{"id":2951,"date":"2026-04-19T00:37:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T00:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-13\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:00:24","slug":"peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-13","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/chapter\/peach-blossom-overturning-the-country-the-princesss-gambit-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Peach Blossom Overturning the Country (The Princess\u2018s Gambit) 13"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 13: Deceived by a Woman


His body trembled, and Mu Wuxia was stunned. He opened his mouth, about to refute, but as if recalling something, he lowered his head and began to think seriously.

Seeing his reaction, Taohua understood that she had probably hit the mark, so she continued, \u201cYour earlier suspicion was correct. Under Minister Shen\u2019s pressure, I deceived you. The marriage was indeed deliberately disrupted by Minister Shen, who forcibly married me, allowing you to receive compensation from the emperor. The Jing Prince faced the emperor\u2019s rebuke, and you didn\u2019t have to marry a powerless princess like me for a political alliance. It was a move that achieved multiple goals.\u201d

\u201cAfterward, you would inevitably suffer ridicule from many because I became the minister\u2019s wife. Fearing that you might develop resentment toward him and wishing to spare you from further criticism, the minister planned to use the Jing Prince\u2019s name to kill me today. In this way, you would suffer no loss, and the prime minister\u2019s residence wouldn\u2019t even need to hang white mourning banners\u2014yet the one to suffer would still be the Jing Prince.\u201d

\u201cI never imagined that Minister Shen would use our marriage from start to finish as part of such a meticulously calculated scheme, nor did I expect that I, an innocent person, would become a sacrificial offering for the minister to elevate you!\u201d

Looking up at Mu Wuxia, peach blossom eyes shed tears like a waterfall: \u201cDoes Your Highness not think I am innocent?\u201d

Mu Wuxia\u2019s brow furrowed tightly, his fists clenched: \u201cOf course you are innocent! The affairs of the Great Wei court have nothing to do with you!\u201d

After a pause, he asked again: \u201cSo these injuries of yours were also caused by Shen Zaijie?\u201d

\u201cYes.\u201d Peach Blossom pursed her lips, lowered her head, and gently smoothed the hem of her sleeve. \u201cToday, the Prime Minister pretended to let me go to the appointment at Jing Wang\u2019s North Gate Pavilion, but he ambushed assassins along the way to take my life. Although loyal servants protected me and I managed to escape, in this vast land of Great Wei, Prime Minister Shen wields immense power. Where is there a place for me to hide? In my desperation, I ventured to disturb Your Highness.\u201d

\u201cI believe the prince is not someone who indiscriminately kills the innocent or climbs over others\u2019 corpses to rise in power, so I beg the prince to save my life!\u201d

Jiang Taohua\u2019s guess was nine out of ten correct. Moreover, no one had ever discovered the connection between Shen Zaiye and the Southern Prince. Hearing her words, the Southern Prince was already inclined to believe the majority of it, and the remaining doubt vanished when he saw the severe injuries on her body.

\u201cShen Zaiye truly is the greatest deceiver in this world!\u201d Mu Wuxia was both furious and enraged. \u201cWhat must I do to protect your life?\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s simple,\u201d Taohua said earnestly, looking at him. \u201cAll you need to do is make it clear to the prime minister that you are aware of his plans and ask him not to threaten my life, or else you will no longer trust him. You hold a unique position in the prime minister\u2019s heart. By saying this, he will certainly refrain from harming me.\u201d

\u201cI understand,\u201d the young prince said with a solemn nod as he stood up. \u201cNow, I will go find a doctor for you and take the opportunity to invite the minister over for a conversation!\u201d

Jiang Taohua was overjoyed, but her delight was short-lived, soon replaced by a look of concern. \u201cDo we really need to invite the minister over?\u201d

\u201cNaturally,\u201d Mu Wuxia replied. \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t come, how will I confront him?\u201d

\u201cConfronting him is necessary, but\u2026\u201d Taohua pursed her lips, glanced at the Southern Prince twice, and whispered, \u201cYou must be careful.\u201d

\u201cHow so?\u201d

\u201cThe Prime Minister is eloquent and holds great power, likely pinning all the blame on me, accusing me of falsely accusing him and deliberately framing him.\u201d With a pout, Taohua began digging a hole against her conscience, saying, \u201cWith his ability to twist black and white, he might even claim he never sent anyone to assassinate me today\u2014that this injury was self-inflicted.\u201d

Mu Wuxia frowned. \u201cAbsurd. Who would inflict such a severe wound upon themselves? His smooth talk has deceived me many times before, but this time, I will not be fooled again.\u201d

\u201cThank you, Your Highness.\u201d Jiang Taohua looked at him gratefully. \u201cFor helping me this time, I shall repay you in the future without fail!\u201d

Waving his hand, Mu Wuxia said nonchalantly, \u201cNo need for you to repay anything. This is a matter of principle for me. In fact, I should thank you for providing me with evidence, or else I really would have had no way to deal with that swindler!\u201d

With that, he flung his robe and rushed out.

