Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Making money was secondary; the most important thing was how many connections Prince Jing could develop through glass?

Relying on this alone, Prince Jing would continue to favor Fang Yuaner.

Compared to Fang Yuaner, Xie Run felt like a useless little good-for-nothing who only knew how to eat, sleep, and poop.

Two seconds of guilt later, she went right back to being a lazy lump.

Xie Run exchanged a few words with Eunuch Shi'an, then entered the room to look at Prince Jing's rewards for her.

As she walked into the room, she saw a small pyramid of ice piled up in the corner and suddenly frozen in place.

Xie Run: "Has this summer been exceptionally hot?"

Dan Tao chimed in, "Isn't that so? In previous years, it was hot, but by mid-August it started to cool down. Now, it seems like it's still going to keep heating up."

Xie Run added, "Though it's hot, we have plenty of ice."

In the three months since Xie Run had entered the residence, she had never lacked anything.

Even during the period when she had lost favor, it was only the main kitchen staff who treated her based on her status, sending lukewarm dishes at most, but her other allowances were never reduced.

Especially this expensive ice; it had never been skimped on.

Dan Tao couldn't answer this question, so Xiaoshu chimed in, "This year, the residence isn't short of ice. In fact, every place has increased by several tens of percent compared to previous years. Even my mother got some ice recently."

A cook from the main kitchen could use ice too?

Xie Run asked, "Has the price of ice dropped this year? Can everyone afford it?"

Xiaoshu shook her head, "No matter how cheap it gets, it's still a luxury item. How could everyone afford it? This servant did hear that the residence set up a few new shops selling ice... but that's not accurate either."

These shops were nominally under the public accounts and managed by the Princess Consort. It was quite remarkable that Xiaoshu, a little maid, had caught wind of such news.

Xie Run couldn't help but admire her.

Shufei Ning was still plotting over a soap recipe, but Fang Yuaner had already produced glass and ice-making techniques, winning the Prince's favor and currying favor with the Princess Consort.

Now, who in the Prince Jing's residence could give her a hard time?

Xie Run had been puzzled when she heard the Princess Consort petition for Fang Yuaner to be promoted to Shufei, but now she finally got it.

It turned out Fang Yuaner had already made her move.

Looking at the waist-high mirror, Xie Run raised her hand to gently touch her face in the reflection, finding it both unfamiliar and familiar.

Perhaps soon, she would get totally used to it.

The news of Xie Run's pregnancy had already spread throughout the residence when two physicians entered the back courtyard.

Fang Yuaner was the first to send gifts.

Then came the Princess Consort with bestowed gifts.

Next were Shiqie Yun—no, she should be called Shufei Yun now—and then the other concubines.

The place was bustling all afternoon, until evening when it finally quieted down.

Because of the earlier issue with the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine for Shufei Yun, the Princess Consort took advantage of Xie Run's pregnancy to propose setting up small kitchens for the pregnant concubines.

From now on, they would receive their own medicine and brew it themselves.

Prince Jing agreed, but also took the opportunity to give her a few words of warning.

The successive problems with the pregnancies of Shiqie An and Shiqie Yun were not caused by the Princess Consort, but they did point to her poor management.

After all, they were husband and wife, and Prince Jing was familiar with the Princess Consort's personality and tactics.

He knew she wasn't incapable of managing but simply wasn't putting in the effort.

Currently, three women in the back courtyard were pregnant: Shiqie An, Xie Run, and Fang Yuaner.

Shufei Yun had already miscarried her child.

If anything went wrong with these pregnancies, Prince Jing would take away the Princess Consort's household management rights.

The Princess Consort understood the gravity of the situation, and with Guifei Rou putting intense pressure on her, she finally put some thought into it.

That evening, Prince Jing arrived at Linxuan Pavilion as promised.

Since Xie Run was pregnant, Prince Jing had no intention of doing anything intimate.

They played some chess, chatted, and after dinner, just talked under the covers.

It was during this time that Xie Run learned from Prince Jing that Mizhou was suffering a drought and that he would be accompanying the Ministry of Revenue to provide disaster relief, returning in about two weeks.

The summer had been too hot, and a disaster had hit early. The court had debated for a long time before coming up with a plan, and the Emperor had personally appointed Prince Jing for this important mission.

Prince Jing brought up this news to remind Xie Run to take good care of herself and not cause any more trouble during the next half-month.

He knew Xie Run didn't like causing trouble, but he feared she might be too naive and get drawn into trouble.

Xie Run listened very attentively and quickly nodded, promising she would be careful, careful, and then more careful.

Seeing her nod, Prince Jing sighed helplessly, finding her even more unreliable.

He decided to have someone from Shi An's team keep a discreet eye on Xie Run, lest her innocence get her hurt without her even realizing it.

In Prince Jing's eyes, Xie Run's sweet and innocent persona was firmly established.

Half-asleep, Xie Run suddenly jolted awake.

Staring at the brightly colored canopy above her head, she suddenly remembered the storyline about the Mizhou drought.

