Chapter 29

Chapter 29

But Yuli knew her mistress truly didn't plan to keep her around anymore.

For now, out of consideration for their former bond, she was still thinking of paving a way for her future.

If she didn't take the hint, she would likely be completely abandoned by her mistress.

She cried partly out of self-pity, partly because she didn't want to leave Xie Run, and partly because she hated to give up the prince's mansion's riches.

She'd only been in the mansion with Xie Run for a little over three months, and the food, clothes, and other things she had seen and used were the best she'd ever had.

Once she left the mansion, it would surely be a different world.

She cried until evening, when there was a sudden knock at the door.

Startled, Yuli quickly dried her face. “Who is it?”

From outside the door came Xiao Ci’s voice. “Sister Yuli, it’s me.”

Yuli slowly rose and went to open the door.

In the days since she had been barred from serving Xie Run closely, she often hid in her room wallowing in self-pity.

Dan Tao, Xiaoshu, and Xiao Ci would all come by to comfort her, sometimes bringing her evening meal.

So when she heard Xiao Ci’s voice, Yuli was not at all surprised.

When Xiao Ci entered carrying the evening meal, she looked at Yuli as if she had something to say but held back.

Yuli pretended not to notice.

She was too proud to let Xiao Ci see that she had been crying, so she urged Xiao Ci to leave quickly.

Xiao Ci pressed her lips together, then suddenly asked, “Sister Yuli, have you been wronged?”

Yuli shot Xiao Ci an indignant glare. “What nonsense are you talking? In Linxuan Pavilion, who could possibly wrong me?!”

Even though Yuli knew she was no longer fit to serve Xie Run, she still considered herself an old hand by Xie Run’s side, unlike newcomers like Xiaoshu and Xiao Ci.

Likewise, she looked down on them and didn't speak to them very politely.

Xiao Ci was choked up by Yuli’s words.

Given her timid, reticent nature, she ought to have slipped away quietly.

But instead, Xiao Ci uncharacteristically sat down on a chair.

“I overheard everything the mistress said to you today, Sister Yuli.”

Yuli immediately stood up, her eyes locked onto Xiao Ci. “What do you mean by that?”

Ever since the soap recipe leaked, both Yuli and Dan Tao knew there was a spy among the mistress's people.

But after investigating for ages, they still had nothing.

Hearing Xiao Ci’s words, Yuli immediately got suspicious.

Xiao Ci raised a hand to brush aside the stray locks of hair falling by her ear, revealing a bangle of imperial green jadeite on her wrist, its emerald gleam catching the light.

Yuli gasped, “Where did you get that bangle?!”

Even Xie Run, after becoming a Shu Fei (secondary consort), would have trouble getting a bangle that nice.

How could a second-rank maid like Xiao Ci ever get something like that?

Xiao Ci smiled shyly. “This is a reward from the mistress for doing a good job.”

Yuli snorted coldly. “Your mistress sure is generous! But a backstabbing ingrate—how dare she keep someone like you?!”

Xiao Ci replied unhurriedly, “As long as one does a good job, you'll never run out of good stuff like this in the future. That’s the advantage of serving a generous mistress.”

Yuli scoffed lightly, unimpressed.

Xiao Ci continued, “You’ll be leaving the mansion in a few days. At least now you can touch it; later, you won’t even get a glimpse.”

Yuli’s face darkened.

Xiao Ci shook her wrist, letting out a soft, deliberate click of her tongue—blatantly showing off.

“But I can not only touch it, I can wear it on my wrist. I have several more such treasures in my room. The mistress has also said that when I marry in the future, she will certainly prepare a generous dowry for me, never bringing shame to the prince’s mansion.”

“Oh, by the way, how much will Lady Xie add to your dowry?” Xiao Ci looked at Yuli as if she were watching a show.

Having spent a few months in Linxuan Pavilion, Xiao Ci had long since gotten a read on Yuli's character.

She was proud but small-minded, vain and money-grubbing.

For someone like Yuli, nothing got to her more than an in-your-face show of wealth.

As expected, Yuli’s eyes were fixed intently on the imperial green bangle on Xiao Ci’s wrist, and jealousy and envy blazed uncontrollably across her face.

She knew perfectly well that Xiao Ci was trying to sow discord, hoping to make her betray her mistress.

