“Yes,” Zhan Lu responded, following his master as they walked out.
The inner court had always been peaceful. Previously, Shen Zaiye lacked the energy to deal with women, so he established a set of rules. Everything followed these rules, preventing anyone from causing trouble regardless of their intentions.
But now the situation was different. Most court officials were loyal to him, and he held all the crucial pieces in his hand. It was time to stir up this pool of water to gain even better things in the process.
Originally, Jiang Taohua was supposed to die at Prince Jing’s place. That way, he could gradually provoke conflict between the emperor and Prince Jing, manipulating the prince to rely on and trust him, ultimately using him for his ends.
Unfortunately, he had misjudged. Jiang Taohua was beyond his expectations. Not only did she survive, but she even managed to use the Prince Nan to protect her life! She had disrupted his plans, so she would have to pay the price.
Being alive should have its uses too.
With a deep gaze, Shen Zaiye noticed the wide-open gates of Zhengchun Court and stepped inside.
The courtyard was peaceful. Taohua was sleeping in the main room, with the maids nearby looking normal, as if nothing had happened.
Shen Zaiye found this strange. If Gu had come to make trouble, shouldn’t Jiang Taohua’s maids have come to report it to him? Why were they standing silently?
“Why aren’t you sleeping in bed?” He glanced at the person on the couch, sat down on the bed, and felt Taohua’s wrist. “With such a severe injury, why move around?”
Qing Tai lowered her head and said, “The mistress felt uncomfortable sleeping in bed.”
“Uncomfortable?” Shen Zaiye looked up, his gaze dark as he stared at Qing Tai. “Do you think that’s a reasonable explanation?”
Qing Tai remained silent, lowering her eyelids and standing like a pillar.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward.
Zhan Lu stood nearby, confused. Both Lady Jiang and her maid were acting strangely. Why weren’t they seizing this opportunity to report Lady Gu to the lord? What were they waiting for? Without her speaking up, how was his master supposed to find a reason to punish Lady Gu?
This was Lady Jiang’s moment to shine. The Lord would protect her no matter what, showering her with supreme favor. Any other woman would be overjoyed, perhaps even becoming a bit arrogant and using small matters to step on others. But now, even with Lady Gu causing trouble, Lady Jiang showed no reaction. Could it be that this princess was a pushover?
“Someone must have been here earlier,” Shen Zaiye suddenly spoke, his tone flat.
Qing Tai looked up at him, raising an eyebrow slightly. “How does the lord know?”
“Her clothes have been changed,” he reached out, twirling a strand of Taohua’s hair. “Her hair is still a bit damp. Someone must have carelessly splashed water on your mistress. The bed probably hasn’t dried yet, so you moved her.”
Inwardly startled, Qing Tai glanced at her mistress, feeling less confident.
This man was formidable. She thought staying silent would solve everything, but he had guessed what happened. Now her mistress was unconscious, and no one had told her what to do next.
“You’re quite bold for a maid,” Zhan Lu frowned. “Splashing water on your mistress warrants ten lashes according to the rules!”
Qing Tai was taken aback and instinctively shook her head. “It wasn’t me who splashed the water.”
“If not you, then who?” Shen Zaiye said. “If you point out who did it, they’ll be punished. But if you can’t, then you’ll receive ten lashes in the back courtyard.”
“This…”
Qing Tai panicked. Her thoughts were simple; she only followed her mistress’s instructions. How could she outmaneuver the cunning Shen Zaiye? Her mistress had only said not to speak unnecessarily, not to withhold the truth… So, perhaps she should speak up?
Faced with the choice between saving her bottom and someone else’s, Qing Tai decisively chose her own.
“Lady Gu was here earlier,” she took a deep breath and said honestly. “Lady Gu wanted to help care for the mistress, but her hand slipped, and she accidentally splashed water on the mistress. The mistress woke up but didn’t mind, so this servant didn’t report it to the lord.”
The maid hiding in the inner room’s wardrobe nodded slightly upon hearing this, thinking that Lady Jiang and her servant were indeed kind, not reporting Lady Gu and even downplaying the incident.
However, as soon as Qing Tai finished speaking, Shen Zaiye suddenly slammed his hand on the couch, causing Taohua to frown even in her sleep.
“Outrageous! Jiang is severely injured, and she dares to come and cause trouble?”
Qing Tai trembled. Despite her mistress’s prior instructions, she was still startled by Shen Zaiye’s exaggerated reaction.
She had always thought the lord was a gentle and refined man, tall and graceful. She never expected him to be so frightened when angry. His eyebrows were cold, his eyes like frost, his entire face swept by the coldest winter wind. Anyone who saw him would shiver.
But looking at him like this, his face was truly handsome, with contours like an ice sculpture, carved by divine skill…
Pinching herself, Qing Tai snapped out of it and quickly knelt, saying, “My lord, please calm down. The mistress said she didn’t mind, and Lady Gu meant well.”
