If I recall correctly, there is precedent for such matters." Xie Run deliberately emphasized the words "steady and experienced." Ordinary governess matrons wouldn't do—they had to be strict, old-fashioned, and possess some authority and gravitas. The Princess Consort had arranged governess matrons for Jiang Baobao before, but after all this time, there was not a trace of improvement. Jiang Baobao remained exactly as she was—a leopard that couldn't change its spots. In Xie Run's view, rather than hoping Jiang Baobao would change her nature, it was better to simply assign two governess matrons to keep Jiang Baobao under watch. With her eating, drinking, words, and actions all under control, surely she couldn't stir up any more trouble? The Princess Consort understood Xie Run's meaning as well and said with a faint smile, "Consort Xie's idea is indeed feasible. For the sake of Consort Jiang and the child in her womb, we must request two experienced matrons." Having dug a pit for Jiang Baobao, Xie Run quietly returned to her seat. Consort Sun lowered her head with a slight smile, pretending not to understand the scheming between the Princess Consort and Xie Run. "Consort Jiang was unwell last night—I wonder how she is now? I am truly worried for her and the child in her womb." Consort Sun's gaze swept across Xie Run and the Princess Consort, trying to read something from their faces. The former was calm and smiling, so gentle it seemed she wore a mask of false pleasantries; the latter's expression was indifferent, radiating an innate air of nobility and aloofness. Both were people who revealed nothing of their emotions. With just that one look, Consort Sun knew that neither of these two would be easy to get along with. Just then, Concubine Lu spoke softly: "Consort Sun need not worry too much. After the Prince visited Consort Jiang last night, he left her courtyard. It seems there is nothing serious." The old residents had eyes and ears throughout the estate and were well-informed—they naturally knew that Prince Jing had rested at Autumn Maple Courtyard last night. The newly arrived Consort Sun and the other two concubines, however, looked utterly bewildered. Concubine Wu was bolder and asked softly, "The Prince didn't stay with Consort Jiang last night—then which courtyard did he rest in?" As she spoke, she glanced at Consort Sun. This Concubine Wu was bold and not very good at hiding her emotions. Her obvious curiosity successfully gave the others a show. Concubine Fang said softly, "It seems he was at Consort Hua's courtyard." Consort Sun's expression did not change, and she said with a smile, "I've long heard that Consort Hua's father once saved the Prince's life, and that the Prince dotes on her greatly." The others merely smiled and said nothing. After the Princess Consort dismissed the servants, Xie Run did not leave but instead privately requested that Lady Tinghe be assigned to assist her in managing the household affairs. Relying on Xie Run alone, it would be difficult to keep the servants of the inner court in check, and it would also drain too much of her energy. With Fang Yuan'er's fate still fresh as a warning, Xie Run wanted to devote more of her attention to raising her child rather than rushing to grasp power. The Princess Consort knew that although Xie Run appeared to have no temper, she was not easily dismissed, so she had no choice but to agree. On the way back to Chunshan Courtyard, Xie Run recalled that the flowers in her courtyard were blooming too monotonously, so she said, "Let's stop by the greenhouse on the way and pick a few pots of nicely blooming flowers to bring back with us." Dantao nodded. "The snow hasn't fully melted yet, and there isn't a single green sprout to be seen anywhere. Bringing a few pots of brightly blooming flowers from the greenhouse to place in the courtyard will add a bit of color." Xiaoshu chuckled, "Where can't you see green sprouts? Sister Dantao, have you forgotten the green plum blossoms in front of our courtyard? Those were planted by the Prince himself on orders for our mistress." Dantao shot her a helpless look. "You little girl, you're deliberately picking at my words. When I said green sprouts, I naturally didn't mean that!" Xie Run chimed in, "Although the green plums are still blooming now, the green is too faint and monotonous. They're not as pleasing to the eye as red plums." After saying this, she laughed. "If Consort Li heard this, she'd probably think I'm rather vulgar." After Consort Li gave birth to her child, although she never received great favor, Prince Jing still visited her once or twice a month. Because she was well-behaved and low-key, spending her days only raising her child or reading poetry and writing verses, she had become a unique sight within the Prince's residence. Last month, she was struck by inspiration and composed a poem, which earned praise from Prince Jing for her remarkable talent. Coincidentally, that poem praised the noble purity of green plum blossoms, and Prince Jing specially had several more plum trees transplanted into her courtyard. Red plums, green plums, and white plums alike—this made quite a few people green with envy. Xiaoshu said with great confidence, "You are a Side Consort, mistress, while Consort Li is only a Concubine Consort. Even if she harbors such thoughts, she would never dare voice them, or else it would be an offense against her superior!"