Buying jewelry in the woods outside the city? Shen Zaiye scoffed as he strode out, asking Zhanlu, “Do you know what’s happening?”
“No news yet, but I know Miss Qing Tai dispatched officers using your name early this morning,” Zhanlu frowned. “If she sent officers, why would she need you to go personally?”
Shen Zaiye fell silent, his mind racing. Suddenly, he recalled something—Prince Jing had gone to survey West Mountain today.
His expression darkened as he muttered, “They couldn’t have met, could they?”
He did not want those two to meet. Besides Prince Jing, he couldn’t think of anyone else who could leave her so helpless that she’d need to call for him. With Jiang Taohua’s quick wit, she would have escaped on her own if there was any chance.
Striding out, Shen Zaiye ignored the carriage at the door and mounted his horse, galloping towards the city outskirts.
Prince Jing had already taken action, lifting Taohua onto his horse.
“My lord!” Taohua protested anxiously. “Isn’t this abducting a married woman? It’s not appropriate!”
Prince Jing mounted behind her, embracing her as he laughed, “Is it abduction? Don’t you want to be with me?”
“Though you seem powerful and of noble rank, like a prince,” Taohua swallowed, looking pitiful, “this humble woman only wishes for a simple life.”
“How rare,” Prince Jing chuckled, leaning close to her ear. “Other women would be overjoyed, but I prefer your disinterest in wealth and status.”
Taohua’s inner voice screamed, “I can change if you want!” She struggled, but the prince’s strong grip left her no chance of escape.
Qing Tai watched anxiously from behind the rocks, itching to throw pebbles at the prince’s hands. But with her mistress in his arms, she dared not act rashly.
Where was the Prime Minister?
Just as she cursed inwardly, the sound of galloping hooves approached. Qing Tai turned to see Shen Zaiye, his robes fluttering, riding swiftly past her toward Prince Jing.
The commotion drew everyone’s attention, including Jiang Taohua’s.
“Prime Minister?” Prince Jing asked in surprise. “Why have you left the city today?”
Glancing at the pair on horseback, Shen Zaiye’s eyes darkened slightly. He bowed, saying, “I’ve come to ensure Your Highness’s path to the throne remains righteous.”
“What do you mean?” Prince Jing frowned. “Is there something improper about my path?”
Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes, looking at the woman in his arms. “Not before, but now there is.”
Taohua blinked, pretending not to know Shen Zaiye, but her body trembled slightly—excited to see her savior.
Feeling her tremble, Prince Jing embraced her waist, whispering, “Don’t be afraid. This is the Prime Minister, not a bad person.”
Taohua barely suppressed an eye roll. Where did he get the idea that the Prime Minister wasn’t a bad person? She looked up to see Shen Zaiye’s expression darkening further.
“Your Highness,” he said grimly, “bringing a woman of unknown origin into your household would not only hurt the Princess Consort but also anger His Majesty if he learned of it. The doors of your mansion aren’t open to just anyone.”
“She’s not of unknown origin,” Prince Jing frowned. “I’ve been searching for her for a long time. Since our parting at the gambling house, I’ve hardly slept for half a month. She’s not a bad person and has no ill intentions.”
How can this fool think everyone’s a good person? Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua exchanged a glance, both thinking the same—Prince Jing seemed to lack judgment when it came to people!
“So this is the girl who caused you to be severely punished by the emperor last time?” Shen Zaiye grew annoyed. “How can you be so obstinate? Wasn’t one deception enough? Haven’t you learned your lesson?”
Prince Jing paused, pressing his lips together. “Last time was an accident. I was too impulsive. It won’t happen again. I’ll take her back to my mansion and take good care of her.”
Extremely frustrated, Shen Zaiye wanted to pry this fool’s hands off her, but reason told him it wasn’t the right moment.
Lowering his gaze to Jiang Taohua, he silently admonished her: Stop using your charm!
Taohua looked back tearfully: I’ve already stopped, but he’s still this obsessed. How can you blame me?
Stopped? If she’d stopped, why was Prince Jing acting like this? Shen Zaiye didn’t believe it. He asked, “What do you see in this woman?”
Prince Jing paused, seeming a bit embarrassed. He looked down at the woman in his arms and said, “I’ve never seen a woman so fresh and captivating. Her eyes are so clear, one can’t help but want to be close to her…”
“My lord!” Seeing his head drawing closer, Taohua quickly covered her ears, her face reddening.
Shen Zaiye’s jaw tightened as he sneered, “I never thought Your Highness would be one to indulge in beauty. It seems I’ve misjudged you.”
