{"id":3380,"date":"2026-05-15T04:50:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-20\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:50:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:50:50","slug":"peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-20","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/chapter\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Peach Blossom Overturning the Country (The Princess\u2018s Gambit) 20"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 20: All Are Pawns in His Hands


Shen Zaichu immediately sought out the imperial physician to inquire about the injury.

The imperial physician, looking exhausted, said, \u201cI have done my utmost. The lady\u2019s life can be saved, but she will need careful recuperation afterward; otherwise, lingering ailments may persist. With such significant blood loss and extensive wounds, she requires at least half a month of bed rest to replenish blood and strengthen her vitality. Once the stitches are removed, I will return for a follow-up examination.\u201d

\u201cHalf a month?\u201d Shen Zaichu\u2019s eyes flickered as he asked, \u201cWhat if, within that half a month, she does not rest properly but instead repeatedly exerts herself?\u201d

The imperial physician was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at him, a strange expression flashing in his eyes. \u201cIf Madam does not rest quietly, the wound may reopen, leading to anemia and dizziness, which will only cause her more suffering. If the Prime Minister truly cherishes Madam, he ought to exercise restraint.\u201d

Lost in thought, Shen Zaizhe didn\u2019t pay much attention to the physician\u2019s subsequent words, simply taking them as medical advice and politely nodding in acknowledgment. \u201cUnderstood, thank you for your trouble.\u201d

The physician sighed, picked up his medical kit, and turned to leave. He thought to himself that the rumors circulating outside about Prime Minister Shen\u2019s fondness for women must have some basis in truth\u2014after all, despite her being injured to this extent, he was still preoccupied with marital matters. Hearing such words, the Prime Minister didn\u2019t even blush or show any sign of guilt! Young people these days\u2026 tsk.

Watching the imperial physician leave, Shen Zaijie flicked his sleeves and headed straight for Linwu Courtyard. Since Jiang Taohua couldn\u2019t move for half a month, he figured it would be enough to leave someone to keep an eye on Zhengchun Pavilion during the day and return in the evening to perform their loving act.

They\u2019ve said that for three days they\u2019ll all be at the Contending Spring Pavilion, so the two women about to lose their favor definitely won\u2019t take it lying down. Lady Gu has already been demoted by him once\u2014just one more push, and a spot for the Lady rank will open up. The attitudes of the two women below will also determine the shifts in their favor.

Every woman in his rear court has deep ties to the court\u2019s power structure, and handling them is far from simple.

The current emperor has four sons, all of whom have already been enfeoffed as princes. Although Prince Jing has historically been the most favored, Prince Yu has recently gained significant momentum. For the moment, it is unclear which of the two holds the upper hand. As for Prince Heng, although his influence is not as great, he is exceptionally talented in literature, well-versed in governance, and ambitious. It is uncertain that his future prospects will necessarily be unfavorable.

Finally, it was the King of the South.

The only one who did not thrust women into the Prime Minister\u2019s residence was the King of the South.

With a slight curl of his lips, Shen Zaiye raised his head to look at the sky of Great Wei. A majestic kingdom, with its emperor in his prime and the nation flourishing in all its industries, truly a fine country\u2026

Like an exceptionally sharp and peerless sword.

Withdrawing his gaze, he whispered the command: \u201cZhan Lu, have the newly arrived Ferghana horses in our mansion sent to Jingwang\u2019s Manor.\u201d

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Zhan Lu acknowledged and turned to carry out the task.

The Prime Minister had already left the Striving Spring Pavilion, so Jinyu quickly and quietly returned to inform Gu Huairou. When the servants went to lunch at noon, Gu Huairou stealthily entered Taohua\u2019s room.

Jiang Taohua was having her meal. Though she had little appetite, she ate whatever was available to speed up her recovery. When Lady Gu entered, she was still struggling with a chicken leg.

\u201cOh, you\u2019re here.\u201d Turning around to see her, Peach Blossom wiped her mouth and smiled at her: \u201cYou don\u2019t look too well. Is it too cold outside?\u201d

Gu Huairou stood before the bed, staring at her with a cold gaze: \u201cSpring has arrived. How could it be cold outside? It\u2019s only the hearts of men that are cold.\u201d

With her expression unchanged, Peach Blossom pointed to the edge of the bed and spoke gently: \u201cSit down first. It looks tiring to stand.\u201d

\u201cYou must be very pleased with yourself, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Her expression darkening slightly, Gu Huairou stared at her with displeasure: \u201cYou predicted he would punish me severely, and now you\u2019re delighted, right?\u201d

Such a fiery temper, it seems Shen Zaiye really didn\u2019t hold back?

