Chapter 45: Do You Know What You’re Saying?
All the favor in the entire courtyard now seems to have been heaped upon Jiang Taohua. No matter how magnanimous or good-tempered others are, they can’t help but feel resentful—let alone these two, who are already petty and calculating individuals.
“Even Lady Meng can’t do anything about her. Who on earth can handle her then?” Madam Gu frowned. “You were favored before, unlike me, who has been constantly neglected.”
“That was before. Now my situation isn’t much better than yours.” Meng Zhenzhen lowered her gaze and sighed softly. “Now, only Lady Qin is content and carefree. Having boarded Madam’s big ship, even without favor, no one in the household dares to treat her poorly.”
Slightly taken aback, Gu Huairou’s eyes darted around.
Right, this manor still has a lady of the house. Others might not be able to do anything about Jiang-shi, but surely the principal wife should have some way, shouldn’t she?
Contending Spring Pavilion.
While Taohua was talking with Qingtai, a maid outside announced, “Jiang-niangzi, the lady requests your presence at Linghan Courtyard.”
The lady? Taohua raised an eyebrow and quickly instructed Qingtai to help her change clothes and prepare.
“Hasn’t the mistress been reciting scriptures in the Quiet Night Hall lately?” she asked softly. “Has she finished?”
Qingtai shrugged; she hadn’t been paying much attention to news from that side. However, the mistress always appeared dignified and gentle. Now that she was summoning their master, it probably wasn’t bad news.
The two of them walked over together, where Meizhaoxue had already prepared tea and was waiting.
“Come, have a seat,” she said, smiling and waving at Taohua as soon as she saw her.
Peach Blossom bowed and sat on the chair beside her, respectfully asking, “Madam, is there something on your mind today?”
Mei Zhaoxue gestured for her to have some tea, her gaze gentle as she said, “It has been nearly a month since you entered the household, and there are some matters I feel I should remind you of, lest you unknowingly offend someone.”
Hmm? Peach Blossom blinked, picked up the tea but didn’t drink it. “Whom have I offended?”
Sighing softly, Mei Zhaoxue said, “Lady Gu came to me just now and spoke of a few things. She is now pregnant, and her temper is not at its best. Moreover, she is not favored by the master, so it’s only natural she feels resentful. As fellow sisters, you should also show her more care and concern.”
That courtyard was the one Shen Zaiye had forbidden her from visiting; how could she show concern? Taohua pursed her lips, “What does Madam suggest this humble concubine should do?”
“Putting other matters aside, a congratulatory gift must still be sent,” Mei Zhaoxue spoke with earnest and heartfelt sincerity, “If you don’t even show this courtesy, wouldn’t it make the Gu family think too much?”
A congratulatory gift? Taohua paused, looked up at Mei Zhaoxue, and asked with a smile, “What does Madam think would be the most appropriate gift to send?”
“The gift need not be expensive; sincerity is enough,” Madame Mei said with a smile, “Huairou has been complaining lately that the preserved fruits and plums in the manor aren’t tasty. Why don’t you go in person, find some better-tasting plums here in the capital, and deliver them to her?”
“A splendid idea.” Peach Blossom nodded, rising with a beaming smile. “Then this humble concubine shall set off at once.”
“Take the waist token for leaving the estate first.” Plum Blossom Shining Snow passed the token over. “Go and return soon.”
“This humble concubine understands; many thanks to the mistress.” Peach Blossom bowed her head, accepted the token, and respectfully retreated.
Mei Zhaoxue smiled and picked up the tea, taking a small sip. She watched the figure disappear beyond the door before turning to the side and asking, “In your eyes, do I look like a magnanimous and virtuous wife?”
Beside the curtain, a fair hand lifted the hanging drape, and Qin Jieyu stepped out with a smile in her eyes. “Mistress, how is she merely similar? She truly is one herself.”
With a gentle smile, Mei Zhaoxue glanced sidelong at her and said, “Now it’s your turn to start preparing.”
“Yes.” Qin Jieyu, with all her charm and allure, curtsied gracefully and turned to leave the room as well.
Holding the waist token and looking around, Taohua didn’t take a carriage. Wearing only a veil, she walked while asking Qingtai, “Which is the most famous dried goods store in the capital of Great Wei?”
Qingtai replied, “I asked the housekeeper before we came out, and he said it’s Liu’s Dried Fruits on Yong’an Street. They have the most variety and the best quality.”
“Then let’s go check it out there.”
With a nod, Qingtai led her toward Yong’an Street.
The steward hadn’t lied—the Liu Family Dried Fruit Shop had a large storefront, decent decor, and plenty of customers. Just a glance told you the goods must be tasty.
As Tao Hua stepped inside, the sharp-eyed shopkeeper took one look at the fabric of her clothes and came out from behind the counter to greet her personally. “What would Madam like to purchase?”
With a slight smile, Tao Hua replied, “Since I’m here, it must be for a big deal. Do you have any tea?”
The shopkeeper instantly broke into a delighted smile, repeatedly saying, “Please, go upstairs. Our proprietor happens to be in today—any sort of business can be discussed.”
“Thank you for your trouble,” Taohua nodded and followed as they headed upstairs.
Qingtai was stunned and hastily tugged at her sleeve: “Master, what are you doing? We’re just here to buy some plums to bring back home—how is that any sort of big business?”
“Shut your mouth and just follow,” she tapped Qingtai’s forehead with her finger and squinted her eyes, saying: “Don’t embarrass your master. Play along a little.”
Qingtai pressed her lips together and obediently fell silent, yet her eyes still brimmed with worry.
What’s going on now?
