Chapter 65

Chapter 65 As the Princess Consort saw him about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. "Prince, do ease your mind by all means, but the two concubines in the courtyard have pregnancies that haven't yet settled firmly. Do restrain yourself, I beg you." "And even for those whose pregnancies have settled, one must still be careful..." Prince Jing's face visibly darkened. "Is that how wanton Your Prince appears in the Princess Consort's eyes?!" Was he so desperate as to bed his pregnant concubines?! The Princess Consort replied without changing her expression, "I know the Prince has always valued heirs and would not indulge in reckless behavior. It's just that some concubines, in their eagerness to secure favor, may overstep their bounds. That is why I took the care to remind you." "If the Prince dislikes it, I shall say no more." The Princess Consort had already said her piece, and Prince Jing had been successfully disgusted—the latter remark was pure perfunctory flattery. With a dark face, Prince Jing turned and left Qingsong Courtyard. Eunuch Shian led the way, guiding the group out through the gates of Qingsong Courtyard. After seeing off Prince Jing, the Princess Consort said in confusion, "I know he's troubled, so I deliberately suggested he go ease his mind with the other consorts and concubines—yet he turns around and speaks to me with such sarcasm. What logic is that?" Nanny Li seemed to want to speak but hesitated. The Princess Consort glanced at her. "Nanny, best not to speak. Since you hesitated, whatever you have to say must be something I wouldn't want to hear." "Enough. The weather is so cold—let us retire early as well." Nanny Li's words clogged in her throat, nearly suffocating her. After a moment, Nanny Li could no longer hold back: "Why did the Princess Consort say such things? The Prince has never been one for excess, and he's always been measured in such matters." "Even if some restless one deliberately seduces him, if something happens, it's on their own heads. With this reminder, the Princess Consort has only earned the Prince's displeasure for nothing." Had she not seen how Prince Jing's face was darker than charcoal just now? The Princess Consort said calmly, "Nanny doesn't understand. I have only the Prince's heirs in mind. Even if it means enduring the Prince's displeasure, what must be said must be said." Nanny Li: "..." Since when had her mistress become so virtuous and endearing? The Princess Consort didn't explain. Her reminder this time was naturally not out of virtue, nor was it an idle warning. On the contrary, she was digging a pit for Concubine Han. If Concubine Han's pregnancy was fake, and the Prince didn't touch her, she wouldn't be able to turn false into true in a short time—which would also make it convenient for Concubine Li to make her move. Since she intended to draw Concubine Li into her fold, the Princess Consort ought to do something. The Prince had always cared about face and did indeed look after his pregnant women. After hearing the Princess Consort's "thoughtful words," he would certainly not casually bed a pregnant concubine. The Princess Consort looked forward to seeing how Concubine Han would turn false into true. After leaving Qingsong Courtyard, Prince Jing's steps also paused. Eunuch Shian asked considerately, "Will the Prince go to Chunshan Courtyard or Qiufeng Courtyard?" In Eunuch Shian's understanding, Consort Yun was the Prince's understanding flower, and Consort Xie was the Prince's warming soup. When the Prince was troubled, he loved to go to those two places. But lately, Consort Yun showed signs of falling out of favor—that understanding flower was no longer so understanding. Sure enough, Prince Jing chose Chunshan Courtyard. Eunuch Shian sighed inwardly: It seemed the warming soup was the more reliable choice after all. "I wonder if she's asleep by now." The Prince muttered to himself. He remembered that after Xie Run became pregnant, she slept quite early. Just now, when the Princess Consort suggested he find someone who could comfort him, Xie Run's image had unconsciously surfaced before his eyes. Back when Xie Run's poisoning was discovered, her hair was loosely draped, without hairpins or ornaments—her brows and eyes were all pure beauty and allure, warm, elegant, and captivating. It had left a deep impression on Prince Jing. Whenever he was troubled and thought of her appearance, the stifling weight in his chest seemed to lessen by quite a bit. Eunuch Shian said cheerfully, "Perhaps not." "I heard that Mistress Xie, for the festival, specially prepared a fine spread of dishes and even summoned a few singing girls, bringing the whole of Chunshan Courtyard together for some merriment." "She probably hasn't wrapped things up yet," Shian said, a hint of envy in his eyes. With such a good mistress, it was hard for servants not to be envious. Hearing this, Prince Jing's interest was piqued. The Prince's residence naturally kept a troupe of performers. But since it was merely a