Was it guilt? Taohua chuckled softly, murmuring, “He truly doesn’t have pure feelings for anyone.”
It was either exploitation or guilt. The women in the rear courtyard had no reason to be jealous of each other. Shen Zaiye treated everyone the same.
“Hey, I was trying to comfort you. Why do you look even sadder?” Xu Yangui, startled by her expression, said anxiously, “Don’t cry! How could such a clever woman like you fall for Shen Zaiye?”
“What?” Taohua’s mouth twitched as she looked at him in confusion. “Which eye of yours saw me crying?”
And which eye saw her falling for Shen Zaiye? She wasn’t foolish enough to jump into a venomous snake’s open mouth.
Slightly stunned, Xu Yangui leaned closer, examining her eyes carefully. He said with a complex gaze, “People’s emotions are written in their eyes, clear as day. Whether you’re sad or not, it’s obvious at a glance. It’s just the two of us here, why not admit it?”
“Eyes can deceive too.” Taohua smiled sweetly, looking up at him. “Don’t believe me? Look closer…”
“No, no, no!” Xu Yangui flew back to the roof beam in fright, clinging to it as he stared at her in terror. “I’ve told you quite a few things you didn’t know. That should count for something. Even if you don’t thank me, you shouldn’t use your soul-capturing technique on me!”
“Soul-capturing technique?” Taohua raised an eyebrow with a smile. She leaned on the soft couch, crossing her legs lazily, and said softly, “They call it charm magic, not soul-capturing technique.”
“They have a point,” Xu Yangui nodded. “Soul-capturing technique in the hands of beauty indeed becomes charm magic. But can we negotiate? Being friends with me is beneficial and harmless to you. Could you stop trying to deal with me?”
“Friends?” Taohua sat up straight, looking at him seriously. “We people of Zhao have rules for making friends. If you follow them, we can become friends today.”
“Really?” Flying back to the soft couch, Xu Yangui asked excitedly, “Tell me, what are the rules?”
“To show sincerity, both parties must give their most valuable possession to each other, forming a friendship beyond personal interests.” Taohua straightened her sleeve and solemnly removed the smallest white jade hairpin from her head. “This is my most precious item. What about you?”
Xu Yangui patted himself down, only finding the silver note Taohua had just given him.
“People in our line of work don’t carry ornaments,” he thought for a moment, then honestly handed the silver note to Jiang Taohua. “I’ll use this then.”
Such a sincere desire for friendship! Taohua grinned, giving him the worthless hairpin while taking back her hundred taels of silver. “Good, from today on, we’re friends. We should help each other.”
“Great!” Xu Yangui nodded, touched. But then he remembered something. “I just helped you catch a ghost. Don’t you have anything to give me as thanks?”
“Between friends, why mention thanks?” Taohua said seriously. “After observing Zhao’s etiquette, we mustn’t speak of personal gain. That’s the rule.”
“Oh, right.” Xu Yangui nodded. “Since we’re friends now, there’s no need to be so calculative. It’s getting late, I should go. I have things to do tonight.”
“Alright!” Taohua stood up, watching him fly out the window. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, wishing there were more fools like this in the world!
Xu Yangui didn’t realize anything was amiss even as he left Zhengchun Pavilion. He was in quite a good mood.
He usually only slept with women, never bothering to make friends with them. But Jiang Taohua was different. Befriending her made him genuinely happy, probably because she was so formidable. Her willingness to be his friend meant he wouldn’t have to be so on edge in the Shen mansion anymore. All in all, he felt the hundred taels were well spent.
Shen Zaiye was waiting for him outside Linlang Pavilion. When Xu Yangui finally arrived, Shen noticed he seemed different from usual, smiling a bit foolishly.
“Did you find money on the way?” Shen Zaiye frowned.
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go in.” Concealing himself, Xu Yangui followed behind, looking at the courtyard’s sign. “Ah, the Qin family’s daughter. Tsk, I don’t have much appetite lately.”
Glancing at him sideways, Shen Zaiye said in a low voice, “Since when do you care about appetite?”
Xu Yangui’s martial arts were profound, but he cultivated through the method of absorbing yin to nourish yang. So for him, all these women in the courtyard were merely tools for practice.
“What do you take me for?” Xu Yangui rolled his eyes. “I have my moods too.”
Ignoring him, Shen Zaiye simply pushed him into the darkness before stepping through Linlang Pavilion’s main gate. The Qin family needed to be won over, but the Duan family couldn’t be neglected either. He could handle the public affairs, but entertaining women was best left to Xu Yangui.
The Duan and Liu families were quarreling fiercely, even taking their dispute to court. The Liu family insisted Duan Yunxin pay with her life, while the Duan family maintained there was insufficient evidence for execution.
The Emperor, already seriously ill, grew more irritated listening to this. He slapped the armrest and declared in the great hall, “Take all these matters to the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince is now regent. I need peace to recover!”
