Chapter 119: No One Ever Truly Cared

Shen Zaiye froze in bewilderment. How could someone in a hallucination speak?

In the next moment, Mu Wuyin rushed over and swiftly embraced the woman before him. He looked warily at Shen Zaiye and asked, “Why has the Prime Minister come at this hour?”

Jiang Taohua nestled obediently in Mu Wuyin’s arms, just as she always did when he held her. Her eyes gazed at Shen Zaiye with innocent confusion.

Shen Zaiye’s heart jolted. He stepped forward, finally realizing this was no dream. His chest tightened instantly.

“How are you still alive?!” he shouted.

Taohua flinched at his outburst. Clutching Mu Wuyin’s robes, she whispered, “Your Highness, isn’t this the man who tried to poison me last time? Does he want to kill me again?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Mu Wuyin said, shielding her behind him. He frowned at Shen Zaiye. “Prime Minister, why do you keep targeting this mere woman? What’s done is done. She is now my consort.”

Consort? Shen Zaiye’s face paled as he stared at Jiang Taohua in disbelief. When he saw the cold look in her eyes, he suddenly understood.

Clever Jiang Taohua! She must have tricked them somehow – she was never poisoned at all! After escaping the Prime Minister’s residence, she eagerly seduced the Crown Prince, seeking his protection to evade execution. Well played indeed…

He had been a fool to truly believe she was dead, tormenting himself with grief!

The pain he had felt before now turned to fury. Enraged, Shen Zaiye lunged to grab Jiang Taohua.

“Prime Minister!” Mu Wuyin cried out in alarm. He was no match for Shen Zaiye, and none of the nearby guards dared intervene. Despite his efforts to protect her, the woman behind him fell into the Prime Minister’s grasp.

Shen Zaiye’s eyes blazed with murderous intent. Yet Jiang Taohua’s gaze remained calm, filled with innocence and confusion as she looked up at him. “Why are you so angry?” she asked. “I’m just a woman. Even if I’ve gained the Crown Prince’s favor, surely that’s no reason for the Prime Minister to be so enraged.”

“You vicious woman!” Shen Zaiye snarled, pinning her against the palace wall by her throat. His hand trembled as he growled, “Why did you do this?”

Showing no fear, Taohua glanced at the stunned Crown Prince and guards behind them. She said softly, “If we’re talking about viciousness, I can’t compare to even a fraction of yours, Prime Minister. I didn’t do this for revenge. The Crown Prince has been kind to me – gentle and caring. I feel safe with him.”

“Jiang Taohua,” Shen Zaiye’s grip tightened. “Are you trying to force me to kill you with my own hands?”

As her breathing grew labored, Taohua looked up at him with a coquettish smile. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Kill me however you like.”

A sharp pain pierced Shen Zaiye’s heart. His hand clenched, nearly strangling her then and there. How could there be such a cunning woman in this world? Such a vicious woman? Such a formidable woman?

She shouldn’t be alive. By any measure, she shouldn’t be alive. Yet as her face began to turn blue, he instinctively loosened his grip.

“Do you remember what you once said?” Taohua asked after catching her breath, her lips curling into a smile. “You said you’d stand still and let me kill you. Does that offer still stand?”

Even as she spoke, Taohua didn’t hesitate to act. She yanked out a sharp hairpin and thrust it towards his chest!

Shen Zaiye jolted, shifting slightly. The pin pierced through his official robes and stabbed deep into his shoulder.

Behind them, Mu Wuyin inhaled sharply. He instinctively turned to dismiss the onlookers, ordering them to guard the perimeter and keep others away. Only then did he approach the pair.

“You broke your word,” Shen Zaiye said through gritted teeth, his face pale as pain radiated through his body. He glared coldly at Taohua. “You clearly said you would forget me and not seek revenge.”

“Didn’t you break your word too?” Taohua smiled coyly as she pulled out the pin. “We’re even. Two people with such cruel hearts have no business being together. Why don’t you just let me go, Prime Minister?”

She hadn’t needed to stab him – it would only cause more trouble. But by the time her mind caught up, the pin was already bloody.

It seemed she did harbor a deep hatred for him after all.

“Prime Minister!” Mu Wuyin rushed over to support Shen Zaiye. He shot Taohua a reproachful look. “We should talk things out. How could you harm someone like this?”

