Duan Yunxin sighed softly, “Isn’t this normal? If the lord truly cared for Zhenzhen, he wouldn’t have divorced her so hastily.”
“But what about the rules of the household?” Liu Xiangjun asked displeased, “Someone who committed such grave mistakes not only remains in the mansion but now faces no punishment and even receives the lord’s favor!”
Duan Yunxin glanced at her, “You’ve been here for some time now. Haven’t you realized that this household has never had any real rules? It’s all decided by the lord alone.”
Liu Xiangjun fell silent. It seemed true, but if the lord favored Madam Gu, wouldn’t that stone remain forever unmovable?
She felt worried. Initially, she had chosen to abandon Madam Gu and align with Duan Yunxin. Now that Madam Gu had not only regained her position but was increasingly favored, wasn’t this a slap to her face?
Seeing her expression, Duan Yunxin smiled lightly, “Why are you so anxious? Everyone knows you can’t go out when the wind is strong. Let’s wait and see.”
Liu Xiangjun nodded slightly, her brow still furrowed as she continued to support Duan Yunxin while they walked.
As the situation in the mansion shifted, Shen Zaiye’s actions became unpredictable. Over the next half month, he favored Madam Gu, Madam Qin, and Madam Duan, but never once visited Zhenghun Pavilion.
After receiving a favor, Gu Huairou’s complexion improved significantly, and her clothes and accessories became more luxurious. However, sitting before Taohua, her expression was filled with worry.
“Has the mistress offended the lord somehow?” she asked.
Taohua shrugged, “I don’t know. I haven’t done anything, yet he suddenly doesn’t want to see me.”
She wasn’t even given a chance to explain or inquire. Every time she went to Linwu Court, she was stopped outside. At first, Taohua felt wrong, but later she understood. He must be busy, and she not only couldn’t help but might even hinder his affairs, so he was keeping her at a distance.
However, understanding was one thing, accepting it was another. She had thought Shen Dushe was just tough on the outside but soft-hearted. Now it seemed his heart wasn’t soft at all.
If he didn’t want to see her, there was no point in persisting. Living well with good food and drink wasn’t bad either.
“This isn’t a solution,” Gu Huairou frowned, “Should I try talking to him?”
“Just focus on maintaining your favor. Don’t get involved with my bad luck,” Taohua pursed her lips, “The mansion seems to have three power centers again. Do you have the energy to worry about me?”
Gu Huairou looked confused, “What three power centers?”
“You haven’t noticed?” Taohua’s mouth twitched as she took three small teacups from the table and arranged them together, “Madam Qin, Madam Duan, and you. You three now monopolize the lord’s favor. Others in the mansion are observing the situation. For instance, some maids recently came to your courtyard to pledge allegiance, while others chose the other two mistresses. With Madam Meng gone, the previous two-faction structure has collapsed. You’ve benefited from misfortune and gained a foothold. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll surely be pushed out by the other two.”
Gu Huairou stared at the three teacups on the table, murmuring, “So when those people came to me earlier with flattering words, they wanted to align with me?”
“What else did you think? That they were just bored?” Taohua shook her head, “There are no true friends in this mansion. People stand together when interests align and become enemies when they conflict.”
So when Taohua had her return gifts to those people earlier, it was forming alliances? Gu Huairou was amazed. She had been focusing solely on how to serve the lord, knowing nothing of these matters. Fortunately, she had Taohua…
“Does the mistress think those few maids who came to me are trustworthy?” she asked.
Taohua smiled lightly, “If they weren’t trustworthy, why would I have you return their gifts? The two maids who went to your courtyard – one is Wu, the eldest daughter of Quhucheng County’s magistrate. The other is Feng, a concubine-born daughter of Changning Prefecture’s governor. Their family backgrounds aren’t too high, but they’re decent people just looking for a place to belong, with no intention of stepping on you to rise.”
Gu Huairou was dumbfounded, “How do you know all this?”
“Their backgrounds are in the household register. As for their characters, couldn’t you tell?” Taohua looked at her strangely, “What were you looking at when they came to visit you?”
“I looked at their clothes and gifts.”
Taohua was speechless.
They both fell silent, reaching an unspoken consensus – without Jiang Taohua, Gu Huairou would never survive in this household.
They had realized this problem rather late, being too close to the situation. Some outsiders, however, had noticed much earlier.
“Rather than focusing on dealing with Madam Gu, it would be better to eliminate Madam Jiang once and for all,” Liu Xiangjun knelt before Qin Jieyu, smiling sweetly, “What does the mistress think?”
Qin Jieyu frowned, pondering, “The lord is already neglecting her. I don’t see what else we can do to her.”
“There’s always a way if we think hard enough,” Liu Xiangjun said, “Our Madam Jiang is quite different from others. For instance, as a lady of the household, she often meets with Prince Nan. You know, Prince Nan was once betrothed to her.”
“Wasn’t that with the lord’s permission?” Qin Jieyu pursed her lips, “I’ve heard some rumors about it too.”
“We don’t know why the lord permits it, but as a lady of the Xiang household, there must be some taboos Madam Jiang shouldn’t break,” Liu Xiangjun lowered her voice, looking at Qin Jieyu, “The mistress is so clever, surely you can think of something.”
