Chapter 411

Chapter 411 Consort Jingshu smiled and said, "Noble Consort Zhao, do not jest. You hold the highest favor in the harem; learning news of the court would be but a word from your lips." "Among the ministers urging the Emperor to establish a new Empress, quite a few have proposed supporting you as the new Empress..." Xie Run's smile subtly faded. "Matters as significant as establishing an Empress—Ben Gong truly knows nothing of them, nor would I dare to speak recklessly on the subject." "As for news of the court, I dare not pry into it carelessly either, lest I one day be branded with the name of meddling in governance and incur the Emperor's displeasure." Hearing Xie Run's words, Consort Jingshu's expression turned somewhat sour. Xie Run continued, "The Empress has only just passed. Is it not rather cruel of Consort Jingshu to raise the matter of establishing a new Empress at this time? Or could it be that you have nurtured ambitions you ought not to have?" Consort Jingshu curled her lips in a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Since ancient times, no woman with a marred countenance has ever become Empress. This younger sister would never dare to harbor such hopes." "It is only that Noble Consort Zhao has given birth to a prince and holds the highest rank in the palace... If the Emperor has the intention, it is only a matter of time." Xie Run showed not a trace of fear, asking coolly, "Consort Jingshu seems so certain—why not go ask the Emperor yourself whether he has such intentions?" "Oh, I nearly forgot. The Emperor has not visited Consort Jingshu in quite some time. If you wish to ask, I suppose you would have to go to the Imperial Study in person?" With that, Xie Run was helped into her palanquin. She leaned back in the palanquin with a lazy smile. "Only, the Emperor is quite busy with affairs of state today. You are, after all, a Fei-rank consort—do take care not to be turned away at the doors of the Imperial Study. That would be rather unsightly, would it not?" After saying this, Xie Run felt she was being rather passive-aggressive herself. She found bickering with Consort Jingshu utterly tedious, so she raised her hand. The palanquin lifted and moved forward at a leisurely pace, missing the increasingly sour expression on Consort Jingshu's face. Xiaoshu walked alongside and could not help but say, "Your Grace, why does Consort Jingshu always seek to provoke you at every turn?" "With your belly this big now, is she not afraid of angering you and being punished by the Emperor?" Xie Run opened her eyes and smiled helplessly. "That woman... she's just begging to be scolded at her core." It was only after spending time with her that Xie Run had come to realize this. Consort Jingshu truly had something of a masochistic streak in her nature. She did not scheme to harm others, but she found it difficult to be kind to anyone. If she took a disliking to someone, she would always find an opportunity to trade barbs. Whether she won the argument or was scolded herself, she was equally satisfied. This peculiar hobby of hers—Xie Run sometimes found it hard to judge. That evening, after soaking her feet and preparing for bed, a palace attendant suddenly came in to report. "Your Grace, Consort Wen has attempted to hang herself." Xie Run opened her mouth, and only after a long moment found her voice. "Is she alright?" "She seemed in low spirits during the day, but showed no sign of suicidal intent. Why would she suddenly try to take her own life?" Mention of suicide inevitably brought to mind that self-harm by consorts was a grave crime. But then again, Consort Wen's family were all in the Xia Dynasty, and her only elder sister had just died. If she were to die, there was no one in the Yu Dynasty connected to her. That grave crime seemed to hold little deterrent power under such circumstances. "Your servant does not know either. But Consort Wen is safe—she was rescued by her attending maidservant. The imperial physician has already been summoned to tend to her." Xie Run let out a soft sigh of relief. "It's good that she's safe." The harem had finally settled down somewhat; if another life were to be lost, everyone would be on edge. Moreover, the Empress had just died. If her own younger sister were to perish as well, the Xia Dynasty would surely seize upon it to make trouble and sling mud at the Emperor. Then both the court and the harem would be in turmoil. Xie Run's hand fell to her belly, and she sighed softly. "Thank goodness you came early. Had you come later, you might not have weathered these storms." Xiaoshu quickly interjected, "Pah, pah, pah! Your Grace, what nonsense are you speaking?!" "Your Grace and the imperial child in your womb are both blessed with fortune and protected by the heavens. Whatever happens, you will both be safe and sound!" "Our little prince knew the days ahead would not be smooth, which is precisely why he chose to enter Your Grace's womb early!" Xie Run said helplessly, "I won't say any more, then." Beside her, Dantao asked, "Your Grace, shall this servant visit Consort Wen on your behalf?" "If anything happens, I will immediately send someone to report back to you." Xie Run had been on good terms with the Empress before, and now that Consort Wen had encountered trouble, she could not very well pretend ignorance and turn a blind eye. Xie Run nodded. "The palace paths are difficult to navigate at night. Take two extra attendants with you, and have each person carry a lantern. Don't be sparing with them." "Yes." Xie Run sat on the bed and thought for a moment. "For Consort Wen to suddenly lose all hope... it can't be that the Emperor questioned her about something, can it?" Xiaoshu nodded. "This servant thinks that is quite likely." "With her temperament... had she possessed even half of the Empress's open-mindedness, she would not have come to this." After exchanging a few more words, Xie Run began to feel drowsy. Knowing that Dantao would not return for some time, she lay down and went to sleep. It was not until the third watch of the night that Dantao returned. Seeing that Xie Run was sleeping soundly, she unconsciously lightened her movements, removed her outer robe, and lay down beside her. Xiaoshu glanced at her. Dantao shook her head, indicating that all was well at Yongming Palace, and only then did the two of them settle down to sleep. The next morning, Xie Run groggily opened her eyes and instantly snapped awake at the sight of Dantao. She asked with concern, "How is Consort Wen?" "Nothing serious," Dantao replied. "The attendants serving Consort Wen had already noticed her emotional instability these past days and had been keeping a close watch on her." "Before attempting suicide, Consort Wen sent her attendants away, but they reacted quickly—sensing something was wrong, they rushed in and saved her." "They say she had just kicked away the stool when they entered. It turned out to be a false alarm." Xie Run said, "Someone who truly wants to die will always find a way. If the knot in Consort Wen's heart cannot be untied, she will find it hard to see things differently. Something like this is bound to happen again." After a pause, Xie Run asked, "The Emperor didn't go last night?" Dantao shook her head. "By the time this servant arrived, more than half an hour had already passed, and the Emperor hadn't even sent anyone to check on her." Xiaoshu brought over the freshly brewed pregnancy-settling tea for Xie Run and couldn't help interjecting. "The Emperor and Consort Wen never had much affection between them anyway. Now that the Empress is gone, there's chaos everywhere inside and outside the palace. For Consort Wen to attempt suicide at a time like this—in the Emperor's eyes... it would only add to his troubles. He'd be too annoyed to care, let alone send someone to show concern." Xiaoshu's words were harsh to hear, but they were the truth. Xie Run thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "We won't go to Fengyi Palace today. Let's go to Yongming Palace to visit Consort Wen!" Dantao and Xiaoshu were taken aback. Xie Run said, "A perfect excuse is right in front of us—Ben Gong might as well take the opportunity to shirk some duties." Dantao: "..." Xiaoshu: "..." The two had just been surprised. Their mistress had never been one to seek out commotion—why would she suddenly propose visiting Consort Wen? Turns out she wanted to avoid work. Xie Run supported her waist as she boarded the palanquin and couldn't help but sigh. "Who knows how much longer days like this will last." "Even with my health being good, I can't keep enduring this kind of strain forever."