Taohua pressed her lips together and said quietly, “He tried to strangle me first.”

Shen Zaiye regarded her coldly. “Such a vicious woman is not fit for the Eastern Palace,” he said. “If Your Highness insists on keeping her, I’ll have no choice but to inform His Majesty that she attempted to assassinate a court official.”

Such an accusation would be enough to send her to the executioner’s block.

Mu Wuyin shook his head. “There’s no need to quibble with a mere woman. Let’s have the imperial physician tend to your wound first. I rarely develop true feelings for someone. I hope the Prime Minister can be understanding.”

True feelings? Shen Zaiye laughed bitterly. He pointed at Jiang Taohua. “Your Highness, why don’t you ask if she truly cares for you?”

Taohua hesitated, lowering her eyes. But before she could respond, Mu Wuyin spoke: “She’s been married before, so she may not be deeply in love with me yet. But I truly care for her and am willing to wait for her to open her heart to me.”

Shen Zaiye’s face darkened. “Has Your Highness lost your mind? It’s bad enough to treasure a remarried woman, but you don’t even mind that she may not truly care for you?”

“We have a long life ahead. Why rush?” Mu Wuyin smiled. “How long have we even known each other? How could she open her heart to me so quickly, before she’s certain of my sincerity?”

Taohua looked at Mu Wuyin in surprise, momentarily touched. Could someone be so foolish?

Shen Zaiye’s expression grew even more grim. He laughed coldly. “I’d like to see if Your Highness can defend this stance before His Majesty.”

“Prime Minister.”

Seeing Shen Zaiye turn to leave, Mu Wuyin quickly blocked his path. “You’re not usually so impulsive. We haven’t finished our discussion. Why are you in such a rush to report to Father?”

Shen Zaiye halted, startled to realize how openly he had displayed his fury and agitation.

He truly had lost his mind!

“I’ve been unwell lately. My emotions have been difficult to control,” Shen Zaiye said, composing himself. “It’s highly inappropriate for the Crown Prince to make a commoner woman his consort, especially one who is far from innocent. If you’ll heed my advice, I won’t need to speak with His Majesty.”

Slightly relieved, Mu Wuyin guided Shen Zaiye toward the main hall, gesturing for Taohua to follow.

“Let’s tend to your wound first.”

The imperial physician arrived. Taohua stood in a corner, reflecting on her actions as she overheard them discussing the severity of the injury. She felt satisfied, knowing she had at least caused him significant pain, even if she couldn’t kill him.

After the wound was bandaged, Shen Zaiye’s mind began to clear. He glanced coldly at the woman in the corner. “If Your Highness truly won’t give her up, I can’t force the issue. But now that you’ve gotten what you wanted, I assume you no longer need my support. From now on…”

“How can the Prime Minister say such things?” Mu Wuyin quickly interjected. “My current position is all thanks to your efforts. If I were to abandon those who helped me after achieving success, who would be willing to follow me in the future? This woman is truly just an ordinary commoner. I won’t do anything improper – I’ll simply keep her in the Eastern Palace. I promise you, I won’t become obsessed with women!”

Obsessed with women? Remembering Jiang Taohua’s seductive skills, Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes. “Has Your Highness already been intimate with this woman?”

“No,” Mu Wuyin glanced at Taohua and lowered his voice. “Her health is poor. She needs more time to recover.”

Shen Zaiye felt a slight relief in his chest. He pressed his lips together. “If you haven’t been intimate, why make her a consort? Being a palace maid would suffice.”

“But…” Mu Wuyin frowned. Wouldn’t it be unfair for a woman like Menger to be just a maid?

“Does Your Highness find that insufficient?” Shen Zaiye asked. “You can always elevate her status after you’ve been intimate. For now, it would be improper. You should consider others’ feelings as well.”

That did make sense. Mu Wuyin nodded and went to bring Taohua over.

“I don’t mean to wrong you,” he said softly. “The Prime Minister is right. Once you’ve recovered and we’ve consummated our relationship, I’ll make you my consort. Is that alright?”

“Of course,” Taohua agreed with a bright smile. “As long as I have a place in Your Highness’s heart, I don’t care about titles.”

Shen Zaiye watched the loving couple with a cold smile. Suddenly he spoke up: “Since Your Highness is willing to compromise, I will no longer seek this woman’s death. However, she still needs to learn proper etiquette. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, may I take her away for half a day to thoroughly instruct her?”

