Chapter 44

Chapter 44: I Am a Weak Woman

Shen Zaixia was taken aback, his expression darkening slightly as he got up and opened the door. Looking outside, he said, “Since when do you have the authority to decide where I should be?”

Yue Tao was startled and quickly knelt down, frowning as she said, “Please calm your anger, Prime Minister… I, I was just momentarily overwhelmed. Madam Gu’s pregnancy has already been confirmed. Wasn’t anyone here to inform you when you returned?”

Of course, someone had told him. The moment he entered the mansion, Zhanlu had already informed him.

Shen Zaiju pressed his lips together, neither confirming nor denying it. He stepped out leisurely and said, “Let’s go, I’ll go take a look.”

“…Yes.”

Yue Tao rose to her feet and glanced into the room.

The array of jewelry on the table must have just been gifted by the master.

His own mistress is pregnant, yet he doesn’t reward her. Instead, as soon as he returns, he goes to the Spring Contention Pavilion and gives everything to Lady Jiang in one go? How could he be so unfair—Lady Jiang isn’t even pregnant!

Heart full of anger, yet Yue Tao dared not speak up. She quickly followed the Prime Minister toward the Warm Clear Pavilion.

Tao Hua didn’t go along. Calling Qing Tai inside, she tidied up the things and locked them in the cabinet.

“Master, many people in the courtyard are gathered at Warm Clear Pavilion right now,” said Qing Tai. “Will it be alright if we don’t go?”

“Have the Mistress and Lady Qin gone?” Peach Blossom asked.

Moss shook her head: “I heard that the Mistress and Lady Qin are reciting scriptures in the Quiet Night Hall, praying for the Chancellor’s offspring.”

“Then that’s just fine.” Peach Blossom chuckled: “The Mistress herself acknowledged that Lady Gu is pregnant, but now she’s making excuses not to go and see. Since that’s the case, why should we go join in the excitement?”

What does this mean? Moss didn’t understand. Isn’t someone being pregnant a good thing? Wouldn’t it be fine to build a good relationship now?

But since her own master said so, she’d better stay quiet. With so many women over there, it was inevitable that something chaotic would happen.

Wenqing Pavilion.

Gu Huairong’s face once again wore a charming smile as she sat on the bed, holding her belly, and looked softly at Shen Zaiye. “I never imagined I’d be so blessed to carry your first child.”

Shen Zaiye gazed at her with gentle eyes. “Since you’re pregnant, take good care of yourself.”

Was that all he had to say? Gu Huairong felt a bit dissatisfied. She had heard those words too many times already. This child in her belly was, at the very least, the eldest son or, if not, the eldest daughter. Did he not have any reward for her, or even a few kind words to say?

Feeling unhappy, she couldn’t help but show a hint of grievance on her face, sighing softly as she said, “Does Master’s heart no longer hold a place for me?”

“Why would you think that?” Shen Zaiye responded, “If not for you, would this child of yours have simply fallen from the sky?”

Everyone around laughed, and Lady Meng, holding her handkerchief, gently and kindly said, “A woman with child can’t help but overthink; Master ought to spend more time with Madam Gu and give her some comfort.”

“Lately, there has been much to attend to in the affairs of the court,” Shen Zaiye said. “I must still trouble you all to look after Huairou a bit more.”

Mrs. Meng pursed her lips, glanced at Gu Huairou, and softly said, “My lord, saying that makes it even easier for Madam Gu to overthink. You’ve been constantly busy, yet you’ve always been at Striving Spring Pavilion. Just now, when you returned to the estate, you headed straight to Striving Spring Pavilion without even asking a word.”

Frowning slightly, Shen Zaïye looked up at Meng Zhenzhen.

He despises women who try to boss him around.

Startled by the prime minister’s intense gaze, Madam Meng quickly lowered her head and dared not speak further, nervously twisting the handkerchief in her hands.

Gu Huairou watched, and her heart grew even colder. Had the master already taken such steps to protect Lady Jiang? Were others not even allowed to speak of her? Would there still be a place for anyone else in this household in the future?

“I will have someone bring over some medicinal supplements later,” Shen Zaiye stood up, looking at Madame Gu. “Take good care of yourself. If you truly give birth to the Prime Minister’s first son, there will be a generous reward.”

“…Your servant respectfully sees Your Lordship off.” Gu Huairou bowed her head, hearing the departing footsteps that held not the slightest hesitation, her heart tightening with discomfort.

Only after the room emptied of men did Yuetao approach the bedside and whisper, “I, too, feel aggrieved on your behalf, mistress. As soon as the lord returned to the estate, he bestowed a pile of treasures upon Lady Jiang, while you received only some medicinal herbs. Lady Jiang isn’t even with child—it is you who carries his heir! How can the lord be so unfair…”

Lady Gu listened, clenching her hands even tighter: “Do not say any more.”

“Some matters are better left unacknowledged, to live a little more happily.” Meng Zhenzhen said coolly, “Why must you compare yourself to the one held dearest in his heart? Isn’t that merely seeking out suffering for yourself?”

Gu Huairou looked up at her and sneered, “Since when has Lady Meng been willing to acknowledge someone else as the one held dear in our lord’s heart?”

“Some things are useless to deny,” Lady Meng sighed as she sat down beside her. “Haven’t you realized yet? With the lord so utterly devoted to Lady Jiang now, even if you truly gave birth to a first son, nothing would change. Those destined to be favored will remain favored, while those destined to lose favor will continue to lose it. The eldest son may earn the lord’s affection, but his mother is not guaranteed to do the same.”

Her heart sank, and Gu Huairou gritted her teeth.

How could she simply resign herself to this fate? With a winning piece finally in her grasp, if she were still to be completely outshone by Jiang Taohua, her entire life would truly be over!

