Jiang Taohua glanced at the painting, then at Shen Zaiye, and asked with a faint smile, “What’s this about? Why don’t I know anything about it?”
Madam Meng pressed her lips together, giving Taohua an odd look before examining the painting in her hands. She remained silent for a moment.
Taohua knew Madam Meng likely found the painting dissimilar as well and was hesitating. Eventually, Madam Meng placed the painting before Shen Zaiye:
“Recently, there’s been talk that a painter from West Street fell in love with a woman at first sight and has been circulating her portrait, searching for her. My maid happened to see it on the street and thought it resembled Lady Jiang. Recalling the rumors about Lady Jiang meeting someone in private a few days ago, I felt my lord should inquire about this to avoid wrongly accusing her.”
Shen Zaiye nodded cooperatively and looked at Taohua, asking, “Do you have anything to explain?”
“I have neither met anyone in private nor do I know any painter,” Taohua replied, her eyes filled with innocence. She pursed her lips and asked, “My lord, do you think the person in this portrait resembles me?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Then perhaps Madam Meng has overthought this,” Taohua smiled, her gaze falling on Meng Zhenzhen. “However, Madam Meng is different from what I imagined – more delicate, it seems.”
While “delicate” sounded flattering, it could also imply being petty. Taohua had expected the daughter of the Minister of Stables to have some noble bearing, if not equal to that of the Minister of Ceremonies. Instead, she looked more like a resentful wife, with constantly furrowed brows, downturned eyes, and a complexion worse than Taohua’s own.
The saying “one’s appearance reflects one’s heart” seemed apt. Someone who would cause trouble over mere shadows couldn’t have a good heart.
Madam Meng felt slightly unsure. When she came, her maid had told her the portrait resembled Lady Jiang, which gave her the courage to bring it to the lord. However, seeing Jiang Taohua in person, she was unexpectedly… beautiful. Not an aggressive beauty, but like dewdrops on flower petals – clear and radiant, without a hint of offensiveness.
The difference from the portrait was stark. Had those maids even looked at her face properly?
“Lady Jiang is also different from what I imagined,” Meng Zhenzhen said, pressing her lips together. “It seems I’ve made a mountain out of a molehill. Since it’s a misunderstanding and my lord believes you, the rumors in the household should cease, preventing any harm to my lord’s reputation.”
“You’re always so thoughtful,” Shen Zaiye smiled, not blaming her at all and maintaining a gentle expression. “Let’s consider this as your visit to meet Jiang Taohua. She’s new to the household, and you’ll need to look after each other in the future.”
“Of course,” Madam Meng nodded, forcing a smile at Taohua. “Lady Jiang won’t dislike me, will she?”
Taohua shook her head and smiled, “How could I dislike you when you’ve helped clear up these rumors? I can hardly wait to like you.”
The two women exchanged insincere smiles, causing Shen Zaiye to shudder slightly. He brushed his robe distastefully and said, “Since there’s no issue, let’s leave and allow Lady Jiang to rest.”
“Yes,” Madam Meng nodded, her face slightly flushed, likely from embarrassment. She didn’t dare look at Taohua again and hurriedly left with the portrait.
Jiang Taohua watched them leave, thinking that this small wave was too easily handled. She could resolve such matters even while lying down.
With her mind at ease, she continued resting and recovering. After waking from an afternoon nap, she found another person by her bedside.
“I came to check on you,” Gu Huairou said with a smile, examining her. “Your complexion seems much better. It’s not in vain that our lord has been sending all the best medicines to Zhengchun Pavilion.”
Knowing that Gu Huairou wouldn’t visit without reason, as she had planned to distance herself, Taohua looked at her curiously and asked, “Has something happened?”
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing major,” Gu Huairou smiled. “Just the usual small conflicts that won’t reach your Zhengchun Pavilion.”
Realizing that something had indeed occurred, Taohua slowly sat up a bit more and asked with a smile, “What’s the excitement about?”
“You’re not familiar with the situation in this household, so I came specifically to prevent you from getting caught up in unnecessary trouble,” Gu Huairou explained. “For some reason, Madam Meng and Madam Qin are at odds again. These two are naturally incompatible – one unyielding, the other gentle. They clash every so often.”
Taohua clicked her tongue in surprise. She had met both Madam Meng and Madam Qin, and Madam Qin seemed more difficult to deal with. How had the shallow-minded Madam Meng survived?
“In this household, newcomers might be favored by our lord, but it’s often temporary,” Gu Huairou continued. “Madam Qin has been favored for a long time and has allied with Madam Gu, Wan Shiyi, and others. They’re at odds with the faction led by Madam Meng. Other conflicts in the household are minor – people might quarrel one day and reconcile the next. But these two sides seem to have an irreconcilable feud, constantly scheming against each other. There have even been deaths.”
Taohua’s brow twitched, and she suddenly asked, “Which side are you on?”
Gu Huairou looked at her with displeasure, “Not everyone has to take sides. I rely on no one and live my own life.”
“That sounds peaceful,” Taohua nodded. “Then I’ll stay out of it and mind my own business.”
