Chapter 39

Chapter 39: You Can’t Be So Rude

Does this have something to do with Shen Zaiye? Mu Wuxia was puzzled and wanted to ask more. But seeing Tao Hua’s lingering fear, he guessed she had been quite frightened. After a moment of thought, he softly comforted her: “It’s all right, there won’t be any snakes in our carriage.”

“I know,” Peach Blossom pressed her lips together, looking up at him with concern in her eyes. “But, Your Highness, did you just slay a snake earlier?”

The Southern King nodded, the snakes in the snake yard were all with their fangs intact—a single bite could be fatal. If not severed, their lives would be in grave danger.

“You mentioned before that the snakes in this forest are favored by the emperor,” Tao Hua frowned. “Will it be alright if they are killed?”

Mu Wuxia paused, lowering his head in silence.

The Emperor is obsessed with snakes. Previously, he kept poisonous snakes in the rear palace. It was only after Consort Lan entered the palace, who was terrified of snakes, that he had no choice but to move the snakes to Yingxian Mountain. Every single snake in that serpentarium is his treasure. Their slaughter is naturally a grave matter.

However, with lives at stake, he couldn’t just let her be accused of trespassing into the snake forest, nor could he allow her to be bitten and lose her life for nothing.

If something were to truly happen, then he would take the blame.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go back first and then talk about it,” the young prince said calmly. “When you return, rest well. I will handle the remaining matters.”

Seeing his resolute and unyielding demeanor, Peach Blossom couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated. “Your Highness, if the Emperor were to truly hold you accountable, how do you intend to handle it?”

“I am a prince. Even if my father gets angry, my life at least is secure,” Mu Wujia said earnestly, looking at her. “But for you, it’s different. Just the charge of trespassing into the snake forest could lead to severe punishment for you. What’s more, as a woman from the prime minister’s household, if it becomes known that you came out with me privately, your reputation would surely be compromised.”

Peach Blossom was stunned, staring at him in a daze.

This child showed no hesitation at all. Just because the guilt would fall upon her, making her situation worse, he was willing to shoulder all the consequences, even if it was merely to save her?

He must be a bit foolish, right? If this matter had fallen upon Shen Zaoye, he would undoubtedly have pushed her out without hesitation to take the blame, while standing aside with a smile, ready to strike.

Has the Southern Prince ever considered that he is already not favored by the Emperor? If he commits the crime of slaying the serpent and is expelled from the capital, what then?

“Why is Your Highness so protective of your humble concubine?” Peach Blossom couldn’t help but ask.

Mu Wuxia looked at her as if stating the obvious: “Because I am a man, and you are a woman. If something goes wrong, there’s no reason for a woman to suffer. Today’s spring outing was my initiative in inviting you, so any problems that arise are my responsibility.”

A man! Prince Nan truly is a man, not a child! Peach Blossom felt both warmth and emotion in her heart. Looking at his young face, she secretly made a decision.

Chancellor’s Manor.

Shen Zaiye was still in the study dealing with official documents when suddenly Zhanlu rushed in and said, “Master, something’s happened!”

His heart tightened, and he looked up with a furrowed brow. “What happened?”

“Prince Nan and Madam Jiang encountered Prince Jing. When Madam Jiang was fleeing, she accidentally entered the snake forest.” Zhanlu quickly reported, “Prince Nan fought off the snakes, and they are now on their way back. They should be arriving at the side gate of the Chancellor’s residence soon.”

“Was anyone injured?” Shen Zaijia asked.

Zhanlu shook his head.

“Good to hear.” Shen Zaiye rose and hurried out the door.

As Jiang Taohua stepped through the door, she stumbled, nearly falling. Mu Wuxia quickly caught her and chuckled softly, “Even when you were seriously injured last time, I didn’t see you this flustered.”

Peach Blossom forced a dry laugh, thinking that the vipers in this prime minister’s mansion were no easier to handle than those in the Serpent House—no wonder she was terrified.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Mu Wuxia nodded, opening his mouth to speak further when Yan Zaiye’s stern voice came from nearby, “Come inside to talk.”

Tao Hua’s body stiffened. She thought this person’s information was too quick, already knowing they had encountered trouble so soon?

Guiltily glancing at Prince Nan, the latter appeared calm and composed, saying, “You go rest, I will speak clearly with the Prime Minister.”

“No need, I shall accompany you,” Tao Hua said. “If I don’t go, the consequences might be even more severe.”

Shen Zaiye would surely accuse her of bewitching the Southern Prince, finding a scapegoat, and evading responsibility! By comparison, it would be better to just go and endure the scolding.

Startled for a moment, Mu Wuxia thought it over, then nodded in agreement. The two of them entered the adjacent room together.

Shen Zaiye’s expression was grim. The moment they stepped inside, he fixed his gaze on Tao Hua and said:

“How did I instruct you before you went out?”

Peach Blossom forced a dry smile and walked over, saying, “This truly cannot be blamed on me. Who would have thought the capital of Wei was so small that I ran into Prince Jing the moment I stepped out?”

“Running into him, you should have fled,” Shen Zaiye frowned. “But dragging Prince Nan into the situation, forcing him to slay the snake to save you—how do you plan to explain this to me?”

What explanation could there be? This is all fate! It was her first time going to Yingxian Mountain, and she didn’t know the way. Who would have guessed that running blindly would lead her into the snake-infested woods? The ways of the world are unpredictable—how could it be her fault?

“Please calm down, master!” With her head bowed, Taohua said, “Things have already reached this point, and explanations won’t clarify the situation. It’s better to think about what we should do next.”