But here, before her eyes, were riches that dazzled her, and she was about to be kicked out of the prince's mansion… All of this was testing her loyalty in silence.

The candle flickered, casting a dim orange light.

Yuli's voice, hoarse from crying for so long, asked, “Your mistress sent you here—what does she want?”

Xiao Ci spoke softly, “Sister Yuli, when it comes to looks, you can't compare to Lady Xie, but you're easily better than Lady An. Lady An was favored by the prince just one night and got lucky and conceived his child. Now they're showering her courtyard with goodies…”

Xiao Ci had been observing Yuli for a long time and naturally knew that Yuli couldn't stand Concubine An and Concubine Fang.

Shock and temptation flickered in Yuli's eyes. “You’re asking me to…”

“Lady Xie is now pregnant. By rights, she should arrange for someone close to her to serve the prince.” Xiao Ci’s voice was full of temptation. “Sister Yuli, you have always been loyal to Lady Xie—why shouldn’t it be you? If one day Sister Dan Tao serves the prince, would Yuli really be okay with that?”

Xiao Ci stopped at that point. Seeing Yuli's shock turn to thought and conflict, she left satisfied.

That night, Xie Run had just helped Prince Jing change out of his clothes, and they were about to turn in.

Suddenly, a racket broke out outside.

Prince Jing couldn’t help frowning. “What’s all that noise about?! Don’t they know your mistress is pregnant?!”

Xie Run was equally baffled.

Dan Tao rushed in, not knowing how to start. Xie Run said gently, “What happened?”

Dan Tao sighed. "You should go see for yourself, mistress."

With the prince here, she didn't know how to say it.

Xie Run had no choice but to dress again.

Prince Jing frowned as he followed behind her.

When they reached the main room, Xie Run saw Yuli grabbing Xiao Ci by the hair with one hand and kicking her to the ground with the other, looking thoroughly fierce.

Xie Run was speechless.

She turned dazedly and looked at Prince Jing beside her.

Prince Jing watched the scene expressionlessly, then pulled Xie Run behind him to protect her.

Then came Yuli's furious outburst. "You backstabbing little wretch!"

"You won't behave yourself, and even urged me to crawl into the prince's bed! Do you even know what you are?"

"Even if my mistress doesn't trust me, what business is it of yours? What gives you the right to stir up trouble behind the scenes? That mistress of yours is always up to sneaky tricks, thinking others are the same!"

Yuli kept kicking Xiao Ci as she spoke.

Xiao Ci was disheveled, covering her face and dodging to the side.

Yuli continued cursing. "Even if I'm stupid, I would never betray my mistress! A beast like you, with your heart in another camp, deserves to be struck by lightning!"

"That mistress of yours is no good either, scheming against my mistress all day, doing all kinds of immoral things—aren't you afraid it'll bring retribution on your descendants for generations?"

Xie Run couldn't help but cough twice. "Yuli!"

Even a fool could understand this scene.

Xiao Ci's mistress must be someone in Prince Jing's harem.

If Yuli kept cursing, she would soon be cursing Prince Jing himself.

Hearing Xie Run's voice, Yuli froze, then her eyes reddened and she knelt on the ground.

Before Yuli could speak, Xiao Ci, as if just coming to her senses, immediately cried out, "I beg you, mistress, to give me justice!"

"Tonight, Sister Yuli suddenly barged into my room, grabbed me without a word and started beating me, then searched everywhere in my room..."

Xiao Ci wept bitterly, revealing her bruised and battered face. "She insisted I was disloyal, dragged me here in the middle of the night to disturb you and the prince."

At the mention of the prince, Yuli's expression stiffened, and she seemed momentarily blank.

Since she no longer served in close attendance, she hadn't known that Prince Jing was staying at Linxuan Pavilion.

Tonight's outburst was simply because she could no longer hold back the anger in her chest, and she wanted to get rid of this troublemaker Xiao Ci before leaving the manor. She hadn't expected Prince Jing to be spending the night here.

As arrogant as she was when dealing with Xiao Ci, the moment she met Prince Jing's dark, deep eyes, her momentum instantly dissipated.

Yuli: "This servant pays respects to the prince and mistress."

Xie Run saw her bluster and weakness and sighed. "Yuli, what are you doing in the middle of the night? Did something happen?"