After a moment of silence, Qin Jieyu looked up at her, “Your tongue is quite skilled at stirring up trouble.”
“The mistress flatters me. I merely wish to do something for you, to ensure my continued survival in this household,” Liu Xiangjun smiled, slowly standing up, “I’ve given you the idea. As for how to execute it, I shouldn’t presume to instruct you. It’s best if you handle it yourself.”
Qin Jieyu watched her leave with a wry smile, lost in thought for a long while.
It was time for Prince Nan’s regular visit to the mansion. Shen Zaiye waited at the entrance with a calm expression. Seeing Mu Wuxia arrive, he bowed, “Your Highness.”
Mu Wuxia looked at him curiously, then walked in, “There’s something I’ve wanted to ask the Prime Minister for a long time – have you been ill recently?”
“No,” Shen Zaiye glanced at him, “Why would Your Highness ask such a question?”
Mu Wuxia said seriously, “You look terrible, and you’ve rarely smiled lately. Even Father Emperor asked today if I’ve been giving you too much work and if you’re overworked.”
Shen Zaiye pursed his lips, ignoring the question and instead asking, “When did His Majesty ask this? Were you present?”
“Wasn’t there an edict today appointing Prince Jing as regent?” Mu Wuxia said, “All the princes were in the study to receive instructions. Father Emperor mentioned it in passing.”
Shen Zaiye’s mind stirred. He looked at Mu Wuxia beside him, “How does Your Highness feel about Prince Jing being appointed regent?”
Mu Wuxia paused his steps and glanced at Shen Zaiye, “What could I think? I may not be inferior to Brother Jing, but Father Emperor is biased against me, and our views on governance differ. It’s normal for him to appoint Brother Jing as regent.”
Seeing no one around, Shen Zaiye invited him into a garden pavilion. Sitting down, he looked at Mu Wuxia, “If this humble servant had a hand in Prince Jing’s appointment as regent, would Your Highness rely on me more?”
Mu Wuxia’s face darkened, and he frowned, “What scheme are you plotting now?”
“Whatever it is, it won’t harm Your Highness,” Shen Zaiye smiled slightly, “But Your Highness has been unwilling to cooperate with me, which troubles me.”
“Prime Minister,” Mu Wuxia looked at him seriously, “Do you think if a person relies on others to the point where they don’t have to do anything themselves, can their position be stable if they one day ascend to the throne?”
“You wouldn’t be doing nothing,” Shen Zaiye pursed his lips, “Just focus on learning His Majesty’s way of governing.”
Annoyance flashed across Mu Wuxia’s face as he stood up, sweeping his sleeves. His eyes shot daggers at Shen Zaiye, “The Prime Minister treats Wuxia as a tool, a puppet, never considering Wuxia’s true feelings. For you to expect me to rely on you is truly a fool’s dream!”
The atmosphere instantly became tense. Shen Zaiye’s face darkened, momentarily at a loss for words. According to his plans, Prince Nan could reach the position of Crown Prince within two years. But now that he wasn’t cooperating, Shen Zaiye would have to take many detours. Why couldn’t he understand?
“Didn’t Madam Jiang get injured during the spring hunt?” Mu Wuxia turned his head, “I’d like to see her.”
At the mention of Taohua, Shen Zaiye’s mood worsened. He said glumly, “It’s been so long, her wound has long since healed. What’s there to see? She’s an inner courtyard lady after all. It’s best if Your Highness sees her less.”
“I just see her as an elder sister,” Mu Wuxia said, “Are we not even allowed to meet?”
Elder sister? Shen Zaiye sneered inwardly. His elder sister wasn’t as scheming as Jiang Taohua.
As they began to reach an impasse, over at Zhenghun Pavilion, Taohua had just finished dressing up.
Prince Nan had arrived, and even if Shen Zaiye didn’t favor her, the young prince would want to see her. So she dressed up and prepared to give the prince a newly embroidered pillow.
“Madam Jiang,” someone soon came to relay a message, “The lord requests you to bring some refreshments to the garden.”
“Alright,” Taohua nodded, having Qingtai carry the refreshments while she carried the pillow, happily heading towards the Imperial Garden.
What Shen Zaiye wanted to prevent, even Prince Nan couldn’t override. Just as Mu Wuxia was angrily about to leave, he heard someone call out from the garden entrance, “Your Highness!”
His eyes brightened as he looked up to see Madam Jiang standing at the door, smiling at him while holding something.
Shen Zaiye’s face instantly darkened. He stood up, looking at Jiang Taohua as she approached, his gaze sharp.
He hadn’t seen her for over half a month. At first glance, she seemed to have lost some weight, her figure more slender. He wondered if she hadn’t been eating well.
But now wasn’t the time to think about that. He hadn’t summoned her, yet she dared to come see Prince Nan on her own?
“This concubine pays respects to the lord and Prince Nan!” With a bright smile on her face, Taohua offered the pillow to Prince Nan, “This is a thank-you gift for Your Highness, made by my own hands. I hope Your Highness doesn’t find it lacking.”
(End of Chapter)