Chapter 296

Chapter 296 Fang Yuan'er: "Wan Linlang faked her death, and right after, a seasonal plague broke out in the palace. There has to be a connection between the two!" She even speculated with malicious intent. The seasonal plague might very well have been caused by Wan Linlang. Having fought with Wan Linlang for so long, Fang Yuan'er knew best what kind of person Wan Linlang was. She could even predict what Wan Linlang would do. "If I were Wan Linlang, after faking my death, I would definitely assume a new identity and enter the palace in the best possible form." Now Prince Jing was the confirmed Crown Prince. Fang Yuan'er knew the plot, and she also knew that Wan Linlang knew the future direction. Prince Jing would surpass the Crown Prince and become Emperor directly. Wan Linlang didn't need to fight in the Crown Prince's household. She only needed to secure a good identity for herself, seize the opportunity to render meritorious service, and then be betrothed to Prince Jing by imperial decree, obtaining a high position. Either entering the household, or directly entering the palace to become an Imperial Concubine. That way, her path would be smoother than both her previous life and this one. Precisely because she could guess Wan Linlang's intentions, Fang Yuan'er suspected that the seasonal plague must be connected to Wan Linlang! But she was trapped in Prince Jing's rear courtyard and couldn't get any information from the palace at all. Fang Yuan'er thought for a long time, then had a message delivered to Xie Run. When Xie Run suddenly received the message, she was surprised for quite a while and even suspected whether Fang Yuan'er had guessed that she also knew the script. Dantao said in confusion, "Mistress, Consort Fang asked you to pay attention to the movements in the palace." "She said Concubine Wan faked her death. If there's anyone who can treat the seasonal plague and earn merit, it must be Concubine Wan." Xie Run was silent for a long moment. "Did she provide any evidence when she said these things?" Dantao shook her head. "Consort Fang said she has no evidence for now, but as long as you believe her and investigate carefully, you're sure to find clues." "If you don't believe her now, you'll regret it later." When Xie Run heard this, she knew Fang Yuan'er was gambling—gambling that she would believe these words, and that she didn't truly suspect her. Xie Run pondered for a moment before saying, "Tell Consort Fang that I will pay attention." The news of the seasonal plague in the palace couldn't be hidden for long. Within three days, it had spread throughout the capital. Every household began purchasing large quantities of medicinal herbs to prevent and treat the plague. Xie Run had already sent people to buy herbs early on, so she didn't need to worry about such matters now. Although Prince Jing was attending to the Emperor's illness, he hadn't forgotten the matter Xie Run had requested. He secretly sent a kind-faced middle-aged nanny from the palace to Xie Run. "This servant's surname is Xu. I used to serve at the Empress Dowager's side. After the Empress Dowager passed, I was assigned to Chuxiu Palace, responsible for helping to instruct the newly admitted palace maids." Xie Run raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Instructing newcomers sounded impressive. But this position was famously one with little profit in the palace. Someone who had once served the Empress Dowager, yet was now assigned to Chuxiu Palace where there was little to gain—she had likely offended someone. But since Prince Jing had chosen her, Xie Run still showed her a bit more respect and didn't bring up these matters. "Nanny Xu looks kind and approachable. I'm young and have been hoping to have an experienced old nanny to take charge and train some capable people." "These are Dantao and Xiaoshu who follow me. They currently manage all affairs of Chunshan Courtyard." "Nanny Xu should settle in first and take your time getting familiar with things." Nanny Xu saluted respectfully. "This servant has long heard that Consort Xie is kind and gentle, with the best temperament. Having received the Prince's great favor to serve Consort Xie, I will do my utmost and dare not be the least bit negligent." Xie Run smiled. "I've never been one to believe in empty words, so I won't make many promises to you, Nanny." "Whether things are good or bad will be shown through time together." "As time goes on, you'll come to know my temperament. Whatever abilities you have, I'll let you manage matters accordingly." Nanny Xu maintained her respectful demeanor, not showing much surprise at Xie Run's words. "This servant will not dare disappoint the mistress." The addition of an experienced old nanny to Chunshan Courtyard only stirred up a ripple within the courtyard itself. The other courtyards didn't know much about the details. They simply assumed that since the Fifth Young Master was growing older and Chunshan Courtyard was short on staff, an old nanny had been specially promoted to help. Most importantly, the Emperor's condition in the palace was growing worse. Rumors