Chapter 32: He Just Loves Women

That remark was sharp and left one at a loss for how to respond. Tao Hua sighed, gave Madam Qin a respectful bow, and returned to the main house.

The list of servants was something the Madam insisted on compiling. Shen Zaiye had just woken up and wasn’t aware of the situation, leaving Tao Hua unjustly caught in the crossfire without a leg to stand on for argument. It was better to keep her head down and dutifully serve the master.

No one in the courtyard truly dared to take Shen Zaiye’s life. So, although the poison sounded dangerous, after a bowl of medicine, his complexion had improved significantly.

Tao Hua obediently got onto the bed, lying beside him and massaging his temples. As she kneaded, she looked at him intently and asked, “If it turns out that Meng Shi was the one scheming behind the scenes, what do you plan to do, sir?”

“A woman with such a viper’s heart—how could she possibly stay in the manor any longer?” Shen Zaiye said with his eyes closed. “Once the charge is confirmed, have Minister Meng take her back.”

Peach Blossom raised an eyebrow.

In an ordinary household, if a married daughter makes a mistake and is sent back after being divorced, the family would at most lose face. But who is Shen Zaiye? He is the prime minister of the dynasty, the head of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. Chief Minister Meng ranks among the Nine Ministers. If his daughter is divorced for attempting to murder the prime minister, it would no longer be a matter of mere loss of face; it could even lead to the ruin of the family. Naturally, he would not want the matter to escalate.

Perhaps this matter might take an unexpected turn?

In the evening, after Shen Zaiye had rested enough, he had Madam Mei bring Meng Zhenzhen to Linwu Courtyard together.

“My lord!” As soon as Lady Meng saw him, tears welled up in her eyes: “I am innocent!”

With a still-pale complexion, Shen Zaiji lay stiffly on the armchair, his face dark as he glanced at her and said, “The physician said if I had taken more than just a sip, this prime minister’s residence would be draped in white banners by now.”

“Who would dare be so bold? But I could never harm you, my lord!” Lady Meng’s eyes were filled with urgency. “You believe me, don’t you?”

Shen Zaiji didn’t answer, but the lady beside him whispered softly, “Lü Ming has already confessed to everything. The poison was found in her room—the evidence is indisputable.”

Meng Zhenzhen widened her eyes: “My lord, that maid is merely from an outer branch, she’s not at all close to me. Her actions can’t just be pinned on me like that!”

“Are you saying that if the laundry maid in the mansion killed you, I wouldn’t have to answer to Lord Meng either?”

Hearing these words, Mengshi’s heart sank. She stared blankly at Shen Zaiye, tears streaming down her face: “Master… before, weren’t you so fond of this servant? How could you now be unwilling to believe me in the slightest!”

“If I have spoiled you to the point where you dare to poison me, then I would willingly go to the Silent Night Hall for reflection upon my recovery.” Shen Zaiye’s tone was icy, his gaze equally cold: “No matter how much I favored you before, having committed such a mistake today, I can no longer tolerate you.”

“Master!” Mengshi seemed on the verge of collapse: “This servant is truly wronged!”

“If you are wronged, then produce evidence to show who has wronged you.” Mei Zhaoxue said softly: “If you cannot produce any, mere wailing is useless.”

Meng Shi was taken aback. She looked at Shen Zaiye, who remained expressionless, tacitly approving Mei Shi’s words.

In such a short time, where could she possibly find any evidence? She was being framed, and at this moment, she was still utterly confused!

However, one thing she could be certain of: “The only one in this courtyard who wants to harm me is Qin Shi!”

“Are you saying that Lü Ming was bribed by Qin Shi, deliberately harming the minister to frame you?” Mei Zhaoxue chuckled lightly. “But as far as I know, you two have been keeping a close watch on each other all along. If your maid had visited Qin Shi, wouldn’t you know about it?”

Meng Zhenzhen felt a bit flustered, her eyes darting left and right across the ground as she pondered carefully.

It was true that Lü Ming couldn’t possibly have met anyone from the Qin family’s side; if she had, she surely would have known. Recently, her courtyard had been receiving plenty of favor, and while Madam Qin had come to make a fuss a few times, aside from that, not even a maidservant had come by to visit.

Just what was going on?

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll be attending the early court session,” Shen Zaiye remarked calmly. “If by then you still haven’t cleared your name or determined someone else’s guilt, then I’ll have no choice but to ask Lord Meng to take you back with him.”

“My lord…” Lady Meng’s eyes were swollen from weeping. “You are taking my life, truly!”

“Aren’t you also taking mine?” Shen Zaive closed his eyes wearily and said, “That is all on this matter. You may go back. Zhaoxue, assign more people tonight to look after Ruanyu Pavilion and see that nothing goes awry.”

“Yes,” Mei Zhaoxue nodded. Turning around, she saw Lady Meng kneeling in a daze, showing no intention of leaving. She immediately ordered people to escort her out.

Jiang Taohua had watched the exciting scene unfold for quite some time. Only after everyone had left did she sigh and remark, “My lord is truly ruthless. After all, you have shared a bed for so many years, yet you can abandon her so easily.”

Glancing at her, Shen Zaichi scoffed and didn’t explain further. He stood up and had Zhanlu prepare the evening meal, casually saying to her:

“You shouldn’t go back tonight.”

Taohua froze for a moment, then her face flushed red: “Isn’t your lordship still weak? Why would you need your concubine to attend you in bed?”

Rolling his eyes at her, Shen Zaive curled his lips slightly: “I don’t need you to attend me in bed. I just think the side chamber of the Linwu Courtyard is quite comfortable. You can stay there for a few days and attend to me by preparing my medicine.”