Mu Wuxia stood to the side, lowered his head to feel around his waist, and exclaimed softly, “Oh no!”

Shen Zaïye and Tao Hua both turned to look at him. Mu Wuxia furrowed his brow, holding his empty belt, and said, “My imperial badge is missing.”

“Ming Pei?” Peach Blossom looked bewildered: “What thing is that?”

“All princes of the Great Wei are granted inscribed pendants upon their birth,” Shen Zaoye said with a solemn expression. “Each pendant is engraved with the prince’s name and birth details, serving as a symbol of his identity.”

Taking a sharp breath in, Peach Blossom widened her eyes in alarm. “Could it have fallen into the snake courtyard?”

“Zhanlu, go and look for it!”

Shen Zaoye immediately gave the order, and Zhanlu hurried off to comply.

Mu Wuxia pursed her lips, looking up at him as she said, “If that’s really the case, then there’s nothing we can do.”

Peach Blossom frowned, her mind already racing: “We met Prince Jing today, didn’t we?”

“Yes,” he replied, casting a puzzled glance at her. “So what?”

Jiang Taohua smoothed the edges of her sleeves and whispered, “It’s nothing, I was just casually asking. Since things have already come to this, there’s no use standing here any longer. Your Highness might as well return to the manor first.”

“But…”

“You should go back and rest now.” Shen Zaijie also spoke up: “Your Highness looks very tired, and there’s even dust on your clothes.”

Looking down at his rather disheveled state, the young prince thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: “Then this prince shall return first.”

“Farewell, Your Highness.” Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaijie said in unison.

Puzzled, she glanced at the two of them before turning around and walking away, feeling a bit strange in her heart.

Those two didn’t seem to say much, but in that brief moment, it felt as if they had reached some shared understanding—their energies blended together so perfectly.

Was it his illusion?

The door closed, and Peach Blossom turned around, kneeling before Shen Zaiye. “This humble concubine is willing to atone for her mistake by offering a plan for your consideration, Master.”

Smoothing the jade ring on his finger, Shen Zaiye glanced at her with a chilly voice, “Let’s hear it.”

Outside, the sunlight remained bright and warm, yet inside this room, a bitter cold wind seemed to cut through the air.

Having carefully explained her thoughts to him, Peach Blossom clearly sensed his approval, as his entire demeanor softened, finally bringing a sense of clarity to the room.

“You could give it a try,” he said. “But why would you want to do such a thing?”

Jiang Taohua looked up and replied very seriously, “Because I owe a debt of gratitude to Prince Nan. If I don’t repay it, I would feel uneasy in my heart.”

Hasn’t she also owed him favors? So why doesn’t she ever feel uneasy about that?

Shen Zaiji let out a cold laugh, unwilling to argue with her further. He simply said, “If you genuinely intend to help Prince Nan, that’s all well and good. But if I discover even a hint of treacherous intent in you, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“I understand!” Peach Blossom bowed her head.

“Alright, get up now.”

Having found a solution, Shen Zaiye’s mood lightened a bit. He glanced at her pale face and beckoned to her with a wave of his hand: “Come here.”

Peach Blossom was taken aback but quickly rose to her feet, then threw herself into his arms in a flash. She clung tightly to Shen Zaiye’s waist, trembling with fear, looking utterly pitiful.

“Sit down here.” Before he could finish saying the second half of the sentence, he saw that the woman had already embraced him again. Shen Zaiye pursed his lips, looking down at her and asked:

“Were you truly frightened?”

“Your concubine might have nightmares for the next few days.” Tao Hua pouted her mouth and whispered, “It’s just too terrifying!”

If judged purely by appearance, Shen Zaiye was much more handsome than a venomous snake. At the very least, she wouldn’t be scared out of her wits at the first glance upon waking.

He reached out to pat her on the back, but then reconsidered and lowered his hand, scoffing, “If you’re scared, why didn’t you watch where you were going and run straight into the snake forest?”

“You have eyes on your forehead, do you?” Taohua snapped angrily.

The room fell into silence again.

“…Heh heh.” Sensing the awkward atmosphere around her, Taohua slapped her own mouth, looked up at him, and said, “I spoke without thinking, Master, please don’t take it to heart.”

Have you gotten so used to defying him? Shen Zaive sneered and reached out to pull her away.

“Don’t, don’t! Let me hold you a little longer!” Taohua quickly wrapped her limbs around him, pleading pitifully, “Holding you makes me feel a little more at ease.”

Slightly moved in his heart, Shen Zaive looked down at her and asked, “By holding me, you won’t be afraid of snakes anymore?”

“Of course!” Taohua answered quickly and decisively.

A slight smile curling at the corners of his lips, Prime Minister Shen continued with a good mood, “Why?”

Because he’s tall and strong, or because he has the ability to protect someone flawlessly?

Jiang Taohua grinned widely, answering earnestly, “Because you should be the King of Snakes! To catch the thieves, first catch the ringleader! If I hold onto you, which reckless snake would dare bite me?”

Shen Zaiye was taken aback, and by the time he realized what she meant, his entire face darkened.

“Jiang Tao Hua, I think you’re quite reckless!”

Dare to call him the King of Vipers?

“Ahhh!” Sensing that he was standing up, Peach Blossom hurriedly clung to him with all her strength, refusing to let go no matter what. “Please calm down, my lord! I was praising you! Doesn’t our emperor adore serpents the most?”

Shen Zaijie reached out his hand, but Jiang Taohua grabbed hold of it, clutching it tightly against her chest. “You can’t be so rough with me, my lord! Be gentler!”