Chapter 47: Two People in Perfect Sync
“Isn’t this something we should ask you?” Shen Zaoye said in a deep voice, his expression extremely serious: “Don’t you know what you’ve done yourself?”
Peach Blossom was shocked and quickly kowtowed, crying out in innocence: “How could I possibly know? I’ve always stayed away from Warm Pavilion precisely to avoid trouble. I never imagined I’d still be blamed for it!”
That tone is full of as much grievance as it could possibly hold.
Shen Zaiye waved his hand, smashing the teacup placed beside him, and roared angrily, “How dare you argue!”
With a loud *crack*, shattered porcelain pieces flew everywhere, and tea splashed in all directions. Everyone was stunned into silence by the fury. Even Madame Meng stopped her fake sobbing and stared at him in a daze.
When she was pregnant before, he hadn’t shown much concern. Who would have thought he would be this angry now that the child was lost? Everyone found it strange.
But upon second thought, the master was a deep person. Perhaps he just didn’t know how to express himself but still cared deeply for that child.
Since you hold her in such regard, this time Lady Jiang will not escape unscathed.
Mei Zhaoxue glanced at the kneeling Taohua and softly spoke, “You should at least give Lady Jiang a chance to explain herself.”
Shen Zaiye sneered, “Huairou ate the plums she sent over. Now that the child is gone, what could she possibly have to explain?”
“Plums?” Taohua quickly responded upon hearing this, “I did send plums to Wenqing Pavilion, but that was on the madam’s orders!”
Upon hearing this, Mei Zhaoxue hurried out and knelt down: “I also have something to say regarding the cause and effect of this matter. Some time ago, Lady Gu came to my courtyard and said that Lady Jiang was quite arrogant, showing no concern for her pregnancy, not even sending a congratulatory gift. I also thought this was inappropriate, so I summoned Lady Jiang and asked her to prepare some plums for Lady Gu as a gesture of goodwill. As for where these plums came from or how they were delivered, I am completely unaware.”
Just look at how skillfully the responsibility is being shifted—slicker than a freshly washed plate from the kitchen!
Taohua blinked and then added, “What Madam says is true. I merely followed her instructions to buy the plums from outside and sent them to Wenqing Pavilion exactly as they were packaged by the dried fruit shop, without even opening them.”
“So you’re saying there was nothing wrong with the plums, and the issue lies with Lady Gu herself?” Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow.
The words had just fallen when Gu Huairou from the inner chamber rushed out, draped in clothing, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, “Master, I beg you to uphold justice for your humble concubine!”
Everyone was startled, and Yue Tao beside her hurriedly reached out to support her, helping her kneel down beside the prime minister’s chair.
“The child I struggled so hard to conceive!” Gu Huairou cried hysterically, tugging at Shen Zaiye’s robe as she looked at him. “It’s gone, just like that, after eating only two plums! How can I bear this? How can I rest at ease!”
“Don’t rush,” Shen Zaiye frowned, reaching out to help her up. “You are still weak; go inside and rest properly.”
“How can I possibly lie here with peace of mind?” Gu Huairou’s tears fell with a patter. “You have always favored Lady Jiang, and she is so eloquent. If she manages to sway you with just a few words, how could I ever face the child I lost within me?”
The grief-filled cries of a mother who had lost her child were truly heartbreaking, enough to bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Shen Zaïye’s expression grew even darker, and the sharpness of his gaze fixed upon Jiang Taohua intensified.
“Rest assured, should the culprit truly be uncovered, regardless of who it is, the only outcome will be expulsion from the estate,” he declared. “Even Jiang Shi will be no exception!”
Peach Blossom trembled, her lips pursing as she protested, “Yet I am genuinely wronged! Those plums were purchased from Liu’s Dried Fruit Shop and have remained in Qing Tai’s hands, unopened the entire time. What mischief could I possibly have wrought?”
At the mention of “Liu’s Dried Fruit Shop,” Meng Zhenzhen’s brow twitched involuntarily, and she cast an unexpected glance toward Peach Blossom.
Shen Zaiju frowned and asked, “Is there anyone who can attest that you never opened it?”
“Yes, there is.” Peach Blossom pointed beside her: “Qing Tai.”
“She is your maid, she can’t be a witness.” Shen Zaiye sneered: “No one else?”
Frowning, Peach Blossom sat down, her face pale: “There really is no one else, but…”
“Alright, you needn’t say more.” Shen Zaiye stood up, glanced around at the women in the room, and said gravely: “This matter concerns my first child and must be thoroughly investigated. No one will be wronged, but no one will be let off lightly either. Since the physician is still examining what exactly is in the plum, for now, let’s confine Madam Jiang to the Silent Night Hall.”
Mrs. Mei was taken aback: “Shut them in directly?”
“Yes,” Shen Zaiye replied, “then send people to investigate the dried fruit shop, and also, seize the maids from Wenqing Pavilion for questioning. We’ll discuss further once there is progress.”
With that said, she looked at Gu Huairou and said, “You should rest well.”
Jingyetang, called a Buddhist hall, was also a place where erring concubines were often confined. At night it was dark, cold, and terrifying, to the point where even the household servants were unwilling to pass by. Before the truth of the matter had even come to light, the master sent Lady Jiang there—truly, he was utterly impartial.
Lady Gu listened with satisfaction, gave him a bow, then turned her head to watch Jiang Taohua being led away by the household servants.
“Master!” Peach Blossom struggled somewhat, her expression heartrending as she said, “You actually don’t believe me? After all the affection we’ve shared these days, does it really mean nothing to you?”
