Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Dan Tao: "The wet nurse had no breath when she was rescued. The Prince had her family thrown into prison—both her husband's family and her own. Probably none of them will survive. Murder of a royal grandson is a crime that wipes out three generations of the family."

"Secondary Consort Ning was also punished and demoted to Common Concubine. As for those who had cared for the Second Young Master, some were beaten, others sold off. I heard one was gravely injured and died on the spot."

Yuli added softly, "I also heard the Prince made all the women in the inner courtyard watch the punishment. Lady Fang, Lady An... several fell ill after returning."

From this perspective, it was fortunate that Xie Run had fainted.

It spared everyone in Linxuan Pavilion from a bloody mess.

Upon hearing this, a wave of sorrow surged in Xie Run's heart.

Wet nurses and maidservants were at the very bottom of the Prince's residence. Concubines like her were just one step up.

If one day she were caught in the turmoil of intrigues, would she also become one of them—dying tragically or being sold off?

When one's mind is filled with such thoughts, it's easy to fall ill.

Xie Run did, and so did Fang Yuaner.

Since arriving in this book world, Fang Yuaner had quickly accepted her situation and mapped out her future path.

She was full of fighting spirit, ready to make her mark in this ancient world.

But who would have thought that only two days in, she would witness someone beaten to death with a club?

Row after row of people laid out on benches, beaten like pieces of meat, blood staining the ground red—it nearly scared the life out of her.

Prince Jing's intention was to warn the women in the inner courtyard to behave, and he didn't care if anyone was scared half to death.

After watching, Fang Yuaner's legs went as weak as noodles, and she had to be supported back by her maids.

She fell ill that very afternoon.

That night, she had a high fever and kept having nightmares.

One moment it was the tragic fate of the original Fang Yuaner in the book, the next it was the scene of servants being beaten in Lanxiang Garden.

Dazed and delirious, she was sick for half a month.

Xie Run fared better. It only took her two days to adjust her mindset, and by the second day, she was alive and kicking again.

As it happened, Prince Jing had given her some tea leaves last time. With nothing else to do each day, she learned to brew tea and studied chess manuals.

She also learned the Five Animals Exercise from the residence physician, practicing it every morning and evening. Time passed quickly.

Having suffered many illnesses in her previous life, Xie Run valued her health especially in this one. She was careful to eat and drink healthily, and her complexion kept improving.

With the Second Young Master gone, Prince Jing wasn't in the mood to call for anyone, and the inner courtyard remained peaceful for over a month.

A month later, Prince Jing finally began visiting the inner courtyard again. His first stop was Concubine Yun's quarters.

Before Xie Run and Fang Yuaner entered the residence, this Concubine Yun had been Prince Jing's favorite.

Xie Run had made inquiries and learned that she had a pleasant disposition and a heart that was both clever and kind. Everyone in the residence said she was easy to get along with.

After hearing this, Xie Run felt a shiver run down her spine.

According to the novel's plot, a character like this was either genuinely good-natured or truly formidable.

A few days after Prince Jing started visiting the inner courtyard again, 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 and jotting things down.

She didn't even notice Prince Jing approaching with his attendants.

"What flowers are you planting here?"

Xie Run was startled. Turning around and seeing Prince Jing, she let out a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, why did you sneak up behind me? You nearly scared me to death."

Before her stood Prince Jing, dressed in a moon-white robe embroidered with silver dragon patterns, a jade belt cinching his waist, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. With a face like jade and a handsome bearing, he was absolutely stunning.

Xie Run was stunned, almost forgetting to explain about the flowers in front of her.

"This is honeysuckle and jasmine."

Only after speaking did she realize she hadn't performed the proper salute. She quickly added a belated curtsy.

Prince Jing noticed but only raised an eyebrow slightly, pretending not to have seen.

"There are quite a few flowers planted in the residence, but these two are uncommon. What made you think of planting them?"

Xie Run answered honestly, "Your servant planted them only to steep in water for drinking. Honeysuckle cools the body and reduces fever, jasmine reduces swelling and detoxifies—both are beneficial."

Besides, when she first entered the residence, she didn't dare ask for any fancy flowering plants.

Prince Jing glanced casually. "You're pretty down-to-earth."

Upon hearing this, Xie Run suddenly looked up at Prince Jing with her big, sparkling eyes, as if hesitating over something.

Prince Jing's demeanor turned slightly stern. "I don't like people who beat around the bush."

Xie Run sighed, then raised her hand. Her maids, understanding the cue, withdrew.

Her voice was soft and gentle. "But I'm just a straightforward person."

Since the conversation had come this far, Xie Run felt she might as well take the chance to open up to Prince Jing.

Her fingertips brushed over a tiny jasmine blossom, her fair fingers smooth and slender. "Your Highness, if I were to say that I don't love pearls and silk gowns, that would certainly be a lie."

