Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Back then, she didn't have many people she could trust, and at the critical moment, she nearly had to cut open her own belly to deliver the baby.

Xie Run sighed at how over-the-top the plot was, but still wanted to give Xie Jiang a hand.

At least she could spare her some suffering.

Xie Run wanted to ask Prince Jing to find Xie Jiang an experienced old governess—someone who could handle childbirth and childcare.

Of course, Xie Jiang's pregnancy had been kept under wraps and never got out.

Xie Run wouldn't bring it up directly and blow Xie Jiang's cover.

She only said, "My sister's all alone in the capital and can't handle everything by herself. I'd like to ask for a steady, experienced governess for her."

"Preferably someone who can show her the ropes. Later, when my sister marries, she'll have a good helper for running the household and raising kids."

Xie Run said in a gentle voice, "This should've been my mother's job, but she's in poor health and can't handle much."

For some reason, Prince Jing couldn't stand hearing Xie Run talk so pitifully.

She wasn't one to complain; she usually only talked about fun, entertaining stuff.

Hearing her bring up family matters so casually today just made her even more endearing.

When Prince Jing felt soft toward her, he got all casual and waved his hand dismissively.

"Just one person—tell Jing Wu to find one and send her over."

Xie Run added, "My sister's the shy, timid type. I'm afraid she won't be able to keep the governess in line, and some things are hard for her to say to her face. Why not send the deed of indenture along too, so she won't have to worry?"

"When the time comes, she can see the governess through her old age and bury her properly—that'd make for a nice story of mistress and servant devotion."

Prince Jing said lazily, "You're pretty thoughtful."

Xie Run pouted. "Since Your Highness praised me for being thoughtful, I might as well ask for one more thing."

Prince Jing shot her a sidelong glance.

Xie Run said, "I beg you to honor Zi Hu personally."

"She took a whip from Cefei Jiang to protect me and even got slapped in the face—she's been really wronged."

"No matter what I give her, it can't match the honor of a gift from Your Highness."

Prince Jing snorted. "You sure know how to flatter—flatter me right into emptying my treasury!"

"It's not that bad!"

Xie Run threw herself into Prince Jing's arms, beaming like a winter plum blooming in the snow, graceful and alluring. "But I really am grateful I married Your Highness!"

Since she got pregnant, the allure hidden in her bones had only grown more captivating.

Prince Jing's gaze darkened a little, but he pretended to be annoyed. "Carrying a belly like that, and you're still so reckless."

"What if I hadn't caught you when you lunged like that?"

Xie Run smiled. "You would've!"

She said with confidence and pride: "Your Highness would definitely catch me!"

Looking into her clear, bright eyes full of trust, Prince Jing unconsciously straightened his back.

He told himself he couldn't betray that trust.

Even the corners of his mouth curled up a little.

"That mouth of yours—it must be dipped in honey!" Prince Jing said with fake disdain, though inside he was thoroughly pleased.

Xie Run noticed and smiled to herself.

It seemed Prince Jing had a bit of a secretly smug side.

Outwardly he looked all proper, like he could take praise in stride, but the curve of his lips could hang an oil bottle.

If he had a tail, he'd probably be wagging it nonstop.

That evening, the Princess Consort sent a governess over to Cefei Jiang.

At the same time, for wearing a phoenix hairpin above her rank, she was docked half a year's allowance and ordered to copy ten volumes of Buddhist scriptures.

It was a small punishment for a small offense.

That night, Prince Jing stayed at Spring Mountain Court.

Everyone was busy laughing at Cefei Jiang for being muddle-headed and running over to humiliate herself, so no one had time to envy Xie Run.

After this, everyone saw Cefei Jiang's true nature clearly.

She had no brains, and she was genuinely arrogant.

With Wan Linlang spreading embellished stories about what happened in Mizhou, everyone now had a general idea of Cefei Jiang.

They all figured Cefei Jiang wouldn't take this punishment lying down.

The grudge was set now, and they just waited for Cefei Jiang's house arrest to be lifted for another round of drama.

Everyone wanted to see Cefei Jiang's spectacle, and even more so, Xie Run's as the favored concubine.

While everyone else was waiting for the drama, Fang Yuaner of Summer Pond Court was wound tight as a bowstring.

Qiu Kui dismissed the other maidservants, stepped forward to hang up the curtain, and whispered, "Mistress, word has come from Shiqie An's side."

Fang Yuaner's gaze sharpened. "What, she's about to give birth?!"

Qiu Kui nodded. "The experienced old governess says the baby has dropped into the pelvis. She's been having abdominal pains these past few days—she'll likely give birth within the next two days!"

Fang Yuaner grabbed the blanket and sat up straight. "Isn't she only eight and a half months? Why is she giving birth already?!"

She sneered, "That useless Shiqie An—all my efforts wasted!"

"That day at the Zhibu Pavilion, Lizi followed my orders, got herself bitten all over, and still shielded her."

"Who would have thought she couldn't hold herself together—just two bites from Juzi's accusations and she went into premature labor!"

The very thought made Fang Yuaner furious.

"She never did anything wrong herself, yet she's guilty as sin and scared herself into labor... What a piece of work!"

"All that effort, wasted!"

Fang Yuaner felt somewhat regretful. "If I'd known she was this fragile, I wouldn't have let Lizi suffer that ordeal. A good scare might've been enough to stop the birth entirely!"

Qiu Xiang, who was waiting on her, let out a sigh too. "Please don't fret, mistress."

"Shiqie An's carrying twins, and the mansion doctor's always said it'd be tough to carry them to full term."

"She was already rattled during Princess Ruyi's birthday bash, and I'm afraid her body took a hit back then. That's why she's going into labor now."

Honestly, Shiqie An's delivery wasn't really premature. Carrying twins to eight and a half months was seen as pretty safe.

But the baby in Fang Yuaner's own belly was only seven and a half months along.

Qiu Xiang asked softly, "But are you really ready, mistress?"

Fang Yuaner couldn't help frowning, her heart clenching.

If she didn't have to, she wouldn't want to induce labor either.

Ancient medicine was primitive; premature babies were hard to keep alive, and the mother's body would take a beating too.

But the Second Prince's position had become her obsession ever since she got her hands on that labor-inducing prescription.

She'd transmigrated into this book and spent almost a year surviving the inner courtyard, eating bitter and crying plenty.

What was she gunning for?

Wasn't it riches, status, fame, and a bright future?

At this point, it was either make a bold move to get ahead, or lose it all.

If she died early, she could rush off to reincarnate and grab a new script.

Qiu Kui also whispered, "Mistress, Lady An could pop any minute. You've got to decide fast!"

When you're doing something like this, the worst thing is being ready but still waffling.

Either give up completely and play it safe, or go all in—life and death are in heaven's hands!

Hesitating only made it worse.

Fang Yuaner took a deep breath. "Qiu Xiang, get someone to brew the medicine!"

After a pause, she added, "Qiu Kui, go get Shiqie Wan. Tell her I'm not feeling well and don't want to bother the Prince and Princess, so I'm asking her to come check on me."

"If she won't come, drag her here if you have to!"

Princess Ruyi's birthday bash had been a lively affair, and it let Wan Linlang catch a lucky break, busting out of her old deadlock.

Influenced by her transmigration knowledge, Fang Yuaner regarded her as a mortal enemy and wouldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by.

Fang Yuaner thought that even if her own luck ran out, she'd take someone down with her before she died!

She'd make sure Wan Linlang tasted the bitterness of a wasted rebirth!

Qiu Kui and Qiu Xiang immediately sprang into action.