“As for Prime Minister Shen, everything we’ve learned before is true. He has no faction at court, but his reputation is extremely high, with many supporters. However, his reputation among the common people is terrible. He’s said to be calculating and ruthless.”
Jiang Taohua gasped, her eyes widening. “So he is that kind of person? His face doesn’t look evil, it’s quite… handsome actually.”
Qingtai shook her head repeatedly. “One can never truly know another’s heart, my lady. Please be careful. Lastly, Prince Nan, he’s only sixteen and incredibly naive. He’s said to be a disciple of the great teacher Qian in Great Wei, studying benevolence and propriety. His mother passed away early, so he lacks imperial favor. He lives quietly, not competing for power. It seems he was sent to Wu as a hostage with his mother when he was young, so he’s fond of Wu customs, which further displeases the Emperor.”
Taohua nodded. “In summary, he’s a nice prince who’s out of favor.”
“Yes.”
“If he’s out of favor, why does Shen Zaiye want me to explain things to him specifically?” Taohua pondered, rubbing her chin. “Surely he doesn’t have designs on a child?”
Qingtai’s face darkened, and she quickly shook her head. “There are rumors that the Prime Minister rarely meets with Prince Nan but is very fond of him, treating him like a younger brother. He’s repeatedly shielded Prince Nan from being dragged into conflicts. He once praised Prince Nan, saying, ‘It’s rare to find such an uncut jade in the world; how can it be tarnished before it’s polished?’ It seems he simply wants to protect him. They have no blood relation or other connections.”
“I see,” Taohua nodded. “Even cunning people have humanity. If Prince Nan can occupy a pure place in Shen Zaiye’s heart, he must truly be a good child. But it’s still best not to meet him tomorrow, just in case.”
“Alright… wait, why are you supposed to meet Prince Nan?” Qingtai’s eyes widened. “You had a prior engagement with Prince Nan, then broke it off to marry someone else. Wouldn’t meeting him be awkward?”
“The Prime Minister asked me to help. Perhaps because of me, he’s had a falling out with Prince Nan, so he’s using me to clear the air between them and avoid future difficulties,” Taohua explained. “But I’ve already said I’ll be too ill to get out of bed tomorrow, conveniently avoiding this situation.”
Too ill to get out of bed? Qingtai frowned, glancing at the bathwater that was gradually cooling. “Are you serious?”
“Of course. You can’t catch a wolf without risking the bait. There’s no other choice,” Taohua said, testing the water temperature with a smile. “Remember to take good care of me tomorrow. I want pumpkin porridge.”
Qingtai was speechless.
Zhao only had two princesses. The elder princess was known for her cruelty to others, so everyone in the palace feared her. This second princess was famous for being cruel to herself. While others didn’t fear her, Qingtai admired her from the bottom of her heart.
After a long wait, the maids outside began asking if they should add more hot water. Qingtai went out to bring in the hot water and set it aside. Then she watched as her princess removed her outer robe, wearing only a thin undergarment, and immersed herself in the now cold water.
The weather was still chilly, with a cold wind blowing in through the window at night. However, Jiang Taohua wore a determined expression as she sat motionless in the water.
“How long?” Qingtai asked worriedly.
“Three more incense sticks should do. Any longer might arouse suspicion,” Taohua said, her lips turning purple. She took a deep breath and submerged her entire head underwater.
In Wenqing Chamber, Shen Zaiye gazed at the moon outside the window, fiddling with a thumb ring, his eyes deep in thought.
“My lord,” Gu Qingying smiled, moving closer. “It’s getting late. Shall we retire?”
“Mm,” Shen Zaiye responded, turning his head with a slight smile and following her hand toward the bed.
Gu Qingying used to be the most coquettish in this courtyard, often pleasing him in bed. That’s how she became a concubine within a year of entering the household. However, for some reason, when Shen Zaiye saw her coy smile now, he frowned.
A coy smile shouldn’t be so exaggerated, he thought. It should be a slight raise of delicate eyebrows, eyes filled with endless affection and allure, faintly glowing. The curve of the lips shouldn’t be too pronounced, but like a small silver hook, making one’s heart itch.
Thinking this, Jiang Taohua’s features, illuminated by moonlight, appeared in his mind. As pure as an unadorned lotus, yet alluring to the bone without realizing it.
Startled by this thought, Shen Zaiye frowned. He instinctively stood up, raising his hand to block Gu Qingying’s advance, and turned to walk towards the door.
“My lord?” Frightened by his reaction, Gu Qingying panicked and quickly reached out to stop him. “Have I displeased you in some way? Why are you leaving?”
It was her night to serve him. If he left like this, how could she face others tomorrow?
“You go to sleep first. I’ll be back soon,” Shen Zaiye reassured her, patting her shoulder. “I forgot to bring something from the courtyard.”
Gu Qingying was stunned.
Watching him leave, she couldn’t help but frown and mutter, “What could be so important? Yuetao, go and see.”
“Yes,” the little maid responded, picking up her skirt and following.
Seeing that enough time had passed, Jiang Taohua rose from the cold water, changed into dry clothes, and had Qingtai dispose of the remaining things. She sat on the edge of the bed, dizzily drying her hair.
