Chapter 241

Chapter 241 Xie Run smiled and said, "Consort Jiang is unwell—shall I summon a physician to examine her?" This matter reminded Xie Run that she should arrange for a resident physician to stay by Consort Jiang's side at all times, lest she use discomfort as an excuse to evade discipline. At this moment, Jiang Baobao stood before Xie Run, wanting to display her arrogance yet also feeling a measure of fear, her demeanor somewhat awkward. Upon hearing mention of a physician, the maid beside her quickly covered for her: "Our mistress merely felt a bit nauseous after today's meal—it's nothing serious." Xie Run smiled lightly and did not bother with such trivial matters. She came straight to the point: "Today I have come to see Consort Jiang to offer my congratulations." "Congratulations?" Jiang Baobao looked utterly bewildered. Could this Concubine Xie be congratulating her on her pregnancy? Xie Run said unhurriedly, "Consort Jiang has a hasty temperament and is not steady enough. For the sake of Consort Jiang and the Prince's offspring, the Princess Consort has specially requested two experienced nannies from the palace. I am certain they will protect Consort Jiang and ensure she safely delivers the Prince's child." Jiang Baobao's eyes bulged like brass bells, and she was so startled she could not recover for a long moment. When she had made mistakes, the palace had sent her nannies. Now that she was pregnant, why was the palace still sending her nannies?! Xie Run's smile, as seen through Jiang Baobao's eyes, carried a full measure of malice. It was as if she had returned to the time when Xie Run had led people into Songya Court and forced her to be held down and fed. Back then, Jiang Baobao had been a Side Consort while Xie Run was merely a Concubine Consort, and yet she had dared to act so boldly... Jiang Baobao suddenly jumped up: "What nannies? I don't want them! Send them away!" "Why does no one else get people sent to them, but I do?!" When she saw the two stern-faced disciplining nannies, an inexplicable chill ran through her heart. Recalling the torment she had suffered under disciplining nannies in the past, her head began to ache. Xie Run explained with a smile, "In the past, when Concubine An in the household was pregnant, the Princess Consort also requested nannies to look after her, and later Consort Li as well. There is precedent for this." "Consort Jiang must not misunderstand. The arrival of Nanny Yan and Nanny An now is a gesture of consideration from the Princess Consort and Noble Consort Rou." "If Consort Jiang is unwilling to accept this kindness and insists on acting willfully, and something should go wrong with the Prince's offspring—can you bear that responsibility?" Xie Run knew Jiang Baobao could not fully grasp these veiled threats, so she simply did not bother with further explanation. She gave a slight nod to the two nannies. "Consort Jiang has a hasty temperament and is somewhat mischievous, and the people around her are not particularly capable. I fear the two of you will have your work cut out for you." "The Princess Consort has said that as long as the two of you can see Consort Jiang safely through to childbirth, you will be richly rewarded—and even the Prince himself will likely bestow his own rewards." The two nannies bowed to Xie Run simultaneously: "We servants have attended more than a dozen noble ladies through childbirth in the palace in our early years. We dare not fail the Prince and Princess Consort's trust." Before their arrival, Nanny Li had emphasized several times the gravity of their mission to Prince Jing's residence. The first task was to care for the child in Consort Jiang's womb; the second was to discipline this Consort Jiang and prevent her from using her pregnancy to run rampant. The nannies had initially wondered just how "rampant" this woman could truly be. Until they entered the courtyard—she did not greet the Side Consort, lay sprawled on her couch, and spoke with such arrogance that she was even more haughty than the pregnant noble ladies in the palace. Xie Run took Xiaoshu's hand and sat down to one side, saying calmly, "If there is nothing else, the two nannies may begin observing and instructing. No need to mind me." "From now on, you belong to Consort Jiang's courtyard." No sooner had Xie Run finished speaking than Jiang Baobao began to shout, "I already told you to take these people away—did you not hear me?!" "I don't need these old hags