Qin Jieyu smiled, “You can rest if you’re tired, but if you die, you’ll have nothing left. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Your father has been making mistakes lately, angering the Emperor. If you lose your position in the Prime Minister’s household, your Gu family will be in trouble.”
Gu Huairou’s eyelid twitched as she pressed her lips together, “No need for your concern. I’ll figure something out myself.”
“Very well,” Qin Jieyu stood up, smiling at her, “If you change your mind, send someone to inform me. I’m still willing to help you.”
“Thank you,” Gu Huairou nodded, watching her leave with a furrowed brow.
Although her father held the position of Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, he didn’t align with any faction and usually kept a low profile in court, sometimes not even giving face to the Prime Minister. If something truly went wrong, few people would likely help him.
Should she write a letter advising him to pledge allegiance to the Prime Minister? But as a married daughter, how much weight would her words carry? She had tried to persuade him before but to no avail.
What should she do?
The spring hunt arrived quickly. Taohua woke up early, applying heavy makeup and even lining her eyes. With her veil on, even Mei Zhaoxue could barely recognize her.
“Lady Jiang?” she frowned, “What are you doing?”
Taohua smiled and bowed, “Madam, I fear my makeup might be too light. I don’t want to embarrass the Prime Minister among the colorful crowd.”
Shen Zaiye sat nearby, calmly drinking tea, his gaze passing over Jiang Taohua without any change in expression.
Seeing his reaction, Mei Zhaoxue closed her eyes briefly and said, “If the Prime Minister has no objections, you should depart soon. Be careful on the journey.”
“Yes,” Taohua nodded, completing the proper courtesies. After everyone had paid their respects to Shen Zaiye, she followed him out of the Prime Minister’s mansion.
Qin Jieyu stood beside Mei Zhaoxue, sighing softly, “I failed. It’s my incompetence.”
“Did you leave any evidence?” Mei Zhaoxue asked.
“No, those assassins don’t know who hired them,” Qin Jieyu smiled. “Madam should trust my methods. Even if we fail, we won’t be implicated.”
Mei Zhaoxue nodded slightly, looking at the empty doorway and chuckling, “In that case, you should handle more tasks.”
“Yes,” Qin Jieyu curtsied gracefully and withdrew.
The imperial procession left the city, with all accompanying officials and their families gathering at the city gate. The Emperor’s carriage led the way, followed by the others.
Shen Zaiye sat leisurely in his carriage, reading a booklet. Taohua yawned, resting her head on his leg, and asked drowsily, “How long until we arrive?”
“Half a day.”
“So far!” Taohua pouted, “Does that mean we’ll have to stay overnight?”
Glancing at her, Shen Zaiye said, “As a member of the Zhao royal family, haven’t you been to a spring hunt before? We always stay at the hunting grounds for two days each year.”
Indeed, she hadn’t been before! Turning over, Taohua hugged Shen Zaiye’s waist, looking up at him with half-open eyes, “With such a long time, what if we encounter Prince Jing again?”
“In your current appearance, even I could barely recognize you, let alone Prince Jing,” Shen Zaiye said flatly, returning his gaze to the booklet. “Besides, this time, Prince Jing isn’t the most dangerous for you.”
“Hm?” Taohua was surprised, “If not him, then who?”
“Just be careful,” Shen Zaiye said. “It’s not unheard of for ‘accidental’ killings to occur during hunts.”
The hunting grounds, with arrows flying everywhere, were an ideal place to eliminate threats under the guise of “accidents.”
Taohua shuddered, hugging him tighter, her eyes blazing, “Then I’ll stick with you, my lord, protecting you every step of the way!”
Who’s protecting whom? Shen Zaiye glanced at her askance but didn’t argue. Looking at the names in the booklet, he moistened his fingertip with tea and erased one name.
The hunting grounds were newly built with imperial funds, under the supervision of Minister Meng. The grassland and temporary palace at the foot of North Mountain had just been completed. This imperial visit also served as an inspection.
Upon arrival, Shen Zaiye brought Taohua to the Emperor’s presence.
“After the tiring journey, Your Majesty should rest a while,” he smiled. “We can visit the mountain after lunch.”
Taohua stood beside Shen Zaiye, bowing with him. Her eyes lowered, she could only see the Emperor’s dragon boots and a pair of embroidered shoes beside them.
Those shoes were beautiful, satin with bird embroidery. Though not phoenixes, they were delicate and charming. The hem of the dress above the shoes was threaded with gold and silver, clearly belonging to a favored consort.
“The Prime Minister must be tired too. Stay here and play a game of chess with me,” Emperor Mingde was in a good mood, embracing Consort Lan as he looked at the person beside Shen Zaiye. “It’s the Zhao Princess’s first audience. She can stay here and chat with Consort Lan.”
“Yes,” they both responded. Shen Zaiye followed the Emperor to the inner chamber, while Taohua cautiously stood beside Consort Lan, softly greeting her, “Greetings to Consort Lan.”