grew more exaggerated by the day. Some even said the Emperor had already died, and that Prince Jing was preventing the news from being announced for fear of unrest. The longer time went on, the less information Xie Run received. After all, Prince Jing hadn't returned. There was no way he would send such important news back to the residence. Not knowing the situation, everyone kept their heads down and went about their days, afraid of being caught up in the bloody storm above. The Emperor was gravely ill, his life hanging in the balance. Prince An, who had fled, was also stirring restlessly, spreading words to disturb the people's hearts. Early in the morning, Chunjuan went out for a round with the servant responsible for purchasing supplies. When she returned, she said to Xie Run, "Mistress, rumors have somehow started spreading in the capital that His Majesty has already..." Chunjuan didn't dare say it outright and left it unspoken. "The Prince is now in the palace, holding the Emperor hostage, trying to seize the throne." "Which fool started such a rumor?" Xiaoshu said indignantly. "Our Prince is the Crown Prince personally appointed by His Majesty. He would have the chance to ascend the throne sooner or later. Why would he do something that would leave him infamous for a hundred years?" Chunjuan lowered her head. "They say... they say it was for the Princess Consort. Because the Emperor did not approve of the Princess Consort becoming the Crown Princess, the Prince resorted to this underhanded scheme." Xie Run sat up straight. "The people spreading rumors behind the scenes are truly shameless." If this news spread widely enough, the Princess Consort would be branded with the reputation of a seductive consort. Official histories might not record the Princess Consort's existence, but unofficial histories would likely discuss her at length. The Princess Consort might even have the opportunity to be remembered infamously for a hundred years. Xie Run cared little for such matters of reputation in life or after death, but she knew that people in this era cared deeply about them. "Such filthy tactics look like the work of Prince An." He always carried a hint of schemes that couldn't be brought into the light. The maidservants exchanged glances with one another, unsure of what to say. Chunjuan spoke again: "Master, today is the day the Eldest Miss comes to take the Princess Consort's pulse. Would you like her to offer the Princess Consort a few words of comfort?" Xie Run glanced at him. "A terrible idea." Xie Run knew very well what kind of person Xie Jiang was, and what kind of person the Princess Consort was. The former rarely became deeply involved with her patients, and the latter was deeply thoughtful and wouldn't have her emotions swayed by a few words from others. Chunjuan lowered her head and said, "Master, on the way back, this servant happened to run into the Eldest Miss." "The Eldest Miss told this servant to inform you that the Princess Consort has greatly damaged her body to carry this pregnancy. Though the surgery saved her life, her Life-span is likely not long." "The Princess Consort appears better off than Consort Jiang at the moment, but internally her organs are severely depleted. If truly compared, she may not be as healthy as Consort Jiang." "What?" Surprise rippled through Xie Run's eyes, but it settled back into calmness a moment later. She should have anticipated this. Though this world had been riddled with holes from transmigration, it would always be automatically corrected by the power of the plot. Because of Xie Run's intervention, the Princess Consort had survived. But having gone through a life-and-death ordeal, how could she possibly remain completely unaffected? Whether it was the aftereffects of pregnancy and miscarriage or the correction of the plot, the Princess Consort's shortened Life-span and declining health had become an inevitability. Jiang Baobao had been bedridden recovering since her massive hemorrhage, appearing frail. But as long as she continued to be nurtured with medicinal herbs, she could live well. As for the Princess Consort, she appeared fine now, but her internal depletion was severe—with the slightest strain, her body could collapse. After thinking it through clearly, Xie Run didn't say much. "The Prince and Princess Consort should already be aware of this news." "Tell the people at Chunshan Courtyard to keep their mouths shut and not reveal a single word." Everyone acknowledged in unison. In the morning they had been discussing the Princess Consort's affairs, and by the afternoon, someone arrived in haste from the palace, saying the Emperor was on his deathbed and that Xie Run should make preparations early. This "preparations early" naturally meant purchasing white cloth to make mourning garments, paper lanterns and funeral wreaths, and ordering items needed for the funeral rites. With the entire Prince's residence under scrutiny, even though Xie Run had long known the old Emperor would meet this end, she dared not prepare in advance. Now that she had received the news, she immediately set people into motion.