Mmm… mmm… mmm… the echoes reverberated throughout the courtyard.
Shen Zaitu looked away, not glancing at her, his expression icy and stern.
Everyone saw this and immediately realized that Lord Shen truly didn’t care about anyone deep down. When all was well, he showed boundless favor, but the moment trouble arose, he would abandon them without a second thought.
Such a man’s heart is too ruthless.
Mei Zhaoxue stood up, signaling Yuetao to help Mrs. Gu inside, then looked at Shen Zaiye and said, “Master need not be too sad; heirs will always come in time.”
“How can I not be sad?” Shen Zaiye frowned, eyes filled with profound sorrow, and with a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out.
Qin Shi watched this, shaking her head and clicking her tongue: “That such a thing could happen in our courtyard, no wonder Master is angry. If the culprit truly is Lady Jiang, I wonder if her backing from the Zhao State can save her.”
Mei Zhaoxue sighed softly, and whispered, “How could there be any hope for salvation now? At most, they might consider the alliance between the two nations and choose not to take it to heart. For anyone else, it would surely bring disaster upon their entire clan.”
Meng Zhenzhen was somewhat absent-minded. Upon hearing these words, her little face paled, and she instinctively tightened the handkerchief in her hand.
“What’s the matter, Madam Meng?” Qin Xieyu looked over, observing her with curiosity. “You don’t seem well today? There’s even sweat on your forehead.”
“…The weather is a bit hot,” Madam Meng lowered her head and quickly replied, “There’s nothing more here. I should take my leave now. There are still some unfinished embroideries in the room.”
Madam Mei nodded, watching her leave, and remarked indifferently, “Why does she seem as if she’s hiding something?”
The group of people standing nearby watched and realized that indeed, this seemed to be the case. Meng Shi had initially been wearing an expression of watching the fun, but now why did she seem a bit flustered?
Jiang Taohua was led by the family servant, heading straight toward the Quiet Night Hall.
When the main gate closed, the moss-covered courtyard remained still. The maid calmly began tidying up the room so her mistress could rest that night.
“Why aren’t you asking me why today?” Taohua watched the servant girl with keen interest.
The maid replied, “Since everything has unfolded exactly as you anticipated, my mistress, there’s no point in asking questions. It’s better for me to focus on my duties.”
“Finally showing a bit of intelligence,” Peach Blossom nodded with satisfaction. “We’ll stay here for two days, and after that, we can go back.”
Even this could be anticipated? Moss hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but turn around and ask, “Why?”
Peach Blossom chuckled softly, picking up a nearby cushion to sit on. “Because your master has nothing behind her back, but others are not necessarily the same. The Prime Minister has something he wants, and he can only take it from others, not from your master.”
Moss: “…” It was like asking but not getting an answer.
In the side hall of the Silent Night Hall, there was only one bed. Regarding the question of where she should sleep at night, Qingtai felt somewhat troubled.
Yet, her own mistress had swiftly moved all the rush cushions from the main hall over, arranging them to form the size of a bed. She stuffed torn cloth strips in the middle and laid a cotton quilt on top, and just like that, the task was completed.
“Master.” Moss was deeply moved. “You are so thoughtful for my sake…”
“Don’t think too much, this is my bed.” Peach Blossom blinked: “That plank bed is too hard; I’m not used to it. You go sleep there.”
What? Qing Tai was taken aback, glancing at the nearby bed made of fine wood. “It shouldn’t be that hard, right?”
“It’s not hard, but your master prefers something softer.” Rolling onto the prayer cushion, Peach Blossom bounced a couple of times, squinted her eyes, and said, “This will do.”
Moss: “…”
What a strange habit indeed.
Sitting in the courtyard of Linwu, Shen Zaïye listened to Zhan Lu’s report on the situation at Jingye Hall and couldn’t help but laugh, “Send her two extra blankets, as the nights are still somewhat chilly.”
“I understand, Your Highness,” Zhanlu nodded. “But how long do you intend to keep Lady Jiang confined?”
“Two days will suffice,” Shen Zaiye replied. “Go handle a matter. In two days, this charge will be placed on someone else’s shoulders.”
Zhan Lu withdrew after receiving the order, still feeling a bit strange inside.
It seemed as though my mistress and Lady Jiang hadn’t discussed such matters beforehand, yet when it came to doing things, they acted as if they knew each other’s thoughts, displaying remarkable默契.
It was as if they were born with a shared understanding.
Soft Jade Pavilion.
Meng Zhenzhen paced restlessly inside the room and waved for a maid to come in, asking, “Did Liu’s shop deliver some preserved fruits the other day?”
The maid nodded, “Yes, didn’t you have me put it away?”
“Take it and eat it yourselves,” Meng said irritably. “I always feel like something’s going to go wrong over there. The sooner it’s finished, the sooner we can relax.”
“I understand,” the maid replied, then happily went to fetch the preserved fruit and distribute it around as a favor.
A day later, that favor made its way to Zhan Lu.
“Where did these come from?” asked Zhan Lu.
The little maid smiled and replied, “Our master bestowed them. Please have a couple, they’re quite tasty.”
Holding the preserved fruit, Zhan Lu chuckled. After fiddling with them for a moment, he reached out and popped one into the little maid’s mouth. “I have matters to attend to and can’t eat these. You all enjoy them yourselves.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
The little maid blushed, watched Zhan Lu’s retreating figure for a moment, then returned to her own room.