Chapter 279

Chapter 279

It was only afterward that he learned Xie Jiang had performed a C-section on the consort, and he was completely stunned.

From then on, he gained a newfound respect for Xie Jiang.

Now that the estate was in an uproar, Prince Jing, having made sure the consort was safe, went first to see the eldest young master.

He figured Xie Run would tag along as well.

But to his surprise, Xie Run, with a calm, subdued look, said meekly, "The consort has just undergone surgery."

"My elder sister said that no one can come and go or touch her freely, and one slip-up could undo everything."

"This is a matter of life and death for the consort, so I have to personally oversee this. I can't afford to be careless even a little!"

Prince Jing studied Xie Run for a few moments, then said, "Then I'm entrusting the consort to you."

Xie Run gave a bow, "As you command."

Prince Jing was genuinely curious and a bit taken aback.

He knew Xie Run was the one who hated getting involved with anyone else in the estate.

Today, hearing she'd brought in her own sister to treat the consort, Prince Jing already thought that was surprising enough.

After all, if anything happened to the consort, Xie Run would be the one to catch flak.

Now she was even handling the consort's aftercare, as if she was terrified something might go wrong with the consort.

Prince Jing didn't think Xie Run was trying to suck up to the consort for some ulterior motive.

For one, she didn't have the guts to do anything bad, and for another, she didn't need any favors from the consort either.

If she wanted something, she'd be hoping the consort died so she could move up herself.

Prince Jing couldn't figure her out and finally chalked it up to Xie Run being kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing the consort just die.

Prince Jing's look at Xie Run grew a bit softer, "With you watching over the consort, I feel at ease."

Xie Run watched Prince Jing leave, then turned and looked around at the maids and older servants, "Doctor Xie said that people carry germs and all kinds of toxins, which can spread through contact."

"The consort just had surgery and is really weak, so she absolutely can't be exposed to these germs!"

"From now on, unless you're caring for the consort, you need the prince's written order to enter her room!"

"Go to the storeroom and get some mugwort, and burn it around the consort's room every day to keep the toxins out, or at least get rid of bugs and pests."

...

Li Mama and Tinghe, who rushed over, heard Xie Run giving out orders one after another, all for the consort's sake, and they were overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

The two stepped forward and bowed, and Li Mama said tearfully, "This servant will never forget Lady Xie's kindness and care."

"Once the consort is better, she'll thank you herself."

Xie Run gave a small smile and said genuinely, "I'm grateful the consort is such a wonderful mistress, and having been looked after by her for so long, it's time I repaid her."

"Now I just hope the consort gets better soon, so she can take back over the estate's affairs, and I can go back to my lazy, easy life."

She said it with total sincerity, and both Li Mama and Tinghe had tears in their eyes.

Xie Run waved her hand, "Alright, you two go in quickly and attend to the consort."

"I'll personally stand guard at the door with my people. If you need anything, just holler, and we won't let you down."

"Doctor Xie is also resting in the next room, and if the consort feels unwell, she can be here in a flash."

Li Mama and Tinghe went into the bedroom, and Xie Run held court in the main hall.

With her there, even the maids and older servants with other ideas didn't dare make a move.

Soon after, a maid from Spring Courtyard came with news.

The maid kept her head down and said, very respectfully, "The prince went to see the eldest young master and blew his top."

Xie Run was still sipping tea to keep herself awake, and hearing this, she asked, "What happened?"

She didn't look all that surprised.

After all, if she went out and came back to find her own son had turned into an idiot, she'd be furious too.

The maid hesitated and said, "The eldest young master seems to have gotten a bit better, but his leg injury is too bad. Even if it heals, he won't be able to walk right."

Xie Run froze mid-sip, "What do you mean by 'gotten a bit better'?"

As for not being able to walk right... Xie Run had been through so much lately that this really wasn't a big deal.

The maid hesitated, "He's not an idiot anymore, but of course, he's not fully back to normal either!"

Xie Run furrowed her brow, "What exactly is going on?!"

The maid described it, "The eldest young master isn't as vacant as before, just drooling. If you ask him something, he can answer a little, but his reactions are slower than a normal person's."

Xie Run found this pretty confusing.

So was the eldest young master really an idiot from the start, or was he faking it?

Xie Run didn't want to think about it too much. Whether he was faking it or really was an idiot before, it was clear he wasn't one now.

Just slow to react...

Xie Run put her palms together and whispered, "Amitabha. It's already a blessing that the eldest young master got his wits back. I won't ask for anything more."

"That's true, but the prince is still really angry."

Xie Run arched an eyebrow, "Is the prince mad because the eldest young master isn't as sharp as a normal person, or because his leg is hurt and he can't walk right?"

The maid said, "From what this servant can tell, it seems like both."

Xie Run looked down and thought for a moment, then asked, "Did the prince take it out on the wet nurse?"

The maid nodded, "The wet nurse got ten strokes and was sent back to her hometown, no longer allowed to look after the eldest young master."

"The two maids who went with the eldest young master into the inner courtyard were also shipped off to the estates."

Xie Run gave a nod, "Then send a few more attentive maids to look after the eldest young master."

"Yes."

Just as she finished her inquiries, the managing matrons from the mansion all came forward to report matters.

Xie Run sent them all off to Cefei Sun's courtyard.

She was getting irritated, saying, "Cefei Sun only injured her face, not her hands or feet. Why can't she manage the household's affairs?"

"All of you running to me like this makes it seem as if I don't hold Cefei Sun in regard and wish to monopolize authority."

"If any of you harbor such thoughts, I advise you to abandon them at once. The Cefei in this mansion is equally noble. If you dare to look down on anyone, watch your backs!"

These words were aimed at the managing matrons, but they were just as much for Cefei Sun.

With the prince's mansion in chaos, and Cefei Sun still lounging in her own courtyard, taking it easy, Xie Run had finally had enough.

At first, when her face was disfigured, Xie Run had pitied her and taken over all the affairs, working herself to the bone without a word of complaint.

But with so many matters last night, matters of life and death in both the front and back courtyards, Cefei Sun just stayed holed up in her courtyard, playing dead.

How could Xie Run tolerate that?

After shooing the managing matrons over to Cefei Sun's courtyard, Xie Run added, "From now on, I only handle the consort's affairs. Nothing in this mansion is more important than the consort. For any matter, go to Cefei Sun first."

"If that fails, go to the prince. I'm sure there's nothing you all have that the prince can't settle."

Once these words were out, Cefei Sun, unwilling to openly clash, had no choice but to come out and resume managing affairs.