At Xie Run's words, Yuli snapped back to reality and immediately pulled three items from her bosom.

An imperial green jade bracelet, a string of plump, lustrous pearl necklace, and a pair of two-finger-wide cloisonné bracelets set with gems.

Even in the manor, these three items were extremely rare.

Suppressing her fear of Prince Jing, Yuli said, "Today, Xiao Ci eavesdropped on the conversation between mistress and me. When she brought me dinner, she deliberately showed off her new bracelet, saying it was a reward from her mistress for her good work.

"After that, she urged me to betray my mistress and crawl into the prince's bed... I am unwilling to become that kind of traitorous beast. I beg my mistress to give me justice!"

"These three items were all searched out from Xiao Ci's cosmetic box!"

Xiao Ci had been so well hidden that she was usually very cautious. Naturally, she wouldn't keep such precious things in her cosmetic box.

In fact, Yuli had followed Xiao Ci all the way and caught her red-handed.

Yuli took the opportunity to give Xiao Ci a beating and dragged her here to complain to Xie Run.

To make her case, the bracelet on Xiao Ci's wrist was the perfect piece of evidence.

Now, with both witness and evidence, Xiao Ci knew she could hardly argue and simply knelt there, loudly protesting her innocence.

Xie Run found the whole thing headache-inducing.

Prince Jing caught her rubbing her temples out of the corner of his eye and immediately became displeased.

Schemes for favor in the harem were common, and planting informants was nothing new.

But everyone did it quietly.

Even if someone was caught serving two masters, they were quietly dismissed. How could there be such an uproar as in Linxuan Pavilion?

Prince Jing had no regard for Xiao Ci, but he also didn't think well of Yuli.

With such an impulsive, hot-tempered person by her side, could Xie Run really be well served?

Now that the matter had come to light, Xie Run wanted to punish Xiao Ci, but with Prince Jing present, she couldn't act on her own. So she gently asked, "Prince... what should we do about this?"

Prince Jing was not a patient man, and he had no mercy for disloyal servants like Xiao Ci. "Since this Xiao Ci can't serve well, let the princess consort send her off to the estate."

Then he gave Yuli a meaningful look. "This maidservant of yours is loyal enough, but too rash. She probably can't serve you well."

In Prince Jing's eyes, no matter how serious the matter, it shouldn't be brought to the mistress at this hour.

Besides, Xie Run was pregnant.

If anything happened, neither of their heads would be enough to compensate.

Xie Run sighed. "Prince, dismissing someone is easy, but if this gets out, it might damage Yuli's reputation."

She had just heard clearly that Xiao Ci was urging Yuli to climb into Prince Jing's bed!

If Xiao Ci were punished like this, rumors would spread—tomorrow people might say that Yuli tried to seduce the prince, and Xiao Ci caught her, so Xie Run got rid of Xiao Ci to protect her own maid.

Prince Jing frowned. "What do you want to do?"

Xie Run glanced at Xiao Ci, then quickly had an idea. She slowly bowed to Prince Jing.

"Your concubine has failed to manage her staff properly, allowing theft to occur in the household. I beg the prince to punish me."

Xiao Ci, kneeling on the ground, suddenly looked up. "This servant did not steal! I did not steal!"

Prince Jing glanced casually, and Eunuch Shi'an's men had already stepped forward to gag Xiao Ci.

This was done according to Xie Run's intention to set the evening's events down as theft.

Xie Run took the opportunity to say, "Yuli, it's already late. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Receiving Xie Run's meaningful look, Yuli retreated obediently and swiftly.

Once Xie Run and Prince Jing returned to the bedchamber and were alone with only trusted people present, she finally dared to speak.

"I sincerely beg you to punish me, my prince..."

As she spoke, Xie Run's peach blossom eyes appeared to mist over, holding back words yet speaking volumes, radiating a silent seduction.

Her fingers as delicate as white jade slid onto Prince Jing's belt.

Prince Jing: "You're being presumptuous..."

His words carried no authority, and Xie Run was not afraid in the slightest. She even gave a faint smile, her eyes arching into crescent moons.

Prince Jing couldn't resist; he reached out to rub her crimson lips, a smirk playing on his face. "In ancient times, there were Mo Xi and Bao Si; today, there is Suisui. This prince is truly blessed."

