If her guesses were correct, wasn’t Shen Zaiye frightening? Had he quietly helped the prince of Wu swallow up the kingdom of Great Wei? If the late emperor of Great Wei knew this in the underworld, wouldn’t he be furious?
However, there were still aspects she couldn’t understand. For instance, if Mu Wuxia was the prince of Wu, what happened to the Great Wei prince that Consort Ning had taken away? Moreover, why did Mu Wuxia, clearly a Wu prince, go to such lengths to disguise himself and come to Great Wei?
Her head spinning with thoughts, Taohua frowned and glanced up at the steps.
Mu Wuxia had already taken his seat on the dragon throne. Though just a child, he exuded an air of sovereignty. Shen Zaiye stood beside the throne like a protective divine beast, his gaze sharp and expression serious.
If Shen Zaiye knew what she had guessed, wouldn’t he silence her? Shrinking her neck, Taohua shook her head, deciding to put these thoughts aside for now.
After the new emperor’s ascension, he planned to lead troops personally. As they were leaving the palace, Shen Zaiye said to her, “Great Wei’s vanguard will soon reach the Zhao border. Be patient for a while longer.”
“Oh, the vanguard.” Taohua nodded.
“Hmm?” Realizing something was amiss, she quickly grabbed Shen Zaiye’s sleeve. “What do you mean by vanguard? Are you still attacking Zhao?”
Glancing at her, Shen Zaiye replied, “The vanguard is going to negotiate with Zhao. Given Zhao’s current situation, they may not be willing to fight.”
Taohua was speechless. Sending the vanguard to negotiate was like holding a knife to someone’s throat while doing business. It was truly ruthless! Zhao would have no choice but to agree.
“A large portion of Zhao’s military will soon be under your younger brother’s control,” Shen Zaiye said casually. “I’ve fulfilled my promise to you.”
Delighted, Taohua’s eyes lit up like lanterns. She jumped while tugging at his sleeve, “Thank you, my lord! You’re the best!”
Shen Zaiye paused, turning to look at her with an unfriendly gaze. “You know I’m the best, so why do you keep annoying me?”
“I annoy you?” Taohua was stunned. She felt Shen Zaiye’s forehead and said disapprovingly, “Are you ill? Lately, you’ve been the one giving me trouble at every turn. How did it become me annoying you?”
Brushing her hand away, Shen Zaiye looked down at her. “Has your boldness returned?”
“Hehe.” Shrinking her neck, Taohua said, “I was just speaking casually. Don’t take it to heart.”
Telling the truth was unpopular. Shen Zaiye had indeed been unwell lately, blaming everything on her. He blamed her for eating, sleeping, and nearly even for sneezing. What more did he want? Even with a new love, one shouldn’t alienate an old flame like this!
“I’ll come to your chambers tonight,” Shen Zaiye said. “Since we’re about to cooperate, it’s best to clear up any misunderstandings early.”
Nodding, Taohua agreed, “Then I’ll wait for you.”
Shen Zaiye nodded, his face unreadable, but inwardly he felt greatly relieved.
Finding a way to make amends didn’t seem too difficult after all. Talking about cooperation was the most natural approach with her.
Their moods improved as they returned to the manor, each busy preparing what to say that evening. However, at dusk, just as Shen Zaiye stepped out of Linwu Court, he saw Lu Zhilan.
Lady Lu said, “Today is a special day. Drink with me.”
Shen Zaiye’s face darkened. “Can’t we do this another day?”
“No,” Lu Zhilan looked at him solemnly. “Have you forgotten what you did five years ago on this day?”
“What a burden!” Shen Zaiye held his head. “Don’t you think I’m innocent?”
Five years ago on this day, Lu Zhilan had gotten drunk outside. The Lu family lord asked him to bring her back. He went and had Zhanlu carry her, but she ended up clinging to Zhanlu, crying and pouring out her heart all night, frightening Zhanlu so much that he had nightmares for two days afterward. The next day, she came to berate him for being shameless, accusing him of leaving her in the care of servants.
Heaven knows she was the one who wouldn’t let go of Zhanlu. How was it his fault?
“From my perspective, you’re the worst offender,” Lu Zhilan narrowed her eyes, lifting the wine jug in her hand. “Shall we?”
“I have important matters today,” Shen Zaiye said seriously. “It’s a matter of life and death.”
“Oh,” Lu Zhilan said coldly. “Then go ahead. I’ll wait until this time next year to find you.”
Shen Zaiye was speechless.
A short while later, they were sitting in the courtyard, drinking.
Taohua crouched at the entrance of Zhengchun Pavilion, waiting and waiting, but Shen Zaiye didn’t come. Soon, Zhanlu arrived, looking embarrassed. “My lady, the master says he’ll accompany you tomorrow. He has some matters to attend to today.”
“Matters?” Taohua looked up at his expression and chuckled lightly. “He’s accompanying Lady Lu, isn’t he?”
“The master had no choice,” Zhanlu quickly said. “Please don’t be angry.”
