Jiang Taohua was confused about preparing makeup in addition to gifts. Xu Yangui looked innocent as Jiang Taohua moved closer with an eerily wide smile.
The next morning, Shen Zaiye still hadn’t returned. Jiang Taohua had Qingtai prepare a carriage and gifts early. After receiving greetings from everyone, she left Zhengchun Pavilion with her entourage.
Gu Qingying watched curiously from behind, asking, “Where is she going now?”
Qin Huaiyu yawned and replied, “We should just go back to sleep after paying our respects. Who cares what she’s doing? Maybe she misses the master and is looking for an excuse to find him.”
That seemed plausible. Gu Qingying nodded and dispersed with the others, each returning to their courtyards.
Guards had appeared at the mansion gate at some point, unnoticed by those inside. They assumed it was for protection due to recent rebel activity near the capital. However, when Taohua and her group tried to leave, they were stopped.
“The Prime Minister ordered that no one is to leave the residence,” said a 15 or 16-year-old boy in armor, bowing to her. “Please return, madam.”
Curious about such a young guard, Taohua first asked, “Whose child are you?”
The boy struggled a bit, nervously replying, “I’m General Pang’s adopted son, Pang Zhanfei!”
General Pang? Taohua carefully recalled seeing that name in many places – the Crown Prince’s study, Shen Zaiye’s study. He seemed to be a high-ranking military commander. His adopted son was guarding the Prime Minister’s gate?
Feeling slightly tense, Taohua pulled Pang Zhanfei aside, whispered something, then pointed at someone behind her, asking, “Do you understand?”
Pang Zhanfei was stunned, looking up at the heavily made-up “lady” behind her. He nodded dumbly.
Xu Yangui, wearing a woman’s headdress, said expressionlessly, “To say I look like you – the child isn’t blind.”
Taohua turned and scolded seriously, “You’re being too unconfident! At least show some authority as the mistress of the Prime Minister’s residence!”
Looking at his face in a bronze mirror, Xu Yangui was distraught. “Alright, let me go.”
Pang Zhanfei finally came to his senses, clearing his throat. “As long as the madam doesn’t leave, others can go out. Please proceed.”
“Have a safe journey,” Taohua immediately switched to a smiling face, looking at Xu Yangui with concern. “Be careful, okay?”
Xu Yangui reluctantly bowed, picked up the long skirts, and covered his face with a fan. Imitating Jiang Taohua’s demeanor, he gracefully boarded the carriage.
Taohua and Qingtai hid in the gatehouse, with Pang Zhanfei’s help concealing them completely. She wanted to see what would happen when Xu Yangui left.
The situation in the palace was tense. The emperor had wanted to issue an edict to attack Zhao the previous night, but Shen Zaiye had forcefully stopped him. Now the monarch and minister were at odds, neither willing to yield.
Concubine Lan looked haggard as she gently poured tea, glancing at the two men still arguing in the outer hall.
“I understand, you’re just being protective,” Emperor Mingde’s face was red with anger. “Wu can be attacked, but Zhao can’t be touched? I don’t believe a word of your reasons. You’re simply blinded by personal feelings!”
“Your Majesty,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “Attacking Zhao is not only unwise but also unjust!”
“Since when do you care about righteousness?” The emperor sneered. “Fine then, hand over Madame Jiang. I’ll kill her, and then I’ll listen to you about not attacking Zhao!”
“Your Majesty!” Shen Zaiye rubbed his forehead. “For the sake of the empire, why involve an innocent woman?”
Emperor Mingde sneered, fingering the prayer beads in his hand and glancing sideways at the person next to him.
Shen Zaiye sensed something was amiss and his expression became alert. “Your Majesty, what are you planning?”
“I hear you’ve fortified the Prime Minister’s residence,” Emperor Mingde said with a cold smile. “It seems Madame Jiang is truly important to you. I’ve trusted you for many years, and you wield considerable power. Only now do I truly feel what it means to nurture a tiger that may turn on me?”
In the past, no one dared say no to his edicts. But this order to attack Zhao couldn’t be issued. Upon investigation, he found that Shen Zaiye controlled much of the court, and even people around the emperor were infiltrated by his influence.
This was too dangerous. He had to do something to regain control. Even if Shen Zaiye had no intention of rebelling, he had to guard against it. Jiang Taohua was an excellent bargaining chip.
Shen Zaiye’s expression changed slightly. He lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully. “I have served Your Majesty loyally for many years. I never imagined there would come a day when Your Majesty would view me as a threat.”
“That’s not what I meant,” the emperor said with a penetrating gaze. “But you need to do something to reassure me.”
“What can this subject do?” Shen Zaiye asked calmly. “Whatever Your Majesty commands, I will do.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes, about to speak when a young eunuch entered and whispered something in his ear. After listening, Emperor Mingde’s expression lightened, and he smiled. “Madame Jiang has entered the palace. Since you want to prove your loyalty, I’ll have her brought here.”
