Chapter 302

Chapter 302 Xie Run had just learned another matter of moderate significance. Xiaoshu said, "You've been ill these past days, Mistress, so you wouldn't have heard about what happened a while back." "Concubine Wu invited Concubine Ye to her courtyard to do embroidery. Somehow she was injured by a pair of scissors, and when the manor physician was called to examine her, it was discovered she was over two months pregnant." Xie Run had known about Concubine Wu's pregnancy for some time already. The way Xiaoshu brought it up now carried a hint of mockery. Xie Run smiled. "It's only natural that she has her own schemes." Xiaoshu gave a light snort. "You've never treated her harshly, Mistress. When you learned she was pregnant, you secretly sent word to the Prince, made arrangements at the palace, and even had her allowances increased." "But instead of being grateful, she came asking for your advice. You genuinely had her best interests at heart, and she agreed to everything with sweet words—only to turn around and make a public spectacle of her pregnancy." Originally, the plan was to let only Prince Jing and the Princess Consort know, so she could be quietly protected. But Concubine Wu didn't trust you, so she deliberately found an opportunity to expose it. This wasn't a major issue in itself, but it was rather distasteful. Xie Run saw through it clearly. "She's afraid that if I knew about her pregnancy, I wouldn't tolerate it—that I'd soothe her to her face while secretly scheming behind her back to make her miscarry, without telling the Prince." "It's only natural that she doesn't trust me." After all, Xie Run had told Prince Jing, but Concubine Wu had no way of verifying that. She also didn't know whether Xie Run had actually informed the Prince or not. Xiaoshu was indignant. "If she didn't trust you, why bother coming to your door to ask for help? And having asked, why not follow your arrangements?" "Just to expose her pregnancy, she gave herself a stab with the scissors—she really can be ruthless with herself." If Xiaoshu hadn't been busy tending to Xie Run at the time, she would have gone straight over to take a good look at Concubine Wu's wound and offer a few words of comfort. Xie Run wasn't particularly bothered. "She could have simply told everyone about her pregnancy outright, but instead she gave herself a wound so people would 'accidentally' discover it. Isn't that just because she's wary of me?" By going through all that trouble, Concubine Wu could claim she hadn't defied Xie Run's words. "This matter has little impact on me. For her, it just means an extra scar on her body... She'll make her own way in life. From now on, I'll simply meddle less in her affairs." "Her little performance might not just be about exposing her pregnancy early—she may also be angling for a higher rank once she enters the palace." It was only human nature, and Xie Run could fully understand. Xie Run paused for a moment, then continued, "Once we enter the palace, the Prince will surely have new people around him, and it won't be my place to manage her affairs anymore." At the mention of entering the palace, Xiaoshu's indignation vanished in an instant, and she said cheerfully, "Once we're in the palace, you'll finally be able to rest easy, Mistress, and properly tend to your health." "Isn't that right?" Xie Run suddenly found herself looking forward to entering the palace. When that time came, she could close her doors and live her own life—wouldn't that be even more leisurely than at Spring Mountain Court? Now that Prince Jing had become Emperor, whether the Princess Consort could become Empress had sparked fierce debate both in the court and the harem. This time, the discussion was far more heated than when she had been Crown Princess. Prince Jing had abandoned his usual modest and gentle demeanor, adopting a far more forceful approach. He went directly to the Retired Emperor, who was obsessed with cultivating immortality, and obtained an imperial edict naming the Princess Consort Jing as Empress. Once the edict was issued, no one in the court dared to dispute it further. After all, no matter how much they argued, they couldn't make the Retired Emperor take back his edict and pretend nothing had happened. The neighboring Xia Dynasty was no pushover either—once Prince Jing ascended the throne, they would send envoys bearing gifts. Prince Jing's move was somewhat like playing dirty. If the court officials wanted to object, he told them to take it up with the Retired Emperor. But the Retired Emperor was wholly absorbed in alchemy and the pursuit of immortality, refusing to see anyone. Prince Jing invoked filial piety, and the officials had no choice but to grit their teeth and praise him for being a dutiful son. Prince Jing ascended the throne on the eighth day of the fifth month, entering the imperial palace with the Princess Consort. The era name was changed to Jianyuan, and he was honored as Emperor Chengzhang. It wasn't until half a month after the Emperor's ascension that Xie Run and the others began receiving word to pack their belongings and prepare to move from the Prince's residence into the imperial