Prince Jing started, frowning as he looked up. “What do you mean, Prime Minister?”
“The current emperor abstained from women before ascending the throne, only expanding his harem after securing his position. That’s the behavior of a wise ruler,” Shen Zaiye said coldly, his gaze falling on the prince’s hands. “Your Highness lacks self-control and cannot become a wise ruler. If that’s the case, I’ll bid you farewell. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways.”
“Prime Minister!”
Shocked by these words, Prince Jing quickly maneuvered his horse to block Shen Zaiye’s departure. “You’ve already agreed to help me. How can you leave now?”
“Your Highness refuses to heed advice and favors this bewitching woman. I see no reason to continue helping you,” Shen Zaiye said sternly, his eyes full of disappointment. “While embracing this woman, have you considered how those behind you would view you?”
Prince Jing’s heart sank. He frowned, thinking hard, his expression torn. He was reluctant to let go of this beauty but even more reluctant to give up the throne.
“Can’t I have both the throne and the beauty?” he asked, unwilling to yield.
Shen Zaiye scoffed, “You can have both, but you must secure the throne first to deserve the beauty. With the throne not yet secure, you’re already bewitched by beauty. What ruler would the court officials be willing to serve?”
Cold sweat broke out on Prince Jing’s back. He loosened his hold on Taohua, lowering his head in thought.
“If Your Highness can return to the right path, I still have confidence in guiding you forward,” Shen Zaiye said, his expression softening slightly as he reached out and pulled Jiang Taohua onto his horse.
Finally breathing a sigh of relief, Taohua instinctively wanted to embrace him, but with Prince Jing nearby, she had to resist, only looking up at him pitifully.
Giving her an annoyed glance, Shen Zaiye turned to Prince Jing and said, “This woman’s facial features are harsh. She’s the type to bring ruin to the country and people. Your Highness must not keep her by your side.”
Taohua’s lips twitched as she touched her face. How was she ruinous? She believed her features brought good fortune to her husband!
Prince Jing listened, still reluctant, his gaze lingering on her longingly.
Shen Zaiye held Taohua like he was examining produce at a market. “Her nose bridge is too thin, indicating bad luck. Her forehead is too full, which would steal her husband’s fortune. Her lips are thin, suggesting she’s glib-tongued. How could Your Highness be attracted to such a woman?”
Jiang Taohua fumed silently. Even knowing this was a ploy to escape, she still wanted to slap him! Her features were renowned throughout the Great Wei for their delicacy and auspiciousness. How could he find fault with every aspect?
“Then how does the Prime Minister intend to deal with her?” Prince Jing sighed.
Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes. “Leaving such a menace in the world would keep Your Highness distracted. Why not kill her here, allowing you to focus on what needs to be done without attachment?”
Taohua gasped, her eyes widening. “This commoner is innocent! You officials can’t treat human life so carelessly!”
Prince Jing was also startled. “Prime Minister, she’s done nothing wrong. It would be improper to kill an innocent person.”
“From the moment she bewitched you, she ceased to be innocent,” Shen Zaiye snorted, gesturing for Zhanlu to hand him a small bottle.
Taohua didn’t recognize the bottle, but Prince Jing did. It was “Xiaoyao San,” commonly used by the royal family and officials. Despite its pleasant name, one bottle could take a life.
“Prime Minister…” he frowned, looking at Taohua. “Isn’t it a waste to kill such a woman?”
“It would be a greater waste if you failed to secure the Crown Prince position,” Shen Zaiye said, forcing open Taohua’s mouth and raising the bottle to her lips.
Taohua struggled fiercely, fearing this snake might kill her. However, looking into his eyes, she saw a reassuring glint.
His eyes said: Trust me, leave the rest to me.
Her heart moved, and she reduced her struggle to token resistance, swallowing the contents of the bottle. Soon, dizziness overtook her. She cast a final glance at Prince Jing, full of innocence and reluctance.
Prince Jing clenched his jaw, his eyes reddening as he watched the woman slowly collapse into the Prime Minister’s arms, unsure how to react.
Was this the necessary price to ascend the throne?
Expressionless, Shen Zaiye caught Taohua and handed her to Zhanlu. “Bury her. Make sure no one discovers it.”
“As you command.”
The pink dress formed a beautiful arc in the air. Prince Jing watched the figure being carried away, then looked at the empty “Xiaoyao San” bottle on the ground. He couldn’t help but shed tears of extreme pain.
However, after a moment, he composed himself and bowed to Shen Zaiye. “Thank you, Prime Minister!”
(End of Chapter)