The serious atmosphere dissipated as Shen Zaiye chuckled, reaching out to pinch her cheek. “You’re quite clever. How much did you bribe that little bug?”
Taohua squirmed onto his lap, smiling sweetly. “My lord, let’s talk seriously. How do you plan to deal with the Crown Prince?”
Shen Zaiye’s smile faded as he studied the woman on top of him. In the darkness, her eyes gleamed with a clear light, but he couldn’t discern the emotions within them.
“Are you worried about him?” he asked.
“Not exactly worried,” Taohua pouted. “I’ve long known what his fate will be. I’m just asking out of curiosity.”
Mere curiosity? Shen Zaiye scoffed inwardly, recalling her gaze towards Mu Wuyin at Jietian Lake. He felt inexplicably irritated. “Perhaps you wish to save his life?”
Shaking her head guiltily, Taohua replied, “How could I have such ability? It’s just that the Crown Prince has shown me kindness. If my lord could spare his life…”
“Impossible,” Shen Zaiye calmly interrupted, pushing her off his body. Closing his eyes, he said, “That’s not something you should concern yourself with. Stay obediently in the rear courtyard.”
Realizing this approach wouldn’t work, Taohua sulked and turned away from him.
She always initiated the embraces, yet he pushed her away so easily. Fine, she wouldn’t hug him anymore!
They lay silently, each pretending to sleep. Shen Zaiye, unable to doze off, frowned and turned his head. “Why are you sulking?”
“Who’s sulking?” Taohua grumbled. “My arms are sore from hugging. I just want to sleep properly.”
Silence fell behind her. Taohua inwardly vowed never to initiate an embrace again. She didn’t need him that badly! Who cared?
Shen Zaiye waited until her breathing evened out, indicating she had fallen asleep. Only then did he pull her back into his arms, letting her cling to him. The sleeping Taohua, forgetting her vow entirely, instinctively held him tightly.
“Silly girl,” someone chuckled softly in the room before contentedly falling asleep, embracing her.
Early the next morning, Shen Zaiye had already left. Taohua didn’t inquire about his whereabouts. After tidying herself up, she headed to the kitchen for a stroll.
The manor was cutting expenses, and the kitchen’s budget suffered the most. Previously a lucrative position, the purchasing manager’s job had become a hot potato. Seeing Taohua approach, Manager Liu hurried to greet her.
“Lady Jiang!”
Taohua smiled at him. “Is something the matter?”
“You… you’re as merciful as Guanyin Bodhisattva. Please save this lowly servant!” Manager Liu knelt before her, pleading pitifully. “The madam ordered us to reduce expenses, but we still buy meat and vegetables from expensive sources. I’m caught in the middle, even losing money. How can I survive like this?”
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Taohua feigned innocence. “How could I possibly help you? I’m just a concubine.”
“Steward Xu said you’re always willing to help,” Manager Liu repeatedly kowtowed. “Didn’t you intervene and overturn her case? I beg you to help with my small matter, my lady.”
After observing him for a moment, Taohua gestured for him to stand and move aside to discuss further.
“Where does the manor source its vegetables and meat?” she inquired.
Manager Liu grimaced. “From the madam’s distant relatives. She claims their produce is the freshest, but it’s also the most expensive. Now she’s ordered us to cut costs, and yesterday, Lady Qin said we’d only have ten taels of silver daily for vegetables. Won’t that starve half the household?”
“Why not speak directly to the madam about this?” Taohua suggested. “Since it involves her relatives and her orders, shouldn’t the one who tied the bell untie it?”
“How could I dare?” Manager Liu shook his head. “The madam would only think I’m incompetent and replace me. What would become of me then?”
Acknowledging his point, Taohua smiled. “If you can’t approach the madam, why not speak to the Prime Minister directly?”
Manager Liu hesitated. “How could a lowly servant like me have the opportunity to see the Prime Minister?”
“That’s simple,” Taohua replied. “The Prime Minister has been fond of strolling in the garden lately. I’ll have Qingtai escort you there.”
“Thank you, my lady!” Manager Liu bowed deeply. “But… what if the madam blames me and still dismisses me?”
“She won’t,” Taohua shook her head. “Once you’ve spoken to the lord, if she moves against you, wouldn’t that be defying him? Don’t worry.”
That made sense! Manager Liu gratefully clasped his hands. “Steward Xu was right; you truly have the heart of a Bodhisattva, my lady!”
Feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, Taohua smiled and bid him farewell before returning to her quarters for a nap.
“The madam is really working against herself,” Qingtai remarked, following behind her. “Why reduce expenses for no reason?”
“Because the Prime Minister will review the manor’s accounts this autumn,” Taohua replied lazily. “When I managed the accounts earlier, the manor’s expenses were halved compared to previous months, yet the books showed no discrepancies. Naturally, this made her look bad in comparison.”
