Jiang Ruan had just stepped inside when she heard an impatient voice say, "So much trouble every day. Does our master really intend to keep me confined forever? Would it satisfy him if I went to apologize to Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Ruan paused mid-step and asked with a smile, "Apologize for what?"
Ye Feng turned his head impatiently: "Of course for the treas—" The rest of his words stuck in his throat as his mouth fell open in shock. "M-M-Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Ruan took a seat in the chair opposite him and said, "I have urgent business. I need to see your master."
Xiao Shao had just returned to East Wind Pavilion when the maids downstairs informed him that someone was waiting in the private chamber. Upon entering the secret room on the second floor, he saw Ye Feng staring nervously at the person before him.
When Xiao Shao entered, Ye Feng quickly stood up and bowed his head. "Master."
Xiao Shao waved his hand, and Ye Feng retreated with a bow. Jiang Ruan looked up as Xiao Shao sat down across from her. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"I know you possess many rare treasures. Have you ever come across a miraculous medicine that can restore a ruined face to its original state—or even make it more... alluring?" Jiang Ruan got straight to the point. There were too many strange things about Jiang Susu. Just from her appearance alone, it was already suspicious. The scars from the thorny bushes that had once marred her face were now completely gone, and Jiang Ruan had clearly seen that Jiang Susu wasn't wearing any makeup that day. If anything, it seemed more likely that she had used some kind of miraculous medicine. Moreover, Jiang Susu's every movement carried a bewitching charm that was entirely different from before, which was even more puzzling. Xiao Shao had many capable and extraordinary people under his command and was well-traveled; perhaps he might have some clues.
Xiao Shao fixed his gaze on Jiang Ruan for a long moment before nodding. "There is."
Jiang Ruan was taken aback. "What is it?"
"A secret art," Xiao Shao replied. "The Eastern Barbarian Country reveres sorcerers. There is a secret art called the 'Thousand Faces Bewitchment.' What you described is likely the result of practicing this art."
Jiang Ruan's heart sank. "The Eastern Barbarian Country?"
Noticing her reaction, Xiao Shao frowned. "Is there someone like that around you?"
"I'd like to ask Prince Xiao, what must someone who practices this art do? What price must they pay? For example, blood or something similar?" Jiang Ruan inquired.
"Not necessarily. The Eastern Barbarians revere secret arts, and there are many sorcerers. The arts vary, and as the name suggests, the 'Thousand Faces Bewitchment' differs depending on the user. The price paid also varies. Generally, secret arts are a kind of medicine that fuses with the person. The deeper the fusion, the more remarkable the effects—and the greater the price. Those who practice this Bewitchment behave differently from ordinary people. Some may need to replenish blood or other medicines. But this isn't certain." Xiao Shao answered swiftly.
Jiang Ruan's brows gradually furrowed. If she had only been three-tenths suspicious before, that suspicion had now grown to seven-tenths. Jiang Susu's unusual behavior and her unnaturally smooth, flawless complexion did indeed resemble the secret art Xiao Shao had described. But how could she be connected to the Eastern Barbarian Country? The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
Xiao Shao observed Jiang Ruan's frown and naturally began to ponder as well. The Eastern Barbarians seemed to be brewing a grand conspiracy. Jiang Ruan never asked meaningless questions. The way she had just inquired suggested that someone resembling a Bewitchment practitioner had appeared around her. If true, this could be a lead worth pursuing.At this thought, Xiao Shao said, "The person you mentioned—I'd like to meet them."
Jiang Ruan was just contemplating how to arrange for Xiao Shao to meet Jiang Susu in the Jiang residence to personally confirm whether it was related to the secret arts of the Eastern Barbarians. Hearing Xiao Shao's words unexpectedly gave her a slight start—this person was thinking along the same lines as her. Unaware that Xiao Shao had other reasons, she simply thought him considerate, and a strange emotion welled up in her heart, something akin to gratitude. She increasingly felt that Xiao Shao was not as cold and heartless as the rumors suggested.
She smiled and said, "Of course, but that person isn't elsewhere—she's right in the Jiang residence."
Xiao Shao raised his eyes to look at her, a flicker of surprise in his gaze before understanding dawned. "Jiang Susu?"
"How did you know?" Jiang Ruan was taken aback.
"The Jiang residence is said to have a second young lady as beautiful as a celestial maiden—it must be her," Xiao Shao replied.
Jiang Ruan frowned, then curled her lips into a smile. "Does Prince Xiao also think my second sister is as beautiful as a celestial maiden?"
