Chapter 7: Deceiving a Child

    I slept so well that I woke up feeling refreshed, clear-headed, and warm all over.

    “Miss.” Moss had been standing by the bed the whole time. Seeing her wake up, she let out a long sigh.

    Blinking, Peach Blossom glanced at the thick blanket wrapped tightly around her, then touched her forehead—it felt normal. She sat up immediately, frowning at Moss, “Why did you come to cover me with the blanket?”

    Moss fell silent for a moment before replying, “You wrapped the blanket around yourself, Miss. I tried to pull it away three times, but I couldn’t manage to take it from you.”

    Jiang Taohua: “…”

    Alright, she had an instinctual habit of tugging at the blankets. The blame really fell on not having hidden the quilt in the cabinet last night, rendering the cold bath all for nothing.

    “Is it still too late to bribe the physician?” Peach Blossom asked in despair.

    Moss shook his head. “We’re in an unfamiliar place, we can’t recklessly attempt to bribe anyone.”

    So there was no way out, then? Falling back onto the bed, Peach Blossom sighed. “Heaven prepares a great task for someone, first testing their will and wearying their body… Since struggling is futile, I might as well go see the Southern King. From what you’ve found out, he’s young and naive, so he probably won’t give me a hard time.”

    “Yes, Master, please change your clothes first.” Moss agreed, turning to fetch a large cloak.

    They were still in Shen Zaoye’s courtyard. Since yesterday, everything had been calm and uneventful, meaning no one had taken notice. With the sky not yet fully bright, it was best to slip back quickly.

    Wrapped in a cloak and accompanied by Qingtai, Jiang Taohua sprinted all the way. As she stepped out of the Linwu Courtyard gate, she didn’t notice the two little maids hiding nearby.

    “Follow her, I’ll go find Sister Yuetao.”

    “Alright.”

    The little maids, who had kept watch all night, quickly went to the Wenqing Pavilion and whispered to Yuetao after catching her. Yuetao turned her head and whispered to her own mistress, Gu Huairou.

    “I thought the master was acting a bit strange yesterday. It turns out there’s something fishy going on in that courtyard.” Gu Huairou sneered, “Keep an eye on them. Let’s see which one of them is so ignorant of the rules and dares to mess with our Wenqing Pavilion.”

    “Yes.”

    The rear courtyard of the Prime Minister’s residence appeared peaceful and harmonious, fair and without contention, but there were also many who wished to disrupt this tranquility to secure an extra share for themselves. It all depended on which unlucky soul would be the first to take the initiative.

    Unlucky Jiang remained blissfully unaware, still adorning herself.

    Because the Southern Prince was young, she couldn’t wear overly seductive makeup, so she simply washed her face, applied a little powder, and kept her entire face looking clean and tidy.

    She chose a dress suitable for a concubine of the Prime Minister’s household and picked two simple hairpins. Jiang Taohua smiled very kindly into the mirror.

    “Master.” Moss couldn’t help but say, “Are you planning to treat Prince Nan like a child?”

    “He’s only sixteen, what else is he if not a child?” Peach Blossom said, puzzled. “He’s the same age as Changjue.”

    “It’s true, he’s the same age as the Third Prince.” Moss glanced at her. “But you’re only eighteen yourself.”

    You’re only two years older than him! What’s with that elder-like expression?

    Jiang Taohua frowned and lowered her head, thinking seriously for a good while before it dawned on her: “So I’m only eighteen this year.”

    Year after year, she had somehow convinced herself she was already in her thirties.

    Qingtai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Are you still half-asleep or something?”

    “It’s nothing, I’m just used to treating Changjue like a kid.” With a sigh, Taohua said, “I just hope the Southern King isn’t as difficult to deal with as Changjue.”

    This is a heartfelt wish, Zhao Guo’s third prince, Jiang Changjue, is practically a blockhead; once he’s set on something, he won’t turn back even if he hits a brick wall. When there’s a detour, he doesn’t take it and insists on dragging her along the righteous path, often ending up with both of them suffering.

    To educate her younger brother about human sentiment and worldly wisdom, Jiang Tao Hua spared no effort, yet it was all in vain. When faced with someone who refuses to listen and is utterly stubborn, she finds herself at a complete loss.

    “Miss Jiang.”

    A maid entered the room, glancing at Tao Hua. Seeing that her complexion looked normal, she breathed a sigh of relief: “Since you are feeling better now, please head to the garden quickly to make preparations. The prime minister said that the guests will arrive after they finish breakfast.”

    “Understood.” Qing Tai responded, her brows slightly furrowed. She was about to mention that her mistress had yet to have breakfast, but before she could say anything, she saw the person in front of the vanity stand up naturally and lead her out of the room.

    “Master.” She felt a pang of heartache. “Aren’t you hungry?”

    “His Lordship ordered us to go to the garden immediately, how can we even mention hunger?” Peach Blossom declared righteously, stepping out the door.

    “But…” Glancing at the direction her master was heading, Moss behind her said with a strange expression, “The mansion’s garden is on the other side.”

    “I know, I’ve seen the prime minister’s residence map too.”

    “Then why are you heading this way?”

    Peach Blossom turned back, shooting her a glare, and lowered her voice, “I said you’re slow, and you really are. The appearance is for others to see, but the stomach is your own. It’s still early now; we might as well swing by the kitchen and grab something to eat along the way!”

    Green Moss: “…” Didn’t she say we were going to the garden right away?

    Her mistress really didn’t need anyone to worry about her—the little calculations in her mind probably outnumbered her strands of hair.

    People in the kitchen were hurriedly preparing breakfast. Cook Zhang had just placed a plate of custard buns on the stove, but when he turned to grab a food box, the plate was already empty!

