Prince Yu had people in the Prime Minister’s household, and naturally, so did Prince Jing. However, he hadn’t been able to use them effectively before. Now, hearing that the Princess of Zhao had entered the household and the competition for favor was intensifying daily, he decided it was time to have his people try to capture Shen Zaiye’s heart.
As long as someone under his command could bewitch Shen Zaiye, he would feel more at ease.
For a man like Shen Zaiye, it was fortunate that he had a weakness for beautiful women. If he didn’t even like women, perhaps no one in the world would be able to deal with him.
As Shen Zaiye left the palace and reached the gates of his mansion by carriage, just as he was about to enter, someone darted out from the side.
“Prime Minister, my master is waiting for your news,” the man, dressed as a household servant, immediately bowed deeply to him, his face full of flattery.
Glancing at him, Shen Zaiye said coolly, “This is indeed quite urgent. However, the study in my mansion is peculiar – it only opens at midnight. Go back and tell your master that.”
The servant was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded and ran off as if flying.
It seemed Lord Meng cared deeply for this daughter. But showing such urgency and panic was like revealing his hand to Shen Zaiye, which wasn’t a very clever move.
Despite being one of the Nine Ministers, how could he not even match up to a mere woman like Jiang Taohua? At least until now, Shen Zaiye still didn’t know what Jiang Taohua’s true motives were.
“My lord!”
Just as he stepped into the mansion, Madam Meng, dressed in plain clothes, rushed towards him. Shen Zaiye turned his head to look and was so startled he took half a step back.
Her eyes were swollen red, likely from crying all night. Her face was haggard, her nose red, and her eyes still glistening with tears. Her hair was undone, merely tied back, and her clothes were covered in dust. She looked completely disheveled.
Zhanlu was quick to intercept her before she could throw herself at Shen Zaiye, but Meng Zhenzhen still struggled, reaching out toward him. “I truly am innocent, my lord. I didn’t have anyone poison you!”
“I’m investigating the truth. There’s no need to be anxious,” Shen Zaiye said, looking at her calmly. “If you are innocent, I will clear your name. If you are guilty, you can’t blame me for being heartless.”
As for whether she was truly innocent or not, that would depend on Lord Meng’s performance.
Meng was stunned, sensing that Shen Zaiye wasn’t as angry as he had been yesterday. Her heart lifted, and she quickly straightened up, tidying her hair. “As long as my lord is still willing to give me a chance, I am eternally grateful!”
Nodding slightly, Shen Zaiye had no desire to linger with her and turned to walk towards Linwu Courtyard.
Jiang Taohua had been wandering around Linwu Courtyard all morning, exploring everywhere except the study.
“The Prime Minister seems to have quite refined tastes,” she murmured, admiring the antique calligraphy and paintings on his shelves, all works by elegant scholars. “One really can’t judge a book by its cover. I thought someone like him would prefer to collect swords.”
“Why?” Qingtai asked curiously.
“Because he looks like someone who could kill without blinking. I even dreamed last night that he was sharpening knives in the courtyard at midnight,” Taohua pouted, then added after a thought, “But I suppose it makes sense. He’s a civil official, so he should display calligraphy and antiques.”
Someone approached silently from behind. Qingtai alertly turned around, only to meet Shen Zaiye’s deep, dark eyes. She was so frightened she couldn’t speak and hurriedly tugged at Taohua’s sleeve.
Taohua was still examining a painting of a court lady and didn’t notice the person beside her. She just said, “Alright, don’t rush. Let me look a bit more. I still haven’t figured out what kind of person Shen Zaiye is.”
“You won’t be able to tell what kind of person I am by looking at these,” Shen Zaiye said with a cold smile, reaching out to encircle her neck from behind. He whispered, “You should examine me in person.”
Like a poisonous snake flicking its tongue by her ear, Jiang Taohua was so startled that a shiver ran down her spine. She immediately tried to struggle.
However, although Shen Zaiye’s hand wasn’t choking her, he didn’t seem to intend to let go either. Qingtai, who wanted to come forward to rescue her, was directly dragged out by Zhanlu from behind.
The situation didn’t look good. Time to admit defeat quickly!
“My lord~” Taohua giggled, “How did you return so quickly?”
Shen Zaiye curled his lips, mimicking her tone, “Because I came back to see what you were up to~”
“I was just walking around casually. I asked the servants, and they said only the study was off-limits, so I dared to come here,” Taohua blinked innocently. “I haven’t offended you, have I?”
“No, but I heard everything you said earlier,” Shen Zaiye chuckled, lowering his head to her ear and breathing, “So you dreamed of me last night?”
Taohua shuddered, covering her ears as her face instantly reddened. “Ah… yes… yes.”
“So in your heart, I’m the kind of ruthless person who sharpens knives at midnight,” he said, sounding quite hurt. Shen Zaiye stood there, still holding her, and said softly, “But I’m quite pleased that you understand me so well.”
What? Taohua froze, looking at him in confusion.
There were only two of them in the room. Shen Zaiye appeared quite gentle on the surface, but she couldn’t be sure what he was thinking. Was he happy or unhappy? She could only remain tense, warily watching his movements.
