Chapter 42: Healing the World with a Hanging Gourd

Tao Hua was actually quite nervous after all. Her wounds hadn’t fully healed yet, and she wasn’t sure if she could endure his vigorous “treatment.”

But then she thought again: to capture a man’s heart, you have to invest something. Now that Shen Zaiye finally wanted to dote on her, no matter what, she had to seize the opportunity and conquer him in bed!

However, the idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel—the object of her affection was Shen, the venomous snake, completely immune to her charms. Even between the sheets, he insisted on taking the dominant position.

“Master…”

“No matter how much you call out, it’s useless.” One hand firmly grasped both of her wrists as Shen Zaijie whispered softly by her ear, his warm breath carrying a faint breeze that seemed to burrow straight into her.

Peach Blossom trembled all over, her body shaking ever so slightly, looking utterly pitiful: “Serving Master is part of my duty, how could it be reversed…”

“Then afterward, you can make it up to me.” Shen Zaijie chuckled, then bit open the knot of her undergarment cord.

I’ve seen shameless people, but never this shameless! Peach Blossom trembled all over with rage, yet she couldn’t show it on her face. She could only pretend to be nervous, her eyes innocent and pitiful.

Unlike the first time at Hefeng Pavilion, Shen Zaiji took full control this time, giving her no opportunity whatsoever. His masculine vigor and intense invasive aura completely overwhelmed her, making her unable to move at all.

A sharp pain in her neck made Peach Blossom curl her toes. Feeling this man’s body heat, she couldn’t help letting out a soft cry.

Hearing her voice, Shen Zaiji’s eyes deepened even more. He reached out and caressed her body, as if savoring a delicate delicacy, slowly peeling away the outer layers, admiring, tasting carefully, and finally devouring her whole.

“Ah!” Peach Blossom frowned, finally wrenching her hand free and squeezing it tightly around the person on top of her.

“If you scratch me, you’ll go back without food.” Shen Zaiye’s voice was low and hoarse, his eyes roiling with turbulent emotions.

Peach Blossom was on the verge of tears, her nose tinged pink, her small mouth pouting pitifully: “You’re so rough with me, and you won’t even let me pinch a little…”

Shen Zaiye gave a soft chuckle, his Adam’s apple shifting as he lowered his head to bury his face in the crook of her neck, panting lightly as he murmured, “No matter how rough I am, you’d better be obedient. If you get hurt, don’t blame me.”

Her face instantly flushed a fiery red, the peach blossom blush spreading across her skin with a faint pink hue at his tone and words. She squirmed a couple of times, took a light gasp of cool air, and fell silent.

When it came to the art of teasing others, her abilities paled in comparison to this rogue Shen!

The moon quietly peeked out, listening to the shameless commotion below, then half-hid its face again.

Logically speaking, with so many people in Shen Zaiye’s backyard, he must have been busy with his favors all along, so his stamina and such should have declined a bit, right?

However, after resisting twice to no avail, Jiang Taohua finally let go of this bias.

Shen Zaijie must be drinking ten-tonic soup like water!

“I… can we take a break?” she pleaded tearfully. “I still have injuries on me.”

Smiling gently, Shen Zaijie lifted her chin and kissed her, murmuring, “Weren’t you full of energy just a moment ago?”

“…I was wrong.” Taohua earnestly reflected, “I will never again presume to challenge your authority, master.”

“It’s all right.” With a deep gaze, Shen Zaiye curled his lips, looking at her earnestly as he said, “You can try challenging me more often.”

Jiang Taohua: “…”

Qingtai and Zhanlu were originally still standing guard outside, but as they listened to the sounds from inside the room, they gradually moved farther and farther away, farther and farther… until they were finally standing outside the courtyard wall.

“Will it be all right not to return to the prime minister’s residence tonight?” Qingtai asked.

Zhan Lu shook his head, his voice carrying the weight of years as he said, “Whatever pleases you, Young Master.”

After all, the rules were his to set—he was the boss.

The night breeze gently brushed past, drifting from the separate courtyard to the Chancellor’s Mansion. News of Jiang and the young master staying out for the night surely meant the women in the Chancellor’s household would find sleep hard to come by tonight.

Gu Huairou, leaning against the headboard with a hand pressed to her stomach, frowned as she gazed out the window. Meng, clutching a handkerchief, stood in the courtyard, her eyes shadowed and fixed on the moon above. Madam Mei and Qin also remained awake, though they seemed to accept the situation with more ease than the others.

“Lady Jiang truly has captured the master’s heart.” Qin Jieyu, draped in her robe, sat before Mei Zhaoxue. Her face was free of makeup, looking rather plain. “I wonder how she managed it.”

Lady Mei pursed her lips, lightly tracing the teacup on the table, and asked softly, “Is there any definite news from Lady Gu’s side?”

“Not yet, but I have carefully inquired with the physicians and the matrons in the household. Lady Gu has indeed missed her monthly courses this month.” Qin Jieyu said, “It is possible that she is with child.”

“When Lady Meng was wronged, the master will show her pity for a while. If Lady Gu is with child, the master will surely pay her extra attention. Add to that Lady Jiang, who has won the master’s heart, I fear the favor bestowed upon us will only grow thinner.” Mei Zhaoxue whispered, “It doesn’t matter much to me. No one in this household would dare to disrespect the mistress. But as for you, Jieyu, what will you do?”

Lady Qin frowned, adjusting her sheer, smoke-like silk garment as she whispered softly, “If I knew what to do, I wouldn’t have rushed here to sit with you in the dead of night.”