The room fell silent, with no response. Feeling awkward, Taohua wasn’t sure if Consort Lan hadn’t heard her or what, so she sneaked a glance up.
Her eyes met the Consort’s directly.
“So you’re the Zhao Princess who was mistakenly married to the Prime Minister?” Consort Lan smiled slightly. Her face was as bright as a night pearl and as stunning as a peony. Her long phoenix eyes were both alluring and dignified as she looked at Taohua with an unreadable expression, “You’re indeed unique.”
Was that a compliment or not? Taohua smiled politely, feeling uneasy under the Consort’s gaze, unsure of what to say.
Consort Lan stood up, taking her hand, “They’re playing chess inside. Let’s go for a walk outside. It’s been a while since anyone has kept me company.”
“Yes.”
In the inner chamber, Shen Zaiye tensed slightly, glancing back outside.
“You needn’t worry, Minister,” the Emperor smiled. “Lan is just bored and looking for someone to talk to. She won’t eat your person.”
Smiling, Shen Zaiye lowered his head, “I’m not worried about Lady Jiang, but rather that she might offend Consort Lan. Lady Jiang was probably spoiled in Zhao and lacks proper etiquette.”
“Haha,” the Emperor laughed heartily, setting up the chess pieces and looking at him, “You, as her brother, still care for your sister the most.”
Shen Zaiye smiled, lowering his gaze without speaking.
Taohua followed Consort Lan outside. People were everywhere, and it was only at the edge of the hunting grounds that it became quieter.
“I haven’t had the chance to send a congratulatory gift,” Consort Lan said softly, gazing into the distance. “Seeing how much the Prime Minister favors you, I should express my regards.”
Slightly surprised, Taohua looked at her curiously, “Does Your Highness… have some relationship with the Prime Minister?”
Wasn’t Shen Zaiye an external official? Why would the Consort send a gift for him taking a concubine?
“He must not have told you,” Consort Lan turned, her gaze sweeping over Taohua’s face. She chuckled lightly, “The Prime Minister is my brother.”
What? Taohua looked at her in shock, blurting out, “Wasn’t it said that the Prime Minister had no parents or relatives?”
How did this sister suddenly appear? And as a favored consort in the palace? Why hadn’t Qing Taidiscovered this information?
“It’s not surprising that you don’t know,” Consort Lan smiled. “Few in the Great Wei know. We’re not blood-related, so you can still consider him without family.”
Mouth agape, Taohua took a while to process this, her mind racing to understand the relationship.
Consort Lan was Shen Zaiye’s sister, but not by blood, so an adopted sister. Shen Zaiye had entered court service two years ago, and Consort Lan must have entered the palace around the same time, gaining the Emperor’s favor.
No wonder Shen Zaiye had such influence with the Emperor—he even had someone by the Emperor’s pillow!
After the initial shock, Taohua felt a bit of admiration. It made sense that he could climb to the position of Prime Minister in two years. He had connections, ruthless tactics, and knew how to handle affairs. Such a person was bound to become Prime Minister.
“The Princess has been in the Prime Minister’s household for some time now, right?” Consort Lan smiled and asked, “What kind of person do you think the Prime Minister is?”
Quickly coming to her senses, Taohua respectfully replied, “The Prime Minister is resourceful, gentle, and considerate. He’s a rare good man.”
“Oh?” Consort Lan laughed, “It seems you don’t know him very well yet.”
Taohua smiled apologetically, “I’ve only been in the household for a short time, and with so many people and distractions, I haven’t had much chance to truly understand the Prime Minister.”
Unable to gauge the relationship between the siblings, she decided to be cautious with her words. If she were to speak honestly, she could curse him for three days and nights!
Consort Lan fell silent, standing still and gazing at the distant mountains, her eyes misty with what seemed like sadness.
Seeing her mood change, Taohua didn’t dare speak, just standing beside her.
“Your subject pays respects to Consort Lan,” a youthful voice suddenly sounded from behind. Consort Lan started, turning to see Prince Nan bowing to her.
Taohua naturally saw him too and quickly curtsied with a smile, “This humble one greets Your Highness.”
Prince Mu Wuxia raised an eyebrow, originally intending to pay respects to his elder, but surprised that the veiled woman beside her knew him.
“You are…” he squinted, looking closely, then exclaimed in shock, “Lady Jiang?”
Nodding embarrassedly, Taohua touched her eyes, thinking that this makeup must indeed be startling to young people.
Dumbfounded, Prince Mu Wuxia was about to say something when Consort Lan spoke, “Prince Nan knows Lady Jiang?”
“We met once at the Prime Minister’s residence,” Mu Wuxia turned back, his expression somewhat strange. “What were you chatting about with her, Consort Lan?”
Consort Lan looked surprised, glancing at him a couple of times before pressing her lips together, “Just casual conversation. If you have time, you should go pay your respects to your father.”
“Yes.”
There was a barely perceptible awkwardness in the air, but Taohua noticed it. Watching Prince Nan leave, she couldn’t help but ask, “Does Your Highness not like Prince Nan?”
(End of Chapter)