    What had happened? Cook Zhang looked bewildered. He glanced around, took off his hat, rubbed his bald head, and stared at the plate with an expression of disbelief.

    Qingtai shared the custard buns with the peach blossoms, eating as she walked toward the garden.

    “The cook in this mansion isn’t too bad,” Jiang Taohua remarked with satisfaction. “We’ll be well-fed from now on.”

    There were four custard buns in total, and the two of them each ate two, finishing them just as they reached the garden gate.

    “Lady Jiang.” The maidservant standing at the garden’s arched entrance gave her a slight curtsey: “The Prime Minister has instructed that you simply wait in the pavilion.”

    “Understood.” Peach Blossom nodded, glanced around a bit, and led Moss with her as she walked in.

    Inside the garden, many maidservants were already coming and going, and the pavilion was stocked with plenty of delicious food. It seemed Shen Zaoye truly adored this young prince. Although the young prince wasn’t favored by the emperor, here he was actually enjoying VIP treatment.

    Sitting down at the stone table, Jiang Taohua couldn’t help but stroke her chin and whisper softly, “Qingtai, do you think it’s possible that this little prince is actually the Chancellor’s illegitimate son?”

    Qingtai nearly choked on her own saliva, glaring at her: “Master, sixteen years ago, the Chancellor was only ten years old.”

    Isn’t that thought a bit too insane?

    “Oh, I see…” Taohua nodded: “Then I must have been overthinking it. But I don’t understand—someone like Shen Zaiju, who holds such high authority and has such a deep, complex mind, would he really unconditionally treat a prince well just out of affection?”

    Green moss thought for a moment and said, “It’s not exactly that good either. The two of them usually don’t see each other much. Perhaps it’s because the Southern Prince has little influence, so the Grand Councilor feels it’s more relaxed to associate with him. That’s probably why he treats him this way.”

    When she went out to inquire, not many people thought the Grand Councilor favored the Southern Prince. It was just that he wasn’t as cold to him as he was to others.

    Jiang Taohua narrowed her eyes, touched her chin, and fell silent.

    “You really aren’t lying to me?”

    A youthful voice, tinged with a hint of inexperience, suddenly rang out beyond the moon gate. Peach Blossom, keen of hearing, hurriedly craned her neck to look in that direction.

    Shen Zaiye stepped inside first, dressed in an indigo brocade robe that accentuated his dignified and handsome appearance. A cryptic smile played on his lips as he lowered his head and said, “When have I ever deceived you, Your Highness?”

    The person beside him followed him around the moon gate. Wearing a white robe with green trim and fine silk sleeves, he immediately caught Peach Blossom’s eye.

    What a striking young man, with lips as red as cherries and teeth as white as jade! Though said to be out of favor, he carried himself without a trace of timidity or servility—his back straight, his aura righteous. His eyebrows were like a long boat cutting through waves, his eyes clear as sunlit waters. His nose was high-bridged, his features delicate and refined, though his small mouth was pursed tight.

    “You have deceived me plenty before!” Mu Wuxia replied with considerable resentment. “It’s just that your methods are so clever that I can never catch you red-handed!”

    This frantic appearance, as if thoroughly bullied, made Peach Blossom’s heart brim with curiosity.

    What exactly is the relationship between these two? If they were truly close, why would the Southern King treat Shen Zaiye like this? And if they weren’t, why would Shen Zaiye care so much about the Southern King?

    “The person is just ahead. If Your Highness doesn’t believe this humble servant, you might as well go and ask them yourself.” Shen Zaiye sighed helplessly, turning his head to look toward the pavilion.

    Jiang Taohua promptly controlled her expression, offering them a gentle smile.

    Following the gaze, Mu Wuxia glanced at her as well, his delicate eyebrows furrowing into a knot. He looked suspiciously at Shen Zaijie and said, “She has already been granted to you by my father, in your manor. How could she possibly tell the truth?”

    “Then, Your Highness, how can you be persuaded to believe this humble official?”

    “It’s simple. You must not be here; I will question her alone.” Mu Wuxia pursed his lips, his gaze resolute. “You are not allowed to cheat!”

    Tao Hua listened, quietly rolling her eyes inwardly. Kids are so naive; people who cheat do it behind the scenes beforehand—how could they possibly say anything about it right in front of everyone?

    “I obey, Your Majesty,” Shen Zaiye nodded slightly, turning gently toward the pavilion to add, “Taohua, remember to take good care of His Highness the Prince.”

    Though the words were gentle, his eyes carried a warning. Jiang Taohua shivered slightly, forcing a smile as she replied, “I understand, my lord.”

    Wasn’t it simply about helping him deceive a child? This Southern Prince seemed so naive, surely it wouldn’t require much effort—why was Shen Zaiye acting so tense?

    Mu Wuxia stood where he was, watching Shen Zaiye leave. Only after ensuring he had gone far enough did he turn around, his expression serious as he entered the pavilion and stood before Taohua.

    “Your Highness, please take a seat.” Peach Blossom looked at him with a smile. “Have some tea first.”

    Seeing how calm she was, Mu Wuxia’s eyebrows immediately furrowed. “Is the princess pleased?”

    “Huh?” Peach Blossom was taken aback.

    “Unable to marry me, yet you seem quite content to have wed Prime Minister Shen.” His expression darkened. “It appears the prime minister did not deceive me—the princess remains in this manor willingly, without the slightest hint of grievance.”

    This young King of the South is thoughtful and sensitive despite his young age. Jiang Taohua blinked, then immediately reacted by pinching her own thigh under the table. Tears welled up swiftly in her eyes.