Her impulsive nature meant there were some things she couldn’t see as clearly as Lady Mei, so she often found herself leaning on Lady Mei’s advice.

Lady Mei Zhaoxue lowered her gaze, pondering for a moment before saying, “Didn’t Lady Gu used to have a feud with Lady Jiang? Although they seemed to make amends, we haven’t seen any real interaction between them since. Most likely, they simply smoothed things over to keep the peace and aren’t truly aligned.”

“Now that you mention it, I am reminded,” Lady Qin said. “Lady Liu has been saying all along that Lady Jiang didn’t even allow the lord to visit Lady Gu, insisting on following him all the way.”

“Isn’t that simple, then?” Mei Zhaoxue smiled. “Do what you do best, and that’s how you should proceed.”

Qin Jieyu was taken aback, then suddenly realized and rose with a smile to bow. “I understand now.”

While the gloom hung heavy over one courtyard, with no one able to sleep well all night, in another, the two of them remained entwined until the break of dawn.

“It’s time for the morning court assembly.” Peach Blossom could barely keep her eyes open, her voice soft and drowsy: “Master, please go quickly to change your clothes and prepare.”

Shen Zaiye got up, draped his robe over his shoulders, sat on the edge of the bed, and lifted her into his arms to take a closer look.

She was so sleepy that she kept nodding off like a chick pecking at rice. All her usual vigilance and sharp edges had completely melted away, leaving her soft and tender like a white, squishy glutinous rice ball—poking her would only yield a gentle give.

A faint smile played on his lips as Shen Zaiye reached out and pinched her cheek. “Shouldn’t you be the one to get up and help me change my clothes?”

Hiding a yawn behind her hand, Tao Hua buried herself coquettishly into his embrace: “This concubine is exhausted, this concubine must sleep!”

With a soft chuckle, Shen Zaizhe still got up, tucking her entire body under the covers, and then called toward the door:

“Zhan Lu.”

Zhanlu entered with dark circles under his eyes, respectfully presenting the court attire.

No wonder they say being a servant is tough—while the master indulges in a night of romance, not only does the servant have to help clean up the aftermath, but they also have to stand guard all night long.

Tough, truly tough!

Shen Zaïye was in a good mood. After dressing and washing up, he ordered Qingtai to keep an eye on her mistress, then got up and headed out toward the imperial palace.

Peach Blossom couldn’t sleep for too long either; as soon as the sky began to lighten, the maid Qing Tai came in from outside and called out, “Master, it’s time for us to go back.”

Rolling over, Peach Blossom mumbled, “Carry me back then, I want to sleep a bit more.”

Moss: “…”

She really did seem exhausted—and no wonder, with hardly any rest all night long. It would have been strange if she weren’t tired.

Might as well let her sleep here a little longer.

Qingtai sat down and gently tucked in the blanket for her own master. Peach Blossom had already fallen back into a sweet, sound sleep.

Gu Huairou felt unwell as soon as she got up early in the morning. Thinking it might be due to a poor night’s sleep the previous evening, she paid it no mind.

However, when she couldn’t eat her morning meal and kept feeling a dull ache in her stomach, she knew something was wrong and immediately sent someone to fetch a doctor.

Yue Tao went out and returned soon after, anxiously saying, “Master, they say the doctor and the medical maid are not in the residence.”

“Not here?” Gu Huairou frowned. “Where have so many people gone?”

“I heard they went outside,” Yue Tao pursed her lips. “They didn’t want to elaborate, but I suspect that Lady Jiang hasn’t returned yet. Most likely, she’s up to some mischief again and called the doctor and the medical maid away.”

Lady Jiang? Gu Huairou felt somewhat uncomfortable inside. Although the two of them had formed an alliance, Lady Jiang hadn’t brought her much favor—only ensuring her punishment was lighter. Now, was she trying to cause trouble for her instead?

She began to doubt whether what Jiang Taohua had said earlier was meant to deceive her. What did it mean that the master was targeting her and trying to discipline her? Looking at the current situation, she was becoming more and more favored, and it didn’t seem like the master disliked her at all.

Could it be that Jiang had employed a delaying tactic just to protect herself before she had firmly established her footing?

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Gu Huairou pulled Yuetao closer and said, “Go out and find out what the master has been up to lately.”

“Why bother finding out?” Yuetao replied. “Everyone in the mansion knows that the master has been spending all his time with Jiang lately. Even when he came to see you the other day, Jiang was with him.”

Hearing this, Gu Huairou felt even more that something was off. If Lord had been with Jiang Taohua all along, why wouldn’t she speak more kindly on her own behalf, so they could both enjoy favor together?

Are you perhaps also wanting to monopolize his favor, unwilling to share a single drop with her?

Gnashing her teeth, Gu Huairou said, “Since there’s no one in the manor, then you should go outside and hire a good doctor to come to the manor. I can’t bear it much longer.”

“Yes!” Yue Tao responded and hurried out.

Havingaven’t even taken two steps outside the estate when she spotted an old physician carrying a medical kit on his back, holding a banner that read “Xuanhu Hall.” Xuanhu Hall was one of the top-ranked pharmacies in the capital, and the physicians within were naturally trustworthy. Yuetao hurriedly stepped forward to ask, “Are you a physician from Xuanhu Hall?”

The old physician nodded. “Serving the world with medicine is the founding principle of our Xuanhu Hall. That’s why I’m out today offering free medical consultations. If there are any patients in your home, I can help treat them—no charge at all.”

This seems reliable. If he were a swindler, he’d definitely ask for money. Since he’s not charging, he must genuinely be from Xuanhu Hall.

Thinking this, Yuetao quickly invited the physician back into the estate.