Chapter 251

Chapter 251

Xie Run hadn't expected Fang Yuaner to strike at her first, instead of targeting the newly established Cefei Sun.

No—she had been far too careless.

She should've seen this coming.

Cefei Sun was no threat precisely because her position wasn't stable.

Few in the prince's household could compete with Fang Yuaner now.

If she fell, Fang Yuaner could secure the position of Ce Fei without worry, and wouldn't worry about rivals for a long time.

Xie Run's two moves soon bore fruit.

A young maid hurried in to report, "Shufei Jiang went to the front courtyard, kicking up a fuss and demanding to see the prince, but the prince refused to see her, sent her back, and told her to behave."

But if scolding worked, Jiang Baobao wouldn't keep stirring up trouble.

The fact that Prince Jing only scolded her meant he wasn't all that angry.

Xie Run smiled. "So the prince did see Wan Linlang?"

"Shiqie Wan is still in the prince's courtyard and hasn't come out."

"Before leaving, Shufei Jiang kept muttering that the prince was biased, willing to see a lowly concubine but not her."

"As soon as the prince's men sent her back, she quietly had someone deliver a message to Shufei Hua's courtyard."

Her plan was to stir up trouble herself, and if that failed, to incite others.

Xie Run raised an eyebrow. "This Jiang Baobao... she's a real force of destruction."

She'd planned to watch Jiang Baobao make a fuss and gauge Prince Jing's attitude.

Now Jiang Baobao had handed her an unexpected gift.

No matter how much Jiang Baobao fussed, her pregnancy wasn't stable. Even if Prince Jing were out of his mind, he'd never let her go to Yunzhou.

It made sense he refused to see her.

But if Huayu made a fuss about going... that was a different story.

Coincidentally, Huayu's elder brother had just earned merit in Yunzhou and made a name for himself.

If Huayu said she wanted to see her brother and cried and pleaded a few times, Prince Jing's heart might soften. It was possible.

It all came down to how bold Huayu was.

Just then, someone came to Chunshan Courtyard to report that Shiqie Wan had left the front courtyard and stopped by to see the Sixth Young Master. Right after, word came from Prince Jing's side that another carriage should be prepared.

Prince Jing would be bringing Wan Linlang along.

Hearing this, Xie Run could only marvel at the cleverness of it.

With both troublemakers out of the household, could she finally get some peace?

The days were lively. In the evening, Prince Jing dined at Cefei Sun's, while Huayu sent someone to vie for his favor.

Prince Jing was a typical fickle man, as if afraid the household was too peaceful, and he actually went to Qiufeng Courtyard.

Huayu cried and pleaded, but Prince Jing's heart stayed unmoved. But with a wave of his hand, he opened the treasury and showered Huayu with gifts as consolation.

Of course, he gave Cefei Sun gifts too.

Xie Run figured Prince Jing, in his rush to Yunzhou, wouldn't come to Chunshan Courtyard before leaving.

But who would've guessed he'd show up early on the morning of his departure?

He sat in the room, staring at Xie Run for a long moment before slowly asking, "I heard you passed by Chunlin Courtyard a couple of days ago and almost got hit by a falling tile."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Xie Run sat gracefully to the side, calmly brewing tea. "Is Your Highness worried the back courtyard doesn't have enough troubles?"

"Must you insist on hearing your concubine prattle on?"

Prince Jing fixed Xie Run with a deep, heavy gaze. "Do you think I can't keep you safe?"

"Something life-threatening, and you handled it on your own without even bothering to tell me?"

Xie Run sighed. "Your Highness, your concubine is just concerned for you."

Her deep, narrow phoenix eyes looked at Prince Jing, as if holding a pool of water, enough to soften anyone's heart.

Xie Run spoke softly. "Your Highness, the princess's pregnancy is unstable now. With no one holding things together in the back courtyard, it's already gotten much more chaotic than before."

