Chapter 98

Chapter 98 Finally, another half month or so passed. Good news came one after another from the estate. Both Concubine Li's and Concubine An's pregnancies had gradually stabilized, and Concubine Lu's illness was improving day by day. Concubine An's figure grew increasingly swollen, and news of the twins had spread throughout the entire courtyard. Now that her pregnancy was completely stable, the Princess Consort no longer made any effort to suppress such news. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the deliveries of Concubine An, Consort Fang, and Concubine Xie. One day, Xie Run was examining several newly carved jade pieces when she suddenly heard Yueliang'er relay a message. "Mistress, Concubine Lu from Qingfeng Courtyard requests an audience with you." Xie Run was slightly surprised. "Concubine Lu wants to see me?" "How rare. I have no particular connection with her." After the Ju Zi incident, Concubine Lu had gone to Concubine An's courtyard and caused a scene. Though neither woman had suffered any serious harm, Concubine Lu's already poor reputation had grown even worse. None of the consorts, concubines, or maidservants in the estate were willing to associate with her. Of course, no one dared to offend her either. After all, since her reputation was already ruined, others still had theirs to protect. However, because she had jumped into the water to save Princess Ruyi, she had been ill for quite some time, which was why she hadn't stirred up any new trouble. Now that she had just recovered, she came calling on Xie Run—it was hard not to wonder. Dantao had a poor impression of Concubine Lu. "Mistress, this Concubine Lu is a tough customer. We should minimize contact with her." Xie Run pondered for a moment. "Did she say what she wants to see me about?" Concubine Lu had a bad reputation, but she wasn't foolish. If she didn't have something important, a concubine despised by the entire estate wouldn't be so tactless as to seek out Xie Run, a beloved Concubine Consort. After all, not everyone was like Concubine Li, who put on airs—even if she truly despised Concubine Lu, she wouldn't say so openly. Yueliang'er thought for a moment. "She only said that after her serious illness, she wanted to see you, Mistress, to absorb some of your good fortune." Xie Run frowned slightly and pushed the jade pendant in front of her away. "It's cold outside. Invite her to the main hall and tell her I'll be there shortly." Yueliang'er acknowledged, "Yes!" "Put the jade away." Xie Run stood up. "Since she's come to call so openly, there's nothing for us to fear." Dantao naturally obeyed her mistress, only adding one more remark, "Mistress, have Zihu accompany you." Xie Run said, "Naturally." Xie Run made her way slowly to the main hall, where she saw Concubine Lu already tasting the tea. Concubine Lu set down her teacup and bowed formally to Xie Run. "This servant greets Concubine Xie." "The tea here at Concubine Xie's place is truly fragrant. This servant has never had such fine tea in her entire life." Concubine Lu smiled ingratiatingly. Xie Run smiled warmly. "If you like it, I'll have some packed for you to take back." Concubine Lu was taken aback, then smiled. "This servant was only speaking casually." She added self-deprecatingly, "Concubine Xie is so generous, it makes this servant seem like she came begging for favors." Xie Run's attitude was almost too kind. Concubine Lu recalled what people in the estate said. They all said that Concubine Xie and Concubine An had equally good temperaments—gentle, kind, tolerant toward others, and never losing their temper with servants. But it was Concubine Xie who was most favored by the Prince, while Concubine An had never caught his eye. Everyone sighed, wondering how two women with the same temperament could have such different fates. Was it simply because Concubine Xie was younger and prettier? Concubine Lu had always scoffed at such talk. How were their temperaments the same? Concubine An was simply a coward—soft with no spine at all. A pushover might be good to others, but it harmed the people around her. Concubine Xie, though gentle and kind, was not weak in the slightest. That day at Qiufeng Courtyard, when Sang Cao had viciously accused her, with the Prince and Princess Consort seated above and everyone else watching the show, Concubine Xie had remained composed from start to finish, handling everything with ease, not a trace of fear in her eyes. She had even protected her own maidservant. That kind of ability was something Concubine An could never learn in a lifetime. Concubine Xie also treated those around her exceptionally well. For Xiaoshu, who had been injured on her behalf, Concubine Xie had personally sent people to care for her, checking on her every few days, accompanied by a steady stream of rewards. While Xiaoshu recuperated at home, her entire family basked in the benefits of her loyalty to her mistress, receiving countless favors. Unlike Concubine An... As she thought about it, a mocking smile curled at the corner of Concubine Lu's lips. Xie Run was about to speak when she noticed a flash of jade color slipping from Concubine Lu's sleeve—it looked quite familiar. Concubine Lu smiled. "This servant has some words she'd like to share with Concubine Xie. Would Concubine Xie permit this servant to stay for a few more cups of tea?" Xie Run's pupils contracted slightly, but she maintained a gentle smile on her face. "Of course. I have no shortage of tea here—not just a few cups, but even a whole day's worth would be fine." With that, she dismissed Lüzhi and Hongxi, who were attending in the room. "I recall there's new Da Hong Pao and Laojunmei in the storeroom. Bring them both out for Sister Lu to taste." The two acknowledged and left. Dantao deliberately walked to the doorway, lifted the curtain to survey the surroundings, and instructed the servants working nearby, making sure no one was eavesdropping before letting the curtain fall. Xie Run said slowly, "Sister Lu, if you have something to say, please speak frankly." Concubine Lu suddenly rose and knelt before Xie Run. Xie Run was startled and quickly moved to rise. "Concubine Lu, what are you doing? This is not necessary." Although a Concubine Consort held a slightly higher rank than a concubine, the difference was not significant. This dynasty did not have the custom of kneeling and prostrating at every turn. Kowtowing was typically reserved for grand ceremonies and rarely occurred between individuals of vastly different status. Concubine Lu produced a jade pendant and a letter from her sleeve, holding them up in her palms. "There are some words I do not know how to voice, so I beg Concubine Xie to look at this letter and jade pendant." Dantao caught sight of the jade pendant and a flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Is this not our mistress's lost jade pendant? How did it come into your hands?!" Concubine Lu lowered her eyes, her expression serene. "This is the suicide note Ju Zi left for me." "The jade pendant was also sent to me by her." "The full story behind the kite incident at Zhishui Pavilion that day is all in this letter." "Ju Zi?" Xie Run exchanged a glance with Dantao. Neither of them could fathom how Xie Run could possibly be connected to Ju Zi. Zihu stepped forward to receive the letter, examined it front and back, and only after confirming it was free of poison did she hand it to Xie Run. Concubine Lu took in everything, and her heart unconsciously tightened with tension. Though she harbored no ill intentions, in such a setting and under such circumstances, how could she not be nervous? Xie Run first scanned the jade pendant, confirming it was indeed hers, before opening the letter and reading it slowly. Time passed minute by minute, and Xie Run's expression gradually darkened. Concubine Lu remained kneeling on the ground, awaiting Xie Run's reaction. After a long while, Xie Run finally spoke: "Ju Zi's sentiment—I accept it!" "In her letter she left a final request, begging me to offer you some protection within the prince's household. That, too, I have agreed to."