Chapter 52

Before anyone had a chance to react, the eldest son suddenly lunged at Fang Yuaner and kicked at her belly.

"Bitch! You killed my mother, you deserve to die!"

"You and that little bastard in your belly should die together!"

Qiu Xiang cried out in alarm, "Be careful, mistress."

She threw herself forward to shield Fang Yuaner.

Several screams rang out one after another.

It was Eunuch Shi'an by Prince Jing's side who reacted fastest, leaping to catch the eldest son and block the kick.

A sturdy four-year-old child kicking someone with full force could be extremely painful.

Eunuch Shi'an, struck in the stomach, groaned, clutching his abdomen.

Guards had already stepped forward to restrain the eldest son from both sides.

The eldest son thrashed his legs in the air, spewing obscenities at Fang Yuaner.

This scene caught everyone completely off guard.

When Fang Yuaner had first described the eldest son's behavior, many thought she was exaggerating.

They also thought she was petty, bearing a grudge against a child, and malicious enough to drive Concubine Ning to her death right in front of him.

But now, seeing the vicious look on the eldest son’s face, they felt truly sorry for Fang Yuaner.

To be targeted by such a mad mother and son.

If that kick had actually landed on Fang Yuaner's belly, both mother and child could have been in serious danger.

Prince Jing’s voice rang out in anger, "Throw this unfilial brat into the snow to clear his head!"

The princess hurriedly bowed, "Please calm down, Your Highness! The eldest son is young; having suddenly lost his mother, his transgression is understandable. The weather outside is freezing—it will harm his health..."

Prince Jing said coldly, "Lost his mother? Who is his mother? Don't forget your position, Princess."

The princess felt a tightening in her heart. "Yes."

Then Prince Jing’s icy voice rang out.

"That Ning woman sowed discord between the eldest son and his stepmother—she deserved to die!"

Everyone felt a chill seep into their bones, their legs trembling involuntarily.

With these words, Prince Jing shifted all the blame onto the deceased Concubine Ning and flatly denied the mother-son relationship between the eldest son and her.

He also protected the eldest son and Fang Yuaner.

With that phrase "she deserved to die," no one in the manor dared to ever mention Concubine Ning again.

"Jing Wu, take the eldest son out to clear his head!"

Jing Wu, who normally kept to the shadows, responded, "My apologies, eldest son."

With that, he grabbed the eldest son with one hand and tossed him out into the snow.

Prince Jing added, "Consort Fang, reckless and unrefined, confined to Xiachi Courtyard for six months."

Fang Yuaner stood straight, bowed, and showed no fear, "I accept the punishment!"

Prince Jing cast a cold glance at the lifeless Concubine Ning. "Princess, Ning’s body is your responsibility."

He paused, then added, "Deal with her quickly."

With that, he turned and left.

The princess calmly took charge of the situation at Lanxiang Courtyard, ordering Concubine Ning’s body to be prepared for burial.

The others quickly dispersed.

Nanny Li asked in a low voice, "Princess, how should we handle Concubine Ning’s funeral?"

Originally, Concubine Ning was already near death. The princess had considered Prince Jing’s intentions and planned to arrange her funeral according to the rites for a secondary consort.

But after today’s events, even in death, Concubine Ning earned Prince Jing’s scorn.

If they held the funeral according to the rites of a secondary consort, it might invite the prince’s displeasure and rumors.

The princess said calmly, "Didn’t the prince say to take care of it quickly?"

Nanny Li immediately nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."

The princess added, "Just put her in the coffin we prepared earlier. Keep everything as simple as possible."

"Yes."

The princess held no small resentment toward Concubine Ning.

She had secretly wished for her death.

But now, seeing her die so miserably, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of shared sorrow.

If not for the coffin already prepared, a ragged straw mat would have been enough.

When Concubine Ning was in favor, she never imagined she would end up so cold and alone.

Xie Run grabbed Dan Tao’s hand and hurried back to Chunsan Courtyard.

After drinking a cup of warm tea, she finally steadied herself.

Xie Run’s eyes were dull, like light refracting through glass, filled with confusion and helplessness. "Dan Tao, did you see that?"

Dan Tao had just taken a sip of tea.

Hearing this, she nodded lightly, holding the teacup, a trace of fear in her eyes.

She said slowly, "Concubine Ning’s body... looks like she was poisoned."

They had only just heard the eldest son crying when they arrived at Lanxiang Courtyard, meaning Concubine Ning had just died.

But the body on the ground had an odd purple-blue tint to its face.

At first glance, one could easily mistake them for bruises from Fang Yuaner’s beating.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this blue-purple color seeped from within the skin.

It looked fine on the outside, but inside it was already rotting.

Xie Run lowered her eyes and took another sip of tea. "The Prince and Princess Consort showed no sign of surprise; it seems both of them knew."

Dan Tao's heart suddenly felt cold.

Then she heard Xie Run say, "The Prince is really ruthless."

If he only wanted Concubine Ning dead, that'd be one thing, but he used poison to gradually destroy her body, drain her life force, and disguise it as death from a serious illness.

All because he was afraid of hurting what he called the father-son bond.

After all, Concubine Ning had given him two sons; he could at least give her a swift death, couldn't he?

He killed the mother of his children and still talks about father-son affection.

It always sounds ridiculous.

Perhaps one day, when Prince Jing no longer favors her,

he will also let her die quietly from illness?

Dan Tao was startled and quickly looked around.

After confirming there were no outsiders, she lowered her voice and warned, "Mistress, watch your tongue!"

Although she thought the same, there were some things that, even if thought, could not be spoken out loud.

Xie Run leaned back in her chair, looking slightly tired. "I know. I wouldn't dare say it outside either."

She slowly opened her eyes. "If one day I end up like Concubine Ning, I would prefer a cup of poisoned wine for a quick end."

In her previous life, she had been bedridden for over a decade; Xie Run hated being sick.

Especially struggling towards death in the throes of serious illness.

Dan Tao said, "Pah pah pah! Mistress, what nonsense are you talking?!"

"You're a person of great fortune; you'll surely live a long, healthy life without worries."

Xie Run smiled, shaking off her worries. "I like hearing that."

Suddenly, Xie Run asked again, "Why do you think the eldest son suddenly hates Concubine Fang?"

"If it's because of Concubine Fang's poisoning, shouldn't he hate me as well?"

But today, when the eldest son saw her, he showed no reaction.

"Why would the eldest son hate you?" Dan Tao's heart was entirely on Xie Run's side. "You didn't take your anger out on him because of Concubine Ning; that's already kind of you!"

"The eldest son resents Concubine Fang because the grudge between her and Concubine Ning runs too deep."

"They became mortal enemies at the Qixi Festival family banquet. Later, when Concubine Ning was demoted and confined, Concubine Fang also fanned the flames."

"The grudges between these two can't be sorted out."

"Don't worry, I know you care about me." Xie Run looked at Dan Tao's protective expression and felt warm inside. "But I still feel that someone might be instigating this behind the scenes."

Dan Tao paused and said quietly, "Could it be the Princess Consort? After all, she raised the eldest son for some time."

"Precisely because she raised the eldest son, the Princess Consort is the least likely to have done it."

Xie Run shook her head. "Have you heard the phrase 'in a melon field or under a plum tree'?"