Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Xie Run and Concubine Lu exchanged a glance.

Both of their eyes held only knowing resignation, with no trace of surprise.

When it came to currying favor and winning people's hearts, no one in the entire prince's household could match Wan Linlang.

Wan Linlang, being a mere concubine, openly tormented Jiang Baobao, signaling her intent to protect Concubine Lian.

Once Concubine Lian learned of this, she would likely regard Wan Linlang as a blood relative.

Especially given that the entire prince's household looked down on Concubine Lian—to have such a good sister caring for her with meticulous attention, shielding her wholeheartedly... Not to mention Concubine Lian, even Xie Run, if she were in Concubine Lian's shoes, would be utterly devoted to Wan Linlang.

And after all the suffering Jiang Baobao had endured, how could she not hold a grudge?

Whether that grudge would fall on Wan Linlang or Concubine Lian remained to be seen.

Xie Run merely glanced and said, "Send it to Concubine Jiang."

The two old servants quickly acknowledged.

Tormenting Concubine Jiang was hardly something to be proud of, and being seen by higher-ranking masters filled them with trepidation.

Concubine Lu suddenly said, "Sister Xie, shall I go visit Concubine Lian in a couple of days?"

Concubine Lu was now more or less considered one of Xie Run's people.

Given Xie Run's status, it would be beneath her to visit Concubine Lian.

Concubine Lu could serve as her pawn, and in the process, fish for information.

This was likely why many who reached high positions liked to cultivate their own loyalists—there were many things one couldn't do personally, but others could do on one's behalf.

Xie Run gave a slight nod. "It wouldn't hurt for you to go see her."

"I happen to have some new wound-healing ointment that just arrived—take two jars with you."

After a pause, Xie Run added, "The main kitchen just delivered crabs. I was going to send you a basket, but unfortunately your body runs cold, so you shouldn't have them."

Concubine Lu smiled, not minding at all. "Sister Xie has me in her heart—that alone makes me very happy."

These were the first catch of the season, scarce in number and only distributed to the higher-ranking ladies—a rare delicacy.

Xie Run continued, "Yesterday my eldest sister wrote to me and included a prescription for treating a cold uterus. Though it may not work wonders, it should help with your menstrual issues."

Concubine Lu's eyes lit up. "Thank you so much, Sister Xie!"

Ever since that winter years ago, her body had been abnormally cold.

Every menstrual cycle was sheer torture.

The last time she jumped into the water in the dead of winter to save Princess Ruyi, it caused her to miss her period for three months.

It did come this month, but she nearly died of pain in bed.

Xie Run had learned of this by chance and offered to write to her eldest sister, who was a miracle-working physician, to ask for help.

Concubine Lu hadn't expected a reply so soon.

Back at Chunshan Court, Xie Run handed the prescription to Concubine Lu.

She said in a soft, gentle voice, "Take this prescription for seven days first. Have the mansion physician examine you, and after he takes your pulse and makes a diagnosis, see whether the prescription needs adjustment."

"If the pharmacy plays favorites and withholds your medicine, I'll send Dan Tao over."

Tears welled in Concubine Lu's eyes as she smiled. "Ever since Sister Xie helped me with my allowance matter last time, the servants in the mansion haven't dared to mistreat me."

Concubine Lu had grown close to Xie Run, repeatedly serving as her pawn, with the original intention of attaching herself to someone powerful.

But the human heart is not made of stone.

Even if it started as a mere exchange of interests, when someone genuinely looks out for you day after day, how could you remain unmoved?

Concubine Lu knew that words of gratitude were cheap.

To be worthy of Shufei Xie's kindness, she had to handle everything flawlessly.

The next day, Concubine Lu brought the wound-healing ointment to visit Concubine Lian at her quarters.

When she arrived, she happened to catch Concubine Lian having her morning meal.

More precisely, she saw Wan Linlang feeding Concubine Lian her morning meal.

