Chapter 9: Put Away Your Seductive Arts

    Can she speculate that between Shen Zaiye and the King of the South, it’s not just a simple friendship, but perhaps a deeper connection?

    Could Shen Zaiye be from the State of Wu? If he were, how could the Emperor of Great Wei have allowed him to serve as the Prime Minister? If not, then why would he risk angering the emperor by carrying the Hundred Springs Flower on his person?

    The handkerchief on him, typically only those within the prime minister’s household would have a chance to notice, and it was merely by chance that she saw it. As for the handkerchief from the southern prince’s side, those within the prime minister’s household generally had no opportunity to see it either, and today’s sighting was purely coincidental.

    The combination of these two coincidences led Jiang Taohua to believe she might have stumbled upon something unnoticed by ordinary people. Yet, whether this discovery would prove beneficial or harmful in the end was truly uncertain.

    Her mind was a jumbled mess; Peach Blossom shook her head vigorously.

    Regardless of what Shen Zaive is really about, it’s clear now that his good relationship with the Prince of Nan is a fact. And from what the Prince of Nan just said, combined with the slip-ups Shen Zaive made earlier at Hefeng Hall, it’s clear that he deliberately had his follower control the wild wolves to sabotage the wedding, then forcibly took her.

    This remarkable Prime Minister actually used the Prince of Jing’s hand to snatch her from the Prince of Nan and then pinned the blame on him. Poor Prince of Jing, carrying the blame while thinking he had truly mistaken her for someone else, feeling immensely guilty toward Shen Zaive.

    Quite a skillful maneuver.

    “Let’s head back,” Jiang Taohua said calmly, rising to her feet as she led Qingtai out.

    “Your Highness,” Qing Tai said with great concern, “We are leaving the estate tomorrow, are you sure you’re all right?”

    “It’s nothing,” Peach Blossom replied. “There are just some things I haven’t figured out yet. Keep helping me investigate. Look into Prime Minister Shen’s background, and whether he has ever been to the State of Wu.”

    Qing Tai was taken aback for a moment. After a pause, she accepted the task without further questions.

    Lost in thought, Peach Blossom returned to the Contending Spring Pavilion. As she approached the entrance, she noticed a servant boy standing by the door with his hands respectfully at his sides.

    “Madam Jiang.” Seeing her return, the servant boy approached: “This servant has come especially to remind you that at the fourth quarter of the hour of si tomorrow, a carriage will be waiting outside the side gate. Please prepare in advance and must not neglect His Highness Prince Jing.”

    “Understood.” Peach Blossom smiled, nodding to him: “I will make thorough preparations.”

    The servant boy bowed and quickly retreated. Jiang Taohui watched his retreating figure for a moment before pursing her lips and stepping into the courtyard.

    Qingtai was out running errands, leaving only Hua Deng in the room. This girl was far livelier than Qingtai; seeing her return, she beamed and said, “Mistress, I have prepared a new dress for you. Would you like to see if you like it?”

    Peach Blossom raised an eyebrow, looking at the rather lavish satin gown she had brought out, and said with a smile, “It looks quite nice. Was it just made?”

    “Indeed,” Huadeng said with a playful wink. “I heard that it was the Prime Minister who had it specially rushed for you. Over a dozen seamstresses worked through the night to complete this gown. It seems the Prime Minister truly values you.”

    “He does value me quite a bit,” Peach Blossom nodded. “I’ll have to find a good chance to thank him properly.”

    “Well, the Prime Minister mentioned he’d be coming by later,” Huadeng said. “Just wait, he’ll be here soon.”

    Having fooled the Southern Prince, it was only right to come and tip her off. This peach blossom wasn’t at all surprised, simply nodding and sitting before the vanity to meticulously make herself up.

    In the study.

    Shen Zaiye rubbed his temples, his head throbbing as he looked at the person before him. “Your Highness still doesn’t believe me?”

    Mu Wuxia stood before him, his small frame upright and rigid, frowning as he said, “I’m not saying I don’t trust you, it’s just that recently, Your Excellency’s actions haven’t been lost on me either. You previously told me not to get involved in the court’s power struggles, but now, why is it that using the mistake of the Zhao State princess’s marriage, you had Father grant me more rewards?”

    When the Prince of Jing made a mistake, the emperor was furious. Yet, considering the prince’s exceptional talent and the emperor’s longstanding favor toward him, he merely reprimanded him and gave the Prince of Nan ample compensation. He even awarded him the newly built princely mansion in the capital, permitting him to establish his own household before marriage. This was a rare privilege among the princes of Great Liang.

    Shen Zaijie chuckled lightly: “Your Highness overestimates this humble subject. The Emperor’s reward was determined by His Majesty, and it was Prince Jing who personally interceded on your behalf to express his apology. What does it have to do with this humble subject?”

    “The Princess of Zhao is a victim, there is much she does not know, so she spoke quite favorably of you.” Mu Wuxia pressed her lips together. “But in truth, you cannot possibly be completely unaware of how this marriage ended up in such turmoil.”

    “I truly do not know.”

    “You…” The young prince stamped his foot in anger. “You liar!”

    Shen Zaive looked utterly innocent, his face wearing an expression of deep hurt: “Your Highness thinking of this humble servant in such a way truly saddens me. However, isn’t what you care about whether the Princess of Zhao was wronged? As you have seen, she is no chaste and virtuous woman, yet she is willing to remain in the Prime Minister’s residence. A woman like this is fortunate not to have married you.”

    Mu Wuxia was taken aback, frowning as he thought for a moment, his tone softening slightly: “Lady Jiang doesn’t seem like the type of person you described either. Wasn’t she trying to hang herself just yesterday?”

    That was merely a woman’s petty trick, Shen Zaive sneered inwardly, but he saw no need to explain so much to the young prince.