Xie Run bit her lip lightly. "I'll take that as a compliment, Your Highness."

From his words, it was clear that Prince Jing was ambitious.

Mo Xi and Bao Si were consorts of rulers who brought ruin to their kingdoms. If she were like them, what did that make Prince Jing?

Prince Jing half-reclined on the bed, languidly asking, "What did you mean by that just now?"

Xie Run confessed honestly, "Since becoming pregnant, I have been cautious every day, but I never expected to fall prey to someone's schemes without even realizing it."

Prince Jing's smile was faint, as if he could lose his temper at any moment, or as if nothing truly mattered.

Knowing his temperamental nature, Xie Run continued unflinchingly, "Yuli is too impulsive and unsuited to stay in the manor. I had already chosen a good match for her and planned to have her family marry her off with due ceremony, to honor our bond as mistress and maid. Yet I almost let someone exploit that loophole..."

"Your maidservant is loyal to you; why should I punish you?" Prince Jing asked with an air of indifference.

Xie Run tugged at his hand again, speaking earnestly, "I beg Your Highness to punish me, and also to protect me."

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, finally showing some interest.

Xie Run continued, "The commotion tonight will need an explanation. I thought, perhaps Your Highness could go along with it. Pretend to be angry with me and not come tomorrow. The day after, you depart for Mizhou, and you likely won't return for half a month..."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing was momentarily speechless, then laughed in disbelief.

"What do you take me for?" He was genuinely a bit annoyed, feeling that Xie Run was being too forward.

She wanted him to play along in her little act.

Prince Jing asked, "Are you really not afraid that I might never set foot in Linxuan Pavilion again?"

Xie Run looked at him with her peach blossom eyes and said candidly, "Does Your Highness want the truth?"

Though he sensed her answer might displease him, he still waved his sleeve and said, "Speak!"

"I have a hostage now, so I'm not worried that Your Highness won't come in the future," Xie Run said with a playful smile, rubbing her belly. "As long as Your Highness visits me, I will find a way to make you stay."

Chapter 30: Meeting a New Person

Prince Jing: She said tell the truth, and she actually did?!

Just as he was about to speak, a pair of soft arms looped around his neck, and she gazed at him with deep affection and a smile.

Xie Run's naturally seductive fox eyes seemed to sparkle, constantly tempting Prince Jing.

In the night's darkness, a touch of intimacy lingered.

Prince Jing's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkening.

He raised his hand, pulling her waist closer. "If I play along in this act, what's in it for me?"

Xie Run looked at him innocently, inwardly disdainful.

Protecting his own woman and child, and still asking for a reward—wasn't that a bit too much?

Prince Jing's large hand gripped her slender waist, drawing her closer as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

His lips parted, murmuring in a low, magnetic tone.

His breath invaded her ear, making her face flush and heart race, her eyes instantly misting over.

Xie Run's voice softened, her cheeks reddening to the point of bleeding.

"Your Highness... I, I don't know how."

Prince Jing said languidly, "It's all right, I'll teach you."

He took her hand and guided it under his white inner robe.

Outside the bed curtain, a single candle flickered slightly, and low, muffled groans filled the air.

The candle had burned more than halfway when Prince Jing rose and called for water.

Seeing Xie Run shyly curled up in the corner of the bed, he reached out, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her, his voice lazy and husky.

"This is only happening once!"

With that, he had his attendants help him dress and left without lingering.

Xie Run's heart was pounding.

Not from Prince Jing's affection, but from joy that everything had gone so smoothly!

Asking Prince Jing to pretend to leave in anger had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, and she hadn't expected him to go along with it so readily.

Because of the previous night's events, Xie Run woke up late the next morning.

By the time she got up, the news that Prince Jing had stormed off from Linxuan Pavilion in the middle of the night had already spread throughout the manor.

Such a thing had never happened before.

Now everyone believed Xie Run was likely to fall out of favor.

Upon careful inquiry, they learned that a maidservant in Linxuan Pavilion had been caught stealing, and the commotion caused by Xie Run's personal maid in the middle of the night had angered the prince.

Everyone's first reaction was that it was simply unwise.

As a servant, I was thoughtless, disturbing my master in the dead of night.

