{"id":3374,"date":"2026-05-15T04:48:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-17\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:48:52","slug":"peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-17","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/chapter\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Peach Blossom Overturning the Country (The Princess\u2018s Gambit) 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 17: Breaking the Peace of the Rear Courtyard


\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After wiping the water from her face, Taohua looked Gu Huairou up and down and said in a gentle tone, \u201cSo this is Lady Gu.\u201d

Gu Huairou was taken aback, somewhat surprised: \u201cYou know me?\u201d

\u201cI\u2019ve heard the master mention you.\u201d Peach Blossom smiled: \u201cThe master said that in this courtyard, you are the one who pleases him most.\u201d

Her? Gu Huairou pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with doubt as she looked at her: \u201cDid the master say that himself?\u201d

\u201cYes, it was tough for the master to go back and fetch something, and he specifically told me to stay in touch with you more often in the future. If he hadn\u2019t said that, I would have never known you.\u201d

Appearing envious as she glanced at her, Peach Blossom winced in pain and frowned: \u201cI appreciate your kindness, miss, but I\u2019m badly wounded now and can\u2019t bear the cold. I need to change clothes immediately. Please step aside.\u201d

Holding the copper basin, Gu Huairou pondered for a moment, then reluctantly nodded and said, \u201cI\u2019ll wait until you\u2019ve changed your clothes before coming in to talk.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2026\u201d Moss was furious. How could this person be so unreasonable? The mistress was seriously injured and needed rest\u2014what more did she want to say?

Reaching out to press her down, Tao Hua smiled and nodded, \u201cFine.\u201d

Gu Huaijiao left, and Qing Tai hurriedly brought dry clothes, helping Tao Hua onto the soft couch. \u201cWhy bother with her? It\u2019s obvious she came to cause trouble!\u201d

\u201cI know,\u201d Tao Hua said with pale lips, taking a sharp breath as she changed out of her wet clothes, frowning. \u201cBut this Madame Gu, she\u2019s intensely jealous, acts without thinking, and loves to compete and win. Dealing with someone like her\u2014if you ignore her, she\u2019ll only hold more and more resentment, and in the future, she\u2019s bound to stir up more trouble.\u201d

Qing Tai was taken aback, looking up at her. \u201cMistress, do you know Madame Gu?\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d

Then how did she know what kind of person she was? Moss was surprised, her eyes wide and round.

Without even needing to guess what Moss wanted to ask, Peach Blossom waved her hand to signal her to fetch dry bedding for the soft couch. Only after settling herself did she explain softly:

\u201cThe other day was supposed to be Madame Gu\u2019s night to attend, but didn\u2019t the Prime Minister come to Linwu Courtyard in the middle of the night? She probably found out that I was also in Linwu Courtyard at that time and thought I was deliberately trying to win favor. That\u2019s why she came to cause trouble today. This shows that Madame Gu is jealous and acts recklessly. Someone smarter would never be the first to stick their neck out at a time like this.\u201d

She just entered the prime minister\u2019s residence, and the prime minister\u2019s attitude wasn\u2019t clear, yet the Gu family dared to come knocking on the door and do this. If that\u2019s not stupidity, what is it? At least she still carries the title of a marriage alliance princess. What good does it do Gu to offend her?

Qingtai was taken aback. She tilted her head and pondered for a moment, thinking it seemed to make sense indeed.

However, the master only knew that Lady Gu had attended to him in his chamber the day before yesterday, yet he was able to follow the cause and effect, figuring out Lady Gu\u2019s intentions so clearly?

A slight shiver ran through her as Qing Tai pressed her lips together, looking at her mistress with another layer of awe in her eyes.

\u201cI understand.\u201d

The peach blossom nodded gently, easing its body to lie comfortably upon the soft couch.

Just as the quilt was tucked in, someone outside asked, \u201cIs Lady Jiang alright now?\u201d

\u201c\u2026She\u2019s fine.\u201d With a response, Qingtai went to open the door, watching Mrs. Gu enter, then hurried back to Tao Hua\u2019s side, keeping a wary eye on her.

