The next day, Li Jin and Yang Wanqing arrived at the Prime Minister’s mansion.
Shen Zaiye had gone to the palace on business, leaving Taohua to entertain the guests. Following proper etiquette, Jiang Taohua completed all the customary rituals and, accompanied by several ladies from the inner courtyard, gave the two visitors a tour of the Prime Minister’s residence.
“This is truly a fine place,” Yang Wanqing smiled. “Better than the Prime Minister’s residence in Zhao.”
Li Jin remained silent, his eyes fixed on Taohua. She pretended not to notice and invited them into Zhengchun Pavilion for tea.
“I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately,” Li Jin said.
Jiang Taohua maintained her smile but looked at him seriously. “Unless it’s about diplomatic relations between our two countries, I’m not interested in hearing it.”
“Taohua,” he frowned. “I’ve thought long and hard before deciding to say these things.”
With several ladies following not far behind, Jiang Taohua’s mouth twitched, and she almost wanted to punch him. Seeing his determined expression, however, she decided to compromise. She gestured to those behind her, “Ladies, please go inside first.”
Yang Wanqing nodded and entered the main hall with the other women for tea. Taohua led Li Jin to the side and asked coldly, “What is it?”
“I thought about it all night,” Li Jin said with a furrowed brow. “Wanqing says I’m just upset about losing you, that’s why I care so much now. But… I truly still have feelings for you.”
“Oh,” Taohua nodded expressionlessly. “And then? You’ll take me away from here, give up your position as Prime Minister, and we’ll elope?”
Li Jin was taken aback and smiled bitterly. “You know that’s impossible.”
“So what’s the point of telling me all this?” Taohua said impatiently. “To prove how sincere you are and make me feel uncomfortable? When the outcome is already decided, sincerity is useless!”
“I…” Li Jin lowered his gaze, hesitating for a long time before saying, “I want you to be less hostile towards me. At least if one day I bring you the antidote, you’ll take it.”
“Antidote?” Taohua narrowed her eyes. “Yang Wanqing already gave it to me.”
“Not that antidote. That one only provides temporary relief, not a permanent cure,” Li Jin frowned. “The aphrodisiac curse in your body will only allow you to live for five years. Didn’t you know?”
Five years.
Taohua smiled, the autumn sunlight brushing across her face, making her eyes sparkle with charm. “Five years is quite a long time. I’m content with that.”
She and Madame Lü would never see eye to eye, and Madame Lü had never intended to give her the antidote. If there were still someone in this world who could cure the aphrodisiac curse, she wouldn’t be so eager to accomplish everything before her time ran out.
A woman’s life was short to begin with. She didn’t feel there was anything to regret or lament, much less rely on someone like Li Jin for salvation.
“Can’t you stop giving up on yourself so easily?” Li Jin’s eyes reddened, suddenly feeling powerless. He looked down at her and said, “Jiang Taohua, you’re not living just to fulfill someone else’s plans. You have your own life to live. There are so many beautiful landscapes you haven’t seen, delicacies you haven’t tasted. Don’t you think it’s cruel to so calmly accept the fact that you’re going to die?”
“No, I don’t,” Taohua shook her head. “What’s cruel about it?”
“It’s cruel to those who love you,” Li Jin gritted his teeth. “No matter how you see me, I will get that antidote for you. I won’t stand by and watch you lose your life!”
“Oh, thank you,” Taohua nodded and turned away. “As long as you bring it, I’ll take it. Don’t worry.”
She wasn’t stupid. If there was an antidote, no matter who gave it to her, she would take it without hesitation. Her own life was certainly more important than saving face.
Qingtai watched from the side. Seeing her mistress about to leave, she hurried to follow. But she couldn’t help looking back a couple of times.
She had only been by her mistress’s side for two years and didn’t know what her mistress and Prime Minister Li had been through before. But looking at the situation now, she felt that Prime Minister Li seemed somewhat pitiful.
This man had been so noble and lofty in Zhao, never even lowering his head to look at others. Yet now he had become so humble in front of her mistress. Perhaps he had committed too many wrongs and was now paying for them.
Li Jin stood watching Jiang Taohua enter the main hall, feeling a painful ache in his heart. He slowly crouched down, about to take a few breaths, when suddenly someone darted out from beside him and pulled him into a dark room.
“Don’t make a sound,” Xu Yangui pressed against Li Jin’s throat with a serious expression. “I have something to ask you.”
“Who are you?” Li Jin frowned, unable to see the other’s face clearly in the darkness.
“Never mind that. I won’t harm Jiang Taohua,” Xu Yangui said in a low voice. “You just said that Jiang Taohua only has five years left to live?”
Li Jin was stunned and fell silent. Not knowing who the other person was, it wasn’t appropriate to discuss such matters.
However, earlier there had been only Qingtai around them. How had this person overheard? Even Qingtai hadn’t noticed anyone nearby.
As he was thinking, he felt something cold press against his neck. Li Jin paused and frowned, “Even if you kill me, I won’t tell you anything if you don’t reveal who you are.”
Quite tough, aren’t you? Xu Yangui sneered and lifted the curtain by the window, revealing half his face in the light streaming in. “I’m from the Prime Minister’s residence. Is that enough to put your mind at ease?”
