Chapter 285

Chapter 285 If not for Xie Run, when the imperial guards burst into the prince's residence, no one would have been watching the side gate, and her Qiong'er would have been safe. If not for Xie Run bringing Xie Jiang to the residence, the Princess Consort, frightened by the chaos of this military disaster, would have remained unwell until she bled to death at five months pregnant... All the circumstances within the residence would have favored her! But because of Xie Run's existence, everything worked against her! And Wan Linlang—there was no way she could have died just like that! Fang Yuan'er didn't believe it in the slightest! She raised her eyes to look at the towering, imposing building before her, its entrance guarded by soldiers holding long spears. The person who lived here was her husband, and also her stepping stone to climb to higher positions. She had lost too much; she could not afford failure! She had to endure, had to plan carefully, or the days ahead would only grow harder. A taste of blood seemed to spread through her mouth. Fang Yuan'er bit the tip of her tongue to keep herself awake, to remember clearly the humiliation of today. Ever since she had transmigrated here, every battle she fought had been a victory. Concubine Ning, who had once humiliated her, had died a miserable death. And Wan Linlang, who had later become her enemy—even if she was still alive, hadn't she been forced by her to resort to the death-escape scheme? Would she really be unable to deal with a single Xie Run? It was only a matter of time! Qiuhua cried out in alarm: "Mistress, what's wrong?!" Fang Yuan'er, consumed by hatred, collapsed dizzily to the ground. Qiuhua shouted in worry, wanting to ask the guards stationed at the front courtyard for help. But those guards turned a blind eye to Fang Yuan'er lying on the ground, remaining steadfast at their posts. Qiuyu had no choice but to carry Fang Yuan'er on her back, step by step, to find the residence physician. News of Fang Yuan'er's fainting reached Xie Run's hands almost immediately. After hearing it, she was silent for only a moment before saying, "Pass the message to Eunuch Shian." Eunuch Shian was the one who had served Prince Jing the longest. He would know best how to gauge whether this news should be delivered. In fact, Eunuch Shian received the news at nearly the same time as Xie Run. Prince Jing had just finished bathing and changing clothes, and was sitting on the couch playing with Fifth Young Master. After days of traveling without rest, he had finally found some leisure. If Eunuch Shian went in now, he would inevitably incur the Prince's displeasure. But if he didn't report it... Just as Eunuch Shian was agonizing over the decision, he saw Dantao approach carrying a bowl of tea, whispering a few words. In the end, Eunuch Shian steeled himself and entered the inner chamber. "Your Highness, a servant from the front courtyard just delivered word that Side Consort Fang fainted while kneeling in the front courtyard. The residence physician is attending to her now." The smile on Prince Jing's face vanished instantly. His dark, heavy gaze fell on Shian, his mood inscrutable. Seeing this, Xie Run also lifted the curtain and entered, taking a cloth from the maidservant's hands and gently drying Prince Jing's hair. "Your Highness, I have only just learned of this news as well. I wished to ask how Your Highness wishes to handle it?" Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "Handle it?" Xie Run said without changing her expression: "By all rights, consorts of the inner court should not casually go to the front courtyard to disturb Your Highness's official affairs." "For Side Consort Fang to kneel in the front courtyard like this is truly improper." "If the Princess Consort were managing the affairs of the residence, she would certainly punish her according to the rules." Xie Run's tone carried a hint of hesitation: "But as it stands, I am the one managing the household, and Sister Fang and I are both Side Consorts. Moreover, she has now fainted from kneeling in the rain. By both reason and propriety, I should not punish her." "I am a mother myself, and I cannot help but feel some compassion." "Though I do not know why Your Highness is angry with her, I pity that she has just lost her child and must now endure physical pain as well. With her heart so unsettled, I fear she will hardly be able to rest and recover even while convalescing..." After listening, Prince Jing was silent for a long while before saying: "Are you pleading for her?" Xie Run's movements were very gentle, and her expression was calm. "It is not exactly pleading." "It is only that I feel for Your Highness... For Side Consort Fang to carry on like this now—is it not also a torment to Your Highness's heart?" Prince Jing reached up and grasped Xie Run's hand, the anger surging in his chest slowly dissipating. He said in a low voice: "You