Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Prince Jing looked at her coldly. "What? Did Concubine Xie specifically summon you to the entrance of Chunshan Courtyard to offend me?!"

"And specifically told you to wear a phoenix hairpin that only the Princess Consort is allowed to wear?"

Jiang Baobao choked on her words.

She was never a clever person, and couldn't explain herself clearly in that moment.

She could only protest her innocence, sobbing pitifully.

There was no flicker of emotion in Prince Jing's eyes. He merely said coolly to the maids and matrons behind her, "Why don't you take your mistress back to learn proper conduct?"

"Yes!" The group practically dragged Side Consort Jiang back as fast as they could.

Those who had secured positions serving in Songya Courtyard had originally pulled plenty of strings and paid plenty of silver.

After all, she was the only side consort in the entire household.

Yet who would have thought that within just a few days of entering the household, this side consort would do something so foolish?

Those who had once schemed desperately to get into Songya Courtyard now regretted it with every fiber of their being.

It wasn't that they feared their mistress losing favor—they feared a mistress who didn't know her limits and stirred up trouble day after day.

That was truly the worst luck imaginable!

As soon as Xie Run entered Chunshan Courtyard, she ordered the main gates shut.

A maid was keeping watch from the Banshan Pavilion and immediately reported the Prince's arrival.

Xie Run didn't hurry out; she just had Dan Tao send a few more maids to receive him.

Xie Run said, "Don't let Zi Hu be wronged!"

Dan Tao hurriedly agreed!

No sooner had the arrangements been made than Prince Jing strode into Chunshan Courtyard with his entourage.

When he pushed aside the curtain and came in, Xie Run was sitting there holding a hand warmer, staring into space.

Seeing Prince Jing, she called out softly, "My Lord..."

Prince Jing stepped forward, the chill in his demeanor melting away, his tone unconsciously softening. "You weren't scared, were you?"

Xie Run shook her head, then nodded slightly, looking perfectly meek and well-behaved.

She said softly, "A bit, actually."

"But my maid did offend Consort Jiang. Everything she did was to protect me. I hope my Lord won't punish her."

"If it's absolutely necessary, I'm willing to take the punishment for her."

"Do you really think I'm that unreasonable?" Prince Jing asked in a flat tone.

Xie Run timidly looked up at him, then reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

"It's just... shouldn't I apologize first before lodging a complaint?"

Prince Jing couldn't help laughing. "I knew it—how could you be so obedient and honest?"

Xie Run sighed. "I truly didn't expect Consort Jiang to do something like this today."

Prince Jing looked at her with a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "You're the type who hates trouble and would rather hide ten thousand miles away when something happens."

"But precisely because you're so good-natured, others think they can walk all over you to assert their authority."

Hearing this, Xie Run felt his words carried another meaning.

Could it be... that Prince Jing was fully aware of all of Concubine Han's schemes back then?

Xie Run only dared to make bold guesses.

Concubine Han was already dead, so dwelling on it was meaningless.

Still, she knew Prince Jing had a thorough understanding of the inner court and was not someone who couldn't tell right from wrong. She felt secretly relieved.

Xie Run took Prince Jing's hand. "I believe my Lord will see justice done for me."

Then she added, "Since my Lord rarely visits Chunshan Courtyard, let's not dwell on these unpleasant matters."

Seeing her awkwardly change the subject, Prince Jing found it amusing. "Fine, we won't talk about it."

"But do you have anything cheerful to share with me?"

Xie Run's eyes sparkled. "As a matter of fact, I do."

Xie Run smiled. "Does my Lord remember the story I made up last time at Qiufeng Courtyard?"

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "You mean that poison?"

Prince Jing chuckled. "You certainly have nerve. I actually believed you at the time."

Xie Run had been perfectly composed back then, even showing a hint of confidence as if she had everything under control.

Who would have guessed it was something she'd fabricated on the spot to fool everyone?

"It wasn't entirely made up," Xie Run said with a light smile. "I read about it in a book. At that moment, inspiration struck, and I spun it into that lie."

"So what's the amusing thing you wanted to tell me?"

Xie Run pouted helplessly. "My sister somehow got wind of that story and actually managed to procure this powder for me."

"Though it's not poison, it does have some remarkable effects."

This genuinely surprised Prince Jing.

First, he was surprised that Xie Jiang had actually obtained the powder for Xie Run. Second, he was surprised that Xie Run would keep nothing from him.

Faced with a beloved woman who trusted him completely and held nothing back, how could Prince Jing not believe in her and dote on her?

Xie Run smiled. "Now that Feihua has been captured, I don't have much use for it, so I'd like to offer it to my Lord as a gift."

Seeing that Xie Run spoke with complete sincerity, Prince Jing didn't tease her about it.

"Your sister was worried about you and specially prepared this to protect you."

"I have no use for it—keep it for yourself!"

Xie Run nodded, "Then I'll keep it for myself."

Prince Jing's mouth twitched, "You're actually going to use it?"

"Over time, the potency will fade. I can't waste my sister's kindness," Xie Run said earnestly. "Think of it as a precaution."

"This powder isn't as strong as I made it sound, but at least it's not poisonous, so no need to worry about accidentally hurting anyone."

"It's your stuff, do what you want with it."

Just as Prince Jing finished speaking, he met Xie Run's sparkling, clear eyes, which held a hint of adorable slyness.

Prince Jing smiled knowingly, "What scheme are you cooking up now?"

"How can you call it a scheme?!" Xie Run pouted playfully, leaning into Prince Jing with easy familiarity. "My sister cares for me so much, I should return the favor."

"But all I can offer is gold and trinkets—useful, but they don't really hit the spot."

Prince Jing saw right through her little scheme: "Alright, what do you want?"

Xie Run's eyes lit up, "I want to ask for a person on my sister's behalf!"

Going by the current timeline, Xie Jiang would be five months pregnant by now.

She's alone in the capital, with few trusted and capable people around her.

Even though she's a skilled physician herself, she can't safely deliver a child on her own.

Xie Run remembered that in Xie Jiang's storyline, there was an incident of difficult labor.