And the mistress was incompetent, unable to discipline her own staff.

In short, this incident became a laughingstock in the back courtyard of Prince Jing’s estate.

Especially when Prince Jing really didn’t go to Linxuan Pavilion the next day.

That sealed the joke for good.

Because of this, many concubines made a point of retraining their own maids, strictly forbidding anything like what happened at Linxuan Pavilion.

Even the Princess Consort sent someone specifically to ask what happened.

Xie Run managed to suppress the matter with a tearful grievance, but from the moment Prince Jing stormed off until he left the mansion, he never saw Xie Run again.

Rumors flew all over the back courtyard, but Xie Run pretended not to notice.

Even if she had angered Prince Jing and "lost favor," she still had a child on the way and had been promoted to Shu Fei, so her life wouldn’t be too hard.

At the moment, she only thought about how to contact the Xie family.

Dan Tao reminded her that since Prince Jing had been gone so long, she should do something to show she was thinking of him.

Xie Run was thinking about another matter.

If only because Prince Jing had condescended to go along with her act, she had to show some gratitude.

Otherwise, this man is petty and holds grudges, and next time he wouldn’t be willing to help her out.

After thinking for a long time, Xie Run decided to sew a set of undergarments herself, and pick out some practical and thoughtful items.

After two days of struggling with the undergarments, Xie Run sighed at the bloodstained needle pricks on her fingers.

Coaxing a man was harder than coaxing a child.

Dan Tao said sympathetically, "Mistress, maybe we maids should do the sewing, and you can add a few stitches at the end. The thought will come through, and the Prince will surely feel sorry for you."

Xie Run said with a pained expression, "Last time I gave him those two pouches, I’m afraid he already knows how bad my needlework is. If you make them, the Prince will recognize it right away, and then he might scold me for not being sincere. In that case, it's better not to do it at all."

Since she was doing it, she had to do it well.

This was Xie Run's own doing, so she could only bear it herself.

Why did she, with her poor needlework, have to get a hotheaded idea to sew undergarments for Prince Jing?

She really dug a hole and buried herself in it.

As Xie Run was frowning, Yueya'er came forward to report: "Mistress, the Princess Consort said that the new concubine will arrive at the mansion in an hour, and told you to get ready."

"Finally, the day has come."

Xie Run set down the undergarments, looking as if she were about to watch a play.

It was said earlier that Guifei Rou was bestowing a new concubine, which caused a huge stir in the back courtyard, but the new concubine never showed up.

Two days ago, Prince Jing left the mansion, and today the Princess Consort was summoned to the palace early in the morning. Now word came that the new concubine was about to arrive.

Xie Run felt a pang of sympathy for the Princess Consort.

She must have had a rough time at the palace.

Xie Run stood up and let Yuli and Xiaoshu help her change clothes.

Now that she was a Shu Fei, she could no longer dress as quietly as she did when she was a concubine.

Especially when meeting a new concubine, she couldn't afford to lose face.

Xie Run changed into a sunset-hued gauze gown embroidered with orchids, paired with a light orange pleated skirt.

The edges of the clothes and skirt were embroidered with silver thread in delicate patterns, flowing like a silver river when she moved.

Her hair was styled in a "Morning Cloud Near Fragrance" updo, adorned with a full set of gold-and-pearl butterfly hairpins. She wore a pearl-and-gem necklace, looking noble without being gaudy, elegant and refined.

Her eyebrows were elongated and slightly raised, giving her a somewhat sharp look. This subdued her pure beauty and added a touch of charm and allure—so beautiful it was almost dazzling.

After Dan Tao finished applying Xie Run's makeup, she sighed, "Mistress, you used to be too plain. Dressed like this today, how gorgeous you look!"

Xie Run smiled casually, "This kind of dress is nice, but with all these hairpins and jewelry on my head, I feel like my head weighs ten extra pounds."

Dan Tao and Xiaoshu couldn't help laughing, "It can't be that exaggerated."

Laughing and chatting, Xie Run took her two maids to the Princess Consort’s Green Pine Courtyard, where the head maid Tinghe led her inside to take a seat.

This was Xie Run’s second time at the Princess Consort’s Green Pine Courtyard.

The first time was when she entered the mansion and offered tea to the Princess Consort.

