Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Consort Lan

Qin Jieyu smiled and said, “If you’re tired, you can rest well, but if a person dies, then everything is truly gone. Don’t blame me for not reminding you. Your esteemed father has made repeated mistakes lately, already infuriating the Emperor. If you lose your position in the Prime Minister’s household as well, then your Gu family is in for trouble.”

Her mind stirred slightly, Gu Huairou’s eyelids twitched. Pressing her lips together, she said, “No need for you to trouble yourself, my lady. I will find a way myself.”

“Very well.” Qin Jieyu stood up and smiled at her. “If you ever change your mind, send someone to let me know. I’m still willing to lend you a hand.”

“Thank you.” Gu Huairou nodded, watching her push the door open and leave, her brow still furrowed.

Her father, though holding the high position of Minister of the Court within the nine senior ministers, did not align himself with any faction. In court, he always prioritized self-preservation, sometimes not even giving face to the prime minister. If something were truly to happen, it’s unlikely that many would come to his aid.

Maybe I should still write to persuade him, urging him to pledge allegiance to the prime minister? But how much weight do the words of a married-off daughter like me carry? I’ve tried to convince him before, but he never showed any sign of listening.

What should be done?

In the blink of an eye, the spring hunting season arrived. Peach Blossom woke up early, applied heavy and vibrant makeup, and even accentuated the corners of her eyes. After putting on her veil, Mei Zhaoxue almost failed to recognize her.

“Lady Jiang?” She frowned. “What are you doing?”

Peach Blossom smiled and bowed. “Madam, I was afraid my makeup would be too light, and I would embarrass our master amidst all the dazzling beauty.”

Shen Zaiye sat beside them, calmly sipping his tea. His gaze swept past Jiang Taohua, yet his expression remained utterly unperturbed.

Seeing his reaction, Mei Zhaoxue closed her eyes and said, “If you don’t see any issues, then you should set off soon and be careful on the road.”

“Yes.” Taohua nodded, performing all the necessary courtesies thoroughly. After waiting for the others to bid their farewells to Shen Zaiji one by one, she followed closely behind him and stepped out of the mansion gate.

Standing beside Mei Zhaoxue, Qin Jieyu sighed softly and said, “I failed; it was my incompetence.”

“Did you leave any evidence?” Mei Zhaoxue asked.

“No, those assassins also don’t know who hired them.” Qin Jieyu smiled. “Madam should rest assured when it comes to the tasks I handle. Even if things don’t succeed, I won’t splash mud back onto us.”

Nodding slightly, Mei Zhaoxue glanced at the empty doorway and chuckled softly. “If that’s the case, then you should take care of a few more matters.”

“Understood.” With a seductive curtsy, Qin Jieyu bowed her head and withdrew.

As the imperial procession left the city, all accompanying officials and their families gathered at the city gate. The imperial carriage led the way, with the rest following behind.

Shen Zaizhou leisurely sat in the carriage, holding a booklet in his hand and reading. Peach Blossom yawned, resting her head on his lap, and asked drowsily:

“How long will it take to get there?”

“Half a day.”

“That far!” Peach Blossom pouted: “Does that mean we’ll have to stay overnight there?”

Turning his head to look at her, Shen Zaoye said, “You are a member of the Zhao imperial family after all. Have you never been to a spring hunt? During the spring hunt each year, we stay at the horse ranch for two days.”

Indeed, I’ve never been there! Rolling over, Peach Blossom reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Zaiye’s waist, peering at him through half-closed eyes as she said, “Over such a long period of time, what if we run into Prince Jing again?”

“I almost didn’t recognize you in your current state, let alone Prince Jing.” Shen Zaiye glanced back at the booklet in his hand and said calmly, “Besides, this time, Prince Jing isn’t the greatest danger you face.”

“Oh?” Tao Hua was taken aback. “If not him, then who?”

“Just be careful,” Shen Zaiye replied. “In past hunting expeditions, there have been incidents where people were killed ‘accidentally.'”

