Zhan Lu was stunned by his master’s sudden question. He glanced cautiously at Shen Zaiye and replied, “This servant isn’t a worm in your belly, how would I know what you’re thinking?”
“Let me rephrase,” Shen Zaiye pursed his lips. “Why do you think I spared Lady Gu today?”
“This… how could this servant guess your thoughts, Master?” Zhan Lu lowered his head. “I merely follow your orders.”
Shen Zaiye pondered. Someone who had served him for so many years couldn’t understand his mind, yet Jiang Taohua, a woman who had only been in the household for a month, somehow knew his thoughts. Had he been too careless? Had he grown too close to her, allowing her to find a weakness? This situation was troubling. If she could figure it out, perhaps others could too. Years of scheming couldn’t be undone by one woman.
Closing his eyes briefly, Shen Zaiye said softly, “Enough. We’ll distance ourselves from her for a while.”
Zhan Lu looked at his master in confusion, unsure who “her” referred to.
In the inner courtyard, as some women gained favor, others inevitably lost it. But fortunes changed, and after a long period of obscurity, several women finally saw an opportunity to rise again.
In Linghan Court, Mei Zhaoxue sat behind a table, still fiddling with tea utensils. Today, however, her brow was furrowed with worry.
“My lady,” Qin Jieyu, seated beside her, said, “I truly can’t understand why the master spared Lady Gu.”
“You’re asking me? Who should I ask?” Mei Zhaoxue replied irritably. “The master’s thoughts are always hard to guess. Perhaps he had a moment of weakness, considering Lady Gu has served in the household for so many years.”
“But this doesn’t bode well for us!” Qin Jieyu frowned. “Lady Gu knows we’re trying to deal with Jiang Taohua. What if she goes to tell on us?”
“It’s useless for her to complain to the master,” Mei Zhaoxue scoffed, pouring tea. “Without evidence, he won’t believe her. At most, Gu Huairou could tell Jiang Taohua. But whether Jiang believes it or not, what can she do to us?”
Qin Jieyu thought for a moment, dabbing her handkerchief. “Didn’t you want her to join our side? Now she certainly won’t.”
“She was never truly going to ally with us,” Mei Zhaoxue said with a wry smile. “Jiang is clever. If she were willing to submit, she would have done so long ago. She wouldn’t have remained silent until now.”
Qin Jieyu sighed repeatedly, “Our plan backfired. What should we do now?”
“What can we do?” Mei Zhaoxue glanced at her. “Instead of scheming against others, you’d better think about how to regain the master’s favor. Your courtyard has been neglected for a long time, hasn’t it?”
Qin Jieyu stiffened, sitting up straight. She said softly, “I’ve been trying, but the things the master used to like, he seems to dislike now. It’s hard to gauge his preferences…”
“Then put in more effort,” Mei Zhaoxue advised. “Now that Lady Meng is gone, you’re the only one in your courtyard. If you can’t outshine others in such favorable circumstances, that’s quite disappointing.”
“Yes…” Qin Jieyu agreed but felt uncertain. Just as she was worrying, Dianzhu rushed in excitedly from outside. “My lady! The master is heading towards Haitang Pavilion! Hurry back!”
Qin Jieyu immediately stood up, her face beaming as she glanced at Mei Zhaoxue.
Mei Zhaoxue nodded with a slight smile. “What are you waiting for? Go quickly.”
“Yes!” After bowing, Qin Jieyu hurried out, lifting her skirts as she ran. All the way, she kept smiling and asking Dianzhu, “Why did the master suddenly decide to come?”
“How would I know?” Dianzhu laughed. “He must miss you. It’s been a long time since he visited our courtyard.”
Qin Jieyu nodded and arrived at Haitang Pavilion’s entrance. She adjusted her appearance before entering with a smile.
Shen Zaiye was in a poor mood, sitting in the main room staring at the empty table, his eyes flickering with dark thoughts.
“Master!” Qin Jieyu entered and bowed respectfully. “I didn’t expect you to come at this hour. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”
“It’s fine,” Shen Zaiye glanced at her. “Do you have any snacks?”
Slightly surprised, Qin Jieyu quickly asked, “What snacks would you like, Master? I’ll have them made right away.”
Shen Zaiye lowered his gaze, staring at the table for a moment before saying flatly, “Bird’s nest and Job’s tears sweet soup, plum blossom-scented cakes, and seven-treasure pearl cakes.”
“Of course, please wait a moment!” Qin Jieyu turned to instruct the maids.
Haitang Pavilion was similar in layout to Zhengchun Court, both being concubines’ quarters. Yet somehow, sitting here felt emptier to Shen Zaiye, as if the room had grown larger.
“I’ve neglected you lately,” Shen Zaiye said. “I’ll stay here tonight. Prepare accordingly.”
