Being the mistress of the household was quite enjoyable. In this mansion, Taohua was second only to Shen Zaiye in authority, able to walk around freely without concern. However, responsibilities had also increased, with stacks of account books piling up on her desk.
“Ah,” Taohua sighed while flipping through the accounts. “Fortune and misfortune are indeed intertwined. Mei Zhaoxue must have had it tough before, having to review so many documents. No wonder she hardly had the energy to linger around Shen Zaiye.”
Qingtai’s face fell. “Does this mean you’ll end up like her in the future?”
“Why should I follow her example?” Taohua sorted out a few ledgers and handed them to Qingtai. “Give the servants’ monthly allowance accounts to Miss Gu.”
Qingtai was taken aback. “My lady, are you delegating authority?”
“Would you rather I work myself to death?” Taohua raised an eyebrow. “Everyone has their strengths. Division of labor naturally works better. Madam Gu must be bored staying in Wenqing Pavilion lately, and there are bound to be some servants who look down on others. Giving her this to manage will benefit her.”
Qingtai nodded, somewhat understanding. As she took the ledgers, Taohua picked up another book. “This is the kitchen’s purchasing account. Give it to Miss Nangong.”
Nangong Qin didn’t talk much, but she was reliable. With a small incentive, she could do a good job.
“Then who will you give the household expense accounts to?” Qingtai asked worriedly.
Taohua hugged that ledger tightly, smiling. “Don’t be silly. No matter how much I delegate, I can’t give away the most fundamental power. Otherwise, wouldn’t just anyone be able to manipulate this position of mistress? Those in power should know how to use people, but the most important leverage must remain in one’s own hands.”
“I understand now!” Qingtai nodded and headed for the door with the ledgers.
She nearly bumped into Shen Zaiye, who was standing outside.
“My lord!” Startled, Qingtai quickly called inside.
Taohua raised an eyebrow, put down the ledger, and went out to greet them. She saw Shen Zaiye enter with Mu Wuxia.
“What brings the Prince of Nan here today?” Her eyes brightened as she quickly moved chairs for them to sit, smiling as she asked.
Mu Wuxia looked her up and down, then sighed lightly. “I heard from the Prime Minister that he made you the official wife, so I came specially to see you.”
Shen Zaiye, left without a chair, coughed, looking displeased.
Taohua paused, hurriedly bringing a chair for Shen Zaiye as well. She then sat down respectfully beside them and said, “It’s thanks to my lord’s grace. I heard Your Highness has also been granted the title of qin wang. Congratulations.”
Mu Wuxia nodded, his eyes showing a hint of delight. “The envoys from Zhao are about to arrive in the capital. This time, Father Emperor has ordered me to welcome them at the city gate. The list of envoys has also been issued. This is my first assignment after being granted the title of qin wang, so I wanted to ask you if there are any differences between Zhao’s etiquette and Great Wei’s.”
“There certainly are,” Taohua nodded. “In Zhao, men and women are equal. Lower-ranking men even have to pay great respect to higher-ranking women. Therefore, if there are female envoys among the visitors, they should be treated with special courtesy.”
Mu Wuxia was startled. He looked at her, then at Shen Zaiye. “In that case… if this were in Zhao, how would people react if the Prime Minister treated you as he did before?”
Shen Zaiye’s face darkened, his brow furrowing slightly. Taohua, however, laughed lightly. “Nothing would happen, because my status in Zhao is not high. I would still have to pay respects if I met Zhao’s Prime Minister.”
A princess bowing to an official? Mu Wuxia couldn’t comprehend this. He was about to ask more when Shen Zaiye interrupted, “Are there any women among the envoys?”
“There seems to be one,” Mu Wuxia said. “In the list of envoys I just received, there’s someone named Yang Wanqing, said to be a female official.”
Yang Wanqing? Taohua was startled, then shuddered.
“Do you know her?” Shen Zaiye asked.
Taohua gave a dry laugh and nodded. “I think I do. She’s someone who verbally denies it but secretly wants to be my shimu.”
Oh, shimu. Shen Zaiye nodded, turning to continue speaking with Mu Wuxia. But something flashed in his mind, and he suddenly realized.
Shimu?
“Your shifu… is a man?” He narrowed his eyes.
Taohua nodded. “Yes.”
“…The shifu who taught you the art of seduction?”
“Yes.”
Shen Zaiye fell silent. His eyes suddenly seemed to contain daggers, scanning her face and moving downward, making Taohua’s hair stand on end. “What’s wrong?”
The person who taught her seduction techniques was a man, and she was asking what was wrong. Shen Zaiye’s expression darkened, but with the Prince of Nan present, he could only lower his eyes and say, “Nothing.”
