Chapter 23: A Woman’s Capability


Working for someone like him doesn’t require emphasizing how hard or diligently you’ve worked—getting the job done right is what matters.

“You seem quite confident.” Shen Zaijie pushed the porridge aside and looked at her, saying, “Don’t blame me for not reminding you—Prince Jing is a cautious man and not someone easy to deal with.”

“Thank you for your concern, my lord. Two days from now, I would like to leave the mansion under the pretense of sightseeing in the capital. I hope you’ll allow it.”

“Very well.” Shen Zaijie nodded and didn’t ask further. He turned to sit at the table for his morning meal before heading to the palace.

Three days passed swiftly, but Shen Zaoye showed no sign of leaving the Spring Contention Pavilion. Each day, he personally fed Lady Jiang her meals and medicine, attending to her with meticulous care.

On the third day, he issued an order to no longer deduct the monthly allowance from the Warm Clear Pavilion. However, matters regarding sharing the bed with him would still depend on the Prime Minister’s mood.

“What is going on here?” Qin Jieyu was quite surprised. “Not only did Lady Gu not cause a fuss, but Lady Jiang even pleaded for mercy on her behalf instead? Have both of their brains been smashed by the door?”

Mei Zhaoxue washed the tea set softly and remarked, “Some people may appear foolish, but in truth, they can be quite shrewd. After being punished once, perhaps Lady Gu has learned her lesson and therefore yielded to Lady Jiang.”

“Doesn’t that mean there’s no show to watch?” Madam Qin was quite displeased. “Three days have already passed, and there’s been no movement from Duan Yunxin or Meng Zhenzhen. I got all excited for nothing.”

“What’s the rush?” Mei Zhaoxue rinsed a white porcelain teacup and gently set it on the table. “Tea should be savored slowly, and days should be lived the same way. There’s no movement now because the timing isn’t right. When the moment comes, the commotion will be far from small.”

Madam Qin frowned, barely able to contain her impatience. However, seeing how calm the mistress was, she suppressed her temper and continued to wait patiently.

It wasn’t that the snubbed Madam Meng and Madam Duan bore no resentment, but seeing how much the master currently favored Madam Jiang, and with Madam Jiang having no room to slip up, they simply didn’t dare make a move.

Duan Yunxin was also a senior who joined the mansion at the beginning of its establishment, and she could remain very composed. However, Meng Zhenzhen had been in the mansion for less than three months. Young and impulsive, it was inevitable for her to lock the door and vent her anger in her room.

“Why does she get to receive the master’s favor like this?” Meng Zhenzhen squeezed her handkerchief, tears streaming down her face, and sobbed as she looked at her maid. “I’ve only been in the mansion for a short time. Am I already going to lose favor?”

Her maid, Cailing, gently patted her back to help her calm down. “This isn’t considered losing favor. It’s just that Madam Jiang is quite skilled and has disrupted the rules of the mansion.”

“Everything was going so well. How could such a demon appear out of nowhere!” Meng Zhenzhen felt extremely wronged, her eyes filled with venomous resentment. “Have someone keep a close eye on that courtyard. If there is any movement, come and tell me immediately!”

“The servants have already been instructed,” replied Caifeng. “There will be people guarding through the night, so you need not worry.”

Meng Shi nodded, her handkerchief nearly crumpled to shreds in her hand. She stared at a corner of the room, her eyes unfocused yet carrying a certain fierceness.

Another day passed, and Jiang Taohua’s wounds finally began to scab over. She managed to take a few steps out of bed, only to feel so dizzy she had to sit back down.

“What news of Prince Jing?” she asked.

Qingtai said, “Today, the Prince of Jing and the Prince of Yu have an appointment. They will meet at Floating Cloud Tower at a quarter past the hour of the snake. The prime minister has already sent the map of the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty. I’ve drawn the route from the Prince of Jing’s mansion to Floating Cloud Tower. Please take a look.”

Taking the map, Taohua leaned over the table, her slender fingers gently tracing the lines on the paper, her eyes filled with deep contemplation.

“Help me get dressed.”

Qingtai was taken aback. “You can barely stand steadily now. Do you really plan to go out alone?”

“It’s not right to bring you along either. If you’re worried about me, you can follow from the shadows.” Tao Hua smiled. “That way, just in case I die in the street, there will be someone to claim my body.”

“Master!” Qing Tai’s expression darkened. “Since you know it’s dangerous, why are you so determined to take such a risk?”

“I was only joking, don’t be so tense, dear.” Tao Hua quickly took her hand and gently shook it. “There’s no way I’m going to die. These past couple of days of heavy nourishment have helped my body recover quickly; holding on for a few hours shouldn’t be a problem. If I don’t take this risk, I’ll end up dead sooner or later anyway—and I’d just be dragging you down with me to the grave.”

“Then let it be to the grave!” Qing Tai’s eyes reddened. “At least that would be better than watching you struggle with life and death all on your own.”

The peach blossom couldn’t help but laugh, gazing at her with gentle eyes: “Silly girl, one can value loyalty in life, but one mustn’t put the cart before the horse. When both you and I have a chance to survive, why should we cling to each other and die together?”

Qingtai was left speechless, stomping her foot in frustration: “Anyway, no matter what I say, I can never win an argument against you!”

“Since you can’t win, then obediently listen.” Smiling as she glanced at her, Tao Hua stood up and went to sit at the dressing table, beginning to apply makeup to her pale face. “Bring out that moonlit lotus cloth dress.”

“Yes.” With a muffled reply, Moss picked out a skirt, and after her mistress finished her makeup, she helped her change clothes.

“Does this look like I’m in poor health?” Peach Blossom spread her hands and lowered her head to examine herself.

