Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Thinking about this made Fang Yuaner especially irritable. "Find a way to look into it."

"I just feel like she shouldn't be pregnant."

Qiu Kui and Qiu Xiang had always found Fang Yuaner overly cautious and suspicious, always believing someone was out to harm her.

But the previous incidents had all proven her guesses right.

This time, they trusted Fang Yuaner instinctively.

Once outside, Qiu Kui asked in confusion, "Shiqie Han was faking a pregnancy because if she were pregnant, she could be promoted to Shu Fei. Shiqie Wan faking a pregnancy... what does she have to gain?"

For one thing, there was already no shortage of pregnant women in the residence.

Wan Linlang was of low status and lacked favor. Even if she had gotten pregnant, it wouldn't have threatened anyone, and few people would bother to harm her.

Second, the four Shu Fei spots in the residence were already taken. Even if Wan Linlang gave birth to twin sons, the most she could be was still a Shiqie.

Qiu Xiang didn't get it either, but could only say, "What the mistress says often has no basis, but it's always on point. Maybe there's a reason we don't know about?"

The news somehow got out.

When Xie Run heard about it, she frowned. "Did this news come out of Xiachi Courtyard?"

Only Fang Yuaner knew that Wan Linlang had a naturally cold body and had trouble getting pregnant.

Hearing that Wan Linlang was pregnant, Xie Run's first reaction was the same, but she dismissed the idea after a moment's thought.

Wan Linlang wasn't stupid enough to dig a hole for herself.

Dan Tao was surprised. "How does the mistress know it came from Xiachi Courtyard?"

"Just a guess." Xie Run said calmly. "Looks like there'll be more trouble."

Having been reborn, Wan Linlang had her own sharp intuition.

This rumor coming out of Fang Yuaner's courtyard for no reason, Wan Linlang would certainly become suspicious.

And since the story after rebirth was completely different from her previous life, Wan Linlang was already suspicious. Running into this loophole, she'd definitely wonder if Fang Yuaner had been reborn too.

In the last life, they were sworn enemies. Now they'd probably fight even harder.

But none of this had anything to do with Xie Run. She had to get ready for Princess Ruyi's birthday feast tomorrow.

Dan Tao asked, "Mistress, how are you planning to dress for Princess Ruyi's birthday tomorrow?"

"I'll wear the new green padded skirt with plum blossom embroidery, paired with that pink gemstone headpiece set—just a few tweaks here and there."

Red plums and green outfits usually don't go well together.

But the newly tailored green outfit with plum blossom embroidery was a lovely combination of light green and soft red.

The red plums were charming, and the green outfit was fresh—the colors complemented each other perfectly.

With a fox-fur cloak on, from a distance she'd look like a touch of spring amidst a snowy world of red plums.

While she was speaking, Xie Run suddenly felt something missing from her waist.

She looked down, and Dan Tao gasped, "Mistress, your jade pendant is gone!"

Xie Run then realized the jade pendant at her waist was missing.

Dan Tao said, "That jade pendant was a personal gift from the prince, engraved with your childhood name. If someone finds it, they could use it to cause trouble."

Thanks to Xie Run, everyone at Chunsan Courtyard had gotten into the habit of worrying that lost things could be used against them.

Xie Run thought for a moment. "Maybe I dropped it somewhere in the courtyard?"

"Otherwise, we can search near the courtyard gate."

Because the ground at Chunsan Courtyard was uneven, Xie Run had all the snow in front of the gate cleared to make a big open space.

She'd been taking walks there for the past few days.

If she'd lost something, it should be right around there.

Dan Tao said, "I'll send the servants to look for it."

After half a day, still no one had found the jade pendant.

Xiaoshu had just come back inside and walked over to the stove to warm up, shivering from the cold.

"Mistress, we didn't find it."

"Forget the courtyard. We've searched the front area more than a dozen times, almost up to Qingzhu Courtyard, and there's not a trace."

Dan Tao worried, "We've made such a big commotion; didn't Qingzhu Courtyard get disturbed?"

Xie Run held a cup of tea to warm her hands. "I'm not afraid of causing a stir. I'm afraid it vanished without a trace."

Her long lashes cast a shadow on her snow-white cheeks.

"Tomorrow is Princess Ruyi's birthday celebration, and this happens today."

Both of them tensed up. "Does the mistress suspect the pendant wasn't lost but stolen?"

Xie Run gave a slow nod. "If it were anything else, it'd be fine. But it's this jade pendant."

The jade pendant was a private gift from Prince Jing, engraved with her childhood name—it was a very personal item of Xie Run's.

"It's our fault as servants. We didn't notice a thing."

Xie Run shook her head. Then she said, "Don't you remember what happened at Qingzhu Courtyard a few days ago?"

Dan Tao was startled. "Does the mistress suspect Shiqie Han?"

"Not necessarily," Xie Run said slowly. "But I suspect there's someone in the mansion who's very good at opening chests and stealing things without a trace."

"Shiqie Li's trunk was never opened, yet a musk-scented sachet was quietly placed inside."

"Her pillow was made by her personal maid, yet someone still managed to tamper with it."

With such a capable person, stealing Xie Run's jade pendant without a trace would be no challenge.

"With such a skilled person around, how can I blame you for being careless?"

The enemy is too strong; it's truly hard to deal with.

Both Xiaoshu and Dan Tao looked worried.

Xie Run looked at them and couldn’t help but smile. "You don’t need to be so tense. I’ve been in the spotlight in the manor lately—it was bound to be my turn."

As long as one is favored, schemes will come sooner or later.

No one can stay safe and sound forever while standing in the eye of the storm.

Xie Run had long expected to be targeted. "Now that the other side has acted openly, it actually gives us a chance to counterattack."

What’s truly terrifying is someone who attacks silently, never making a move until they can deal a fatal blow.

That’s what’s truly terrifying.

They don’t even give you time to react.

Dan Tao asked, "How does Mistress plan to handle this?"

Xie Run thought for a moment. "Where is the prince right now?"

"He’s probably in the front yard."

Xie Run: "Xiaoshu, go to the front yard for me. Tell the prince I’ve lost my jade pendant and I’m pitching a fit over it."

Xiaoshu and Dan Tao exchanged bewildered glances.

Xie Run is gentle-natured, always smiling, never harsh with her servants, and certainly not one to throw tantrums.

Even when she acts a little willful in front of Prince Jing, it’s just a playful act.

Claiming she’s throwing a fit all of a sudden—that would seem strange not only to the prince, but even to Dan Tao and Xiaoshu.

Xiaoshu’s eyes lit up with understanding. "I’ll go right away and make sure to bring the prince here!"