Chapter 36: Where Is Comfortable?

Tao Hua followed silently behind, thinking that this venomous snake Shen truly was heartless and ungrateful. Not only did he not care the slightest bit about his own woman, but he didn’t even show any concern for his own child.

He had established his residence for two years, and his inner courtyard had been filled with women, yet there had been no offspring all this time. Now that there might be one, even if it’s not confirmed, shouldn’t he at least get a bit excited? Yet here he was, strolling around like an old man, as if his heart was truly made of stone?

The group arrived leisurely at the Warm Clear Pavilion. The physician immediately stepped forward to pay respects to Shen Zaije, his brows furrowed into a tight knot as he said, “I am of limited ability and for now cannot determine whether the lady is pregnant or not.”

“Hmm.” Shen Zaije sat down by the bedside, looking at Gu Huairou and saying, “The last time you attended to me was a month ago. Since the time hasn’t been long enough, it’s common not to be able to confirm.”

Gu Huairou looked at him with an expression full of surprise. “My lord, why have you come?”

“Madam Liu said you were not feeling well, so she went to the Martial Arts Court and invited me over.” Shen Zaije looked at her and smiled gently. “Are you feeling better now?”

“I’m feeling better now.” Frowning slightly, Gu Huairou turned to glance at Lady Liu before hurriedly addressing Shen Zaiye: “I’m sorry to trouble you to come personally, sir. It was Xiangjun who acted rashly, and I hope you won’t blame her.”

Lady Liu stood to the side, speaking with a tone of grievance: “Sister, since you are pregnant, as your younger sister, I simply spoke up on your behalf. How could the master possibly blame me?”

Their words were filled with veiled barbs, back and forth. Peach Blossom quickly took a step back, watching the two of them curiously.

Judging from their words, it seemed that Lady Liu had gone to call Shen Zaiye on her own initiative, not at Lady Gu’s request. Lady Liu had taken matters into her own hands by going to Linwu Courtyard to cause a scene, while Lady Gu was eager to distance herself, not wanting to be implicated in the slightest.

Interesting, huh? Why did long-time sisters turn against each other?

Shen Zaiye remained silent, sitting quietly. Meanwhile, Madam Gu and Madam Liu went back and forth, almost starting to argue.

“Before things are confirmed, you hurried to inform our lord. If he ends up disappointed later, should he blame you or me?”

“Sister, you’re really taking kindness for malice. Weren’t you the one who couldn’t find a female physician earlier, and didn’t I go to the pharmacy to fetch the doctor? I cared for you, yet as soon as you saw our lord, you pushed everything onto me.”

“Whether it’s truly for my own good, I am well aware,” Gu sneered. “Even after wearing a sheep’s skin for many years, a wolf is still a wolf. Sooner or later, it will reveal its true nature.”

“Elder sister, you…”

“That’s about enough,” said Shen Zaiye, sounding somewhat vexed as he finally spoke up to stop them. “Quarreling like this among family—aren’t you ashamed? Since it hasn’t been confirmed yet, we’ll have the physician come to the Wenqing Pavilion every day from now on to check her pulse. Let the servants below wait on her with more care as well. We’ll discuss it further after some time has passed.”

“Thank you, my lord!” Gu bowed her head in acknowledgment, while Liu Xiangjun fell silent.

After watching from the side for quite a while, Jiang Taohua finally stepped forward and whispered to Gu Huairou, “Since there’s no confirmed diagnosis yet, there is still hope. Please get some rest, Mistress.”

Glancing at her, Gu Huairou’s expression grew somewhat complicated. With Shen Zaijie standing nearby, she refrained from saying much and simply nodded.

“If there’s nothing else, then let’s disperse.” Shen Zaiju stood up, symbolically expressing concern, “Don’t go out if there’s nothing important. Take good care of yourself and rest well.”

“Yes.” Madam Gu responded, quietly observing his expression.

