Shen Zaiye gave Taohua a displeased look before taking out the medicine. He accepted the water from Qing Tai and made her swallow it. Then he said, “Their business is none of your concern. We’re just resting here.”
Squinting her eyes and rubbing her chin, Taohua said, “Don’t be so cold, my lord. The journey is dull, and we’ve finally encountered something interesting. Why don’t we make a bet?”
“What kind of bet?” Shen Zaiye reluctantly agreed.
“Let’s bet on the Crown Prince’s feelings for Li Shi,” Taohua grinned. “The loser gives ten taels of silver.”
Snorting in annoyance, Shen Zaiye said, “It’s bad enough you’re meddling in others’ affairs, but can’t we bet on something more interesting? What use is ten taels of silver?”
“It’s just a small bet for fun,” Taohua pouted. “Then how about we bet on a request? One that must be fulfilled if agreed upon.”
“Fine,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “What do you think the Crown Prince’s feelings for Li Shi are?”
Taohua narrowed her eyes and said, “He likes her.”
“Then I’ll bet he doesn’t,” Shen Zaiye replied. “The Crown Prince and Li Shi have been together for so many years. It’s not about liking or disliking anymore; it’s probably just habit. He can’t leave her, but he might not have truly taken her to heart.”
Men understand men best. Judging from how deeply Mu Wuyin had once cared for Taohua, it was clear his heart had been empty. Once filled with thoughts of Taohua, there was no room left for Li Shi.
Taohua’s eyes darted around mischievously like a little mouse, and she smiled slyly, “Then it’s settled. We have nothing else to do these two days, so we can observe them.”
“You don’t take yourself seriously,” Shen Zaiye picked her up and tucked her into bed, covering her with a blanket. “Wait until you’ve rested and your stomach doesn’t hurt anymore before we discuss this!”
Blinking, Taohua obediently lay down to rest.
She only had ten pills left in her bottle, and she didn’t know what fate awaited this child. If she didn’t let it experience the world while still alive, how could she face it in the afterlife if it blamed her?
Shen Zaiye’s guess wasn’t wrong. Li Shi had been by Mu Wuyin’s side for many years without much intimacy. Even on their wedding night, her nervousness had displeased him, and he never favored her again after that.
To Mu Wuyin, Li Shi was someone who managed the household, not his wife. Her family’s influence could help him, but he didn’t like her as a person. Compared to such a rigid and strict woman, any man would prefer someone charming and lovable like Jiang Taohua. At the time, Mu Wuyin had thought about replacing Li Shi with Taohua if given the chance.
However, after all the glory faded, the only one left by his side was Li Shi.
Mu Wuyin found it strange. He was so reluctant to accept this fate, yet why didn’t Li Shi complain at all? She willingly followed him into seclusion, living a simple life and tirelessly taking care of him.
Unable to understand and have lost trust in women, Mu Wuyin, feeling completely insecure, continued down a path of mischief. He treated Li Shi coldly and even brought other women home, just to see when she would finally leave.
This behavior was childish, unreasonable, and self-destructive. Yet, ironically, men like Mu Wuyin often encounter women who would sacrifice everything for them without complaint, and Li Shi was such a person.
So, in half a year of this willing giver and taker relationship, Li Shi aged, becoming the woman Jiang Taohua and the others now saw.
Mu Wuyin wasn’t completely heartless. Seeing her like this, he was moved. He dismissed the concubines he had brought into the household, intending to live peacefully with Li Shi alone. It was at this time that Li Shi saw a glimmer of hope, feeling that her patience had finally paid off.
But just then, Jiang Taohua appeared again.
Sitting in front of the mirror, looking at her face, Li Shi smiled bitterly. She was only in her twenties, yet her appearance had already become so haggard. How could she think she could still keep her husband’s heart? She had hoped to hold on for a while longer, but now…
She got up and went out to check. Mu Wuyin’s room was empty. Li Shi pressed her lips together and walked a few steps outside, indeed finding him in Jiang Taohua’s courtyard.
“Are you feeling better?” Mu Wuyin asked Taohua.
Taohua nodded, “Thank you, Crown Prince.”
“I’m no longer a crown prince,” Mu Wuyin smiled lightly. “You should just call me Master Mu.”
Nodding, Taohua caught sight of Li Shi from the corner of her eye. She was about to wave her over to talk but saw Li shi turn and leave immediately.
“Eh?” Her hand froze in mid-air. Taohua blinked and looked at Mu Wuyin.
Mu Wuyin had also seen Li Shi. He just frowned slightly, thinking that she had never liked Taohua much, so it was normal for her to avoid them. He didn’t dwell on it.
“Master Mu, sitting here today, I have something I want to ask,” Taohua said, watching Li Shi’s retreating figure curiously. “Do you like your wife?”
Hm? Slightly startled, Mu Wuyin hadn’t expected this question. He frowned, thinking for a while before saying, “We’ve been married for so many years. How can we talk about liking or disliking?”
“Let me ask differently,” Taohua sat up straight. “Do you care about her feelings?”
Caring about her feelings? Mu Wuyin asked, “If I care, does that mean I like her?”
Taohua nodded.
Mu Wuyin frowned and looked away. “Then I suppose I do like her. Why are you asking this?”
Cheering excitedly, Taohua immediately turned back to the room and called out, “My lord, you lost!”
Shen Zaiye came out in response, giving Mu Wuyin a surprised look before walking to Taohua’s side. “You’re cheating. How can you judge like this? You care about Qing Tai’s feelings too, does that mean you like her?”
Blinking, Taohua turned back to Mu Wuyin. “Do you not know if you like someone or not?”
Mu Wuyin was stunned for a while, then realized these two had been betting on him. He shook his head, both amused and exasperated. “I don’t know, because she’s been by my side for so long.”
When you’ve been together for a long time, feelings can easily become blurred. Besides, does it matter whether you know or not? Life goes on just the same.
Thinking it over, Taohua turned back and started to truly cheat. “We didn’t specify it had to be romantic love in the bet. This should count as my lord’s loss!”
“Alright, alright,” Shen Zaiye sighed. “I’ll concede this time, okay?”
To think that even Shen Zaiye, the Prime Minister of Wei, would concede to someone. Mu Wuyin watched in amazement. Perhaps love really could change a person.
Then, with Li Shi having changed so much now, could it be because she truly loved him?
(End of Chapter)