Yin Lan worried in her heart for a while. She brought over the medicine bowl for nourishing the body and said, "Yesterday, I saw Shen Ruxu treating an old granny over 70 years old. When Shen Ruxu came out afterwards, her expression was off. So I asked around a bit more. My lady, do you know what kind of things they are saying behind our backs?"
Gu Ying's eyes flickered. She laid back down on the bed and pulled over the thick fur blanket, covering her lower abdomen. She asked, "What are they saying?"
Yin Lan then told her everything she had heard and seen.
Originally, Shen Ruxu was very popular among the disaster relief camp, and because she had some beauty, those middle-aged men took a liking to her.
If this happened to an ordinary girl, it would be dangerous.
But Shen Ruxu was protected by the Prince, so everyone only lusted after her beauty and didn't dare actually make a move on her.
Many commoner families with sons wanted such a good girl to marry into their family as a daughter-in-law. Among them, old lady Zhang was the most fond of Shen Ruxu. Every few days, she would ask her son Liu Chang to marry Shen Ruxu.
Shen Ruxu was a scheming person. In her heart she looked down on their lowly status, yet she didn't directly reject them.
As a result, there were a few men in their twenties in the camp who were infatuated with her. That Liu Chang was especially obedient towards her.
After receiving twenty military baton strikes, Shen Ruxu often dragged her sick body to treat everyone, openly selling her misery in front of others.
Everyone watched as she bled while working hard for them, angered but not daring to speak out.
Not daring to resent the Prince, they could only take out their anger on Gu Ying, insulting and ridiculing her behind her back with all sorts of hurtful words.
When Gu Ying sent them clothing, bedding, food and provisions, they only considered it as gifts from the Prince and were completely unappreciative.
After listening, Gu Ying gave a cold laugh in her heart. "Vicious rumors are like knives, the Prince can protect me for now, but he can't control the many mouths out there. Shen Ruxu is precisely using the refugees' sympathy to make them resent me this much."
Yin Lan nimbly handed over the slightly cooled medicine bowl, "I don't know what kind of spell Shen Ruxu has cast over those refugees outside. All of them speak up for her. The other day, a few old women even pleaded to the Prince on Shen Ruxu's behalf, asking him to take better care of her, saying that she has a weak constitution and shouldn't be made to exhaust herself treating the Lady."
Gu Ying snorted. "Shen Ruxu saved their lives and is good at pretending to be kind. It's normal for them to respect and like her."
As Yin Lan spoke, she mocked, "It's truly strange. She has such brilliant medical skills, yet after so long her own injured legs still haven't recovered? She always puts on a weak appearance outside, quite pitiful. I saw her deliberately stumble into Captain Huai An's arms before. Later on, Captain Huai An called over an officer to carry her back to her tent."
Speaking to this point, the corners of Yin Lan's mouth raised slightly.
Although she had rejected Huai An, she still felt warm inside over how he handled this matter.
Her attitude towards Huai An had improved over the past couple days because of this.
As Gu Ying drank her medicine, she pondered thoughtfully, "This woman is not a good sort. I can't deal with her using conventional methods. I need to think of a way to reveal her true colors to everyone."
Silver Orchid sighed and sat at the edge of the bed, staring blankly at her Lady's flat lower abdomen. Her gaze became distant for a while, seeming to recall some unpleasant memories from the past. Her eyes turned slightly wet as she laughed, "It's still early. The child won't take shape until three months later... My Lady's belly will only start to grow bigger after four or five months, and by then the little Prince's hands and feet would have already fully developed."
Gu Ying grabbed her hand, knowing what she was thinking about, and consoled, "Yin Lan, Huai An is actually pretty good... Don't judge him by his recent lack of interaction with you. He often privately asks me about matters concerning you, afraid that directly looking for you would be overly intrusive and make you unhappy."
Yin Lan sniffed and knew that Huai An treated her differently―his careful consideration and attentive care did not escape her notice.
But there were some things beyond her control as well.
"This servant just... hasn't worked up the courage to take that step."
The corners of Gu Ying's lips raised into a faint smile. She squeezed Yin Lan's hand and said earnestly, "Don't rush to reject him. You can continue testing Huai An for a while. If he truly is someone reliable, I'll make the decision for you and prepare your dowry. Even if you remarry, you'll still be by my side. Don't worry, I'll decide what's best for you for the rest of my life."
Yin Lan giggled, "I know my Lady treats me as one of her own. Let's put off talking about this matter for now."
Gu Ying nodded. Her body was tired after speaking for this long and she felt somewhat sleepy.
The Prince had kept her up for half the night last night. Now drowsiness washed over her, impossible to resist.
The mistress and servant chatted for a while more before Yin Lan smiled and got up. She understood her Lady's intentions and said, "My Lady should rest now. I will go outside and wash the clothes."
Gu Ying laid down unhurriedly, the corners of her lips lightly hooking up. "Mm."
...
The moment Yin Lan stepped out of the grand tent, she saw Shen Ruxu once again selling her misery before the refugees' eyes.
She was clever and never took the initiative to badmouth the Lady. Lowering reddened eyes, she subtly grasped at the refugees' emotions.
Seeing her walk out from the grand tent with red-rimmed eyes again, the refugees naturally assumed that the Lady mistreated Shen Ruxu, whispering among themselves in groups of three or five.
The Lady's reputation in the relief camp deteriorated more and more due to Shen Ruxu's deliberate machinations.
Yin Lan felt irritable inside. Recalling her Lady's orders before leaving, she went to admonish Shen Ruxu.
It was as if Shen Ruxu knew she would come. Sitting inside her own tent, her expression was extremely cold. "Has Miss Yin Lan come on behalf of the Prince's Lady?"
Yin Lan said, "Miss Shen, I know what you're planning, but let me advise you―don't be too clever for your own good. The Prince cares greatly for his Lady and the child in her belly. If Miss Shen continues targeting my Lady, don't blame me for being impolite. I will go before the Prince and tell him everything, asking His Highness to personally send Miss Shen away."
