Chapter 398

Chapter 398 "Fortunately, nothing filthy got on it, or this servant's nine lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!" As she spoke, Nanny Xu angrily slapped herself across the face. "From now on, this servant will stay close to the Fifth Prince and never leave his side!" Xie Run quickly had someone help Nanny Xu up. "Ben Gong ordered that no one should stop Taotao from playing. Nanny bears no fault. If someone spends a thousand days thieving, can we spend a thousand days guarding against thieves?" "Taotao is growing bigger by the day, and her nature is getting wilder. When she runs, even several young eunuchs can't catch her. How could a woman of your age possibly keep up?" Nanny Xu's eyes brimmed with tears. "Your Ladyship is so considerate of this servant that it only makes this servant feel more ashamed." "Nanny, saying such things makes us strangers. Today's matter can hardly be considered your fault." After comforting Nanny Xu, Xie Run had people turn over the entire bamboo grove. Zhaohua Palace was too large. In some remote corners, the serving palace attendants wouldn't pass by even once in a whole year. If someone passed by and quietly buried something, given enough time, it would indeed be hard to investigate. After having people search for an entire afternoon, no suspect was found—but a basketful of trivial palace affairs was uncovered instead. Whether it was eunuchs and maids from some palace who often met in secret there, or someone who liked to bury their private savings in the earth, or palace attendants who would sneak into the bamboo grove every few days to cut bamboo and weave things to sell... In that small patch of bamboo, quite a few curious happenings had occurred. Xie Run didn't intend to pursue any of it. With a wave of her hand, she ordered everyone to stop there. On the way back, Dantao analyzed: "Your Ladyship, this palace gate is remote. The only ones who pass through here are Concubine Shen and Lady Fang..." Dantao wasn't suspecting that these two had placed the talisman paper; she merely felt that the corner where it was buried was precisely here—perhaps someone wanted to drag these two into the matter. Xie Run said calmly: "Later, send someone to invite Concubine Shen to the palace for tea." Dantao was taken aback: "Does Your Ladyship suspect Concubine Shen?" "No." Xie Run's tone was crisp. "It's to let her know in her heart that whoever buried this talisman paper is quite calculating. Burying the talisman is one matter; trying to drag them into this scheme to make us fight among ourselves is another." When she first saw the talisman paper, Xie Run had found it amusing. Compared to the poisoning and frame-ups during their time in the prince's residence, this method was far too crude. But once she investigated deeper, she realized the other party's methods were anything but crude—in fact, they were very clever. The other party burying talismans to curse Xie Run was one thing, but they seemed to have also calculated a target for the frame-up. If this were made public, the first to fall under suspicion would be Concubine Shen and Lady Fang. Xie Run only had Concubine Shen by her side. If she were to become estranged from her over this, then she would truly be alone in the harem. Moreover, if her own people started infighting, the Emperor wouldn't necessarily be pleased to hear of it. When a person who doesn't like stirring up trouble starts stirring up trouble, how much patience can the Emperor's tolerance withstand? Xiaoshu: "So Your Ladyship already had everything figured out." "This servant was wondering why you didn't continue investigating in the bamboo grove, and even suppressed those palace attendants' matters, letting them off scot-free." Xie Run: "What time is it now?" "The entire palace is worried about the Empress's health. The Emperor is busy with both court and harem affairs. If Ben Gong were to make a huge fuss over such a small matter, how annoying would that be?" Dantao: "But mistress, this matter probably can't just be dropped." "Someone is trying to harm you. You should at least tell the Emperor." Xie Run raised her hand and rested it on her slightly swollen belly. "Once the Emperor hears the news, he should come tonight." With her belly out now, it wasn't convenient for her to run around lodging complaints like she used to. If he didn't come... then that would mean she, Noble Consort Zhao, held no standing in the Emperor's heart. Xie Run lowered her head and glanced at her belly. Even if not for her sake, for the sake of the child in her womb, the Emperor would come. Although Xie Run didn't go to lodge a complaint, she still sent someone to the Imperial Study to report the matter. Xie Run underestimated the standing she and her child held in the Emperor's heart. The person sent to deliver the message returned—and brought the Emperor along with them. Before Xie Run could even react, the Emperor had already strode in, taking her hand. "Were you frightened?!" Xie Run met the Emperor's deep, profound phoenix eyes, and for a brief moment, her mind wandered. After a moment, she came to her senses and said softly: "Your concubine holds her head high with no shame before heaven, and stands firm with no guilt before earth. I am not afraid of such wicked tricks—how could I be frightened?" The Emperor let out a light sigh of relief. "Although the messenger said you were fine, I thought of how you're carrying a child. They say pregnant women are more delicate than usual, so I couldn't help but worry a little." Such words weren't the kind the Emperor would normally say. But Xie Run accepted them all the same. Xie Run: "Then Your Majesty underestimates your concubine." The Emperor smiled with a hint of helplessness: "Yes, yes, I underestimated you!" After chatting for a bit, the Emperor finally brought it up: "Have you found out whose hand this talisman came from? I will not let them off lightly." Xie Run gently shook her head: "Your Majesty needn't be so angry." "Who knows how long ago this talisman was buried. It's long since impossible to trace who it's connected to." "Now that the Empress is unwell, it wouldn't be appropriate to let this matter become known throughout the Six Palaces. As for the one who secretly performed the ritual, seeing her scheme exposed, she must be unable to sleep soundly these days—let her suffer a little." The Emperor did not quite agree: "Suisui, you are too kind-natured. That is precisely why you indulge these people until they no longer know their place." Xie Run smiled helplessly: "To speak selfishly, it is not because I truly hold no grudges that I am so lenient—it is simply that I wish to live with a lighter heart." "I often think that by forgiving them, I ease my own mind and accumulate blessings for myself and my two children." "To be honest, however, it is also because the talisman bore my birth date and hour rather than Taotao's. Otherwise, I fear I would not be able to show such magnanimity before Your Majesty." "How dare anyone!" The Emperor's low rebuke carried a chill that surged through his brows. In that instant, the Emperor's imposing aura was especially formidable. Xie Run seemed startled, gazing at the Emperor with her clear, black-and-white eyes. After a moment, she spoke in a soft, coaxing tone: "If Your Majesty is so stern, do be careful not to frighten me and the child in my belly." "You have always been bold—how could a single word from me frighten you?" The Emperor chuckled, reaching out to tap her nose, then returned to her earlier remark: "Did you not say you do not believe in such supernatural tricks? Why then do you speak this way?" Xie Run replied frankly: "I naturally believe in the good ones... as for the bad ones—well, I choose not to believe in those." The Emperor said: "I think Taotao's mischievousness was learned from you!" Xie Run protested softly: "Not at all?!" As the Emperor laughed, his gaze at Xie Run grew somewhat complex. In the past, when they were in the prince's residence, Xie Run had worn an innocent, guileless air, claiming she wished no part in the inner courtyard's scheming—and he had not believed her in the slightest. Yet looking back over all these years, Xie Run had truly never harbored the slightest intention to harm anyone. Instead, she had repeatedly been the target of envy and framed by others. Amid the sharp-tongued bitterness and resentment of those around her, Xie Run's pure and sincere heart had only become all the more evident.