Crown Prince?
As soon as these two words were uttered, the entire court was in an uproar. Only Shen Zaiye remained calm, lifting his robe and leading his faction to kneel behind the right side of the dragon throne:
“We pay our respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince. Long live the Crown Prince!”
Everyone was stunned. They looked up to see Prince Jing, wearing a yellow four-clawed dragon robe and a gold crown, walking out with a smile.
“By the Emperor’s grace, I have been appointed Crown Prince. Henceforth, I shall share my father’s burdens, empathize with the common people’s sufferings, and discern right from wrong in the world. I hope all officials will lend their full support.”
With that, he bowed to the civil and military officials.
Without any warning or prior imperial edict, Prince Jing Mu Wuyin was directly announced as Crown Prince in court. Many were shocked and confused, but with the Prime Minister already kneeling, they had no choice but to follow suit: “Long live Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Prince Jing smiled, rose, and bid everyone to stand. He then stood before the throne, bowing deeply: “Father, your son will resolve your troubles. Regarding the dispute between the Liu and Duan families, I will surely give you a satisfactory result.”
“Mm.” The Mingde Emperor lowered his gaze. Though slightly displeased, his poor health left him unwilling to exert himself further. Having appointed a Crown Prince, he might as well leave matters to him.
Prince Jing’s face was full of joy, but the court officials had mixed feelings. Many broke out in cold sweat.
Prince Yu was still confined to his mansion, yet Prince Jing had managed to be appointed Crown Prince in such a short time! Even if Prince Yu were released now, it would be useless. With an occupant in the Eastern Palace and a Crown Prince as regent, what good future could Prince Yu have?
Among those standing in court, though many appeared unaligned on the surface, they had private dealings with either Prince Yu’s or Prince Jing’s factions. Those associated with Prince Jing were naturally rejoicing secretly, while those connected to Prince Yu couldn’t help but contemplate switching sides.
Thus, after the court dismissed, Shen Zaiye found himself surrounded by officials, ostensibly asking why Prince Jing became Crown Prince, but seeking ways to build good relations with the new Crown Prince and avoid future repercussions for past allegiances.
“Prime Minister.” Mu Wuyin spotted the situation from afar. His smile widened as he called out and walked over.
The officials bowed and dispersed, leaving Mu Wuyin to approach with his chin raised, his voice filled with pride: “I’ve finally waited for this day.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “Your long-cherished wish is fulfilled, but don’t let your guard down. There’s still a prince residing in Prince Yu’s mansion.”
“I understand, but after working so hard for so long, I should relax for a few days,” Mu Wuyin smiled. “I’ll find a way to deal with Wugou later. For now, I’d like to ask the Prime Minister if your household is free?”
Slightly startled, Shen Zaiye looked at him. “What does Your Highness have in mind?”
“I’d like to bring the Crown Princess and secondary consorts to enjoy a feast at your mansion,” Mu Wuyin said. “We may not have many opportunities to meet freely in the future. It would be nice for the ladies to become friends. You’ve recently added several new members to your household whom I haven’t formally met. This family banquet would be a good chance to properly greet them.”
Shen Zaiye’s heart sank. He lowered his gaze. “This… There’s been a recent murder case in my humble abode. I’m afraid…”
“Ah, perfect,” Mu Wuyin interjected. “Now that I’ve ascended to the Eastern Palace, protected by the dragon’s aura, my visit might even help suppress evil spirits in your mansion. Haha!”
Shen Zaiye couldn’t laugh. He walked a few steps slowly before responding in a low voice, “Since the two households need to socialize, this humble servant will make arrangements. Your Highness can bring the Crown Princess and others in two days.”
“Good, I’ve always trusted your competence.” Mu Wuyin cupped his hands. “Then I’ll await your good news, Prime Minister.”
“Your Highness, take care.”
Feeling a chill throughout his body, Shen Zaiye stood in place for a long while, watching Mu Wuyin’s figure disappear beyond the palace walls before coming to his senses and continuing on his way.
He had supported Mu Wuyin’s rise to power, so his household members would inevitably meet the prince sooner or later. Moreover, Jiang Taohua was a Zhao princess sent for a political marriage, potentially serving a greater purpose in the future. Mu Wuyin would certainly pay special attention to her.
He had finally convinced the Emperor to install Mu Wuyin as Crown Prince. If Jiang Taohua’s secret were discovered now, all his scheming would be in vain and lead to severe consequences. He should have anticipated this outcome long ago but was unwilling to face it.
How could Jiang Taohua possibly stay with him forever? When the time came to make sacrifices for his greater ambitions, she would have to become a blood offering on his path to success.
“My lord.”
As his heart turned cold, the little girl’s voice seemed to echo in his mind. He could almost see her smiling, throwing herself at him and hugging his waist, coquettishly saying, “My lord, you can’t be so cruel to me in the future!”
(End of Chapter)