Shen Zaiye was stunned, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at her. “Xu Yangui and Gu Huairou?”
Taohua nodded rapidly like a pecking chick. “Yes, yes! He said he wanted to take care of Miss Gu for life!”
His expression shifting slightly, Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment before turning to leave, seemingly intending to confront Xu Yangui.
Patting her chest, Taohua muttered softly, “I can’t be blamed for betraying him. He said himself that Shen Zaiye wouldn’t do anything to him!”
Indeed, Shen Zaiye wouldn’t do anything to him, but the two men had always had an unspoken agreement in their dealings within the back courtyard: don’t get entangled with the women there. If what Taohua said was true, then Xu Yangui had crossed a line.
“What’s with that expression?” Xu Yangui asked, terrified as he was pulled down from the rafters. “What’s wrong now?”
“You like Gu Huairou?” Shen Zaiye asked bluntly.
His heart skipped a beat. Xu Yangui immediately knew who had said this and responded with a wry smile, “There’s no such thing. I just felt sorry for her and said I’d take good care of her in the future. Why is Jiang Taohua exaggerating and tattling on me?”
After looking at him seriously for a while, Shen Zaiye asked, “You don’t have any other intentions towards her?”
“No, no,” Xu Yangui waved his hands. “There are so many beauties in the world that I can’t even keep up with liking them all. She’s just a poor little thing with a ruined face. How much attention could I possibly give her?”
“Then why did you lend Guiyan Gate’s people to Taohua?”
Xu Yangui shrugged. “She said she needed them. They didn’t have much to do recently, so I just let them help out.”
“So,” Shen Zaiye said with a forced smile, “you’re still in private contact with Miss Jiang?”
Feeling a chill down his spine, Xu Yangui quickly used the table in front of him as a shield, laughing nervously, “There’s not much contact, just ran an errand for Gu’s matter… I didn’t do anything!”
“What did I tell you last time?” Shen Zaiye patted his robe and drew the soft sword from his waist, smiling at him. “It seems it wasn’t effective?”
“Hey, you can’t do this!” Xu Yangui instantly darted around the room, finally clinging to a rafter and looking down at him. “I’ve done so much hard work for you, and now you treat me like this over a woman?”
Mentioning work, Shen Zaiye temporarily set aside his sword. “Did you get the leverage on Mei Fangchang?”
“I did,” Xu Yangui nodded quickly. “I also have evidence of his wife’s affair with a young lover outside. Do you want that too?”
A hint of amusement flickered in Shen Zaiye’s eyes as he nodded. “Since you’ve got it all, of course I want it. Is there anything else? Tell me if it’s valuable, and I’ll consider letting you off.”
Valuable things? Xu Yangui raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to hear about Jiang Taohua’s past in Zhao Kingdom?”
Shen Zaiye’s expression changed slightly. He put the soft sword away and sat down on a stool below, looking up at him. “It took you this long to investigate? Let’s hear it.”
“You can’t blame me for being slow. Zhao Kingdom is far from here, isn’t it?” Xu Yangui flipped down, landing lightly on the ground. “But all the information I’ve gathered is true, including various secrets of the Zhao royal family.”
“Just tell me the important parts!”
Shrinking back at his shout, Xu Yangui pouted, ran to sit nearby, and hugged a teacup. “Jiang Taohua originally had an engagement, with a man named Li Jin. It was sort of a betrothal from birth.”
Shen Zaiye was taken aback, his brows instantly furrowing. “Betrothed from birth? Then why did she come to Great Wei for a political marriage?”
“It wasn’t her fault. It was that man’s doing. Jiang’s birth mother died early, and after the new empress took the throne, she was even less favored by the Zhao Emperor. That man, for the sake of glory and wealth, abandoned her and married her elder sister, who was about to be named crown princess.”
“…” Shen Zaiye looked up at him. “You mean Jiang Taohua was abandoned by him?”
Xu Yangui nodded. “You could say that. I heard that in the Zhao palace, she always lived with the palace maids near the wall, along with her younger brother. Their life wasn’t very good. But Li Jin never cared or offered any help.”
His face darkened as Shen Zaiye said, “Would Jiang Taohua still think about such a man?”
“I don’t know if she still thinks about him,” Xu Yangui shrugged. “But their feelings for each other were quite good once.”
He swore he wasn’t trying to get revenge on Taohua for betraying him. Passing information to Shen Zaiye was his duty after all! Amitabha!
Shen Zaiye lowered his eyes, his fingers slightly pinching, lost in thought.
After a long while, he asked again, “So, the new empress and she have an old grudge?”
“Yes,” Xu Yangui nodded.
“Then why would she allow Jiang Taohua to come for a political marriage?” Shen Zaiye said. “Compared to suffering in the palace, a political marriage is a path to wealth and status.”
“…” Remembering what Jiang Taohua had said that day and those final two pills, Xu Yangui chose to look away. “I don’t know about that.”
“Didn’t you say you found out a lot of information? Even royal secrets.” Shen Zaiye looked at him coldly. “You don’t even know this much?”
