Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Dantao said, "The wet nurse was pulled from the water but had already stopped breathing. The Prince had her family thrown into prison—both her birth family and her husband's. I'm afraid few of them will survive. Murdering an imperial grandson is a crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of the family." "Consort Ning was also punished, demoted to Concubine Consort. As for those who had been caring for the Second Young Master together with her, some were beaten with rods, some were sold off. I heard one was injured so badly that she died on the spot." Yuli added in a low voice, "They say the Prince made all the women of the household watch the punishment. Mistress Fang, Mistress An... several of them fell ill after returning." Looking at it this way, it was fortunate that Xie Run had fainted. It had spared the people of Linxuan Pavilion from witnessing that bloody horror. Hearing all this, a wave of sorrow surged through Xie Run's heart. The wet nurses and maidservants were nothing but the lowest class in this princely household. A concubine like herself was only slightly better off. If one day she were caught in the turmoil of infighting, would she too become one of those people—dying miserably or being sold off? When one's mind dwells on too many things, one easily falls ill. Such was the case for Xie Run, and also for Fang Yuan'er. Since transmigrating into the book, Fang Yuan'er had quickly accepted her circumstances and planned out the path she wanted to take in the future. She was full of fighting spirit, eager to carve out a place for herself in this ancient world. But who would have thought that only two days after arriving, she would witness someone being beaten to death with rods before her very eyes? Row after row of people laid out on benches, beaten like slabs of meat, blood staining everything red—it scared half the soul out of a person. Prince Jing's intention had been to warn the women of the household to behave themselves; he didn't care who had been frightened senseless. After watching, Fang Yuan'er's legs went as weak as noodles. She had to be supported back to her quarters by her maidservants. She fell ill that very afternoon. That night she ran a high fever and was plagued by nightmares. One moment she dreamed of the miserable fate of the original Fang Yuan'er from the book, the next she dreamed of the servants at Lanxiang Garden being beaten with rods. She drifted in and out of consciousness, and this illness lasted over half a month. Xie Run fared better—it only took her two days to adjust her mindset, and by the second day she was full of energy again. It happened that Prince Jing had given her some tea leaves last time, so she spent her idle days learning the art of brewing tea and studying chess manuals. She also learned the Five Animals Frolics from the household physician and practiced it every morning and evening. Time passed surprisingly quickly. In her previous life she had been plagued by illness and misfortune, so in this life Xie Run placed great importance on her health. She strove for nutritious and healthy eating and drinking, and her complexion was getting better and better. Because the Second Young Master had died, Prince Jing had no mood to summon anyone to attend to him, and the household remained peaceful for over a month. A month later, Prince Jing finally returned to the inner quarters, and his first visit was to Concubine Yun's place. Before Xie Run and Fang Yuan'er had entered the household, this Concubine Yun had been the one most favored by Prince Jing. Xie Run had made inquiries and learned that she was said to have a gentle disposition and a clever, resourceful heart—renowned throughout the household as the easiest person to get along with. Hearing this, Xie Run couldn't help but feel a chill at the back of her neck. According to the novel's plot, a character like this was either genuinely good-natured or truly formidable. After Prince Jing had spent a few days in the inner quarters, he finally remembered Xie Run and came to Linxuan Pavilion. At that moment, Xie Run was observing the honeysuckle and jasmine she had planted, holding a small notebook in her hand and scribbling away. She didn't even notice Prince Jing approaching with his attendants. "What flowers are these that you're planting?" Xie Run was startled out of her wits. She turned around and saw Prince Jing, then let out a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, you startled me, appearing from behind like that." Before her stood Prince Jing in a moon-white robe embroidered with silver dragon patterns, a jade belt at his waist that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Paired with his handsome, jade-like features, he possessed an air of extraordinary elegance. Xie Run was momentarily stunned, almost forgetting to explain the flowers before her. "These are honeysuckle and jasmine." Only after speaking did she realize she hadn't performed the proper salute. Xie Run quietly added one. Prince Jing noticed, his brow arching slightly, but he pretended not to see. "There are plenty of flowers planted in the household, but these two are uncommon. What made you think of planting these?" Xie Run answered honestly, "I planted them just to brew in water for drinking. Honeysuckle reduces heat and fever, and jasmine reduces swelling and detoxifies—both are beneficial." Besides, when she had first entered the household, she hadn't dared to ask for any precious or rare flowers. Prince Jing cast a casual glance at her. "You're quite practical." Hearing this, Xie Run suddenly looked up at Prince Jing with her watery, peach-blossom eyes, as if wrestling with something in her mind. Prince Jing's tone turned slightly heavy. "I do not care for those who speak with hesitation." Xie Run let out a sigh and raised her hand. The maidservants nearby took the hint and withdrew. Her voice was warm and soft. "But Your Highness, I am a practical person." Since the conversation had come this far, Xie Run felt she might as well take the opportunity to speak frankly with Prince Jing. Xie