Though he said this, truthfully, Mu Wuyin’s greatest wish now was likely for the Emperor to pass away soon. With both the position of Crown Prince and Shen Zaiyu in his grasp, as soon as the Emperor died, he could immediately ascend the throne and rule over this vast empire.
Unfortunately, Emperor Mingde was still in his prime.
The Emperor gazed at the Crown Prince with satisfaction, unaware of his true thoughts, and dismissed him with a benevolent look. Mu Wuyin complied, breathing a sigh of relief as he left to find Taohua.
Once only the two of them remained in the palace, the Emperor turned to Shen Zaiyu and asked, “What does my loyal subject think of the Crown Prince’s actions?”
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Shen Zaiyu observed the Emperor’s expression before chuckling softly, “Naturally, the Crown Prince aims to ease Your Majesty’s troubled mind. What other reason could there be?”
“You cunning fox!” Emperor Mingde laughed. “Do you think I can’t see through his little schemes? Why are you covering for him?”
Shen Zaiyu knelt by the dragon couch, lifting the front of his robe. With a serious expression, he said, “Your Majesty is wise. It is I who am foolish. I truly didn’t perceive any ulterior motives from the Crown Prince. He and Prince Nan are brothers; isn’t it natural for brothers to help each other?”
Snorting in amusement, Emperor Mingde shook his head. “You’ve seen how ruthless he is towards Wugu. How could he genuinely help Wuxia out of brotherly love? He probably thinks Wuxia won’t threaten his position, so he’s playing the good guy.”
As expected of an emperor. Shen Zaiyu lowered his gaze. “Then what does Your Majesty think of Prince Nan’s intentions?”
“Wuxia?” Emperor Mingde paused, pondering for a while before saying, “He’s pure-hearted by nature. What intentions could he have? At most, he just wants his mother’s spirit tablet enshrined in the ancestral temple.”
Due to their infrequent meetings, the Emperor naturally didn’t know much about Prince Nan. In his impression, he was just a studious child with no other notable characteristics.
Frowning slightly, Shen Zaiyu decided not to say more. Emperor Mingde had a peculiar temperament; the more you praised someone, the less likely he was to listen. It was better to let him discover things on his own.
As Mu Wuyin walked back to the Eastern Palace with Taohua, his brow remained furrowed. Noticing this, Taohua asked softly, “What’s on Your Highness’s mind?”
Glancing at those behind them, Mu Wuyin waved for everyone to withdraw before speaking in a low voice, “I feel that the position of Crown Prince may not be as comfortable as it seems.”
Oh? Taohua raised an eyebrow. Hadn’t he been desperately fighting for it earlier? Why was it uncomfortable now?
Sighing, Mu Wuyin looked up at her and said, “If I were Emperor, I could make you a consort without anyone obstructing. Unfortunately, Father is in good health and likely has another twenty or thirty years to live. This means I’ll have to be Crown Prince for twenty or thirty more years, with unknown variables and an uncertain future.”
Taohua was taken aback. “Your Highness means…?”
Could he be thinking of getting rid of the Emperor early to ascend the throne? That seemed too heartless. They were father and son, after all.
Mu Wuyin shook his head, not continuing. He simply led her forward.
After a moment’s hesitation, Taohua spoke softly, “This slave envies Your Highness. You have a living father and loving siblings. It’s much better than being alone in the world.”
“What use are these things?” Mu Wuyin chuckled softly, turning to look at her. “You’re too naive, not understanding the imperial family. In a royal household, familial affection is the most useless thing. For the sake of benefits and glory, fathers, sons, and brothers are merely people close enough to stab easily.”
Humans are social animals by nature, and blood relations are just a noble excuse to make relationships between people closer. In the end, everyone is an individual. Who can’t live without whom?
Jiang Taohua smiled. “Perhaps this slave is too naive, but if people are close, why not warm each other instead of stabbing each other?”
Slightly stunned, Mu Wuyin frowned. “That’s because everyone wants the same thing.”
With many people but only one prize, isn’t fighting inevitable? As princes, no one is willing to stand aside and watch their brothers in splendid robes and high crowns. It’s too unfair.
“Don’t think too much. Just wait for me,” he comforted her in a low voice. Looking ahead, he said, “After Prince Yu’s mourning period, I will make you my consort.”
Taohua nodded, lowering her gaze.
No wonder Shen Zaiyu had his eye on this Crown Prince. His heart was too restless. Having already obtained the position of Crown Prince, he still wanted to ascend the throne quickly. Such an impatient person would be easily manipulated, and his fate might be tragic.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Lady Li was waiting at the entrance. Seeing the girl beside the Crown Prince unharmed, she was immediately startled.
“You…”
“This slave greets the Crown Prince Consort,” Taohua smiled, curtsying to her as if nothing had happened.
It took Lady Li a moment to find her voice. Under the Crown Prince’s questioning gaze, she said softly, “It’s good that Your Highness has returned. I’ve prepared a late-night snack for you to enjoy.”
“Good,” Mu Wuyin looked at her for a moment. “I also have something I want to discuss with you.”
