Two days passed, and while Zhengchun Pavilion remained peaceful, the atmosphere in the Xiang mansion had drastically changed.
Meng Zhenzhen, despite being a married woman, had been sent back to her maiden home. This incident not only stirred various thoughts among the household members but also became the talk of the town in the capital.
“The Meng family has certainly made an enemy of the Chancellor now!” someone laughed in a teahouse. “They’ve been relying on their status as the Chancellor’s in-laws to commit numerous misdeeds. There were even accusations of corruption against them before, but nothing came of it. I wonder if this incident will lead to the reopening of old cases?”
A passerby on horseback overheard this conversation and stopped to ask, “What old cases are you referring to?”
The speaker, seeing that it was just an ordinary-looking traveler, replied without restraint, “What else could it be? It’s the case of the horse farm construction. Workers died from exhaustion on the site, and not only were there no compensations, but the wages were also pitiful. Some laborers accused Master Meng of embezzlement, claiming that the buildings at the horse farm were shoddily built. Their complaints were suppressed, never reaching the emperor’s ears.”
“I see,” Zhan Lu smiled and said, “Good deeds are rewarded, and evil ones are punished. It’s just a matter of time.”
With that, he continued riding towards the Chancellor’s mansion.
Shen Zaiye already held evidence of Master Meng’s corruption in collusion with Prince Yu. The only questions were when and how to expose it.
Upon returning, Zhan Lu immediately relayed the news he had heard on the street to Shen Zaiye. He concluded with a bow, “This servant had previously inspected the horse farm. The people there were tight-lipped, but it seems that many commoners are aware of this case.”
“That’s quite favorable,” Shen Zaiye smiled slightly, stroking the letter on his desk. “Since heaven is on our side, we should act by its will.”
Zhan Lu also smiled and was about to speak again when the door was suddenly pushed open.
“My lord!” Jiang Taohua, dressed in a gradient pink peach blossom dress that made her look stunningly beautiful, fluttered in like a butterfly. “May I seek refuge here?”
Shen Zaiye’s mouth twitched, and his expression darkened. “Haven’t I told you not to barge into the study without permission?”
Closing the door, Taohua turned back with an innocent look. “No, you haven’t.”
“…”
Sighing deeply, Shen Zaiye said resignedly, “Well, listen now. From now on, you need my permission to enter the study. You can’t just burst in like this.”
“Understood!”
Glancing outside, Taohua turned and ran towards him. Shen Zaiye, quick to react, hastily cleared everything from his desk.
“What are you hiding from?” he asked, feigning calmness.
Jiang Taohua, not noticing his actions, panted lightly and said, “What else could it be? Your wives and attendants all want to chat with me. No matter where I hide, they find me. I figured your place would be the only haven.”
Looking at her with some surprise, Shen Zaiye asked, “What’s so bad about chatting?”
“It depends on what they want to chat about!” Bringing up this topic made Taohua even more agitated. “I’m an innocent victim here! Instead of comforting me, can’t they just let me rest quietly for a couple of days? They keep stirring up trouble, saying this person or that person is dissatisfied with me, telling me to make plans early. Good heavens, what kind of plans can I make? Should I take a knife and chop up everyone who threatens me in the middle of the night?”
Zhan Lu was startled and looked at her in shock.
“Just kidding, don’t take it seriously,” Taohua grinned at him, naturally taking a seat nearby and helping herself to Shen Zaiye’s tea. “I’ll only hide here for half an hour and won’t disturb you, my lord. Please continue with your work.”
Glancing at her, Shen Zaiye massaged his temples, wondering how he ended up with such a troublesome person. How could he possibly focus on his work with her around?
“Zhan Lu, you can go out and continue gathering information,” Shen Zaiye sighed, resigned to the situation. After instructing Zhan Lu, he put everything in his hands into a box and locked it before turning his attention to the woman before him.
“There’s not even a cabinet in this study. If they come looking for you later, you’ll have nowhere to hide.”
“It’s fine,” Taohua said. “Didn’t you say they need your permission to enter? Just don’t allow them in.”
That made sense. Shen Zaiye smiled lightly, about to compliment her cleverness when Zhan Lu suddenly returned.
“My lord!” There was a hint of panic in Zhan Lu’s voice as he pushed open the door. “Prince Jing is here to visit!”
What?
Shen Zaiye was startled and instinctively looked at the person beside him. “Quick, leave!”
Taohua was also frightened and hurriedly lifted her skirt to rush out. Zhan Lu’s face turned pale as he urgently called out, “He’s already entered the mansion, Lady Jiang, don’t run around!”
So fast? Taohua screeched to a halt at the door of Linwu Court, poking her head out to look.
The steward was guiding the visitor, bypassing the front courtyard garden and heading this way.
“Get in!” With a low shout, Shen Zaiye grabbed Taohua and tossed her behind him in one smooth motion.
Then he straightened his robe and calmly went to greet Prince Jing.
Mu Wuyin seemed to be in a good mood today, wearing a benevolent smile. As soon as he saw Shen Zaiye, he cupped his hands in greeting, “Chancellor, I hope my unannounced visit hasn’t caused any disturbance?”
As if it hasn’t!
Shen Zaiye smiled and returned the gesture, “How could it be a disturbance? Your Highness’s presence brings honor to our humble abode. Please, come in.”
