Chapter 59

Chapter 59 Xie Run stayed at Spring Mountain Court, and her greatest daily pleasure was enjoying the gossip. Xiaoshu loved watching the drama even more than she did, and had Yueliang'er keep an eye on the entrance of Clear Bamboo Court early on. As soon as she saw Concubine Li escorting Concubine Lu out the door, she immediately came to tell Xiaoshu. Xiaoshu then passed the first-hand news on to Xie Run. Xiaoshu's eyes sparkled. "Mistress, Concubine Li and Concubine Lu have made up again!" "Just now Yueliang'er saw Concubine Li personally escorting Concubine Lu out, and both of them were all smiles." Xie Run had been sitting for a long time, so she was currently holding a brush and practicing calligraphy as a form of exercise. Hearing this, she mulled over the phrase "all smiles." "I'm afraid Concubine Li is genuinely pleased, but Concubine Lu may not be." Xiaoshu gave a light snort. "If I were Concubine Li, seeing that nuisance Concubine Lu off, I'd probably want to set off firecrackers and celebrate for three days." Concubine Lu had also visited Spring Mountain Court before. All the maidservants at Spring Mountain Court knew how talkative she was. Utterly noisy! However, Xie Run didn't care for putting on a false front, and when she truly couldn't take it anymore, she would simply send her away directly. Since Xie Run was a Concubine Consort, Concubine Lu didn't dare to talk back, so things remained peaceful. Concubine Li and Concubine Lu were cut from the same cloth. The former had a haughty temper and cared greatly about face, which happened to be perfectly countered by someone as thick-skinned as Concubine Lu. Even if they tore into each other, it would be like punching cotton—utterly futile. Few people at Spring Mountain Court were surprised by Concubine Lu and Concubine Li making up. In fact, they were secretly excited. There was more drama to watch. Xie Run asked curiously, "Did you find out how they made up?" Xiaoshu was always well-informed and quickly nodded. "This actually starts from yesterday." "Yesterday, Concubine Li had an upset stomach and looked a bit unwell. Concubine Lu opened her mouth and asked Concubine Li if she was pregnant, which thoroughly infuriated her." "Mistress knows that both Concubine Li and Concubine Han are watching each other closely. The moment they hear the word 'pregnant,' neither can sit still." "Concubine Li probably went pale with fright at Concubine Lu's words, which is why she was so angry." Xie Run listened, a rather meaningful smile on her face. "How do we know Concubine Li had an upset stomach rather than being pregnant?" Xiaoshu said, "Exactly that!" "Upon hearing this, Concubine Han's side will definitely take it seriously, and Concubine Li will be in for no small amount of trouble." "To be cursed with such bad luck, running into someone like Concubine Lu!" Xie Run shook her head. "What I mean is, how do you all know the news that 'Concubine Li had an upset stomach rather than being pregnant'?" Xiaoshu was momentarily stumped. But she quickly caught on. "Could this be news deliberately released by Concubine Li?" The people at Clear Bamboo Court were tight-lipped, and nothing about yesterday's events had been uncovered. Yet today, everything was suddenly known—wasn't that suspicious? Xiaoshu paused. "Could it be that Concubine Li really is pregnant?" Dantao reminded her, "It could also be news leaked by Concubine Lu." After all, she really was a big mouth. Xie Run set down her brush. "When true and false news are mixed together, no one can discern the truth, which instead makes people afraid to act rashly." "The people at Clear Bamboo Court are all tight-lipped. If the news truly came from Clear Bamboo Court, then it was meant to confuse others—which would suggest Concubine Li really might be pregnant." "But if it was Concubine Lu... what would she stand to gain?" Everyone else's motives and intentions were easy to guess. Only this Concubine Lu was an exception. Concubine An herself was practically invisible, let alone her maidservants. At the very least, before Concubine Lu climbed into the Prince's bed, no one at Prince Jing's residence had paid any attention to such a minor maidservant, so naturally no one understood Concubine Lu's true nature. Xie Run thought for a moment. "From now on, Concubine Lu will probably visit Concubine Li even more frequently." She spent all day in the courtyard, so all she could do was listen to these bits of gossip. Since she couldn't figure it out now, she couldn't be bothered to rack her brains over it. After all, no