Chapter 338

Chapter 338 Nanny Li said, "Concubine Fang is an honest soul; she'll likely be bullied by Wu Baolin." "In this harem, it's either the east wind prevailing over the west wind, or the west wind prevailing over the east wind." "Concubine Fang may be quiet, but she's no fool. Back when Consort Jiang in the residence tried to instigate her, she didn't fall for it in the slightest. Besides, she's been raising Princess Ruyi all along—Wu Baolin knows the Emperor values heirs and won't go too far." The Empress had a clear read on the temperaments of everyone in the harem. Nanny Li said no more, but her heart ached for the Empress, and she began speaking of how Consort Wen showed not the slightest consideration for others. The Empress lowered her eyes, but in her mind she was mulling over the fact that the Emperor had refused to let Consort Zhaode assist her in managing the Six Palaces. She knew Nanny Li was gossipy and had her own private motives, so she found an excuse to dismiss Nanny Li and had Tinghe attend to her instead. With no one else by her side, a hint of barely perceptible weakness crept into her tone: "Ben Gong originally thought the Emperor's little performance was meant to elevate Bright and Pure Consort." The Empress had even thought that, given the Emperor's favor toward Xie Run, he might promote her to Noble Consort. Who would have guessed—the Emperor only granted her the position of Consort De. At first, the Empress thought the Emperor didn't dote on Xie Run that much, but only later did she slowly come to understand. "If the Emperor had directly elevated Xie to Noble Consort, it would inevitably invite jealousy from all Six Palaces." "With the newly arrived Consort Li, the favored Xiuyuan Hua, and the once-favored Xiurong Gong—which of them is easy to get along with?" Tinghe listened quietly by the side, then said, "By Your Ladyship's reasoning, could it be that the Emperor's refusal to let Consort Zhaode assist in managing the Six Palaces is to protect her?" "Given the Emperor's nature... it's half and half." The Emperor never did a single thing solely to protect someone. Tinghe looked puzzled: "This servant doesn't understand—what does that mean?" The Empress smiled faintly, a trace of irony seeming to linger at the corners of her lips: "Half is to protect Consort Zhaode, so she doesn't steal all the spotlight and draw all the resentment. The other half..." The Empress paused, "Even Nanny Li knows Consort Li isn't fit to manage the Six Palaces—she has neither favor nor seniority—yet the Emperor proposed she assist Ben Gong. Who knows what other schemes he's harboring." In truth, the Empress had once favored Consort Jing as well. But ever since Consort Jing's face was disfigured, her temperament had grown increasingly stubborn and single-minded, gloomy all day long. The Empress didn't want to see her either, which was why she'd thought of Xie Run again. Tinghe said softly, "Then will Your Ladyship follow the Emperor's wishes and first arrange for Consort Wen and Consort Li to assist?" The Empress thought for a moment: "The Emperor's words are commands; Ben Gong has no choice but to obey." "But the Emperor has his calculations, and Ben Gong can't let Cirui suffer for it. When the time comes, have Consort Li and Cirui manage separately, with as little contact between them as possible." Tinghe slowly performed a bow: "This servant will go make the arrangements." Xie Run could see the situation clearly and vaguely guessed that the Emperor's sudden refusal of her request to assist in managing the Six Palaces must mean he had his own plans. She also knew that if the Empress's health truly couldn't hold up, she would eventually have to step up and take the burden herself. For now, every extra day of laziness was a day gained. The next day, she cheerfully took her people to fish in the imperial lake. Xie Run said to Nanny Xu, "Take Taotao to play in the shade of the trees. Keep an eye on the time and don't let her play too long. If she sweats, wipe it dry promptly." Nanny Xu softly acknowledged and took Taotao away. Xie Run then sent the others back a ways: "You're standing too close—don't scare off Ben Gong's fish." Only a few close attendants remained by her side. Fresh fruits were set out beside her, looking utterly leisurely. Xie Run asked Dantao, "Lately, whenever Ben Gong goes out, I run into one show after another. What do you think—will there be a show today?" Dantao looked helpless: "Your Ladyship, rather than watching the dramas of the palace, why not have a stage set up and watch an actual play? At least that kind of drama doesn't stir up trouble." Xie Run laughed even more merrily: "But if a play has no trouble in it, how could it possibly be entertaining?" Dantao: "..." Was Her Ladyship afraid the world wasn't chaotic enough? Dantao felt that her mistress had become more active lately, little knowing that Xie Run had actually been letting things rot. Before, she'd stayed cooped up in her own palace, and whenever she finally went out, she'd always run into other people's business. Now, with nothing to do, she went out wandering all the time, refusing to believe there'd be a show every single day. If there really was one... no harm in watching. With this mindset, Xie Run's disposition had improved considerably. Xie Run listened to Taotao's laughter, lying on her chair and dozing off. She'd already assumed there'd be no show today. But just as she was