Qin Jieyu’s face lit up as she nodded, “I understand. Shall I arrange dinner here as well?”
“Mm.”
“I’ll make arrangements immediately!”
This was an unexpected blessing, and Qin Jieyu was determined to make the most of it.
Left alone with Zhan Lu, Shen Zaiye remained silent. Zhan Lu glanced at him several times before saying softly, “I think I understand what you’re thinking now, Master.”
“Oh?” Shen Zaiye stiffened, looking up. “What am I thinking?”
“Lady Jiang,” Zhan Lu said confidently. “You’ve spent too much time in Zhengchun Court and now feel uncomfortable in other quarters.”
Shen Zaiye was speechless. Why on earth would he be thinking about her? Zhan Lu was guessing wildly!
Yet, he did feel somewhat uneasy. Lately, he had grown accustomed to someone rushing to embrace him unceremoniously whenever he opened a door. He hadn’t scolded her, which only encouraged her to talk back more. It irritated him, but he never considered punishing her. Instead, he found that her presence brought a hint of liveliness to the otherwise dreary Chancellor’s mansion.
This wasn’t right. Someone who needs to swim in deep waters shouldn’t enjoy the feeling of warm breezes drying their clothes. How else could they continue swimming? From the beginning, he knew that growing too close to anyone would lead to judgments beyond reason. That’s why he had never truly favored any of the women in his household.
Jiang Taohua was an exception, an indulgence he had allowed himself. He had thought she wouldn’t live long, but not only had she survived, she had genuinely begun to affect him.
Closing his eyes, Shen Zaiye chuckled softly. He wasn’t a god, just an ordinary man with all the emotions that entailed. It was impossible to extinguish human desires completely. But… he could control them. Since it had already happened, all he could do now was exercise strict control.
In Zhengchun Court, Taohua was reviewing the household’s roster when Qingdai entered with a frown. “The master will be spending the night in Haitang Pavilion.”
“Mm,” Taohua responded without looking up, continuing to read.
“Aren’t you concerned at all?” Qingdai moved closer, displeased. “Lady Qin has schemed against you before. Didn’t Lady Gu tell you? The master is so intelligent, he must know how ruthless these women are, yet he still…”
“Qingdai,” Taohua sighed, looking up. “Let me ask you this: If you went to the market to buy vegetables for ducks, and the seller told you the leaves had been eaten by insects, would you still buy them?”
Qingdai paused, frowning. “Well, I’m not eating them myself. For duck feed, insect-eaten vegetables mean they’re fresh.”
“Exactly,” Taohua smiled lightly. “The women in the inner court may be ruthless, but their schemes aren’t directed at Chancellor Shen. Why would he care?”
As Qingdai struggled to understand this perspective, Yuetao’s voice came from outside. “Lady Jiang, my mistress requests to see you.”
Smiling slightly, Taohua put away the documents and stepped out.
Gu Huairou stood in Wenqing Court’s yard and immediately performed a deep bow upon seeing Taohua.
“What are you doing?” Taohua helped her up. “We’re of equal rank. Such a grand gesture would be too much for me.”
“You deserve it,” Gu Huairou looked at her gratefully. “If not for your magnanimity in helping me despite past grievances, I wouldn’t be standing here now.”
Taohua felt pleased, thinking she hadn’t misjudged this woman after all. A momentary lapse in judgment didn’t matter as long as she learned from it.
“Let’s talk inside,” she said. “It’s not proper to stand out here.”
Gu Huairou nodded and helped her walk in.
“I heard the master went to Haitang Pavilion,” Gu Huairou glanced at Taohua. “Did you offend him because of my situation?”
“Yes,” Taohua nodded.
Gu Huairou’s heart skipped a beat. “What should we do?”
“It’s not a big deal. No flower blooms for a hundred days,” Taohua smiled. “The master might favor you tomorrow.”
“Favor me?” Gu Huairou shook her head. “I’m still confined for self-reflection. How could that be possible…”
“This mansion is his domain. If he wants to go somewhere, can anyone keep him out?” Taohua laughed. “As long as you’re sensible, Lord Gu, your favor won’t be less than Lady Qin’s.”
Slightly taken aback, Gu Huairou didn’t fully understand the intricacies of court politics. But seeing Taohua’s confident demeanor, she nodded. “If the master comes, I’ll certainly put in a good word for you.”
“No need,” Taohua waved her hand. “Involving me won’t do you any favors. Just act as if you know nothing and serve him well.”
Puzzled, Gu Huairou asked, “Do you have another way to save yourself?”
“No,” Taohua replied.
“Why?” Gu frowned. “You could save even me, why can’t you save yourself?”
“A doctor can’t heal themselves,” Taohua shrugged. “I can only leave it to fate now.”
(End of Chapter)