All the favor in the household seemed to have been heaped upon Jiang Taohua, much to the chagrin of others. Even those with the most generous hearts and best tempers would be angered, let alone these two who were known for their pettiness.
“If Lady Meng can’t handle her, who can?” Madam Gu frowned. “You used to be favored, unlike me who has always been neglected.”
“That was then, this is now. My situation isn’t any better than yours,” Meng Zhenzhen lowered her gaze, sighing softly. “Now only Madam Qin can enjoy herself, having latched onto the Mistress’s support. Even without the Master’s favor, no one in this household can mistreat her.”
Gu Huairou paused briefly, her eyes darting as she pondered. Indeed, there was still the Mistress in this household. If others couldn’t do anything about Jiang Taohua, surely the principal wife would have a way?
At Zhengchun Pavilion, Taohua was conversing with Qingtai when a maid announced from outside, “Miss Jiang, the Mistress requests your presence at Linghan Hall.”
The Mistress? Taohua raised an eyebrow, promptly instructing Qingtai to help her change.
“Hasn’t the Mistress been reciting sutras at Jingye Hall lately?” she inquired softly. “Is she finished?”
Qingtai shrugged, admitting she hadn’t paid much attention to news from that quarter. However, given the Mistress’s dignified and gentle demeanor, her summoning the master now likely didn’t portend any ill news.
As they made their way there, Mei Zhaoxue had already prepared tea and was waiting.
“Come, sit,” she beckoned with a smile as soon as she saw Taohua.
Taohua bowed respectfully and sat in the chair beside her, asking politely, “Does the Mistress have any matters to discuss today?”
Mei Zhaoxue gestured for her to drink tea, her gaze gentle as she spoke, “You’ve been in the household for almost a month now. There are some things I should advise you on, lest you unknowingly offend others.”
Taohua blinked, picking up the tea but not drinking. “Who have I offended?”
Sighing softly, Mei Zhaoxue explained, “Madam Gu just came to me with some complaints. She’s pregnant now and her temper isn’t the best, especially since she’s not favored by the Master. It’s natural for her to feel upset. As sisters in the household, you should show more concern for her.”
The Master had forbidden Taohua from visiting that courtyard, so how could she show concern? Taohua pressed her lips together, asking, “What does the Mistress suggest I do?”
“At the very least, you should send a congratulatory gift,” Mei Zhaoxue advised earnestly. “If you don’t even show this much, won’t it give Madam Gu reason to think ill of you?”
A gift? Taohua paused, looking up at Mei Zhaoxue before smiling and asking, “What does the Mistress think would be most appropriate?”
“The value of the gift isn’t important; it’s the thought that counts,” Mei Zhaoxue smiled. “Huairou has been complaining that the preserved plums in the household aren’t to her liking. Why don’t you personally go find some better-tasting plums in the capital and bring them to her?”
“That’s a good idea,” Taohua nodded, rising with a smile. “I’ll go right away.”
“Take this pass to leave the manor,” Mei Zhaoxue handed her a token. “Go early and return early.”
“I understand. Thank you, Mistress,” Taohua bowed, accepting the token and respectfully withdrawing.
Mei Zhaoxue smiled, sipping her tea as she watched Taohua’s figure disappear through the door. Then she turned and asked, “Do I look like a kind and magnanimous mistress?”
The curtain to the side was pulled back by a jade-like hand, and Qin Jieyu emerged, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Mistress, you don’t just look like one—you are one.”
Smiling gently, Mei Zhaoxue glanced at her. “Now it’s time for you to prepare.”
“Yes,” Qin Jieyu curtsied gracefully, then turned and left as well.
Examining the token in her hand, Taohua decided not to take a carriage. She simply donned a veil and asked Qingtai as they walked, “Which shop in the Great Wei capital is most famous for dried goods?”
Qingtai replied, “I asked the steward before we left. He said Liu’s Dried Fruits on Yong’an Street has the largest selection and the best taste.”
“Then let’s go there and see,” Taohua nodded.
Qingtai led her toward Yong’an Street.
The steward hadn’t lied. Liu’s Dried Fruits shop had an impressive storefront, nice decor, and many customers—clear signs of good quality products.
As soon as Taohua entered, the sharp-eyed shopkeeper noticed her fine clothing and came out from behind the counter to ask, “What would the lady like to buy?”
Smiling slightly, Taohua said, “Since I’m here, it’s naturally for a big purchase. Do you have tea?”
Hearing this, the shopkeeper’s face lit up with a broad smile. “Please, come upstairs. Our owner happens to be here today. We can discuss any business you’d like.”
“Thank you,” Taohua nodded and followed him upstairs.
Qingtai was stunned and hurriedly tugged at Taohua’s sleeve. “Mistress, what are you doing? We’re just here to buy some plums to take back. This isn’t some big business deal!”
“Be quiet and just follow along,” Taohua tapped Qingtai’s forehead, narrowing her eyes. “Don’t undermine your mistress. Just play along.”
Qingtai pressed her lips together and obediently fell silent, though her eyes were still full of worry.
What was her mistress up to now?
