{"id":3372,"date":"2026-05-15T04:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-16\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:48:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:48:17","slug":"peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-16","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/chapter\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Peach Blossom Overturning the Country (The Princess\u2018s Gambit) 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 16: Don\u2019t Blame Me for Being Impolite


Frowning even more tightly, Shen Zaive took a deep breath, his movements swift and precise. After just a few stitches, Taohua was jolted completely awake by the pain.

\u201cIf you want my life\u2026there\u2019s no need to torment me like this.\u201d With her eyes half-open, Jiang Taohua felt dizzy and her head throbbing, so much so that she couldn\u2019t even lift her hands, and even speaking required great effort.

Despite this, she still reached out to pinch his arm, twisting it with all her might.

Without even batting an eyelid, Shen Zaijia continued with his precise and ruthless needlework. As the needle passed through her skin and flesh, sensing her painful flinch, he actually smiled and said, \u201cSo you do feel pain after all.\u201d

Who doesn\u2019t feel pain? Jiang Taohua was furious, sweat on her forehead mixing with tears streaming down her face, her chin resting on his shoulder as she simply rubbed it all over his clothes.

Shen Zaiye was actually a bit nervous inside, after all, sewing up someone\u2019s wound was his first time doing it, and the other person was a conscious woman, her sobs suppressed in her throat, all of which he could hear.

But as he thought about this woman\u2019s actions, his eyes darkened; he truly felt not the slightest bit of pity for her!

\u201cThere\u2019s something I\u2019m quite curious about,\u201d Shen Zaizhe asked carelessly, his hands covered in blood. \u201cHow did you know what I wanted to do?\u201d

Tao Hua was in so much pain that she rolled her eyes. \u201cYour Majesty\u2026 do you think your humble concubine can manage a lengthy explanation right now?\u201d

The needle pierced through her flesh, and the thread at the back tugged at the wound\u2014this torment wasn\u2019t something that ended in an instant. One stitch, two stitches, three stitches; just when she thought the pain had peaked, it grew even more unbearable, unending and excruciating, clawing at her heart and lungs.

This was far less effortless than setting a bone had been. Her whole body was trembling uncontrollably, her lips turning pale, and she didn\u2019t even have the strength left to pinch Shen Zaiji.

\u201cIf you can\u2019t manage a long explanation, then listen to me ask slowly. Once you have the energy, you can answer all at once.\u201d Shen Zaiji pursed his lips, speaking while he sutured. \u201cThis wound was your own doing, wasn\u2019t it? You brought it upon yourself. But why were you so certain that the Southern Prince would definitely save you?\u201d

This was what he was most curious about. He clearly hadn\u2019t shown any special favor toward the Southern Prince; everything had been conducted according to proper etiquette. So how had Jiang Taohua managed to pin the Southern Prince down?

The person lying on him made no further sound, likely already delirious from the pain.

Shen Zaizhe looked at the wound and sneered, \u201cAnyway, you\u2019ve won this round. The Southern King no longer trusts me and insists on protecting your life. He said if you die, no matter who kills you, he will blame it on me and part ways with me.\u201d

\u201cJiang Taohua, you blindly stumbled upon an incredible weakness, making me want to kill you right now, yet leaving me completely helpless, forced to surrender.\u201d

Taohua\u2019s mind was completely blank, but she could still hear his words and couldn\u2019t help curling the corners of her mouth into a faint smile.

She had won. She hadn\u2019t made the wrong bet. Although half her life was gone, at least half still remained.

So it seems that Shen Zaijie not only cannot kill her now, but must instead spare no effort to keep her safe. For someone so adept at scheming, being tricked by her all of a sudden must have stirred up quite a bit of anger, right?

No wonder he is now dealing with her so ruthlessly.

With that thought, even the pain of the piercing felt like nothing to Peach Blossom. Resting her head on his shoulder, she even let out a light chuckle.

Squinting his eyes slightly, Shen Zaice tilted his head, leaning close to her ear and whispering softly, \u201cDon\u2019t get too full of yourself. The only thing you can keep is your life.\u201d

If she offended him while still residing in his prime minister\u2019s residence, what kind of good days could she possibly have ahead?

