With Mu Wuxia absent, Shen Zaiye controlled most court affairs, naturally causing some discontent.
Previously, Chu Shan and others thought Shen Zaiye was planning a rebellion against Mu Wuxia, so they hastily supported Mu Wuxia’s ascension. Now everyone realized – Shen Zaiye wasn’t trying to usurp the throne; he was supporting Mu Wuxia as emperor!
By the time they realized they’d fallen into a trap, the empire was settled and it was too late to change course. Chu Shan was furious – not only had he been used, but he’d been completely outmaneuvered! He thought Mu Wuxia was pure and kind, but he turned out to be in cahoots with someone like Shen Zaiye!
How could such a person rule the Great Wei empire?
So in recent days, a group of officials led by Mei Fengchang frequently visited the Grand Marshal’s mansion, seemingly plotting in secret.
This behavior was practically treating Shen Zaiye as a blind man. If these people hadn’t been eliminated before Mu Wuxia returned, the court would likely have fallen into chaos. Given the new emperor’s compassionate nature, he probably wouldn’t take harsh action. So it was better for Shen Zaiye to deal with these people in advance.
Xu Yangui could kill people, but dealing with so many was challenging. Fortunately, Qian Baimei had arrived. The next day, the entire capital was shrouded in bloody terror.
Shen Zaiye leisurely held Taohua in his arms, watching her carefully brew tea. He took a sip of the tea she prepared and said softly, “Make it a bit stronger.”
Taohua rolled her eyes and glanced at the gloomy sky outside. “My lord, my master is out there fighting for his life. Don’t you think you’re taking it too easy?”
“I’m fighting for my life too,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “I can barely taste anything anymore. Can’t you improve a little?”
Jiang Taohua: “…” She wanted to dump the teapot on his head.
“My lord!” A servant rushed in from outside, panicking. “A murderous fiend has entered the capital! The guards at the magistrate’s office and various mansions can’t stop him. Several officials have already been killed!”
“So formidable?” Shen Zaiye frowned, his face serious. “Life is more important than anything. Tell them to be careful.”
Was that all? The servant hadn’t quite processed it and looked up at him. “My lord, shouldn’t we deploy the imperial guards?”
“Imperial guards?” Shen Zaiye looked at him. “The imperial guards protect the palace. Now it’s just official residences in trouble. If we move the imperial guards and something happens in the palace, who will be responsible?”
Hearing this, the servant thought it made sense and turned to report back to those seeking help.
“How can the Chancellor watch people die without helping?” The servants from various official residences glared at him angrily. “Our masters are important court officials!”
“It’s not that the Chancellor won’t help,” the mansion servant said innocently. “Our lord is even more afraid. He’s hiding in his room and won’t come out. He just said the imperial guards must protect the palace’s safety. You should all go back.”
Everyone thought about it and realized it made sense. Chancellor Shen had done no fewer guilty deeds than those who were killed. He should indeed be more afraid now.
No one knew where this murderous fiend came from or what he looked like. Commoners in the capital began spreading rumors that he was a deity carrying out heavenly justice, specifically killing corrupt officials. Two of the Nine Ministers had already died in succession, prompting talented individuals to investigate the past deeds of the killed officials.
In the afternoon, Shen Zaiye heard news from outside: “Master, Mei Fengchang is dead.”
Taohua paused, thinking of Mei Zhaoxue, and instinctively glanced at Shen Zaiye. Shen Zaiye nodded, smiling. “It’s faster than I imagined.”
Even Zhan Lu was a bit dazed, standing still for a moment before saying, “Since last night until now, eight officials have been killed. He’s probably heading to the Grand Marshal’s mansion now.”
“Very good,” Shen Zaiye nodded, looking down at Taohua. “Many people in the mansion should go home to mourn. You can send them back.”
Nodding gently, Taohua stood up, giving him a deep look before turning to leave.
However, before she could take a step, her wrist was grabbed. Jiang Taohua was startled and turned back in confusion to see Shen Zaiye saying with some hesitation, “It’s not that I’m heartless. From the moment they entered the mansion, their fate was sealed to end like this.”
And her fate had been rewritten long ago; it couldn’t be the same as theirs.
Taohua was a bit surprised and looked at him amusedly. “Why is my lord explaining this to me?”
Slightly annoyed, Shen Zaiye let go of her hand and turned his head away. “Just saying. Go quickly, the mansion must be in chaos.”
“Alright.” Taohua nodded, smiling as she turned and headed to the courtyard with Qing Tai.
The mansion was indeed in chaos, with cries rising everywhere. Gu Huairou came up to her and handed her a list. “Five people in the household have had incidents. Apart from Mei Zhaoxue and Gu Qingying who are concubines, the rest are maids and bedwarmers. It won’t be too troublesome to send them out of the mansion.”
Taohua nodded, noticing her somewhat worried expression, and smiled. “You don’t need to worry. Lord Gu is sensible and considers the big picture. He certainly won’t be in trouble.”
Gu Huairou paused, coming to her senses and looking at her. “I’m not worried about that. I… never mind, some things can be said later when there’s a chance. The mansion is in chaos, madam should also be careful.”
Taohua blinked. For some reason, although Gu Huairou didn’t say it, she had a feeling – could it be that she had discovered Xu Yangui?
Before she could think further, someone suddenly threw themselves at her. Taohua instinctively raised her hand to block, and the person bounced off, falling seated in front of her.
“Madam!” Gu Qingying cried, her face a mess of tears. “Something has happened to my family!”
Looking down at her, Taohua thought to herself that she had previously advised her to persuade her father not to mix with Chu Shan and the others. She probably hadn’t taken it to heart, so now this situation had arisen. Who could she blame?
“If something has happened, you should go back and see,” she said. “A carriage is already prepared outside.”
Gu Qingying shook her head vigorously, grabbing her skirt. “I don’t want to leave! I truly know I was wrong. Only by helping our lord can we have good days ahead. I finally understand!”
What use is understanding so late? Taohua sighed, crouching down to pat her shoulder. “My condolences, but the lord has ordered to send you out. You can’t stay even if you want to.”
Eyes full of fear, Gu Qingying looked up at her. “If I leave here, will I still have a way to live?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Taohua smiled. “It just depends on how you want to live your life.”
Shen Zaiye wouldn’t bother to trouble women; he only wanted the lives of those few officials. As for the female relatives, his carriages were also given enough silver.
(End of Chapter)