"But compared to pearls and silk gowns," Xie Run's tone was slow, like a gentle stream, "I love myself more. Before entering the Prince's residence, I once fell into a lake."

The Xie family held little power, and the news of Xie Run being pulled from the lake at midnight could not be concealed.

The only thing that hid the elopement was that my childhood neighbor didn't come forward.

Xie Run knew this was a powder keg. Rather than wait for someone to use it as a pretext to scheme against her, it was better to clear it up herself first.

Prince Jing had heard of it before, but hadn't paid much attention.

However, now, a month after his second son drowned, his mindset had changed, and he found himself a little curious.

"What happened then?"

Xie Run gave a soft laugh, one that held both relief and resignation. "Having had a brush with death, I've become more detached about life and death. My greatest wish is just to stay healthy and live a long life."

Prince Jing smirked, "You're quite greedy. Health is one thing, but you even want a hundred years of life..."

In this era, sixty was already considered an advanced age, and a hundred years could serve as a model.

Xie Run wasn't embarrassed; she smiled openly, "I've entered the prince's manor, thinking to soak up some of your good fortune—that's not too much to ask, is it?"

Prince Jing shook his head, "Indeed, it's not too much."

But his expression was clearly perfunctory.

Whether perfunctory or not, Xie Run took it seriously, her smile sparkling, her eyes clear as glass holding a warm glow.

Xie Run gently tugged at Prince Jing's sleeve, leading him toward the main house.

"My father also had a few concubines, and I've seen plenty of the struggles among the women in the household..."

The air around Prince Jing grew heavy, and his smile carried a hint of menace. "Those are presumptuous words."

Though Prince Jing usually appeared restrained and gentle, deep down he was somewhat capricious and domineering. A smile tinged with anger was especially intimidating.

Those familiar with his temperament would have been terrified into kneeling at such a remark.

Xie Run lifted her skirt and knelt properly.

She raised her head, meeting Prince Jing's gaze with bright, clear eyes full of warmth and composure.

"In this life, this is probably the only time I'll dare to be bold."

Xie Run smiled as she spoke, facing Prince Jing's deep, dark eyes without a trace of fear.

"I'm fortunate to have entered Prince Jing's manor, to be under your protection, to have a peaceful place for the rest of my life. I treasure such days dearly, wanting only to tend to my courtyard in peace, eat well, drink well, avoid illness and trouble, and live a good life. For me, that is a heavenly life."

Every word of Xie Run's was filled with gratitude and longing, yet each also made it clear she wanted no trouble, no involvement in the inner household's affairs—just a peaceful existence.

Especially given that the second son had recently died by falling into the lake.

Xie Run's words were a provocation against Prince Jing's authority.

Prince Jing snorted, "Such words, anyone can say."

He had heard such words more than once and naturally didn't believe a word. Anger had already risen.

But when met with Xie Run's pure, guileless eyes, his heart softened against his will.

"Get up." Prince Jing's voice was subdued, still displeased.

Xie Run slowly rose, unfazed, no longer worried whether Prince Jing believed her.

Time would tell; eventually, Prince Jing would come to know her true nature.

That night, Prince Jing's interest was low, and he did nothing intimate.

He didn't return the next day.

Yuli and Dan Tao, who had been standing in the corridor that day, had overheard some of the conversation and were terrified.

Yuli looked worried. "Why did you say such things to provoke the prince? What if he dislikes you and never comes again?"

Xie Run smiled. "If he doesn't come, then so be it."

Now that she had entered the manor and served Prince Jing, all the formal procedures were completed. She was an official concubine.

The princess was a decent person who never was stingy with food, clothing, and daily necessities.

Xie Run's future wouldn't be too hard.

Prince Jing's favor was like the cream on top—good to have, but not essential.

Dan Tao brought a bowl of jade peach porridge. "Are you worried about something?"

Xie Run leaned back in her chair, the smile in her eyes fading slightly. "Since the second son's incident, I've felt that a storm is brewing in the household."

Besides the second son, there was also Xie Run's sudden awakening of her memories as a novel transmigrator.

All these things happening together couldn't just be a coincidence, right?

The transmigrator was holding back, waiting to rise in status. She hadn't made a move yet, but Consort Ning had already miscarried a child and been lowered in rank.

The transmigrator was holding back, and Consort Ning was surely holding back as well. Someone was bound to unleash a big move.

Xie Run feared that if she didn't come clean with Prince Jing now, she might never get the chance.

Dan Tao and Yuli felt Xie Run was borrowing trouble.

After all, when she had received the prince's favor for three straight days, she had already been fearful that others would harm her—showing her cautious and mistrustful side.

The two comforted Xie Run, half convinced, half skeptical.