But at that time, she had just transmigrated, was ill, and hadn't fully accepted the fact of transmigration. All the procedures were carried out in a daze, so naturally she wasn’t in the mood to take in the courtyard.

Now, coming to Green Pine Courtyard again, her mindset was completely different, and she had the leisure to look around.

When she looked around, she was a bit surprised.

The furnishings were neither ostentatious nor luxurious, but tastefully arranged with understated elegance.

Frankly, it didn't quite match the status of the Princess Consort.

Xie Run suddenly thought about the meaning of the name "Green Pine Courtyard."

Although the Princess Consort was born into royalty, her behavior and style reminded Xie Run of those proud scholars of the era—she had a certain integrity.

As she was pondering, she turned her head and saw Fang Yuaner approaching with a smile, followed by two maids. She was dressed very elaborately, somewhat exceeding the rules for a Shu Fei.

Shufei Yun was also helped in by her maids, coming in behind her.

All three had been promoted to Shu Fei, but since they hadn't moved to new courtyards, they hadn't taken on more servants.

After all, there was no room for them now.

So the scene wasn’t too grand.

When the three were seated, Fang Yuaner smiled at Xie Run, "Sister Xie is absolutely dazzling today."

"In the past, you didn’t like to dress up, yet you were still fresh and lovely. Now that you have, you’re both pure and stunning—truly a rare beauty."

Xie Run smiled modestly, "Sister Fang flatters me. How can I compare to your unparalleled beauty? Today I dressed up only to meet the new concubine."

She saw the wariness in Fang Yuaner’s eyes, but in the end, she couldn’t say anything more.

Speaking too weakly makes you look like an easy target; speaking too falsely is worse than saying nothing.

When she was a shiqie, there were many rivals, yet everyone could still feign sisterly harmony.

Now that they have all become Shufei, with clear conflicts of interest, showing weakness will not diminish others' hostility.

I'm afraid in Fang Yuaner’s eyes, she and the Princess Consort have already become threatening rivals.

Shiqie Yun seemed not to notice the tension between the two; she cleared her throat softly and mustered a faint, pale smile.

Shiqie Yun: "In my opinion, both younger sisters are absolute beauties; otherwise, how could the Prince dote on them so?"

Fang Yuaner accepted the compliment with a light laugh, while Xie Run pretended to be embarrassed.

When the Princess Consort originally selected concubines for Prince Jing, her first requirement was beauty, followed by virtue and family background.

Both Xie Run and Fang Yuaner were chosen after rigorous selection. Not only in Prince Jing’s mansion, but in the entire capital, their looks were among the finest, though they differed in style.

Fang Yuaner was the quintessential bright beauty—curvaceous, with delicate and glamorous features; when dressed up, she was the most dazzling, yet extremely aggressive.

Especially her dark eyes, which revealed no trace of hiding her ambition, were all sharp edges, sharp enough to cut others.

In contrast, Xie Run's appearance was more harmless and gentle.

With light makeup, she seemed fresh and elegant, like a lotus emerging from water.

Fully adorned, she lost some of her purity, but gained a seductive charm, yet it was still half-hidden, inviting appreciation rather than intimidation.

When the two stood together, one’s eyes were first drawn to Fang Yuaner, but they could not ignore Xie Run's presence.

After a while, it felt like looking at two flowers on the same stem, each showing her own charm.

Fang Yuaner: "I remember the last time I visited the Princess Consort’s courtyard was three and a half months ago."

Fang Yuaner looked around at the furnishings in the main room, with a hint of nostalgia. "At that time, Sister Xie and I had just entered the mansion, feeling anxious as we offered tea to the Princess Consort, and Cefei Ning was beside us... Now, in less than four months, it feels like so long has passed. Shufei Ning has become Shiqie Ning, giving a feeling of how things have changed and people are no longer the same."

After saying this, Fang Yuaner’s gaze fell on Xie Run, with a subtle, oppressive look.

"Don't you think so, Sister Xie?"

Xie Run replied honestly, "I was in a daze back then, so I can't remember."

But she felt a little speechless inside.

Shufei Ning was deposed for attempting to harm Shufei Yun, and at that time, Fang Yuaner had even added fuel to the fire back then.

Coming from Fang Yuaner, it almost sounded like gloating.

