Chapter 98

Chapter 98

After another half month or so, good news finally arrived.

Good news came one after another in the mansion.

The pregnancies of Concubine Li and Concubine An gradually stabilized, and Concubine Lu's illness improved day by day.

Concubine An's figure grew increasingly bloated, and news of the twins spread throughout the courtyard.

Now that her pregnancy was completely stable, the Princess Consort no longer deliberately suppressed the news.

Everyone was looking forward to the deliveries of Concubine An, Secondary Consort Fang, and Secondary Consort Xie.

One day, Xie Run was examining some newly carved jade pieces when Yueliang'er came to deliver a message.

"Master, Concubine Lu from Qingfeng Courtyard requests an audience with you."

Xie Run was slightly surprised. "Concubine Lu wants to see me?"

"That's really rare. I have no connection with her."

When the incident with Juzi happened, Concubine Lu also went to Concubine An's courtyard and made a scene.

Although neither of them suffered major harm, Concubine Lu's already bad reputation grew even worse.

None of the concubines or maidservants in the entire prince's mansion were willing to associate with her.

Of course, no one dared to offend her either.

After all, her reputation was ruined, but others still had theirs to protect.

However, because she had jumped into the water to save Princess Ruyi, she was ill for a long time, which prevented her from causing any new trouble.

Now that she had just recovered, she came to visit Xie Run, which inevitably made people wonder.

Dan Tao had a poor opinion of Concubine Lu. "Master, this Concubine Lu is a real piece of work. We should keep our distance from her."

Xie Run thought for a moment. "Did she say why she wanted to see me?"

Concubine Lu had a bad reputation, but she wasn't stupid.

If it weren't something important, a concubine despised by the entire mansion wouldn't be so tactless as to come to Xie Run, a favored secondary consort.

After all, not everyone was like Concubine Li, who kept up appearances and wouldn't openly express her disgust even if she truly detested Concubine Lu.

Yueliang'er thought about it. "She only said that after a serious illness, she wanted to see you, Master, to soak up some of your good fortune."

Xie Run frowned and pushed the jade piece aside. "It's cold outside. Invite her to the main hall and tell her I'll be there shortly."

Yueliang'er acknowledged, "Yes!"

"Put the jade pieces away." Xie Run stood up. "Since she's come openly, there's nothing for us to fear."

Dan Tao naturally obeyed her master, but added, "Master, you should take Zi Hu with you."

Xie Run: "Of course."

Xie Run slowly made her way to the main hall and found Concubine Lu sipping tea.

She put down the teacup and bowed properly to Xie Run, "I pay my respects to Shufei Xie."

"The tea at Shufei Xie's place is truly fragrant. I have never tasted such good tea in my life." Shiqie Lu smiled ingratiatingly.

Xie Run smiled gently, "If you like it, I'll have someone pack some for you to take back."

Shiqie Lu was taken aback, then smiled and said, "I was just making conversation."

She said self-deprecatingly, "Shufei Xie is so generous that it makes me look like I'm here to sponge off you."

Xie Run's attitude was really too kind.

Shiqie Lu then thought of what people in the manor said.

They all said that Shufei Xie and Shiqie An had the same good nature, amiable and gentle, treating others kindly and tolerantly, never getting angry with servants.

But it was Shufei Xie whom the prince favored most, while Shiqie An had never caught the prince's eye.

Everyone sighed, 'With the same nature, why are their fates so different?'

Is it just because Shufei Xie is younger and prettier?

Shiqie Lu had always scoffed at such talk.

How could they be the same in nature?

Shiqie An was a coward, soft and completely spineless. A goody-goody is good to others, but it harms those around her.

Although Shufei Xie was gentle and kind, she was not at all soft.

That day in Qiufeng Courtyard, when Sang Cao falsely accused her, with the prince and princess seated high above and everyone watching the drama unfold.

Shufei Xie was calm throughout, handling it with ease, without a hint of fear in her eyes.

She even managed to protect her maid.

Just that ability alone was something Shiqie An could never learn in a lifetime.

Shufei Xie was also generous to those around her.

As for Xiaoshu, who was injured on her behalf, Shufei Xie personally sent people to care for her, checking in every few days and sending a steady stream of rewards.

While Xiaoshu was recovering at home, her whole family benefited from her loyalty to her mistress, gaining countless advantages.

Unlike Shiqie An...

As she thought this, a sneer appeared on Shiqie Lu's lips.

Just as Xie Run was about to speak, she noticed a jade-colored object slip from Shiqie Lu's sleeve, which looked quite familiar.

Shiqie Lu smiled and said, "I have some words I would like to share with Shufei Xie. I wonder if Shufei Xie would allow me to drink a few more cups of tea?"

Xie Run's pupils contracted, but she put on a gentle smile, "Of course. I have no shortage of tea here. Not just a few cups—even if you drink for a whole day, it's fine."

As she said this, she dismissed Lu Zhi and Hong Xi, who were attending in the room.

"I recall there are newly arrived Da Hong Pao and Lao Jun Mei in the storeroom. Bring them all out for Sister Lu to try."

The two acknowledged and went out.

Dan Tao purposely walked to the door, lifted the curtain to glance around, and instructed the nearby servants to ensure no one was eavesdropping before letting the curtain fall.

Xie Run said slowly, "Sister Lu, if you have something to say, please speak frankly."

Shiqie Lu suddenly rose and knelt before Xie Run.

Xie Run was startled and quickly moved to stand up, "Sister Lu, what are you doing? You mustn't do that."

Although a Shufei held a slightly higher status than a Shiqie, the difference was not significant.

In this dynasty, there was no custom of kneeling and bowing at every turn.

Kneeling was typically a grand gesture, rarely seen even between people of vastly different statuses.

Shiqie Lu took a jade pendant and a letter from her sleeve, holding them in her palms, "There are some words this servant doesn't know how to say. Please, Shufei Xie, take a look at this letter and the jade pendant."

Seeing the jade pendant, Dan Tao showed some surprise, "Isn't this our mistress's lost jade pendant? How did it come into your hands?!"

Shiqie Lu lowered her eyes, her expression very calm, "This is the suicide note that Orange left for me."

"The jade pendant was also sent to me by her."

"The full story of the kite incident at the Zhibo Boat that day is all in the letter."

"Orange?" Xie Run and Dan Tao exchanged a glance.

Neither could understand how Xie Run could be connected to Orange.

Zi Hu stepped forward to take the letter, examined it front and back to ensure it was not poisoned, then handed it to Xie Run.

Shiqie Lu observed everything, her heart involuntarily tightening.

Though she had no intention to harm anyone, in such a situation, how could she not be nervous?

Xie Run first glanced at the jade pendant, confirming it was hers, then opened the letter and read slowly.

As time passed, Xie Run's expression gradually darkened.

Shiqie Lu remained kneeling on the ground, waiting for Xie Run's reaction.

After a long while, Xie Run finally said, "I appreciate Orange's sentiment!"

"In her letter, she left a dying wish, asking me to give you some protection within the prince's mansion. I have agreed to this too."