don't know what she has done!" When he said this, Prince Jing's displeasure was almost tangible. Xie Run lowered her eyes, quietly listening as Prince Jing spoke. Prince Jing suddenly dropped a statement: "The death of Lady Wan was entirely her doing." "Qiong'er's early death was also the result of her selfish scheming and self-styled cleverness." "If not for the consideration that she is Qiong'er's birth mother, even death by a thousand cuts would not be enough to satisfy!" Xie Run was filled with shock upon hearing this. She had speculated before that Wan Linlang's sudden death in Qiangwu was connected to Fang Yuan'er. But that had only been speculation. Now it had been confirmed by Prince Jing's own words. Furthermore, Prince Jing's words revealed that Third Young Master Xiao Qiong's early death was caused by Fang Yuan'er's selfishness killing her own son. Xie Run was no fool. In an instant, she thought of the original plot's direction, and of Fang Yuan'er's purpose in having Qiuxiang take the child away from the residence. Fang Yuan'er had spent her days hunting geese, only to have her eyes pecked by one. She had said it before. The power of prophecy, once unleashed, would eventually turn back and consume the one who wielded it. Xie Run said nothing more, only gently massaging Prince Jing's scalp, hoping to help him relax. Prince Jing said: "But what you said is also right." "She had her selfish motives, yet in the end, she lost her own child." Prince Jing slowly closed his eyes. "Shian, pass down the order: Side Consort Fang, for plotting against a concubine of the residence and lacking virtue, is to be demoted to... Concubine Consort." "Let her reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors in her own quarters. She is not to come out unless necessary." Eunuch Shian quickly acknowledged, "This servant will deliver the message at once." When Xie Run heard that Prince Jing had punished Fang Yuan'er, she knew that although Prince Jing loathed Fang Yuan'er, he still harbored some pity for her in the end. Whether it was because Fang Yuan'er could earn him money and bring in a fortune of a million in assets, or because she had served him for two years and borne him a son... Prince Jing had no intention of trampling Fang Yuan'er into the mud. If Xie Run had seized the moment just now to stir up trouble and speak ill of Fang Yuan'er, Prince Jing might have punished Fang Yuan'er more severely, but he would also have accumulated some resentment toward Xie Run. These subtle grievances would not be visible at first, but as they accumulated bit by bit, they would manifest in small matters everywhere. For example, when he should have been looking at Xie Run and the child, recalling what Xie Run had done in the past, he might suddenly grow somewhat indifferent and disgusted, then turn and head to another courtyard. Over time, favor would simply vanish. And she might not even know why she had suddenly fallen out of favor. No matter how powerful and exalted Prince Jing was, in the end he was still just an ordinary man. Xie Run did not want to gamble on that. That evening, Prince Jing stayed the night at Spring Mountain Courtyard. Having just lost his son, he was in no mood for anything else. But his spirits were perpetually low, and lying beside him, she could not help but feel a measure of pressure. Seeing him toss and turn in bed for a long while, unable to find peace herself, Xie Run said, "My Prince, if you cannot sleep, shall I have someone brew a cup of calming tea?" Prince Jing gave Xie Run a silent look, his gaze dark and heavy, enough to make one's heart grow uneasy. Xie Run: "...Or perhaps I could have someone bring Taotao over, and he could keep you company while you sleep?" Prince Jing felt a hint of amusement. "Nonsense!" What kind of arrangement was this? "He's so small—what if he gets crushed or bumped?" Xie Run let out a soft chuckle. "My Prince, you underestimate your son." Who would end up crushing whom was still uncertain. Xie Run indeed had someone bring Taotao over, letting him sleep between herself and Prince Jing. After tucking Taotao in, Xie Run deliberately moved a little farther away from him. Prince Jing did not notice these small details, only thinking that Xie Run was making random suggestions, acting on whims. Such a small child—what if he turned over and crushed his legs or arms? The more he thought about it, the more he regretted it. Why had he indulged Xie Run and let her bring the child up here? Prince Jing turned his head slightly and saw the chubby little one sleeping soundly beside him, and the restlessness in his heart seemed to be inexplicably soothed. Having finally managed to feel drowsy, Prince Jing was just about to fall asleep. A sudden blow landed on his face. He opened his eyes in shock, turned his head, and saw Taotao's little short leg stretched out at a bizarre angle, his foot planted squarely on Prince Jing's face.