Shen Zaiye returned to the Contending Spring Pavilion, where Peach Blossom was already enjoying some snacks while waiting for lunch.

“Has the master returned?” She greeted him with a smile: “How is Madam Gu?”

“Nothing much, she’s recovering well.” Sitting down on the soft couch, Shen Zaichao said to Zhan Lu: “Bring a set of Chinese chess.”

Zhan Lu nodded and left, while Taohua quickly waved her hand: “I don’t know how to play.”

“I never expected you to keep me company,” he sneered, waving his hand dismissively. “Just sit there and keep eating your snacks. I have something important to think about—it’s best if you stay quiet.”

“Alright!” Peach Blossom agreed, setting down the tray as she took a seat directly across from him.

In the Three Kingdoms, regardless of which state they belonged to, scholars and officials seemed to have quite a fondness for playing chess. Looking at Shen Zaiye’s chessboard, though Jiang Taohua didn’t understand the game, she could still sense an aura of fierce hostility emanating from it.

He held the red piece, his soldier crossed the river boundary, the elephant moved in a square formation, both hands simultaneously maneuvering, and within moments, he had taken two of the black pawns. Peach Blossom noticed that where his eyes were fixed was on the black side’s “chariot.”

However, he paused here motionless, as if pondering something, and after a long while finally made a decision, continuing to fiddle with his hands while murmuring under his breath: “I have no choice but to let it go.”

Peach Blossom curiously leaned her little head closer: “Losing what?”

“Offering a cannon to attack the chariot.” Shen Zaidi muttered, then looked up and glared at her: “You wouldn’t understand anyway, so what’s the use in asking?”

Jiang Taohua: “…”

All right, he knew he was formidable; she would simply hold her plate and be a quiet spectator enjoying her snacks, that was enough.

The game of chess wasn’t finished; just by removing one of Black’s rooks, Shen Zaijie paused, looked up at the woman opposite him, and gave a faint smile.

That sudden smile almost made Taohua drop her plate. She quickly drew back a little, eyeing him warily. “What are you trying to do now?”

“Don’t be nervous; I just think your makeup looks beautiful today,” Shen Zaijie smiled, waving Zhan Lu to clear the chess pieces, and then, unusually generous, spread his arms. “Come here.”

Peach Blossom froze for a moment, then dropped the plate and immediately pounced over, burrowing into his embrace and holding tight. She looked up at him: “Master, do you know something? You look especially handsome when you’re deep in thought.”

“Is that true?” Shen Zaiye glanced down at her. “So you’re bewitched?”

“If you weren’t secretly scheming against me, then I’d truly be bewitched.” Peach Blossom looked at him with a flattering expression. “I serve you with all my heart and effort—you can’t trick me again!”

Giving her a sidelong glance, Shen Zaiye whispered, “I’m the one who puts in the effort.”

“……”

During this time of mutual scheming, could he please not say such blush-inducing words! Peach Blossom gritted her teeth and buried her face in his chest: “I don’t care, you must take better care of me. I’m just a weak woman!”

“Prince Jing would probably strangle you if he heard that.” The voice above her said calmly, “If a woman like you is considered weak, then there are few good men left in this world.”

“Thank you for the compliment!” Peach Blossom smiled so widely her eyes disappeared. “But my wish is still just to live out my life peacefully within this courtyard.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you leave this courtyard.” Shen Zaiye said gently, “I mean what I say.”

Jiang Taohua was taken aback. She looked up and frowned, “Sir, have you never heard the saying, ‘If men were reliable, sows could climb trees’?”

Shen Zaiye: “…”

“Jiang Taohua, if you didn’t contradict me for one day, would you feel all over uncomfortable?”

Giggling softly, Taohua reached out and hugged his arm against her chest, speaking pitifully, “I’m just an innocent soul struggling to survive in the cracks. Please be merciful, sir, be merciful…”

Speaking so tragically, wasn’t she living quite well? Now dressed in fine silks and dining on delicacies, with all kinds of rewards that left everyone else in the courtyard green with envy, and yet she still wasn’t satisfied.

With a light snort, Shen Zaoye picked her up and set her on the ground. “I have matters to attend to in the study. You can stay here by yourself. Try not to add any more trouble at Lady Gu’s place unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yes!” Taohua quickly nodded, watching him stride away.

Her intuition told her that someone was about to meet with misfortune. But she didn’t know who it would be.

Due to Lady Gu’s pregnancy, the attention in the mansion had recently been focused on Wenqing Pavilion. It seemed as though the punishment Shen Zaoye had previously given Gu Huairou had been forgotten. Mei Zhaoxue would send a large quantity of tonics and medicinal herbs over every day, occasionally including some jewelry and rewards.

With the Lady taking the lead, the others in the compound naturally didn’t skimp on their congratulatory gifts either, which finally lifted Gu Huairou’s depressed mood considerably.

“Human warmth and indifference are most obvious at times like these,” Gu Huairou sneered, protecting her stomach as she walked through the garden. “Those who care, no matter how perfunctory they are, know to send a bracelet or something. But take a look at the one from the Contention Spring Pavilion—not a single sign of movement.”

Yue Tao pursed her lips and said, “It seems Lady Jiang truly doesn’t take you seriously.”

“She has the master’s favor—who would she take seriously?” Meng Zhenzhen emerged from another path, running into them just then, and immediately remarked, “I hear she hasn’t gone to pay her respects to the madam for quite some time now. It’s only the madam’s generosity that keeps her from being reprimanded.”

Giving her a glance, Gu Huairou nodded, “So Lady Meng is quite free these days as well?”

“Free? Of course I am,” Lady Meng sneered, “The master hasn’t come to my courtyard in quite some time.”