Chapter 300

Chapter 300 Xiaoshu brought up another matter: "Mistress, now that the Prince is about to ascend the throne, we in the rear courtyard should also start preparing to move into the palace." Though Xie Run was ill, she was far from foolish. "What you're really talking about is rank, isn't it?" Xiaoshu gave an awkward smile: "It's not that this servant wants to bring it up. It's just that the entire Prince's residence is restless with anticipation, and everyone in our courtyard is hoping you'll become Noble Consort..." Xie Run had been drinking sweet water, and nearly choked upon hearing this. "You all think far too highly of me!" If it were three or five years down the road—when her elder sister had risen to fame and become a princess consort in her own right, and her elder brother had climbed the ranks to become Prime Minister—then she might have the nerve to think about it. But now... even if Xie Run became Noble Consort, she couldn't hold that position steadily. Xie Run laughed: "Have you all forgotten my origins just because the Prince dotes on me?" "If my elder brother is merely a seventh-rank county magistrate, and my elder sister has become a physician, then for me to gain the Prince's favor and bear Taotao to become a Side Consort is already the greatest honor. Noble Consort..." Xie Run laughed at herself as she spoke. "I wouldn't dare dream of such things, yet you've already thought of them on my behalf." "Never mind Noble Consort—if the Prince, for Taotao's sake, were to make me one of the Nine Concubines, I'd laugh in my sleep every night." Just as Xie Run finished speaking, she caught sight of a figure at the doorway from the corner of her eye. Because of the backlighting, she couldn't see clearly. But that tall silhouette—she didn't need to think to know who it was. Her heart gave a little lurch. She feared Prince Jing might be displeased by her words, or might think she harbored ambitions. She had been ill for nearly half a month, and Prince Jing had been busiest of all, running between the palace and the residence. When he came to the residence, he only worked in the front courtyard and never entered the rear. Half a month—not long, not short—was just enough time for Xie Run to develop a sense of unfamiliarity and awe toward Prince Jing. Besides, a man who becomes Emperor is different from a man who is merely a Prince. "Prince?" Xie Run called out in confusion. Prince Jing lifted the curtain and entered, light spilling over him and brightening the room considerably. When Xiaoshu and Dantao saw the Prince, their expressions shifted as well. They inwardly chided themselves—the Prince had arrived without any of the maids or matrons at the two gates announcing his presence—and hurriedly bowed in respect. Prince Jing's expression was not as stern as one might have imagined; in fact, it held a certain gentleness. "You've been ill for several days, so I couldn't come to see you." "Fortunately, I returned to the front courtyard today and heard that you've recovered considerably and are well enough to receive visitors, so I came to check on you." Xie Run detected a note of concern in Prince Jing's words. She thought it was rather rare—that Prince Jing actually still remembered their bond. "This concubine is much better now. I only wish to see Taotao, but unfortunately he can't sit still and has gone out to play with Nanny Xu." Prince Jing paused. "Only wish to see Taotao?" Xie Run gave a helpless smile. "Naturally, the Prince as well. But is the Prince now jealous of his own son?" "This Prince doesn't care for jealousy. I simply can't abide your ingratitude." Prince Jing deliberately put on a stern face, just as he used to when teasing Xie Run. Xie Run cried out that she was wronged, and said with grievance: "There are so many matrons and maids coming and going in Spring Mountain Courtyard, yet only this concubine and two young maidservants caught the Seasonal Plague." "I asked my elder sister the reason, and she said it was because this concubine had been ill a while back and had recently overexerted herself, which gave the plague an opening to strike." Most of those who caught the Seasonal Plague this time were either elderly or young children, along with adults whose bodies were weak. Xie Run's watery eyes brimmed with grievance. Why had she overexerted herself? Didn't Prince Jing know in his heart? The matter of managing the household shouldn't have fallen on a concubine like her in the first place. Prince Jing sat down by her bedside, took her hand, and patted it. "This Prince will remember your contribution." "For now, just focus on recuperating. Once you enter the palace as a lady in a few days, good days will be plentiful." The maidservants attending nearby had been frozen in place by the Prince's sudden appearance. At the mention of "lady," their hearts stirred, but they didn't dare speculate as boldly as before. After all, in the palace, those who could be called "lady" included not only those of Fei rank, but even a fourth-rank Lady of Handsome