Jiang Taohua didn\u2019t say a word, but deep down, she didn\u2019t really care. The journey ahead had to be taken one step at a time. She had successfully taken the first step, and the ones that followed would be much easier to navigate.

As the final stitch was sewn, Shen Zaice cut the catgut and withdrew the needle. Glancing at the gruesome wound, he remarked, \u201cStarting today, you don\u2019t have to serve me anymore. Just looking at it is nauseating.\u201d

Sweat and tears streamed down the bridge of her nose. Peach Blossom had no strength left to argue with him; as soon as she slipped from his arms, she collapsed onto the bed, frowning as she drifted into unconsciousness.

Twenty-eight stitches, and not a single cry of pain\u2014how could such a person be a woman? She was practically a monster.

Shen Zaiye stood up, wrung a towel with the hot water brought by Moss, wiped the blood off her body, washed his hands, and then walked out.

Mu Wuxia had been waiting outside, even suspecting for a moment that Peach Blossom had stopped breathing\u2014otherwise, why would there be absolutely no sound from within?

But when Shen Zaiye emerged, he smiled and said to him: \u201cThe wound has been stitched. Have the medic apply the medicine and provide care.\u201d

Mu Wuxia was taken aback, turned to glance at the medic, who promptly bowed and entered the room.

\u201cYou finished stitching her?\u201d

Shen Zaiye nodded, meeting the young prince\u2019s skeptical gaze with composure: \u201cSince Your Highness has bound her fate to this humble official\u2019s, naturally, I shall take responsibility for her.\u201d

\u201cThat\u2019s good.\u201d With a relaxed expression, Mu Wuxia sighed softly, \u201cIf you had been like this from the start, there wouldn\u2019t have been all this trouble. No matter how perfect a lie is, it will eventually be exposed. Why didn\u2019t you just be honest with me from the beginning?\u201d

Shen Zaije smiled, his handsome features looking incredibly gentle under the sunlight. \u201cEverything I do is solely for Your Highness\u2019s benefit. As for how I go about it, you need not worry.\u201d

So, does that mean this failed deception was just bad luck, and next time it will be even more seamless? The young prince\u2019s brow furrowed once again. \u201cIf you want me to stay out of it, then do things that have nothing to do with me. But if it involves me and you try to deceive me again, dragging innocent people into it, then don\u2019t blame me for cutting off your escape route with my own hands.\u201d

Taking a light breath, Shen Zaixie lowered his gaze to look at him: \u201cWhat good does it do Your Highness to make things difficult for your humble servant?\u201d

\u201cNone.\u201d Standing with his hands behind his back, Mu Wuxia met his gaze openly: \u201cBut it eases my own conscience, and it does me no harm.\u201d

Their goals were the same, but the paths they took were different. Shen Zaixie had always strived to pull him onto his own path, but Mu Wuxia insisted on walking his own.

It was this very difference that gave Taohua the chance to survive today.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Zaiye continued to smile gently and elegantly: \u201cI understand. Once the prime minister\u2019s carriage arrives, I will take Madam Jiang back to the estate first.\u201d

\u201cVery well.\u201d Mu Wuxia nodded. \u201cHowever, from now on, this lord will often visit the residence to see Lady Jiang.\u201d

\u201cYour Highness is welcome to come by at any time.\u201d Shen Zaiji pressed his lips together. \u201cJust be mindful of your whereabouts.\u201d

\u201cYeah.\u201d

Zhanlu parked the carriage at the side gate of the Southern Prince\u2019s residence. In full view of the Southern Prince, Shen Zaiye gently and tenderly carried Taohua into the carriage with his own hands.

The moment the carriage curtain fell, Jiang Taohua was roughly tossed onto the soft cushion.

She grunted but still did not wake. Shen Zaiye closed his eyes briefly before opening the carriage window beside him, smiling as he called out to the Southern Prince, \u201cNo need to see us off, Your Highness.\u201d

Mu Wuxia nodded and stood at the gate, watching the carriage depart from the main road in front of him before turning back inside.