“You should enjoy this time of recovery,” Gu Huairou said, glancing at her. “Once you’re healed, you’ll inevitably be drawn into the excitement.”
Although a new favorite wasn’t much of a threat, someone like Jiang Taohua, who was so valued by their lord, was indeed a major concern for the main wives. If they could crush her, they certainly wouldn’t hesitate.
Initially, Gu Huairou hadn’t planned to visit. Seeing Lady Jiang’s recent unfavorable situation in the household, she thought it best to keep her distance for self-preservation, despite the help she had received. But today, when even Madam Meng failed to gain an advantage in Zhengchun Pavilion, and their lord didn’t doubt Jiang Taohua’s fidelity at all, Gu Huairou felt compelled to pay a visit and leave herself a way out. After all, one must know how to adapt.
Taohua didn’t say much, accepting Gu Huairou’s goodwill while continuing to recover and observe the unfolding drama.
She may have underestimated Madam Meng, who proved to be quite formidable in conflicts.
Shen Zaiye had stayed in Ruanyu Chamber for six consecutive days. Madam Qin stormed into Ruanyu Chamber to make a scene, but as soon as she did, Madam Meng began to cry. Not content with crying alone, she even called for her mother to join her in weeping before the Prime Minister.
Jiang Taohua was amused. The thought of Shen Zaiye having to face these women’s quarrels every day gave her an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. The more troubled he was, the better!
Shen Zaiye remained stubborn. The more Madam Qin created a fuss, the more he insisted on staying in Ruanyu Chamber, seemingly determined to stay there indefinitely. He even moved his official documents and writing materials there.
Qin Jieyu was furious but didn’t dare to complain to the Prime Minister. Instead, she began to plot in secret. Madam Meng, basking in her newfound favor, became increasingly arrogant. Not only did she disregard Qin Jieyu, but gradually she even dared to neglect paying respects to the main wife when they met.
Many in the household expressed their disapproval, but Shen Zaiye seemed oblivious, staying in Ruanyu Chamber for a full ten days.
During these ten days, Taohua’s injuries had improved, and she could finally move about gently. One evening, as she was happily attempting to change clothes by herself, the door was suddenly pushed open without warning.
The beauty’s skin was like jade, half-hidden and half-revealed. As she turned her face, her red lips parted slightly, and her eyes were filled with surprise:
“You enter someone’s room without knocking?”
Shen Zaiye chuckled, entered, and closed the door behind him. He looked at her and said, “This is the Prime Minister’s residence.”
In other words, it was his domain, and he could go wherever he pleased. What was knocking?
Taohua was momentarily speechless at his brazen attitude. She gathered her clothes and obediently went to pour him tea, asking, “My lord, why have you come here tonight?”
“I grew tired of my previous lodgings and decided to change locations.”
“Are you trying to make Madam Meng fall and hurt herself?”
Smart people didn’t need lengthy explanations. Shen Zaiye glanced at her and snorted, which was as good as an affirmation.
Patting her chest in relief, Taohua looked at him gratefully and said, “Thank you, my lord, for sparing me. Otherwise, I might have ended up in Madam Meng’s current situation.”
Taking a sip of tea, Shen Zaiye frowned in disgust, “If you dare serve me such coarse tea again, you won’t be far from Madam Meng’s fate.”
“Is it coarse?” Taohua took his cup and tasted it herself. “It’s roasted buckwheat tea. It tastes good, don’t you think?”
Shen Zaiye gave her a long look and said, “Only servants in the household drink this kind of tea.”
“But if it tastes good, it’s good, regardless of who drinks it,” Taohua gulped down the warm tea and pouted. “If you’re not satisfied, just let me know in advance next time you come, and I’ll prepare some Longjing tea.”
“Mm.” Shaking the tea from his hand, Shen Zaiye stood up and spread his arms, looking at her.
Taohua was stunned. She looked him up and down, hesitated for a long while, then walked over and hugged him.
Shen Zaiye: “…”
“I meant for you to change my clothes,” he said, pulling her off him with a stern face. “Don’t you even know this basic etiquette?”
Taohua’s face turned bright red, and she quickly reached out to undo his buttons.
However, she was still recovering from her injuries. Raising her arms pulled at her waist, causing pain. It had been difficult enough to dress herself earlier, and now she had to help this master change.
Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly exclaimed, “Who tied these buttons? They’re so tight!”
Shen Zaiye paused, puzzled, and reached to undo the toggle at his neck. “Where is it tight?”
“This one,” Taohua pointed to the fastening at his waist. Shen Zaiye reached down and undid it himself, frowning at her. “It’s not tight at all.”
“That’s good. Please take off your clothes then, since the fastenings are undone,” Taohua nodded.
The room fell silent for a moment as Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze unfriendly.
Taohua grinned sheepishly and pretended to go call for someone to bring water for washing up.
The room was small, and they were to share the bed tonight. Where could she hide? Shen Zaiye chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed. After washing up, he lay down on the outer side of the bed.
Taohua’s keen instincts told her that tonight might not be easy, especially since Shen Zaiye’s position on the bed made it difficult for her to get in.
(End of Chapter)