“Yes, sir,” Zhanlu responded, setting out blank memorials and preparing ink and brushes. Shen Zaiye began writing at a leisurely pace.
Prince Jing and Prince Yu had always maintained a facade of friendship. As the person with influence second only to Prince Jing, Prince Yu wouldn’t willingly hand over the throne. Given the opportunity, he would certainly try to bring Prince Jing down.
Jiang Taohua had given Prince Yu this chance today. Tomorrow, when news reached the palace, the Emperor would surely be furious. After that, it would depend on Prince Yu’s abilities.
As for himself, Shen Zaiye had a grand gift prepared, waiting for Prince Jing.
In the current court, the Emperor, due to his favoritism towards Concubine Lan, was not as diligent in state affairs as before. Instead, he gradually distributed power among several princes. Though the Crown Prince was not yet determined, the Emperor’s heart favored Prince Jing. Prince Jing, confident in his father’s preference, had been waiting, expecting to ascend the throne after the Emperor’s passing in a decade or so.
However, now there was trouble.
A noble prince not only gambled in broad daylight but also owed the casino 200,000 taels of silver.
“200,000 taels!” A teacup shattered at his feet, causing Prince Jing to step back before steeling himself to stand on the broken porcelain. He bowed his head, saying, “Father, please calm your anger!”
Emperor Mingde’s face flushed red with anger as he slammed his hand on the desk. “How can I calm down? 200,000 taels of silver are enough to feed and clothe our border troops for an entire year, yet you carelessly threw it into a casino. How will the court officials view you? How will the common people see you?”
Prince Jing was also furious, unable to understand how he had ended up gambling. Thinking it over, he still felt it was the beauty’s fault. If not for that girl, he wouldn’t have…
But even with her presence, how could he have been so foolish?
Slapping himself, Prince Jing knelt directly, ignoring the tea and shards on the ground. He kowtowed repeatedly, saying, “Your son knows he has committed a grave error, unforgivable. I only ask that Father Emperor take care of his health and not be so angry. The imperial physician said your body…”
“My health is none of your concern!” Emperor Mingde said hatefully. “Go back to your residence and reflect. You are not allowed to attend morning court for a month!”
“…Your son thanks Father Emperor.”
Leaving the Imperial Study, Prince Jing was drenched in sweat, needing support from his attendant to walk steadily. As he was about to leave, he saw Prince Heng, Mu Wugu, approaching.
After exchanging deep glances, Prince Jing didn’t intend to say much. They smiled at each other, bowed, and exchanged pleasantries before Prince Heng entered the Imperial Study.
“Such a Prince Heng,” Mu Wuyin continued walking, gritting his teeth and muttering, “Earlier when Chancellor Shen said he had ambitions, I didn’t believe it. Now I realize this wolf in rabbit’s clothing truly knows how to bite!”
“Speaking of Chancellor Shen, do you want to meet him?” the attendant asked softly. “I heard he submitted a memorial to the Emperor during today’s morning court and sent someone to request an audience with you after you leave the palace.”
Shen Zaiye? Mu Wuyin perked up. “Of course, we must meet. At his residence?”
“The Chancellor said he would wait respectfully at the palace gate.”
“Let’s go quickly!”
Shen Zaiye was someone Prince Jing had long wanted to win over. Previously, he had sent a beauty to him, not realizing he had mistakenly captured a Zhao princess, causing trouble. Fortunately, Shen was magnanimous and not only didn’t hold a grudge but also took the blame for him.
If he could completely win over such a person, how could he not secure the Eastern Palace?
Outside the palace gates, the Chancellor’s carriage waited. When Mu Wuyin arrived, he gave a slight bow and boarded.
Shen Zaiye had set out tea and smiled at him. “Your Highness must be tired.”
Glancing at the steaming tea, Mu Wuyin sat down with some suspicion. “What matter does the Chancellor have for me?”
“After the incident at Daxi Casino, and your absence from morning court, I guessed you would be reprimanded by His Majesty after the court session,” Shen Zaiye said, lifting a cup of tea. “So I waited here especially to reassure Your Highness.”
Prince Jing was startled, then delighted. “Is the Chancellor willing to lend me his support now?”
“This humble official serves the Emperor and Great Wei by imperial grace,” Shen Zaiye smiled slightly. “I can’t say I’m supporting you, but in the current court, only you have the qualifications to inherit the throne. So doing some things for you is only natural.”
“What has the Chancellor done?”
Swirling his teacup, Shen Zaiye didn’t answer directly, instead asking, “Does Your Highness believe the position of Crown Prince in His Majesty’s heart must be yours?”
The position of Crown Prince.
Prince Jing pursed his lips, thought carefully, and then said, “Previously, I was always confident, but after today’s incident, I’ve seen some things. Father… may not necessarily consider me irreplaceable.”
Not being allowed to attend morning court for a month – this punishment seemed light, but Prince Heng was in a phase of gathering strength. Giving him this opportunity would allow him to strengthen his position. What would the court be like when he returned after a month? Father hadn’t thought about him at all.
In his eyes, it might still be a matter of the most capable person taking the position. Whether it was him or Prince Heng, whoever had the ability would be the future Crown Prince. Between him and his father, it wasn’t a father-son relationship, but one of ruler and subject.
