Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Who would have thought that Fang Yuaner visited Linxuan Pavilion in the morning, and by afternoon, the news that she wanted to use soap to regain favor had spread throughout Prince Jing's inner courtyard.

Xie Run's scalp went numb. She quickly called Dan Tao and Yuli over to ask.

"After Sister Fang left, did anyone in our courtyard have contact with outsiders?"

Yuli answered promptly, "At noon, it was just me and the new Yueya'er who went to fetch meals. On the way, we met Luoshuang from Concubine An's courtyard and chatted casually, but didn't say anything much."

Dan Tao reminded her, "You said today you wanted to change the bedding and window screens. In the afternoon, Xiaoshu, Xiao Ci, and Nanny Ma were busy in the courtyard."

Xie Run nodded. "Since it's not from our courtyard, then it must be that someone on Sister Fang's side let it slip."

Xie Run said to Dan Tao, "Go to Splendid Pavilion and tell Sister Fang that the news has leaked. Tell her to act cautiously and not be harmed by others."

Dan Tao asked, "Should I remind Lady Fang that the leak came from her own courtyard?"

"No need. Just say we found no problems in our courtyard."

If I put it so bluntly, what if I'm proven wrong?

"Understood."

As soon as Dan Tao left, Yuli murmured, "If you had listened to me and stayed away from Concubine Fang, none of this would have happened."

"Concubine Fang had barely left when the news spread through the inner courtyard. She'll probably suspect that our courtyard leaked the information. Then you'll be the one wronged."

Xie Run frowned slightly and said calmly, "You may go now."

Yuli was taken aback but still bowed obediently: "Yes."

Leaning against the cushion, Xie Run pondered Yuli's words.

Xie Run knew that Yuli had become too ambitious.

Yuli had always been impulsive by nature.

But before, when Xie Run had just entered the household and the situation was unclear, she managed to suppress that restlessness and act cautiously and properly.

Now that Xie Run was quite favored by Prince Jing, Yuli had become proud along with her, gradually looking down on the out-of-favor Fang Yuaner.

With such a temperament, she would likely cause trouble sooner or later.

Fang Yuaner had already learned from Qiu Lan's example. Xie Run didn't want to see a second Qiu Lan.

She slowly lowered her eyes, thinking about how to arrange Yuli's future.

Soon, Dan Tao returned with news.

Dan Tao: "Lady Fang said she has it under control and told you not to worry too much."

Xie Run nodded slightly. "Since that's the case, I won't bother anymore."

Dan Tao smiled and reminded her, "A month has passed, and your pouch is still not embroidered."

Xie Run couldn't help but grimace. She helplessly extended her hand. "Look at my hands, all pricked with holes... The prince has no pity for me at all."

Dan Tao disagreed. "It's precisely because the prince pities you that he asked you to embroider the pouch. Other concubines don't even get the chance to embroider a pouch for him."

Xie Run sighed and obediently picked up the embroidery hoop. "Fine."

At least this boss provides food, clothing, and shelter. I should be more diligent in my work.

News of the soap spread through the inner courtyard. The princess didn't take it seriously, but Shufei Ning sensed something different.

Using a soap recipe to regain favor?

She sent Nanny Zhang to investigate. "Can this soap really bring in a hundred gold a month for a shop?"

Nanny Zhang came from a poor background and didn't believe it at all. "For ordinary merchant families, earning a hundred taels of silver a month is already extraordinary. A hundred gold a month, just from a little soap... Mistress, don't be fooled. Look, the main courtyard hasn't stirred at all."

Shufei Ning smiled bitterly. "The main courtyard never cares about the prince's favor, so of course there's no reaction."

Nanny Zhang said sympathetically, "Mistress, are you thinking..."

Shufei Ning's eyes lit up. "Nanny Zhang, find a way to get the soap recipe."

Nanny Zhang frowned. "What use is the recipe to you?"

Having been in Prince Jing's household for so many years, Nanny Zhang didn't believe the prince would favor someone just because of a recipe.

Just as she was about to advise against it, Shufei Ning sneered, "Only a woman from a merchant family like Fang Shi would think so shallowly of the prince. Even if she offers a hundred secret recipes, if the prince doesn't favor her, he doesn't favor her. I'd rather use the recipe myself..."

"What do you mean?"

Shufei Ning's smile faded. "Everyone in the world wants money. If it really makes money... I should plan for Jue'er's future. And we'll make the first move. If Fang Shi truly gets the prince to open a shop with this recipe, that would be interesting."

Nanny Zhang's eyes were also full of amusement.

Splendid Pavilion—

Fang Yuaner was half-lying on the chaise lounge. A young maid fanned her, and a cool breeze came from the ice chest at the door.

Qiu Xiang brought a plate of pastries and said to the maid, "You may go."

The maid put down the fan. "Yes."

After she left, Qiu Xiang said, "I've managed to send the soap recipe to Orchid Fragrance Pavilion."

Fang Yuaner slowly opened her eyes. Her narrow, bright eyes gleamed with cruelty.

"You did well."

"With the recipe sent, I don't believe Ning Yanyan won't be tempted. As long as she dares to reach out, I'll make her pay for what she did!"

Fang Yuaner's things were not so easy to take.

The poisoning of Princess Ruyi—Fang Yuaner hadn't reacted in time during the banquet, and Shufei Ning had taken advantage of that moment to nearly destroy her.

This grudge, Fang Yuaner would never forget.

During the month she recovered, Fang Yuaner was never idle.

She wasn't stupid. She knew a soap recipe alone couldn't make Prince Jing favor her again.

Bringing out this recipe had two purposes: one was to test Xie Run and see if she was also a transmigrator; the other was to set a trap for Shufei Ning.