Upstairs, there was a tea area. As soon as Taohua sat down, the shopkeeper brought over a middle-aged man.
“Greetings, madam,” the man smiled warmly and introduced himself. “I am Liu Dedong, the owner of this shop. What big business would you like to discuss?”
“Don’t rush,” Taohua maintained her air of importance, looking him up and down. “I need to see if your shop is reliable. You know, when transporting goods for trade, one can encounter many troubles. What if I order a large quantity and you can’t even get it out of the capital? What then?”
“You needn’t worry about that,” Liu Dedong said confidently. “Our Liu’s goods travel smoothly not just within the capital, but throughout the Great Wei. We also enjoy the lowest tax rates.”
“How can you guarantee that?” Taohua asked skeptically.
Liu Dedong chuckled lightly. “I don’t mind telling you. My younger sister is the wife of the current Minister of Stables, Lord Meng. You can ask around—Lord Meng dotes on her the most, so the officials naturally give us some consideration.”
Taohua inwardly marveled at how this consideration extended even to tax rates, thinking to herself how thoroughly corrupt the officials were from top to bottom.
But wait, Minister of Stables? Why did that sound familiar?
After a moment’s thought, she smiled at the owner and said, “So you’re related to Lord Meng. I did business with him recently. He seems to have put on some weight lately.”
“You know Lord Meng?” Liu Dedong looked surprised. “It seems madam also comes from an influential background.”
So it was that rotund Lord Meng, which meant he was indeed Meng Zhenzhen’s father.
Taohua smiled, having gleaned all the information she needed. She stood up and said, “Since we’re all acquainted, there’s no need to waste time. I’ll have someone send over the order later. Please wait for it.”
“Certainly,” Liu Dedong stood as well. “But may I ask which household madam is from?”
Taohua smiled and replied smoothly, “I have some connection to Minister Mei’s family.”
Minister Mei! Liu Dedong immediately bowed his head respectfully and escorted Taohua downstairs. As she was leaving, he even gave her a package of plums, saying, “Please, madam, try these at your leisure. They’re newly arrived stock.”
“Thank you,” Taohua nodded and left with Qingtai without looking back.
Once they were far enough away, Qingtai wiped the sweat from her brow and said shakily, “Mistress, you’re too daring!”
How were they going to send any order to the shop?
“What’s there to fear? Minister Mei is one of the Nine Ministers. A relative of a mere Minister of Stables wouldn’t dare offend him,” Taohua said, tasting the plums as they walked. “Besides, we’ve left now. Where would he even find us?”
That made sense, but still…
“Why did you do all this?” Qingtai asked.
Taohua turned back and gave Qingtai a plum. “If I hadn’t done this, how would we have known this shop was backed by the Meng family?”
She wasn’t about to trust Mei Zhaoxue’s suggestion so easily. Anyone with sense would know that you shouldn’t give food as a gift to a pregnant woman. What if something went wrong? Who would be responsible?
Yet Mei Zhaoxue had specifically suggested she buy plums, even giving her a pass to go out, and the steward’s recommendation just happened to be the Meng family’s shop.
Wasn’t it all a bit too coincidental?
Mei Zhaoxue might fool others, but Taohua was naturally suspicious and cautious. This little trick wouldn’t ensnare her.
“So what do we do now?” Qingtai frowned, looking at the package in Taohua’s hand. “Do we give the gift or not?”
“Let’s go back and set it aside for now. We’ll say today’s goods weren’t good, and we’ll deal with it tomorrow,” Taohua said nonchalantly as she turned around. “These women are quite interesting. Their schemes are much more intricate than those fools in Zhao.”
Qingtai fell silent, trying to recall who the “fools in Zhao” were, and finally concluded—probably the new empress.
She had always thought the new empress held absolute advantage in Zhao, but now she realized that while her mistress might lack power, she certainly didn’t lack intelligence.
Upon returning to the manor, Taohua went to the study.
Shen Zaiye was organizing some documents. Zhanlu stood outside the door and immediately moved to block Taohua. “The Master is busy and isn’t seeing anyone at the moment.”
Taohua smiled. “I have an important matter to discuss with the Master.”
Zhanlu frowned and was about to shake his head when the door behind him opened.
“What is it?” Shen Zaiye eyed her. “If you have something to say, say it.”
“I’d like to ask the Master in private,” Taohua said with a smile. “Though Qingtai and Zhanlu are loyal, it’s best they don’t hear this.”
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Shen Zaiye looked at her for a moment before stepping aside to let her into the study.
Taohua followed him in, closed the door, and immediately asked:
“Which prince does Minister of Stables Meng support at court?”
Hearing this, Shen Zaiye’s brow furrowed. “There are some things you shouldn’t know or ask about.”
“This is crucial. It determines my next move,” Taohua looked at him intently. “If he’s aligned with Prince Jing or Prince Nan, I’ll stay put. But if it’s another prince, I fear there may be trouble in your household.”
A flicker of emotion passed through Shen Zaiye’s eyes as he looked up, his gaze turbulent. “Do you know what you’re saying?”
(End of Chapter)