What a righteous young man with a strong sense of justice! Peach Blossom felt that perhaps she had encountered too many wicked and sinister individuals, for every time she saw such a naive lad, she felt a pang of pity\u2014he was too innocent.

If only people like him could remain innocent for a lifetime.

North Gate Pavilion.

Shen Zaiye maintained a composed demeanor while dealing with Prince Jing for a while before excusing himself, citing discomfort, and decided to head back home.

Originally, it was just the two of them who had arranged to meet. However, Shen Zaiye had initially planned to have Jiang Taohu go in his place. Once the significant matters were settled, he could simply claim that he had fallen ill and that Taohu had taken the initiative to attend on her own.

But unfortunately, with the great matter unaccomplished, he could only listen to Prince Jing for a long while before rushing back to the estate to check on the situation.

\u201cMy Lord,\u201d Zhanlu frowned as he approached, \u201cthe estate has been searched; two of Lady Jiang\u2019s dowry guards are missing.\u201d

Faltering in his steps, Shen Zaiye fell silent, his expression growing somewhat unpleasant.

\u201cThere is another piece of news,\u201d Zhanlu lowered his head and said, \u201cword came from the Southern Prince\u2019s residence; the young prince invites you over for a chat.\u201d

Slowly closing his eyes, Shen Zaiye raised his hand and massaged his temples.

\u201cIt has truly been too long since I\u2019ve encountered such a formidable woman,\u201d he murmured softly. \u201cTo the point that I misjudged, mistaking a fox for a rabbit.\u201d

From the very beginning, he had sensed something was off. It turned out it was because of Jiang Taohua. This woman had long seen through his intentions, methodically dismantling his strategies and ruining his plans. And he, he had only just realized it now!

What sickness, what foolishness\u2014she had likely been putting on a grand performance for him all along, and he, he had actually believed it!

Absurd!

\u201cTo the Southern Royal Mansion!\u201d Grinding his teeth with a low growl, Shen Zaiye swung onto his horse. His typically calm and expressionless face could not help but tense with a layer of anger.

Jiang Taohua, what a Jiang Taohua! He had schemed against others for many years, never expecting to capsize in the gutter, deceived by a woman! If he didn\u2019t kill her, how could he quell the hatred in his heart?

\u201cHyah!\u201d Galloping at full speed, Shen Zaiye kept his face tense all the way, with Zhanlu barely able to keep up from behind.

Arriving at the main courtyard of the manor, Zhanlu hadn\u2019t even had time to say a word when a sword suddenly thrust straight toward his master.

Shen Zaije reacted faster than he could think, performing a sideways flip to dodge and reaching back to grip the hilt of the sword.

Mu Wuxia, boiling with anger, delivered a powerful sideways kick, forcing him to release the hilt and endure a few swift strikes.

Though the sword was unsharpened and incapable of causing serious harm, its strikes were still sharp and painful. Recognizing who wielded the sword, Zhanlu dared not step in to protect his master, watching anxiously instead.

What on earth had angered Prince Nan so deeply?

While dodging, Shen Zaiye was the first to calm down. In the final move, he grabbed the sword\u2019s blade, chuckling lightly, \u201cYour Highness, your swordsmanship has improved quite a bit.\u201d

Mu Wuxia pursed his lips, withdrawing the treasured sword, and looked at him, saying, \u201cThis is the Slay Treachery Sword, taught to me by you.\u201d

Slay Treachery\u2014to slay all the treacherous ministers in the world.

