Chapter 81

Chapter 81 Thinking about this, Fang Yuan'er grew especially agitated. "Find some way to investigate." "I just don't think she should be pregnant." Qiukui and Qiuxiang had always thought Fang Yuan'er was overly cautious, always suspicious and doubting that someone was trying to harm her. But the previous incidents had all proven that Fang Yuan'er's guesses were correct. This time, they instinctively believed Fang Yuan'er. After leaving the room, Qiukui said in confusion, "Concubine Han faked her pregnancy because getting pregnant would allow her to be promoted to Concubine Consort. But Concubine Wan faking a pregnancy... what would she gain from that?" For one thing, the household was no longer lacking in pregnancies. Wan Linlang was of low status and had no favor from the Prince. Even if she were pregnant, she posed no threat to anyone. Few would even bother to harm her. For another, the four positions of Concubine Consort in the household were already filled. Even if Wan Linlang gave birth to twin sons, at best she would remain just a concubine. Qiuxiang didn't understand either, but could only say, "What the mistress says is often without basis, but it's always accurate. Perhaps there's a reason we don't know about?" Somehow, this news spread. When Xie Run heard it, she furrowed her brows. "Did this news come from Xiachi Courtyard?" Only Fang Yuan'er knew that Wan Linlang was naturally cold-natured and had difficulty conceiving. Hearing that Wan Linlang was pregnant, Xie Run's first reaction was the same, but after a moment's thought, she dismissed the idea. Wan Linlang wasn't foolish. She wouldn't dig a pit for herself. Dantao was surprised. "How does the mistress know it came from Xiachi Courtyard?" "Just a guess." Xie Run's expression was very calm. "I'm afraid there will be more trouble." Having been reborn, Wan Linlang had her own keen instincts. If this news spread from Fang Yuan'er's courtyard for no reason, Wan Linlang would certainly become suspicious. Moreover, the plot after rebirth was completely different from her previous life. Wan Linlang already harbored doubts in her heart. Now that she encountered this loophole, wouldn't she suspect that Fang Yuan'er had also been reborn like her? They had been mortal enemies in their previous life, and now they would likely fight even more fiercely. But these matters had nothing to do with Xie Run. She needed to prepare for Princess Ruyi's birthday banquet tomorrow. Dantao asked, "Mistress, for Princess Ruyi's birthday tomorrow, how would you like to dress?" "I'll wear the newly made emerald green gown embroidered with plum blossoms, and for jewelry, I'll use that set of pink gemstone hair ornaments, with a few minor adjustments." Red plum blossoms and green gowns rarely paired well together. But the emerald green plum-embroidered gown newly cut by the sewing room was lovely with its light green and soft pink. The red plum blossoms were charming, the green gown fresh—the colors complemented each other perfectly. If she added a fox fur cloak, from a distance she would look like a touch of spring in a world of white snow and red plum blossoms. Just as she was speaking, Xie Run suddenly noticed something missing from her waist. She looked down and heard Dantao's startled cry. "Mistress, where is your jade pendant?" Only then did Xie Run realize that the jade pendant hanging at her waist was gone. Dantao said, "That jade pendant was bestowed by the Prince, and it has the mistress's childhood name carved on it. If it's lost and someone picks it up, I'm afraid they might use it as a pretext to cause trouble." By now, everyone in Chunshan Courtyard had been influenced by Xie Run. Whenever something went missing, their first reaction was to worry that someone might find it and use it against them. Xie Run thought back. "Perhaps it fell in some corner of the courtyard?" "If not, then look around the courtyard entrance." Because the terrain of Chunshan Courtyard wasn't very flat, Xie Run had the snow at the main entrance cleared away, revealing a large open area. She had been taking walks there these past few days. Even if she had lost something, it should be somewhere in that area. Dantao said, "I'll have people search for it right away." After half a day, no one had found the jade pendant. Xiaoshu had just returned from outside. She walked over to the brazier to warm herself, blowing cold air as she shivered. "Mistress, it wasn't found." "No need to mention the courtyard itself. We've searched the area in front of the courtyard more than ten times over. We nearly searched all the way to Qingzhu Courtyard, but there's still no trace of it." Dantao said worriedly, "We've made such a commotion. I'm afraid Qingzhu Courtyard has been disturbed as well?" Xie Run held a cup of tea to warm her hands. "I'm not afraid of making a fuss. What I'm afraid of is the item disappearing silently." Her long lashes drooped, casting a shadow over her snow-white cheeks. "Tomorrow is Princess Ruyi's birthday banquet, and yet this happens today." The two women's expressions tightened, both feeling nervous. "Does the mistress suspect the jade pendant wasn't lost, but stolen?" Xie Run slowly nodded. "If it were any other item, it wouldn't matter. But it had to be this jade pendant." The jade pendant was bestowed upon her personally by Prince Jing, with her childhood name carved on it. It was an extremely personal item of Xie Run's. "It's our carelessness as servants. We didn't notice a thing." Xie Run shook her head, then suddenly said, "Have you forgotten the incident that occurred in Qingzhu Courtyard some time ago?" Dantao was startled. "Does the mistress suspect Concubine Han?" "Not necessarily." Xie Run said slowly, "It's just that I suspect there's someone in the Prince's household who is extremely skilled at breaking into trunks and stealing things." "Concubine Li's trunk was never opened, yet a musk sachet was silently placed inside." "Her pillow was made by her personal maidservant with her own hands, yet someone still found a way to exploit that." A person with such skill could easily steal one of Xie Run's jade pendants without making a sound. "With such capable people around, how could I blame you for the oversight?" The enemy was simply too formidable to defend against. Xiaoshu and Dantao both wore worried expressions. Xie Run looked at them and couldn't help but smile. "You don't need to be so tense. I've been in the spotlight in this household lately—it's only natural that my turn has come." As long as one enjoys favor, schemes and plots are inevitable. No one can stand at the center of the storm forever without a scratch. Xie Run had long anticipated that she would be targeted. "Now that the other side has made an open move, it actually gives us a chance to respond." What was truly frightening was the kind of enemy who struck silently—who never made a move unless it was a fatal blow. That was the real terror. They wouldn't even give you time to react. Dantao asked, "Mistress, how do you plan to respond?" Xie Run thought for a moment. "Where is the Prince right now?" "The Prince is likely in the front courtyard." Xie Run said, "Xiaoshu, go to the front courtyard for me. Tell the Prince that I've lost my jade pendant and I'm feeling upset and throwing a little tantrum." Xiaoshu and Dantao exchanged uncertain glances. Xie Run had a gentle temperament, always smiling, never raising her voice at servants, and certainly never throwing tantrums. Even when she acted a little spoiled in front of Prince Jing, it was always in a playful, teasing manner. Hearing her suddenly claim to be throwing a tantrum—even Dantao and Xiaoshu found it surprising, let alone Prince Jing. Xiaoshu's eyes sparkled with quick wit. "I'll go right away, and I'll make sure to bring the Prince here!"