Chapter 243

Chapter 243 Xie Run let out a deep sigh. What could have been said in a single sentence, Hua Yu had insisted on sobbing before her for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, dragging things out until now. Xie Run said, "Regardless, for maidservants to gossip about their masters is a breach of discipline." "Has Sister Hua heard who exactly was gossiping? If you have a list of names, I'll speak with Sister Sun immediately and have someone discipline those girls." Zhiqiu stepped forward at once and reported several names. Hua Yu, standing to the side, said with grievance, "I heard these rumors first started spreading from Consort Jiang's courtyard." Hearing this, Xie Run sat up straight. Well, then. The two of them had finally clashed. Xie Run had been wondering why Hua Yu would make a special trip to cry to her over such trivial gossip. She put on a smile and said softly, "The mouths of the servants in the household certainly need to be managed, but if the rumors originated from Consort Jiang's courtyard, then this is an improper practice of vying for favor. If it's verified to be true, punishment will certainly follow." "The weather is still cold. Sister Hua should return to her own courtyard and rest. I'll have someone take Zhiqiu to investigate—which girl said what, and who put them up to it... I won't let you suffer this grievance in vain." Hua Yu remained seated, her mouth opening and closing several times, but she couldn't seem to get the words out. Xie Run looked at her patiently. "Is there something difficult to say?" Zhiqiu had no choice but to step forward and speak on her behalf. "To report to Consort Xie, there are already some unfavorable rumors circulating in the household. If this matter is investigated with great fanfare, it will inevitably stir up even more discussion." "Would it not be better to investigate discreetly, and if the mastermind behind it is found, issue a warning and let the matter drop?" Xie Run gave Zhiqiu a serious look, then smiled at Hua Yu. "You have a good maidservant." Everything she was too embarrassed to say herself, her maid had said for her. Hua Yu's expression turned somewhat unnatural. Xie Run's expression grew serious. "Since you both know that investigating this matter will stir up discussion throughout the household, why put yourselves through this?" "The gossip in this household has never stopped. As long as you don't take it to heart, it's only a matter of time before it passes." "You are a Concubine Consort. If you hear disrespectful words, punish them as you see fit. Once you've punished someone and established your authority, who would dare gossip behind your back?" Most likely, Hua Yu felt guilty herself, which was why she couldn't bear others talking about her, and had rushed over in a panic to make a fuss before Xie Run. After all, those words weren't rumors—they were the truth. Hua Yu said in a low voice, "But if Consort Jiang is the one pulling the strings behind this..." "I'll send someone to investigate. Once they find out, I'll have someone inform you at Autumn Maple Court." Only then did Hua Yu finally take her leave. The moment she left, an elderly maidservant immediately came forward to report. "To report to Mistress, the new household physician has arrived at the residence. How would you like him to be arranged?" "Treat him the same as the other household physicians, but tell him that he is only responsible for attending to Consort Jiang. He is to go and take her pulse every day, and if Consort Jiang shows any sign of discomfort, he must report it immediately." "Yes." "Wait!" Xie Run finished speaking, then remembered something else. "When you send him over, make sure to remind him multiple times that this physician was specially invited by me and the Princess Consort out of concern for the child in her womb—it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Prince!" If Jiang Baobao mistakenly thought that Prince Jing had specially sent a household physician to care for her... She'd take it as a special mark of favor, and her tail would be wagging up to the sky. The maidservant was thoroughly confused, but she dutifully acknowledged the order and went to relay the message. With the household matters settled, Xie Run suddenly saw Chunjuan running back in a hurry. He was a eunuch, and Xie Run generally didn't have him expend energy in the inner courtyard—she mostly assigned him to gather information outside. For him to be in such a rush now, something major must have happened. "There are rumors flying everywhere outside. They say the Emperor and Empress are at odds, the Empress has attempted suicide, and the Emperor flew into a rage and demoted the Seventh Prince to commoner." "Our Prince was on duty, but he immediately entered the palace to plead for mercy on behalf of the Empress and the Seventh Prince." Xie Run listened, lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then asked, "Is Concubine Jing in the palace well? She's still with child." "This... this servant hasn't heard any news about that." Concubine Jing lived like an invisible person. If not for her mistress bringing her up, Chunjuan wouldn't even have remembered that this lady in the palace was still pregnant. "Has there been any movement from Prince An's household?" "This servant specifically sent someone to inquire. There's been no movement from Prince An's household. By all rights, even if Prince An were busy, the Princess Consort should be the first to saddle up and head to the palace—this concerns the Empress and the Seventh Prince." Even if there were clear conflicts of interest, the Empress was still the legal mother of all princes, and the Seventh Prince was their brother. With these two major events happening, they should have entered the palace no matter what. But there was no movement from Prince An's side? Xie Run waved her hand. "Keep having people investigate. I have a feeling of unease." Chunjuan nodded and withdrew. Leaning back in her chair, Xie Run listened to the sound of her son playing and laughing in the inner room, and her mood lightened somewhat. Ever since she'd taken over household management on behalf of the Princess Consort, her Spring Mountain Court hadn't had a moment's rest. Now the Princess Consort was past two months along, and the pregnancy was becoming increasingly difficult. The imperial physicians had probably already seen the signs. With the palace in turmoil now, the Princess Consort certainly wouldn't be able to enter the palace. She could only hope that her temperament would hold steady enough to avoid any mishaps. Dantao brought tea over and said softly, "Since March, the Prince has only come to our courtyard once, and that was just to see the mistress and the young master before leaving." "Now that something's happened in the palace, he's likely to be busy again." Xie Run picked up the account book Xiaoshu handed her and glanced at it—one look at the dense rows of black characters was enough to make her head spin. She rubbed her temples without even raising an eyebrow. "Consort Sun just entered the household and suffered a great injustice. The Prince is bound to want to comfort her properly—she'll probably enjoy his favor for some time to come." "These past few days managing the household, Consort Sun has performed admirably. She's truly capable, so it's only natural the Prince dotes on her." Xie Run was quite sensitive to numbers, so in managing the household and reviewing account books, she did exceptionally well and had never made a single mistake. But whether it was the original owner or the current Xie Run, neither was particularly skilled at social niceties or delegating household affairs. When Consort Sun first took over, many people assumed the inner court would run into trouble. But who would have thought—she was indeed a legitimate daughter raised by a great clan. She handled everything flawlessly, with both skill and authority. Not only did she make no mistakes, but she could even keep the troublemaking Jiang Baobao in check. In just two or three days, the entire household was singing her praises. Prince Jing was naturally very satisfied with her as well. Especially at a time when the household lacked someone who could hold things together, Consort Sun's performance stood out all the more. Xie Run thought, if she were Prince Jing, she'd dote on Consort Sun too. Dantao: "Mistress isn't worried?" Xie Run set down the account book and said lazily, "I know what you mean." "No—actually, all of you are worried, and you sent only you to ask my opinion." Xiaoshu and the others exchanged glances and smiled helplessly. "The mistress sees everything clearly." Xie Run smiled. "Why would I be anxious? I haven't made any mistakes, and I have both a child and my rank to rely on. What is there to worry about?"