Consort Lan was taken aback. She glanced at Taohua and said, “Princess, you certainly don’t know how to speak properly. I am His Majesty’s favored consort and also Prince Nan’s mother. How could I not like him?”

“This servant was wrong,” Taohua quickly lowered her head. “Please don’t take it to heart, Your Highness.”

Though she said this, Taohua wasn’t foolish. If Consort Lan truly cared for Prince Nan, why did she speak so stiffly and send him off to pay respects to the Emperor after just a few words? Shouldn’t a mother at least exchange pleasantries and show some concern?

Strangely, if Consort Lan was Shen Zaiye’s sister, and Shen Zaiye was on Prince Nan’s side, why did she seem to dislike and even slightly reject Prince Nan? Was there a story behind this?

“I’m not a petty person. You don’t need to be so nervous,” Consort Lan said, glancing at her. “The Prime Minister is skilled at hunting. Following him will surely broaden your horizons.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The conversation couldn’t continue further. The two casually strolled around, observing the surroundings before heading back.

Meanwhile, Lord Meng was sweating profusely as he patrolled the stables with Prince Yu.

“I didn’t expect Prince Jing to invite Father Emperor here,” Prince Yu said with a displeased expression. “Are you certain there won’t be any problems?”

This stable was in a remote location, and the temporary palace was hastily built without much expense. Cutting corners was inevitable. Prince Yu worried about issues arising during the hunt, which would all fall on Lord Meng’s shoulders.

“Your Highness, please rest assured,” Lord Meng said, wiping sweat from his brow. “I’ve stationed men near the less stable walls. If anything happens, we’ll cover it up immediately.”

“Good,” Prince Yu frowned. “Shen Zaiye has been frequently seen around Prince Jing lately, likely intending to help him. We can’t let them catch us making mistakes. As for your daughter, I won’t blame her anymore. Just make up for it with meritorious service.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Lord Meng bowed, then added reluctantly, “Zhenzhen was divorced solely due to her connection with the Liu family. She didn’t commit any major wrongdoing herself. I hope Your Highness will consider this.”

“I don’t care what she did or whether she was right or wrong,” Prince Yu said, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowing. “I only care if she can capture Prime Minister Shen’s heart. She failed.”

Lord Meng was stunned and quickly bowed his head.

Prince Yu looked up at the azure sky and said softly, “I wonder what Shen Zaiye is thinking lately. It seems he truly intends to side with Prince Jing. This isn’t good at all.”

Prince Jing already held the most power. With the Prime Minister’s assistance, the position of Crown Prince would be out of reach for Prince Yu.

“Does Your Highness have any ideas?” Lord Meng asked.

“It’s simple,” Prince Yu smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. “If he’s truly decided to help Prince Jing, then we can’t show him any mercy.”

“You mean…”

Prince Yu made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand.

If Shen Zaiye couldn’t be used, he was an enemy. For a powerful enemy, the sooner he was eliminated, the better.

In the temporary palace, Shen Zaiye sneezed and frowned slightly.

“Are you unwell, Minister?” the Emperor asked with concern, holding a chess piece.

Shen Zaiye shook his head and smiled. “Perhaps someone is thinking of me. It’s hard to fall ill in such warm weather.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and captured one of Shen Zaiye’s pawns, chuckling, “As the Prime Minister, second only to me and above all others, naturally many people think of you.”

Before he finished speaking, Prince Nan’s voice was heard outside, “Your son has come to pay respects, Father Emperor.”

Due to recent events, the Emperor’s impression of Prince Nan had improved. He waved his hand, allowing him to enter.

Mu Wuxia wore a white riding outfit with red trim, looking very spirited. He came in and bowed formally, “Greetings, Father Emperor.”

“You may rise,” the Emperor said, looking at him with an enigmatic smile. “You certainly understand etiquette best, coming to pay respects first.”

Mu Wuxia looked up with a slight smile. “The teacher said that propriety must not be neglected. Only after paying respects to Father Emperor can I attend to other matters.”

“Oh?” the Emperor raised an eyebrow. “What matters do you have to attend to?”

“Prince Jing asked me to patrol the mountains.”

Patrol the mountains? The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, but he understood clearly. Prince Jing had taken on the task of mountain patrols himself, claiming he didn’t mind the hardship, yet he quickly passed it on to Prince Nan. He certainly knew how to curry favor while shirking responsibility.

“In that case, you may go,” the Emperor said.

“Yes, Father Emperor.” Prince Nan responded, not even glancing at Shen Zaiye as he quickly left.

The Emperor continued looking at the chessboard, but his mind was no longer on the game.

After a while, he spoke softly, “Last time you evaluated my princes, you only described Prince Nan as innocent and naive. I find him quite capable and diligent. Despite his young age, he lacks the impulsiveness of the other princes and shows great potential.”