On the second floor, there was a tea area. Peach Blossom had just taken a seat when the shopkeeper led a middle-aged man over to her.
“Greetings, Madam,” the man said with a cheerful smile, introducing himself right away: “I’m Liu Dedong, the owner of this shop. What major business would you like to discuss, Madam?”
“Take your time,” Peach Blossom said with an air of composure, sizing him up from head to toe. “I need to see whether your shop is reliable or not, right? As you know, when it comes to transporting goods for trade, many troubles can arise along the way. What if I place a large order with you, but your shop can’t even leave the capital? What then?”
“You needn’t worry about that,” Liu Dedong replied confidently. “The goods from our Liu Family Store can not only travel smoothly within the capital but even make their way out of Great Wei without any hindrance. The tariffs will definitely be the lowest as well.”
“Where does this guarantee come from?” Taohua asked skeptically.
Liu Dedong chuckled lightly, “It doesn’t hurt to tell you. My sister is the wife of the Grand Secretary Meng’s household. A little inquiry will tell you that Grand Secretary Meng dotes on her the most, so the authorities have to show her some consideration, one way or another.”
That’s quite a bit of consideration they’re showing her, able to even interfere with customs duties? Taohua gasped, thinking these officials really are corrupt from top to bottom.
But wait, Grand Secretary Meng? Doesn’t that name sound a bit familiar?
After a few moments of thought, she smiled at the shopkeeper, saying, “So you’re related to Lord Meng. I saw him during a business deal last time. He seems to have put on some more weight lately.”
“You know Lord Meng too?” Liu Dedong was somewhat surprised. “It seems the lady here must be quite a figure as well.”
So it really is that plump Lord Meng—that means he must indeed be Meng Zhenzhen’s father.
With a peach blossom smile, all the necessary words had been spoken. She rose and said, “Since we’re all acquainted, there’s no need to delay. I’ll have someone bring the order over shortly—just wait here.”
“Very well,” Liu Dedong stood up. “But may I ask which household madam is from?”
With a peach blossom smile, she spoke without hesitation, “I have some connections with the Mei family.”
Mei Fengchang! Liu Dedong quickly bowed his head and respectfully escorted the peach blossom smile downstairs. Before she left, he even wrapped up a bag of plums for her: “Madam, please feel free to try these—they’re freshly arrived goods.”
“Alright,” Peach Blossom nodded and left without looking back, taking Moss with her.
After they had walked quite a distance, Moss wiped the sweat from her forehead and said in a trembling voice, “Mistress, you’re too bold!”
Where are we supposed to deliver the order from?
“What’s there to fear? Mei Fengchang holds the highest position among the Nine Ministers. A relative of the Grand Servant, how would he dare to offend?” Peach Blossom took a plum and tasted it as she spoke. “Besides, now that we’ve left, where will he even find us?”
That seems about right, but…
“What are you doing?”
Peach Blossom turned her head and stuffed a plum into her hand. “If I didn’t do this, how could we find out that this shop is backed by the Meng family?”
Mei Zhaoxue’s idea wasn’t something she’d easily trust. Anyone with a brain knows that you shouldn’t send food to someone who’s pregnant—what if something goes wrong after eating it? Who would be responsible then?
But she had specifically recommended sending plums and even personally came out to buy them. The steward’s suggestion turned out to be this very shop of the Meng family.
Wasn’t everything a bit too coincidental?
Plum Blossom Snow might have been able to deceive someone else, but she happened to be a person with heavy suspicion and caution. This kind of trick was not enough to trap her.
“What should we do now?” Looking at the paper package in her hand, Moss frowned, “Should we send it or not?”
“Take it back first, just say today’s goods aren’t good, we’ll deal with it tomorrow.” Taohua turned away gracefully: “These women are quite interesting, their thoughts are much more delicate than those fools from Zhao Kingdom.”
If she were to handle it so carelessly and something went wrong again, Mei Zhaoxue would have successfully caught her, along with the Meng and Gu families in one net. Such an exquisite plan—Mei Zhaoxue truly lives up to being the main wife.
Qingtai fell silent, seriously thinking about who those fools from Zhao Kingdom were, and finally concluded—it must be the new queen.
Originally, she had always thought that the new queen held an absolute advantage in Zhao Kingdom. But now, looking at it, what her mistress lacked was only power; her mind was more than sufficient.
Returning to the mansion, Jiang Taohua went to the study.
Shen Zaiye was tidying up his things when Zhan Lu stood outside the door and reached out to stop her as soon as he saw her: “The Prime Minister is busy and won’t see anyone for now.”
Peach Blossom smiled: “I have something important to ask of you, sir.”
Zhan Lu frowned, about to shake his head, when the door behind him opened.
“What is it?” Shen Zaiye glanced at her: “If you have something to say, speak plainly.”
“I wish to speak with you alone.” Peach Blossom smiled gently, “Though Qing Tai and Zhan Lu are loyal, it’s better they not overhear.”
With a slight raise of his brow, Shen Zaiye looked at her for a moment before stepping aside to let the study door open.
Jiang Taohua followed him inside, turned to close the door, and asked:
“Does Grand Marshal Meng at court side with any particular prince?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Zaiye’s brows furrowed: “There are some things you shouldn’t know, so don’t ask too many questions.”
“This is very important; it relates to how I will make my next move.” Peach Blossom raised her eyes and looked deeply at him. “If he is a follower of Prince Jing or Prince Nan, then I will hold my ground and not act. But if he serves another prince, then I fear trouble might erupt in your inner courtyard.”
His heart stirred slightly as Shen Zaiye lifted his gaze, his eyes as if stirred by a tremendous, earth-shaking wave. “Do you know what you’re saying?”