palace. The Princess Consort had taken good care of her health during this period and managed to make it through the Empress Enthronement Ceremony without incident, taking up residence in Fengyi Palace. Ever since Xie Run recovered from her illness, she had handed over all managerial authority to the Princess Consort in one go, not wanting to touch any of it again. Consort Sun hadn't actually wanted to relinquish her power, but since Xie Run had done so, she couldn't very well cling to it either. For this, she had secretly gnashed her teeth at Xie Run countless times. She became increasingly convinced that Xie Run was someone who appeared harmless on the surface but hid knives in her belly. One day, Xie Run, having recovered somewhat, was taking a walk outside supported by Dantao. Suddenly, news arrived that an imperial edict had come from the palace, summoning all the Side Consorts, Concubine Consorts, and concubines of the residence to receive the decree. Xie Run's first thought was that the court had finally decided on their ranks. Like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, the entire Prince's residence erupted into frenzy. Mistresses from every courtyard rushed posthaste toward Green Pine Court, afraid that a single step too slow would result in a lower rank. By the time Xie Run arrived, carried in her sedan chair, Green Pine Court was already packed with people. The eunuch sent to deliver the edict was an unfamiliar face. Seeing Xie Run, his face broke into a broad smile. "I heard that Side Consort Xie has been ill—are you fully recovered now?" Xie Run stepped down from the sedan chair, smiling warmly. "Thank you for your concern, Eunuch. I am already much better." "Consort Xie is a woman of good fortune. Now that the imperial decree has arrived and Consort Xie's health has fully recovered, this can be considered a double blessing!" Upon hearing the eunuch's words, the people below could not help but harbor many thoughts. Just by the eunuch's fawning manner, one could tell that Consort Xie's rank today would likely be the highest. Everyone could guess as much. What they were even more curious about was what rank Xie Run would actually receive, and just how favored she truly was in the Prince's eyes. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the eunuch delivering the decree asked whether everyone had arrived, and only after confirming no one was missing did he begin to read the edict. He recited a long passage of platitudes before getting to the main point. "...Side Consort Xie of the Xie family, respectful and intelligent, dignified and virtuous, meritorious in bearing heirs, is hereby elevated to the rank of Consort Shu, granted the title 'Bright,' and bestowed residence at Zhaohua Palace." Xie Run was greatly surprised to hear that she had received the rank of Consort Shu. Originally, Prince Jing had wanted to bestow upon her the rank of Virtuous Consort, but she had ruined it with a slip of the tongue. Xie Run had assumed that whatever rank the Prince gave her next would be below Virtuous Consort—that is, a second-rank Fei position. Who could have imagined that despite losing the Virtuous Consort position, the Prince would instead give her an even higher rank of Consort Shu? From this, it seemed the Prince truly treated her well. This time, the promotions were announced together. After Xie Run's decree was read, it was Consort Sun and the others' turn. Everyone listened quietly, their hearts either leaping with joy or sinking with disappointment. The Prince was, after all, still lenient toward the old members of his household. Consort Sun received a second-rank Fei position, granted the title 'Tranquil,' and residence at Yongning Palace. Consort Li received the position of Lady of Demeanor among the Nine Concubines, granted the title 'Wise,' and residence at Yongming Palace. Fang Yuan'er received the position of Lady of Appearance among the Nine Concubines, one rank lower than Consort Li, granted the title 'Respectful,' and residence at Fanghua Palace. Hua Yu was appointed as Lady of Fullness, without a title, and residence at Chonghua Palace. Jiang Baobao was appointed as Lady of Beauty, granted the title 'Upright,' and residence at Zizhu Pavilion. Concubine Fang and Concubine Lu both received the rank of Lady of Beauty. Concubine Ye and Concubine Wu, who had entered the household together, were both appointed as Cairen. After the eunuch finished reading the imperial edict, everyone gave thanks together and then began making preparations to move into the palace. Since the Prince had renamed the original Six Palaces, although everyone now knew their assigned residences, they did not know exactly which palace they corresponded to. Returning to her own courtyard, the maidservants and matrons from within and without all bowed to Xie Run. "Your servant pays respects to the Bright and Pure Consort. May the Bright and Pure Consort be blessed with golden peace!" Xie Run raised her hand. "Rise." Then she glanced at the maidservant beside her and said in a calm voice, "Distribute the rewards." On such a joyous occasion, everyone in the entire courtyard deserved to be rewarded.