Barely a few hours after those who had sworn secrecy left Zhengchun Pavilion, news of Jiang Taohua’s infertility spread through half of the Chancellor’s mansion.
Qin Huaiyu rushed in excitedly, asking, “Is what they’re saying true? You really can’t get pregnant anymore?”
Taohua glanced at her, setting aside her melon seeds. “Where did you hear that?”
“It’s all over the place!” Qin Huaiyu exclaimed. “They’re saying your efforts to gain favor are useless since you can’t bear fruit anyway.”
Only Qin Huaiyu could speak so bluntly. Qingtai, standing nearby, immediately frowned and said displeased, “Is Madam Qin mocking my mistress?”
“No, no,” Qin Huaiyu waved her hands hastily. “I’m just repeating what I heard. Honestly, I didn’t mean to mock you. If anything, I feel somewhat relieved.”
“Oh?” Taohua looked at her curiously. “How so?”
Qin Huaiyu pursed her lips and cautiously said, “I speak directly. Please don’t hold it against me if I say something inappropriate.”
Taohua nodded.
“Then I’ll speak my mind,” Qin Huaiyu smiled. “Every woman in the back courtyard lives for the Chancellor’s favor. We all hope for his attention, but his affections are unpredictable. You’re different, though. You understand his thoughts, enjoy his love, and he’s broken many rules for you. Who wouldn’t feel uneasy? Even I felt uncomfortable!”
“But now it’s different. Your inability to bear children, while unfortunate, instantly makes others feel better. Heaven is fair after all. Now, we don’t need to compete anymore. We can support each other and live peacefully.”
Her words were both direct and sincere, though uncomfortable to hear. However, Taohua understood her meaning and, far from being angry, nodded with a smile.
Women’s thoughts were often similar; Qin Huaiyu had just voiced them openly. Taohua realized that others had likely lowered their guard against her, their feelings shifting from envy and wariness to predominantly sympathy.
Her goal had been achieved.
“You make a good point,” Taohua said, looking at Qin Huaiyu. “Since you’re willing to support each other, why don’t you visit Zhengchun Pavilion more often?”
“Gladly,” Qin Huaiyu nodded, gesturing for her maid to bring a bowl of bird’s nest soup. “This bird’s nest just arrived today. I haven’t even tasted it myself. Here, it’s for you.”
“Thank you,” Taohua accepted it, watching Qin Huaiyu leave cheerfully. She thought to herself that this girl truly lacked social grace. Anyone more sensitive would ignore her underlying intentions and take offense at such schadenfreude.
“Mistress,” Qingtai pursed her lips. “Those three ladies are so unreliable. You trusted them, yet they immediately spread the word.”
“What’s strange about that?” Taohua happily sipped the bird’s nest soup after testing it with a silver needle. “Why are there no walls that don’t let wind through? It’s because people’s mouths aren’t sewn shut. They might promise secrecy to your face, but once they turn away, they might chat with someone else and impulsively let it slip. One tells ten, ten tell a hundred, and soon the whole mansion knows.”
Qingtai suddenly understood. “You planned this?”
“Of course,” Taohua shook her head at her naive maid. “Do you think I’m foolish enough to share my secrets in hopes of making friends? People’s hearts are unfathomable. Only a fool would think that way. True secrets should be kept to oneself, told to no one.”
Qingtai nodded, having learned another lesson.
One should only reveal a fraction of their thoughts; how could one bear their entire heart?
However, the uproar in the mansion had its consequences. That evening, Shen Zaiye came to confront her, his face dark with anger.
“What rumors are you spreading?”
Taohua looked at him coyly and asked, “My lord, would you despise me if I couldn’t bear children?”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Shen Zaiye picked her up and placed her on the soft couch, speaking sternly. “What are you planning? Tell me clearly in advance!”
“I merely felt lonely at the top and wanted to make some friends in the courtyard,” Taohua said innocently. “If I hadn’t said this, who would lower their guard and truly befriend me?”
Make friends? Shen Zaiye sneered, “What do you need friends for?”
“The Madam builds connections and thrives in this courtyard. How can I not learn from her?” Taohua looked into his eyes. “Who knows? Someone might help if something happens in the future.”
Shen Zaiye paused briefly, seeing the look in her eyes. He frowned and thought for a moment. “You want to go against Mei Shi?”
“Is that not allowed?” Taohua smiled. “Aren’t you preparing to go against the Crown Prince?”
“You…” Shen Zaiye’s expression darkened. “How do you know about Mei Shi’s relationship with the Crown Prince?”
“Have you forgotten?” Taohua raised an eyebrow, smiling seductively. “I spent over half a month in the Eastern Palace. I met everyone I needed to meet. The Crown Prince didn’t hide his actions from me. How could I not know these things? I used to wonder why Qin Jieyu listened to the Madam so obediently. Now I understand. The relationship between Magistrate Qin and Ceremonial Officer Mei must be quite good, right?”