about to fall asleep, someone suddenly came to report: "Reporting to Your Ladyship, Consort Li and Xiurong Gong are admiring flowers nearby and wish to pay their respects." Xie Run nearly dropped the white jade fan in her hand, her drowsiness vanishing in an instant. "What did you say? Consort Li and Xiurong Gong are admiring flowers together?" If Xie Run remembered correctly, those two had clashed openly just yesterday. One of Consort Li's people had kicked Fang Yuan'er in the knee, sending her straight to her knees in the sandy ground. Given Fang Yuan'er's temperament, she'd likely remember that grudge for a lifetime. Dantao leaned in and said, "Your Ladyship, it's true. This servant also finds it strange—Consort Li and Xiurong Gong came arm in arm, faces full of smiles, as if they'd never had the slightest discord." Dantao couldn't help but admire the two women's acting skills. Xie Run said, "Such a sudden visit—there must be something behind it." "Tell them Ben Gong is feeling too lazy to see them, and let them do as they please." After a pause, Xie Run added, "Have Nanny Xu bring Taotao over, and make sure she doesn't come into contact with those two." "Yes." On the other side, a palace maid relayed Xie Run's words to Consort Li and Fang Yuan'er. Fang Yuan'er gave a helpless smile. "Sister Consort Li, didn't I tell you I was right?" "Consort Zhaode has always preferred peace and quiet—she wouldn't want to see us." Consort Li's rather radiant features broke into a smile. "Whether Her Ladyship is willing to see us is her business, but we cannot neglect to pay our respects—that is what true reverence demands." "Wouldn't you agree, Xiurong Gong?" Fang Yuan'er's smile stiffened slightly, then dissolved into nothingness in an instant. She knew full well that Consort Li was needling her. Despite the disgust in her heart, she kept a smile on her face. "Since that's the case, why don't we go somewhere else?" Consort Li smiled along. "Indeed." The two strolled a few steps, and Consort Li said, "The crabapple blossoms are rather lovely today. Why don't you, Sister Xiurong, break off a couple of branches for me? I'd like to see if they'd suit my new hairstyle." Fang Yuan'er had swallowed yesterday's humiliation just to lure Consort Li out, even going so far as to admit fault on her own initiative. Now, being mocked and ordered about by Consort Li again, she was seething with suppressed fury, yet she still smiled and agreed. Walking over to the crabapple bushes, Fang Yuan'er selected two well-bloomed branches and snapped them off. But as she turned around, her skirt suddenly got caught on a crabapple branch. The more she tried to untangle it, the tighter it became, leaving her looking rather flustered. Fang Yuan'er said helplessly, "Sister Consort Li, could you help me? Otherwise, my newly made skirt is going to be torn." Consort Li had initially planned to send her maids down, but she also wanted to see what Fang Yuan'er was really up to. So she simply smiled and said, "How careless of you—let me help you." With that, she walked over to Fang Yuan'er and began helping to untangle the skirt. Suddenly, Fang Yuan'er cried out, "A snake! There's a snake!" Consort Li's hands froze, and she instinctively stepped back, but Fang Yuan'er grabbed hold of her. "Sister Consort Li, did you see it? There's a long green snake!" Consort Li said, "How could there possibly be a snake in the Imperial Garden? Could you have been mistaken, sister?" Consort Li quickly realized that Fang Yuan'er was probably trying to toy with her. Fang Yuan'er hastily replied, "How could I be mistaken? I saw it clearly—there really is a snake!" No sooner had she spoken than Fang Yuan'er pointed at a spot and said, "The snake is over there!" Consort Li cast a casual glance and was scared out of her wits, her legs frozen stiff on the spot. In the next instant, Fang Yuan'er seized the opportunity to push her into the water. With a splash, Consort Li fell into the pond. Fang Yuan'er, feigning panic, jumped in without a second thought to "save" her. Xie Run, who had been wiping sweat off Taotao nearby, had long since heard someone shouting about a snake not far away, and a knowing look crossed her face. "No need to set up a stage today—someone's already putting on a show." Taotao stared at the handkerchief in Xie Run's hand with his big, grape-like eyes, calling out repeatedly, "Mother, I'm done!" Xie Run didn't stop. "Not yet—I have to finish wiping, or you'll catch a chill if the wind blows." Taotao wriggled impatiently. "I'm done!" To make it easier to wipe his sweat, Xie Run had Nanny Xu hold him standing on the ground. Xie Run said helplessly, "Fine, fine!" In the distance, two splashes could be heard, followed by shouts: "Something terrible has happened—Her Ladyship has fallen into the water!" "Her Ladyship has fallen into the water!" Xie Run smiled and asked Taotao, "Still want to play?" Taotao's eyes widened as he nodded, brimming with excitement. The child had always loved playing outside since he was little, and the older he grew, the harder he was to restrain. Xie Run smiled. "Alright then, keep playing." With that, she glanced at Chunjuan. Chunjuan tossed his little leather ball onto the ground, and Taotao happily chased after it. As for what was happening next door... Dantao asked, "Your Ladyship, should we send someone to check?" Xie Run said, "Send someone over, and have another person report to Fengyi Palace—at the