Gu Huairou entered and sat down by the bedside, looking down at Jiang Taohua with a forced smile. \u201cI was careless just now and splashed water all over you. I hope you won\u2019t take it to heart.\u201d

Taohua replied with a gentle smile, \u201cI believe you didn\u2019t mean to make things difficult for me. Such a small matter naturally doesn\u2019t need to be taken to heart.\u201d

A small matter? She had poured an entire basin of cold water over her! How magnanimous of her! The Gu family woman narrowed her eyes and said sarcastically, \u201cYou are indeed magnanimous, no wonder the Prime Minister dotes on you so lavishly.\u201d

Jiang Taohua maintained her smile and asked calmly, \u201cDoes his current treatment of me count as lavish doting?\u201d

\u201cIs it really nothing?\u201d Though she had initially intended to keep quiet, Madam Gu grew irritated by her indifferent attitude and said with a darkened expression,

\u201cJust because of your injury, His Lordship had someone enter the palace to fetch the imperial physician, even as night was falling, throwing the entire Prime Minister\u2019s residence into chaos. Yet you alone slept soundly!\u201d

What? Taohua was stunned, blinking her eyes in disbelief: \u201cHis Lordship\u2026 sent someone into the palace to fetch an imperial physician because of my injury?\u201d

\u201cExactly,\u201d Madam Gu replied, scanning Taohua from head to toe with displeasure. \u201cLooking at you, it doesn\u2019t seem like your injuries are that serious. For His Lordship to be so anxious as to call for an imperial physician, isn\u2019t that blowing things out of proportion?\u201d

This was truly making a mountain out of a molehill. Back at the Southern Prince\u2019s Mansion, her wounds had already been properly sutured and medicated. All she needed now was rest, so why invite the imperial physician? When had his heart ever been so benevolent?

As her thoughts churned, Taohua suddenly remembered what Shen Zaiye had said at the Southern Prince\u2019s Mansion.

He had said, \u201cDon\u2019t get too proud. The only thing you can keep is your life.\u201d

A chill ran down her spine. Looking at the attitude of the Gu family before her, Jiang Taohua felt her heart plummet into a bottomless abyss. The path ahead instantly turned pitch black.

So the master is truly angry? Since he can\u2019t openly execute her, he\u2019s resorting to indirect means to vent his anger, trying to find ways to torment her to death?

With so many women in this backyard, it\u2019s obvious there are plenty of skilled players. He\u2019s casually stirring up so much animosity for her\u2014how is she supposed to calm it all down? A grown man, not challenging other men, but bullying a little woman like her\u2014is that fun? Is it really fun!

Silently cursing Shen Zaiju\u2019s ancestors resting deep underground, Peach Blossom forced herself to put on a pitiful expression and said:

\u201cThe injury was quite severe; I almost lost my life. After all, I came from Zhao State as a bride, and the marriage concerns diplomatic relations between the two countries. It\u2019s only natural that the Prime Minister would be concerned about me.\u201d

In other words, it wasn\u2019t out of care for her that Shen Zaoye called the imperial physician; it was because she was a princess sent for a political marriage, hoping everyone would calm their anger.

I thought this excuse was pretty good and assumed Gu Huairou would believe it. But to my surprise, after hearing it, her anger only flared higher.

\u201cMistress, now that you mention it, I had almost forgotten. I\u2019ve heard that women from your Zhao Kingdom are the best at bewitching hearts\u2014no wonder you\u2019ve captivated our master to the point of obsession, even going so far as to break the rules for you! Don\u2019t try to use your status to deceive me; even our lady, the legitimate daughter of the Fengchang family, has never received such favor from the master. But you? Just from an injury, not only did the master search far and wide for ginseng and lingzhi for you, he even wants to break the household rules to stay in your Spring Contention Pavilion for three days!\u201d

Huh? Peach Blossom was stunned: \u201cThree days?\u201d

\u201cDo you think it\u2019s not long enough yet?\u201d Madam Gu scoffed coldly, \u201cDon\u2019t blame me for not warning you. The rules of this household were set long ago. Today\u2019s chaos is all because of you, and this household will never know peace again! You set the example of competing for favor, luring the master away from my courtyard in the middle of the night the day before yesterday, and now you\u2019ve monopolized him for three days, stealing the grace meant for Lady Qin and the others. In the future, others will surely come to fight for your favor and steal your grace\u2014you\u2019ll have to endure it all then!\u201d

\u201cYue Tao, let\u2019s go!\u201d

Qingtai was dumbfounded, watching with wide eyes as Mrs. Gu stormed away in a rage. She turned to look at Jiang Taohua and asked, \u201cMistress?\u201d

\u201cStop her!\u201d Taohua commanded decisively.