With stray arrows flying across the hunting grounds, it was the perfect place to use the excuse of a “mistake” to eliminate one’s greatest worries.

Peach Blossom shivered, holding him even tighter, her eyes burning with determination as she said, “Then this humble lady will follow you, my lord, and will protect you every step of the way!”

Who exactly was protecting whom? Glancing at her sideways, Shen Zaoye didn’t dwell on the matter. Looking at the names on the roster, he dipped his fingertip in some tea and wiped away one of the names.

The horse track was newly built with funds allocated by the imperial court, overseen by Minister Meng. The grassland and the traveling palace at the foot of the northern mountains had just been completed not long ago. The emperor’s arrival was also considered an inspection.

Upon reaching their destination, Shen Zaoye took Peach Blossom and headed straight for the emperor’s presence.

“After the long journey, Your Majesty should rest for a while,” he said with a gentle smile. “There’s no hurry to visit the mountain; we can do so after lunch.”

Peach Blossom stood beside Shen Zaiye, following his lead in bowing respectfully. With her eyes lowered, she could only see the emperor’s dragon-embroidered boots and a pair of embroidered shoes beside them.

Those shoes were truly exquisite, made of satin and embroidered with sparrows. Though not phoenixes, they exuded a gentle charm and were incredibly delicate. The hem of the skirt that draped over them was woven with gold and silver threads, clearly belonging to a highly favored imperial consort.

“Prime Minister, you must have had a tiring journey as well. Stay here and play a game of chess with me,” Emperor Mingde said in good spirits, holding Consort Lan as he glanced at the person beside him. “This is the first time the Princess of Zhao has had an audience with the emperor. She should also stay here to keep Consort Lan company for a while.”

“Yes,” the two of them responded in unison. Shen Zaiji followed the emperor into the inner chamber, while Peach Blossom carefully positioned herself beside Imperial Consort Lan, softly greeting her, “Paying respects to Her Highness, the Imperial Consort.”

The room fell into silence, with no response. Peach Blossom felt a bit awkward, unsure whether Imperial Consort Lan hadn’t heard her or was ignoring her. She cautiously stole a glance upward.

This glance brought her eyes directly into contact with the imperial consort’s.

“You are the Zhao Kingdom princess who mistakenly married the Prime Minister, aren’t you?” Consort Lan gave a faint smile, her face as radiant as a night pearl and as splendid as a peony. Her long phoenix eyes were both charming and dignified, gazing at her with an enigmatic look

“Truly one of a kind.”

Is he complimenting her or what? Peach Blossom forced a smile, feeling unnerved by the imperial consort’s gaze and unsure of how to respond.

Consort Lan rose and took her hand, saying, “They are playing chess inside. Let’s take a walk outside. It’s been a long time since anyone has kept me company for a conversation.”

“Yes.”

Inside the inner chamber, Shen Zaiye sat rigidly, casting a glance outside.

“No need to worry, dear minister.” The emperor said with a smile, “Lan’er is just bored and looking for someone to talk to. She won’t eat your person.”

Smiling, Shen Zaidi bowed his head and said, “This humble subject isn’t worried about Lady Jiang, but fears that Noble Consort Lan might be offended by her. Lady Jiang was probably spoiled in the Zhao Kingdom, with little sense of propriety.”

“Haha.” The emperor laughed heartily, setting up the chessboard and glancing at him. “As her older brother, you still care most for your sister after all.”

Shen Zaidi smiled, lowering his eyes without a word.

Tao Hua followed Noble Consort Lan as she walked out. The area outside was crowded with people everywhere, and it was only when they reached the edge of the horse-riding grounds that it quieted down a little.

“I haven’t had a chance to send a congratulatory gift yet.” Noble Consort Lan looked into the distance and said lightly, “It seems the princess has caught the Prime Minister’s special favor. I should also show some recognition.”

Slightly taken aback, Peach Blossom glanced at her curiously: “Your Highness…what relationship do you have with the Prime Minister?”