The wind blew in from the wide-open door, and Taohua felt her vision blur, her throat painfully sore. At this rate, she should have a high fever by tomorrow.
“Not asleep yet?” Shen Zaiye’s voice suddenly rang out, startling Jiang Taohua. She reflexively sneezed loudly: “Achoo!”
The sneeze came so suddenly that she didn’t have time to cover her mouth and nose. Saliva happily sprayed all over the newcomer’s face and body.
Shen Zaiye closed his eyes, his eyebrows knotted enough to tie a butterfly knot.
“I’m sorry!” Realizing who it was, Taohua quickly stood up and took out a handkerchief to wipe him. “I didn’t know you were here… Wait, why are you here?”
Weren’t you supposed to be in Wenqing Chamber?
“…I came back to get something,” Shen Zaiye said, opening his eyes to see her staring at him with wide eyes as if she’d seen a ghost. He felt both annoyed and amused. “Even if I didn’t come back for something, this is my courtyard. I can go wherever I want.”
“No, no, please don’t be angry,” Taohua hastily explained. “The rules in the household are strict. I was just afraid of making a mistake.”
“The biggest rule in this household is me,” Shen Zaiye said, taking the handkerchief from her hand and methodically wiping the saliva off himself. “I make the rules. Do you understand?”
“I understand. Whatever pleases you, my lord!” Taohua looked up at him with a foolish grin.
Pursing his lips, Shen Zaiye sniffed his clothes, his disgust evident. Jiang Taohua, being an observant person, immediately called for a maid to bring a change of clothes.
“Shall I help you change, my lord?”
Glancing at her fawning expression, which didn’t match at all with her face from that night at Hefeng Wu, Shen Zaiye sighed deeply. He lightly rubbed his brow, then spread his arms, assuming the posture of a master waiting to be served.
Taohua efficiently removed his outer robe, but perhaps her movement was too large, causing a handkerchief to fall out.
For a man like Shen Zaiye with numerous concubines, having a woman’s embroidered handkerchief on him was entirely normal. But just as Taohua bent down to pick it up, he snatched it away very nervously.
Where’s the dignity? Couldn’t he be gentler? Rubbing her hand that had been grabbed painfully, Taohua glanced sideways at the handkerchief as Shen Zaiye tucked it into his sleeve like a treasure. She didn’t ask further, assuming it must belong to some woman he favored.
After serving the master by changing his clothes, the master still looked at her dissatisfied, reached out, and picked her up, throwing her into the bed.
“Your hands are too cold. Sleep well covered tonight.”
“Thank you for your concern, my lord,” Taohua smiled. “Please be careful on your way back. The night path can be slippery.”
“Mm,” Shen Zaiye nodded, his gaze examining her for a moment before turning to leave.
Qingtai was waiting outside the door. After seeing him leave, she slipped into the room. “My lady?”
“It’s nothing. To prepare for bed,” Taohua coughed a couple of times, then threw off all the covers and lay down with her eyes closed. “Come to serve me early tomorrow.”
“Yes.” Qingtai looked hesitantly at her mistress’s thin body and sighed. In the end, she didn’t say anything. Even if she advised against it, her mistress wouldn’t listen anyway, so it was better to save her breath.
But what exactly did the Prime Minister come here for just now?
The night path was indeed a bit slippery. Shen Zaiye walked carelessly, his eyes filled with half a moon’s light, gentle yet somewhat dark. Like a snow-white viper, elegantly flicking its tongue in the darkness.
“My lord, everything has been arranged at the North Gate Pavilion. If Jiang hasn’t recovered by the day after tomorrow, we’ll proceed with the second plan,” Zhanlu walked behind him, speaking softly.
His eyes flickered slightly as Shen Zaiye turned his head to look at him. “Do you think Jiang’s illness is real or fake?”
Zhanlu was taken aback and frowned. “The household doctor has already examined her and said she is indeed feeling unwell. It might be due to her recent arrival in Great Wei and the changing weather. It’s normal for her to fall ill.”
“Is that so?” Shen Zaiye chuckled lightly and continued walking. “This Jiang seems a bit foolish, but within that foolishness, there seems to be a hint of cleverness. For now, I can’t tell if she’s a rabbit or a tiger.”
Zhanlu was surprised. “My lord, are you concerned about Jiang?”
“No,” Shen Zaiye shook his head. “I’m just worried there might be some variables the day after tomorrow.”
Although Jiang was skilled in the art of seduction, he wasn’t susceptible to such tactics. Her existence was merely to raise the curtain on a grand battle. Once it was successfully raised, her life or death would be of no concern to him.
“You can rest assured about this, my lord,” Zhanlu bowed. “Your plan is meticulous, and the people below are extremely cautious. There won’t be the slightest error!”
“Mm.” Lowering his eyes, Shen Zaiye said, “Since everything is arranged for the day after tomorrow, we’ll see how things go tomorrow. If Jiang hasn’t recovered, we’ll bypass Prince Nan and wait to meet Prince Jing directly.”
“I understand, sir.”
The moon hung high in the sky. The sleeping Taohua was unaware that her life had already caught someone’s attention. In her dreams, there were the beautiful mountains and rivers of Zhao, and the clear stream flowing beneath the palace walls. All night long, she felt an extraordinary peace in her heart.
(End of Chapter)