Given the misunderstanding last time and the significant price he had paid, Shen Zaiye didn’t speculate much this time and went directly to ask Jiang Taohua.
In Zhengchun Pavilion, Taohua listened to his account of events with wide eyes. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter while hugging a chair:
“Haha! Are you saying that your flawless plan was somehow leaked?”
With a dark expression, Shen Zaiye looked down at her coldly and asked, “Why are you laughing?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Quickly hiding her schadenfreude, Taohua cleared her throat and said very seriously, “This matter has nothing to do with me. I told you yesterday that I went to Guantong Bank only to send money to Zhao State. I had no idea there was anything important there.”
“That’s too much of a coincidence,” Shen Zaiye said. “I’ve asked around. The item was only taken away this morning.”
His intuition told him that someone must have leaked the information, allowing Yu Wang to become aware. Otherwise, Yu Wang wouldn’t have been so quick to give him the waist token today.
After thinking for a moment, Taohua asked, “Who knew when you went to retrieve the item?”
“Only me, Zhan Lu, and Xu Yangui,” Shen Zaiye replied. “No one else.”
“Are you stupid?” Unable to help roll her eyes, Taohua said, “Aren’t the bank clerks people too?”
“…” With a slight curl of his lips, Shen Zaiye reached out and lifted her, asking softly, “Who did you call stupid?”
Quickly wrapping her arms around his arm and waist, Taohua grinned and said, “I’m stupid, my lord is the smartest! But have you considered that someone of your status going to the bank personally might be recognized? If word got out and Yu Wang found out, wouldn’t he guess what you were up to?”
“How could I not think of that?” Shen Zaiye frowned. “There was no one I knew in that bank, and we were very careful going in and out.”
“Then I don’t know what happened,” Taohua tilted her head and suddenly asked, “The relationships in your household are complex, with daughters and nieces from various officials. Is there anyone loyal to Yu Wang?”
Looking at her, Shen Zaiye sat down on the soft couch with her in his arms and said with narrowed eyes, “Duan Shinan holds the position of Internal Officer of Grain, managing the court’s finances. He has always strongly supported Yu Wang.”
“Duan Shinan? Lady Duan’s father?” Taohua exclaimed.
“Yes.”
“Then why do you still keep her in your household?” Taohua couldn’t understand. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping Prince Jing?”
Glancing at her sideways, Shen Zaiye’s eyes were full of contempt. He didn’t answer the question.
In court politics, no one would completely burn their bridges. Even if he truly helped Prince Jing ascend to the position of Crown Prince and became enemies with Yu Wang, he wouldn’t completely sever ties with Duan Shinan. Every relationship was a possibility, and this possibility might have great use in the future. Even if he killed Yu Wang, Duan Shinan would still be the Internal Officer of Grain.
Taohua pouted. Seeing his expression, she knew he must be calling her stupid in his mind. But it didn’t matter; she was magnanimous and could let it slide.
“If you’re not particularly confident about Lady Duan, and can’t divorce her, why not confine her and cut off her connections outside the household? This way, it would be difficult for information from the household to reach Yu Wang.”
Finally getting to the point, Shen Zaiye pursed his lips: “There are rules in the household. Without fault, there’s no punishment. Duan has always followed the rules. I can’t forcibly accuse her of a crime.”
The implication was clear: I want to confine Duan Yunxin, so find me a reason. It must be justified and convincing enough to keep her locked up securely!
Her face fell, and Taohua said miserably, “My lord, I’ve always been a bit afraid of Lady Duan. Why don’t you handle this yourself…”
“Shall we settle all accounts?” Shen Zaiye looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes. “How much silver did you transfer back to Zhao State?”
Jiang Taohua: “…”
“Or should we count how many times you’ve been insubordinate to me?” Shen Zaiye counted on his fingers. “Just today there were quite a few. You even dared to call me stupid?”
“Hehe.” Scooting closer to Shen Zaiye like a lapdog, Taohua reached out to massage his thigh. “My lord, let’s talk this through calmly. Don’t bring up old scores. Some things are very simple for you to do. Why ask me to do them?”
“Cooking is also simple, so why does the household need to hire cooks?” Shen Zaiye smiled. “Because everyone has their role. I have my affairs to attend to and can’t look after the rear court. Since you claim to understand me best, naturally you should help.”
Who understands that pitch-black heart of yours? Pouting, Taohua struggled for a moment before finally nodding: “I understand.”
“I heard the madam is ill and has given you the account books and keys to the storeroom,” Shen Zaiye said. “So manage this rear court well. If you can’t do anything for me, at least don’t cause more trouble.”
“Yes.”
After respectfully seeing the master out, Taohua wearily summoned Qing Taifor a whispered conversation before sending her away.
Sigh, life was truly too difficult. Just when Madam Mei had stepped back and Duan Yunxin had quieted down, she thought there might be some good days ahead. Who knew even worse was waiting with Shen Zaiye!
If Mei Zhaoye was a thousand-year-old fox spirit, then Duan Yunxin was a ten-thousand-year-old demon. One look and you could tell her cultivation was deep. How could she catch her making a mistake?