His thoughts remained as elusive as ever. Hearing such news, his face remained calm, neither angry nor particularly pleased, and he turned to leave with Lady Jiang in tow.

“What did I tell you?”

Once they had all left the courtyard, Mrs. Liu spoke with a sarcastic tone, “You think Jiang Shi is your backer, but she hasn’t looked out for you in the slightest. She competed with you for the medical maid, and now she even latches onto the master every time he comes to visit you—clearly she has no intention of letting you win favor.”

Gu Huairou frowned, displeased. “You talk too much.”

“Sister, you’ve been so cold to me today,” Liu Xiangjun pouted, her voice tinged with grievance. “Not only have you ignored me, but you’ve even turned the blame back on me. All these years of sisterhood, in the end, they can’t compare to wealth and honor.”

“Indeed, they cannot compare,” Gu Huairou lifted her eyes, staring directly into hers. “That’s precisely what you thought in your heart, isn’t it?”

Taken aback for a moment, Madam Liu lowered her gaze. “What are you saying, Sister? I truly don’t understand. There’s medicine simmering outside—I’ll go check on it for you first.”

With that, she turned and left the inner chamber.

Human hearts are truly unpredictable. Lady Gu sneered, leaning against the bedhead and gently stroking her own belly.

If there were truly an extra piece of flesh growing inside, then she would be saved.

Jiang Taohua trailed behind Shen Zaiye, winding her way back from the garden to Linwu Courtyard.

“We’re both not in the best shape, why are you walking so fast?” Jiang Taohua said, clutching her waist as she hurried after him. “We were walking so slowly just now when we went.”

“That’s because I was thinking about something,” Shen Zaoye replied without turning his head. “If you can’t keep up, just take your time. I’ll go back to the courtyard first.”

What kind of person is he! Taohua rolled her eyes and simply slowed her pace, really going at her own speed.

“Master, don’t you find it strange?” Qingtai, following by her side, watched the prime minister’s retreating figure and said, “This servant has never seen a husband who shows no excitement when his wife is pregnant.”

“It’s not confirmed yet, is it?” Peach Blossom said, “It’s normal for him to act this way. Without expectations, there won’t be disappointment.”

“It seems to me that Lady Gu might not have won the Prime Minister’s heart,” Moss remarked, “If the Prime Minister truly liked her, even if it’s not confirmed, he should still spend more time with her.”

That was true, Peach Blossom nodded. Ever since Lady Gu entered the mansion, it seemed she had never been treated well. Logically, as the legitimate daughter of the Chief of Staff, she shouldn’t be so neglected, right?

Unable to figure it out, she decided to put it aside for now and head back to Linwu Courtyard first.

However, when she stepped into the courtyard, two more people were already standing in front of Shen Zaiye.

“Your concubine acknowledges her wrongdoing and is willing to accept punishment,” Mei Zhaoxue knelt before him, speaking solemnly: “The apologies that needed to be made, your concubine has already made them. Lady Meng is magnanimous and does not hold it against me.”

Shen Zaiye turned to look at Lady Meng, whose delicate face still held a hint of paleness, the worry between her brows seeming even deeper than before: “Indeed, as Madam said, as long as she is willing to restore my innocence, I do not wish to dwell on anything else…”

“Very well then,” Shen Zaiye nodded: “Since you were wrongfully accused, I should offer some compensation. In a moment, I will have the steward send some things to your courtyard. Do not grieve over this any longer.”

Tears brimming in her eyes, Mengshi choked back sobs as she complied, casting a glance at Mei Zhaoxue before retreating first. As she passed by Taohua, she lifted her eyes to give her a sweeping look, her gaze cold and detached.

Taohua felt utterly bewildered, thinking to herself that she hadn’t offended her in any way, right? Why would she look at her like that?

“You may rise as well.” Shen Zaiye extended a hand to help Mei Zhaoxue to her feet: “With so many people in this courtyard, you’ve had your share of hardships.”