“Do you know Gu’s personality better than I do?” Shen Zaiye sneered. “I don’t know when she’ll ever learn. If it were someone else, that would be one thing, but to treat Taohua like this? It seems it’s time to set some rules for her.”
Qing Tai pressed her lips together, kneeling silently, thinking that her mistress had calculated correctly. Lady Gu would inevitably be used as an example to warn others in the courtyard.
Tucking in Taohua’s blanket, Shen Zaiye stood up and said sternly to Qing Tai, “Take good care of your mistress. If anyone else comes to disturb her rest, tell them it’s my order that they leave their greetings outside and not enter the main room.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Zhan Lu, let’s go.”
Bowing his head, Zhan Lu followed his master out of Zhengchun Court, heading directly to Wenqing Court without needing to ask.
Gu Huairou was sitting on the couch, lost in thought, mulling over Jiang Taohua’s words.
Her visit to Zhengchun Court wasn’t just about the previous incident at Linwu Court; it was also because of Lady Liu.
Lady Liu had said, “Jiang is skilled in the art of seduction, similar to you but even more so. With a pearl, who would still value a fish eye? Sister, you should plan for yourself early, don’t wait until all favor is stolen before you start to struggle.”
Thinking of how the lord hadn’t favored her that night, Gu inevitably felt uneasy. Then, seeing the lord send someone to the palace at dusk to request a royal physician for Jiang, she became angry and impulsively went to cause trouble in her courtyard.
Calming down, she realized Jiang Taohua’s words made sense. In this courtyard full of hidden talents and jealous hearts, why was she the only one who rushed out?
Although she didn’t believe the lord would severely punish her for such a small matter, had she been used?
It didn’t seem possible. Lady Liu was her close friend. How could she harm her after so many years of friendship?
As she was pondering this, there was suddenly a loud noise at the courtyard entrance, as if someone had kicked the door open.
Startled, Gu stood up, frowning as she called out, “Yue Tao, what are you doing?”
Yue Tao ran in with small steps, but before she could signal with her eyes, Shen Zaiye strode past her, standing directly in front of Gu.
“…My lord?” Frightened by his expression, Gu stumbled back onto the couch, staring at him blankly. “What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?”
“What’s wrong? Don’t you know?” Shen Zaiye looked down at her. “What have you done?”
Her heart sank, and she instinctively blurted out, “Did Lady Jiang complain?”
Shen Zaiye didn’t answer. His anger was unconcealed as he threw a teacup, shattering it and splashing tea everywhere. The maids all knelt in fright, and Gu Huairou almost lost her balance.
“Jiang is a bride from Zhao. Your reckless behavior shows an utter lack of discretion!” He rebuked her coldly. “If her injury worsens because of you, you’ll be held responsible! If everyone in the courtyard becomes as vicious as you, there will never be peace! If I don’t punish you today, there will be no order in this mansion!”
“My lord!” Gu Huairou was both angry and aggrieved. “I didn’t do anything excessive!”
“Splashing Jiang with cold water isn’t excessive?” Shen Zaiye sneered. “Does it have to be murder to be considered excessive? She was severely injured and almost died. Now that she’s finally recovering, what if this basin of water causes her to catch a cold and worsen her condition?”
“I…”
“You’ve always had your little schemes in this courtyard. Considering your nature wasn’t bad, I overlooked them. But now I see you’re truly selfish, willful, and malicious!” He waved his hand, cutting off her words. “No need to say more. This mansion needs rules to function. Although you and Jiang are both concubines, you’ve bullied the weak, violating the virtues of tolerance and dignity expected of women. Your monthly allowance will be deducted for three months, and you’re barred from serving me in bed for half a year.”
Gu Huairou gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief, thinking she must have misheard.
She had entered the mansion early, held the rank of a concubine, and had always been favored by the lord. How could she possibly… how could she be barred from serving him for half a year over such a small matter?
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Zhan Lu asked softly.
Shen Zaiye shook his head, his gaze dark as he said, “If Taohua hadn’t said she didn’t want to make an issue of it, the punishment would be even heavier.”
Gu Huairou’s throat tightened. It took her a while to find her voice, tears welling up in her eyes. “My lord, I’ve served by your side for so long. Am I so inferior to Jiang in your heart?”
Shen Zaiye raised his chin, his eyes inscrutable. He looked at her for a while without answering, then walked straight out.
His behavior hurt Gu even more than a response would have, clearly indicating that not only was she inferior, but he didn’t even bother to explain.
Collapsing onto the couch, Gu Huairou watched Shen Zaiye’s figure disappear outside the door. Finally, she couldn’t hold back and burst into loud sobs.
(End of Chapter)