It was a cycle of cause and effect. When she managed the accounts, the manor was in turmoil, with various troubles arising one after another. Consequently, the idle concubines who usually spent frivolously decreased their expenditures. The household staff, fearing trouble, also reduced their embezzlement.
She hadn’t done anything specific; this result was simply a mix of blessings and misfortunes.
Qingtai clapped her hands gleefully. “Then the madam will have to put in more effort.”
As Taohua continued walking, she thought to herself that Madam Mei not only had to focus on reducing expenses but also had to address the waning loyalty of the manor’s staff.
Mei Zhaoxue hadn’t realized the issue with the servants. She was more concerned about Jiang Taohua aligning herself with several important concubines in the manor. The previous balance of power had been disrupted, and after the reshuffling, she found herself at a disadvantage compared to Jiang.
“Lady Jiang is too skilled at managing relationships,” Gu Qingying remarked, cracking melon seeds. “She doesn’t compete or fight with anyone. Whoever is kind to her ends up receiving the lord’s favor. Naturally, everyone in the manor will flock to her side. Forgive my bluntness, madam, but if you continue to be complacent, she might take the lead before you know it.”
“Aren’t you also currying favor with her?” Mei Zhaoxue smiled faintly. “You’ve received quite a bit of favor as well.”
Gu was taken aback. She set aside her melon seeds and hurried to Mei Zhaoxue’s side. “I’m only planning for the future, madam. It would be foolish to refuse the favors she offers, but my heart is loyal to you. Your father has been promoting my father recently, so I will certainly support you.”
Her words were pretty, but she was clearly someone who chased after benefits. What loyalty could she possibly have? Mei Zhaoxue curled her lip and sipped her tea. “Currently, you and Lady Nangong are the most favored. You both rose from being serving maids. Why isn’t she on the same side as you?”
“We may have both been serving maids, but we’re not close,” Gu Qingying pouted. “She’s not talkative and quite stubborn. She truly believes she can rely on Lady Jiang forever. She lacks discernment.”
“Is that so? I heard her brother recently entered the court,” Mei Zhaoxue said, lowering her gaze. “When you have time, bring her to visit Linghan Pavilion.”
“Certainly,” Gu Qingying agreed, smiling as she retreated.
Mei Zhaoxue looked at the three teacups on the table, picked one up, and tossed it into the nearby water basin.
Two days later, Gu Huairou came to find Taohua, looking embarrassed.
“Lady Jiang, something has happened,” she said.
Taohua was taking her midday rest and yawned as she looked at her. “What’s wrong now?”
“You know my father was recently transferred to be an inner official, right?” Gu Huairou bit her lip. “Today we received news that he’s been promoted to Minister of the Imperial Clan.”
“That’s good news,” Taohua said. “He’s been promoted.”
“But…” Gu Huairou frowned. “There have been rumors at court that this position was meant for Nangong Jiu. Now Lady Nangong seems angry. When she saw me today, she just glared and left without a word.”
Taohua shrugged. “What do court appointments have to do with you two? She’s probably just upset for now. She’ll get over it in a few days. By the way, doesn’t the Minister of the Imperial Clan manage affairs related to the royal family in Great Wei?”
“That’s correct.”
Delighted, Taohua quickly grasped Gu Huairou’s hand. “Then you might need to help me with something later.”
Gu Huairou nodded. “I’ll do my best to fulfill any request from you, my lady.”
That was excellent news. Taohua’s eyes curved in a smile, instantly forgetting about everything else. With this path laid out, she would have the means to repay her debt of gratitude.
However, the next evening, as Gu Huairou was bathing in preparation to serve the Prime Minister, a maid in Wenqing Pavilion “accidentally” poured a bucket of scalding water over her head before it could be cooled.
Chaos erupted in Wenqing Pavilion. By the time Jiang Taohua arrived, Gu Huairou had locked herself in her room and refused to see anyone. Even the female doctor had barely managed to apply some ointment before being sent away.
“How is she?” Taohua frowned, pulling Doctor Li aside to ask.
Doctor Li shook her head repeatedly. “Her entire face is burned, and much of her body is scalded red. Her beauty is ruined, but she’s lucky to be alive.”
Taohua inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. How many women would want to continue living after their beauty was destroyed?
“Are you sure she’s still alive?” she asked urgently.
Doctor Li was stunned, but before she could answer, Jiang Taohua had already kicked open the locked door!
Gu Huairou, her head covered with a black veil, was preparing to hang herself.
“No!” Terrified, Taohua quickly had Qingtai take her down and tie her hands behind her back. “What are you doing?”
Gu Huairou spoke hoarsely, “I’ve never been this ugly in my life. There’s no point in living anymore. I might as well die!”
“Is a woman’s worth solely dependent on her face?” Taohua said urgently. “Calm down first. We’ll find a solution. The manor must have medicines for regenerating skin and improving appearance…”
“It’s useless,” Gu Huairou shook her head. “I can’t even bear to look at myself. There’s no hope!”
(End of Chapter)