According to the original plot, it wouldn't be until half a month after two new concubines entered the residence that Prince Jing would receive orders to go for disaster relief.

Moreover, Prince Jing wasn't the one originally appointed by the Emperor to go.

In the original story, the Emperor, believing the disaster wasn't severe, sent the Eighth Prince, born to Consort Chen, to pick up some credit, and the Empress took the opportunity to squeeze in her own son, the Seventh Prince.

Unexpectedly, the drought was far worse than anticipated, and the two couldn't keep things under control and fled back to the capital with their people.

Left with no choice, the Emperor had to send Prince Jing to clean up the mess.

In this life, because Prince Jing had used glass and ice-making techniques to build many connections and deliberately exaggerated the severity of the disaster in Mizhou, the Emperor didn't consider elevating his younger son but directly appointed Prince Jing for the relief mission.

After figuring this out, Xie Run felt something was off.

But she couldn't get her thoughts straight for the moment, and instead her attention was distracted by what happened after the relief efforts.

A great drought is sure to be followed by a great disaster.

According to the plot, Prince Jing's disaster relief went smoothly, but right after the drought came the plague.

The plague lasted two months before Prince Jing arrived with his savior, who was also the future third female lead.

In the original book, this third female lead was Fang Yuaner's archrival in the prince's mansion.

Because she saved his life, Prince Jing directly granted her the position of Shu Fei, and she stayed in constant favor, competing with Fang Yuaner for several years.

When Prince Jing ascended the throne as emperor, Fang Yuaner rose to become Imperial Noble Consort by virtue of her son.

This third female lead also became Consort De, and happened to be pregnant with the first child after the new emperor's enthronement, giving birth to a son.

The two fought fiercely, and it ended with the third female lead's crushing defeat.

Then, Fang Yuaner got rid of all her rivals, thinking the position of empress was within reach, only to have the main female lead appear.

Xie Run: "..."

Xie Run strongly suspected that the third female lead was forced out of the story to advance the plot.

After all, how could an innocent female lead, new to the palace, fight both the arrogant and domineering Fang Yuaner and the scheming and vicious third female lead?

In the original book, Fang Yuaner's evil was obvious.

The third female lead's evil ran deep; she killed silently, and her medical expertise had caused the deaths of countless concubines and children in the harem.

As a result, the secretly evil third female lead lost to the openly evil second female lead, and then the second female lead made room for the main female lead to enter the palace.

Xie Run sighed... This world is so complicated.

She glanced at Prince Jing's sharp profile beside her, thinking that he was the real "disaster to the nation" of a consort, making so many women fight to the death.

When the third female lead really enters the mansion, Prince Jing's mansion will truly be a den of talents.

Xie Run raised her hand to touch her belly, feeling a chill at the nape of her neck.

She was pregnant now... Would the child be born safely?

Prince Jing turned his head and saw Xie Run cupping her belly, her face worried.

He was sleepy and languid, his voice low and magnetic, "It's so late and you're still not asleep. What's worrying you?"

Xie Run blurted out without thinking, "I'm thinking about whether your servant's child can be born safely."

As soon as she said that, Xie Run felt Prince Jing's gaze on her face turn sharp.

Xie Run's whole body tensed up. She softened her voice and said slowly, "Your Highness, after what happened to Sister An and Sister Yun, your servant is afraid..."

As she spoke, she quietly laid her head on Prince Jing's shoulder.

Before Prince Jing could speak, she continued, "Your servant is also afraid that when you go out, you'll bring back another new sister concubine."

"I've also heard recently that Her Highness is going to grant you a beautiful woman... Your servant is really afraid that by the time you return from Mizhou, you'll have completely forgotten me."

Xie Run found her own jealous words cringeworthy.

She decided to stop there, afraid that if she said more she'd lose her composure.

"Nonsense!" Prince Jing chided lightly, but the fierce aura was gone, and he was instead a bit amused.

"Are you jealous?"

"I'm going on a disaster relief mission, not a pleasure trip. Where would I find a beauty to bring back?"

Probably because Xie Run usually appeared gentle and a bit sweet and naive, it was the first time Prince Jing heard her say such sour words, and he found it quite interesting.

Xie Run suppressed her own cringe, making her voice soft and coquettish, "Don't the storybooks often say that a hero saves a beauty, or a beauty saves a hero, and in the end they end up together? You're so heroic and dashing, you'll inevitably attract admirers..."

After saying that, she let out a theatrical sigh.

Prince Jing: "..."

"Listen to that nonsense!"

"As if he were a womanizer who flirted wherever he went."

"Sleep!" Prince Jing pressed Xie Run's head into his arms, pretending to be angry. "Say any more nonsense, and I'll be angry."

"Oh..." Xie Run's tone sounded a bit jealous and a bit angry.

After a while, Xie Run heard a muffled laugh.

Leaning against Prince Jing's chest, she could feel his chest rumbling with a suppressed laugh.