\u201cYes, Mistress!\u201d With an order to follow, Qingtai, who had trained in martial arts, moved much faster than Mrs. Gu and the others. She dashed forward and slammed her palm onto the door latch!

The main gate was tightly shut, Gu\u2019s expression darkened as she turned back, \u201cWhat does Lady Jiang mean by this?\u201d

\u201cOnly through proper communication and dialogue between people can misunderstandings be avoided.\u201d Peach Blossom smiled gently, her lips pale as she spoke weakly, \u201cI don\u2019t wish to be an enemy of everyone, nor do I intend to monopolize the master\u2019s favor. Could Lady Gu please listen to what I have to say?\u201d

Holding her handkerchief tightly, Gu Huaishuang frowned and said, \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything more for us to talk about.\u201d

\u201cAs long as you and I are both serving the minister in this courtyard, there will always be things to discuss.\u201d Peach Blossom looked at her sincerely and said, \u201cListening to a few words won\u2019t do you any harm. But if you leave the Contending Spring Pavilion like this, you\u2019re sure to face great hardship.\u201d

Gu Huairou was taken aback and clearly skeptical: \u201cWhat hardships could I possibly endure?\u201d

\u201cIf I may be so bold to ask,\u201d Peach Blossom smiled. \u201cWho encouraged you to come to the Spring Contention Pavilion today?\u201d

\u201c\u2026What makes you think someone encouraged me? You stole favor from me first\u2014is it not fair that I came to say a few words?\u201d

\u201cNot at all.\u201d Peach Blossom shook her head firmly. \u201cAs you said, I am currently being doted on by the master. If you weren\u2019t manipulated or provoked by someone, why would you come to settle a minor matter from before at such a time? After all, that night, His Lordship did return to your Warm Serenity Pavilion.\u201d

With a slight flicker in her eyes, Gu Huairou turned to look at the ground. \u201cI came on my own initiative.\u201d

\u201cIs that so?\u201d Peach Blossom chuckled softly. \u201cThen perhaps I was overthinking. No one wanted to harm you; it was your own unwillingness to let go\u2026 If Master investigates this, being so overly particular, what do you plan to say?\u201d

\u201cWhat do you mean? I didn\u2019t do anything today. It was just your maid who slipped and pulled my hand, making me spill water all over you.\u201d Gu Huairou pouted. \u201cCould the master possibly punish me severely for that?\u201d

\u201cYes,\u201d Taohua looked at her and said, \u201cIf you don\u2019t believe me, go back and wait. The master will surely punish you harshly for splashing water all over me today.\u201d

\u201c\u2026\u201d Gu Huairou stared at her in disbelief.

Who does this woman think she is? She had been by the master\u2019s side for almost a year now. How could she be punished severely over such a trivial matter? Even if the master valued her, it couldn\u2019t possibly go that far!

\u201cIf you don\u2019t believe me, leave a maid in my room, and then go straight back.\u201d Peach Blossom said: \u201cYou can see for yourself, without me saying another word, how Young Master will handle today\u2019s matter. If I am right, then set aside your prejudice for now and come talk to me again.\u201d

Her face had already turned a ghastly white, yet her words remained full of confidence, making Gu Huairou hesitate.

Could it be that what this woman before her said was true? Was that person really trying to harm her?

No, compared to a stranger she didn\u2019t know, she still preferred to trust the sister she had always been close to.

Qingtai released her hand, and Gu Huairou strode out of the room with her chin held high.

Only when she reached the door of the Contending Spring Pavilion did she turn around and say to a maid behind her, \u201cYou stay here and keep an eye on things.\u201d

\u201cYes.\u201d

Seeing that everyone had left, Taohua finally let out a sigh of relief. She instructed Qingtai to have Gu\u2019s maid hide in the inner room and ordered everyone not to mention what had just happened. After that, she drifted back into a deep slumber.

\u201cHas all the commotion ended?\u201d In the study, Shen Zaiye asked while holding a book in his hand.

Zhanlu nodded: \u201cI heard that Miss Gu directly doused Lady Jiang with water.\u201d

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The hand turning the page paused, Shen Zaijie lifted his gaze in silence, then after a moment, chuckled lightly: \u201cReally wonderful, so let\u2019s step onto the stage now.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3374","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3374"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3375,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3374\/revisions\/3375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es_co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}