matter what schemes these people were plotting, the day would come when their true intentions were revealed. Xie Run's guess was correct. From that day on, Concubine Lu indeed visited Concubine Li more frequently. From what Xie Run understood, Concubine Lu merely sat around at Concubine Li's place each day, purely visiting out of boredom. She would sit for an hour or two and then return to her own courtyard for meals—more punctual than clocking in for work. On the winter solstice, the snow rarely paused for half a day. Xie Run had eaten a bit too much at lunch and decided to go out for a stroll. Between Spring Mountain Court and Clear Bamboo Court lay a bamboo grove, with very flat terrain and a uniquely charming scenery. She wore a jade-green begonia hairpin in her hair, draped in a blue-and-white robe with silver trim and wide sleeves, her hair slightly tilted to one side, giving her an elegant and refined appearance. At her ears hung two exquisite drop earrings crafted from rubies. Against the snowy backdrop, they looked like two drops of blood, further accentuating her fair, alluring features. Xie Run was rarely playful, but this once she tugged at a bamboo leaf, sending the snow on the bamboo cascading down in a flurry, kicking up a cloud of snow dust. It startled Dantao and Xiaoshu, who quickly stepped in front of her. A moment later, they could only say helplessly, "Mistress, what if the snow falls and lands on you?" Xie Run said with a smile, "It won't." "When I tugged at it, I checked—there's only one bamboo branch above my head. Even if the snow falls on me, it'll only be a tiny bit." As she spoke, there was a hint of eager anticipation in her eyes. As if she wanted to feel what it was like to have snow fall on her. Xie Run rubbed her belly. "What a pity—we won't be able to have a snowball fight this year." Yueya'er laughed. "Mistress, we can have a snowball fight for you to watch!" Xie Run smiled. "That's a good idea. But we'll have to do it back in the courtyard—it wouldn't be proper to make a racket out here." Her main concern was the risk of accidents. The young maidservants all cheered at the idea. Just then, Concubine Lu left Qingzhu Pavilion with her young maid Cuiniao. Seeing Xie Run's party, she looked somewhat surprised. Concubine Lu stepped forward with her maid and bowed. "This servant greets Concubine Xie." "Rise." Xie Run took the hand warmer that Dantao handed her and held it to her chest, glancing at Concubine Lu. "Sister Lu seems to be on good terms with Sister Li." "Not at all." Concubine Lu dared not be too casual in front of Xie Run, and only offered an ingratiating smile. "It's Sister Li who doesn't disdain this servant and is willing to keep company with me." Xie Run nodded, then suddenly asked, "Will Sister Lu come again tomorrow?" Concubine Lu's smile stiffened slightly. She didn't know what Concubine Xie meant by asking such a question. Could it be that she was displeased with her? Concubine Lu laughed evasively. "As for tomorrow, this servant herself doesn't know. If there are matters to attend to, I'm afraid I won't be able to come." She was just a concubine—if Prince Jing didn't visit, what matters could she possibly have to attend to? Xie Run pretended not to notice the hole in Concubine Lu's words. "The weather is freezing cold. What if you slip and hurt yourself? I do worry for Sister Lu." Concubine Lu smiled. "This servant has always loved to walk about and chat with people. I'm not afraid of such things." "Then I was asking out of turn." "How could that be?" Concubine Lu said with a bright smile. "This servant is overjoyed to receive the Concubine's concern." Xie Run shook her head with a smile. "That tongue of yours is truly sweet." After a few more exchanges, Concubine Lu prepared to leave with her attendants. She had barely taken two steps when she slipped, and the maids on either side quickly steadied her. Xie Run instinctively called out, "Be careful!" She was about to step forward when Zihu quietly stopped her. Xie Run turned to glance at Zihu, who shook her head at her. Xie Run then stood in place and directed Hongxi and Lüzhi, "You two, go help Sister Lu up and see if she's hurt." Lüzhi and Hongxi went forward and helped Concubine Lu to her feet. Concubine Lu was somewhat embarrassed. No sooner had Xie Run expressed concern about her falling than she went and slipped herself. The slap to her own face came all too quickly. She hastily waved at Xie Run. "Thank you for your concern, Concubine. I'm fine." "Please don't come over—mind the slippery ground, lest you fall."