Fairness could lay claim to the title. Xie Run pushed away Prince Jing's hand. "Has the Prince come to mock this concubine after hearing the maidservants' wild talk?" "This concubine has already admitted her own shortcomings, yet the Prince still won't let me off." Though she pushed Prince Jing's hand away, Xie Run leaned into his embrace—a perfect picture of saying one thing while doing another. Feeling the slender form in his arms, Prince Jing thought of how much weight she had lost through two consecutive illnesses, and his heart ached. "If this Prince had come to mock you, why would I have made the trip myself?" Xie Run truly had little strength, so she asked lazily: "What does the Prince mean by that?" Prince Jing: "This Prince, pitying you for falling ill twice, came specially to see you, and to ask along the way what rank you might desire." At these words, Xie Run was so startled she nearly leapt from the bed. Though she didn't actually leap up, she couldn't help but sit up straight, staring at Prince Jing in shock: "This... can even ask for this concubine's wishes?" Prince Jing cast her a sidelong glance. "In your eyes, am I this Prince really so lacking in consideration?" That wasn't it. Prince Jing had no shortage of flaws, but he truly wasn't the suspicious type. He paid no heed to the rumors outside, holding firmly to his own convictions. With people, he either trusted them or not, kept them or not. Thinking about it this way, he was actually quite reliable. Xie Run looked at Prince Jing with eager eyes. "What rank does Your Highness intend to bestow upon me?" Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "You've served me for two years and given me Taotao—a Fei rank is the least you deserve." Before Xie Run could even feel happy, the maidservants in the courtyard were so excited their hearts nearly leaped out of their chests. The Fei rank had its own distinctions. The first-grade Fei rank comprised the four consorts of Virtue, Grace, Kindness, and Wisdom, while the second-grade was the ordinary Fei rank. Though both were Fei ranks, the difference between first and second grade was vast. There were only four slots for first-grade Fei, and each one filled meant one fewer remaining, so the status was naturally exalted. The second-grade Fei could number eight—twice as many—and their treatment and ceremonial privileges naturally fell short of the first-grade Fei. Xie Run was not a greedy person. To obtain a Fei rank at all was already more than enough for her. She was about to express her gratitude when she heard Prince Jing ask, "How about Kindness Consort?" Xie Run thought for a moment, then said in surprise, "Does Your Highness think me virtuous and kind?" Prince Jing fell silent at once. That was already ruling out that rank. Xie Run: "..." Xie Run could only regret that her tongue had been too quick. Otherwise, she might have snagged the position of Kindness Consort. At least it was a first-grade Fei rank—she'd have her old age secured for life. Having missed out on the Kindness Consort position, Xie Run felt a deep pang of sorrow. "Enough, I have a good idea of what to do now. Take good care of yourself—I'm afraid I won't be able to visit you for some time." Xie Run couldn't help but say with concern, "Your Highness should still take care of your own health." Prince Jing smiled. "Naturally." Looking at the deep worry in Xie Run's eyes, he couldn't tell whether she was concerned for him or for the lost Kindness Consort position. Prince Jing saw through it but said nothing. After a pause, he teased, "What your maidservants said isn't wrong either. You gave me Taotao—becoming a Noble Consort wouldn't be out of the question." Xie Run had no idea why he had circled back to this topic. Then she heard Prince Jing continue, "But I know your temperament—you dislike being in the spotlight." "Your foundation isn't solid enough yet. If you became a Noble Consort right away, I fear you'd become a target for everyone." "I don't want Taotao to become a second Jue'er... If you give me a son, then the Noble Consort position would be within reach." Xie Run's biggest problem was her weak foundation. She had no family behind her to support her. If he rashly elevated her to Noble Consort, Prince Jing worried she would be schemed against, and both mother and child would come to harm. Of course, Prince Jing could also, like the Retired Emperor doting on Noble Consort Chen, lavish Xie Run with favor, granting her rank and honor. But Prince Jing was not the Retired Emperor, and Xie Run was not Noble Consort Chen—neither of them was that reckless. Xie Run smiled. "I understand Your Highness's intentions. I'll follow your lead in everything. Whatever you give me, I'll do my best to hold onto—not for my own sake, but for Taotao's." Prince Jing reached out and ruffled her hair. Prince Jing disliked incompetent women, nor did he care for women with too much ambition. Perhaps someone like Xie Run—without ambition, yet not lacking in capability—was precisely what suited his taste.