Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 192 - 18: Darkness Beneath the Lamp

Speaking of Princess Ke, Ruan Qiniang couldn’t help but curl her lips, as if "she’s the only virtuous person in all the lands," who doesn’t know who? In modern terms, it’s like saying, "All are ancient foxes, why are you pretending it’s a Liaozhai story?"

Susu had already organized her words beforehand and reviewed them in her mind before speaking, "I’ve received some information that Princess Ke intends to harm Sister Ten. But I’m struggling to contact her, so I have to rely on you, Sister Seven. As for where I got the information, I can’t disclose it, so please don’t ask, Sister."

Haha, it’s so blunt and straightforward. Susu learned a lesson from her own experience: unless absolutely necessary, don’t lie— even a well-intentioned lie can collapse and be hard to justify.

Ruan Qiniang naturally believed that Thirteenth Lady wouldn’t joke about Sister Ten’s situation, and after all, Princess Ke is sweet on the outside but bitter inside. Though Sister Ten is currently a concubine, once the Ruan family regains its titles, Sister Ten’s status would be second only to the princess consort in Prince Ke’s harem.

Princess Ke has no legitimate sons yet. If Sister Ten gives birth to a boy, he will be the highest status among maternal sons, posing the greatest threat to Princess Ke’s future legitimate son. It’s better to preventively abort the child while the Ruan family hasn’t regained its titles and while Sister Ten’s status is still low. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Indeed, Ruan Qiniang’s thoughts aligned with Princess Ke’s intentions, for being a noble daughter from one of the Four Founding Dukes Mansion, Duke Ning Mansion, she knew of the Founding Saint Martial Emperor’s will that the Ruan family would inevitably regain their titles.

As the Prince’s consort, Princess Ke naturally knew the Prince’s ambition, which was to ascend to the highest position, especially since the Prince is the Emperor’s legitimate son and has at least a fifty percent chance of being appointed Crown Prince. As for becoming Emperor, in Great Chu, the Princes rely on their own abilities.

If Prince Ke fails, the best outcome is house arrest, the worst is death. If Prince Ke succeeds, at the least, Ruan Shiniang could be one of the respected Four Madams with first rank and commendable virtues.

Although all adult men from the Ruan family were executed, the few surviving male descendants are negligible. There are still a few daughters from the Ruan family. Not to mention others, Ruan Shiniang has a sister, Ruan Qiniang. Her maternal family is Duke Zhen’s Mansion; her own aunt is a noble from Wenchang Marquis Mansion; her in-laws are Annan Earl Mansion.

These three families alone connect all eighteen noble families. Although these eighteen families intermarried for generations, relatives are still categorized by closeness in terms of influence, even Princess Ke cannot match Ruan Qiniang’s network, and Ruan Qiniang always maintained a good relationship with Ruan Shiniang.

At this moment, Ruan Qiniang didn’t know that her guilt-driven care for her sister was the trigger for Princess Ke’s murderous intentions. Upon hearing Susu’s words, she replied, "Who doesn’t have secrets? Seventh Sister trusts you. Sister Ten is near childbirth; even if you don’t speak, I can’t rest assured. That Princess Ke is sweet on the outside and bitter inside. It’d be surprising if she could restrain herself from acting. Rest assured, I’ve arranged people to enter Prince Ke Mansion to protect Sister Ten."

Ruan Qiniang, since learning of Sister Ten becoming Prince Ke’s woman, despite her anger, eventually accepted it, knowing Sister Ten was pregnant, she seized the opportunity when Prince Ke Mansion was recruiting servants to secretly have Sent by her uncle through a hidden guard. He is now beside Sister Ten.

Susu, knowing this, still couldn’t relax, saying, "Sister Seven, the information I received is that Princess Ke plans to act during the flower banquet at the Mansion, most likely on the Double Ninth Festival. At that time, the crowd will be large and noisy, even if your people are cautious, they may not prevent the hidden harm."

In the original narrative, Ruan Qiniang might have assigned people to protect Ruan Shiniang, but Ruan Shiniang still suffered harm, resulting in her first child being born without breath.

Upon thinking this, Susu’s expression darkened, "Sister Seven, I learned something during my outing, let’s assume the worst and plan for the best."

Having said that, Susu picked out some essential modern medical knowledge to tell Ruan Qiniang, especially that a newborn not breathing may not signify death, possibly there’s a weak heartbeat. After all, babies sometimes survive even after lengthy labor, so trust in the child’s will to survive. (As for scientific basis, haha, who cares, try every possibility!)