A look of surprise crossed Concubine Lu's face. "Why is Sister Lian only now having breakfast at this hour?"

Concubine Lian instinctively turned her face away, presenting her uninjured side to Concubine Lu.

When the incident first happened, she had been more consumed with self-pity over her origins and the child in her belly.

After things settled, she found it hard to accept the disfigurement on her face.

These past few days, whenever she met people, she would always hide her injured side.

Wan Linlang said airily, "It's just that Sister Lian hasn't had much appetite today."

"That's good to hear." Concubine Lu let out a gentle sigh of relief. "I was worried the main kitchen might be mistreating Sister Lian."

Wan Linlang set down the bowl in her hand and let out a soft laugh. "People like us—even if we were truly mistreated, what could we do?"

"Unlike Sister Lu, who has someone backing her—you speak with much more confidence these days."

Concubine Lu pretended not to catch the mockery in Wan Linlang's words and smiled. "It's fine if Sister Wan has to endure some grievances."

"But Sister Lian is carrying the prince's child—how could she be allowed to suffer?"

"I reckon the main kitchen wouldn't dare."

Wan Linlang furrowed her brow, a flicker of disgust passing through her eyes.

Though she wouldn't dare contend with the several Shu Fei, she also looked down on girls like Concubine Lu who had slept their way up.

In the past, no one in the mansion thought much of Concubine Lu.

Now that Concubine Lu had somehow attached herself to Shufei Xie, she even dared to come gloat and mock her to her face.

Wan Linlang said, "Since Sister Lu already knows the answer, why bother asking that question?"

Concubine Lu said frankly, "I was just asking casually since I saw Sister Lian having her meal at this hour, wasn't I?"

She was thick-skinned and didn't take Wan Linlang's words to heart at all.

She added, "I've recently obtained some healing ointment, hoping it might help with the wounds on Sister Lian's face."

Before the other two could respond, Concubine Lu continued, "Since Sister Wan is here, I'll ask you to take a look at it and see if this medicine can be used."

Concubine Lian instinctively looked at Wan Linlang, as if she had no mind of her own.

Wan Linlang smiled faintly, "In that case, I'd be glad to."

Taking the ointment from Concubine Lu, Wan Linlang examined it carefully.

Concubine Lian felt a bit embarrassed on the side, but Concubine Lu remained perfectly composed.

After the inspection, Wan Linlang smiled, "This is indeed fine healing ointment. That's very thoughtful of Sister Lu."

"It's no trouble. As long as it helps Sister Lian and the child in her womb, no matter how precious the salve, if I have it, I'd gladly give it to Sister Lian."

Concubine Lian said gently, "Thank you, Sister Lu."

Concubine Lu, always quick to seize an opportunity, took the chance to stay in Concubine Lian's courtyard for most of the day.

She didn't return until sunset.

The next day, she went to the Spring Mountain Courtyard again.

Xie Run was painting a portrait of Taotao, quite absorbed in her work.

Seeing this, Concubine Lu first went to the wet nurse's place to see Taotao for a while, teasing and playing with the child.

Taotao was laughing when he heard Dan Tao whisper in his ear, "The lady is here."

Concubine Lu stood up and bowed, "Sister Xie."

Xie Run had just washed her hands, and a maid came forward with scented cream to apply it for her.

She took the opportunity to ask, "This morning, a letter arrived from the prince."

Concubine Lu was startled, "Is there good news?"

She wasn't favored by Prince Jing and had difficulty getting pregnant; she had originally climbed into his bed just to become a concubine, holding no particular feelings for him at all.

Hearing about Prince Jing now, she only thought that if it were good news, it would be better than bad news.

Xie Run smiled with a knowing look, "Naturally, there is."

"On his way to Yunzhou, the prince passed through Taiyuan and happened to discover Prince Taiyuan's intention to raise an army and rebel. He captured him in time and earned great merit."

"Prince Taiyuan has now been escorted back to the capital."