    “If you believe this princess is a good person, then this humble servant will ensure she is not mistreated in the future,” he said. “Your Highness may rest assured. If there is nothing else, you should return and continue your studies.”

    Muwuxia curled his lips, displeased, and said, “I hope you keep your word.”

    Lady Jiang’s eyes were beautiful, like the boundless sea, with the sun, moon, and stars emerging from within them. When she cried, it wasn’t pitiful in a fragile way, but truly made one’s heart ache. Everything about a person could be fake, but the eyes couldn’t lie, so he believed this sister was a good person and also hoped she could live a better life in the future.

    “Take care on your way, Your Highness.” Shen Zaiye stood up to escort him out. “These days, there will inevitably be some disturbances outside. Since you’ve just established a new mansion, you should first manage the affairs within the mansion properly and avoid going out frequently.”

    “Understood.” Muwuxia answered gloomily, sighed, and finally shook his sleeves as he left.

    Shen Zaïye smiled as he watched him off, until he had left the gates of the Prime Minister’s mansion, then his expression darkened. “Head to Contend Spring Pavilion.”

    Jiang Taohua was truly a bit interesting, to have actually managed to bewitch the Prince of Nan and made him think she was quite good? This was not what he had expected, and he had always disliked things that went beyond his expectations.

    Zhan Lu lowered his head to lead the way, sensing the faint restlessness and anger emanating from his master all around, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised.

    It had been a long time since he had seen him this worked up over a woman; this Lady Jiang was truly formidable.

    The gate of Contending Spring Pavilion was open, and as Shen Zaiju stepped inside, a dazzling, shimmering blue brocade gown came forward to greet him.

    “This humble concubine pays her respects to the master.”

    Jiang Taohua wore a captivating makeup; when she lowered her head in greeting, her snow-white neck was revealed, its curves graceful and utterly charming.

    Shen Zaiju paused, glancing down at her a few times.

    The last time we met, she was dressed in a manner that seemed dull and unremarkable, but now, in the blink of an eye, she has transformed back into a dazzlingly charming beauty. How many faces does this woman have?

    “Rise.”

    “Thank you, my lord.” Jiang Taohua lifted her head, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, her brows and gaze as delicate as a painting. She softly leaned against his side, wrapping her arm around his. “Knowing you were coming, I prepared fragrant tea and snacks. My lord, please taste them and see if they suit your palate.”

    “Very well.” Shen Zaiye composed his expression, stepped into the main room, and sat down. He raised his eyes, fixed them on her with a smile, and said, “Today, you remind me of the person you used to be.”

    The two of them had known each other for less than three days, so what did “before” even mean? The earliest time they could go back to was that night in the breeze and dance.

    Peach Blossom’s face flushed with embarrassment. She shot him a reproachful glance, then turned away shyly, cursing him in her heart for being so shameless!

    “Your tea, master.”

    Reaching out to accept the teacup, Shen Zaiji did not drink it. Instead, he watched every move of the person before him and softly remarked, “The seductive arts of the Kingdom of Zhao truly live up to their reputation.”

    Jiang Taohua paused, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you mean by that, master?”

    “Every single move you make is part of the seductive arts. Ordinary people wouldn’t notice—they would only be charmed and have their minds bewitched.” Shen Zaiji turned his head to glance at Zhanlu, who stood beside him.

    Zhan Lu had been standing nearby all this time, and now his gaze toward Peach Blossom had become somewhat vacant. Hearing his master’s words, his face flushed red, and he quickly shook his head, pinching himself.

    “This servant deserves death.”

    He had only glanced inadvertently a couple of times. Who knew it would…

    Peach Blossom smiled lightly, clasping her own hands and said, “Sir, you think too much. Zhao State’s seduction arts are merely superficial tricks—how could they possibly bewitch the mind?”

    “You are being too modest.” Shen Zaije smiled, placing the teacup on the table before standing up and walking over to her. He whispered softly, “Unfortunately, such things are useless to me. You’d better save your effort.”

    A sudden stiffness washed over Taohua’s face, causing the corner of her mouth to twitch slightly as she adjusted her posture.

    The inexplicable and ambiguous atmosphere that had filled the room vanished, and everything seemed to clear up in an instant.

    Zhan Lu furrowed his brows, unable to shake off a lingering sense of fear. Just moments ago, he had genuinely believed that Lady Jiang was breathtakingly beautiful—every one of her movements seemed magnified in his mind, each smile and glance absolutely stunning. If she had asked him to do anything at that moment, he would have undoubtedly obeyed.

    It’s terrifying!

    I initially thought our master was overestimating this woman, but it’s quite possible he actually underestimated her. Not everyone possesses the master’s level of composure; if this woman were to fall into the hands of others, she would become a massive threat.

    No wonder the master made such a decision.

    “You’re a smart one,” Shen Zaiye smiled. “Were you pretending to be foolish earlier to deceive me?”

    Peach Blossom panicked, “Was I acting foolishly before? Have I offended you in some way?”

    “…”, narrowing his eyes to look at her, Shen Zaiye frowned slightly, “I don’t like women who lie.”

    But you’re a big liar yourself, aren’t you? Peach Blossom rolled her eyes inwardly, yet on the surface, she remained utterly innocent, appearing both anxious and timid. “Could you explain more clearly, sir? I’ve never deceived you about anything. This seduction technique… was taught to me by my master for self-preservation, and I’ve grown accustomed to it…”

    Because of habit? Shen Zaijie gazed at her deeply, his eyes profound.

    But upon second thought, what kind of person this is no longer matters, as everything will end tomorrow anyway.

    “Can you tell me what you talked about with the Southern Prince today?” Lowering his gaze, Shen Zaijie asked softly.