very least, we should inform Her Majesty the Empress first." Xiaoshu asked curiously, "Your Ladyship said you wanted to watch the show—why not go over and take a look now?" Xie Run glanced at her. "Those two could have put on their show anywhere, yet they chose to perform right in front of me?" "But I don't care for such spectacles—better not to gawk." With that, Xie Run had the servants pack up their things and prepare to leave. They had only walked about a hundred paces when they ran into Consort Li, supported by palace attendants. She casually offered Xie Run a salute. "This concubine pays her respects to Consort Zhaode." "I am in no state to present myself properly, so I shall not linger and offend Your Ladyship's eyes." Xie Run raised her eyes and swept a glance over her, landing on the shocking scratches across her face. "Your face..." Consort Li instinctively raised a hand to cover her face. "Xiurong Gong is vicious and ruthless—merely out of jealousy, she sought to ruin my looks." She shot a fierce glare at Fang Yuan'er behind her. "I will report this to the Emperor and Empress, and you will be severely punished!" "Between you and me, this is far from over!" Fang Yuan'er, following behind, wept with an innocent and pitiful air. "Sister Consort Li, you've misunderstood me." "I was desperate to save my sister, but it wasn't until I hit the water that I remembered I couldn't swim. I could only flail about helplessly, and in my panic, I accidentally scratched Consort Li's face. I truly didn't mean to!" "That day when Wu Baolin and Talented Lady Ye fell into the water, Talented Lady Ye had grown up by the water's edge, yet even she left footprints on Wu Baolin in her panic. This is clearly a person's instinct to survive." Having spent so long navigating the treacherous waters of the harem, Fang Yuan'er had also honed her acting skills to perfection. Xie Run's brow was calm and gentle. "Heavens have mercy. A woman's face is of utmost importance. Consort Li, you should summon the imperial physician to apply medicine at once, lest a scar remain." Consort Li was both furious and humiliated, and spat out a threat: "If I end up looking like Consort Jing, I'll haunt you even as a ghost!" With that, she hurried away with her attendants. Fang Yuan'er stood there, drenched through, surrounded by a crowd of people. Seeing Consort Li disappear into the distance, she no longer seemed anxious, and her face showed not a trace of innocence or pitifulness. A palace maid draped a cloak over her, and she walked up to Xie Run, asking, "Does Consort Zhaode have any questions she wishes to ask?" Xie Run thought for a moment. "Did you get the answer you were looking for?" Just from the wound on Consort Li's face, Xie Run could tell that Fang Yuan'er had also come to suspect Consort Li. If Consort Li truly was Wan Linlang in disguise, then this scratch today might have revealed some traces. Fang Yuan'er gave her a long, searching look. "By asking that question, Consort Zhaode must also harbor some suspicions?" Xie Run smiled. "Not at all. I was merely making a casual guess." "Well, you guessed remarkably well. I do indeed suspect Consort Li's identity." Fang Yuan'er admitted calmly, then added, "And today's test did reveal something." Before Fang Yuan'er could continue, Xie Run interjected, "Ben Gong is not interested." "Whatever secrets you have, Xiurong Gong should keep them well to herself." As she was leaving, Xie Run reminded Fang Yuan'er once more: "The Emperor bestowed the character 'Gong'—respect—upon you for your own good. I only hope Xiurong Gong can understand His Majesty's kind intentions." Fang Yuan'er gave a stiff, humorless smile. "Is Consort Zhaode also going to teach me what respect means, just like Consort Li did?" The moment she heard those words, Xie Run knew Fang Yuan'er was still seething and feeling defensive. "Then Ben Gong has spoken out of turn." With that, Xie Run turned and left. Halfway down the path, Xie Run suddenly remarked, "Ben Gong just recalled—does Xiurong Gong not know how to swim?" Dantao and Xiaoshu exchanged a glance. "This servant wouldn't know." Fang Yuan'er had never been involved in any drowning incident, so the two maids truly had no idea. Xie Run smiled to herself. It hadn't happened in this lifetime, true, but in the original script, Fang Yuan'er had been afraid of water, and the transmigrated Fang Yuan'er didn't seem to have ever swum either. Xie Run thought: "To test her suspicions, she'd even risk her own life." Xie Run mused—if Consort Li really were Wan Linlang, wouldn't this have been the perfect opportunity to hold Fang Yuan'er underwater and be done with her? It would have left many loose ends, but at least it would have properly disposed of a mortal enemy spanning two lifetimes, wouldn't it? So, was Consort Li truly Wan Linlang? Xie Run didn't know, and she didn't dare make a hasty judgment. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan'er returned to the side hall of Chonghua Palace with her maids to change clothes and bathe. She shed her garments and leaned back against the wooden tub. A maid suddenly noticed the bruises on her body and gasped in shock. "Mistress, what happened to you?!" Fang Yuan'er said dismissively, "It's nothing serious. I just bumped into something when I fell." The maid said, "This servant will fetch some medicinal oil to rub on you!" ... More content will be added later. I'm taking a day off tomorrow to move.