Realizing this fact, his heart grew cold, and he became more eager to win over court officials like Shen Zaiye.
“It’s good that Your Highness understands the situation clearly,” Shen Zaiye smiled. “His Majesty is unsentimental, only looking at success or failure. Prince Heng’s ambition is known to all. If you don’t understand the situation soon, the position of Eastern Palace may truly fall into another’s hands.”
“I seek the Chancellor’s guidance!” Prince Jing immediately sat up straight, looking at him with sincere eyes.
Sipping his tea unhurriedly, Shen Zaiye handed him the memorial beside him. “I made two copies of this memorial. The other has already been delivered to His Majesty.”
His heart skipped a beat, and Prince Jing quickly took it to read. After finishing, he was overjoyed. “How can I repay the Chancellor’s great kindness?”
Shen Zaiye smiled, “If you become a wise ruler in the future, that will be the best repayment for me.”
These words moved Prince Jing so much that he was speechless. After looking at him for a long time, he said, “If I become Emperor one day, I will not forget the Chancellor’s kindness today!”
Nodding slightly, Shen Zaiye accepted this. “Your Highness should return now. I will handle the remaining matters for you.”
“Thank you!” Prince Jing stood up and bowed gratefully, then got off the carriage and watched him leave.
Two days later, Jiang Taohua could finally move again. She lay in the courtyard sunbathing, chewing on red dates, completely at ease.
When Shen Zaiye entered the courtyard, he saw her cat-like appearance. He curled his lips slightly, waved for others to leave, and walked to the lounge chair, leaning over to block most of her sunlight.
“My lord,” she smiled at him. “Did everything go smoothly?”
Sitting down beside her, Shen Zaiye said softly, “I reported to His Majesty that Daxi Casino was an illegal gambling den. Prince Jing was investigating undercover and made great efforts to shut it down. The Emperor’s anger has subsided. Prince Jing just sent three large boxes over, though I don’t know what gifts they contain.”
“Congratulations, my lord,” Taohua smiled. “You’ve gained Prince Jing’s trust, driven a wedge between him and his father, and incidentally made Prince Heng a thorn in Prince Jing’s side.”
Hearing this, Shen Zaiye felt uncomfortable again. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her. “Do you understand what it means to appear foolish while being wise? Truly clever people don’t say too much or speak too clearly.”
Even if she understood his true intentions, couldn’t she refrain from blurting them out so casually? It was very annoying.
“This lowly woman lacks great wisdom, only possessing some small cleverness,” Taohua said. “My lord shouldn’t set his expectations too high.”
Tired of bantering with her, Shen Zaiye reached out and lifted her upper garment to look.
The white bandage finally had no blood stains. For the past couple of days, her wound had been unable to scab over, causing him some concern. If she were to die in his mansion, the Prince Nan would truly give him no peace.
However, with such a severe wound, scarring was inevitable.
“My lord,” Taohua pressed down on her clothes, looking at him with a strange expression. “Isn’t your movement a bit too smooth? In broad daylight, shouldn’t you be more mindful of appearances?”
“You are nominally a lady of this household,” Shen Zaiye glanced at her sideways. “Even if I were to take you right here, no one would dare say a word.”
Her mouth twitched, the words “shameless” almost escaping. Jiang Taohua held back, swallowing them.
“Whatever you say, my lord! I accept!”
Shen Zaiye smiled, quite satisfied, and released her. Looking at the color on her face, he stood up and said, “Before your wound is completely healed, I won’t have you do anything else. Rest easy.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Taohua smiled. “I also wish to rest easy, but it seems your courtyard isn’t very peaceful.”
These past two days as she lay in her room, there had been no shortage of small disturbances in the courtyard.
“Whether the courtyard is peaceful or not depends on your ability, it has nothing to do with me,” Shen Zaiye said. “I never interfere in matters between women. If you lack ability and are bullied, don’t come to me to settle things.”
“This concubine doesn’t ask my lord to settle anything,” Taohua pursed her lips. “It’s just that I’m new here and don’t understand anything. Standing foolishly in the open to be tormented isn’t good either. If it’s convenient, could my lord grant me a look at the household register?”
Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow. “You want to see the backgrounds of the people in this courtyard?”
“Isn’t that necessary?” Taohua smiled coquettishly. “After all, one must know oneself and the enemy.”
She had arrived late and had no time to inquire about each household’s background. Going through Shen Zaiye was the quickest route, as only he would have such a household register.
After pondering for a moment, Shen Zaiye waved his hand. “Wait a while and have your maid fetch it from Zhanlu. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Respectfully seeing my lord off.” Taohua nodded, only raising her head after he had crossed the courtyard gate, signaling Qing Taito go fetch the document.
These past two days, Shen Zaiye had been busy with official duties and hadn’t favored anyone, nor had he spent the night at Zhengchun Pavilion. Even so, the pressure on Jiang Taohua was not small. Having delayed others’ opportunities to serve for five or six days, if she hadn’t been confined to this courtyard, she would probably have been taught a lesson in various ways by now.
Madam Gu was behaving herself for now, but the others weren’t allied with her. Hidden arrows and dark knives still had to be endured.
(End of Chapter)