Putting aside her thoughts, Taohua stood up and dusted off her hands. “I have nothing to be angry about. He’s in this courtyard anyway. He can come whenever he wants. I’ll just wait.”
Though she said she wasn’t angry, her tone was disheartened. Zhanlu tensed up and, after seeing Madam Jiang enter the main room to rest, went back to report to his master.
Shen Zaiye was watching the happily drinking Lu Zhilan with a numb expression. Hearing Zhanlu’s report, he sighed deeply. “This can’t be helped.”
“What can’t be helped?” Lu Zhilan lay on the table, drinking and laughing, though the wine she drank turned into tears streaming from her eyes. “Loving the wrong person is what can’t be helped.”
Shen Zaiye closed his eyes. “You loved the wrong person, so why must you punish me too?”
“Because you were too handsome and dashing back then, forcing me to fall in love with you,” Lu Zhilan laughed lightly, tossing aside the wine bottle and waving her hand in the air. “It was when you returned with General Pang. You wore red armor, walking beside the troops in the morning sun. I just took one look and could never forget.”
“That’s shallow of you,” Shen Zaiye pressed his lips together. “How can you judge a man solely by his appearance?”
Slightly taken aback, Lu Zhilan raised her head defiantly. “What’s wrong with your inner qualities? You’re talented in both civil and military affairs, a young hero. There’s no one more capable than you in all of Wu!”
Alarmed, both Zhanlu and Shen Zaiye quickly looked around. Shen Zaiye frowned and said to her, “This isn’t Wu. Be careful what you say.”
“You’re telling me to be careful…” Lu Zhilan giggled, her eyes hazy with drunkenness. “Don’t you know I’m drunk?”
“Drunk people should sleep,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “Be careful not to speak carelessly and bring trouble upon yourself.”
“Alright, alright.” Lu Zhilan smiled. “I’ll speak softly. Our secret… whisper it… you haven’t told Jiang, have you?”
How could he possibly tell Jiang Taohua? Shen Zaiye shook his head. “No.”
“Haha.” Lu Zhilan was pleased. She patted him, saying, “I finally have something over her. I know what she doesn’t!”
His face darkening, Shen Zaiye said, “Why are you comparing yourself to her?”
“I feel somewhat discontented,” Lu Zhilan looked at him drunkenly. “I’ve known you for so many years, trying so hard to make you fall in love with me, even just a little, but I’ve never succeeded. She came along and captured your heart. Why?”
“You’re overthinking,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “She doesn’t have that ability either.”
Doesn’t she? Lu Zhilan blinked. “Then why have you been so anxious and upset lately?”
“Too many sunflower seeds,” Shen Zaiye said expressionlessly as he stood up. “You should go rest now.”
“No, I haven’t finished speaking!” Lu Zhilan tugged at his sleeve defiantly. “You never gave me a chance to say what I didn’t tell you before. At least give me an opportunity now!”
Shen Zaiye paused, looking down at her. “Do you still feel the same way about those things you said before?”
Lu Zhilan thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head. “Some thoughts might have changed, but there are still things I need to tell you. Like how the clothes I gave you weren’t embroidered by me. I can’t embroider; I had the embroidery maids rush them – the ones you said were nicely done. Also, during the Mid-Autumn Festival when I said I hoped everyone would be reunited, I meant I wanted to be reunited with you. And when I said I was going to marry someone else, I was just trying to provoke you…”
Looking at her with a pitying gaze, Shen Zaiye said, “What’s the use of telling me these things now?”
Lu Zhilan was stunned, then suddenly smiled. “I suppose it’s indeed useless. As long as you don’t like me, anything I do is insignificant. These things were just my obsessions that I had to tell you about.”
The concerns of youth carefully pondered and replayed every night before sleep, were trivial and unworthy of mention in the eyes of someone who didn’t return the affection. She should have known this earlier, but only now was she awakening to it.
“Then, carry me back,” she reached out to him. “This time, you can’t let Zhanlu do it!”
Looking at her helplessly, Shen Zaiye bent down to carry her on his back, quickly depositing her in Shiwang Pavilion.
Before falling asleep, Lu Zhilan gave him a deep look, as if finding some closure, and peacefully closed her eyes.
Shen Zaiye pressed his lips together, brushed his sleeves, and walked out of Shiwang Pavilion, heading straight for Zhengchun Pavilion.
Taohua had already lain down, but her eyes were closed while her mind inevitably wandered. A whiff of alcohol mixed with rouge fragrance approached, then someone poked her cheek and asked in a low voice, “Are you asleep?”
Smelling the mix of alcohol and rouge, Taohua pouted and moved further into the bed, saying coolly, “Almost asleep. If you have something to say, my lord, please speak.”
Pulling her back, Shen Zaiye said displeased, “Tonight’s matter wasn’t my fault. Let’s clear things up before you sleep.”
Opening her eyes to look at him, Taohua appeared indifferent. “Fine, go ahead.”
(End of Chapter)