“Is Your Lordship finished?” Taohua asked.
“Mm.” Shen Zaiye gave her a profound look, then handed her the sword from Zhanlu’s waist. “Take this for protection. Go in.”
Feeling a chill down her spine, Taohua stared at the sword. “Is Your Lordship trying to frighten me?”
“You insisted on seeing him,” Shen Zaiye said. “Now you must face the consequences.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” Taohua took the sword and immediately passed it to Qingtai. With a serious expression, she said, “Your master’s life is in your hands once again.”
Qingtai was startled but quickly composed herself, assuming a protective stance as they entered the main hall.
Shen Zaiye let out a derisive laugh, watching Taohua go in before turning to Lady Li beside him.
“The Crown Princess seems less gentle and virtuous than before,” he said coolly. “Her words were rather unpleasant.”
Lady Li frowned. “I was about to ask the Chancellor myself. How is it that a mere commoner has both you and the Crown Prince fighting over her? She doesn’t seem like anything special…”
“Your Highness,” Shen Zaiye said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “You’d best be on your way. Don’t wait for the Crown Prince.”
Lady Li’s heart skipped a beat. She shook her head. “I want to be with the Crown Prince!”
Shen Zaiye gave her a cold look and waved for his men to take her to an adjacent room. As she struggled and cursed, he simply shook his head. Men’s relationships were only ever about cooperation or conflict. He had no brothers, and no one would be kind to him without reason. It was all about mutual benefit. Playing the sympathy card was for losers.
After Lady Li was dragged away, Shen Zaiye glanced at the main hall and waited outside.
Taohua had already guessed what Shen Zaiye told Prince Mu Wuyin, so she wasn’t surprised by the Prince’s hateful glare when she entered.
“Guard the outer hall. I need to speak with the Crown Prince alone,” she told Qingtai.
Qingtai shook her head anxiously. “I must protect my mistress!”
“It’s fine,” Taohua assured her. “He won’t harm me.”
Prince Mu sneered, “You’re so confident. Do you think I’d still have feelings for you after what you’ve done?”
Taohua turned to face him, respectfully kneeling and performing a deep kowtow.
Prince Mu’s expression flickered. He gritted his teeth, “How fitting for one of Shen Zaiye’s people. You’re all such hypocrites.”
Taohua looked up at him. “This bow is to thank Your Highness for jumping into Jietian Lake to save me that day.”
“You needn’t thank me,” Prince Mu scoffed. “It was useless anyway. It only made me look foolish, being played by a woman!”
Taohua lowered her gaze, glancing outside briefly before approaching Prince Mu. She whispered, “Would Your Highness hear one more thing from me? Don’t speak, just nod if you’re willing.”
Prince Mu’s eyes reddened with loathing. He stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding.
Taohua sighed in relief. She quickly slipped something into his sleeve and switched the poison on the tray with an identical-looking vial from her sleeve.
“Everything has been arranged. When you set out, just sleep,” she said softly. “This bow is to repay Your Highness for always treating me with sincerity.”
Prince Mu stared at her in disbelief, reaching to examine what she’d put in his sleeve. She stopped his hand.
“Wait until you’ve reached your destination to look,” she said.
Prince Mu shook his head, dazed. Could she be trying to save his life? It seemed impossible. She was Shen Zaiye’s person, and Shen Zaiye wouldn’t leave loose ends.
But he was going to die anyway. What did it matter if she had some trick up her sleeve?
Taohua stepped back, smiling sadly. “Your Highness was the first man to treat me with true sincerity. It’s a pity we weren’t meant to be. I hope you remember what I once said – a peaceful, ordinary life can be its blessing.”
Prince Mu remained silent as she bowed to him again. Her beauty still moved his heart, but unlike before, she no longer had that air of fragility. She seemed unbreakable now, like a peony that could withstand any storm.
“Farewell,” Taohua said, preparing to leave with Qingtai.
“Shen Zaiye told me not to think of you in my next life,” Prince Mu suddenly called out.
“But in this life, we weren’t fated to be together. In the next, with different identities, I’ll surely be able to accompany you peacefully for a lifetime.”
Taohua turned back, startled.
Prince Mu stood in the dim room, a faint blue light filtering in from outside. His eyes held a captivating glow – deepest love mingled with bone-deep hatred.
With a heavy heart, Taohua nodded and bowed in farewell before finally leaving.
Shen Zaiye stood waiting in the courtyard. As she emerged, he coldly ordered nearby officials, “Send the Crown Prince and Princess on their way together. Report to His Majesty after they’ve departed.”
“Yes, sir!” The officials complied, bringing Lady Li to the hall to receive poison alongside the Prince.
Shen Zaiye led Taohua away, asking, “What did you say to him?”
“Nothing much,” Taohua wrinkled her nose. “You must have said everything already. I’m a complete villain now. I might have nightmares for a couple of days.”
“Are you troubled by such things?” Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow, chuckling. “We’re both old hands at this. Don’t pretend to fear the dark with me.”
Taohua grunted noncommittally, lowering her gaze to hide the guilt in her eyes as they set off to return home.
Soon after, Gu Zongzheng and court officials arrived to oversee the execution, watching as the Crown Prince and Princess swallowed the Xiaoyao powder.
An official asked, “The medicine has been in the room all along. There won’t be any problems, will there?”
“Rest assured,” Gu Shian said. “I’ve had people verify it. It’s Xiaoyao powder. The bodies will be examined before burial.”
“With Your Excellency in charge, we have no worries,” the official nodded, watching as the Prince and Princess breathed their last. He waved for the bodies to be carried out.
The Emperor quickly received news of the Crown Prince’s demise and immediately commended Gu Shian. However, turning away, the monarch’s face darkened slightly with unspoken displeasure. Gu Shian, ever observant, wiped the sweat from his brow and silently thanked the one who had given him the idea.
When the time was right, this matter might even save his own life!
(End of Chapter)