Jiang Taohua: “…”

What kind of strange habit is this? When he’s feeling unwell, he has to drag her along to suffer too? It’s not like she’s wronged him in any way, why should she have to sleep in the side chamber for no reason!

After glaring angrily for what felt like an eternity, Taohua had no choice but to give in and order Qingtai to return to the Zhenggun Pavilion to fetch some things for her.

“Just look at this, the master didn’t even think twice about leaving Lady Jiang in the courtyard.”

Pinching the paper in her hand, Qin Xieyu sneered viciously as she tore it into shreds piece by piece: “What’s the use of writing these lists anymore? The master’s heart clearly isn’t with us!”

Mei Zhaoxue gently fiddled with the tea set, a slight smile on her lips: “Even Lady Meng has ended up in her current state, yet you still haven’t learned to keep your composure?”

“She brought this misfortune upon herself; she deserves what she’s gotten!” Lady Qin retorted, though her tone softened slightly: “But tell me, what is she even doing? Though Lady Jiang is favored, she has no connections in Dawei, whereas Lady Meng still has the Grand Minister at her back. How could she be so petty, fighting with a newcomer over nothing?”

“I haven’t been able to figure that out either.” Mei Zhaoxue shook her head. “The cost outweighs the benefit—to take down the Jiang family and even drag the Meng family into it. Was it worth it?”

“Maybe she’s just gone mad.” Qin shi scoffed. “That Meng Zhenzhen has always been sinister and venomous-hearted. Perhaps she thought her plan was flawless, but who could have guessed Madam Jiang’s memory was so sharp that she managed to track down that maid?”

“From now on, we must be careful.” Mei Zhaoxue glanced calmly at the trees outside the door. “This Madam Jiang is truly formidable.”

Qin Jieyu pursed her lips, let out a soft snort, but still nodded in agreement.

The sky had already darkened, and in the dead of night, unable to leave Soft Jade Pavilion, Lady Meng could do nothing but vent her anger within the confines of her room. Her fury was more directed at the venomous women in the courtyard, yet she never paused to consider why those around her would resort to such harm.

At dawn, Peach Blossom yawned as she headed to the main room to attend to Shen Zaije’s rising. Today, the master was up unusually early, not needing anyone to wake him, and he was already impeccably dressed in his court robes.

“So handsome.”

Hearing this rare, heartfelt compliment, Shen Zaije turned back, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Jiang Taohua. “Handsome?”

“Hmm!” Staring at the crane embroidered on his robe, Tao Hua smacked her lips: “Such exquisite needlework.”

Of course, court robes are embroidered by the palace seamstresses—how could they not be exquisite? He thought she was admiring something beautiful, only to find out it was the robe.

Pursing her lips slightly, Shen Zaiji said calmly, “Rest here a little longer. I’m heading to court.”

“Sending off my lord,” Peach Blossom curtsied as she watched him step into the morning light with Zhanlu by his side. Suddenly, she felt that the man’s silhouette was truly pleasing to the eye, resembling a slender and clean young man rather than the cunning and treacherous Minister.

The cunning and treacherous Minister entered the court hall, taking his place in the first position to the right of His Majesty.

“My dear minister, what is the matter?” Emperor Mingde noticed at a glance that something was amiss with Shen Zaizhe’s expression. “Are you ill?”

Shen Zaizhe turned his head and glanced at Minister Meng opposite him before bowing respectfully. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Your subject is merely slightly unwell.”

Minister Meng was bewildered by this glance, and his heart couldn’t help but begin to beat faster with worry.

Could it be related to Zhenzhen?

The morning court proceeded normally. Thanks to Shen Zaile’s memorial, Prince Jing was allowed to continue attending court. Naturally, he felt both gratitude and reliance toward Shen. Thus, as soon as court adjourned, Prince Jing intended to approach Shen Zaile to exchange a few words.

However, before he could move forward, Minister Meng preemptively rushed ahead, bowing deeply to Shen Zaile and earnestly inquiring about something.

Frowning slightly, Mu Wuyin reflected: This Minister Meng seemed to have been promoted by Prince Yu and had a daughter in Shen Zaile’s courtyard.

Relatives by marriage usually dared to engage in private conversations only. Why was he so eager today, directly intercepting someone in front of the palace hall?

“Prime Minister Shen!” Minister Meng’s portly figure rolled along like a ball, retreating backward before Shen Zaixue as he bowed. “Your excellency is magnanimous and all-encompassing. As for my daughter’s offense, this lowly official is willing to make every effort to remedy it!”

Glancing at the sweat on the man’s forehead, Shen Zaixue said indifferently, “It is a mere stroke of luck that I have this opportunity here for Minister Meng to make amends.”

“Please do not say such things… I am filled with shame, having failed in teaching my daughter proper conduct! Yet, it has already been a year since Zhenzhen entered the Prime Minister’s residence, so you should show her at least a little consideration. What just transpired was indeed her fault, but would your excellency kindly grant this lowly official a chance…”

Without slowing his pace, Shen Zaiye stopped looking at him and walked straight ahead: “Opportunities aren’t granted here, Your Excellency, stay where you are.”

Startled for a moment, Lord Meng pondered the meaning of those words before his face lit up with delight. However, after a quick glance around, he wisely refrained from showing it and kept his head down as he made his way out of the palace.

Prince Jing, watching from the side, frowned and called a guard over, instructing, “Go back and prepare some gifts to send to the households under our patronage.”

“Yes.”

Shen Zaiju was a man too cunning and deep-minded, leaving Mu Wuyin with little confidence in fully controlling him. However, given his fondness for women, there was no need to expend effort in other areas.