Composing her expression, Jiang Taohua said earnestly, \u201cI have nothing to be proud of, but I do feel some sympathy for you. If only you had listened to me earlier, you wouldn\u2019t have ended up in this situation.\u201d

\u201cYou!\u201d Gu Huairou wanted to lash out, but deep down, she was somewhat afraid. After gritting her teeth for a long time, she could only lower her stance and sit by the bed, saying, \u201cI just don\u2019t understand!\u201d

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand why he punished you so severely?\u201d

\u201cYes!\u201d

Peach Blossom smiled, pointing at herself: \u201cBecause the master doesn\u2019t want me to have an easy time, so first, he\u2019ll make life hard for the people in this courtyard, and all the blame will be pinned on me.\u201d

Slightly stunned, Lady Gu frowned: \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d

\u201cFor example, in this incident, if I hadn\u2019t spoken to you like that yesterday, and if the master were to severely punish you today, would you still come to talk to me?\u201d Peach Blossom pursed her lips: \u201cGiven your temperament, you\u2019d probably hold a grudge, and at the first opportunity, you\u2019d try to crush me to death, right?\u201d

Her heart skipped a beat. Lady Gu averted her gaze: \u201cI\u2019m not that kind of person, who\u2026 who would be so petty? But the fact remains that you took my favor and got me heavily punished. If you ever make a mistake in the future, I definitely won\u2019t go easy on you.\u201d

That being said, Gu Huairou understood in her heart that what she might do could be even more severe than what Jiang Taohua had mentioned. Perhaps she would even deliberately concoct some things to mess with her, just to vent her pent-up resentment.

Taohua smiled but didn\u2019t argue, only saying, \u201cNo matter what, the enmity between you and me has become profound. In the future, as we stand opposed, neither of us will find peace. But in truth, I am innocent\u2014I haven\u2019t done anything, yet I\u2019ve gained you as an enemy for no reason.\u201d

Tilting her head in thought, Lady Gu fell silent.

It seemed like a valid point, but how did things turn out this way?

\u201cThe man\u2019s role in this inner courtyard is the most crucial.\u201d With a slight cough, Peach Blossom said, \u201cWho holds grudges against whom, and who is close to whom\u2014it is actually only our lord who can influence such matters. After all, are we not all living under his grace? So, if he wants to make things difficult for me, it is all too simple. He just needs to favor me first, punishing others severely for my sake, stripping away the favor from others and bestowing it upon me. That will provoke everyone\u2019s hatred toward me. Then, one day, if he no longer favors or protects me, I will fall into a nest of vipers, and there will be no more good days for me.\u201d

\u201cDo you understand now, lady?\u201d

Madam Gu was somewhat stunned, staring blankly at her: \u201cWhy would our lord want to make things difficult for you?\u201d

The specific reason, Peach Blossom could not possibly reveal to her. She simply lowered her eyes, smoothed her sleeves, and sighed: \u201cBecause of the mistaken marriage that day, I offended our lord and brought shame upon him. So\u2026\u201d

\u201cLord, you have been disgraced?\u201d Madam Gu widened her eyes. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d

\u201cIt is somewhat difficult to speak of.\u201d Peach Blossom pursed her lips, timidly glancing around the room.

Gu Huairou turned back and said to Yuetao, \u201cYou and this maid go out together.\u201d

\u201cYes.\u201d Yuetao curtsied and withdrew with Qingtai, closing the door behind them.