who only know how to throw their weight around in front of me!" Jiang Baobao fumed, "Where is the Prince? I carry his child—he will not let you bully me like this!" Xie Run merely said, "This is the Prince and Princess Consort's decision, and also a gift from Noble Consort Rou." "The Prince's decision?" Jiang Baobao's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly lay back down on the bed. "My stomach hurts. I feel unwell." Xie Run was utterly speechless. If Jiang Baobao had at least made an effort to look convincing, Xie Run might have offered a few words of comfort. Xie Run said, "Zihu, go and take a look at Consort Jiang." Zihu said coolly, "The place Consort Jiang is clutching is her stomach—perhaps it is stomach discomfort? This servant knows acupuncture. Two needles and she will be right as rain." Before Jiang Baobao could react, Zihu had already taken hold of her pulse, silver needle flickering between her fingers, sending cold sweat dripping down Jiang Baobao's forehead. Jiang Baobao hastily said, "I'm not in pain anymore! I don't want needles!" Zihu said, "Consort Jiang must not toy with this servant. Are you in pain or not?" Jiang Baobao: "Not in pain!" Xie Run: "Then I shall trouble the two nannies." Jiang Baobao's eyes shot up. "Who dares touch me?!" Nanny Yan and Nanny An stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "We servants will not touch you, mistress. We are merely here, per Noble Consort Rou's instructions, to teach you proper conduct and knowledge of childbirth." Jiang Baobao's wariness diminished somewhat. Then Nanny Yan spoke first, with an air of solemn dignity. "Though the rules of a prince's residence are not as stringent as those of the palace, where one must be cautious in every matter, Consort Jiang has already displayed several breaches of propriety just now. This old servant will presume to be forward and offer some reminders to Consort Jiang." Jiang Baobao: "..." Nanny Yan: "Consort Xie is a Side Consort, whose rank is higher than Concubine Consort Jiang. When speaking, Concubine Consort Jiang should refer to herself as 'this concubine' rather than 'I, I'—that is far too discourteous." Nanny An followed up: "When a concubine consort replies to a side consort, she should rise and offer a salute with a respectful demeanor. Only if Consort Xie, out of consideration for Concubine Consort Jiang's pregnancy, expressly permits it, may she be excused from the formalities." Nanny Yan glanced at Guiyuan, who stood off to the side. "Hurry and help your mistress up." Guiyuan was young—how could she withstand the imposing presence of the seasoned nannies from the palace? She stepped forward nervously and said in a low voice, "Mistress, perhaps... you should rise first?" Jiang Baobao had initially wanted to put up a fight, but catching sight of Xie Run's calm, faint smile, she suddenly dared not resist and allowed Guiyuan to help her to her feet. Nanny An was slightly gentler than Nanny Yan. "That's right." "Though one with child must be careful—the first three months being the most crucial—she should also take proper walks to strengthen her body, lest she encounter difficulties in childbirth later." The two nannies took turns speaking, one offering stern guidance, the other gentle instruction, until Jiang Baobao was thoroughly dizzy and disoriented. Xie Run assigned young maidservants to the two nannies, then quietly slipped away with her people. She had no desire to stay and watch Jiang Baobao react once she came to her senses and made a fuss. On the way back, Dantao asked uncertainly, "Mistress, can those two nannies really keep Concubine Consort Jiang in check?" Xie Run: "...They should be able to. Nannies who come out of the palace always have some tricks up their sleeves." Dantao said softly, "This servant has learned that that Nanny Yan once served by the side of the late Empress Dowager." "Then she truly has considerable seniority. I only hope Jiang Baobao will behave herself... If she truly offends that nanny, punishment will likely come down from the palace as well." Noble Consort Rou was famously protective of her own. It was said that when she was in favor, if even her cats or dogs were bullied, she would raise quite a fuss. On the way back, Xie Run kept mulling over the various details of her meeting with Jiang Baobao. Dantao, attending to her, asked, "What's troubling you, mistress?" Xie Run shook her head. "I was just thinking about Jiang Baobao's pregnancy."