Coughing twice, Taohua covered her mouth and said weakly, “Madam knows I should be resting and can’t overexert myself. I’m afraid I won’t be of much help with these trivial matters.”
“That’s true, but besides you, I don’t know who else in this courtyard can help,” Mei Zhaoxue sighed. “Madam Duan and Qin Jieyu are gone, as are Madam Liu and Madam Meng. The two new concubines are still unfamiliar with the rules. So it seems only…”
“Madam, I can help!” Qin Huaiyu quickly interjected. “I’m familiar with the mansion’s affairs and can certainly handle cost-cutting measures.”
Mei Zhaoxue was taken aback, and everyone turned to look at her.
Taohua covered her eyes. This foolish woman was eagerly taking on a task everyone else wanted to avoid.
From Mei Zhaoxue’s earlier words, Taohua’s refusal meant the task would likely fall to Gu Huairou. But Qin Huaiyu had unexpectedly volunteered, full of enthusiasm and ready to take on the challenge.
After a moment of silence, Mei Zhaoxue asked, “Are you sure you can handle this?”
“What’s so difficult about it?” Qin Huaiyu patted her chest confidently. “Don’t worry, I’ll carry out your instructions perfectly!”
With such eagerness, it would be awkward to refuse. Mei Zhaoxue hesitantly nodded, glancing at Jiang Taohua.
She was lucky a fool had rushed in to take the hit. But this fool was also someone Jiang always protected. If she made a mess, wouldn’t Jiang be implicated?
Gu Huairou shared this concern. As soon as they left Linghan Courtyard, she pulled Taohua aside and frowned, “What should we do? Given Madam Qin’s personality, she’s bound to offend many people. You’ve only recently improved your relationships with everyone…”
“How is it my concern if she offends others?” Taohua raised an eyebrow.
“Haven’t you always protected her? Everyone thinks Madam Qin follows your lead.” Gu Huairou said, then paused. “Wait, didn’t the Madam assign this task?”
“Yes, the Madam gave her this task that’s sure to offend people. Given Qin’s personality, how do you think she’ll handle it?” Taohua smiled. “It won’t be traced back to me. This time, the Madam should support her. If people are offended, it’s by the Madam’s orders. I won’t protect her.”
She wasn’t foolish. Qin Huaiyu clearly couldn’t understand reason or distinguish right from wrong, so it was best to let her be. She had protected her earlier because there were many troublesome people in the courtyard who might play dirty tricks. Now, with only Mei Zhaoxue to deal with, and it being her task, she wouldn’t sabotage herself. Madam Qin was quite safe.
Since she was safe, Taohua could simply watch from the sidelines.
Gu Huairou nodded, finally feeling somewhat relieved. Taohua looked at her and said, “Tonight, prepare some cooling oil in your courtyard and learn some massage techniques from the masseuse. If the lord visits, you can help him relax.”
“Will the lord come?” Gu Huairou was surprised. “He hasn’t visited my courtyard in a long time.”
“He will,” Taohua said confidently. “Just be prepared.”
Shen Zaiye was planning some big moves soon, so he would naturally be more active in the back courtyard. She could guess that everyone except Madam Mei would receive his favor.
However, others couldn’t guess this. Seeing her confidence, they assumed she was speaking well of them to Shen Zaiye, vying for his favor. Gu Qingying and Nangong Qin, who had been following not far behind, immediately approached.
“Thank you for your care, Madam Jiang,” Gu Qingying smiled, holding Taohua’s hand. “Without you, I don’t know how long I would have been neglected. In the future, if you need anything, I’ll certainly help with all my might.”
Nangong Qin nodded slightly, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and restraint as she looked at Taohua.
“There’s nothing to thank me for,” Taohua looked at them. “Since we’ve acknowledged each other as sisters, we should naturally help each other. You should all prepare. Who knows when the lord might visit?”
“Alright,” Gu Qingying smiled, patting her hand. “Then we’ll trouble you, elder sister.”
Gu Huairou watched quietly without a word. After the two left, she said softly, “They don’t seem reliable. They’re probably just gathering around you for a favor.”
“It doesn’t matter why they come,” Taohua shrugged. “What matters is that they do.”
The mistress of this Chancellor’s mansion had two main functions: balancing the relationships among concubines and managing household expenses. Taohua couldn’t interfere with expenses, but taking over the former task was incredibly simple, as what the concubines valued most was Shen Zaiye’s favor.
She could always guess correctly which courtyard Shen Zaiye would visit next, shamelessly claiming credit in advance. In just a few days, everyone believed that the Chancellor listened to her completely, so they naturally began frequenting Zhengchun Pavilion.
“Mistress,” Fengping knelt beside Mei Zhaoxue in Linghan Courtyard, frowning. “Fewer and fewer people have been coming to pay respects lately. The concubines all love going to Zhengchun Pavilion. Only your close attendants still linger here.”