Mu Wuxia, still not well-versed in matters between men and women, found Shen Zaiye’s behavior odd but couldn’t quite understand why. He pulled out a scroll from his sleeve and said, “Apart from this Yang Wanqing, there don’t seem to be any other female officials. I’ve heard that Zhao has already named the Emperor’s eldest daughter as the Crown Princess, so Great Wei should also send some congratulatory gifts. Sister Jiang, what does the Crown Princess of your country prefer?”
At the mention of Jiang Suhe, Taohua was silent for a moment before replying, “She favors gold, silver, and jewels. Anything lavish and valuable, she would like.”
Glancing at her expression, Shen Zaiye frowned slightly. Earlier, Xu Yangui had mentioned the Zhao royal family’s affairs. It seemed her husband had been taken by Zhao’s Crown Princess, and apparently, she still hadn’t gotten over it.
What kind of man could make her so unable to let go?
“In that case, I can go back and prepare properly,” Mu Wuxia smiled, looking at Taohua. “When the Zhao envoys enter the palace, we’ll meet again at the banquet.”
“Alright,” Taohua nodded, smiling as she came back to herself. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly ran into the inner room and brought something out.
“The weather is getting cooler. Your Highness can use this cloak,” she said, handing over the item with a gentle gaze. “The fox fur collar can be detached. It’s just tied on with ribbons. It might be too warm to use now, but you can fasten it back on when winter comes.”
Mu Wuxia was surprised, his eyes sparkling as he accepted it. “Thank you.”
“Your Highness is too kind,” Taohua said with a motherly expression. “Please take care of your health.”
Nodding obediently, Mu Wuxia sighed, “I used to say you were like my sister, but now you don’t seem like her at all. My imperial sister would never do needlework.”
Imperial sister? Taohua paused, instinctively glancing at Shen Zaiye beside her. Pretending to know nothing, she smiled and said, “Everyone has their strengths. I’m sure the princess was very good to Your Highness in her way.”
A nostalgic look appeared in Mu Wuxia’s eyes as he stroked the fox fur on the cloak, murmuring, “Yes, but beautiful women are destined for short lives.”
Shen Zaiye frowned, gently placing his hand on the Prince of Nan’s shoulder. He said softly, “The dead cannot be brought back. Your Highness should look to the future. Since you still have much to do, I’ll have someone escort you back to your residence.”
Mu Wuxia nodded, smiled at Taohua, and left with the cloak. Shen Zaiye only saw him to the door. As soon as Mu Wuxia got into the carriage, Shen Zaiye strode back, grabbing Taohua and heading to Zhengchun Pavilion.
“I feel like my lord might have misunderstood something,” Taohua said seriously as she dangled in his grip. “I can explain!”
Shen Zaiye snorted coldly, crossing the threshold into the main room and closing the door. He narrowed his eyes and pressed her against the door. “Men can also practice the art of seduction?”
“Yes,” Taohua smiled placatingly. “In all of Zhao, my shifu’s skills in seduction are the highest. It’s just a pity he’s a man, so he can’t reach what he calls the highest realm. But he’s quite formidable. All the women in Zhao, except for Jiang Suhe and the new empress, adore him.”
Shen Zaiye gave a cold laugh. “I don’t care how many people like him. What I want to know now is how he taught you. Was it through words or… physical demonstration?”
Swallowing hard, Taohua carefully eyed him and asked, “Is this important?”
“It is,” Shen Zaiye nodded.
After her eyes darted around for a while, Taohua said without much conviction, “Mostly through words, I suppose.”
Mostly.
Shen Zaiye reached out and gripped her slender waist, pushing her back onto the bed and biting down.
“Ah!” Taohua cried, torn between laughter and tears. She struggled, “My lord, your teeth are too sharp! Be gentle!”
Leaving a mark on her collarbone, Shen Zaiye grunted, his eyes filled with deep emotion. “Did you like him too?”
“No, no, no,” Taohua shook her head. “My feelings for him are just a disciple’s respect for her master!”
Although… she didn’t respect him that much. But given the current dire situation, she’d better say something nice.
He pulled open her outer robe, loosened her sash, and her clothes fell open like a blooming lotus. Taohua looked at the daylight outside in shock and quickly covered herself. “My lord, it’s still broad daylight!”
“Daylight?” Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes, got up, and pulled all the thick curtains in the room closed. Darkness immediately enveloped them. “Is it still daylight now?”
Jiang Taohua: “…” Whatever makes you happy.
His burning skin pressed against hers, making her shiver. As their bodies intertwined, Shen Zaiye was unlike his usual calm and gentle self. He was more like a lion in heat, leaving numerous bite marks on her body and shamelessly forcing her to call his name.