“I am not hard-pressed. As long as you are at ease, I am willing to do anything,” Mei Zhaoxue murmured softly, her lips curving gently, her expression serene.

Such a person is truly suited to be the main wife, Taohua nodded inwardly. Although Mei might not necessarily be kind-hearted, if she could manage the affairs of the inner court and let Shen Zaiye rest easy, she would be a qualified mistress.

With everyone gone, Shen Zaiye seemed to finally let out a sigh of relief, lying back on the soft couch and saying, “Now I can truly rest for a few days.”

So he had been busy all these days? Taohua raised an eyebrow, smiling brightly as she asked, “Master seems to have recovered quite well. When may I return to Zhenchun Pavilion?”

Glancing sideways at her, Shen Zaiye said, “You don’t seem like someone who avoids seeking favor. Since you managed to stay in Linwu Court, why do you want to go back to the Spring Struggle Pavilion?”

Taohua pursed her lips, thinking to herself, “I’m not foolish. If I want to compete for favor, it should be done discreetly. Openly staying in his courtyard like this is just asking for trouble, isn’t it? The main wife hasn’t even stayed here—what am I supposed to be?”

“Does my lord’s words mean you’re reluctant to let me leave?” With a smile on her face, she naturally climbed back into Shen Zaiju’s embrace, gently holding his waist while acting coy: “Then may I stay for good?”

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as Shen Zaiye looked at her with disdain and said, “Could you please stop climbing all over me at every turn?”

“No.” With a playful smile, Peach Blossom tilted her head and said, “My lord is the most comfortable place.”

A glimmer of darkness flickered in his eyes. Shen Zaiye reached out, gripping her wrist firmly, and pulled her close before him. With a light chuckle, he asked, “Which part of this master’s body feels best to you?”

Tao Hua: “…”

Shameless rogue! Could you at least have a bit of the demeanor expected of someone in high office? Show a little restraint! She was here acting coquettishly, and you turn around to shut her up? Is that fun? Is that romantic?!

Climbing down obediently, Peach Blossom stopped her silly grinning and spoke seriously, “If there’s nothing else you need from your humble servant, then I shall return to Zhengchun Pavilion tonight to continue convalescing.”

“There is something,” Shen Zaive tightened his lips, glancing at her before saying, “Tomorrow you should go have a dress made. In a couple of days, Prince Nan will be coming to see you.”

Prince Nan is coming? Upon hearing this, Peach Blossom felt a surge of joy in her heart. That young lad was indeed true to his word, very responsible. Regularly checking in to see if Shen Zaive had taken her life significantly increased her chances of surviving safely in this snake pit.

“I promised him I would take good care of you, so until he feels reassured, you will stay here.” Shen Zaive smiled, looking at her with deep eyes. “I don’t need to teach you what to say and what not to say, do I?”

“Rest assured, sir.” Taohua replied with a bright smile. “Your humble concubine understands!”

To be honest, Taohua still felt quite guilty about deceiving that child last time. Now that she no longer had to use him, she intended to properly repay the favor this time around.

With Qingtai, Jiang Taohua went to select fabric for clothes and picked out several kinds of pastries to prepare the ingredients. Over the next few days, she was bustling with activity, darting back and forth in Linwu Courtyard.

While reviewing official documents, Shen Zaiji occasionally glanced up at her. Seeing her so full of energy, he snorted dismissively.

So much for recuperating. She looked perfectly capable of climbing a mountain to hunt tigers.

However, there was still one thing that piqued his curiosity: Jiang Taohua and Mu Wuxia had only crossed paths by chance, barely exchanging more than a few words. How could they hold each other in such high regard?

A few days later, the Southern King arrived for a visit.

The household carried out the usual preparations for the ceremonial reception. Jiang Taohua had woken up early to dress in front of her vanity. After changing her skirt, she ran to Shen Zaixia and asked, “Does it look nice?”