Just as she was worrying, the maid Huadeng ran in from outside, panicked and exclaiming: “Mistress! Concubine Qin has beaten Concubine Liu half to death!”
Nearly falling off the soft couch in shock, Taohua stared at her: “What did you say?”
Huadeng helped her up and started walking out: “This servant just came from the laundry room. I’m not clear on what happened, but I heard people say they were fighting, and it seems Concubine Qin was quite vicious.”
Liu Xiangjun liked to speak in circles, which could indeed be annoying at times. Clashing with someone of Qin Huaiyu’s temperament was quite normal. But why did it escalate to violence?
Taohua couldn’t understand it and followed Huadeng to go see.
It wasn’t at Linlang Pavilion, nor Concubine Liu’s Qiujing Hall. They had set up chairs on the road in the mansion, with two servants on either side holding long boards, beating Liu until she wailed in agony.
“Stop!” Taohua shouted, frowning as she pulled aside the onlooking Qin Huaiyu. “What are you doing?”
Qin Huaiyu was startled, then quickly tugged at Taohua’s sleeve to complain: “She dared to insult me! Didn’t you say that insubordination in this household is a serious offense deserving severe punishment? So I ordered her punishment.”
Glancing around, Taohua saw that all the servants and maids had gathered to watch. Liu Xiangjun, despite her status, was being humiliated in front of so many people. How could she bear it? She was already crying and shaking, her eyes full of hatred. Taohua pursed her lips and quickly waved her hand: “Those who should disperse, disperse. Two of you, help Concubine Liu to Zhengchun Pavilion.”
“Yes.”
Qin Huaiyu pouted, looking quite unsatisfied, and muttered: “We’ve barely started. It’s not enough yet.”
“Concubine Qin,” Taohua pursed her lips. “Why bother to quibble with a mere concubine like this?”
“She insulted me. I beat her. How is that quibbling?” Qin Huaiyu looked at her uncomprehendingly. “Aren’t I following the rules you set?”
Rules are dead, but people are alive. Is it necessary to become mortal enemies over a few words?
Taohua sighed. It was probably too late to say anything now. Judging by Liu Xiangjun’s state, she would likely be at odds with Qin Huaiyu from now on. Although she was just a concubine, even a great wall can be breached by ants. Who could predict what might happen in the future?
As soon as Liu Xiangjun arrived at Zhengchun Pavilion, she only managed to say “I didn’t insult Concubine Qin” before fainting. Taohua looked on helplessly and asked Qin Huaiyu what had happened. Qin Huaiyu said: “She insulted me indirectly, saying I was ungrateful, consorting with enemies while my sister is in prison.”
This did indeed sound like something Liu Xiangjun would do. After some thought, Taohua said: “The beating is done, let it be. I’ll have someone send Concubine Liu back to Qiujing Hall. You should go back too.”
With a light snort, Qin Huaiyu got up and left. Liu Xiangjun was carried away by several people, returning to her quarters in a miserable state.
This matter already seemed quite troublesome, but Jiang Taohua never imagined it was just the beginning.
Over the next two days, Qin Huaiyu first slapped Concubine Gu, and then beat a bed warmer named Baisui.
When Taohua went to mediate, knowing it was just a verbal dispute, she comforted both sides and gave out some rewards. However, when she tried to reprimand Qin Huaiyu, the latter wouldn’t listen at all, believing she had done nothing wrong and that others had provoked her first.
Even Gu Huairou was surprised: “Even when I was at my most foolish, I wasn’t as stupid as her. Why is she making enemies everywhere?”
Taohua covered her face and rolled around on the soft couch: “I finally understand why the madam wanted to rest. Is it too late for me to fall ill now?”
“It’s too late,” Gu Huairou shook her head. “Now many maids and bed warmers in the household have strong opinions about Concubine Qin. Her clothes are piling up in the back courtyard with no one willing to wash them. See how you want to handle this.”
What else could be done? In a fit of anger, Taohua kicked this ball called Qin Huaiyu to Linwu Court.
However, Shen Zaiye shut his doors faster than anyone, directly blocking her return and sending word that this was her responsibility.
Responsibility my ass! Taohua roared. Did she set off fireworks on Shen’s family’s ancestral graves in her past life? Why did she owe so much debt?
With Shen Zaiye not interfering, Qin Huaiyu became even more convinced she was doing nothing wrong, practically strutting around the rear court of the Xiang mansion. One day she’d clash with this bed warmer, the next day she’d beat up another concubine. Liu Xiangjun had barely recovered from her injuries when she met Qin Huaiyu again, only to receive several more slaps just for glaring at her.
“To be honest, I’m quite pleased,” Gu Huairou said, covering her mouth as she laughed. “No one has ever put Liu Xiangjun in her place before. She was like a poisonous mushroom growing in a dark corner, both irritating and not worth the effort to clean up. It’s rare to have such a rough character come in and step on her. I’m truly happy.”
Taohua didn’t laugh. Her expression was extremely serious: “I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.”
“What could happen?” Gu Huairou shook her head. “She’s only bullying those of lower status than her.”
And that means nothing will happen? Taohua frowned, her expression full of worry.
(End of Chapter)