“Shen Zaiye!” she cried out.
The man above her was extremely dissatisfied. His dangerous breath fanned across her ear as he said lowly, “Call me more gently.”
Tears streamed down Taohua’s face. She couldn’t overpower him and could only submit to his ravishing. Aggrieved, she whimpered, “Shen Zaiye.”
“Drop the surname.”
Her face reddened, the blush spreading from her neck to her entire body. Taohua gritted her teeth desperately, “Can we use a different form of address?”
This was far too mushy and completely unlike his usual style. Could it be that men were entirely different creatures in and out of bed?
“What do you call your shifu?”
“What else would I call him?” Taohua rolled her eyes irritably. “I just call him Shifu.”
“Then,” Shen Zaiye’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar light, “let me hear you call me ‘husband’.”
“…”
Taohua felt that men who appeared more proper on the surface were more beastly inside. Just listen to these unreasonable demands! She’d be damned if she called him that!
However, when Qingtai returned after delivering the account books, she found the main room bolted from the inside. She could faintly hear her mistress’s voice, tinged with tears: “I’ll say it, I’ll say it, okay? Just stop!”
Standing dumbfounded at the door, it wasn’t until she heard a “husband” that Qingtai reacted. Her face exploded into a bright red, and she quickly hid to the side.
Zhanlu looked at her calmly, reaching out to hand her two cotton balls. With tacit understanding, they said nothing, plugged their ears, and stood guard nearby.
After this bout of lovemaking, the sky had darkened. Shen Zaiye carried Taohua to the bathhouse behind Linwu Court. He glanced sideways at the teary-eyed girl and said coldly, “Will you dare to argue with me again?”
“I won’t,” Taohua pitifully hugged her arms, looking down at the bite marks all over her body. She pouted, about to cry, “Were you born in the year of the dog?”
Snorting a laugh, Shen Zaiye reached out to pull her over, taking some ointment from beside the bath and carefully applying it to her. “I was born in the year of the dragon.”
I’ve never seen a dragon with such sharp teeth! Taohua glared at his muscular arms, her eyes rolling as she seriously considered whether to bite him back.
“What, not convinced?” Seeing her expression, Shen Zaiye was generous, extending his arm in front of her. “Here, take your revenge.”
Did he think she wouldn’t dare? Taohua bared her teeth, revealing a row of white teeth, and chomped down hard.
Shen Zaiye’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t make a sound. He quietly waited for the little rabbit to finish biting, then retracted his arm, wiped away the blood, and calmly said, “Quite vicious.”
“You’re even more vicious!” The little rabbit, afraid he might retaliate, backed away while pointing at the marks on her body. “Look, they’re everywhere!”
Red marks covered her entire body. Seeing this, Shen Zaiye’s mood improved somewhat. He snorted lightly, pulled her back, washed her clean, applied medicine, and then carried her back to the main room.
“Sleep well,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll go with the Prince of Nan to arrange the reception etiquette for the envoys. You’ll be able to see the people from Zhao the day after tomorrow at the latest. When the time comes, look at the list and tell me who you want to meet. I’ll arrange for them to be invited.”
All her discontent vanished instantly upon hearing this. Taohua blinked, “Really?”
“When have I ever lied to you?”
“That’s wonderful!” Counting the days on her fingers, she realized there was still time. Taohua gratefully hugged Shen Zaiye’s leg. “My lord is truly the kindest person in the world!”
Snorting lightly, Shen Zaiye looked at her askance. “You look tired. Sleep here. I’ll come after reviewing some official documents.”
“Alright,” Taohua nodded, indeed yawning, and closed her eyes wrapped in the blanket.
Seeing that she couldn’t see him, Shen Zaiye smiled, put on his robe, and walked to the study. He picked up the newly placed list of names.
“This is the list of envoys copied from the Prince of Nan,” Xu Yangui appeared from somewhere, his expression complex. “You should take a look first.”
Not noticing his expression, Shen Zaiye reached out and unrolled the long scroll.
Although Zhao was in decline, they still maintained appearances well. This time coming to Great Wei, they not only brought many national gifts but also had over a hundred people in their entourage. The names were densely packed, along with introductions of their identities, making Shen Zaiye very impatient. He almost wanted to close it directly.
However, from the corner of his eye, he caught a familiar name.
Li Jin, Prime Minister of Zhao.
His gaze darkened, and Shen Zaiye looked up at Xu Yangui. “The Li Jin you mentioned, could it be…”
“It’s this person,” Xu Yan’gui replied gravely.
(End of the Chapter)