Chapter 26: Loyal Minister Protecting the Nation, Prime Minister Shen

“Understood.” Zhanlu responded, unfolding a blank memorial and preparing the ink and brush. Shen Zaiye then leisurely began to write.

Prince Jing and Prince Yu had always maintained a façade of goodwill. As the one whose influence was only second to Prince Jing, Prince Yu would not willingly concede the throne to him. Given the chance, he would certainly step on him.

Jiang Taohua had given Prince Yu that opportunity today. Once the matter spreads to the palace tomorrow, the emperor would surely be furious. After that, it would depend on Prince Yu’s own abilities.

As for him, he still has a grand gift prepared, awaiting Prince Jing.

In today’s court, due to the emperor’s favoritism toward Consort Lan, he has not been as diligent in handling state affairs as before but has gradually delegated power to several princes. Although the crown prince has not yet been designated, the emperor’s heart has consistently leaned toward Prince Jing. Prince Jing, too, has always believed that his father values him the most, and thus he waits with confidence, anticipating that in a dozen or so years, when the emperor passes away, he will ascend to the throne.

However, trouble has now arisen.

A prince of noble stature not only visited a gambling house in broad daylight to gamble but also accumulated a debt of two hundred thousand taels of silver with the establishment.

“Two hundred thousand taels!”

A teacup shattered at his feet, startling Prince Jing into retreating two steps. Then he gritted his teeth and stepped forward again, treading over the broken porcelain as he bowed his head and said, “Please calm your anger, Father!”

Emperor Mingde’s face was flushed crimson with rage as he slammed his hand on the desk. “How do you expect me to calm down? Two hundred thousand taels of silver could feed and clothe the border soldiers of Great Wei for an entire year, yet you flung it away at a gambling house! How will the court officials view you? How will the people of the realm see you?”

Prince Jing was also furious, utterly bewildered as to how he had ended up gambling! After much pondering, he still couldn’t shake the thought that beauty was the root of all trouble—if it hadn’t been for that girl, he wouldn’t have…

Yet, even with her there, how could he have been so foolish!

Slapping himself across the face, Prince Jing immediately knelt down, heedless of the shattered porcelain and spilled tea on the floor, and repeatedly kowtowed. “I am fully aware that I have committed a grave error, unforgivable in its severity. But I beg Your Majesty to take care of your imperial health and avoid excessive anger. The imperial physician said your condition…”

“My health is none of your concern!” Emperor Mingde snapped angrily. “Return to your residence and reflect on your mistakes. You are forbidden to attend morning court for a month!”

“…I thank you, Father.”

Leaving the Imperial Study, Prince Jing was drenched in sweat from head to toe. Leaning on his attendant’s arm, he finally steadied his steps. As he was about to depart, he saw Prince Heng, Mu Wugou, approaching from the opposite direction.

With a deep, meaningful glance at him, Prince Jing had no intention of saying much more. The two exchanged smiles, cupped their hands in salute, exchanged a few polite pleasantries, and then Mu Wugou entered the Imperial Study.

“What a fine Prince Heng,” Mu Wuyin muttered through clenched teeth as he continued onward, his voice low. “Previously, Prime Minister Shen claimed he harbored ambitions, yet I didn’t believe it. Now I realize that this wolf disguised in rabbit’s fur truly knows how to bite!”

“Regarding Prime Minister Shen, would you like to go see him?” the attendant whispered. “I heard he submitted a memorial to the emperor during today’s morning court session and also sent someone over, saying he wishes to have a word with Your Highness after you leave the palace.”

Shen Zaïye? Mu Wuyin perked up: “I definitely should see him. Are we going to his residence?”

“The Prime Minister said he will wait respectfully at the palace gate.”

“Let’s hurry up and go!”

Shen Zaiye was someone he had long wanted to win over. Earlier, he had sent a beauty over, but unexpectedly ended up capturing the princess of the State of Zhao, causing trouble for him. Fortunately, he was magnanimous enough not to hold a grudge and even helped shoulder the responsibility for him.