festival, Xie Run didn't dare make too much of a fuss—she'd only called three girls to sing, just for a bit of festivity. When Prince Jing arrived with his party, Xie Run had just finished burning spirit money, and candles still flickered in the corner of the courtyard. The spirit money and candles weren't for the Xie family—they were for the original Xie Run. Whether the original had been good or bad, Xie Run had taken over her body, so she owed her gratitude. She only hoped the original would walk well on the path of reincarnation and, after being reborn, never meet another scumbag. She turned after burning the offerings. In the courtyard, a small stage had been set up, and young performers sang softly to the accompaniment of strings and flutes, while the eunuchs and maids watched with rapt attention. In the distance, a tall figure emerged from the snow. Xie Run froze in place. Snow had begun to fall from the sky at some point. A tall figure draped in a great cloak braved the snow, drawing nearer through the night. From the purple-gold jade crown atop his head hung two tassels, making the man appear all the more elegant and handsome. Sharp-eyed maids had already spotted Prince Jing's arrival and rose one after another to bow. "We pay our respects to the Prince!" Only then did Xie Run slowly come back to her senses. "Prince, why have you come?" She was genuinely surprised. First, because it was a festival today; second, she'd heard that Prince Jing and the Princess Consort had gone to the palace for the ancestral sacrifice banquet and had only just returned. Under normal circumstances, Prince Jing would have already retired to the main courtyard. Why would he travel all the way to Spring Mountain Court? Prince Jing approached and reached out to cover Xie Run's hands. "Your hands... they're quite warm." He had intended to warm her hands considerately, but Xie Run had a robust constitution—her hands remained warm even outdoors in the dead of winter. This left Prince Jing with nothing to do. Xie Run withdrew her hands and lightly tapped Prince Jing's hand, playfully scolding, "The Prince's hands are truly cold!" Then she added in a low voice, "The maids are still here!" Her delicate face, illuminated by the white snow and orange lantern light, appeared exquisite and lively, radiating a gentle warmth. Especially those peach blossom eyes, so deep with affection... Prince Jing's heart softened. "The Princess Consort is virtuous. She advised me to visit the concubines with child in the rear courtyard, so I thought I'd come to see you." Perhaps it was Xie Run's imagination. She always felt that Prince Jing's remark about the Princess Consort being virtuous carried a hint of sarcasm. Xie Run didn't like discussing the Princess Consort with Prince Jing. Or rather, within her own courtyard, she didn't like discussing any other woman with Prince Jing. "Your Highness, you must be weary from the journey. Have you eaten yet?" Prince Jing said, "I do find myself missing the fragrant pigeon soup from your courtyard. But it's late, and a heavy meal won't digest well. A bowl of noodles will suffice." "What a coincidence." Xie Run walked with Prince Jing toward the courtyard, making casual conversation. "The small kitchen has had soup simmering on the fire all day. Otherwise, we wouldn't have any ready." The fragrant pigeon soup was quite troublesome to prepare. Whenever Xie Run craved it, she had to place her order a day in advance, letting the small kitchen simmer it over the fire for half a day before it could be served. As they walked, Prince Jing's large hand clasped Xie Run's. Concealed by his heavy cloak, nothing was visible from behind. Such secret intimacy truly warmed one's heart. Xie Run also keenly sensed that Prince Jing was in a poor mood. She wasn't one to play the soothing flower, and never asked too many questions. Once inside, Xie Run helped Prince Jing remove his cloak and handed it to Dantao beside her. She added, "Have the kitchen make noodles in winter bamboo shoot chicken broth, and bring a bowl of the fragrant pigeon soup, along with a few refreshing side dishes." Dantao took the cloak. "Yes. There are freshly delivered fruits—would you like to try some, mistress?" Xie Run nodded. "That would be nice." A little fruit after the meal as well. The room was warmed by a charcoal brazier, and the moment one entered, it was cozy and warm, dispelling much of the gloom in Prince Jing's heart. He sat down to the side, and a maid immediately served tea. Prince Jing took a light sip, his peripheral vision catching the white undergarment laid out nearby. He smiled. "When will I ever get to wear this?" Xie Run's face didn't redden, nor did her breath quicken. "Soon." Prince Jing teased her. "How soon is soon?" Xie Run: "...Perhaps three to five months, perhaps a year or two." Prince Jing: "..." The two stared at each other in silence, then suddenly both burst into laughter. As they laughed, Xie Run suddenly let out an "ouch." Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"