His hand reached past her side, and Shen Zaiye grasped a vase on the flower stand, gently twisting it.
The seemingly solid stand split open from the middle, revealing a small compartment behind. Taohua was stunned and craned her neck to look inside. When she saw what was hanging on the wall, a cold sweat broke out on her back.
No way?
The wall was covered with swords and daggers, reflecting a cold, sharp light from the sunlight streaming in from outside.
Taohua felt her legs go weak. She turned to look at the man behind her and applauded flatteringly, “So my lord is proficient in both civil and military arts. I’m truly in awe!”
Shen Zaiye didn’t move his head but looked down at her, chuckling lightly, “These swords and daggers are all from famous craftsmen, and none have been unsealed.”
“They say that good swords and daggers need to be unsealed with the blood of a beautiful woman to gain spiritual power.”
Hearing this, Taohua shuddered, then said seriously, “They’re deceiving you, my lord! Believe me, my blood isn’t much different from pig’s blood. It’s all red anyway.”
Originally intending to scare her a bit more, Shen Zaiye almost lost his composure upon hearing this. He barely managed to hold back his laughter and released her with disdain, “Are you suggesting that I sleep with a show every night?”
“If that’s how you want to think of it, I can’t help it,” Jiang Taohua gritted her teeth, enduring the humiliation, “But I think I’m still more comfortable to hold than a sow!”
“…”
Letting go of her, Shen Zaiye turned and stood facing the door for a while.
Taohua was startled, thinking someone had come, but after waiting for a while, no one entered.
“My lord?”
“It’s nothing,” Shen Zaiye coughed lightly, “Your wound should be ready to have the stitches removed. Take some tonics these next few days, then we’ll ask the female doctor to come.”
“Yes,” Taohua nodded. Although she found it strange that he suddenly mentioned her wound, she could tell that he truly didn’t intend to take her life actively now, which was excellent!
After lunch, Taohua took Qingtai to the medicine room to brew medicine for Shen Zaiye.
Due to the unrest in the household, all medicines were prepared under the full supervision of the female doctor, with maids only tending to the fire. Even the water had to be inspected.
Under these circumstances, Taohua’s role in attending to the medicine was merely a formality. She just waited for the medicine to be ready and then carried it back to Linwu Courtyard.
“From afar, this place looks so pleasant. So it’s Miss Jiang here.”
A woman’s voice came from a distance. Taohua paused and turned to look.
Gu Huairou and another woman were walking side by side towards her. Madam Gu hadn’t spoken; it was the woman beside her who had called out.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Taohua looked her over and stood up to bow in greeting.
Guessing that she didn’t know the woman beside her, Gu Huairou stepped forward and said, “This is Liu Shiyi, a friend of mine for many years.”
Shiyi? Taohua nodded and saw Madam Liu curtsy to her properly, then looked up with a smile, “I haven’t had the chance to speak with you before. What a coincidence today! I’m accompanying Madam Gu to get some medicine.”
“Is Madam unwell?” Taohua asked.
Gu pressed her lips together, “I’ve been feeling a bit unwell. I’ve had trouble sleeping for a while, and now I can’t even eat. I can’t put it off any longer.”
Nodding, Taohua said, “If you need any help, just send a maid to let me know at Zhengchun Pavilion.”
“Thank you, Miss Jiang.”
Madam Liu watched from the side, covering her mouth as she smiled, “This must be fate. Who would have thought that you two, who started on the wrong foot, would end up helping each other? I’m truly happy for Madam Gu.”
Is she really happy or just pretending? Jiang Taohua glanced at her a couple of times, feeling that this person wasn’t very reliable. She wanted to give Gu a few words of caution, but they were good friends. If she spoke up rashly, it might seem like she was trying to sow discord.
It was better to just mind her own business.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two women went into the medicine room. As soon as Shen Zaiye’s medicine was ready, Taohua carried the tray back to Linwu Courtyard.
Shen Zaiye was lying on the bed, reading a booklet covered in messy drawings. From a distance, it wasn’t clear what they were, but he seemed quite engrossed, lightly marking it with a red brush.
“My lord, it’s time for your medicine.”
“Mm.”
Seeing her enter, Shen Zaiye discreetly slipped the booklet under his pillow, then took the medicine bowl and calmly drank it down. After he finished, Taohua reached out and popped a preserved fruit into his mouth.
With the sweet thing in his mouth, Shen Zaiye frowned slightly, “Do you think I’m a child?”
Did she think he needed to be coaxed with sweets after taking medicine?
Taohua smiled, “No one said only children can have sweets after taking medicine. I saw these in the medicine room and thought they were quite good, so I brought some back to help with the bitter taste.”
“I don’t like it,” Shen Zaiye opened his mouth to spit it out, but Taohua was quick and clapped her hand over his mouth!
“Don’t waste it! The doctor said these preserved fruits are rare, a gift from the palace!”
His expression darkened further as Shen Zaiye looked up at her, “Who gave you the audacity of a bear and the guts of a leopard to treat me like this?”
Shuddering all over, Taohua weakly withdrew her hand and said in a small voice, “Please don’t be angry, my lord…”
(End of Chapter)