The sudden excitement in Taohua’s reaction startled Shen Zaiye. Puzzled, he asked, “Why are you so happy?”
Hadn’t Xu Yangui mentioned that her life in Zhao wasn’t particularly pleasant? If so, why was she so thrilled about Zhao sending envoys?
Taohua quickly composed herself, smoothing her long hair over her shoulders. With a sweet smile, she replied, “This concubine simply didn’t expect them to arrive so soon.”
Originally, they were supposed to visit Great Wei next spring. It seemed that the message Qing Tai had sent back had been heard, and Lady Lü didn’t intend to destroy her.
She had a chance at survival!
“I didn’t expect this either,” Shen Zaiye said, perplexed. “Why would they come so early? It seems rather suspicious.”
“Please don’t overthink it, my lord,” Taohua earnestly reassured him. “The people of Zhao are genuinely kind-hearted without any ill intentions. You should be able to see that from this concubine’s behavior!”
Shen Zaiye looked her up and down, frowning. “If you hadn’t said anything, I might not have worried. But now that you’ve mentioned it, I really should be cautious.”
If all the people from Zhao were like Jiang Taohua, it would be terrifying!
Pouting in displeasure, Taohua climbed down from his lap and huffed, “This concubine has been serving you wholeheartedly in this courtyard, yet this is how you view me. I’m truly heartbroken! You can look at these fallen leaves by yourself.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Shen Zaiye chuckled, watching her angry, bouncing figure retreat. He found himself thinking that this autumn was quite lively after all, not as desolate as she had claimed.
Jiang Taohua didn’t go anywhere else but straight to Gu Huairou.
Recently, the medicine has been working well, and Gu Huairou’s mood has finally improved a bit. Upon seeing Taohua arrive, she pulled her close and asked, “My lady, please look at this mandarin duck embroidery on the bamboo silk pouch. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Taohua lowered her head, carefully examining the pouch in Gu Huairou’s hands. She nodded with a smile, “It’s lovely.”
“If you say it’s beautiful, then my lord will surely like it,” Gu Huairou said happily, placing the pouch beside her pillow. She then scrutinized Taohua closely. “My lady, did you come here for something specific today?”
Taohua sat down and sent Qing Tai and Gu Huairou’s maid out of the room. With a serious expression, she asked, “Would you be willing to help me with something now?”
Gu Huairou paused, immediately becoming serious as well. Her eyes, covered by a black veil, showed determination. “As long as it’s my lady’s request, as I’ve said before, I will do my utmost to help you.”
“Good,” Taohua said, placing something in her hand. “Now, I need you to deliver this letter to your father. Remember, you must not let the Prime Minister know about it.”
Not let her lord know? Gu Huairou hesitated, taking the letter. “May I read it?”
“It’s better if you don’t know the contents,” Taohua smiled. “Tomorrow is your homecoming day. According to my lord’s instructions, your gifts will be prepared as befitting a wife’s status. You won’t be slighted.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Gu Huairou nodded, carefully tucking the letter into her pouch. “I’ll report back to you when I return.”
“I appreciate your help,” Taohua patted her hand, took a deep breath, and left to arrange other matters.
Gu Huairou was very curious. Initially, Lady Jiang had also persuaded her father with just one letter. She couldn’t understand how her stubborn father could be so easily swayed by a woman’s words.
So on her homecoming day, after giving the letter to Gu Shi’an, Gu Huairou didn’t rush to leave. Instead, she wanted to see her father’s reaction.
Gu Shi’an had been dealing with the Crown Prince’s affairs recently, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Although the Emperor had decreed the execution of the Crown Prince, everyone knew the Emperor’s true thoughts. If one followed his orders strictly, they might incur his resentment later. Moreover, court officials like Mei Fengchang were still pleading for the Crown Prince’s life. The delicate balance was difficult for him to manage.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, his daughter unexpectedly brought back a letter, without saying who it was from, just asking him to read it.
“To the esteemed Director of the Clan Court: I presume you have been facing difficulties recently. I have a plan that could resolve your urgent crisis…”
The handwriting was the same as the person who had written to him long ago. Gu Shi’an narrowed his eyes, carefully reading the letter twice before tucking it into his robes. He looked at Gu Huairou seriously and asked, “Who wrote this?”
Gu Huairou shook her head. “Daughter cannot say, but… Father, what does it say?”
“Could it be that the Prime Minister asked you to give this to me?” Gu Shi’an didn’t answer her question, instead expressing his doubt. “How would this benefit the Prime Minister?”
Gu Huairou was stunned. “How… how could it be from the Prime Minister?”
“Besides the Prime Minister, I can’t think of anyone else in the mansion who could be so wise and resourceful,” Gu Shi’an sighed. “Let’s proceed as he suggests.”
“Father…” Gu Huairou was bewildered. This truly wasn’t the Prime Minister’s instruction. If her father acted on it thinking it was, wouldn’t that cause trouble?
“Don’t worry,” Gu Shi’an said. “Go back and focus on recovering. The Prime Minister has done me a great favor with this matter. I’ll send gifts to the mansion another day to properly express my gratitude.”
Gu Huairou clutched her handkerchief, at a loss for words.
If only she had been less honest and taken a peek at the letter! Judging by her father’s reaction, he certainly wouldn’t tell her what was written in it now.
Two days later, the verdict was issued, bearing the Emperor’s seal. It ordered the Director of the Clan Court and the Bureau of Forestry and Crafts to execute the Crown Prince within the premises of the Bureau of Forestry and Crafts.
Early in the morning, Shen Zaiye roused Taohua, helped her dress, and carried her to the carriage.
“Where are we going?” Taohua asked drowsily, clinging to his waist. “Isn’t it too early?”
“If we’re late, you won’t get to see Mu Wuyin one last time,” Shen Zaiye smirked, looking down at her. “You heartless woman, weren’t you just talking about wanting to see him?”
Oh, right, the Crown Prince was to be executed today. Taohua finally opened her eyes fully, looking down at her clothes and touching the hairpin on her head. With an odd expression, she said, “You’re not letting him off even when he’s about to die? Are you planning to tell him the truth?”
“What else?” Shen Zaiye smiled. “One should at least die with a clear understanding.”
Taohua lowered her gaze and sighed. “You may have thick skin, my lord, but this concubine still feels some guilt. When we arrive, perhaps you could go in first to explain everything, and then I’ll bid the Crown Prince a final farewell.”
“Alright,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “You can wait in the courtyard of the Bureau of Forestry and Crafts then.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The weather was a bit chilly today, with the wind making clothes flutter. When Taohua alighted from the carriage, she wasn’t at all surprised to see Lady Li.
With the entire Crown Prince’s mansion confiscated and its inhabitants executed, Lady Li was naturally no exception. When she saw Taohua, her eyes first showed shock, then transformed into boundless hatred.
(End of Chapter)