Such a person, if fully utilized, why worry about him not being capable of leading the Eastern Palace?

Outside the palace gate, the Prime Minister’s carriage was waiting. Upon Mu Wuyin’s arrival, he gave a slight bow and stepped into the carriage.

Shen Zaiye had laid out a tea set and smiled as he looked at him. “You’ve had a long journey, Your Highness.”

Glancing at the steaming tea, Mu Wuyin sat down with suspicion in his heart: “What matter brings the Prime Minister to summon me?”

“After the incident at the Dasheng Gambling House, and with Your Highness missing the morning court session, this humble official suspected that you would face reprimand from His Majesty afterward.” Reaching out to pick up his tea, Shen Zaoye said, “So I purposely waited here to put your mind at ease, Your Highness.”

Prince Jing was taken aback for a moment, then he was overjoyed: “Is the Prime Minister willing to lend this prince a helping hand?”

“Your humble servant holds office by the grace of the emperor; my loyalty is only to His Majesty and the Kingdom of Wei.” Shen Zaiye smiled slightly and said, “I cannot say I am lending you a hand. It is just that in the current court, only Your Highness possesses the qualifications to inherit the throne. Therefore, doing some things for you is only natural.”

“What has the Prime Minister done?”

Shaking his teacup, Shen Zaiye did not answer him directly. Instead, he asked, “Does Your Highness believe that the position of crown prince in His Majesty’s heart is destined to be none other than you?”

The Crown Prince position.

The Prince of Jing pursed his lips, thought seriously for a moment, and then said, “Previously, I have always been confident, but today something happened, and I have come to see a few things clearly. My father… may not truly consider me indispensable.”

Being barred from attending court for a month may sound like a light punishment, but Prince Heng is currently in the stage of gathering influence. By stepping back like this, aren’t they just giving him the opportunity to strengthen his wings? A month later, when he returns, what will the court look like? It seems Father Emperor hasn’t thought about it at all.

In his eyes, it is probably that the capable should rise to the top. Whether it is him or Prince Heng, whoever has the ability will ultimately become the Crown Prince. Between Father Emperor and him, there is no father-son relationship—only that of ruler and subject.

Facing this reality, his heart grew half-cold, making him all the more eager to hold onto court officials like Shen Zaiji.

“It is a good thing that Your Highness is clear in his heart,” Shen Zaiji said with a smile. “The emperor is heartless and only cares about success and failure. The ambitions of Prince Heng are obvious to everyone. If you don’t understand the situation, the position of the Crown Prince will truly fall into the hands of others.”

“Please, Prime Minister, enlighten me!” Prince Jing quickly sat up straight, looking at him with sincere eyes.

Unhurriedly sipping his tea, Shen Zaiji reached out and handed him the memorial placed nearby: “This memorial I have copied twice, and the other copy has already been sent to the emperor’s hands.”

His heart skipped a beat, and Prince Jing quickly took it to read. After finishing, he was overjoyed: “Your Excellency’s great kindness—how can I ever repay it?”

Shen Zaiye smiled faintly. “When Your Highness becomes a wise ruler for the ages, that will be the best repayment I could ask for.”

These words moved the King of Jing so deeply that he was rendered speechless. After gazing at him for a long time, he finally said, “If I ever ascend the throne, I will never forget the grace you have shown me today!”

Shen Zaiye gave a slight nod, essentially accepting it. “Your Highness should return now. For the rest of the matters, this humble official will handle them for you.”

“Thank you!” King of Jing rose, full of gratitude, bowed in salute, then stepped out of the carriage and watched him depart.

Two days later, Jiang Taohua could finally move again. Chewing on red dates while lying in the courtyard basking in the sun, she felt utterly content.

Shen Zaijie stepped into the courtyard and saw her cat-like demeanor. A faint smile played on his lips as he waved for the others to leave. He walked over to the recliner, leaned in, and blocked most of the sunlight from her view.

“Master.” With a smile directed at him, Taohua asked, “Did everything go smoothly?”

