Chapter 76

Chapter 76 On the sixteenth day of the first month, Xiaoshu brought Yueya'er to collect the meal rations when she suddenly heard news along the way that Fang Yuan'er had sent someone to Pearl Court. Xiaoshu hurriedly said, "Go back quickly and tell the mistress!" Yueya'er nodded promptly and trotted back to Spring Mountain Court. Xie Run was still sitting in her room reading a book when she heard Yueya'er's voice through the window, "Mistress, Consort Fang has sent a physician to Pearl Court to take Consort Han's pulse!" Xie Run was holding a piece of pastry in her hand, and her movements froze in place. She set down the pastry and the book together, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her hands, and said in a rather helpless tone, "She's under House Arrest, and she still manages to meddle?!" The matter of Concubine Han's false pregnancy had been brewing for so long—it was only missing a fuse to ignite. Xie Run had considered the Princess Consort, Consort Yun, and Concubine Li, but she had never once thought of Fang Yuan'er. Dantao helped tidy up the books and said with a smile, "That one has never been one to stay still. The House Arrest was only the Prince's way of protecting her. After being cooped up for a while, her temper has likely only grown worse." That was a line of thinking Xie Run hadn't considered. Xie Run smiled along. "So you're saying that her merely sending a physician to Pearl Court, rather than charging over herself, already counts as restraint?" "Exactly so. At least she's still mindful of the House Arrest." Dantao chatted leisurely with Xie Run. As they laughed and talked, Qiuxiang had already brought Physician Qian to Pearl Court. Concubine Han's expression was cold and grim. "What does Consort Fang mean by this?!" Qiuxiang said in a gentle, soft voice, "My mistress heard that Lady Han has been feeling unwell during her pregnancy. As it happened, the physician had just finished taking her pulse, so she requested Physician Qian to come and examine Lady Han as well." Although Prince Jing had already announced the promotion of Concubine Han to Concubine Consort, the official appointment document and golden seal had not yet been issued, so she remained a concubine. Concubines were not qualified to summon a physician to take their pulse. Fang Yuan'er sending Physician Qian to examine Concubine Han was both a favor and a mark of respect to Concubine Han. If Concubine Han refused outright, it would make her look guilty and confirm the rumors of her false pregnancy. But if she agreed, and something was actually diagnosed... that would be the real danger. Hong Nao and Lv Yu were both visibly tense, but Concubine Han merely looked somewhat irritated. "Since it's Sister Fang's kind gesture, I naturally cannot refuse." "It's just that Sister Fang came barging in without so much as a word of notice. Those who know would say Sister Fang dotes on me; those who don't would think Sister Fang can't bear to see me do well." Qiuxiang said with a smile, "Lady Han has truly misunderstood!" "My mistress is just a straightforward person. Whoever she likes, she wants to treat well." "She had long heard of some unpleasant rumors circulating in the household, and she often scolds those maids and old women for chattering nonsense, saying they'll have their tongues pulled out sooner or later." Qiuxiang said with a sincere expression, "Now that she's sent a physician to take Lady Han's pulse, it's also to bear witness for Lady Han and put an end to those baseless matters." Concubine Han sneered. "If they're baseless matters, then why is there any need to put an end to them?" Qiuxiang let out a sigh. "Rumors are fiercer than tigers, after all. Even if Lady Han won't think of herself, she should think of the child in her belly." "If even uglier rumors spread in the future, wouldn't that ruin you and the child for a lifetime?" Concubine Han's gaze sharpened. "Are you threatening me?" Qiuxiang immediately put on a look of fear. "How would this servant dare? If Lady Han is unwilling, this servant will immediately take Physician Qian and leave Pearl Court." Concubine Han gritted her teeth. "Enough. Since it's Sister Fang's sincere kindness, I naturally cannot disappoint her." Qiuxiang had retreated to advance; Concubine Han deliberated again and again, ultimately deciding to take the gamble. Physician Qian pretended not to hear the exchange between the two women and silently stepped forward to take her pulse. After a moment, he slowly put away his cloth. "Lady Han's pregnancy is stable. It's just that her appetite has been poor lately. I can prescribe some medicine to stimulate the appetite." Concubine Han swept a light glance over Qiuxiang with her narrow, elongated eyes. "Then I'll trouble the elder physician." "No trouble at all! No trouble at all!" Once the prescription was in hand, Concubine Han smiled without warmth. "Hong Nao! Personally escort Sister Qiuxiang out. Make sure the entire household knows just how grateful I am to Sister Fang." Hong Nao bowed. "This servant obeys!" The moment Hong Nao saw Qiuxiang off, the entire rear courtyard of the prince's residence erupted. "She's really pregnant?" "The physician personally diagnosed her, and Consort Fang's people were watching. How could it be false?!" "So the rumors before were all slander. It seems someone harbored malicious intentions, trying to tarnish Lady Han's reputation." "That's only to be expected. Who wouldn't want the position of Concubine Consort?" Concubine Han reclined half-lying on the couch, a small quilt draped over her, clutching a hand warmer to her chest. The moment Hong Nao entered, she raised her hand and dismissed the maids around her, keeping only Lv Yu and Hong Nao. Lv Yu asked, "Has she been sent off?" Hong Nao's expression was displeased. "Gone!" "Coming all the way here with such a grand show—does anyone really not see through their intentions? And yet they still use the excuse of caring for our mistress. Utterly disgusting!" Concubine Han's eyes were half-open, half-lidded, her posture indescribably languid and alluring. When she spoke, her voice could melt a person's bones. "Even if it weren't her, it would be someone else." Concubine Han let out a light laugh. "Now I should thank her for coming all this way, clearing up the rumors in the household on my behalf." Ever since the news of the child of fortune had spread throughout the Prince's residence, Concubine Han had sensed something was amiss. She guessed that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. Sure enough, not long after, rumors of her faked pregnancy began circulating in the rear courtyard. The two pieces of news—one elevating her, one defaming her—had thoroughly thrust her into the spotlight. At first, Concubine Han had indeed panicked for a moment. But the other party never made a move, which gave Concubine Han ample time to react. She had been secretly drinking medicine all these days. Medicine for faking pregnancy, for inducing vomiting, and for suppressing menstruation... She had considered every aspect, all in preparation for this day. Hong Nao frowned. "That may be so, but the way this was done is utterly disgusting." Lv Yu laughed. "In this household, besides the Princess Consort, the Concubine Consort holds the highest status. Now that she's pregnant and the Prince protects her, how could she not act arrogant?" "Let her gloat for now. Once our mistress's position is firmly established, her days of misfortune will come!" Concubine Han listened to her maidservants' words with great satisfaction. "Thanks to Lady Fang's move, I was just worrying about not having an excuse to go see the Prince." If Concubine Han wanted to cover up the faked pregnancy, she would need to conceive Prince Jing's child within a month or two. Unfortunately, around the New Year, both the Prince and the Princess Consort were busier than ever. The Prince barely set foot in the rear courtyard, only occasionally visiting the pregnant concubines, and even then, he would just sit for a while before leaving.