Chapter 359

Chapter 359 Xie Run's mood was unexpectedly calm. "Since there's no shortage of voices in the palace saying I want to snatch the Sixth Prince, I can't just let those false accusations go unanswered." She was of high rank—how would it look if she went around explaining herself to lower-ranking concubines? Not to mention she hadn't done such a thing; even if she had, what could Noble Lady Xian possibly say about it? If she remained so spineless, how many people would respect her as Consort Zhaode in the future? Because Xie Run kept strict discipline over Zhaohua Palace, not a word of the matter leaked out. Noble Lady Xian, feeling wronged, went straight back to her room to cry, and no one knew about it. It wasn't until the next day, when Noble Lady Xian went to Zhaohua Palace again and was rejected by the Sixth Prince, that people slowly began to sense something amiss. "The Emperor has already issued his decree—surely Consort Zhaode can't just keep the Sixth Prince locked away?" Consort Sun had been placed under house arrest, and only Lady Xi, who lived in her palace, occasionally came by to chat. It was Lady Xi who told Consort Sun about the dispute between Xie Run and Noble Lady Xian over the Sixth Prince. Consort Sun, nursing her grudge over having her title stripped because of Xie Run, spoke with fire in her voice: "Don't be fooled by her act of playing the good person. She's surely scheming behind the scenes, deliberately egging the Sixth Prince on to avoid Noble Lady Xian!" Lady Xi sighed: "Noble Lady Xian is just unlucky. She finally got the Emperor's decree despite all the gossip, and who would've thought someone would cut in at the last moment." "I wonder what's gotten into the Sixth Prince, that he suddenly doesn't like Noble Lady Xian anymore." Her brows furrowed slightly, as if carrying a hint of worry. Consort Sun snorted: "What else could it be? He's just a one-year-old child—someone must be playing both sides, deliberately pulling tricks!" Lady Xi: "If that's really the case, what is Noble Lady Xian supposed to do?" "She entered the palace with me back then, stealing the spotlight. Now she's being manipulated through a child, suffering all this grievance. I truly feel for her." Consort Sun glanced sidelong at Lady Xi, finding it amusing. This Lady Xi was quite the actress—was she really feeling for Noble Lady Xian, or did she want to watch Noble Lady Xian make a fool of herself? Did she think Consort Sun couldn't tell? She smiled: "You carry the Imperial Heir in your womb now, so naturally the Emperor values you. If you truly feel for Noble Lady Xian, why not put in a good word for her, so the Emperor might grant her wish?" The matter of Noble Lady Xian wanting to raise the Sixth Prince had already become known throughout the palace. Consort Sun had never entertained the thought of the Sixth Prince, simply because she looked down on the background of his birth mother. She was, after all, the daughter of a Duke. If she raised the child of a brothel courtesan, what would that even look like? So she had kept her eyes fixed on Wu Baolin's belly instead. Now that Noble Lady Xian was raising the Sixth Prince, that was fine—no one else in the palace could compete with her anymore. Lady Xi hadn't expected Consort Sun to turn the question back on her. She smiled gently: "I won't hide it from you, sister—I have the heart, but not the courage." "The Emperor may show some consideration for me and my child because of the little one, but I've never truly been favored, so I can't gauge the Emperor's intentions." "I'd like to say a few good words for Noble Lady Xian, but I'm afraid that if I misspeak and incur the Emperor's displeasure, my good intentions would backfire." Consort Sun snorted: "Why not just say outright that you're only willing to talk about helping Noble Lady Xian, but would never actually do anything?" "Do you think I'd force you to speak up for her?" The smile on Lady Xi's face froze slightly. On the way back, the palace maid beside Lady Xi spoke up for her: "Consort Sun deserves her punishment. She's fallen from grace, yet she's still so arrogant!" Lady Xi shot the maid a glare: "If she's fallen from grace, then what does that make me?" The maid was startled and immediately lowered her head: "This servant misspoke! This servant misspoke!" The maid said with grievance: "This servant just can't stand her haughty attitude. She has neither favor nor children—she only sits