Shen Zaiye had not originally paid her any mind, but upon hearing her voice, he halted and stared at her for a long moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrincess?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom now on, Your Grace can call me Taohua,\u201d Jiang Taohua replied with her head bowed. \u201cOnce inside the Prime Minister\u2019s mansion, there is no longer any princess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow slightly and turned fully toward her, his gaze deep and contemplative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou certainly adapt quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course. I still wish to live a good life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If one cannot adapt to the environment, could it be that they expect the environment to adapt to them? There aren\u2019t that many good things in this world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThinking this way brings me some peace as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he said so, Shen Zaiye let out a faint sigh. His handsome brows furrowed slightly, as if something troubled him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua lowered her gaze and remained stubbornly silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She wasn\u2019t foolish. He clearly had something he wanted to say, yet refused to say it outright. He wanted her to ask. If she really did, wouldn\u2019t she just be a silly cabbage walking into his trap?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better to act clueless than stick her face into a snake\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a long silence, Taohua suddenly looked up at the bright spring sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe weather is quite pleasant today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She gave two awkward little laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf Your Excellency has nothing further to discuss, your servant will take her leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shen Zaiye raised a brow, clearly surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSince you\u2019re so eager to return, I\u2019ll accompany you to Contend Spring Pavilion for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peach Blossom froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She discreetly pulled out the rotation roster and glanced at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If she remembered correctly, tonight he was meant to favor Lady Gu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was still early. He wasn\u2019t some beast in heat. He likely just wished to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that thought, she smiled warmly and curtsied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, My Lord. This way, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His lips curved faintly, but as he turned away, his brows furrowed for the briefest moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they walked, he asked casually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see you came from Linghan Courtyard. Have you met the Madam?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Taohua answered dutifully. \u201cMadam informed me of the household rules.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs Lady Qin there as well?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSister Qin was present. She also taught me many things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shen Zaiye\u2019s tone shifted slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think of the Qin family?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taohua pondered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAppearance-wise, she is quite exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stopped walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was asking about her character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before she could respond, he studied her attire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpeaking of appearances, your current look is far less appealing than your simple, unadorned appearance this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without thinking, Taohua blurted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a man\u2019s eyes, the most beautiful woman is the one without clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The servants behind them froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shen Zaiye stared at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaohua.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She immediately dropped to her knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have done wrong! I grew up in Zhao State\u2014our customs are more open. My words may not be proper. Please forgive me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing her nervous expression, Shen Zaiye actually felt reassured and helped her up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had heard Zhao was liberal. I did not realize it was this liberal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is much you do not yet know,\u201d she replied with a foolish grin. \u201cIf you have questions, feel free to ask. Though I only know about the lower circles\u2014matters inside the palace are not familiar to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are a princess. How could you know the low and not the high?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua smoothed her sleeve and began weaving half-truths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy mother died early. The new empress disliked my brother and me. To pave the way for Princess Suheng, we were relegated to the outer palace. Our lives were no different from servants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo you married far away to improve your circumstances?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course. Marrying to Great Wei is far better than living under those palace walls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen what do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes lit up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to eat my fill and dress warmly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shen Zaiye fell silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a princess to have wishes so simple\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His tone softened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this mansion, you will eat your fill and dress warmly. And if you assist me in two matters, I can even send gifts back to Zhao for your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her mind began calculating instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat kind of favor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause of you, I now have misunderstandings with both Prince Nan and Prince Jing. Tomorrow, Prince Nan will visit. I need you to tell him you came willingly with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the second?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe day after tomorrow, I meet Prince Jing at North Gate Pavilion. You will explain yesterday\u2019s misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His half-lowered eyes were dangerously gentle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Jiang Taohua had studied the art of allure. She would not allow herself to be charmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord\u2026\u201d she said pitifully. \u201cIt is not that I am unwilling. I have felt unwell since yesterday. I fear I may not rise tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnwell?\u201d He narrowed his eyes. \u201cShall I summon a physician?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen we return, I can have one called. If I feel better tomorrow, I will help. If not\u2026 perhaps My Lord should find another method.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The timing was suspicious. Yet her eyes appeared sincere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen you shall not return to Contend Spring Pavilion,\u201d he decided. \u201cStay in Linwu Courtyard tonight. It is warmer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head vigorously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMadam said we must not compete for favor on non-serving nights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He chuckled softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was meant to go to Lady Huaijou\u2019s pavilion tonight. I am merely lending you the room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ah. That was acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, Prime Minister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After settling her in Linwu Courtyard, Shen Zaiye left for his study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua behaved obediently, not daring to act rashly under the watchful eyes of unfamiliar maids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That evening, Qingtai finally returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes my lady require assistance with bathing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, yes,\u201d Taohua quickly instructed. \u201cPrepare the water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, the bath was ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI only require Qingtai,\u201d Taohua said calmly. \u201cAll of you may wait outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The servants obeyed\u2014but locked the cabinets before leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So cautious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once alone behind the screen, Taohua leaned closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell? What have you learned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qingtai whispered urgently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFirst\u2014Prince Jing. He is currently the most favored prince. Though not the legitimate heir, he is the strongest contender and holds great prestige. However, several old ministers refuse to support him. Because of that, he has been trying to win over Prime Minister Shen.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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-2283","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}