Chapter 4: The Feeling of Falling into a Snake Pit
Her entire body felt somewhat chilled.
Jiang Taohua reached out to hold Qingtai’s hand and pouted.
“I suddenly think it would actually be quite nice if I really managed to marry the Southern Prince.”
At least it wouldn’t give her this feeling of falling into a snake pit.
Qingtai’s face turned pale. She gripped Taohua’s hand tightly, her voice trembling.
“What should we do about this? Is the Prime Minister trying to harm you?”
“Not necessarily. I’m just an insignificant princess; very few in the Great Wei will even take notice of me. He is a distinguished minister—why would he risk offending the Southern Prince just to harm me?”
Jiang Taohua pondered for a moment, then pulled Qingtai to her feet and straightened her up.
“Now I can only rely on you. You have exceptional martial skills. Although you may not be the sharpest, you can still help me with many things.”
The situation was critical, so Qingtai automatically disregarded her master’s negative assessment of her and frowned.
“What does my lady want this servant to do?”
“Continue gathering information—preferably outside the Prime Minister’s residence. Find out everything about the backgrounds and relationships of Prince Jing, Prince Nan, and Shen Zaoye, then report back to me.”
“This servant understands.”
Qingtai nodded, quickly changed her clothes, and seized the opportunity to slip out.
After catching her breath a few times, Jiang Taohua immediately called someone in to help her change clothes. She meticulously dressed up and applied makeup.
Earlier, Qingtai had mentioned that Shen Zaoye had numerous concubines. Since she was not the head wife but merely newly arrived, she had to keep a low profile and first figure out the situation.
The first thing she needed to do was pay her respects to the primary wife.
Before getting married, Jiang Taohua always dressed like a blooming peach blossom tree. But as soon as she entered this household, she switched to an ill-fitting oversized brocade robe. Without a trace of makeup, even the jewelry she chose looked old-fashioned.
“Your Highness,” the maid Huadeng frowned, “although you are born with extraordinary beauty, why do you torture yourself like this?”
“This isn’t torture; it’s protection.”
After tidying herself up, Peach Blossom took her hand and headed outside.
“Your princess is too beautiful. While that may be useful among men, among women it not only serves no purpose—it becomes a curse. So when we attend the king, we can be as charming as we want. But when facing the queen, we must be as ugly as possible.”
Huadeng pouted.
“This is just too cunning.”
Jiang Taohua knocked her lightly on the head and rolled her eyes.
“You silly child, how can you speak like that? Is this called cunning? This is called intelligence, understand?”
Huadeng rubbed her forehead and forced a smile. But in her heart, she thought “intelligence” was far too bland a word.
“Old servant Xu pays respects to the lady.”
They had not yet passed through the corridor when a woman in a brown jacket and gray-white skirt appeared before them. Deep wrinkles lined her face in a distinct “八” shape, and though her words were respectful, her eyes had already scrutinized Taohua from head to toe.
“No need for formalities. Are you the steward the Prime Minister mentioned?”
Taohua smiled gently.
“I was just on my way to pay my respects to the Madam. If there’s anything I should be mindful of, Steward Xu, please tell me now.”
“Yes.”
Steward Xu nodded and began walking beside her.
“In the State of Wei, the distinction between nobility and commoners is clear…”
He continued explaining the ranks within the residence.
Listening with a smile, Jiang Taohua thought silently:
With so many women around, how on earth is Shen Zaoye still alive and energetic?
That’s simply unbelievable.
“When you go to pay your respects to Madam, perform the etiquette of a subordinate greeting a superior. Our Madam is gentle and won’t make things difficult for you. But… if Lady Qin is present, you’ll need to be cautious.”
“Lady Qin?”
Taohua raised an eyebrow.
“Is she someone with a bad temper?”
Steward Xu lowered his head.
“How could a servant gossip about the master? You’ll understand once you see for yourself.”
Madam Mei resided in the Cold Sojourn Courtyard.
Despite its elegant name, the place was lavish. Rosewood doors stood wide open, and rows of red peonies lined both sides of the courtyard.
“The princess is here?”
A gentle-looking woman stepped forward. Though not stunning, she carried a composed elegance.
Without hesitation, Peach Blossom performed a curtsy.
“I greet the Madam.”
Mei Jingxue looked at her carefully, surprise flickering in her eyes.
“Your Highness must have suffered yesterday. Look how pale you are. Servants—bring the new headpieces for the princess to choose from.”
Jiang Taohua quite liked those who showered her with gifts from the start. Her gaze softened.
But before she could enjoy her luck, a voice sounded beside them.
“The Madam is generous. But now that this new sister has entered the Prime Minister’s residence, she is merely a concubine like the rest of us. There is no need to keep calling her princess, is there?”
Taohua looked up.
The woman was strikingly beautiful, peach-colored robes flowing around her.
“So this elder sister is Lady Qin?”
Qin Xieyu smiled faintly.
“Someone’s already warned you about me?”
“Not at all.”
Peach Blossom smiled.
“I’ve heard Sister Qin is exceptionally beautiful. Naturally, I recognized you at first sight.”
“Oh?”
Qin Xieyu raised an eyebrow.
“Are you saying the Madam is less beautiful than I am?”
Mei Jingxue lowered her eyes, smoothing her sleeves.
Peach Blossom spoke lightly.
“Crabapple has its splendor; plum blossoms have their elegance. Each blooms in its season. Since both are favored by His Lordship, what is there to compare?”
For a moment, Qin Xieyu fell silent.
Mei Jingxue smiled.
“Sister Jiang speaks well. Come inside.”
Later, as Jiang Taohua returned to her courtyard, relief filled her heart.
But just as she crossed the garden path—
She ran headlong into Shen Zaoye.
“…This concubine pays her respects to the Prime Minister.”