Peach Blossom let out a heavy sigh and looked hesitantly at Gu Huairou, saying, \u201cYou\u2019ve been in the mansion longer than I have. Haven\u2019t you noticed anything off about the master?\u201d

Gu Huairou paused, lowered her head in thought, and then her expression turned strange: \u201cAre you talking about\u2026 matters in the bedroom?\u201d

Huh? She was originally planning to slander Shen Zaiju for being impotent, but could there really be something wrong? Her eyes lit up, and Peach Blossom immediately perked up, leaning against the headboard and hesitating to speak: \u201cYou\u2019ve noticed it too?\u201d

\u201cYes, it\u2019s not exactly a secret in the mansion. Everyone knows but doesn\u2019t talk about it,\u201d Gu Huairou said. \u201cBut that quirk isn\u2019t really a big deal. What did you do to offend him?\u201d

Eccentricity? Peach Blossom was taken aback, her heart pounding uncontrollably. She hadn\u2019t noticed any eccentricities during the night she consummated her marriage with Shen Zaiye. Could it be that he actually has a tendency to be abusive? Or perhaps he has some peculiar preferences?

A shiver ran through her whole body. Peach Blossom pretended to look utterly bewildered and said, \u201cI thought everything was normal, but for some reason, the master flew into a rage, saying I was being presumptuous.\u201d

Gu Huairou was startled. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you lit a lamp?\u201d

Peach Blossom thought for a moment, then nodded.

\u201cOh my, no wonder.\u201d Gu Huairou glanced at her, holding a handkerchief in hand as she said, \u201cYou\u2019re new, so you might not know this, but when our lord retires for the night, there cannot be a single trace of light in the room, or else he becomes extremely irritable and flies into a rage. Our rooms all have thick curtains by the windows, precisely because of this rule.\u201d

Is there really such a thing? Jiang Taohua was astonished. She remembered that on the night of the Hefeng Dance, the moonlight was so beautiful, illuminating Shen Zaiju\u2019s face in a particularly handsome way, and he didn\u2019t seem bothered at all. How could it be that he couldn\u2019t bear any light?

Setting aside this doubt for the moment, Taohua looked at Gu Huairou and said, \u201cSo that\u2019s how it is. I prefer sleeping with the lamp on at night, no wonder the lord was so angry. At the time, I was under the influence of the charm poison and my mind wasn\u2019t clear, so I had a big argument with him. The lord probably hates me deeply, and if it weren\u2019t for my status as a princess, I doubt I\u2019d still be alive.\u201d

\u201cSo that\u2019s how it is.\u201d Gu Huairou nodded, thinking it over and feeling somewhat more at ease in her heart. If Lord treated Jiang Taohua like this because he wanted to wait until the end to finish her off, then she wouldn\u2019t have to feel so aggrieved.

\u201cIn truth, we are all just pawns in the hands of the master.\u201d Peach Blossom sighed, glancing at her. \u201cIf we truly let him manipulate us and become enemies, we\u2019ll only end up hurting each other in the end. Since you\u2019ve come today, Madam, why don\u2019t we think of a mutually beneficial way that works for all of us?\u201d

\u201cWhat method do you have?\u201d Gu Shi looked at her warily.

Peach Blossom smiled: \u201cRight now, I am favored, and you are not. During this time while you\u2019re out of favor, I can help you, ensuring you won\u2019t be bullied by those opportunistic servants in the mansion who fawn on the powerful and trample the weak. But in return, I hope you\u2019ll stand on my side and not harm me.\u201d

Gu Huairou fell silent, her eyes shifting thoughtfully for a moment before she stood up and said, \u201cI need to go back and consider this carefully.\u201d

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Peach Blossom looked up at her. \u201cGiven the current situation, it\u2019s not convenient for you to visit my Blossom Vying Pavilion too often. If you agree with my proposal, simply send over a red sachet. If you don\u2019t agree, then from now on, I will no longer interfere with your fortunes, be they good or bad.\u201d

\u201cAlright.\u201d Giving her a few more glances, Gu Huairou nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Yuetao was still waiting outside. Seeing her come out, she followed along out of Zhenchun Pavilion, heading towards Wenqing Pavilion.

\u201cWhat kind of person do you think Jiang Niangzi is?\u201d Gu Huairou softly asked a question.

Yuetao was taken aback, stepping forward and lowering her voice to say, \u201cThis servant thinks she\u2019s a clever person. Just from what this servant heard earlier, she spoke with reason and evidence, which was quite convincing.\u201d

\u201cThen do you think she\u2019s worth me aligning with?\u201d Lady Gu furrowed her brows, \u201cAt the moment, although she\u2019s favored, no one knows when the master will settle scores with her. If I really stand on the same boat as her, what should I do if I get implicated then?\u201d

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