Shen Zaiye frowned, “Right now, the Crown Prince is putting all his effort into suppressing Prince Heng, who will likely retaliate soon. With no one blocking his way, Prince Nan could easily take charge of collecting the autumn taxes for the treasury. It’s both effortless and pleasing to the Emperor. Yet, he chooses this troublesome task of inspecting the military camps!”
Taohua glanced at him, “My lord, do you know what Prince Nan is thinking?”
“How could I possibly know?” Shen Zaiye’s frown deepened. “He’s been avoiding me lately and refuses to say much.”
Naturally settling onto his lap, Taohua spoke earnestly, “I believe there’s a lack of communication between you and Prince Nan. Although he’s young, he has his ideas and approaches things methodically. Consider the dam construction project – didn’t His Majesty end up praising him for it? He even voluntarily assigned him the task of inspecting the military camps.”
Shen Zaiye paused, lowering his gaze. It did seem to be the case, but he couldn’t tell if Prince Nan’s success was due to luck or something else. In his view, Mu Wuxia was too stubborn and didn’t understand the intricacies of power. He should follow Shen’s advice to handle matters most appropriately.
“Don’t always treat him like a child,” Taohua winked. “Children born into royal families, especially those who have experienced significant events, aren’t completely naive. He lacks opportunities, which you can provide, but for the rest of the journey, why not let him find his way?”
Let him go? Shen Zaiye’s brow furrowed even more. “You think his stubborn behavior is correct?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Taohua shrugged. “The task may be difficult, but it was personally assigned by the Emperor. Why not do it well? If he were to refuse, wouldn’t that anger His Majesty and end up being counterproductive?”
“He doesn’t need to refuse. I would naturally help him,” Shen Zaiye said. “But he’s not willing to cooperate at all…”
Taohua chuckled, “My lord, you’re too confident. You never believe others can accomplish things. If you don’t trust Prince Nan, naturally, he won’t trust you. Don’t you understand this principle?”
That’s true, but… Shen Zaiye looked up at her, displeased. “You trust Prince Nan more than me?”
“In matters of political strategy, I naturally trust you more, my lord,” Taohua replied. “But when it comes to getting things done, trusting Prince Nan isn’t wrong. After all, if you think about his past actions, which one wasn’t handled properly and well-received?”
After pondering for a moment, Shen Zaiye gripped her waist, pulling her closer. “Have you been bought off by Prince Nan? You’ve become his advocate now.”
Knowing that Shen Zaiye would ultimately have to listen to Prince Nan, it was natural for her to side with the strongest. If she didn’t speak well of Prince Nan, who else could she support?
Lifting her skirt slightly, Taohua struck a seductive pose. “My lord, do you need me to persuade you more… intimately?”
Shen Zaiye pushed her away disdainfully. “I have work to do. Just take care of the rear courtyard.”
The rear courtyard… Thinking of Gu Huairou, Taohua sighed. “My lord, you should spend more time with Lady Gu when you’re free.”
“Of course, I will,” Shen Zaiye replied. “I’ll be staying in her quarters for the next few nights.”
What a good man! Taohua marveled. Gu Huairou’s face was truly horrifying now, yet he could still accompany her. That could be considered loyal and affectionate.
Of course, she knew the premise was that Gu Zongzheng also firmly stood by Shen Zaiye’s side.
“Take care, my lord.”
After Shen Zaiye left, Taohua continued searching through medical books for herbal remedies. However, in the evening, Xu Yangui unexpectedly arrived, his expression grave.
“What’s wrong?” Taohua looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Did someone steal your wife?”
“No,” Xu Yangui sighed. “I just didn’t expect Lady Gu’s situation to be so tragic. She’s a good person, just a bit quick-tempered.”
Hearing this, he seemed quite familiar with Gu Huairou. Taohua blinked, looking at him curiously. “You’re not frequently visiting Wenqing Pavilion too, are you?”
Xu Yangui remained silent, lowering his eyes, lost in thought. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Jiang Taohua and said, “Actually, I quite like you.”
What? Nearly choking on her saliva, Taohua looked at him in shock, crossing her arms. “What are you trying to do?”
“Don’t be nervous,” Xu Yangui said. “I’m just expressing my honest thoughts. You’re different from the other women in this courtyard. I’ve genuinely considered helping you and even thought about the possibility of taking you away in the future.”
“But seeing Shen Zaiye’s behavior, I realize I have no chance. With Lady Gu’s situation… I’d like to take care of her for the rest of her life.”
Dumbfounded, Taohua blinked. “Do… do you realize what you’re saying? Lady Gu belongs to Shen Zaiye!”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Xu Yangui’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. “I just needed to get this off my chest. I’m not expecting you to offer any suggestions.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Shen Zaiye that you want to steal his woman?” Taohua raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not afraid,” Xu Yangui replied. “Go ahead and tell him if you want. Shen Zaiye absolutely won’t do anything to me. He might even be grateful.”
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Taohua looked at him for a moment. She recalled the thick curtains in each concubine’s room and the image of Xu Yangui imitating Shen Zaiye’s voice. Suddenly, she said, “Don’t tell me you’re the one who sleeps with all the women in this courtyard on behalf of Shen Zaiye?”