Mu Wuyin nodded and stepped into Linwu Court, about to head towards the main house.
Shen Zaiye’s heart skipped a beat, guessing that Jiang Taohua was probably hiding in the main house. He quickly intercepted, saying, “Your Highness, I have something to show you in my study. Shall we go there first?”
“Alright.” Not noticing anything amiss, Mu Wuyin smiled and entered the study, taking a seat in the guest chair by the desk.
As a maid served tea, Shen Zaiye began to relax, the weight on his heart about to lift when his foot, placed under the table, seemed to kick someone.
His heart pounded, and his body stiffened. Looking down, he saw Jiang Taohua’s face peeking out from under the tablecloth, giving him a guilty smile.
“…”
How stupid could this person be to hide under this small table instead of in the spacious main house? What was that ball on her neck for? She was clever when she shouldn’t be, and when she needed to use her brain, it was as if it had been squeezed by a door!
If circumstances allowed, Shen Zaiye would have strangled her right then and there!
“Chancellor, you mentioned earlier that you had something to show me,” Prince Jing spoke up, looking at him curiously. “What is it that makes you look so serious?”
Taking a deep breath, Shen Zaiye managed a smile. Not daring to stand up, he reached for the box beside him, opened it, and handed it over, “Your Highness, please take a look.”
Prince Jing was taken aback but quickly accepted it and began to examine its contents carefully.
Seizing this moment, Shen Zaiye looked down at the troublemaker, narrowing his eyes and mouthing words.
You’re dead!
Taohua’s face fell, mouthing back with utmost innocence: Who knew you’d come straight to the study? Aren’t guests usually received in the outer room of the main house?
Shen Zaiye: …
Was she blaming him now? Who told her to act so irrationally? In such a panicked situation, why think so much? If she had just rushed into the main house, there wouldn’t have been any problem at all!
Fortunately, the desk was surrounded by tablecloth on all sides, or today would have truly been a disaster.
Seeing his angry face, Taohua became a bit scared. She placed her hands on his knees and nuzzled closer, making a pitiful expression of begging for forgiveness: We’re both in a precarious situation, why blame each other? Right? We’re in the same boat!
Who wants to be in the same boat as you? Shen Zaiye was so angry he wanted to curse, reaching out to pinch her face hard.
“Ah!” Not expecting this sudden move, Taohua involuntarily let out a small cry of pain.
“Hmm?” Prince Jing, who had been engrossed in reading, looked up at Shen Zaiye in confusion. “What was that sound?”
The person behind the desk smiled, maintaining his composure as he looked at the prince. “This Shen just sneezed, Your Highness. Please pay it no mind.”
“Oh.” Prince Jing lowered his head and continued reading with a furrowed brow.
Taohua rubbed her face, pouting. Her legs were getting numb from crouching, and she wanted to change position.
However, the desk was small, and any movement might disturb the tablecloth, revealing her presence. After some thought, she decisively reached out and spread Shen Zaiye’s legs apart.
“…” A chill ran down his spine, and Shen Zaiye looked down at her with a murderous glare.
Taohua smiled apologetically, supporting herself on his legs as she sat up straight on her knees, then bowed to him: This concubine truly couldn’t maintain that crouching position. Please forgive me.
This posture looked questionable from any angle. Shen Zaiye closed his eyes and pressed his chest, thinking that after today, he might lose two years of his life.
“If these things were to reach Father Emperor, Prince Yu would be in serious trouble,” Prince Jing said, his expression turning serious as he finished looking through the contents of the box. He raised his head to look at Shen Zaiye. “What does the Chancellor plan to do?”
Shen Zaiye opened his eyes and looked up, smiling as he said, “How this Shen should proceed naturally depends on Your Highness’s instructions.”
Delighted, Prince Jing smiled and said, “The Chancellor’s dedication to the country and the people, punishing evil and promoting good, is truly exemplary among officials. Although Prince Yu is my younger brother, this prince has no reason to cover up such a heinous crime. I will persuade Father Emperor to inspect the newly built horse farm.”
“Very well,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “In that case, this Shen knows what to do next.”
Prince Jing laughed heartily and stood up, walking towards the desk. “Chancellor…”
“Your Highness!” Shen Zaiye called out in a low voice, raising his hand to stop the prince’s approach. “This Shen has recently caught a cold. Please don’t come too close.”
“Is that so?” Prince Jing nodded, looking at him with concern. “Then the Chancellor must rest well. I noticed earlier that your complexion didn’t look good, and now you seem to be flushed. You might have a fever.”
“A doctor will be here shortly. If Your Highness has no other matters…”
“There is one more thing,” Prince Jing smiled, waving for someone to bring in a box. “These are pearls from the East Sea that have just arrived in the capital. Knowing that there are many ladies in your household, this prince thought to do you a favor and gift them to the Chancellor.”
“Thank you!” Shen Zaiye smiled, standing up to receive the gift.
However, his legs were still held by Jiang Taohua’s hands, preventing him from standing up immediately. Meanwhile, Prince Jing had already extended the box towards him.
Their hands missed each other, and Shen Zaiye watched helplessly as the box of glistening East Sea pearls scattered all over the floor like rain.
(End of Chapter)