Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The next morning, Xie Run didn't get up again.

By the time she woke up, Prince Jing had already left for the morning court.

She ate breakfast lazily and was planning to practice calligraphy to pass the time.

Xiaoshu rushed in, "My lady, I'm afraid something's happened."

Xie Run put down the ink stick and asked, confused, "What happened?"

She remembered that today Xiaoshu had asked for leave to go home and fetch some things; she shouldn't be in Linxuan Pavilion at this hour.

Xiaoshu had sweat on her forehead, as if she'd run all the way, "My mother works in the main kitchen. Today, all the kitchen staff were suddenly called by the Princess to the main courtyard. They said Concubine An suddenly claimed to have eaten something wrong and had an upset stomach. When the mansion physician examined her, she was found to be pregnant."

Before Xie Run could speak, Yuli couldn't help exclaiming, "Concubine An is pregnant?!"

After her outburst, realizing everyone was looking at her, Yuli quickly explained, "I was just surprised. She only attended His Highness once, and now she's pregnant..."

Xie Run glanced at her and said flatly, "You remember it quite clearly."

Yuli's face instantly went pale, "My lady, I didn't mean anything by it..."

Xie Run sighed, "Calm down. Let me hear what Xiaoshu has to say."

Yuli stepped back, aggrieved, "Yes."

Xie Run then asked, "How is Sister An?"

Xiaoshu shook her head, "I'm not sure. When my mother was called away, she sent someone to tell me to let you know right away, so you can prepare in advance and not get wrongly involved."

"The Princess doesn't usually make a big fuss. I'm afraid Concubine An didn't just eat something bad—she might have been poisoned."

Xie Run took Xiaoshu's hand and patted it gently, "Thanks for this news. You've done well. I'll remember this kindness."

Xiaoshu lowered her head, "This is what I should do."

Xie Run said, "Go find Sister Dan Tao and tell her to guard the gates tightly. Don't let anyone in or out without permission. I'll reward you later."

"Yes."

Xiaoshu bowed and hurried away.

Xie Run wasn't too worried.

Not long ago, she had Linxuan Pavilion searched thoroughly and nothing suspicious was found.

Besides, she had been behaving herself lately, not even leaving the courtyard. There was no way the poisoning of Concubine An could be tied to her.

Xiaoshu's mother sending her with the news was probably just to curry favor.

If it really had anything to do with her, the news probably wouldn't have reached her.

Xie Run calmed down and went back to practicing calligraphy.

In the afternoon, Mama Li came from the Princess with two maids.

Mama Li said with a smile, "We received a few baskets of hairy crabs today. The Princess ordered them distributed to all the ladies so they can have a taste."

Xie Run smiled, "The Princess is kind-hearted. To have such a good mistress is truly a blessing for us."

Seeing Xie Run praise her mistress, Mama Li was gratified.

Xie Run said, "It's still early. Why don't you stay for some tea, Mama, and rest a bit?"

Mama Li smiled and declined, "How can I impose?"

Declining is a back-and-forth ritual, but in the end, tea was inevitable.

Having tea, naturally, should be accompanied by melon seeds, fruits, and some gossip.

The old maids around the Princess were used to the finest things; anything slightly inferior would probably be beneath them.

Xie Run had a small table set up beside the couch.

Mama Li sat beside it, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds.

Xie Run reclined on the couch, her young, charming face showing a hint of innocent naivety and liveliness.

Mama Li, who had been around for decades, kind of understood why the Prince had been favoring this new Concubine Xie lately.

Calm and steady but not without liveliness, charming and alluring but not noisy or annoying.

If she were a man, she would also love a woman like this.

Relying on her young face, Xie Run shamelessly pretended to be naive.

"Mama Li, I heard Sister An is pregnant? Will there be more joyous news in the courtyard soon?"

Mama Li stopped cracking melon seeds and smiled mysteriously, "Indeed, it's true."

Xie Run leaned forward, frowning slightly, and pretended to whisper, "Mama Li, I heard Sister An ate something bad. Now that she's pregnant, is she in danger?"

Mama Li shook her head with a smile, "I dare only tell this to you, Lady Xie."

Xie Run laughed in response, but inwardly thought there was probably more to it.

She guessed the matter was already settled, and the Princess had deliberately let these people spread the word.

She still put on a curious expression.

Mama Li said, "Lady An was poisoned. Someone knew she was pregnant early on and put cold-natured substances in her food. Luckily, Lady An had a poor appetite and only ate a little."

"But even so, she still saw some blood. She'll probably have to stay in bed for a few months to stabilize the pregnancy."

Xie Run covered her mouth, appearing shocked, "Who could be so vicious as to harm the Prince's child?"

Mama Li glanced towards the southeast, "The little maid who administered the poison insisted it was Pearl from Orchid Fragrance Court who made her do it. Unfortunately, there's no evidence, so the case can't be pursued further."

Orchid Fragrance Court—that would be Shufei Ning.

After saying this, Mama Li sighed, "Heaven knows which damned soul dared to lay hands on the Prince's offspring, dragging our Princess into this trouble."

"Enough, enough, I've said too much." Mama Li quickly stood up, "Look at my loose tongue! If the Princess finds out I've been gossiping, she won't let me off easily."

Xie Run quickly said, "Rest assured, Mama. Everyone here will just listen and not take it to heart."

"Yuli, see Mama Li out. And give Mama Li a handful of melon seeds."

These melon seeds are silver melon seeds, each about half the size of a fingernail.

Xie Run had just had them made a few days earlier, specifically to use as rewards.

Yuli: "Yes."

After seeing Mama Li off, Dan Tao spoke: "Mistress, did Mama Li mean that Shufei Ning harmed Shiqie An? It makes sense; in the manor, the eldest young master is currently the only male heir. If Shiqie An also gives birth to a son, it’s understandable that Shufei Ning would be anxious."

Xie Run glanced at Dan Tao, then leaned back again and said with a soft chuckle: "Do you think Mama Li really came for idle chat today?"

Dan Tao paused: "I don't think so."

"Mama Li said the little maid who administered the drug implicated Pearl from Lanxiang Courtyard, but unfortunately there's no evidence. However, matters in the inner courtyard don't always require evidence; it just depends on whether the Prince believes it or not."

"Today Mama Li came around on the pretext of delivering crabs. I'm afraid the rumor that Shufei Ning harmed the Prince's potential heir will spread all over the courtyard, but it's merely a rumor, and Shufei Ning can't explain it away."

Xie Run sighed: "The Prince's inner courtyard... truly never has a moment's peace."

As for whether Shufei Ning actually did it, Xie Run couldn't find out.

Suddenly, Xie Run remembered what Prince Jing had whispered in her ear last night.

Could it be that Prince Jing had already foreseen the unrest in the inner courtyard?

After all that speculation, Xie Run got a headache. She raised her hand to rub her temples and said to Dan Tao: "From now on, change the monthly courtyard inspection to once a week."

Since she couldn't figure it out, she could only take preventive measures.

Dan Tao was slightly stunned: "Mistress, aren't you being a bit too cautious?"

Xie Run nodded seriously: "I have no choice, I'm afraid of dying."

Dan Tao smiled helplessly.

Xie Run waved her hand: "Forget it. Today the Princess Consort sent crabs, so I'm in for a treat."

In her modern life, Xie Run's body was weak and she absolutely couldn't eat cold-natured foods like crabs.

Now that she has a healthy body, shouldn't she take the opportunity to enjoy a taste?

At dinner time, Yuli brought back crabs from the main kitchen along with Yueya'er.

At the same time, they also brought big news.

Shiqie Yun is also pregnant, and she is already two months along.