Glancing around, Shen Zaiye narrowed his eyes and said, \u201cDoes Your Highness think I am a treacherous minister?\u201d

Mu Wuxia furrowed his brows, standing upright with an air of unwavering integrity: \u201cThose were your own words\u2014that a loyal subject does not deceive a young ruler, does not oppose their will, and does not pretend compliance while secretly opposing. But what about you?\u201d

With a heart full of confusion, Shen Zaiye smiled as he looked at him. \u201cWhat seems to be troubling you, my humble official?\u201d

\u201cYour Highness, I always knew you were the type who wouldn\u2019t admit your mistakes even if ironclad evidence was placed right before your eyes!\u201d The Prince of Nan was furious, his brows nearly standing on end. \u201cWhen will you finally tell me the truth? I already know about your plan to kill the Princess of Zhao and frame Prince Jing!\u201d

Shen Zaoye nodded, glancing at the tightly closed door behind him, and said calmly, \u201cI suppose it was Lady Jiang who came to the South Prince\u2019s manor to lodge a complaint against your humble servant.\u201d

\u201cShouldn\u2019t she have reported it?\u201d Mu Wuxia glared at the man before him. \u201cWhat did you promise me before? And what are you doing now? Lady Jiang is just a delicate woman, bearing no grudge or enmity toward us. Why do you treat human life so lightly?\u201d

He acknowledged she was a woman, but was Jiang Taohua truly delicate? A cold laugh echoed in his heart, yet Shen Zaive\u2019s expression appeared remarkably sincere. \u201cYour Highness, I believe Lady Jiang may have misunderstood something and is overly sensitive. I have never intended to harm her.\u201d

\u201cMisunderstanding?\u201d Mu Wuxia\u2019s face grew even darker. He gritted his teeth, refraining from immediate argument, and instead crossed his arms, asking, \u201cWhat misunderstanding?\u201d

\u201cIt has only been a few days since the incident with Your Highness and Lady Jiang\u2019s marriage. During this time, Lady Jiang has been living in constant fear at the Prime Minister\u2019s residence and even fell ill, so it\u2019s understandable that her thoughts might wander.\u201d Shen Zaive smiled faintly, speaking with great composure. \u201cI have no idea why she would think I intended to kill her and frame Prince Jing. Today, when her carriage encountered trouble on the road, I was deeply concerned and have been searching everywhere for her.\u201d

\u201cOh?\u201d The young prince raised an eyebrow. \u201cSo you\u2019re saying you didn\u2019t send assassins to kill Lady Jiang today, and her injuries were self-inflicted?\u201d

After a brief pause, a flicker of emotion crossed Shen Zaoye\u2019s eyes. \u201cIs Lady Jiang injured?\u201d

\u201cYes, severe wounds, covered in blood.\u201d The young prince said, \u201cThe assailant must have been merciless indeed.\u201d

If he hadn\u2019t checked the security details of the estate beforehand, Shen Za\u00efye might have believed that Jiang Taohua was actually attacked today. However, with her own people helping her escape, how could she end up with severe injuries? If those wounds weren\u2019t self-inflicted, he\u2019d be willing to burn the Shen family\u2019s plaque for firewood!

\u201cYour Highness,\u201d he sighed, his voice grave, \u201cYou are new to the ways of the world, pure and honest at heart, and likely have not encountered many cunning, deceitful, and untruthful individuals, making it easy to be deceived. This humble official did not send anyone to assassinate Lady Jiang. As for the origin of her injuries, perhaps only she herself knows the truth.\u201d

It turned out exactly as Jiang Taohua had predicted. Just look at how effortlessly he pushed the blame away\u2014so clean and thorough.

With a cold sneer, Mu Wuxia took half a step back, looking at him sideways. \u201cPrime Minister Shen, could you tell me why the Jiang family went out today?\u201d

\u201cToday\u2026\u201d Shen Zaiye smiled. \u201cJiang was simply bored at home and wanted to go out for a stroll on her own.\u201d

\u201cOh?\u201d His expression turning even colder, Mu Wuxia retreated another half step. \u201cHow did I hear that she was going to Beimen Pavilion to see Prince Jing?\u201d

\u201cYou must be joking, Your Highness,\u201d Shen Zaiye replied. \u201cNow that Jiang has entered the prime minister\u2019s residence, why would she still go to see Prince Jing?\u201d

The young prince fell silent, gazing at him with profound eyes.

Shen Zaive looked composed and righteous, not at all like someone lying.

However, shortly after these words were spoken, someone came hurrying over from the side, kneeling halfway before Mu Wuxia and reporting, \u201cYour Highness, Prince Jing has already left the North Gate Pavilion and has just arrived at the palace gate.\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-2951","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2951"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2951\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2998,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2951\/revisions\/2998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}