Sitting down beside her, Shen Zaiye said softly, “I informed the Emperor that the Great Fortune Gambling Den is an illegal gambling house, and that Prince Jing made a significant effort in its investigation and closure through his undercover work. The Emperor’s anger has already subsided. Prince Jing just sent three large boxes—I’m not sure what kind of thank-you gifts they are.”

“Congratulations, Master.” Taohua smiled. “You’ve gained Prince Jing’s trust, driven a wedge between him and his father, and also managed to make Prince Heng a thorn in Prince Jing’s side.”

Hearing this, Shen Zaiye felt uneasy again and narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her. “Do you understand what it means to ‘display great wisdom while appearing foolish’? Truly clever people don’t say too much, and they certainly don’t make everything too clear.”

Even if you understand his true intentions, must you say it to him so bluntly? It’s really irritating.

“I am but a woman of modest intellect, only possessing some trifling cleverness,” Peach Blossom said. “Pray, do not set your expectations too high, sir.”

Too lazy to banter with her, Shen Zaiju reached out and lifted her top to take a look.

The bandaged white cloth showed no traces of blood at last. Over the past couple of days, her wound had stubbornly refused to scab over, which had left him somewhat concerned. If she were to die here in the residence, the Southern Prince would truly make things difficult for him.

However, such a severe wound was bound to leave a scar.

“Master,” Peach Blossom pressed down on her clothes with a strange expression, eyeing him: “Don’t you think your movements are a bit too smooth? It’s broad daylight—shouldn’t we be more mindful of appearances?”

“Officially, you are a mistress in this household,” Shen Zaixie shot her a sidelong glance. “Even if I were to take you right here, no one would dare say a word.”

The corner of her mouth twitched; the phrase “shameless” was right on the tip of her tongue. Jiang Taohua held it back, swallowing it down in the end.

“Whatever you say, you’re right! I’ll accept it!”

Shen Zaiye smiled, quite satisfied as he released her. Glancing at the color returning to her face, he stood up and said, “Before your wounds fully heal, I won’t ask you to do anything more. Rest and recuperate in peace.”

“Thank you, Master.” Taohua smiled. “This concubine would also like to rest in peace, but I’m afraid your courtyard doesn’t seem very tranquil.”

Over the past two days, even while lying inside the room, she had heard quite a few little disturbances in the courtyard.

“Whether the courtyard is tranquil or not depends on your own abilities; it has nothing to do with me,” Shen Zaiye said. “I’ve never interfered in matters between women. If you lack the skill and get bullied, don’t come to me to plead your case.”

“I don’t seek your intervention, sir.” Peach Blossom pursed her lips, saying, “It’s just that I’ve newly arrived and know nothing, foolishly standing out in the open and being toyed with. It’s hardly appropriate. If it’s convenient for you, sir, would you grant me a look at the household’s roster?”

Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow, “You want to see the family backgrounds of the people in this courtyard?”

“Isn’t this essential?” Peach Blossom chuckled mischievously: “After all, knowing oneself and one’s opponent is crucial.”

She arrived late and had no time to investigate the backgrounds of each household and courtyard one by one. Taking the path through Shen Zaiye was the quickest because he would be the only one to have something like a roster.

After pondering for a while, Shen Zaiye waved his hand: “Later, have your maid go and get it from Zhanlu. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Seeing the master off.” Peach Blossom nodded, only lifting her head after he stepped out of the courtyard gate, gesturing for Qingtai to go fetch the items.

These past two days, Shen Zaiye was busy with official duties, not favoring anyone, nor did he spend the night at Zhenchun Pavilion. Despite this, Jiang Taohua still felt a considerable amount of pressure. Having delayed others’ opportunities to attend the bedchamber for five or six days, if it weren’t for the fact that she couldn’t leave the courtyard, she would have been taught a lesson in various ways by others long ago.

The Gu family is now behaving themselves, but other people haven’t formed any alliance with her. She’ll have to face hidden arrows and secret knives head-on.