Shen Zaiye is an external court official, right? Why would Noble Consort Lan send a gift for him taking a concubine?

“He certainly hasn’t told you.” Noble Consort Lan turned back, her gaze lingering on Peach Blossom’s face for a moment before she chuckled softly, “The Prime Minister is my elder brother, you know.”

Huh? Peach Blossom stared at her in astonishment, blurting out, “Wasn’t it said that the Prime Minister has no parents, no relatives, no connections?”

How did a sister suddenly appear out of nowhere? And she’s a noble consort in the palace? Why didn’t Moss find out about this at all?

“It’s not surprising you wouldn’t know,” Consort Lan said with a faint smile. “In the entire Great Wei, very few people are aware. But he and I aren’t related by blood, so you can simply consider him as having no family or connections.”

Tao Hua stood there with her mouth agape, her mind racing as she tried to piece together this complex web of relationships.

Since Consort Lan was Shen Zaifu’s younger sister, but not by blood, she must have been adopted or acknowledged as one. Two years ago, when Shen Zaifu entered the imperial court as an official, Consort Lan had likely entered the palace around the same time and had since become a favored concubine of the emperor.

No wonder then that Shen Zaifu wielded such significant influence before the emperor—he had even managed to place someone right by the emperor’s side, right by his pillow!

After the initial shock, Tao Hua felt a hint of admiration. There was no wonder that man had climbed to the position of prime minister within two years—he had vast connections, ruthless methods, and knew how to handle people. With such qualities, it would be strange if he didn’t become prime minister.

“Has it been a while since the princess entered the prime minister’s residence?” Noble Consort Lan smiled and asked, “What kind of person do you think the prime minister is?”

Snapping back to attention, Tao Hua replied respectfully, “The Prime Minister is both wise and resourceful, gentle and considerate—a truly rare and good man.”

“Oh?” Noble Consort Lan chuckled, “It seems you don’t know him very well yet.”

Peach Blossom replied with a smile, “I’ve only been in the residence for such a short time, and with so many people in the house and flowers so vibrant, there truly hasn’t been much opportunity for me to get to know the Prime Minister well.”

For the time being, she couldn’t quite figure out the emotional state between these two siblings, so she decided to be more careful with her words. Honestly speaking, she could have cursed him out for three whole days and nights while standing with her hands on her hips!

Noble Consort Lan fell silent, standing still as she gazed at the distant mountains. The look in her eyes was distant, tinged with a hint of sorrow.

Seeing that her mood was not particularly good, Peach Blossom didn’t dare to speak up casually and simply stood by her side in silence.

“Your son pays respects to Consort Lan.” Suddenly, a youthful voice rang out from behind. Consort Lan was taken aback and turned around to see Prince Nan bowing to her.

Naturally, Peach Blossom saw him too and quickly smiled as she curtsied, “I have seen you, Your Highness.”

Mu Wuxia raised an eyebrow. He had originally intended to pay respects to the elder, but he didn’t expect the veiled person beside her to recognize him.

“Who are you…” Squinting to take a closer look, Prince Nan was startled, “Lady Jiang?”

With a hint of embarrassment, Taohua nodded and touched her own eyes, thinking to herself that this kind of makeup must have scared the little ones.

Wide-eyed and speechless, Mu Wuxia was just about to say something when he heard Concubine Lan say, “So Your Highness actually knows Lady Jiang?”

“I’ve met her once at the Prime Minister’s residence.” Turning back, Mu Wuxia’s expression was somewhat odd. “What were you and her talking about, Your Ladyship?”

Concubine Lan was a bit surprised. She glanced at him twice before pursing her lips and saying, “Just chatting casually. If you have time, go inside and pay your respects to your father.”

“Yes.”

There was a faint trace of awkwardness in the air, not easily noticed, yet Taohua sensed it. Watching Mu Wuxia’s retreating figure, she couldn’t help but ask, “Your Majesty, do you not care much for the Southern Prince?”