Chapter 247

Chapter 247

Xie Run shot them a glance: "Now the whole estate knows my embroidery's a mess. If I just do a few stitches, the Prince will spot right away that I'm not being genuine."

Xiaoshu: "But can you get it done in time, mistress?"

Xie Run wasn't just bad at embroidery—she was also a slow worker.

Xie Run was silent for a moment, then said firmly: "Worst case, I'll pull two all-nighters."

Xiaoshu and Dan Tao covered their mouths and giggled off to the side.

After all, their mistress loved sleeping in, so staying up late was already a huge ordeal for her.

After lunch, Eunuch Shi'an showed up with servants carrying something for Xie Run.

Xie Run received it and found it to be a set of Lv Yu jade tea ware.

She had a feeling Prince Jing was hinting at his teapot-and-teacup theory.

Eunuch Shi'an chimed in: "Don't sell this jade teapot short, mistress. In sunlight it looks almost see-through, and at night it glows indoors—even rarer than glass."

"The Prince just acquired this set and sent me straight over to deliver it to you, Lady Xie."

Xie Run held the teacup up to examine it in her palm.

Sunlight passed through the thin cup walls, and the whole teapot gave off a soft green glow—really lovely.

Xie Run rather liked it. "It's really nice. Thanks for making the special trip, Eunuch Shi'an."

Dan Tao immediately pulled a pouch from her sleeve and slipped it into Eunuch Shi'an's hands.

Before Xie Run could admire it any longer, a young maid came running in: "Mistress, Shufei Jiang and Shufei Hua are at each other's throats—it's a total mess right now..."

Xie Run raised a hand and rubbed her forehead. "Go tell Cefei Sun I've got a headache and ask her to deal with it."

She wanted no part in those two's drama.

She might as well take the chance to slack off.

By dinner, Xie Run heard that Cefei Sun had taken care of it.

Jiang Baobao and Huayu were both made to copy several scriptures as punishment and got a stern lecture.

That ought to keep them quiet for half a day, maybe?

Xie Run eagerly picked up the fabric Dan Tao had cut. She had just sewn two stitches when a young maid in the corridor delivered news.

"Mistress, something seems to have happened at the Princess's Qingsong Courtyard. They've readied a carriage to go to the palace, and several house physicians have been called in."

This was the perk of holding the steward's authority.

Eyes and ears were placed everywhere; any little stir in the household could be known right away.

Xie Run sat up straight, forgetting the needle and thread in her hand.

Xiaoshu asked: "Mistress, should we go check it out, or pretend we don't know?"

Dan Tao immediately asked the young maid: "Any word from the other courtyards?"

"Shufei Li and Cefei Sun have both gone to Qingsong Courtyard. The others probably haven't caught wind of it yet."

Shufei Li was under the Princess's protection, so it made sense she'd find out and rush over right away.

As for Cefei Sun hurrying over now... whether she was genuinely worried about the Princess or wanted to probe the state of the Princess's pregnancy was anyone's guess.

Xie Run thought it over, then set down the garment in her hands. "Since Cefei Sun has gone, I can't exactly sit this one out."

She could normally look on coldly, but when it concerned the Princess and the child in her womb, if Xie Run kept feigning ignorance, the Prince might think her heartless.

Dan Tao went to help Xie Run change, but Xie Run waved her off.

"No need for all that. Just grab me a cloak to throw on, and I'll head out."

"Yes."

The cold wind on the way made Xie Run's face go a bit pale, but her eyes stayed calm and distant.

If nothing unexpected happened, the Princess's discomfort was probably spotting.

In early pregnancy, besides the usual physical symptoms, the most common issue was spotting.

Back then, for women, spotting early in pregnancy was serious—there was a real chance the baby wouldn't make it.

So no wonder Qingsong Courtyard was calling in physicians and sending for imperial doctors in the middle of the night.

Most of the women in the household were hoping the Princess's pregnancy wouldn't stick.

When Xie Run arrived at Qingsong Courtyard, the place was lit up bright.

The matrons and maids looked calm, each at their post doing their job.

Tingshuang led Xie Run into the main courtyard and said softly: "The mistress says she's not feeling well and can't properly receive you, Cefei Xie."

Seeing Xie Run's plain attire—wearing only a half-worn padded jacket and a cloak thrown over as she braved the night to get here—Tingshuang knew Xie Run wasn't here to rubberneck like Cefei Sun, and her manner grew more respectful.

Xie Run: "I heard the Princess was unwell, so I came specifically to check on her."

"The Princess carries the Prince's rightful heir. Who cares about formalities at a time like this?"

Entering the main hall, she saw Shufei Li and Cefei Sun sipping tea off to one side.

Both stood and greeted Xie Run with a bow.

Xie Run skipped the small talk and cut to the chase: "How's the Princess?"

Shufei Li kept her head down in silence, while Cefei Sun smiled gently: "I only just got here myself. The maids and matrons are tight-lipped—we don't know how the Princess is doing yet."

Xie Run drew her cloak tighter and smiled: "In that case, we'll just have to wait. I hope the Princess is okay."

Cefei Sun looked up and studied Xie Run carefully, a bit surprised.

Though she and Cefei Xie had been managing the household together lately, they'd only ever communicated through servants.

The two had never truly interacted, so of course they didn't really know each other.

Everyone in the household said Cefei Xie had a good nature—lenient with servants, respectful to the Princess, and never bullied the lower-ranking concubines.

The phrase "good-natured" was one that Cefei Sun had heard used to praise people many times at home.

After all, those who were praised like that... few were truly good-natured.

She had originally thought that Xie Run, as a Cefei who was favored and had borne children, would harbor jealousy toward the princess's pregnancy.

Who would have thought that from her words now, she was genuinely worried about the princess, not here to probe for information.

Could it be that Prince Jing's mansion had gotten incredibly lucky and truly had a Cefei who was aloof from worldly affairs and good-natured?

No matter what she was thinking, Cefei Sun at least managed to keep her composure on the surface.

Time passed bit by bit, and the night settled in and grew still.

Before long, Prince Jing also arrived.

He had been at the palace all day, and upon returning, had retired to the front courtyard study. Now, hearing that the princess was unwell, he hurried over.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Prince Jing's face was set in a grim line, and he said coldly, "How is the princess?"

The maids and serving women of Qingsong Courtyard might brush off Cefei Sun, but they would never dare to brush off Prince Jing.

Tinghe lifted the curtain, stepped out of the bedchamber, and bowed, her expression serious and solemn. "Your Highness, the princess suddenly felt unwell tonight and started bleeding shortly after resting..."

Prince Jing's face grew even darker. "What happened?"

Tinghe's eyes reddened. "The mansion physician is still taking her pulse and applying acupuncture."

Prince Jing went to the bedchamber at the back.

Since Xie Run hadn't followed, Cefei Sun and Shufei Li beside her didn't feel it appropriate to follow either.

Xie Run suddenly spoke up. "It's already late at night. We shouldn't alarm the other courtyards with this news, lest everyone gathers together and disturbs the princess's rest."

She glanced at Cefei Sun. "What does Cefei Sun think?"

If Jiang Baobao or Huayu were to come running over at this moment, chattering away, who knows what kind of commotion they'd stir up.

Cefei Sun smiled gently. "That's true. But when the mistress is unwell, if the other sisters don't come, it would sound bad if word got out, as if they were being disrespectful to the mistress."

"Then they'd just blame Sister Xie for holding back the news and not letting them visit the princess."