Chapter 60

Chapter 60 Xie Run said gently, "Alright, I won't move. But let Lüzhi accompany you back." Concubine Lu: "Then this servant thanks the Concubine Consort." Only when Concubine Lu's figure disappeared from sight did Xie Run lead her people back to Chunshan Courtyard. Because of that incident with Concubine Lu, the maidservants around her guarded her like hens protecting their chicks, afraid she might stumble or bump into something. Xie Run sighed. "I won't come out anymore from now on." "I've put you all through trouble." Dantao felt some heartache for her mistress. "Even staying cooped up in the room all day, we servants feel stifled. It's only natural for you to come out for some fresh air." Xiaoshu nodded in agreement. "Exactly!" "Next time, before we go out, we'll have someone clear all the snow from wherever you want to go!" Xie Run laughed. "Xiaoshu speaks with such boldness. Then next time, I'll have you go sweep the snow." Xiaoshu said playfully, "This servant will sweep the snow, and you can watch from the side—it'll count as a way to ease your weariness. Would that be what Sister Dantao calls 'entertaining one's parents with colorful clothes'?" Xie Run couldn't help but laugh. Amid the banter, Xie Run returned to Chunshan Courtyard. She dismissed the other maidservants, keeping only Xiaoshu, Dantao, and Zihu. Only then did Xie Run ask, "Zihu, when you stopped me earlier, did you notice something?" In truth, the few questions Xie Run had asked Concubine Lu were purely casual conversation upon encountering her. She hadn't thought much of it. But Zihu's interception had sparked some doubt in Xie Run's mind. Zihu had remained silent the whole time, only speaking when Xie Run asked: "Mistress, this servant has a keen nose. I smelled musk on Concubine Lu's person." "That substance is harmful to women, especially pregnant women—it must not be touched lightly." Having been influenced by the modern world, Xie Run's scalp immediately tightened at the mention of musk. "Why would she carry musk on her person?" Xiaoshu blurted out impulsively. Immediately after, Xie Run thought of Concubine Li, who was suspected of being pregnant. Xiaoshu also realized it the moment she asked, and said in a daze, "No way. Would she really be so bold as to harm the Prince's offspring..." Setting aside whether Concubine Li was actually pregnant or not. Even if Concubine Li really miscarried. What good would it do Concubine Lu? Xie Run said, "Concubine Lu rose to her position improperly and hasn't even secured her footing in the household yet. With her actions now, she's likely already pledged herself to Concubine Han." "Your meaning, mistress, is that Concubine Lu has become the blade in Concubine Han's hands?" Dantao truly couldn't understand. "But Concubine Han is only a concubine herself. Is it worth Concubine Lu taking such a big risk?" Although there was some difference in family background between Concubine Li and Concubine Han. Once they entered the Prince's household and became concubines, they were the same kind of people. "By all logic, since Concubine Li is pregnant, if Concubine Lu wanted to secure her position, she should be rushing to curry favor with this future Concubine Consort." Xiaoshu was equally puzzled. "How does she have the nerve to harm Concubine Li?" Xie Run listened to their analysis and said slowly, "Unless... there's a possibility that Concubine Han could also become a Concubine Consort..." When both parties' weights are equal, family background could become the deciding factor for favoritism. Both of them were startled. "Concubine Han is also pregnant?!" "How can there be such a coincidence in this world?" Neither of them quite believed it. Xie Run thought for a moment, then said to Dantao, "Find an opportunity to quietly pass word to Concubine Li that Concubine Lu carries musk on her person." "Mistress wants to help Concubine Li?" Xie Run: "I just want to do her a favor." She smiled. "To be honest, I don't think Concubine Li is the type to sit and wait for death." "She must have done something!" "Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Concubine Li just spread news of a possible pregnancy, and now Concubine Han is pregnant too?" If both were truly pregnant, and the timing was about the same... Xie Run could only sigh in admiration. When the news reached Qingzhu Courtyard, Concubine Li had just finished vomiting and her complexion was somewhat pale. Feishuang was pleading with a tearful voice. "Mistress, perhaps you should go tell the Prince!" "Every time Concubine Lu leaves, you vomit terribly—this clearly means there's a problem!" "Right now it's only vomiting, but if something happens, that would truly be too late for regret..." Concubine Li's slender fingers gripped the armrest, and even her speech was somewhat breathless. "I vomit normally too..." Before she could finish, Feixu rushed in hurriedly. "Mistress, this servant has found out what ill intent Concubine Lu harbors!" Concubine Li and Feishuang looked at her. Feixu, with tears in her eyes and a very serious expression, said, "Mistress, go tell the Prince!" "Concubine Han has already made a move to harm your child!" "Today, someone from Concubine Xie's side passed word over, saying Concubine Lu carries musk on her person!" "She comes to sit in our courtyard every day, claiming it's for casual chat, but really she's using the musk to harm your pregnancy!" How would a concubine without any foundation like Concubine Lu dare to do such a thing? It must be Concubine Han backing her from behind. Concubine Li's breath also tightened upon suddenly hearing this news. She sighed, and finally stopped being stubborn. "Go report to the Princess Consort, and ask for the household physician to come examine me." Feixu and Feishuang exchanged a glance, both with delight in their eyes. Their words carried more confidence now. "This servant will go at once!" But although Concubine Li had relented, Concubine Han's side was one step ahead. Just as Qingzhu Pavilion had summoned the manor physician, a young maid came with news. "Concubine Han is with child. The Prince is overjoyed and has ordered her promotion to Concubine Consort." "The title will be conferred once her pregnancy is stable." Feishuang and Feixu felt as if struck by lightning. Only Concubine Li smiled—a smile laden with meaning. She was already as beautiful as a winter plum, and when she slowly broke into a smile, it was like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley, rich with lingering charm. The manor physician was so taken aback that he dared not look again. Fortunately, he was already sixty years old and would not entertain any improper thoughts. Concubine Li said little, first letting the manor physician take her pulse. The physician stroked his pale beard, rose, and bowed. "Congratulations, Mistress Li. You are with child!" "It has already been over two months." Concubine Li slipped a jade bracelet of excellent water quality from her wrist and pushed it across the table. Concubine Li: "Old physician, I am less than a month pregnant and am unclear on many matters. I would ask for your guidance. There will be generous rewards to follow." It is said that pregnancy lasts ten months, but in truth, a difference of one or two months is not obvious. The physicians of Prince Jing's residence all possessed keen, perceptive minds. The physician immediately understood and said, "It is this old man who was overjoyed." "Mistress Li is less than a month pregnant, and the pregnancy is somewhat unstable. She must rest quietly."