Chapter 297

Chapter 297 The moment large bolts of white cloth were carried into Prince Jing's estate, the noble families throughout the capital caught wind of the news—they knew the Emperor was failing, and began their own preparations. The curtains and decorations in the estate were all taken down, and the women of every courtyard changed into plain-colored clothing, their gold hairpins and jade ornaments likewise removed. Xie Run was run off her feet with work when she suddenly heard that Concubine Wu from the rear courtyard had come to request an audience. She was stunned for quite a while, unable to recall who Concubine Wu was. It was Xiaoshu who reminded her at her side: "Mistress, Concubine Wu and Concubine Ye both entered the estate together with Consort Sun back then." "It's just that after they entered, the Prince only visited them once or twice. They've stayed well-behaved and caused no trouble." Xiaoshu understood her mistress best, knowing she couldn't remember people, and so had deliberately come to remind her. Ever since Xie Run had taken over managing the household, people came and went through the courtyard every day, and with her being so busy, forgetting people was a common occurrence. Xie Run had a vague memory of her. "Have her come in first." Since she was normally well-behaved, if she'd suddenly come knocking, there must be something on her mind. Xie Run was still wondering when Concubine Wu approached with graceful, swaying steps and bowed to her. "This servant greets Consort Xie." "Rise." Xie Run raised her hand, and a maid immediately stepped forward with tea. Concubine Wu had kept her eyes lowered ever since offering her greeting, not daring to look around freely—thoroughly proper and restrained. She and Concubine Ye had entered the estate in the same batch. Concubine Ye was the daughter of the Prefect of Minzhou, with darker skin and sharper, more defined features—a kind of refined wildness about her. But Prince Jing clearly wasn't fond of that type; he'd only visited Concubine Ye's courtyard once. Concubine Wu came from Yunzhou. Yunzhou was vast and sparsely populated, with a bold and spirited character, and the women who came from there carried quite a reputation. But Concubine Wu was the exact opposite—an oval face, a pointed chin, skin white as snow, a small black mole at the corner of her eye, and a temperament as soft as water. She had earned a measure of Prince Jing's favor. Every month, the Prince would go to see her once or twice. Xie Run didn't have that much time to spend on a concubine. Seeing that she remained silent for a long while, Dantao spoke on Xie Run's behalf: "Concubine Wu, coming to Spring Mountain Courtyard at this hour—is there something you need from my mistress?" "Business is busy today; stewards from every department need to come to my mistress for the tally tokens, so I'm afraid we can't delay too long." Dantao had a gentle disposition, so the words came out without any sting, making them easier to accept. Concubine Wu quickly said, "This servant wouldn't dare delay Consort Xie's important affairs. It's just that I heard today that things aren't well at the palace, and Consort Xie has had everyone change into plain clothing... There's something this servant must report to Consort Xie, lest misunderstandings or difficulties arise later." Xie Run looked at her with a smile. "Sister Wu, if you have something to say, please speak frankly." Concubine Wu said timidly, "This servant's monthly cycle has been late for two months now. I believe I may be with child." The moment she said it, Xie Run understood. Concubine Wu had originally planned to keep it hidden until the pregnancy was firmly established before saying anything. But now that the Emperor was likely on his deathbed, and they would need to attend mourning at the palace, she feared an accident—so she had no choice but to come forward and tell Xie Run in advance. Moreover, by revealing the pregnancy now, she could avoid the situation where, after the Emperor's death, news of a pregnancy during the national mourning period would invite all sorts of speculation and suspicion. Xie Run's face showed a smile. "This is wonderful news. It's just that with the current circumstances, we do need to be careful." "Once the Prince returns, I'll have someone report it to him first, and we'll see whether arrangements need to be made at the palace." "Don't make a fuss about it either—just rest well in your own courtyard and take care of yourself. I'll have the estate physician come examine you shortly." "If it's confirmed, I'm afraid there won't be any rewards for the time being. But don't worry—nurture your health well, and once better days come, the rewards will be given together. That will be even better." Concubine Wu quickly bowed to Xie Run in thanks. On the way back, her maid Guijie said in confusion, "I've heard that in the old days, the fighting in this estate was fierce, and many children were lost before three months." "Everyone thought Consort Xie, having managed to carry Fifth Young Master to term and raise him, must be quite formidable." "When you said you were going to tell her about the pregnancy, this servant was worried for a good while." Guijie said with rare wonder, "But looking at her today, Consort Xie truly seems to genuinely care about you, mistress—every word was consideration for your sake, without a trace of selfish motive." "The estate has always said Consort Xie is gentle and mild-mannered. Seems there's truth to it after all." Concubine Wu gave her a faint look. "You can see all that from a single meeting?" "Since when did you have such ability?" Guijie fell silent, embarrassed. "This servant spoke out of turn." Only when Concubine Wu saw that Guijie had settled down did she speak at length: "Good or bad—what use is there in what people say?" Guijie stared wide-eyed at her mistress. Concubine Wu: "It's what she does that matters." Guijie looked utterly confused. Concubine Wu: "She told me not to spread word of the pregnancy, that she'd quietly inform the Prince, and if it came to that, she'd make arrangements at the palace." "The words are pretty enough. But if she doesn't tell the Prince, and something goes wrong on my end—well, that would have nothing at all to do with her." Guijie seemed to have a sudden realization. "So... Consort Xie wants to harm your child?" Concubine Wu was rendered speechless, staring at Gui Jie for a long moment before letting out a sigh and continuing her instruction: "It's not that anyone is trying to harm me, but one must always be on guard against others." She was a concubine-born daughter of the family, not favored at all. The only reason she had been sent to Prince Jing's residence was her pretty face. Even this serving girl had been left over by her sisters when they were young and given to her. Loyal she was, but not particularly clever. Back home, with fewer people, there were fewer disputes, and she could take her time teaching. Now that she was in the prince's residence, she felt quite overwhelmed. Concubine Wu thought to herself that she should take this opportunity to cultivate two trusted maidservants, so at least she would have one or two people to discuss matters with. ... Tomorrow, Prince Jing would ascend the throne, and the palace intrigue would begin.