Jiang Taohua entered the palace.
Shen Zaiye’s face immediately darkened, and he instinctively glanced at Concubine Lan in the inner hall. Lu Zhilan was quietly brewing tea, her lips pale and eyes downcast, not noticing what was happening outside.
“Are you afraid, Prime Minister?” Emperor Mingde observed Shen Zaiye’s expression. “Afraid I might do something to her?”
“Your Majesty is benevolent,” Shen Zaiye lowered his head. “You certainly wouldn’t harm an innocent person.”
“If my words still carried weight and those around me still obeyed, then she would be innocent,” Emperor Mingde said calmly. “Do you understand my meaning?”
The implication was clear – he would spare Jiang Taohua only if the edict to attack Zhao could be issued.
The arrow was on the string; it had to be released!
Footsteps approached from outside. Shen Zaiye took a deep breath and turned to look, his face grave. When his gaze fell on the person’s face, his whole body trembled.
Xu Yangui, with lips red as blood, entered and grinned at the emperor. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Mingde was shocked, staring at him for a long time. “How did the princess become so plump in just a few days?”
“In response to Your Majesty, this concubine isn’t plump, just muscular,” Xu Yangui had given up all pretense, flexing his arm muscles. “After all, I grew up practicing martial arts.”
Shen Zaiye: “…”
Lu Zhilan: “…”
The emperor usually didn’t look at people directly and couldn’t remember Jiang Taohua’s appearance. But seeing this, he could tell it was a man. His face immediately darkened. “How dare you! Who are you?”
The imperial guards instantly rushed in, all pointing their swords at Xu Yangui’s neck.
However, such a display would only frighten women. Although Master Xu was afraid of Jiang Taohua, he was not inferior in martial arts. He immediately broke free, leaped onto the roof beam, and called down, “I was just passing by and somehow got caught here. You all keep talking. I’m leaving.”
With that, he disappeared outside the palace hall while everyone was still in shock.
Shen Zaiye remained silent throughout, but Emperor Mingde was both shocked and frightened. He immediately ordered the capture of the assassin.
“To think the Prime Minister’s residence would harbor such an assassin. Prime Minister, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
Coming to his senses, Shen Zaiye smiled, his eyes deep as he looked at the emperor. “How can you be sure that person was from my residence? I’ve ordered everyone in the mansion not to leave. How did he come to the palace?”
If it had been Jiang Taohua today, wouldn’t she have become a bargaining chip in the emperor’s hands to threaten him?
The emperor paused, frowning. “The palace staff said she came to pay respects to the Empress.”
“Madame Jiang has never met the Empress, and Her Majesty is still ill. How could she be so inconsiderate as to insist on paying respects?” Shen Zaiye smiled and stood up, looking at Lu Zhilan. “Perhaps the Consort should pour some tea for Your Majesty first. We can discuss the rest later.”
Emperor Mingde lowered his eyes, his eyeballs moving slightly, clearly still thinking of how to refute him.
Concubine Lan pressed her lips together, kneeling beside the emperor’s couch. She carefully poured him a cup of tea, offering it with both hands. “Your Majesty, please.”
The emperor took it without suspicion and took a sip. He looked up to tell her to rise but saw that she was in tears.
“Lan’er, what’s wrong?” His heart tightened, and he put down the teacup to pull her up, quickly comforting her. “I’m just disagreeing with the Prime Minister. It’s about matters, not people. Don’t be afraid.”
Lu Zhilan choked back sobs, sitting beside Emperor Mingde and looking at him, tears streaming down her face. “This concubine has wronged Your Majesty.”
Shen Zaiye silently stood up, dismissing all the palace servants from the great hall, leaving only his trusted men guarding the door.
Emperor Mingde’s attention was still on Concubine Lan. He asked in confusion, “How have you wronged me?”
“This concubine has been in the palace for over two years,” Lu Zhilan bit her lip, twisting the handkerchief in her hand. “But my heart still belongs to another.”
The emperor trembled slightly, frowning. There was disgust and dissatisfaction in his eyes, but after looking at her for a while, he said, “I’ve known all along that there was someone in your heart. I just didn’t say anything. Given time, you’ll forget him.”
Lu Zhilan shook her head repeatedly, throwing herself into the emperor’s arms and sobbing loudly. “This concubine can’t forget…”
“Lan’er.” The emperor’s face darkened. “Have I not treated you well enough? Why are you suddenly saying such things?”
Lu Zhilan didn’t answer, just continuing to cry loudly. The emperor felt distressed and was about to wipe her tears with a handkerchief when suddenly his vision blurred. His head felt heavy, and his body suddenly tilted to the side.
“Your Majesty!” Concubine Lan cried even harder, holding his head as they both fell onto the soft couch.
“Why do I suddenly feel so drowsy?” With his mind in darkness, Emperor Mingde said weakly, “Lan’er, hold my hand…”
(End of Chapter)