Her entire body felt somewhat chilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua reached out to hold Qingtai\u2019s hand and pouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI suddenly think it would actually be quite nice if I really managed to marry the Southern Prince.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At least it wouldn\u2019t give her this feeling of falling into a snake pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qingtai\u2019s face turned pale. She gripped Taohua\u2019s hand tightly, her voice trembling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat should we do about this? Is the Prime Minister trying to harm you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot necessarily. I\u2019m just an insignificant princess; very few in the Great Wei will even take notice of me. He is a distinguished minister\u2014why would he risk offending the Southern Prince just to harm me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua pondered for a moment, then pulled Qingtai to her feet and straightened her up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow I can only rely on you. You have exceptional martial skills. Although you may not be the sharpest, you can still help me with many things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The situation was critical, so Qingtai automatically disregarded her master\u2019s negative assessment of her and frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does my lady want this servant to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContinue gathering information\u2014preferably outside the Prime Minister\u2019s residence. Find out everything about the backgrounds and relationships of Prince Jing, Prince Nan, and Shen Zaoye, then report back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis servant understands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qingtai nodded, quickly changed her clothes, and seized the opportunity to slip out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After catching her breath a few times, Jiang Taohua immediately called someone in to help her change clothes. She meticulously dressed up and applied makeup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Qingtai had mentioned that Shen Zaoye had numerous concubines. Since she was not the head wife but merely newly arrived, she had to keep a low profile and first figure out the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing she needed to do was pay her respects to the primary wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before getting married, Jiang Taohua always dressed like a blooming peach blossom tree. But as soon as she entered this household, she switched to an ill-fitting oversized brocade robe. Without a trace of makeup, even the jewelry she chose looked old-fashioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Highness,\u201d the maid Huadeng frowned, \u201calthough you are born with extraordinary beauty, why do you torture yourself like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t torture; it\u2019s protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After tidying herself up, Peach Blossom took her hand and headed outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour princess is too beautiful. While that may be useful among men, among women it not only serves no purpose\u2014it becomes a curse. So when we attend the king, we can be as charming as we want. But when facing the queen, we must be as ugly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huadeng pouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is just too cunning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua knocked her lightly on the head and rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou silly child, how can you speak like that? Is this called cunning? This is called intelligence, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huadeng rubbed her forehead and forced a smile. But in her heart, she thought \u201cintelligence\u201d was far too bland a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOld servant Xu pays respects to the lady.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had not yet passed through the corridor when a woman in a brown jacket and gray-white skirt appeared before them. Deep wrinkles lined her face in a distinct \u201c\u516b\u201d shape, and though her words were respectful, her eyes had already scrutinized Taohua from head to toe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo need for formalities. Are you the steward the Prime Minister mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taohua smiled gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was just on my way to pay my respects to the Madam. If there\u2019s anything I should be mindful of, Steward Xu, please tell me now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steward Xu nodded and began walking beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the State of Wei, the distinction between nobility and commoners is clear\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued explaining the ranks within the residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listening with a smile, Jiang Taohua thought silently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With so many women around, how on earth is Shen Zaoye still alive and energetic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s simply unbelievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you go to pay your respects to Madam, perform the etiquette of a subordinate greeting a superior. Our Madam is gentle and won\u2019t make things difficult for you. But\u2026 if Lady Qin is present, you\u2019ll need to be cautious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLady Qin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taohua raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs she someone with a bad temper?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steward Xu lowered his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow could a servant gossip about the master? You\u2019ll understand once you see for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madam Mei resided in the Cold Sojourn Courtyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite its elegant name, the place was lavish. Rosewood doors stood wide open, and rows of red peonies lined both sides of the courtyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe princess is here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gentle-looking woman stepped forward. Though not stunning, she carried a composed elegance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without hesitation, Peach Blossom performed a curtsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI greet the Madam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mei Jingxue looked at her carefully, surprise flickering in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Highness must have suffered yesterday. Look how pale you are. Servants\u2014bring the new headpieces for the princess to choose from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Taohua quite liked those who showered her with gifts from the start. Her gaze softened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But before she could enjoy her luck, a voice sounded beside them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Madam is generous. But now that this new sister has entered the Prime Minister\u2019s residence, she is merely a concubine like the rest of us. There is no need to keep calling her princess, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taohua looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman was strikingly beautiful, peach-colored robes flowing around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo this elder sister is Lady Qin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qin Xieyu smiled faintly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s already warned you about me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peach Blossom smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard Sister Qin is exceptionally beautiful. Naturally, I recognized you at first sight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qin Xieyu raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you saying the Madam is less beautiful than I am?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mei Jingxue lowered her eyes, smoothing her sleeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peach Blossom spoke lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrabapple has its splendor; plum blossoms have their elegance. Each blooms in its season. Since both are favored by His Lordship, what is there to compare?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, Qin Xieyu fell silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mei Jingxue smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSister Jiang speaks well. Come inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later, as Jiang Taohua returned to her courtyard, relief filled her heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But just as she crossed the garden path\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She ran headlong into Shen Zaoye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026This concubine pays her respects to the Prime Minister.\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-2278","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2278\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/tr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}