at the Fei rank because of the bond from the old days at the residence. She'll probably die at that rank." "Your Ladyship carries the Imperial Heir in your womb, yet she presses and bullies without any mercy!" Lady Xi let out a cold laugh: "When has she ever shown anyone mercy? The reason she's under house arrest in Yongning Palace now is precisely because she showed no respect to Consort Zhaode!" "I've also made inquiries—she was never favored at the prince's residence either. The Fei rank she has now comes first from her family background, and second from the Emperor's lingering guilt toward her, because her ruined face has something to do with the First Prince." "Now she relies on that bit of guilt to do as she pleases. Sooner or later, she'll reap what she sows." The maid agreed: "Exactly! She used to rely on being the principal consort of Yongning Palace to make Your Ladyship swallow all sorts of humiliation. Once the little prince is born, let's see how she can still be so arrogant!" "I'm afraid the position of principal consort of Yongning Palace will have to change hands!" Who could blame them—the Emperor had so few offspring in his harem? Now that there was a child on the way, naturally there was confidence. While mistress and maid privately discussed Consort Sun, Consort Sun was likewise discussing Lady Xi with those around her. "I've only suffered a bit of neglect, and already one after another treats me like a fool!" The palace maid beside her handed over tea and coaxed softly: "Your Ladyship, calm your anger. Don't bother with those petty people." Consort Sun held the tea, her temper flaring, and cursed: "Do you really think she came to deliver news out of kindness?" "She's just trying to goad me into fighting with Noble Lady Xian and clashing with Consort Zhaode!" The maid was astonished: "Your Highness has never even crossed swords with her—why would she scheme against you like this?" "When have we never crossed swords?" Consort Sun said knowingly. "I've been short-tempered lately, showing no grace to anyone, and I've certainly said my share of harsh words." "Lady Xi probably suffered grievances in the past, and now that she has a prince as her backing, she wants to vent her anger." Consort Sun had a bad temper. Sometimes, for no reason at all, she would lash out at people—either with biting sarcasm or glaring daggers. Lady Xi lived in Yongning Palace, close to her, and had likely borne the brunt of her mistreatment the most. Consort Sun wasn't arrogant enough to believe that she could bully others and they would accept it without resentment. The maid tried to persuade her: "Your Highness, you are the mistress of Yongning Palace. If you don't wish to see her, you simply don't have to." Consort Sun said: "...I'm currently under house arrest. If I don't see her, how am I supposed to know what's happening in the palace?" At that, the maid truly didn't know how to advise her further. After having her title stripped and being placed under house arrest, Consort Sun's sharp edges had dulled somewhat, but she remained moody and prone to sarcasm. After complaining about the servants attending her, Consort Sun added: "Go open the storeroom, pick out some fine tonics, have the imperial physicians at the Medical Bureau inspect them, and then send them to Wu Baolin." The maid replied: "Yes." After dismissing the servant, Consort Sun leaned against the headboard, idly playing with the tassel in her hand. Her face was ruined; she had no hope of ever regaining favor in this lifetime. But truthfully, she didn't really want to raise the child in Wu Baolin's womb. After all, who at a young age would willingly raise another's child? It was just that, given her current status and position, having a child would provide much more stability. Coupled with pressure from her elders, she made a point of showing kindness to Wu Baolin every few days. Consort Sun also knew that Wu Baolin was nearing childbirth and spent every day in fear that someone would take her baby, clutching her belly in constant alarm. Every time Consort Sun or anyone else sent something to Wu Baolin, Wu Baolin would toss and turn all night, unable to sleep. Perhaps her mindset had shifted after her face was destroyed, but Consort Sun now harbored a subtly twisted psychology. Whenever she was in a bad mood, she would send things to Wu Baolin. Watching Wu Baolin tremble with fear gave her an indescribable sense of satisfaction and smug delight.