Chapter 440

Chapter 440 Xie Run: "How could that be? Between us sisters, when has there ever been a need for such formality?" Consort Jingshu hadn't come to trade barbs with Xie Run anyway. After saying her piece, she sat down off to the side on her own. Holding her teacup, she glanced at Xie Run and Bai Fu with a half-smile. Consort Jingshu's gaze lingered on Bai Fu for a moment before she laughed: "The fabric of Noble Lady Bai's clothes is quite fine. Was it made from the cloth bestowed by Noble Consort Zhao?" Noble Lady Bai's expression was calm and composed as she replied respectfully: "Consort Jingshu has keen eyes. Indeed, it was bestowed by Noble Consort Zhao." "Your subject's rank is low, and since entering the palace, this is the first time I've used such fine material." Though her words spoke of delight, not a trace of happiness could be seen on Noble Lady Bai's face. Consort Jingshu pretended not to notice, lecturing with considerable authority: "Such fine material—even Ben Gong would have found it difficult to give away in the past." "Now that Noble Consort Zhao has bestowed it upon you, it is her kind gesture. If you dress beautifully every day, you won't have let her down." Bai Fu clenched her hands beneath her sleeves and slowly performed a bow: "Your subject would never dare to disappoint." Thinking of the days she'd been treated like a menial servant, Bai Fu naturally found little joy in Consort Jingshu's arrival. As things stood now, the two of them had clearly long since joined forces. Xie Run didn't want her Zhaohua Palace to become a stage for Consort Jingshu to stir up trouble, so she said coolly: "Since you've expressed your gratitude, you may take your leave." Bai Fu was just about to bow and withdraw when she suddenly scratched at her hand. As her sleeve lifted, those with sharp eyes could see the skin on her wrist was slightly reddened. Xie Run raised a hand to cover her eyes, sighing inwardly. Sure enough, the next moment she heard Consort Jingshu let out a curious "Oh?"—"Noble Lady Bai, what happened to your wrist?" Noble Lady Bai looked utterly bewildered. "What is Your Highness referring to?" Consort Jingshu raised her hand, and Tao Yao immediately stepped forward to seize Noble Lady Bai's wrist and flip up her sleeve. Only then did everyone see that a patch of redness had already spread across Noble Lady Bai's wrist. Consort Jingshu covered her mouth in surprise: "Noble Lady Bai, how did your wrist get so red?" Noble Lady Bai played along as well. "Your subject—your subject doesn't know either?!" Then, as if suddenly struck by realization: "After donning these new clothes today, your subject has felt somewhat itchy all over, though I hadn't paid it much attention..." She gave a shy smile. "Perhaps it's because your subject has never worn such fine material before, and my body isn't used to it all at once." Consort Jingshu also smiled. "Noble Lady Bai comes from a distinguished family, surely. Have you never even worn Song brocade?" "Could it be that you were mistreated in the Bai household?" "Of course not." Noble Lady Bai hadn't expected Consort Jingshu to spin things so far, dragging the conversation all the way to the Bai family. Noble Lady Bai: "It's simply that since entering the palace, I haven't worn such precious fabrics." "Oh, is that so?" Consort Jingshu nodded with exaggerated solemnity, then shifted her gaze and addressed Xie Run: "Noble Consort Zhao, Noble Lady Bai is hinting at you, isn't she?" "Her usual clothes cause no problems, but the moment she wears the fabric you sent, her whole body itches. She's practically saying the cloth you gave her is defective." Xie Run: "..." Xie Run had considered that Noble Lady Bai might use all sorts of tricks, but she never imagined Consort Jingshu would wade in and stir the pot. Truly, some people just love watching the world burn. Noble Lady Bai hastily explained: "Your subject means no such thing. Your Highnesses must not misunderstand." Consort Jingshu waved a hand, laughing dismissively: "You deliberately wore these clothes to come to Zhaohua Palace, and deliberately scratched your wrist in front of Ben Gong and Noble Consort Zhao. Weren't you waiting for exactly this question?" "Now that Ben Gong has asked it, why won't you own up to it?" "Since it isn't a problem with the clothes, then I suppose it's your own constitution—too frail to wear fine materials." Consort Jingshu dropped her smiling demeanor, adopting the haughty contempt of one in a superior position: "Truly a lady's status with a servant girl's fate." Those light, dismissive yet mocking words landed on Bai Fu's ears, flushing her face red with anger and making her whole body tremble. Xie Run sat at the head, asking slowly: "Noble Lady Bai, do you believe there's a problem with the fabric I sent you?" "If there is, I'll summon a physician for you at once. If there isn't, then it seems Consort Jingshu's words are correct—you truly aren't suited to fine things." Bai Fu bit her lip. "Your subject feels terribly itchy right now. I beg Your Highness to summon a physician to take a look." "It may not be a problem with the fabric—perhaps your subject's skin is simply too coarse and unworthy of such fine material." She lowered her head, wearing an expression of discomfort and shame. Consort Jingshu let out a light laugh at just the right moment. Xie Run shot her a sideways glare, signaling her to know when to stop. Her gaze flicked to Dantao, who gave a slight nod: "This servant will make the arrangements at once." After Dantao left to arrange for the physician, the three of them sat in the main hall, and the atmosphere grew rather awkward. Noble Lady Bai seemed tormented by the itching, scratching at her wrist or neck every few moments. In the blink of an eye, several red patches had appeared on her fair skin. Xie Run rose, supported by Xiaoshu. "Noble Lady Bai may rest here for now. Ben Gong still has important matters to attend to." "Whatever it is, we'll discuss it once the physician has taken your pulse." This is to say, when the imperial physician came to take her pulse, if nothing was found amiss, Noble Consort Zhao would not even bother to come out and take a look. Bai Fu sensed the haughty attitude Xie Run revealed, and felt a pang of discomfort in her heart. It was the same contemptuous behavior. When Consort Jingshu did it, Bai Fu was not truly angered, but when Xie Run did it, it made her a hundred times more miserable. Clearly, the sharpness Xie Run displayed was not even a tenth of Consort Jingshu's. Xie Run handled a few miscellaneous affairs before the palace attendants came to report the news. "Your Ladyship, the imperial physician examined Noble Lady Bai's clothing and found Green Itch Powder on it. Moreover, because Noble Lady Bai's skin is delicate, her condition is especially severe." Green Itch Powder was a popular skincare balm in the palace, with a lustrous green color and remarkable beautifying effects. However, it caused a slight itching sensation after application, hence its name, Green Itch Powder. Many people, for the sake of beauty, did not mind this slight itch, but there were also those with sensitive skin who were especially allergic to Green Itch Powder. A single touch would cause unbearable itching, and in severe cases, could even lead to skin ulceration. As it happened, Noble Lady Bai was exactly one of those allergic people. Xie Run smiled and raised her hand to summon Chunjuan. "Go to the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence and, on behalf of Ben Gong, ask the Marchioness of Zhongyi whether Noble Lady Bai had any allergies or sensitivities in her childhood." "Remember to bring two servants who have attended to Noble Lady Bai since she was young into the palace." Xie Run thought that since trouble had already arisen, she might as well resolve it all at once. This would prevent Bai Fu from catching her breath and continuing to jump around causing trouble. After sending Chunjuan off, Xie Run asked Dantao, "Did the people sent to Fanghua Palace find anything?" Dantao shook her head. "Your Ladyship, nothing was found." "Noble Lady Bai dared to use such crude means to frame you; she must have already destroyed the evidence, leaving no trace for us to find." Xie Run said, "Just as I expected."