Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Until she closed her eyes from exhaustion, Xie Run was thinking about one thing.

How was she worthy of having His Highness wait for her for months?

But thinking differently, if he really did miss her for months, then she wouldn't lose favor for a short time.

Seemed pretty good, actually.

The next day, when Xie Run got up, Prince Jing had already gone to court.

Dan Tao helped her dress and mentioned casually, "My lady, it snowed heavily again this morning."

"The prince stared at the snow for a long time before leaving, seeming quite unhappy."

Xie Run also glanced up out the window, seeing a vast expanse of white snow.

"If this snow continues, it will become a disaster. The prince is in the Ministry of Revenue; he will have plenty to worry about then."

Dan Tao didn't understand such things, but she also frowned with worry.

Xie Run then instructed, "Prepare some gifts later and go visit Concubine An and Concubine Li."

"Both of them had pregnancy scares yesterday."

"Oh, and also Concubine Wan."

"She had just had a miscarriage."

Wan Linlang had a bad start in this life, with a low profile, so sometimes Xie Run always overlooked her.

She became pregnant while being overlooked by everyone, and miscarried while being overlooked by everyone.

Sometimes when Xie Run compared things from her past and present lives, she would feel suspicious, always feeling that Wan Linlang still harbored secrets.

But after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't figure out what was wrong.

Xie Run shook her head. "We survived such dangers on the Zhibo Boat, but after leaving the banquet, things went wrong one after another."

Dan Tao said, "Concubine Li was also schemed against; she couldn't have avoided it."

"Concubine An was originally timid; it was hard enough for her to get through the banquet. Who would have thought that after returning to the courtyard, she would be implicated in the matter of the cut kite string? She must have been quite frightened."

Xie Run thought for a moment. "Not tough enough."

"This was not to look down on Concubine An, but she just thought that in the future she must never raise a child so timidly."

After finishing breakfast, Xie Run was supported by maids to walk along the corridor.

Because of the strong wind and snow, the maids worried the cold wind would reach Xie Run, so they somehow managed to find a dozen or so mats and hung them by the corridor, partially enclosing it.

With two charcoal braziers burning, it was somewhat warm along the corridor.

But after pacing a few times, Xie Run actually broke a light sweat.

She touched her belly and said with some regret, "Too bad I'm expecting this year."

"Otherwise, if I had hung curtains around Banshan Pavilion and warmed wine, brewed tea, and enjoyed the snow inside, it would have a unique charm."

Dan Tao laughed. "My lady, don't worry. Since the little one is here this year, we can't enjoy the snow, but next year is fine."

"After all, we'll always live here; there’ll be plenty of days to enjoy snow and brew tea, and in the future, the little one can accompany us."

Xie Run smiled but said nothing.

She thought to herself that next year, she probably wouldn't be able to enjoy the snow.

This year's snow disaster led to the deposition of Consort Chen, and the princes’ competition for the position of heir apparent became intense.

Before next winter, the position of heir apparent would be decided.

The snowy scenery of Chunshan Courtyard, she probably wouldn't get to enjoy.

But Xie Run kept these thoughts to herself, not daring to reveal a thing.

While they were chatting and laughing, Lu Zhi approached from a distance holding an umbrella.

Upon seeing Xie Run, she dropped a curtsy. "My lady, I just saw Concubine Lu leading people out of Qingfeng Pavilion."

Xie Run asked curiously, "She fell into the water yesterday and caught a chill. Now is exactly the time to rest and recover; so why is she going out?"

Yesterday, Xie Run had gone to see Concubine Lu after her fall.

Her face was pale and bluish, and she lay trembling under the covers, her teeth chattered from the chills; it was a pitiful sight.

In Xie Run's opinion, she would need to recuperate at least through this winter to return to normal.

"Going out at this time, doesn't she care about her body?"

After thinking, Xie Run asked again, "Where did she go?"

Lu Zhi's eyes sparkled, clearly showing a desire for gossip. "It seems she went to Concubine An's residence."

Xie Run raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear. This is probably going to cause a scene!"

Dan Tao was puzzled. "Concubine An is pregnant now, and she just had a pregnancy scare yesterday; how dare Concubine Lu cause trouble with her?"

Xie Run teased, "She dared to steal charcoal; what else wouldn't she dare to do?"

"Stealing charcoal was not difficult; what was difficult was to completely lose face and ignore moral shame."

"If Concubine Lu had any scruples, it would be okay; if she had no scruples, there’s no telling how many shocking things she might do."

Xie Run thought. "I'm afraid it's about that maid named Juzi from yesterday."

Dan Tao asked curiously, "Was Concubine Lu's relationship with that Juzi really that good?"

"Previously, she was willing to take ten lashes for Juzi; now that she heard Juzi died, she recklessly rushed to provoke Concubine An..."

Xie Run said, "Send a maid to tip off the princess, to avoid upsetting Concubine An’s pregnancy."

Dan Tao nodded repeatedly. "The actions of Qingfeng Courtyard and Qingzhu Courtyard can't escape our eyes. If the

Returning to her room, Xie Run drank a cup of water infused with rose syrup to moisten her mouth.

She was pondering some matters.

Concubine An is now seven and a half months pregnant. If anything goes wrong, she could have a premature birth.

If so, the expensive prescription for inducing labor Fang Yuaner bought would likely be useless.

Fang Yuaner is only six and a half months pregnant now; inducing labor should wait until at least seven months for the baby to survive.

Which mother should the Second Prince be born from?

Weighing the pros and cons, Xie Run chose Fang Yuaner.

A frail premature baby, even if he becomes the Second Prince, would struggle to grow up healthily.

So she needs to protect Concubine An's pregnancy, at least let it last a bit longer.

She has finally developed her own selfish thoughts.

"Can anyone in this inner courtyard truly stay aloof and not get involved at all?"

Xie Run sighed, feeling that the rose syrup in her mouth had lost its taste.

"Forget it, just like last time when I warned Concubine Li, I'll just count it as a good deed."

After all, when Fang Yuaner gives birth is entirely up to her own body.

If she can protect Concubine An's pregnancy and let her carry a little longer, then the baby in Fang Yuaner's belly can also develop longer.

After the birthday banquet incident, Xie Run fully realized she could not sit idly by.

Sometimes, she had to be proactive.

Suddenly, Xie Run laughed.

Hong Xi, who came in to serve, was curious. "What is the madam laughing at?"

Xie Run said lightly, "I just suddenly understand why the women in the inner courtyard always love to recite scriptures and pray to Buddha."

"Why?" Hong Xi was puzzled.

"Probably because they have desires and guilt."

Xie Run sighed. "Maybe one day, I'll be kneeling before a Buddha statue all day, reciting scriptures and praying."

Hong Xi smiled. "That day, I'm afraid, will have to wait until our young imperial grandson grows up and you become the Dowager Consort."

"The madam probably has a long wait."

Influenced by her innocent smile, Xie Run also laughed. "It seems so."

If she really starts raising children, where would she have time for melancholy?

Even in the current prince's residence, there is no room for a peaceful Buddhist hall.

Besides, she didn't believe in Buddhism.

Xie Run thought for a moment. "There might be a snow disaster this year. Find some time to clean out the jewelry and clothes I don't need, and quietly sell them for silver."

"When I can, I should earn some good karma."

Although Xie Run didn't believe in Buddhism, she died and was reborn as Xie Run.

She should be grateful.