“Is that so?” Shen Zaiye said indifferently, keeping his eyes lowered. “I hadn’t noticed. Speaking of capability, none of Your Majesty’s sons surpass Prince Jing.”

Prince Jing? The Emperor chuckled softly, his eyes unreadable.

He had previously thought highly of Wu Yin, but… well, there was no rush to name a Crown Prince. He would observe further.

After resting for an hour, everyone was ready. The Emperor eagerly mounted a double-saddled horse with Consort Lan, intending to tour the mountains.

“Prime Minister, bring Lady Jiang along,” Consort Lan smiled at Shen Zaiye. “I was just saying that the Prime Minister is skilled at hunting and could broaden Lady Jiang’s horizons.”

As servants brought over a double-saddled horse, Shen Zaiye nodded to the Emperor and Consort, then lifted Taohua onto the horse.

“Finally, I have a chance to ask you,” Taohua whispered, leaning against his chest and grasping the saddle. “What’s your relationship with Consort Lan?”

Shen Zaiye’s expression darkened slightly. “Did you say something careless in front of her?”

“No, no,” Taohua quickly waved her hands. “This servant only heard her say you were her brother.”

Brother? Shen Zaiye pressed his lips together. “Even if that were true, it’s irrelevant now. Just treat her as Consort Lan.”

Irrelevant? Taohua raised an eyebrow, looking at him teasingly. “This servant observed that the Consort still cares for you. Perhaps in the past…”

“Silence!” Shen Zaiye’s gaze was sharp as a knife as he rebuked her in a low voice. “Do you realize where you are, speaking so carelessly?”

Taohua’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly covered her mouth and looked around.

The Emperor’s procession had already moved ahead. They were surrounded by guards, but they stood at a distance and likely hadn’t heard.

“This servant was wrong,” she said, muffled behind her hand. “This servant won’t ask anymore.”

“Hold on tight!” Shen Zaiye commanded sternly before spurring the horse past the guards, and taking another path up the mountain.

The horse galloped so fast that Taohua shrieked in fear. Feeling unstable gripping the saddle, she ended up clutching the man behind her tightly around the waist.

“Are you trying to strangle me?” Shen Zaiye growled through gritted teeth.

“I… This servant is scared!” Taohua was on the verge of tears. “Please slow down!”

“If we slow down, what will there be left to hunt?” He snorted coldly, drawing a long arrow from his back and nocking it to his bow. He fired towards the distance.

Before Taohua saw anything, cheers erupted behind them. A guard shouted, “It’s a rabbit!”

Did he hit that? Taohua was amazed. She turned to look at the man behind her and said, “This servant always thought you were a civil official, not skilled in martial arts.”

“So you thought that cabinet full of swords was just for show?” He gave her a disdainful look, drawing another arrow. “In your mind, what kind of person am I?”

“A venomous snake covered in golden scales,” Taohua answered honestly.

Shen Zaiye: “…”

Was she going to forget the “venomous snake” comment?

Irritated, Shen Zaiye reached out and lifted her, dangling her in the air. “To reward your honesty, this venomous snake wants to give you wings. Go fly!”

He made it as if to throw her off.

“My lord!” Taohua flailed in panic, tears welling up. “You can’t do this! Every time you ask for honesty but don’t like hearing it. You might as well let this servant lie!”

“Then tell me a lie,” he said.

“You’re the gentlest, kindest, most handsome man in the world!”

Shen Zaiye chuckled coldly, his expression darkening further. “You’d better fly bravely!”

“No!” She clung to his clothes like an octopus, tears in her eyes. “You’re the best, my lord. Considering how small and unobtrusive this servant is, please put me back on the horse?”

He glanced at her sideways and snorted, releasing her. He allowed her to cling tightly to him as he drew another arrow and shot into the underbrush.

Something was pinned to a tree behind them. A guard rushed over and shouted, “A grass snake!”

“Wow!” Taohua shuddered and whispered, “So ruthless, not even sparing your kind…”

“Jiang Taohua,” a calm voice came from above, “if you dare, repeat what you just said.”

“This servant said you’re dashing, handsome, graceful, and truly a shining jewel in the great Ming dynasty!” Taohua declared in one breath, her eyes full of sincerity. “To share a horse with you for a day, this servant could die without regrets!”

Unable to get angry but unwilling to laugh, Shen Zaiye shook his head. His arrows flew more fiercely, felling small animals as the guards behind them cheered continuously.

The uniquely masculine scent wafted from him, and Taohua suddenly felt that if this man’s heart weren’t so cruel, he would be quite reliable. She leaned back into his embrace, feeling as if even the sky falling couldn’t harm her there.

However, she worried: what if he hunted more game than the Emperor?

As the two made their way up the mountain and just passed through a grove, a cold arrow suddenly shot towards them from an unknown direction. The killing intent was palpable. Shen Zaiye pulled Taohua down, lying flat on the horse as they narrowly avoided the arrow.

(End of Chapter)