Stunned, Taohua couldn’t quite process what she had heard. Take over, Zhao? Why? How could Changzhe possibly allow this to happen?
With pale lips, Taohua silently left, taking two pieces of silk with her to Little Hu’s house down the mountain.
“Mrs. Shen?” Little Hu’s family had received much kindness from her and were naturally happy to see her. They hurriedly brought out a stool for her to sit on.
Putting down the silk, Taohua said, “Seeing that spring has come again, I found I had some extra fabric and thought to bring it to you.”
Little Hu’s mother, a virtuous woman, was both delighted and grateful. She bowed to Taohua for a long time before taking the silk inside. Little Hu’s father was a small trader who went into town daily to sell goods, so he naturally knew more news. Taohua turned to ask him, “Has anything significant happened recently?”
Little Hu’s father nodded. “Indeed, something big has happened. The Emperor of Zhao passed away. Before his death, he didn’t abdicate but directly submitted to Great Wei. Our Great Wei Emperor was so pleased that he granted a general amnesty! Look, we even have two bags of rice from the government in our house… Mrs. Shen, what’s wrong?”
Waving her hand, Taohua tried to smile but could only manage to twitch the corner of her mouth. “How did the Emperor of Zhao pass away?”
“Some say he fell ill, others say he was poisoned. There are many rumors, and it’s hard to know what’s true.”
Nodding, Taohua stood up to leave but stumbled and fell hard on the ground.
“Madam!” Little Hu’s family was startled and rushed to help her up. Taohua smiled, saying she was fine and rubbed her knee before continuing up the mountain.
Changzhe was dead.
The news seemed absurd to her. That child was so young, living well. How could he be dead? There must be another reason. Perhaps he just didn’t want to be emperor anymore and found an excuse…
“Sister, rest assured, Changzhe will become a good emperor in the future, working for the welfare of all people!”
This was his wish. How could he give up the throne he had fought so hard to obtain?
Unable to walk further, Taohua crouched on the path and suddenly burst into loud sobs.
“You should be grateful she has three years to try,” Qian Baimei had said. “Others don’t even get a chance.”
Was her master referring to Changzhe? When had he been poisoned with gu, and she knew nothing about it? She had even left Zhao to live an idyllic life in these mountains! She couldn’t even be there for his death!
Her chest aching unbearably, Taohua collapsed, crying hoarsely, her voice echoing through the forest.
Was heaven toying with her? She had nearly died, barely survived, then her daughter almost died, finally had a chance at treatment, and now Changzhe had left this world.
What terrible deeds had she done in her past life to deserve such karmic retribution in this one?
Shen Zaiye frowned as he descended the mountain, hearing the crying halfway down. He quickly rushed over to find Jiang Taohua crying with swollen eyes, fallen pitifully on the ground.
Both angry and heartbroken, he went over and pulled her up. “What happened to you?”
She clung to him, sobbing for a while before lowering her eyes and mumbling, “I went down to give some silk to Little Hu’s family and fell, hurting my knee on the way.”
Frowning, Shen Zaiye knelt, letting her sit on his leg, and lifted her skirt and trouser leg.
Her knee was bloody, making him draw in a sharp breath.
“Why did you go running off like that!”
At his shout, Taohua’s tears fell again, dropping endlessly as she bit her lip to stay quiet.
Shen Zaiye paused, sighed helplessly, and lifted her to carry her back up the mountain. “I didn’t mean to yell at you, but you disappeared without a word, and it was worrying. Next time you want to send something, let Qingtai do it.”
“Mm.” Nodding tearfully, Taohua leaned against his chest and closed her eyes.
“My lord, is there no news from Zhao?” she asked, feigning casualness.
Shen Zaiye made a noncommittal sound without elaborating.
Tears fell again as she suddenly understood why her master wanted her to stay here for three years, and why Shen Zaiye always hid when reading letters. These two men were trying to keep her in the dark, wanting her to live out her life happily without knowing anything.
How could that be possible…
Back at the house, Shen Zaiye brought medicinal wine to apply to her wound. Taohua winced in pain and asked with furrowed brows, “My lord, can we go see His Majesty?”
Shen Zaiye was taken aback and looked up at her. “Why do you suddenly want to see His Majesty?”
“After all, we watched him grow from Prince Nan to Emperor. Now that the realm is at peace, we should go see him, and catch up on old times.”
Shen Zaiye said, “Have you forgotten what you promised your master?”
“We could sneak away once. Master wouldn’t know,” Taohua smiled. “Let’s go, just for a few days of fun, then we’ll come back.”
Shen Zaiye was about to refuse, but as if anticipating his response, Taohua’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, ready to overflow at the slightest “no” from him.
Sighing deeply, Shen Zaiye asked, “Did you find out something?”
“What?” Taohua tilted her head. “Is my lord hiding something from me?”
“Mm.” After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Zaiye said, “Changzhe sent a reply. I haven’t given it to you yet, fearing it would upset you.”
Taohua reached out her hand, staring at him steadily.
Shen Zaiye pressed his lips together, then went to retrieve the letter and placed it in her hand.
“Sister, I hope this letter finds you well. In my youthful impetuousness, I once desired to seize the throne. Now that I sit upon it, I find myself alone, truly isolated. Changzhe cannot work for the welfare of the people as I once imagined, and so I have failed to live up to your expectations. I wish to abdicate and live an ordinary life. To silence rumors, Changzhe must fake his death to escape. Please don’t be angry with me. Sister, as your days are peaceful, Changzhe won’t disturb you. The world is vast, and I wish to travel. When I’m tired, I’ll return to find you…”
Taohua read it with a mixture of laughter and tears, her heart heavy with emotion.
These three men had conspired so seamlessly to deceive her! Did Changzhe truly believe she didn’t know what kind of person he was? How could she possibly believe such words?
“Don’t be too upset,” Shen Zaiye said. “His wish was probably for you, his sister, to live happily and peacefully.”
How could she be at peace? How could she be happy? Taohua sobbed uncontrollably, crying on Shen Zaiye’s shoulder for a long time before saying, “So, the entire realm is now under His Majesty’s control, is that right?”
“Mm.” Shen Zaiye nodded. “His Majesty will soon marry a princess from Zhao.”
(End of Chapter)