What could there be to discuss? It must be about that little vixen. Lady Li was full of displeasure. Taohua, sensing the atmosphere, curtsied and said, “This slave needs to return to clean the room, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Mm.” Mu Wuyin nodded, watching her disappear into the servants’ quarters before leading Lady Li to the side palace.
Lady Li was quite ruthless. Frankly speaking, if not for Shen Zaiyu, she would have died in the cremation furnace today. Thinking about it now, Jiang Taohua felt a bit scared.
However, even though he had saved her life today, she wouldn’t feel any gratitude towards him. Someone who tries to kill her and save her isn’t truly kind-hearted; it’s just false benevolence. She could help them now, so naturally, he would treat her well, just like feeding a dog well before a hunt. In Shen Zaiyu’s eyes, she was nothing more than a dog capable of catching big game.
Just as she was thinking this, Shen Zaiyu silently floated in through the window. Taohua was startled, and upon seeing his face, she instinctively blurted out:
“Woof!”
Shen Zaiyu had come with a serious intention to discuss matters with her. Hearing her sudden dog bark, he almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“What are you doing?”
Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Taohua sat back on her bed and looked him up and down. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking that? Why is the Minister visiting so late at night?”
Pressing his lips together, Shen Zaiyu said, “It’s dangerous for you in this Eastern Palace. It would be better for you to leave quickly.”
The reason he wanted to stay tonight was that he felt she might be in trouble, and indeed, something significant had happened. This woman never failed to cause worry wherever she went.
“Where does the Minister think isn’t dangerous?” A mocking look appeared in her eyes as Jiang Taohua glanced at him sideways. “The Chancellor’s mansion, perhaps?”
The most dangerous place was wherever he was. Compared to him, being with anyone else was like being in paradise!
His face darkened slightly, and Shen Zaiyu said with some irritation, “Before you blame me, can’t you listen to my explanation first?”
“Explain what?” Taohua sneered. “Explain that you didn’t want to kill me, that you were forced by others, that you wanted to save me?”
Shen Zaiyu: “…”
“I’ve never liked after-the-fact compensation. If giving a sweet date could earn you a slap, I’d immediately buy you a sack of sweet dates and then reward you with eighty slaps!” Taohua smiled mischievously, but her eyes were cold. “The Minister should thank this slave for having a special constitution. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even have the chance to explain now.”
“Special constitution?” Shen Zaiyu’s expression changed slightly. “I’ve been wanting to ask, since you were poisoned, why are you unharmed?”
“Want to know?” Taohua smirked. “Then you can keep guessing.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Shen Zaiyu tried to calm himself down, constantly telling himself that he had made the first mistake, so he shouldn’t quibble with this little girl. But… why was Jiang Taohua so good at irritating him when she wasn’t good at anything else? Looking at the expression on her face, he truly wanted to reach out and pinch her cheeks!
“I’ll find a way to get you out of the palace,” he said in a muffled voice. “Just wait.”
“On what grounds?” Taohua raised an eyebrow. “I’m living well now. Why should I go back to continue being plotted against in various ways?”
“You’re already my person,” Shen Zaiyu narrowed his eyes. “What? Do you want to remarry?”
Taohua nodded with a smile. “Why not? The Crown Prince likes me so much, it wouldn’t be bad to stay with him.”
“You think he truly likes you?” Taking a deep breath, Shen Zaiyu looked at her coldly. “It’s only because you’re somewhat pretty and you’ve had a few encounters with him that he seems to care about you a bit. A woman like you, no man with a brain would truly like.”
“Oh,” Taohua said. “Then why do you want me to go back? Since you don’t like me either, wouldn’t it be annoying to keep me in your back courtyard?”
“Because I want to,” Shen Zaiyu gritted his teeth. “Until you receive my divorce papers, even if you’re just a vase, you’ll be displayed in the Chancellor’s back courtyard!”
Her gaze cooled. Jiang Taohua quietly looked at him for a while before saying softly, “You’re truly domineering, sir. You allow yourself to be cruel to others but won’t allow others to be cruel to you. A man like you, no woman with a brain would like either.”
“Is that so?” Laughing from extreme anger, Shen Zaiyu crossed his arms and looked at her. “Then you, a woman with a brain, like men like Mu Wuyin?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Taohua chuckled lightly. “What women have always wanted is not for their men to be impressive or extraordinary, but to be gentle, considerate, and care enough about them. The whole world belongs to you men, but in that square courtyard, women hope that your heart belongs to them. Is that wrong?”
Hearing this, Shen Zaiyu sneered, “I didn’t expect you to be so foolish. Let’s not talk about what kind of man you would like, but Mu Wuyin is the Crown Prince. How could you believe his heart would belong to you?”
Jiang Taohua fell silent.
Of course, she wouldn’t think that way, but now she was even less inclined to explain anything further to Shen Zaiyu. Having just escaped death, all she wanted to do now was sleep, not argue endlessly with him.
“Your Highness.”
Just as Shen Zaiyu was about to speak again, Mu Wuyin’s voice came from outside the door. “You can all go rest now. I want to have a word with Meng’er.”
(End of Chapter)