Mei Zhaoxue calmly arranged her tea set, her face still serene. “People naturally gravitate towards power. What’s strange about that? Madam Jiang has what they want, so of course they flock to her.”
“But, this servant feels that since Madam Jiang’s return, she seems ambitious, as if wanting to take your position,” Fengping frowned. “Haven’t you noticed? In just a few days, everyone in the mansion treats her like a deity, second only to the lord. Where does that leave you?”
“Take my position?” Mei Zhaoxue smiled. “I let her try managing household affairs before. What was the result? The lord should understand that she’s not suitable to be the mistress.”
Fengping shook her head. “But the lord seems to like Madam Jiang more than before. He never used to listen to her like this. I’m worried that if this continues, the lord will eventually be bewitched by Madam Jiang and directly give her your position.”
Mei Zhaoxue’s fingers paused, and she looked up at Fengping.
Fengping quickly lowered her head.
After a moment of silence in the room, Mei Zhaoxue sighed softly. “In the evening, quietly send a message to Madam Gu, asking her to come over.”
“Yes.”
For over two years, this was the first time someone dared to try to climb over her head. Mei Zhaoxue smiled coldly as she stacked the teacups, elegantly putting away the tea set.
Jiang Taohua was still too green.
In the evening, Shen Zaiye sent word that Nangong Qin would serve him tonight. Taohua smiled triumphantly, calculating, “Exactly right, next will be Madam Gu’s turn.”
Qingtai came in from outside and whispered near her, “Mistress, Madam Gu has gone to Linghan Courtyard.”
“Good that she went,” Taohua narrowed her eyes. “It was her.”
Although she had intentionally let them spread the news of her infertility, she was still curious about who said it. When the three of them served the lord, Taohua had Steward Xu send rewards in the Madam’s name. Nangong Qin and Gu Huairou did not react, but only Gu Qingying thanked Madam Mei for her kindness.
Having already reached an agreement with her and then showing goodwill to Mei Zhaoxue, she wasn’t wholeheartedly on Taohua’s side. So the news was most likely leaked by her.
Madam Gu had been the quickest to agree initially, but unexpectedly, she was also the quickest to betray. So when it comes to making friends, it’s better to understand their true nature before opening up.
“How’s Madam Qin doing?” Taohua asked.
At the mention of her, Qingtai shuddered. “Still the same. She’s always wandering around the mansion. Whenever she sees excessive spending somewhere, she immediately orders changes. If anyone objects, she invokes the Madam’s name and has them beaten. The Madam is furious but has to praise her for doing well.”
Knowing this would be the result, Taohua rolled around on the bed laughing. “Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! The Madam doesn’t quite understand Qin’s personality. If I were her, I would have refused Qin on the spot. She meant to throw a task that would offend people at me, but instead, all the resentment has accumulated in Linghan Courtyard, probably more than if she had done it herself.”
Qingtai nodded, still feeling uneasy. “The lord originally wanted to build a pond in our courtyard, but even that was stopped by Madam Qin.”
“So formidable?” Taohua blinked. “Why build a pond?”
“Didn’t you say yesterday that our courtyard is a bit far from the garden, making it inconvenient to see the koi?” Qingtai said. “The lord heard about it and planned to have a fish pond built right in the back courtyard, to raise fish for you to watch.”
“What?” Taohua was stunned. “He’s being so indulgent? What is he up to now?”
It was an eternal truth that whenever Shen Zaiye was especially kind to her, nothing good would come of it.
Qingtai shook her head. “This servant doesn’t know. The Lord hasn’t come to our courtyard in a long time, busy favoring others. Maybe he’s afraid you’ll be sad, so he’s trying to comfort you.”
What did she have to be sad about? It was common for men here to have multiple wives and concubines. Someone of Shen Zaiye’s status couldn’t possibly focus solely on her. If she couldn’t accept that, she’d only be hurting herself.
Seeing it was almost midnight, Taohua didn’t think much more about it and directly rolled into bed to sleep. Qingtai took the lamp out and carefully closed the door.
However, she forgot to close the window. Someone entered through the window, silently climbing onto the bed.
Startled awake by the sound, Taohua’s body stiffened. She reached out to feel the person’s waist, then let out a long breath, hugging him and coyly saying, “My lord, are you trying to scare me to death? Sneaking around like this, what are you up to?”
Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow. “How did you know it was me?”
“That’s simple,” Taohua pinched his waist. “I’m very familiar with this. I knew as soon as I embraced you.”
Snorting lightly, Shen Zaiye held her, allowing her to lie on his chest. “Have you been scheming against me again recently?”
“How could I?” Taohua giggled. “I haven’t interfered at all with what you’re doing, my lord.”
“Then why do you know which courtyard I’m going to visit, and with such accuracy?” Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes. “Have you planted someone by my side?”
“Having someone by your side wouldn’t help with that. Perhaps only planting a worm in your belly would work,” Taohua said seriously. “That’s right, the biggest worm in your belly is mine!”
(End of Chapter)