Hearing this, Taohua felt a chill run through her body. She shook her head vigorously. “I won’t go!”

Mu Wuyin also looked troubled. He glanced at Shen Zaiye. “Although I trust the Prime Minister’s word, she is part of the Eastern Palace now. It would be improper for you to take her away freely. Perhaps we could send her to the Imperial Etiquette School instead?”

“That works as well,” Shen Zaiye nodded and stood up. “I need to leave the palace anyway, so I can escort her there. Later this evening, I’ll bring my wife to pay our respects to the Crown Prince and Princess.”

“…Very well.” Having reached this point in the conversation, Mu Wuyin couldn’t refuse. He could only reassure Taohua: “We’re in the palace. The Prime Minister wouldn’t dare harm you here. Go with him for now, and I’ll come get you later.”

Struggling was futile. Taohua could only nod obediently and reluctantly follow Shen Zaiye out.

As soon as they left the Eastern Palace, the cold aura emanating from Shen Zaiye made Taohua sneeze.

“Achoo!”

Shen Zaiye turned to give her an icy glare, then continued walking without a word.

Jiang Taohua knew how furious he was – he probably wanted to chop her into pieces and feed her to the dogs. But she enjoyed seeing him so angry yet unable to kill her. It was truly refreshing!

As they walked, the path became increasingly secluded, winding into what seemed to be a small trail in the Imperial Garden. Taohua stopped warily. “Don’t try to trick me just because I don’t know the way. Is this the direction to the Etiquette School?”

Shen Zaiye ignored her. His murderous aura undiminished, suddenly grabbed her and pulled her along.

The Imperial Garden of the Great Wei Palace was vast, with winding rockeries, encircling ponds, and lush groves. Before Taohua could get her bearings, Shen Zaiye hoisted her up and tossed her into a cave in one of the rockeries.

“What are you doing?” Taohua broke out in a cold sweat, her entire body on high alert. She looked at him warily. “Mu Wuyin knows you took me. If I die, it will certainly be pinned on you. Don’t do anything rash!”

His pitch-black eyes regarded her coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He pressed her against the cave wall and savagely bit down on her lips.

“Ah!” Taohua cried out in pain, instinctively trying to struggle. But the beast quickly stripped away her fine silks, exposing her snow-white skin that seemed to glow in the dim cavern.

“Stop it!” she protested.

“Why should I?” His hot breath lingered by her ear as he spoke without a hint of emotion. “I haven’t given you a divorce yet. You’re still my woman. Where did you find the courage to tell me to stop?”

Taohua trembled uncontrollably, staring at him with wide eyes. She never imagined he could be such a beast! Didn’t he hate her enough to strangle her? How could he suddenly want her again?

“These clothes – he gave them to you, didn’t he?” Shen Zaiye slowly tore open her palace gown, hooking her legs around his waist. His eyes were dark and unfathomable as he bit her earring. “He gave you this too, didn’t he?”

Goosebumps rose all over her body. Taohua frowned, about to speak when she felt him tug at the red cord around her neck.

“And this – he gave you this as well?” The pendant was still hidden in her scarlet undershirt. Shen Zaiye reached to pull it out, but Taohua hurriedly pressed his hand down. “Even if everything on my body was given by the Crown Prince, so what?”

So what? Shen Zaiye laughed coldly, enraged. He lowered his head and kissed her fiercely, like a wild beast whose territory had been invaded, his entire being radiating aggression. As they grappled, clothes fell away. Right there in broad daylight, in the Imperial Garden of the palace, he forcefully took her.

Taohua inhaled sharply, her body aching from his rough treatment. She couldn’t help but curse, “You beast!”

“Better a beast than an unfaithful harlot,” Shen Zaiye said with a low laugh. “You truly are heartless, able to throw yourself into another’s arms so quickly. Do you dare reject me now? You say I never took you seriously, but in your heart, you probably never truly cared for me either.”

Jiang Taohua gritted her teeth, digging her nails into him as she spat out each word: “That’s right. Neither of us ever truly cared for the other. So now we’re no different from rutting animals!”

Listen to how she talks! Shen Zaiye laughed coldly, no longer wanting to show her any tenderness. He bit down on her neck and roughly pinned her against the wall.

(Chapter ends)