Shen Zaiye looked at her for a while, then shook his head. “Mu Wuyin is indeed incapable of great things if he was so unguarded around you!”
“The Crown Prince’s biggest flaw is just his poor judgment of people,” Taohua shrugged. “He has strategies and plans, but he encountered us two villains – one betraying his trust, the other his heart.”
In comparison, the Prince Nan was much more formidable. The people he associated with were all capable and reliable, never harming him.
Shen Zaiye snorted, inwardly sighing. If she had glimpsed the truth from Mu Wuyin, then many things probably couldn’t be hidden from her anymore.
“What do you plan to do?”
Taohua knelt up, looking at him seriously. “Men handle external affairs, women internal ones. I’ll take care of undermining Madam Mei. You just focus on what you need to do.”
Undermine Mei Zhaoxue? Shen Zaiye laughed. “Mei Shi has been the mistress for two years, managing all affairs of the household. What ability do you have to undermine her?”
“My lord, just promise to help me with one thing after I succeed,” Taohua said. “Don’t worry about the rest.”
So capable? Shen Zaiye looked at her with interest. “Very well. Time is short, don’t disappoint me.”
“Yes, my lord!” Taohua playfully bowed, then looked up with a coy smile. “Since that’s settled, why don’t you play along and visit Miss Gu tonight?”
Shen Zaiye’s face darkened slightly. “If I go just because you tell me to, what does that make me?”
“Then don’t go to Miss Gu’s place, absolutely don’t go!” Taohua immediately changed her tune, glaring. “I’ll be furious if you do!”
Shen Zaiye: “…”
He snorted coldly and stood up to leave. “I was thinking of spending more time with you, but it seems you don’t need it. Don’t blame me for being heartless.”
“Take care, my lord!” Taohua waved her handkerchief. “Come again next time.”
“Mistress,” Qingtai said, torn between laughter and tears, “If you act like this, what if the lord truly stops coming here?”
“What’s there to fear?” Taohua clapped her hands. “He won’t.”
Not only would he not stop coming, but he would also cooperate with her in dealing with the women in the back courtyard. Shen Zaiye wasn’t a fool. What she was doing aligned with his interests. Only an idiot would work against her.
Jiang Taohua’s guess was correct. Although Shen Zaiye was reluctant, he eventually went to Gu Qingying’s courtyard.
Madam Gu was overjoyed. She had rarely received any favor, and it seemed that Madam Jiang was indeed reliable and must have spoken well of her. Otherwise, the Chancellor wouldn’t have come so quickly.
“Madam,” her maid, Dongli, whispered in her ear, “The steward has sent over many pieces of jewelry and new sleepwear, arriving just in time.”
Such internal matters were usually managed by Mei Zhaoxue. The steward sending these items naturally meant it was on the Madam’s orders. Gu Qingying was immensely grateful, noting this kindness, and happily prepared to serve her lord.
Steward Xu watched the returning maid and thanked the household manager with a smile. “Much obliged.”
“Not at all,” Manager Qian waved his hand. “You’ve helped me plenty in the past. This small favor is nothing.”
Steward Xu nodded. “Miss Gu has also been kind to this old servant, so I’m helping her out. I hope Manager Qian won’t mention this to the Madam.”
“I understand.”
He had done plenty of such secret favors and knew not to let the Madam know.
Steward Xu smiled, bowed, and returned to her courtyard.
Early the next morning, Madam Gu went to Linghan Courtyard to pay her respects, feeling refreshed. Upon seeing Mei Zhaoxue, she performed a deep bow. “Thank you, Madam, for your care.”
Mei Zhaoxue was surprised, not knowing what this gratitude was for. However, as Gu Shi had just received favor, she naturally accepted the gesture, smiling, “In the future, serve the lord well. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Yes,” Madam Gu sat down happily nearby. Qin Huaiyu, hearing this, was displeased. “Madam, do you mean only those who receive favor can make requests? My courtyard is also lacking things recently.”
Mei Zhaoxue glanced at her and said, “The household’s expenses are all recorded. Those who serve the lord work harder, so naturally, they receive more. Instead of complaining, why don’t you think of ways to win the lord’s heart?”
Jiang Taohua sat to the side, sipping tea without a word. Mei Zhaoxue swept her gaze over and smiled, “Madam Jiang has just returned and suffered much. There’s no need to come pay respects so frequently. Just rest well.”
“Thank you, Madam,” Taohua smiled. “In that case, I’ll return to Zhengchun Pavilion.”
“Good,” Mei Zhaoxue’s eyes were full of gentleness. “If you’re truly bored, you can help me manage some household matters. The mansion’s expenses have been high lately. Help me think of ways to reduce costs.”
She does push difficult tasks onto me, Taohua thought. Why should I do something that will offend people?
(End of Chapter)