Xu Yangui flinched, looking around nervously before glaring at her. “How do you guess everything? Even if you’ve figured it out, can’t you keep it to yourself?”
So it was true? Taohua was shocked. After staring at him for a while, she pointed at herself and asked, “Then why didn’t you… with me…”
“That’s also one of my life’s regrets,” Xu Yangui chuckled softly. “It seems fate destined me to miss out on you.”
What’s going on? Jiang Taohua couldn’t understand. With so many women available, why would Shen Zaiye use someone else? Was he impotent? …Well, he seemed quite capable. So why would he willingly wear so many green hats?
“Don’t overthink it,” Xu Yangui frowned. “He and I just have a mutually beneficial arrangement. I need women for my martial arts practice, and he can’t be with women while accomplishing his goals. That’s why we came up with this solution.”
“I see,” Taohua laughed dryly. “So I’m an exception?”
“Yes,” Xu Yangui nodded. “As long as you can survive until he achieves his grand ambition, you’ll undoubtedly become an indispensable part of his life.”
Is that considered lucky? Taohua stared blankly at a nearby vase, lost in thought. In an instant, she understood why Shen Zaiye often came to her in the middle of the night and why he could be so ruthless towards his women.
Because they weren’t his women at all!
After pondering for a while, she felt a hint of happiness. Jiang Taohua pinched herself and looked at Xu Yangui. “So you’ve decided to take responsibility for Lady Gu’s remaining years, and that’s why you’ve come to express your feelings to me, making a clean break?”
“I suppose so,” Xu Yangui said regretfully. “It seems we were destined to meet but not to be together.”
“I’ve been wronged,” Taohua laughed. “Inexplicably liked by you, then inexplicably abandoned. In the end, you turn out to be the devoted one, both passionate and responsible. And I end up looking like the bad person who seduced a man and betrayed his true feelings?”
Xu Yangui was taken aback. He frowned, thinking for a moment. “It does seem that way.”
“That won’t do. You need to compensate me,” Taohua smiled. “At the very least, if you officially marry Lady Gu in the future, you should give me some wedding money.”
Marriage? Xu Yangui shook his head. “Where did that idea come from? I only plan to take her back to the Yangui clan to care for her.”
Taohua’s smile froze, and she narrowed her eyes. “You also despise her disfigurement?”
“It’s not that. There was never any real affection, only a sense of responsibility,” Xu Yangui explained. “I can’t exactly grow old with her, can I?”
Frowning slightly, Taohua shook her head. “If that’s all you’re thinking, then it’s better not to disturb her now. Losing her beauty is already heartbreaking enough. If she discovers that the person sharing her bed all this time wasn’t Shen Zaiye, she’ll truly want to die.”
“Am I inferior to Shen Zaiye?” Xu Yangui snorted coldly. “In terms of looks, I’m not losing to him. As for status, his position as mere Prime Minister doesn’t amount to much in the jianghu.”
“That’s not the reason,” Taohua shook her head. “In any case, if you don’t have feelings for her, don’t hurt her. If something goes wrong, Shen Zaiye will hold you responsible.”
Pouting, Xu Yangui said, “It’s still early. I just wanted to tell you because I felt troubled. It’s getting late; I should head to Wenqing Pavilion.”
“Alright.” As she watched him leap away, Taohua lowered her head and continued reading the medical book. After a while, she suddenly slapped the table angrily. “And I praised that Shen viper for being a good man? He’s just putting on an act again!”
This was too cruel. It seemed her guess was correct – the Prime Minister of Da Wei had no intention of holding the position for life. He left no attachments, so when the time came to leave, he could do so cleanly, with no family or emotional ties.
Wouldn’t such a person live a very lonely life? It was like wandering around with a tent – easy to move, but offering no sense of security.
As night fell, Shen Zaiye left the mansion in disguise, while Xu Yangui went to Wenqing Pavilion as usual.
Gu Huairou, curled up in bed, instinctively asked upon hearing a sound, “Who’s there?”
“It’s me,” Xu Yangui said in his imitation of Shen Zaiye’s voice, reaching out to touch her. “Don’t worry, the curtains are up. I can’t see you.”
Gu Huairou was startled. She reached out to embrace him, unable to hold back her sobs. “My lord…”
“It’s alright, I don’t despise you,” Xu Yangui patted her back. “Don’t be too upset.”
Tears fell one by one onto his hand, first scalding hot, then ice-cold. Xu Yangui pressed his lips together, caressing her face and wiping under her eyes with his thumb. He smiled, “I always remember you at your most beautiful.”
The nighttime Shen Zaiye was different from the daytime one, much gentler, which she preferred. Gu Huairou nodded, curling up in his arms, and whispered, “Let’s only meet at night from now on. No one can see anyone in the dark.”
“Alright,” Xu Yangui agreed. “I won’t see you during the day.”
They wouldn’t meet during the day anyway. In his mind, Gu Huairou would always remain as she was when he first saw her – charming and gentle.
(End of Chapter)