“You’re Prime Minister Shen’s man?”
“You could say that.”
Li Jin frowned, thinking for a moment before saying in a low voice, “In that case, I’d like to meet with Prime Minister Shen alone.”
Xu Yangui raised an eyebrow, considered for a moment, then grabbed Li Jin and left the mansion.
The people in the main hall paid no attention to where Li Jin had gone, continuing to chat about women’s topics.
Shen Zaiye, who had said he was going to the palace, was drinking tea at Fuyun Tower. When he saw Xu Yangui bring Li Jin over, he was somewhat surprised. “Prime Minister Li isn’t reminiscing about old times at the residence?”
“There’s not much worth reminiscing about,” Li Jin sat down next to him with a serious expression. “But I do have something I’d like to discuss clearly with Prime Minister Shen.”
Elegantly holding his teacup, Shen Zaiye turned his head to look at the distant mountain scenery outside the window. He spoke unhurriedly, “Prime Minister, please feel free to speak.”
“Prime Minister Shen’s previous difficulties with me were because of Taohua, weren’t they?”
Hearing this form of address, Shen Zaiye’s brow twitched slightly. He turned his head with a smile and said, “Taohua is her childhood name. Now that she’s married, it would be more appropriate for the Prime Minister to refer to her as Madame Jiang.”
Li Jin laughed bitterly in anger, “Madame Jiang it is then. Judging by Prime Minister Shen’s words and actions, you must care for her deeply, right?”
“Naturally,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “After all, she is my legal wife.”
“If that’s the case, then Prime Minister Shen surely won’t stand idly by regarding Madame Jiang’s life and death,” Li Jin stood up, lifted his robe, and knelt directly before the seated man. “I have a request to make of you.”
Startled by this sudden grand gesture, Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “We can discuss this properly. There’s no need for Prime Minister Li to act like this.”
Xu Yangui frowned, standing to the side, wanting to intervene but also not wanting to, his face scrunched up in conflict.
He had been keeping the news of Jiang Taohua’s poisoning from Shen Zaiye, as there was no benefit in revealing it. But after hearing Li Jin’s words today, he felt that if Shen Zaiye remained completely unaware and Jiang Taohua suddenly passed away in five years, it would be too cruel for him. It might be better to know in advance and be prepared.
However, what if knowing about it but being unable to do anything would only make Shen Zaiye despair?
While he was hesitating, Li Jin had already started speaking, “Madame Jiang has been harmed by Empress Lü of Zhao. She’s been poisoned and can only sustain her life with medication, being controlled by the Empress. If the poison isn’t completely cured within five years, Madame Jiang’s life will be in danger!”
Shen Zaiye’s pupils contracted slightly as he narrowed his eyes in thought. He asked, “When the poison flares up, does it cause her to writhe in pain?”
“Yes,” Li Jin gritted his teeth. “It’s as if thousands of ants are gnawing at her heart.”
Shen Zaiye fell silent, his eyelids lowering, the emotion in his eyes no longer visible, his face expressionless.
Li Jin had expected him to be heartbroken, or at least show some concern. He didn’t expect such a reaction. He immediately frowned, “Prime Minister Shen? Aren’t you worried?”
“What makes you think I’m not?” Shen Zaiye asked calmly.
How can you ask that? There’s not the slightest sign of concern! Li Jin stood up, frowning, “This is a matter of Madame Jiang’s life. Do you think I would lie about something like this? If you don’t believe me, you can ask Qingtai. She surely knows how much her mistress suffers when the poison flares up each month! As her husband, and someone who cares for her so much, how can you show no reaction?”
Shen Zaiye chuckled lightly, “Just tell me how to save her.”
Originally, Li Jin had intended to seek help from Shen Zaiye, given his position as Prime Minister of Wei and his extensive power and resources. However, seeing his attitude, Li Jin hesitated, “If I tell you, will you save her?”
“That depends on the method,” Shen Zaiye said. “If it’s beyond my capabilities, naturally, I won’t be able to help.”
What a cold-blooded person! Li Jin gritted his teeth and, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “The antidote is with Madame Lü, but she won’t give it up easily. Especially now that Madame Jiang poses a threat to her, she might use the antidote to threaten Madame Jiang at any time. I’ve tried many methods but haven’t succeeded.”
Jiang Taohua was now a significant bargaining chip in Madame Lü’s hands, so naturally, she wouldn’t let go easily. Shen Zaiye pondered for a moment and nodded, “I see.”
Is that all? Li Jin could barely contain his anger, “I’m telling you this because I want your help, not just to inform you!”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “Why is the Prime Minister so agitated?”
“Because I can’t see any genuine concern for Madame Jiang in you!” Li Jin said angrily. “If you truly cared for her, liked her, shouldn’t you be anxious? Shouldn’t you be asking me more about the poison? But you’ve said nothing, acting as if it doesn’t concern you. I can’t help but wonder if you and Madame Jiang are merely putting on an act?”
What use is there in being anxious? What’s the point of asking unnecessary questions? Shen Zaiye smiled slightly, lowered his gaze, and continued drinking his tea. “Whether Prime Minister Li doubts me or not, I don’t care in the slightest.”
(End of Chapter)