Run's fingertips brushed over a delicate jasmine blossom, her fair fingers gleaming like polished scallions. "Your Highness, if I said I don't love hairpins and silks, that would certainly be a lie." "But compared to hairpins and silks, I love myself more." Xie Run's tone was slow and gentle, like a trickling stream. "Before I entered the Prince's household, I once fell into the water." The Xie family held little power, and the news that Xie Run had fallen into the water at night and been pulled out could not be hidden from anyone. Only her neighbor's childhood sweetheart had failed to appear, which conveniently concealed the matter of their elopement. Xie Run knew this was a buried landmine. Rather than wait for someone to use it against her one day, she would address it herself first. Prince Jing had heard about it before, though he hadn't paid it much attention. Exactly one month had passed since his second son had drowned. His mood was different now, and a flicker of curiosity stirred within him. "What happened afterward?" Xie Run gave a light laugh—one that carried both relief and resignation. "Having walked through the gates of the underworld, this servant has come to see life and death more lightly. My greatest wish in this lifetime is simply to enjoy good health and live to a ripe old age." Prince Jing scoffed. "You're quite greedy. Good health is one thing, but living to a ripe old age..." In this era, sixty was already considered a long life; a hundred would make one a paragon. Xie Run showed no shame, smiling with candor. "This servant has entered the Prince's household, hoping to borrow a bit of the Prince's fortune. Surely that isn't too much to ask?" Prince Jing shook his head. "Indeed, it isn't too much." But his expression was clearly perfunctory. Whether it was perfunctory or not, Xie Run took it to heart. Her smile sparkled, her eyes clear and bright, carrying a warmth like glass catching the light. Xie Run gently tugged at Prince Jing's sleeve, guiding him toward the main hall. "This servant's father also kept several concubines. I've seen no small amount of strife among the women of the inner courtyard..." Prince Jing's demeanor grew heavier, and the smile on his face carried a pointed edge. "That is impertinent." Though Prince Jing was ordinarily reserved and mild-mannered, beneath it all he possessed a temperament that could turn capricious and overbearing. A smile laced with anger was most terrifying of all. Those familiar with his nature would have dropped to their knees in fear at such a rebuke. Xie Run lifted her skirts and knelt properly, head raised, meeting Prince Jing's gaze with eyes clear as black and white, filled with gentle composure. "In this lifetime, this servant dares to be impertinent perhaps only this once." Xie Run spoke with a smile, and even facing Prince Jing's dark, deep-set eyes, she showed not a trace of fear. "This servant was fortunate enough to enter the Prince's household, to receive the Prince's protection, and to find a peaceful corner for the rest of my days. I cherish this life dearly. I only wish to quietly tend to my courtyard, eat well and drink well each day, fall ill never, cause no trouble, and simply live a good life. To me, that is a life of paradise." Every word Xie Run spoke was filled with gratitude and hope, yet each word also made clear that she had no desire to stir up trouble or involve herself in the affairs of the inner courtyard—only to live in peace. Especially given that the Second Young Master had just drowned in the lake days before. These words of Xie Run's were a challenge to Prince Jing's authority. Prince Jing let out a cold laugh. "Anyone can say such words." He had heard such sentiments more than once, and naturally believed not a syllable. Anger was already rising within him. But when his eyes met Xie Run's—so clean that one could see straight to the bottom—his heart softened unexpectedly. "Rise." His voice was still strained with displeasure. Xie Run rose slowly, without a trace of fear, and no longer worried whether Prince Jing believed her. In time, Prince Jing would come to know her true nature. That evening, Prince Jing's spirits were low, and nothing transpired between them. He did not return the next day. Yuli and Dantao had hidden themselves beneath the corridor that day, catching fragments of the conversation, and had been frightened half to death. Yuli's face was full of worry: "Mistress, why did you say such things to provoke the Prince? What if he takes a dislike to you and stops coming altogether?" Xie Run smiled. "If he doesn't come, then he doesn't come." Now that she had entered the household and served Prince Jing, all the proper formalities were complete. She was a legitimate concubine. The Princess Consort was a woman of propriety who never skimped on food or clothing for anyone. Xie Run's days ahead would not be too difficult. The Prince's favor was merely icing on the cake—welcome if it came, unnecessary if it didn't. Dantao brought over a bowl of jade peach soup. "Mistress, what are you worried about?" Xie Run leaned back in her chair, the smile in her eyes fading slightly. "Ever since the Second Young Master's death, I've felt that a storm is brewing in this inner courtyard." Beyond the Second Young Master, there was also the transmigration memory that had suddenly awakened within her. For all these things to appear at once—surely it couldn't be mere coincidence? The transmigrated woman wanted to rise in status but had yet to make a move. Meanwhile, Consort Ning had already lost a child and been demoted in rank. The transmigrated woman was holding back, and Consort Ning was surely holding back as well. Eventually, someone would unleash a devastating blow. She feared that if she didn't speak frankly with Prince Jing now, she might never have the chance again. Dantao and Yuli both felt that Xie Run was borrowing trouble. After all, when she had first been favored for three consecutive nights, she had worried that someone might harm her, revealing a cautious and suspicious nature. The two comforted Xie Run with a few words, half believing and half doubting.