The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Chapter 300 What position do you want?

Xiao Shu brought up another matter: "Master, now that the prince is about to ascend the throne, the people in our backyard should pack up and prepare to move to the palace."

Although Xie Run was ill, he was not stupid. "Are you talking about status?"

Xiao Shu smiled awkwardly, "It's not that I wanted to say that. It's just that the entire palace is in turmoil. Everyone in our courtyard is looking forward to you becoming a noble concubine..."

Xie Run was drinking sweet water and almost choked when he heard this.

"You think too highly of me!"

If three to five years had passed, and her elder sister had become famous and become a princess of a different surname, and her elder brother had been promoted step by step and became the prime minister, she might have the courage to think about it.

Now... even if Xie Run became a noble concubine, she couldn't hold on to that position.

Xie Run laughed and said, "Have you forgotten my origins just because the prince dotes on me?"

"If my elder brother was only a seventh-rank county magistrate, and my elder sister became a medical practitioner, and I was favored by the prince, it would be a great honor to give birth to Taotao and become a concubine, let alone a noble concubine..."

Xie Run laughed as he spoke, "You guys have already thought about things for me that I dare not think about."

"Don't even mention the Imperial Concubine. If the Prince makes me one of the Nine Concubines for Tao Tao's sake, I'll wake up laughing in my dreams."

As Xie Runcai finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of a figure at the door.

Because the light was against her, she couldn't see clearly.

Just by looking at this tall figure, you know who it is without even having to think about it.

She also felt a little uneasy.

She was afraid that King Jing would be unhappy after hearing this, or that he would think that she had some ulterior motive.

During the half month she was ill, Prince Jing was extremely busy, running back and forth between the palace and the prince's palace.

When he came to the palace, he only worked in the front yard and did not go into the back yard.

Half a month was neither long nor short, just enough for Xie Run to feel a sense of unfamiliarity and awe towards King Jing.

Besides, being an emperor and being a prince are different men.

"Your Highness?" Xie Run called out in confusion.

King Jing drew aside the curtain and came in. The light fell on him, and the room suddenly became much brighter.

Xiao Shu and Dan Tao's expressions changed when they saw the prince.

She was secretly annoyed that the prince had arrived, but she didn't see the maids and servants at the two doors announcing him, so she hurriedly bowed respectfully.

King Jing's expression was not as serious as expected, but rather gentle. "You have been ill for a few days, so I can't come to see you."

"I happened to be back in the front yard today. I heard that you were much better and could see people, so I came to see you."

Xie Run heard some concern in King Jing's words.

She thought it was rare that King Jing actually remembered his kindness to her.

"I'm much better now. I just want to see Taotao, but unfortunately he couldn't stay and went out to play with Mother Xu."

King Jing paused and asked, "Just want to see Taotao?"

Xie Run smiled helplessly, "Of course there's also the prince. But the prince is now jealous of his own son?"

"I am not jealous, but I can't stand you being so heartless." King Jing deliberately sounded serious, just like when he used to tease Xie Run.

Xie Run cried out in injustice, aggrieved, "There are so many maids and servants coming and going in Chunshan Courtyard, and only I and two young maids have been infected with the plague."

"I asked my sister the reason, and she said it was because I was ill some time ago and had been overworked recently, which gave the epidemic an opportunity to take advantage."

Most of the people who have been infected with the epidemic this time are the elderly or young children, as well as adults who are physically weak.

Xie Runshui's eyes were filled with grievance.

Why was she overworked? Didn't King Jing know what was going on?

The duties of a housekeeper should not have fallen on a concubine like her.

Prince Jing sat down beside her bed, took Xie Run's hand and patted it, "I will remember your contribution."

"Now you just need to take good care of yourself. When you enter the palace and become your queen in due time, you will have a good life ahead of you."

The maids serving him were so frightened by the appearance of King Jing that they dared not move.

When he heard the word "Empress", his heart moved, but he didn't dare to guess as boldly as before.

After all, in the palace, the only people who can be called "Empress" are concubines, and even the fourth-rank concubines can boast of being called "Empress".

Xie Run pushed Prince Jing's hand away, "Your Highness, have you listened to the maids' lies and are deliberately trying to embarrass me?"