“Hey, you should at least ask about information that’s beneficial to important matters. Why are you focusing entirely on Jiang Taohua?” Xu Yangui said with a straight face. “Zaiye, you’ve changed. You never cared so much about women before!”
Pausing slightly, Shen Zaiye pressed his lips together, genuinely reflecting for a moment.
Was he too concerned about Jiang Taohua? But apart from the information related to her, what use was other news from the Zhao Kingdom to him?
“Investigate more carefully,” he said. “I have a feeling that Jiang Taohua’s old illness might also have something to do with that new empress.”
Goosebumps rising all over his body, Xu Yangui lowered his head, not daring to look at him, afraid that he might notice something.
They say women’s intuition is accurate, but how could Shen Zaiye, a man, be so perceptive? It was terrifying!
Although he also felt sorry for Miss Jiang, if he told Shen Zaiye about the charm poison, Shen Zaiye would probably have been caught in another dilemma. He might not be able to help, and it could even cause their relationship to break again. After all, it was another choice between the greater good and her life. No matter what Shen Zaiye did, it wouldn’t be right. It was better if he didn’t know.
But fortunately, he had received news that the envoys from Zhao to Wei were already on their way. Jiang Taohua should be fine.
Hopefully.
At Zhengchun Pavilion.
Taohua was overwhelmed with work. She had just prepared the return gifts for several concubines, arranged for kitchen purchases, then gathered new good medicines to send to Wenqing Courtyard, and also chatted with several concubines in the courtyard to improve relationships.
As soon as Mei Zhaoxue was deposed, the position of official wife became vacant. Although it wouldn’t be filled too quickly, if someone were to take it, it would be her. So these people who could read the wind instantly showed goodwill towards her, sending many gifts.
Taohua was happy to receive gifts, but while accepting them, she had to instill the concept that serving the lord loyally was the way to gain favor. It was exhausting her, and she wondered if Shen Zaiye would give her a raise!
Just as she was lying on the soft couch trying to catch her breath, the great lord Shen returned.
Looking him up and down, Taohua said disappointedly, “There’s not a single mark on you. It seems he didn’t hit hard enough.”
Shen Zaiye’s face was expressionless as he slowly walked over to sit beside her, waving his hand to dismiss everyone else.
“Jiang Taohua, have you ever liked anyone?”
Slightly taken aback, Taohua shifted to rest her head on his lap, asking in confusion, “Why are you suddenly asking such a strange question?”
“Just answer yes or no.”
Taohua chose to remain silent.
Had she ever liked someone? Of course, she had. Back when Li Jin hadn’t betrayed her, they got along well. Unfortunately, he turned out to be no good, but thanks to him, she saw clearly the true nature of men, and her charm skills improved significantly as a result.
Looking down at her expression, Shen Zaiye snorted coldly, “It seems there is some heart-stirring past.”
“Living for so many years, who doesn’t have a story?” Taohua smiled. “Is my lord the type to dwell on the past? Instead of asking about my present, you’re inquiring about my history.”
Shen Zaiye turned his head to look elsewhere, gently stroking her hair. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Surprised about what?”
Surprised that a woman like you could have a man stolen by another woman.
Of course, Shen Zaiye wouldn’t say this out loud. When he first heard Xu Yangui mention this, he wasn’t jealous or concerned, just inexplicably angry, though he didn’t know exactly what he was angry about. But now, stroking her hair and looking at her mischievous expression, he felt somewhat at ease again.
“It’s nothing. I’ll have someone bring over the account books from Linghan Courtyard later,” Shen Zaiye said. “Can you handle it all?”
“I can manage the work,” Taohua pouted, tugging at his sleeve. “But will you give me a raise?”
Chuckling lightly, Shen Zaiye glanced at her. “With the account books in your hands, can’t you decide your salary?”
Oh, right! Realizing this, Taohua immediately perked up, sitting up and nodding repeatedly. “I will do my best to ease your burdens, my lord!”
“Mm.” Shen Zaiye responded, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Taohua froze for a moment, blinking as she looked at his gentle gaze, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “My lord?”
His hand paused, and Shen Zaiye resumed his normal expression, standing up. “You carry on with your work. I have some matters to attend to.”
“…Alright.”
Watching him leave, Taohua hugged a nearby pillow in a daze, muttering softly, “Did he take the wrong medicine today?”
For a moment, that look in his eyes made her think he had fallen in love with her.
The news of Mei Zhaoxue’s demotion quickly spread beyond the estate. Mei Fangchang naturally wouldn’t stand for it and confronted Shen Zaiye and Gu Zongzheng for a long time, demanding an explanation from Shen Zaiye.
Of course, Shen Zaiye wouldn’t make any decisions himself. He just let the two argue about what punishment Madam Mei should receive. After all, they were all high-ranking officials of the Nine Ministers, and it wouldn’t look good if things got too heated. In the end, Mei Fangchang compromised, allowing Mei Zhaoxue to be demoted to concubine and reflect on her actions for a month, with no further punishment.
(End of Chapter)