\u201cMy lord,\u201d Zhanlu urged his horse alongside the carriage and spoke in a low voice, \u201cSince the plan has changed, what should we do regarding Prince Jing?\u201d

Rubbing his temples, Shen Zaive said, \u201cFirst, go inform the manor. Have the steward fetch a royal physician from the palace, saying that Lady Jiang is injured.\u201d

Zhanlu was puzzled: \u201cBut the lady\u2019s injuries have already\u2026\u201d

\u201cDo as you\u2019re told.\u201d

\u201cYes.\u201d Lowering his head in response, Zhan Lu didn\u2019t ask any further questions, spurring his horse to race ahead to the Prime Minister\u2019s residence.

Lying on Shen Zaoye\u2019s lap, Peach Blossom, as if sensing she was being schemed against again, unconsciously furrowed her brow.

Shen Zaoye lowered his head, his fingers gently tracing her face, deep in thought with an unfathomable glint in his eyes, whispering softly, \u201cSince you\u2019re so clever, then there\u2019s no need to be polite.\u201d

The quiet waters of the Prime Minister\u2019s mansion had long needed someone to stir them up. Since she had fallen into the water and survived, it would be better to let her create a few more ripples.

Jiang Taohua in the dream naturally couldn\u2019t hear Shen Zaiye\u2019s words; she was walking on a vast expanse of water, where each step she took sent ripples spreading outward in circles.

\u201cWhere is this?\u201d Taohua was astonished. The wound on her waist still hurt badly, yet her entire body felt as light as if she were flying.

In the distance stood a magnificent palace, with glazed tiles and soaring eaves adorned with mythical beasts meant to guard the roof. A staircase of white marble stretched all the way from the palace gates to the water\u2019s edge.

\u201cThis is the Imperial Palace,\u201d a voice told her. \u201cIf one day you can step inside here and win the heart of the highest among men, then all of Great Wei shall be yours!\u201d

\u201cMine?\u201d Peach Blossom\u2019s eyes sparkled with excitement: \u201cCan I really do whatever I want?\u201d

\u201cYes.\u201d The voice answered her: \u201cAll your wishes can be fulfilled.\u201d

That\u2019s fantastic! Overjoyed, Peach Blossom picked up her skirt and started running in that direction. But she hadn\u2019t taken more than two steps before a sharp pain in her waist forced her to stop. Frowning, she stared ahead.

\u201cBefore you run off, keeping yourself alive should be the top priority.\u201d The voice spoke again: \u201cPeach Blossom, are you risking your life again?\u201d

I do, when has she ever said no? But this tone sounds so familiar\u2026 Jiang Taohua furrowed her brow and looked around: \u201cYour voice, who are you?\u201d

The speaker paused briefly, and then a basin of water was suddenly splashed all over her!

\u201cAh!\u201d Shivering from the cold, Jiang Taohua quickly opened her eyes, her consciousness blurrily muttering: \u201cEven if I don\u2019t remember your name, you can\u2019t just splash water on me!\u201d

The room fell silent for a moment, and then Qingtai\u2019s stern and sharp voice was heard: \u201cLady Gu!\u201d

Gu Huairou stood by the bed holding a water basin, her expression caught between a smile and not. \u201cOh, I\u2026 I just wanted to help wipe down Lady Jiang\u2019s body, but you kept pulling at my hand\u2026 Lady Jiang, are you all right?\u201d

A cold breeze blew in through the window, and Peach Blossom shivered, instantly wide awake. Feeling the water on her face and body, she turned her head to look at the person standing by the bed.

She wore a purple top paired with a yellow brocade skirt, the patterns exquisite but using small flowers and scattered leaves. It seemed her status was similar to Peach Blossom\u2019s. Her face was thin and sharp like a cone, with a pointed chin, making her eyes appear large. Her eyebrows were so fine they were almost invisible.

From the look in her eyes, she didn\u2019t seem like someone easy to get along with. Peach Blossom wondered how she had offended her, to warrant such a direct visit to splash water on her?

\u201cWho is this?\u201d

Qingtai frowned, wanting to flare up but held back due to her status. She could only suppress her anger and say, \u201cThis is Lady Gu from Wenqing Pavilion, she holds the same rank as you.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Since they share the same rank, there\u2019s no reason for her to be treated like this, right?





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