Moss shook her head, “It doesn’t show. Your makeup is also very fitting, just like an ordinary girl from the common folk.”

“Great!” Satisfied, Peach Blossom nodded, then turned and walked out.

Shen Zaijie had already permitted her to leave the residence, so a carriage was waiting at the side gate. As soon as Jiang Taohua got in, a servant at the gate went to report back to Shen Zaijie.

Though he had claimed he needed to attend court, this lord hadn’t moved from the estate. Only after the report came did he throw on his cloak and head out. “Follow them to keep an eye on things, just in case.”

Zhan Lu, puzzled, said, “Why must you go personally, Master? This servant can send others.”

“She’s going to deal with Prince Jing,” Shen Zaijie cast a sidelong glance at him. “What use is sending you all? If something goes wrong, would you be able to handle it?”

That does make sense, Zhang Lu nodded, obediently following his master out the door.

Prince Jing’s carriage had left the palace a quarter of an hour before the appointed time. Peach Blossom calculated the route, figuring he must pass through Echo Lane, so she waited at the entrance of the alley.

Echo Lane lies to the south of the capital, where brothels and gambling dens are plentiful. The largest underground moneylenders and gambling establishments in the capital are all located here, attracting a rather chaotic mix of people.

The beautiful girl stood at the entrance of the alley, instantly drawing the attention of many passersby. Those with bolder spirits even stepped forward to tease her:

“Little lady, are you short on money? Why not come drink with us, big brothers?”

Peach Blossom looked up, her timid eyes particularly pitiable. She hunched her shoulders, resembling an innocent little white rabbit, and retreated to the side, clutching the hem of her skirt.

The onlookers all felt their hearts skip a beat. A woman of such beauty, not inferior even to the top courtesan of Hefengwu Dance Hall—why would she be standing here all alone?

“You… you all stay back.” A pair of almond-shaped eyes widened in an instant, brimming with tears. Peach Blossom stood pressed against the wall, her face filled with terror.

Such a scene would make anyone feel a pang of pity and want to pull the girl into their arms to comfort her. The passersby had originally intended just to take a quick glance at the commotion, but anyone who looked her way found themselves unable to move on. With such extraordinary beauty and such a pitiful demeanor, she was like a painting of a celestial maiden, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

“Truly a remarkable skill.”

Watching the growing crowd at the mouth of the alley beginning to block the street, Shen Zaiye, sitting in the teahouse across the way, sneered coldly, holding his teacup but not taking a sip.

Zhanlu felt a sudden tension all over his body, sensing that his master was once again enveloped in that strange aura. He glanced at his expression but couldn’t tell whether he was pleased or displeased at all.

“What does Miss Jiang intend to do?” he cautiously inquired.

With only the two of them in the empty teahouse, Shen Zaiye spoke without reservation, his tone indifferent, “She wants to block King Jing’s path.”

Using her beauty to block someone’s path—such a bold and supremely confident approach really left him at a loss for words.

Prince Jing’s carriage was enclosed on all sides, and if he were not allowed to dismount, he would certainly not be able to see her. Jiang Taohua’s actions were understandable, but what piqued his curiosity even more was: what exactly did she plan to do upon meeting Prince Jing?

In the early afternoon, Echo Lane, along with the adjacent streets, were crammed with men of all kinds, creating an exceptionally grand scene. When constables arrived upon receiving word and attempted to disperse the crowd, Shen Zaie directly instructed Zhan Lu to block them.

Thus, Jiang Taohua successfully managed to intercept Prince Jing.

“What’s happening up ahead?” Mu Wuyin lifted the carriage curtain and asked with a frown.

The guard by his side quickly stepped forward to investigate and returned to report with a respectful salute, “It seems these people are gathering to watch a woman.”

“What kind of woman could be worth so many people blocking the road?” Mu Wuyin impatiently demanded, “Have someone clear the way. This prince is in a hurry.”

“Understood,” the guard replied. Just as he turned to issue the order, he saw the crowd suddenly part ways, and a figure staggered out from within.

“Who are you?” The guard at the front quickly stopped her.

At this shout, Prince Jing, who was about to lower the carriage curtain, turned his gaze toward her.

Trembling with fear, Peach Blossom glanced anxiously at the guard’s blade, then hurriedly retreated into the crowd. As she retreated, others behind tried to grab her.

“Please, let me go!” she pleaded tearfully, struggling against them. “I am just a humble woman looking for something. I bear no grudge against any of you…”

The voice was crisp as a warbler in the valley, and she wore a lotus-patterned dress of great elegance. Startled, Prince Jing lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out.

“Who are you?”

The guards quickly stepped aside, and the onlookers also retreated. Peach Blossom slumped onto the road, looking up at the sound of his voice. “I… I am new to this noble land. I haven’t done anything wrong, nothing at all…”

“No need to be nervous.”

Her appearance was strikingly reminiscent of the spotted deer he had chased on the hunting grounds last year, with clear eyes filled with alarm, extraordinarily pitiful. Mu Wuyin’s expression instantly softened, as he bent down to look at her and asked, “Where is your family?”

Tao Hua pouted, her voice trembling with tears, “We got separated.”

“Where do you intend to go?”

Cautiously glancing at him, Tao Hua pursed her lips. “I’m waiting for my father here. He took my hairpin into this alley and told me to wait.”

In the alley? Mu Wuyin looked up, momentarily filled with anger, but said nothing. He simply helped her up gently and asked, “That person… shall I take you to find him?”

“……” A half cup of tea spilled from the teahouse opposite.

Zhan Lu, puzzled, glanced across at Shen Zaiye. Taking in his expression, he finally seemed to grasp something.

    His master appeared to be furious, his face darkened and unpleasant. It was unclear whether he was angry at his own miscalculation or over something else.