Chapter 410

Chapter 410 "Apparently it was Noble Lady Bai who first noticed that Lady of Beauty Kong was pregnant and urged her to see the imperial physician." Upon hearing this, Xie Run couldn't help but sit up straight: "Have their relations already become so close?" Though Xiaoshu didn't understand why her mistress was so agitated, she still nodded. "I had someone ask the imperial physician who took Lady of Beauty Kong's pulse. Earlier at Fanghua Palace, Lady of Beauty Kong barely said a few words—it was mostly Noble Lady Bai asking questions on her behalf." "Noble Lady Bai is extremely concerned about Lady of Beauty Kong, seeming even more invested than if she herself were pregnant." Xiaoshu paused, then couldn't help sharing her own thoughts: "From the looks of it, it's rather like the old days with Concubine Wan and Lian Ji. Only Noble Lady Bai isn't as ruthless as Concubine Wan, and Lady of Beauty Kong isn't of such low birth as Lian Ji. But who knows what schemes the two of them harbor." Xie Run glanced at Dantao and Xiaoshu: "You two are also reminded of Concubine Wan and Lian Ji?" Both nodded simultaneously. Dantao: "I don't know much about Noble Lady Bai, but it wouldn't hurt to think the worst. Could Noble Lady Bai be trying to imitate Concubine Wan—befriending her to reap the benefits without lifting a finger?" Xie Run saw through it clearly: "Reaping benefits without lifting a finger—that's unlikely." "The current harem isn't the old prince's residence; not many people can raise children." "I rather think she wants to befriend Lady of Beauty Kong so she can curry favor with the Emperor later." Befriending a consort with offspring was, after all, more beneficial than harmful. Xie Run had personally experienced countless iterations of Noble Lady Bai's previous life and had some understanding of her nature. She could vaguely guess. Bai Fu had never caught the Emperor's eye, and she wouldn't just sit idly by. It just so happened that the Empress passed away at this very moment, so she couldn't make any moves to curry favor. And then Lady of Beauty Kong became pregnant—it was practically an opportunity delivered to her doorstep. By helping Lady of Beauty Kong maintain her pregnancy and forging a friendship with her, once she helped see the child safely born, she'd at least earn some goodwill on two fronts. If the Emperor remembered her kindness, he would naturally regard her with some favor. Even if he didn't, when the Emperor came to visit Lady of Beauty Kong's child, Noble Lady Bai would be living right next door. With repeated encounters, she'd gain some familiarity in his eyes. If Noble Lady Bai seized the opportunity and proved herself capable, who's to say she couldn't rise in one leap? "Noble Lady Bai understands the Emperor's temperament well. Unless absolutely necessary, she won't resort to harmful schemes." Dantao and Xiaoshu watched Xie Run quietly. After Xie Run finished, Dantao asked curiously: "You seem to know Noble Lady Bai quite well, mistress?" Xiaoshu added: "Of the seven newly entered women, you've been indifferent to all the others, but you've shown special attention to this Noble Lady Bai alone." Xie Run: "..." As expected of her personal attendants—there was no hiding anything from them. Xie Run: "I found her somewhat displeasing to the eye, so I paid her a bit more attention. I didn't expect you two sharp-eyed girls to notice." Dantao and Xiaoshu smiled helplessly. "If you don't like her, Your Grace, why not find an opportunity to send her away?" "For a Fei like me to specifically target a mere Baolin—that would be beneath my dignity." Xie Run had never moved against anyone from the prince's residence to the harem; she wouldn't break that rule for a Noble Lady Bai. Xie Run: "Still, I can't just sit by and watch her gain favor." She wouldn't harm anyone, but using a few small tricks to ruin Bai Fu's plans was simple enough. Xiaoshu offered Xie Run advice: "Noble Lady Bai wants to gain favor through Lady of Beauty Kong, but she's just a Baolin after all—how much can she really do?" "Why not separate the two, mistress? Keep one in Fanghua Palace and move the other farther away. With several palaces between them, even the closest bond would cool." Xie Run: "Distance can't stop ambition." Dantao said gently: "Lady of Beauty Kong has a simple nature—she trusts whoever treats her well. If she can trust Noble Lady Bai, she can just as easily trust others." "Lady of Handsome Fairness Fang has a more proper temperament, known throughout the palace as an honest soul, and she also raises the First Princess. If she were to look after Lady of Beauty Kong, I imagine she wouldn't object." Close relationships only worked one-on-one; once established, it was hard for others, no matter how good, to wedge their way in. Xie Run thought for a moment. "I can't directly arrange Lady of Beauty Kong's residence. This matter will have to be handled by Consort Jingshu." Dantao had her reservations: "But mistress, Consort Jingshu doesn't have a good relationship with you. She might not agree." Xiaoshu added: "Even if she did agree, she'd deliberately let people know it was your arrangement, which would only cause unpleasantness." Xie Run nominally held the title of Management of the Six Palaces, but she hadn't touched harem affairs since discovering her pregnancy. Suddenly taking charge now would also raise suspicion for no reason. Xie Run lowered her eyes in thought. "Then let's just pass the information to Consort Jingshu's ears and let her arrange the palace move." "Pass information?" Xie Run: "Say that Noble Lady Bai wants to imitate the old Concubine Wan. If anything goes wrong with Lady of Beauty Kong's pregnancy, the first person to be held accountable would be Consort Jingshu." Asking someone for a favor often meant being strung along and manipulated. Rather than that, it was better to make the other party arrange things on their own initiative. Xiaoshu immediately said: "I'll go make the arrangements at once." No sooner had Xiaoshu set things in motion than she returned with good news. "Your Grace, Consort Jingshu actually had the same idea as us!" "Once Beauty Kong was found to be pregnant, Consort Jingshu used the excuse that Fanghua Palace was too crowded for a proper pregnancy, and moved her to the Moonlight Pavilion in Yongming Palace, right near Lady of Handsome Fairness Fang." Xie Run: "...It seems Consort Jingshu also has her concerns." "But since she made her move, that saves me the worry." Lady of Handsome Fairness Fang had not taken an obvious side in the palace. Although she had a good relationship with Concubine Shen, it was limited to occasionally meeting for tea and conversation in their spare time. Someone like that was the most suitable to be placed beside Beauty Kong. After making the arrangements, Xie Run no longer had the mind to pay attention to Noble Lady Bai. Consort Wen was absent for two days, and on the third day she forced herself to attend the mourning at Fengyi Palace. But her state was off—her entire demeanor was deeply subdued, and she did not speak a single word all day. During a break, Xie Run casually offered a few words of comfort. "The Empress's passing has saddened everyone. But Sister Consort Wen must also take care of her own health, and must not grieve excessively." "Even if you don't consider yourself, you should consider the Second Princess." Consort Wen smiled, though the smile seemed strained. "Thank you for your concern, Noble Consort Zhao." Xie Run nodded and did not say much more. Consort Jingshu, Noble Lady Xi, and the others also offered Consort Wen a few words of consolation. Ever since Yunxiang had been taken away, the Department of Punishments had yet to send word, and many people were watching that direction with wide eyes. The longer Yunxiang was held, the worse Consort Wen's condition became. When the mourning rites ended, Consort Jingshu and Xie Run left Fengyi Palace together. She walked shoulder to shoulder with Xie Run and said slowly, "The Empress has only been gone a few days, and I hear that some ministers at court have already raised the matter of establishing a new Empress." Xie Run glanced at Consort Jingshu. "Consort Jingshu's ears are truly sharp, to learn of court affairs so quickly? Ben Gong hasn't heard a single word of it."