Xie Run propped herself on her elbows and looked up, meeting his face, which was struggling not to laugh.

Xie Run ground her teeth, "Your Highness, what are you laughing at?!"

Prince Jing reached out and pinched her plump cheek, his voice carrying a hint of indulgence: "So you do have a temper!"

"Your servant is a human, of course I have a temper."

Seeing that Prince Jing was still laughing, Xie Run really got a bit annoyed.

Looking left and right, she picked up Prince Jing's hand and bit him right on the fleshy part between his thumb and index finger.

"Hiss!" Prince Jing let out a soft grunt. "Xie, are you getting carried away?!"

She actually bit down!

Xie Run didn't bite too hard; she measured it just right, only slightly breaking the skin, giving Prince Jing some pain but not unbearable.

Hearing Prince Jing's words, she immediately let go of his hand, turned her back to him, and pretended to sleep, looking truly angry.

Prince Jing looked at her back, both angry and amused.

He hadn't expected Xie Run to actually dare to bite.

His first reaction was naturally a bit angry, feeling that Xie Run was impertinent.

Later, he found it strange.

The person who seemed to have no temper actually had such a big temper? And she even dared to bite!

Moreover, Prince Jing was of noble status, usually not even getting a scrape. Who would have thought that one day he would be bitten by his own woman?

This feeling... is kind of strange.

Prince Jing vaguely guessed the reason for Xie Run's temper.

First, he had heard that pregnant women were emotionally unstable and prone to anger.

Second, Xie had heard the rumor that new women would be brought into the residence, and she was probably panicked and at a loss.

Prince Jing thought that she was only seventeen, now pregnant with his child, and with Lady Yun and Lady An having run into trouble one after another, and now he was about to leave. It was normal for her to be scared.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a bit more compassion for her.

As the surroundings gradually quieted down, Prince Jing said after a moment, "Don't worry, I'll naturally protect you and the baby you're carrying."

Not receiving a reply from Xie Run, Prince Jing just assumed she had fallen asleep, shook his head helplessly, and prepared to lie down.

But unexpectedly, after a short while, the person beside him suddenly moved.

Like a little cat, she turned around and snuggled into his arms, her slender arms tightly hugging his waist, in a very affectionate manner.

That wandering hand, as light as a feather, brushed over Prince Jing's ticklish spots.

Prince Jing's throat tightened involuntarily.

He thought this Xie Run was really pushing it!

Xie Run naturally sensed Prince Jing's reaction, but continued to pretend to be asleep, acting as if she didn't understand.

Men, after all, need to be teased from time to time.

If you always show a good temper, he will really think you have no temper and won't take you seriously.

Knowing how to throw a tantrum, get jealous, and act cute—that's the way to handle him.

As for being virtuous and generous? Dignified and gentle?

That's what the princess consort should do. What does that have to do with her, a mere concubine?

After pretending all night, Xie Run also felt drowsy, so she fell into a deep sleep in Prince Jing's arms.

The next morning, when Xie Run opened her eyes, the bed beside her was already cold.

She got up lazily and suddenly felt a sharp pain from her collarbone to her chest.

Xie Run looked down and saw a row of distinct crimson marks irregularly scattered on her collarbone, both intimate and glaring.

No way, this Prince Jing is a bit of a beast, isn't he?!

During lunch, Xie Run was still grumbling under her breath about Prince Jing's inhumane behavior.

But halfway through the meal, Eunuch Baxi arrived with a beaming smile, bringing people along.

Prince Jing's most trusted aide was Eunuch Shi'an, followed by Baxi.

Baxi: "Lady Xie, great news, wonderful news!"

Xie Run stood up and smiled, "Eunuch, please come in and sit. What good news is it that you've come to tell me personally?"

As she spoke, she shot a look to Xiaoshu beside her, signaling her to bring a bowl of iced sweet yogurt.

Eunuch Baxi disregarded further pleasantries and got straight to the point: "Just now, His Highness and the Princess Consort were discussing, considering that you and Lady Fang have merit in bearing him children, they are promoting you and Lady Fang to the rank of Shu Fei (secondary consort). His Highness specially sent me to inform you."

Xie Run was stunned for a moment, feeling as if she were walking on air, "I'm a Shu Fei now?"

"Yes indeed!" Baxi laughed joyfully and even made a special bow again, "I pay respects to Shu Fei Xie! May I ask Shu Fei Xie to give me a little something, so that I can share in the joy."

Xie Run had no idea how much effort Lady Fang and Lady Yun had put into fighting for the Shu Fei position. For now, she was just somewhat surprised by Prince Jing's sudden stroke of genius.

After the surprise, only joy remained.

She had a hunch that it was connected to what she'd said the night before.

Xie Run also laughed and said, "That won't do. With such good news, how can I just give you anything?"

Seeing Eunuch Baxi surprised, she said playfully, "I must give a generous reward!"

At that, everyone in Linxuan Pavilion laughed, and Eunuch Baxi's eyes crinkled into crescents.