Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Fang Yuaner had just gritted her teeth and downed the labor-inducing medicine when a young maid called out from the corridor.

"My lady, Concubine Wan is here!"

Fang Yuaner endured her discomfort and rose with Qiu Xiang's support. "At this late hour, I'm sorry to trouble Sister Wan."

To be honest, this was the first time since entering the household that Fang Yuaner had called Wan Linlang "Sister Wan" with such real sincerity.

As she left the bedchamber, Fang Yuaner suddenly tightened her grip on Qiu Xiang's hand.

She whispered, "If it really comes down to it... make sure you get Concubine Xie to take over for me!"

Qiu Xiang looked completely stunned.

She probably never expected her mistress to ask for something like that.

"And if Concubine Xie is unwilling?"

"Then beg her right in front of the Prince and Princess. No matter what... even in the delivery room, I can't say I'm truly safe."

"In this household, the only person I can trust even a little is Xie Run."

Qiu Xiang was deeply puzzled.

Concubine Xie and her mistress had no real connection besides entering the household on the same day.

They rarely even saw each other on a normal day.

How could her mistress trust Concubine Xie more than even the Prince and Princess?

Fang Yuaner did not explain.

She couldn't tell Qiu Xiang that she trusted Xie Run just because of a gut feeling.

The longer she stayed in this world, the less control she had over her own love and hate.

She trusted Xie Run just like she hated Wan Linlang—purely on instinct!

Early the next morning, Xie Run had just woken up when she heard rustling sounds near the window.

She called out, "Dan Tao?"

Dan Tao came in, lifted the curtain, and hung it up. "My lady is awake."

Xie Run asked curiously, "Who were you just talking to?"

Dan Tao looked a little tense. "Let me help you wash up first, my lady. I'll explain while you get dressed."

Xie Run frowned. "What's happened?"

Dan Tao said softly, "Last night, Concubine Wan clashed with Concubine Fang. Concubine Fang's pregnancy was affected—she's been in pain all night and might go into early labor."

The mistress and maid exchanged a glance, without a hint of surprise.

"Is that all?" Xie Run was perfectly calm. "I saw this coming. Why are you being so hesitant?"

"It's not that I'm holding back." Dan Tao's face turned grim. "It's just that nobody knows what Concubine Fang is thinking!"

"Last night, the Prince and Princess both went to Xiachi Courtyard. Concubine Fang was in pain until midnight, then suddenly started calling for you to come take charge."

"She said she was afraid someone might hurt her and that she only trusted you."

Xie Run looked totally confused. "...And the Prince agreed?"

Dan Tao said reluctantly, "The Prince did think about your wellbeing. He didn't let anyone disturb you in the middle of the night, only saying that once it was light out, he'd have you come over to check on her, at least to put Concubine Fang's mind at ease."

Dan Tao gestured toward the window. "The person the Princess sent has been waiting outside."

"I hesitated because I wanted to let you take your time getting ready, so you wouldn't rush and get flustered."

Dan Tao was loyal to Xie Run and naturally didn't want her to get dragged into this mess.

But the Prince had agreed, and the Princess's envoy was waiting at the door—as a servant, she couldn't say no.

How could Wan Linlang, over at Xiuyue Pavilion, have clashed with Fang Yuaner in the middle of the night?

Could it be that Fang Yuaner was trying to pick a fight with Wan Linlang but ended up hurting her own pregnancy instead?

It wasn't just Xie Run who thought this—the whole household thought the same.

They just didn't say it out loud.

Xie Run let Dan Tao help her get dressed before heading out at a leisurely pace.

The person the Princess sent was Tinghe, who also looked helpless. "Greetings, Concubine Xie!"

"In this freezing weather, my mistress wouldn't want to trouble you."

"But Concubine Fang's cries were truly pitiful, and her maids were kneeling and kowtowing. The Prince's heart softened and he said yes..."

Tinghe was explaining on behalf of the Princess, so Xie Run wouldn't get angry and blame the wrong person.

A hint of worry crept across Xie Run's delicate face. "Sister Fang hasn't given birth yet?"

"I slept so soundly last night that I didn't know anything about this."

Tinghe nodded. "I heard that Lady Fang has been crying out in Xiachi Courtyard all night and still hasn't given birth."

"The Prince also specifically told me not to wake you in the middle of the night, so it wouldn't disturb your own pregnancy."

"He only asked that you go over and take a look once you woke up, to put Lady Fang's mind at ease."

"At least let her have the baby in peace."

With that, Tinghe glanced outside and said, "To be safe, the Prince even sent his own sedan chair to pick you up."

"You can see how much the Prince truly cherishes Concubine Xie."

That last remark was Tinghe's honest opinion.

If Prince Jing wanted Xie Run to go, all it would take was one word—would Xie Run dare not go?

Yet he had people wait half the night and sent his own sedan chair, with all kinds of careful instructions... Truly, this was treatment reserved for someone he held dear to his heart.

If it had been Concubine An that Concubine Fang had called for last night, do you think Concubine An would have gotten such treatment?

Xie Run's brow stayed furrowed with worry. "In that case, let's head out early."

"Elder Sister Fang is having a difficult labor, and it breaks my heart just hearing about it."

Tinghe couldn't have been happier to hear those words.

After all, if this lady were to pitch a fit and refuse to go now, she wouldn't be able to go back and report a job well done.

She hurriedly had someone help Xie Run into the palanquin.

It was Xie Run's first time riding in a palanquin.

The rules were strictly enforced—in the prince's mansion, only a secondary consort could ride in a two-person sedan chair, the princess a six-person one, and the prince himself an eight-person palanquin.

Prince Jing's eight-person palanquin was the equivalent of the emperor's sixteen-person one.

A prince's procession was the highest below the emperor.

Unless Prince Jing one day took the throne and Xie Run became a noble consort, she'd probably never ride in an eight-person palanquin again in her life.

Honestly, this was Prince Jing's real, tangible favor.

It was for the child in her belly, and for Xie Run herself.

From the start, Xie Run didn't want much.

She only hoped that no matter who Prince Jing favored, he'd spare her a little affection when weighing his options.

With small ambitions, she was easy to satisfy and not easily swayed by gains or losses.

With so many bearers, the ride was very smooth.

As soon as Xie Run arrived at Xiachi Courtyard, she first paid her respects to the princess.

"This concubine greets the princess."

The princess quickly had someone help Xie Run up: "Finally, you're here. No need for such formalities at a time like this. Have someone assist you to sit and rest."

Meanwhile, she sent a servant to relay a message to Fang Yuaner in the delivery room: "Tell your mistress that Shufei Xie has arrived."

"Let her focus on giving birth safely!"

"Yes!" A young maid hurried off to deliver the news.

The princess then asked Xie Run, "Was the journey here comfortable?"

The princess was also worried that Xie Run might encounter some mishap along the way.