Chapter 280

Chapter 280 After all that commotion, Xie Run finally had a moment to herself. She immediately sent people out to gather information, wanting to know how things stood in the capital. Only after arranging everything did Xie Run ask, "The Prince has been back at the residence for some time now. Why haven't I seen Fang Yuan'er and Wan Linlang?" "Could they still be in Qiangwu?" No sooner had Xie Run asked than someone came to report, "Reporting to Consort Xie, Side Consort Fang's carriage has arrived at the gate, but she's been stopped outside." "Guard Jin sent me to ask whether you wish to let her through." Xie Run only then remembered that last night she had given orders forbidding anyone from entering or leaving the residence freely. Xie Run found it odd that only Fang Yuan'er had been mentioned, but she didn't dwell on it and simply said, "Let her through." "Also send someone to Songya Courtyard to notify them to prepare." "Yes." Xie Run truly couldn't hold on any longer. She gave Dantao a few instructions before saying, "I'll go lie down in the side chamber for a while. You all take turns resting as well, and station people to guard the entrance to Qingsong Courtyard." Dantao's eyes were full of concern. "Mistress, please go rest first." "I'll notify you the moment there's any movement from the Princess Consort." "I traded shifts with Xiaoshu last night and got some rest. I'll keep a close watch myself now—I won't let anyone in!" "Very well." Xie Run had no energy left to fuss over anything else. She removed her hairpins and jewelry, lay down on the chair, and sank into a deep sleep. The maids and older servants had long since taken Taotao and Princess Duanjing to the next room to play. She hadn't been asleep long when Xie Run heard a commotion outside. She slowly opened her eyes and asked weakly, "Who's making a racket outside?" She had given so many strict orders—who had the nerve to defy her so blatantly?! Dantao leaned in, anger flickering in her eyes. "It's Side Consort Fang." Xie Run's mind went blank for a moment. "Side Consort Fang? What is she shouting about?!" Xie Run's first thought was that Side Consort Fang was deliberately causing trouble at Qingsong Courtyard to harm the Princess Consort. But then she reconsidered—Fang Yuan'er shouldn't be that bold. Prince Jing was still in the residence. Would she really come to Qingsong Courtyard to make a scene? Dantao said indignantly, "Side Consort Fang is being completely unreasonable." "The moment she returned to the residence and heard about the Third Young Master's disappearance, she decided you deliberately harmed him. She's making a scene demanding to settle scores with you!" Xie Run was silent for a moment, then threw off the blanket. "Help me dress. I'd like to see exactly how she plans to pin this on me!" Dantao moved quickly and even made a point of bringing Zihu along. Before leaving, she kept instructing, "If Side Consort Fang tries to bully our mistress, you must protect her first. Don't let her suffer any harm." Zihu naturally agreed, watching Xie Run with careful attention. As soon as she stepped out the main gate, Xie Run saw Fang Yuan'er surrounded by a group of maids. It had been a while since they'd last met. Fang Yuan'er had grown much thinner, her face etched with exhaustion and fury—the radiant beauty of before was nowhere to be seen. Xie Run thought to herself that her days in Qiangwu must not have been easy. Seeing Xie Run, Fang Yuan'er's eyes turned red. "Xie Run, you finally came out!" Xie Run ignored her, instead casting an approving look at the maids and servants blocking Fang Yuan'er. "You've all done well, not letting anyone set foot in Qingsong Courtyard!" "Go to the accounts office later to collect your reward—five taels of silver each!" Hearing this only made Fang Yuan'er angrier. "Xie Run, don't think I don't know what you're scheming!" "Something this big happens in the residence, and everyone else is safe—only my child has gone missing!" "You must be unsatisfied with being just a Side Consort. You wanted to harm my child so you could scheme your way to the position of Principal Consort!" "You pretend to be above worldly concerns all day, but your calculations are sharper than anyone's..." Before Fang Yuan'er could finish, Xie Run strode forward in three quick steps and raised her hand, slapping Fang Yuan'er across the face. The slap was so hard that it left a vivid handprint on Fang Yuan'er's delicate skin. Fang Yuan'er was stunned for a long moment, then glared furiously at Xie Run. Xie Run launched into her tirade. "You have the nerve to blame me?!" "Qiuxiang was your woman. Last night I gave repeated orders that no one in the residence was to move about freely, yet she dared to take the Third Young Master, bribe the old servant at the East Corner Gate, and slip out secretly—that's what led to the Third Young Master's disappearance." "Qiuxiang's audacity could only be backed by your authority, Fang Yuan'er. I can think of no other reason!" "I haven't even questioned you yet, and you have the gall to come here and shout at me?!" Xie Run said coldly, "The imperial guards were mobilized last night! If Qiuxiang hadn't received your orders, how would she dare to sneak out during such a turbulent time for the residence?!" "And even if she didn't, that means you can't control your own people—blind and foolish, indulging such a reckless maid. Do you think you can escape responsibility?!" The more Xie Run spoke, the angrier she grew, each word cutting to the bone. "The first thing you did upon returning wasn't to search for the Third Young Master, but to come to Qingsong Courtyard and throw a tantrum." "In your eyes, the Third Young Master's life matters less than you venting your anger and shifting the blame onto someone else?!" "Don't be so clever that you think you can fool everyone else like they're fools!" "If anything happens to Third Young Master, you'll be the first to die! Do you think making a scene like this will shift the blame onto me?!" Xie Run vented her frustration, not even bothering to let Fang Yuan'er argue back. She flicked her sleeve and addressed the maids and matrons around her, "Take Side Consort Fang to Songya Courtyard. If she still wants to make trouble, tie her up and send her to the front courtyard of the Prince's residence! Go ahead and keep causing a scene if you dare!" Xie Run then turned to Tingshuang beside her and said, "Please send someone to the front courtyard to inform the Prince that Side Consort Fang covets the position of Principal Consort and intends to harm the Princess Consort's life!" This accusation slammed down on Fang Yuan'er like a heavy weight, leaving her face ashen with shock. She gritted her teeth and said, "Xie Run, I truly misjudged you." "A dog that bites doesn't bark. You usually pretend to be aloof from worldly affairs, and now that you've gotten everything you want, you're throwing your weight around like a dog relying on its master's power!" "Now that you're in charge of Qingsong Courtyard, if anything happens to the Princess Consort, can you escape suspicion?" Xie Run gave her a cold glance. "What business is it of yours?" "Side Consort Fang, rather than wasting your energy shouting here, you'd better send someone to find Third Young Master quickly, so the Prince might show you some leniency." Just as she finished speaking, someone came running over, shouting, "Bad news! Bad news!" "Prince An's rebellion has failed, and he's fled the capital with his remaining followers. Third Young Master somehow fell into his hands, and now he's using him to threaten our Prince!" Hearing this, Fang Yuan'er's legs went weak. She murmured, "How could this be?!" "How is this possible?!" In her previous life, it hadn't been like this at all! Xie Run glanced at Fang Yuan'er, who had collapsed to the ground in despair, and said coolly, "Take Side Consort Fang away first." Then she asked, "Prince An has rebelled—does the Prince know?!" The messenger immediately beamed with delight. "Last night, Prince An and the imperial guards turned traitor and tried to harm the Emperor. Fortunately, our Prince arrived in time with his troops and saved the palace from danger!" "Our Prince has rendered great service!" With Prince An now fallen, Prince Wei was useless, and only Prince Jing remained worthy of notice. Even those who understood nothing of court politics could vaguely see that the position of Crown Prince would likely fall to Prince Jing.