Taohua pouted, “I didn’t mean that. I just noticed it’s so late, shouldn’t you rest too?”
Eyeing her for a moment, Shen Zaiye said, “Do you want me to rest well, or do you just need something to hug while sleeping?”
“Why not have the best of both worlds?”
Finding her logic sound, Shen Zaiye nodded, slowly removing his outer robe and lying down with her.
Taohua rolled over to embrace him as usual, as if nothing had happened between them, warm and intimate.
Shen Zaiye didn’t close his eyes. After staring at the canopy for a while, he spoke softly, “What did they tell you?”
“Nothing much,” Taohua said, eyes closed and head buried in his shoulder. “I just didn’t know you intended to spare my life before. I wronged you.”
She had resented him for this, but now that it was a misunderstanding, things were easier. They could continue working together well.
“You didn’t wrong me,” Shen Zaiye lowered his gaze, speaking flatly. “I did want to kill you.”
He had hesitated for a long time before deciding to give her the antidote. He hadn’t valued her highly, but in the end, for some unknown reason, he made that decision on impulse.
Taohua was stunned, frowning in displeasure. “My lord, forgive my frankness, but since things have turned out this way, couldn’t you be less honest and just comfort me a little?”
“If I did, would you believe me?” Shen Zaiye asked, glancing at her.
After serious consideration, Taohua shook her head.
“There you have it,” Shen Zaiye closed his eyes and said calmly. “We don’t need to lie to each other. We can both guess each other’s thoughts, so why bother with elaborate pretenses?”
“I see,” Taohua sighed. “I was a bit touched, thinking you still cared for me deep down. Even if you had thoughts of killing me, you ultimately softened. I didn’t expect it was just a momentary impulse.”
Shen Zaiye let out a light snort and turned his back to her. However, Taohua clung to him like glue, still hugging him from behind, smiling sweetly.
Although Shen Zaiye’s words weren’t pleasing, he was right about one thing: they could indeed guess each other’s thoughts.
For instance, she could now see that Shen Zaiye was being stubbornly proud. In this dangerous game of theirs, it wasn’t just her who had become emotionally invested; he seemed to have developed some unintended feelings too, throwing himself off balance.
Seeing him so uncomfortable made her happy. At least she hadn’t lost too badly.
Grinning, Taohua thoroughly enjoyed seeing his stubborn pride. It clearly showed that her strategy of cultivating emotions hadn’t been entirely ineffective.
Her mood instantly improved!
“The day after tomorrow, Qin Jieyu will be executed,” Shen Zaiye said, eyes closed. “If Manager Xu still hasn’t let go, you can take her to watch the execution.”
Slightly startled, Taohua propped herself up to look at him. “Are you breaking ties with Imperial Censor Qin?”
“Not at all.”
“Then…” Then why was he so quick to execute Qin Jieyu?
“A life for a life. A few days ago, on a whim, I reopened Zhu Yue’s case,” Shen Zaiye said. “It’s been dragged out for so long, it’s time for a conclusion.”
Blinking as she looked at the back of his head, Taohua flipped over to straddle Shen Zaiye, pressing him down flat and planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, my lord!”
“Lie down properly,” Shen Zaiye opened his eyes, frowning as he looked at her complexion. “Your health is worse than Lu Zhilan’s. Take good care of yourself.”
After a brief pause, Taohua lay back down beside him with a silly grin, thinking that if she had known her “death” would make him do so much, she should have “died” earlier. Perhaps he might have even helped fulfill her last wishes.
Since Duan Yunxin and Qin Jieyu had both been members of the Prime Minister’s household, their execution wouldn’t be held in the public market. Early in the morning, Jiang Taohua took Manager Xu by carriage to the Ministry of Rites to witness their punishment in person.
Liu’s family was also present. As the enemy died, Liu’s mother sat on the ground, wailing loudly.
“The revenge is complete, why is she still crying so miserably?” Qing Tai mumbled softly.
Taohua watched with a sigh, “Because no matter how many times Duan dies, it won’t change anything. Rather than seeing the murderer punished, what she truly wants is probably for her daughter to come back to life.”
Madam Xu felt the same. She stood beside Taohua with reddened eyes, watching Qin Jieyu’s body being carried away, choking with emotion.
However, she was sensible. After a moment, she knelt before Taohua, saying sincerely, “Without you, Miss, Zhu Yue’s revenge couldn’t have been achieved. From now on, this old servant is at your disposal. Whatever you command, I will do my utmost to accomplish.”
“Good,” Taohua nodded. “I have a favor to ask of you right now.”
Madam Xu looked up at her earnestly, “Please instruct me, Miss.”
It had been a long time since Taohua had returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, and there were quite a few changes in the back courtyard. Gu Qingying and Nangong Qin had been promoted to concubines. Both were daughters of the Nine Ministers, though they were concubine-born. Judging by Shen Zaiye’s efforts to win them over, it seemed their fathers hadn’t yet chosen sides.