Now that the main parties, Shufei Yun and Fang Yuaner, were both present, why was she, an outsider, being asked?

Xie Run felt drained and had no desire to beat around the bush.

Fang Yuaner’s red lips curved into a smile as she said, "I forgot, Sister Xie had just been sick at that time, so she probably wasn't feeling well then."

When Xie Run heard the word "sick," she immediately thought of the elopement.

Her body tensed, but she acted innocent and nodded. "Yes."

Seeing Xie Run act so naive, Fang Yuaner lost interest.

She even wondered to herself: Prince Jing, after all, was a gentlemanly, mature man—how could he have a taste for this type?

Soon, the Princess Consort finished changing and came out with a group of maids and servants.

The three stood up and bowed: "Your servant greets the Princess Consort."

The Princess Consort waved her hand dismissively. "Rise. Today is a joyous occasion, and you all look radiant."

As the Princess Consort took her seat, the three sat down as well.

The Princess Consort looked at the three seated below her and suddenly smiled. "In the past, with only Lady Ning, it always felt a bit desolate. Now seeing you three, it finally feels more lively."

Before, it was just Cefei Ning alone, who always made the Princess Consort's blood boil.

In the future, if these three came to pay respects together, they would be at each other's throats, and the Princess Consort would have a good show to enjoy—wouldn't that be more lively?

Fang Yuaner gave a meaningful smile.

"And now two more sisters are coming; the mansion is bound to get even livelier soon."

Shufei Yun couldn't help but cough a few times.

The Princess Consort quickly showed concern: "It's my fault; I forgot that Shufei Yun is still unwell."

"Well then, serve the tea."

Since tea was being served, the new arrivals should come to pay respects.

Soon, two stunning beauties were brought in, simultaneously paying respects to the Princess Consort.

One, dressed in light cyan embroidered with moon bamboo, had a scholarly demeanor, her voice gentle and faint.

"Your servant, Li Shi, greets the Princess Consort."

The other, wearing a crimson dress, with a bright, enchanting face, also bowed and spoke in a soft, melodious voice.

"Your servant, Han Shi, greets the Princess Consort."

As soon as the second one spoke, it felt as if a current ran through everyone's ears, leaving them tingling and numb.

Xie Run thought to herself, Prince Jing is indeed lucky in love.

With such a captivating voice, even a woman like Xie Run felt her bones soften.

Yet she saw the Princess Consort frowning, and Shufei Yun next to her also covered her mouth with a handkerchief, pretending to be embarrassed.

Xie Run thought for a moment and quickly understood.

Han’s voice was nice, sure, but to women of that era, it was not dignified.

Especially combined with her seductive, enchanting face—she was like a... fox spirit.

Both the Princess Consort and Shufei Yun were old-fashioned women, who found such behavior most distasteful.

Thinking that this "fox spirit" was personally selected by Prince Jing’s mother, Noble Consort Rou, Xie Run felt a strange sense of unease.

Princess Consort and Prince Jing are aligned in interests. She couldn't help but frown, as if she were a mother-in-law encountering a fox spirit trying to seduce her son. She and Prince Jing both began to suspect that Guifei Rou had ulterior motives and was plotting something.

Shufei Yun feigned embarrassment on the surface, but inwardly she was disdainful of such behavior.

Such behavior, even if Prince Jing favored that woman, would absolutely not affect Shufei Yun's status.

Xie Run lowered her head, also pretending to be embarrassed. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Fang Yuaner staring intently at Han Shi with an alert gaze, and she suddenly understood something.

Fang Yuaner didn't grasp why the Princess Consort and Shufei Yun were put off; instead, she felt that the newcomer Han Shi shared her own style, with looks and charm that were in no way inferior to her own.

This woman, personally gifted by Guifei Rou, had a voice that could bewitch the soul... Fang Yuaner's every instinct screamed danger.

If not for the fact that Guifei Rou had never met Fang Yuaner, she would have suspected that Guifei Rou was targeting her specifically, not the Princess Consort.

The two newcomers: Li Shi was cool and ethereal, while Han Shi was charming and flirtatious.

One was similar to Fang Yuaner's style, the other its complete opposite.

This... how to put it?

Xie Run couldn't help it and shot another glance at Fang Yuaner.

But Fang Yuaner had just looked away and was caught red-handed.