Chapter 91

Chapter 91 Concubine Han braced herself and stood up, laughing and crying at once: "Yes, I did it!" "I did everything!" "Let the Prince investigate as he pleases!" As she spoke, she raised her hand and slapped Wan Linlang across the face. Wan Linlang seemed unable to dodge in time and took the slap squarely. After being struck, Wan Linlang flew into a rage and raised her hand to strike back. The two suddenly began brawling with each other. It all happened rather abruptly. Before the maids and matrons nearby could step in to separate them, Concubine Han shoved Wan Linlang hard, sending her crashing into the tea table nearby. Wan Linlang clutched her belly and let out a miserable cry, her face turning terrifyingly pale in an instant. The Princess Consort slammed her hand on the table. "How dare you!" "Are you all dead?! Get over here and restrain them at once!" A maid tried to help Wan Linlang to her feet, but after supporting her for a long while, Wan Linlang's face only grew paler, and her legs were so weak she couldn't even stand straight! "Blood! Lady Wan is bleeding too!" Everyone saw faint traces of red spreading silently across Wan Linlang's clothing. Wan Linlang seemed stunned as well, frozen in place, then suddenly cried out: "Prince, save my child!" Prince Jing said indifferently: "Have the imperial physician take a look at her as well." With Concubine Han's 'miscarriage' having occurred earlier, everyone was quite familiar with the procedure by now. Prince Jing raised his hand and rubbed his brow, appearing deeply impatient. The Princess Consort said softly: "Prince, Concubine Xie has already proven her innocence. The origins of Feihua will need to be investigated slowly. If this continues, it won't look good." "Several of the sisters are with child. Why not let them all return to their own courtyards first, and we can send people to investigate the rest gradually." Prince Jing nodded. "The Princess Consort should send several people to escort each courtyard back. There must be no more incidents on the way!" The Princess Consort said: "That is exactly what I was thinking." "Your Highness need not worry too much. Now that we have a lead, everything will eventually come to light." "Perhaps." Prince Jing's gaze drifted indifferently over the pregnant women below. Concubine An and Concubine Li's faces were both frighteningly pale, and Consort Yun was no better. In contrast, Xie Run, who had just weathered a life-and-death crisis, remained perfectly composed. She simply kept her eyes slightly lowered, quiet and demure. If one judged by appearances alone, one might mistakenly think she was easy to bully. But in dealing with Sang Cao's accusations earlier, Xie Run had been unhurried from start to finish—even when deceiving others, she betrayed not the slightest trace. Prince Jing did not require his women to be particularly strong or bold. But he certainly did not enjoy seeing them all turn pale and wail at the slightest trouble. Compared to the others, Xie Run was just right. She pleased him greatly. With that thought in mind, Prince Jing had already spoken: "Place Lady Han under House Arrest in Pearl Court first. Once all her crimes are fully investigated, she will be dealt with accordingly!" "Everyone else, return to your own courtyards and stay put. Do not wander about without being summoned!" The group bowed in unison: "As you command!" Seeing that Prince Jing was about to leave, the Princess Consort suddenly called out: "Prince!" Prince Jing paused mid-step, and the Princess Consort took the opportunity to mention: "Concubine Lu jumped into the water to save Princess Ruyi, and she still hasn't regained consciousness." "She rendered great service, yet only asked me for a maidservant. I thought I might ask Your Highness on her behalf for some additional rewards." Prince Jing pondered for a moment. "She does deserve a reward. I'll have Shi'an make the arrangements shortly." Only then did the Princess Consort say: "Then I shall see the Prince off." Xie Run did not leave. She said to Consort Yun: "Xiaoshu is injured and shouldn't be moved. I'm afraid I'll have to impose on Sister Yun for a little while longer." The drama today had gone on for so long that Consort Yun's face already showed signs of exhaustion. She waved her hand at this point. "Sister needn't be so formal with me." "Sister staying here is a blessing for Autumn Maple Court." Consort Yun rubbed her temples. "It's just that I truly can't hold on much longer, and I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain you properly." The previous miscarriage had ultimately damaged her constitution. Consort Yun had rested for a long time and could only manage half a day today. If she had to entertain guests as well, she simply didn't have the strength. Xie Run smiled. "Of course Sister's health comes first. I wouldn't dare impose for too long." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xie Run entered the side room to see Xiaoshu. A young maid and a matron were attending to her. As soon as Xie Run entered, Zihu stepped forward and gave each of them two ingots of silver. Xie Run said: "Take good care of her. If Xiaoshu recovers, you'll be rewarded even better." The two said happily: "Thank you for your generosity, Concubine. We will certainly take good care of Miss/Young Sister Xiaoshu." "Mistress..." Xiaoshu struggled to get up. Xie Run quickly pressed her back down. "Don't move! We finally stopped the bleeding—be careful not to reopen the wound." Xiaoshu dared not move anymore. Zihu said coldly to the two attendants: "You may leave now. Our mistress has something to say." "Yes." Only when the room was left with just their own people did Xie Run take Xiaoshu's hand and ask softly: "Does it hurt?" Xiaoshu shook her head, then smiled. "It doesn't hurt." Xie Run pressed her lips together, putting on an angry expression: "Liar!" "How could a fresh wound on your body not hurt?" Seeing her mistress's eyes grow red, Xiaoshu dared not say another word. Xie Run tucked the blanket around her and said softly, "You've been injured this time. You'll need a good year or so to fully recover your strength." Xiaoshu's eyes widened. "Mistress, how can that be?" "Why not?" Xie Run's tone was gentle, but her attitude was firm. "You protected my child and me—you are our great benefactor. Never mind resting for a year or so, even if the Prince's estate were to support you for a lifetime, it would be well deserved." "You only need to rest and recover at ease. Your position by my side will always be kept for you—you may return whenever you wish." Xie Run said seriously, "I have only one requirement: you must come back to serve by my side in good health!" Xiaoshu's eyes reddened as well, tears streaming down like rain. "Thank you, Mistress." Xie Run raised a hand to touch her own belly and sighed softly. "It is we who should be thanking you." "Now then—the storm has finally passed, so no more tears." Xie Run smiled. "Our days will only get better from here." Xiaoshu wiped her tears and nodded. "At least I've been cleared of all the false accusations, and I didn't drag down you or everyone in Spring Mountain Court." "Today, if not for your reminder, Mistress, I would have been bitten to death by Sang Cao's lies." Even now, Xiaoshu still felt a lingering fear. If she had been even slightly slower in her reaction back then, she would have been saddled with the crime of plotting against the Prince's child—and would have brought disaster upon her mistress as well. Xie Run said calmly, "The moment Sang Cao opened her mouth, she gave the time and place, and even the items you supposedly bribed her with were all things that had been properly accounted for." "That shows she and the person behind her had been plotting for a long time—their aim was to use you to bring me down." Xie Run remarked with feeling, "Such a meticulous plan, and with capable people helping them—it was truly hard to guard against." It was fortunate that Xiaoshu was quick-witted, and that her brother happened to have hunted that tiger skin and hung it in the room—that was what made Sang Cao reveal herself.