Prince Yu had passed away, leaving only three princes in court. Prince Heng harbored ambitions for the throne but was closely watched by the Crown Prince whenever he attempted anything significant. Prince Nan, on the other hand, was smoothly demonstrating his talents to the Emperor, gaining favor.
At this rate, Shen Zaiye would soon use the pretext of helping the Crown Prince to win over the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, then find an opportunity to usurp the Crown Prince’s position.
However, there was still a major problem in the back courtyard — Mei Zhaoxue.
Mei, the Minister of Rites, was the head of the Nine Ministers and had supported Mu Wuyin from the beginning. With her leading the back courtyard and maintaining relationships with others, the women here might not wholeheartedly support Shen Zaiye.
Taohua needed to pry away the position of the main wife, but she couldn’t use underhanded methods like Duan had. After all, playing too many dirty tricks would eventually backfire.
The standards for being the main wife were, firstly, status and position. Her title as a princess, though nominal, was still a status that barely qualified. Secondly, conduct and demeanor; the main wife needed to be magnanimous and win people’s hearts, which she could certainly do. The third depended on Shen Zaiye; as long as she achieved the first two points, Shen Zaiye would naturally cooperate well with her, so there was no need to worry.
The first task Taohua asked Madam Xu to do was to visit each courtyard, speak well of her, and then invite these ladies to Zhengchun Pavilion for a chat.
Only Madam Xu could do this because all the new entrants had learned etiquette from her, so they were all familiar with her. Familiar people were easier to talk to, and since she was already a favored concubine, with Madam Xu as a bridge, no one would refuse to visit Zhengchun Pavilion.
However, the visitors inevitably had their agendas.
“Greetings, Miss Jiang,” the newly promoted Gu and Nangong ladies came forward to pay their respects. One was as bright as the morning sun, the other as clear as the evening breeze. Taohua couldn’t help but sigh, “Our lord is truly blessed.”
“Isn’t the lord’s greatest blessing having Miss Jiang?” Gu Qingying smiled, sitting down nearby. “Previously, due to differences in status, we couldn’t properly appreciate Miss’s beauty. Now that we see you, we finally understand why you’re the lord’s favorite.”
They were all skilled in conversation, and the atmosphere in the room was very harmonious. Gu Huairou smiled, “Indeed! Miss Jiang has just returned, and the lord’s mood seems to have finally improved. He’s even willing to visit the back courtyard now.”
“Alas,” Taohua sighed. “I’m not fortunate enough. Though I’ve received the lord’s favor, my health is poor. This trip to the mountains for treatment wasn’t very effective. I can’t accept much of his grace now.”
“How so?” Nangong Qin asked curiously. “What illness does Miss have?”
Looking at them, Taohua pressed her lips together, showing a sad expression. “I consider you all as sisters, that’s why I’m telling you this. Please don’t let it spread.”
“Of course,” everyone nodded. “Sister, please speak freely. We promise to keep your words to ourselves.”
After hesitating for a moment, Taohua beckoned them all into the inner room. They sat in a circle by the bed, and she spoke in a low voice, “My health is poor, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to bear children.”
The three women gasped, their eyes widening as they looked at her. “How can this be?”
What use was a woman if she couldn’t bear children?
With a bitter smile, Taohua half-covered her face and said, “The lord knows this too, that’s why he sent me to the mountains to seek treatment. But alas… the doctor said there’s nothing to be done. We can only leave it to fate.”
Earlier, when Gu Huairou had spoken, the other two had felt a bit uncomfortable, as no one wanted the Prime Minister’s affections to fall on someone else. But hearing this, they instantly set aside all jealousy, their eyes filled with sympathy.
Gu Qingying even comforted her, “The lord knows you can’t bear children and still treats you so well. Sister should be happy.”
“That’s right,” Nangong Qin said. “Even if you can’t have children, having his favor is still good.”
“A man’s favor, without the security of children, how long can it last?” Taohua wiped her eyes sorrowfully. “My only asset now is my youth and beauty. But in the future… who knows how miserable it might be.”
Gu Huairou’s brows furrowed tightly. “The doctor has no solution?”
“None,” Taohua sighed, looking up at them. “Madam Mei said it well, in this courtyard, relying on men won’t lead to a good life. Women can only support each other. Now that I’m in favor, I don’t mind giving you all a hand. But are you willing to help me when I fall from grace in the future?”
This was such a good deal, who wouldn’t agree? Gu Qingying and Nangong Qin immediately agreed. Gu Huairou, however, stared at her for a long time, her eyes full of pity. “Why is your fate so difficult?”
“What can be done?” Taohua lowered her head, smoothing her sleeve. “It’s all arranged by heaven. There’s no use struggling against it.”
“Alright,” Gu Huairou nodded. “I’ll help you in the future. Though I can’t help you regain favor, I can at least ensure you don’t want food and clothing.”
Looking at her gratefully, Taohua smiled and nodded, then turned to the other two ladies. “Since you’ve agreed, I’ll speak to the lord about sharing his favor equally among us all.”
“Miss is truly generous,” Gu Qingying smiled. “Thank you.”
Nangong Qin nodded along, not saying much, but her eyes showed more sincerity.
(End of Chapter)