"I have already touched my own sore spot, but Your Highness still won't let me go."

After pushing King Jing away with his hand, Xie Runren leaned into King Jing's arms, looking like he was saying one thing and doing another.

King Jing felt the slender figure of the person in his arms, and felt bad when he thought about how she had lost a lot of weight due to two consecutive illnesses.

"If I had come here to embarrass you, why would I have made this personal trip?"

Xie Run didn't have much energy, so he just lazily asked, "What does your Highness mean by this?"

King Jing: "I take pity on you for being sick twice, so I came to see you and ask what position you would like to hold."

When Xie Run heard this, he was so scared that he almost jumped out of bed.

Although she didn't jump up, she couldn't help but sit up straight and looked at King Jing in shock: "This matter... can you still ask my wishes?"

King Jing glanced at her and said, "In your eyes, am I so inconsiderate?"

Not really.

King Jing had many faults, but he was not particularly suspicious.

He never listened to rumors outside and only stuck to his own opinions.

It has always been a matter of whether to believe or not, to keep or not.

Come to think of it, he's pretty reliable.

Xie Run looked at Prince Jing eagerly: "What position does Your Majesty plan to give me?"

King Jing raised his eyebrows and said, "You have served me for two years and gave birth to Tao Tao. I cannot do without you for the position of consort."

Before Xie Run could feel happy, the maids in the yard were so excited that their hearts were about to jump out of their chests.

There are also some requirements for the position of concubine.

The first-rank concubines include the four concubines of Guide, Shuxian, and Xian, and the second-rank concubines are ordinary concubines.

Although both are concubine positions, there is a huge difference between the first and second ranks.

There are only four vacancies for the first-rank concubine position. If one is filled, there will be one less, so the status will naturally be noble.

There are eight second-rank concubines, which is twice as many as the first-rank concubines. Naturally, the treatment and ceremony are not as good as those of the first-rank concubines.

Xie Run was not a greedy person. She was already very satisfied to be a concubine.

She was about to express her gratitude when she heard King Jing ask, "How is the virtuous concubine?"

Xie Run thought for a moment and said in surprise, "Your Highness, do you think I'm virtuous?"

King Jing suddenly stopped talking.

This means that this position has been excluded.

Xie Run: “…”

Xie Run only regretted that he spoke too quickly.

Otherwise, you can get a virtuous concubine.

After all, she is a first-rank concubine, so she can have a good retirement in this life.

Xie Run felt quite sad about missing out on the opportunity to become a virtuous concubine.

"Forget it, I know what's going on. You should take good care of yourself. I'm afraid I won't be able to visit you during this period."

Xie Run couldn't help but said distressedly: "Your Highness should take care of your health."

King Jing smiled and said, "Of course."

Seeing Xie Run's eyes full of heartache, I couldn't tell whether he felt sorry for him or for the lost position of Consort Xian.

King Jing saw through it but didn't say anything. He paused and said jokingly, "Your maids are right. You gave birth to Tao Tao for me, so it's not impossible for you to have a concubine."

Xie Run didn't know why he brought up this topic again.

Then King Jing was heard saying, "But I know your personality. You don't like to be in the spotlight."

"Your foundation is not stable enough now. If you become a concubine, you will become the target of public criticism."

"I don't want Taotao to become another Jue'er... If you give me another son, I can make him a noble concubine."

Xie Run’s biggest problem is that his foundation is too poor.

She has no family behind her that can support her.

If he rashly promoted her to the position of imperial concubine, King Jing was also worried that she would be plotted against and both mother and son would be harmed.

Of course, King Jing could also do the same thing as the retired emperor did to Concubine Chen, praising Xie Run, giving her a position and honor.

It’s just that Prince Jing is not the emperor emeritus, and Xie Run is not Concubine Chen, so neither of them is that crazy.

Xie Run smiled and said, "I understand your intentions, Your Highness. I will obey you and do my best to accept whatever you give me, if not for myself, then for Taotao."

King Jing raised his hand and ruffled her hair.

King Jing did not like incompetent women, nor did he like women who were too ambitious.

Probably just like Xie Run, who has no ambition but is not lacking in ability, which is just what he likes.