"Earlier, Shufei Jiang and the others ran to the front courtyard to make a scene, and Shufei Hua went to Cefei Sun's courtyard to vie for favor... Your Highness already has enough worries. Your concubine doesn't want to add to them."

She explained in detail: "The moment the tile fell, I sent someone to check Chunlin Courtyard, but there was no trace of anyone."

"It seems the craftsmen who did repairs a couple of days ago were sloppy, which caused the tile to fall."

She said it lightly, but it sat uneasily with Prince Jing.

After looking at her for a moment, Prince Jing suddenly beckoned her over.

Xie Run stepped forward, looking puzzled.

She'd only taken two steps when Prince Jing pulled her into his arms.

Just as Xie Run worried about the maids seeing them, a cold, hard iron piece was pressed into her hand.

No, to be exact, it was a token.

It had the character "Jing" written on it.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Prince Jing. "Your Highness, what is this?"

Prince Jing said in a low voice, "While I'm away, you'll be in charge of everything here."

"This token can command the guards of the front courtyard."

"If anything happens to the household, use this token to act and ensure the safety of you and our child."

Xie Run was momentarily stunned by the shock.

Prince Jing was putting his front courtyard guards under her command?

Even the Princess Consort had never been granted such authority!

If she ever felt a murderous impulse, she could wipe everyone out while Prince Jing was away from the inner courtyard.

Then Prince Jing added, "I've also left people with the Princess Consort, just in case. All you need to worry about is yourself and Taotao."

Xie Run suddenly picked up on something beneath Prince Jing's words.

Was Prince Jing worried about something happening?

Otherwise, why would a woman of the inner chambers be given command of guards?

Unless her life was in danger!

Xie Run's heart raced as she took Prince Jing's hand. "My lord, Taotao and I both pray for your safe return!"

"In this life, you're the only one I have to rely on..."

Prince Jing patted her hand, silently reassuring her.

When Prince Jing left the capital, he took both troublemakers, Fang Yuaner and Wan Linlang, with him.

Xie Run felt she could sleep much more soundly at night.

Of course, she didn't forget to have people keep an eye on the news from Yunzhou.

Now that she managed the household, with the Princess Consort uninvolved and the prince away, Xie Run's reach could extend as far as she pleased, with no fear of being cut off from information.

On the twenty-fifth day of the third month, Xie Run hurried to Qingsong Courtyard early in the morning.

The Princess Consort was showing signs of discomfort once again.

After Xie Run had spent some time at Qingsong Courtyard with Consort Sun and Concubine Li, Mama Li finally returned with a stern face to report.

"The Princess Consort is now out of danger. I've put the consorts and concubines to trouble today."

Consort Sun, afraid of being dragged off by Xie Run again, quickly asked with concern, "The Princess Consort's pregnancy hasn't even reached three months, and this is already the second incident. I'm truly worried—is she feeling any discomfort?"

Mama Li glared, looking Consort Sun up and down, and said coldly, "Is Consort Sun hoping that something happens to our Princess Consort?"

Consort Sun smiled lightly in explanation, "Mama Li misunderstands. I'm only worried about the Princess Consort. I just want to know how she's doing now."

"If I knew what was wrong, I could help bear some of the burden."

Mama Li sneered, "No need for that!"

"Consort Sun should keep her little schemes to herself. Our Princess Consort is in perfectly good health."

"It's just that the maids below are easily frightened—when they saw the Princess Consort slightly unwell, they went around making a fuss. Anyone without sense would think it's something serious."

Mama Li's sarcasm was blatant, and although Consort Sun said nothing, her maid already wore a look of displeasure.

"Our mistress is only concerned for the Princess Consort. Why must you speak with such sarcasm?"

"The Princess Consort has always been kind and forgiving. If she heard such rude words from you, she'd only get more upset."

Mama Li shot a glare, about to scold the maid, when Xie Run intervened.

"Mama Li, hurry back and attend to the Princess Consort."

"If we keep arguing out here and disturb her, we'll only seem like a nuisance."