Xiao Shao seemed unprepared for her sudden question. He paused, glanced at Jiang Ruan, and chuckled lightly. "Not as much as you."
Xiao Shao's response was indeed unexpected. Even Jiang Ruan, usually so composed, was momentarily stunned by the words of someone typically so aloof. For a moment, she didn't know how to reply. When she looked up again, she saw Xiao Shao watching her with amusement, a teasing glint flashing in his eyes.
He actually laughed—was this... a joke?
Jiang Ruan remained dazed for a moment before finally smiling. "So Prince Xiao can laugh after all."
Xiao Shao neither confirmed nor denied it, raising an eyebrow instead. "When shall I visit your home?"
Jiang Ruan found the conversation somewhat odd. After a brief pause, she said, "How about tonight?"
Outside the elegant room, Ye Feng, who had been eavesdropping by the door, nearly collapsed to his knees in shock. Beside him, the pretty maidservant couldn't help but wink at him. Who would have thought their master, usually so indifferent, would propose visiting a young lady's home right away? And the future princess consort was no less bold, agreeing without hesitation—tonight, no less. Were they to become husband and wife tonight?
Xiao Shao said, "Good. At midnight, I'll come for you."
Jiang Ruan looked at him. "How will you get in?"
Though Xiao Shao was skilled in martial arts, the Jiang residence's guards were no pushovers.
"Don't worry. I have my ways," Xiao Shao replied.
Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Then I'll thank Prince Xiao in advance."
Lianqiao and Zisu stood to the side, expressionless, yet exchanging a meaningful glance. Their young mistress was growing increasingly trusting of Prince Xiao. They knew Jiang Ruan's temperament better than anyone—since waking up after nearly drowning at the estate, she had become extremely cautious, never easily trusting those around her. Even with her maternal grandfather Zhao Guang's family, she kept some reservations. Though Prince Xiao was aloof, he had helped Jiang Ruan several times. If the two could form a marital bond, the maids mused, it would be far better than marrying anyone else.
Unaware that her maids had already mentally "sold" her off, Jiang Ruan lowered her head and sipped her tea. The thought of uncovering Jiang Susu's secret lifted the gloom that had weighed on her for days, filling her with rare delight.
...“Such low-quality rouge, and you dare bring it before me? Do you take me for a fool? Get out!” A small round box was flung to the ground with a sharp “smack,” scattering finely ground powder across the floor, leaving tiny traces in the air. Jiang Li swept everything off the table in a fit of rage, shouting, “Useless fools!”
Her maid, Xiliu, tried to console her: “Miss, don’t be angry. In a few days, the people from Left Minister’s household will arrive. You should be radiant and happy when you meet them.”
This only stoked Jiang Li’s fury. “I just don’t understand—what’s wrong with me? Why are the Left family so reluctant? They’re dead set on that sickly weakling.”
Xiliu soothed, “Left Minister is an honorable man who keeps his promises. He must simply feel bound by his commitment to the Fourth Miss. Once you’re married, he’ll surely treat you well.”
“What a joke, mistaking a pebble for a pearl!” Jiang Li fumed.
Three years ago, Left Minister had saved Jiang Dan’s life during a palace banquet and later sent a matchmaker to propose to her. After much persuasion from Second Madam, Jiang Quan changed the bride from Jiang Dan to Jiang Li. But Left Minister turned out to be stubborn—when he learned of the switch, he was furious. By then, the marriage agreement had already been exchanged, and their Eight Characters matched, making it difficult to back out. Yet Left Minister made another demand, one that infuriated Jiang Li every time she thought of it: he insisted to Jiang Quan that he would take Jiang Dan as a co-wife.
Sisters sharing a husband might have been romanticized as a tale of harmony, but Jiang Li, petty by nature, refused to accept this outcome. Jiang Quan, too, was unwilling to place both daughters in Left Minister’s household. The most surprising was Jiang Dan—before Jiang Quan or Jiang Li could even pressure her, she rejected the proposal outright. For a time, the capital buzzed with gossip: how could a mere concubine-born fourth daughter of the Jiang family be so ungrateful as to spurn even the position of co-wife in Left Minister’s household? In truth, given Jiang Dan’s status, marrying into Left Minister’s family would have been like a sparrow turning into a phoenix—let alone as a co-wife.
After Jiang Dan’s refusal, matters became simpler. Jiang Susu had already celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony the day before returning home. All that remained was for Jiang Li to undergo hers, after which preparations for the wedding with Left Minister could begin. Left Minister himself was to attend the ceremony—a joyous occasion. Yet no one expected Jiang Li to stir up trouble at this very moment.
It wasn’t over anything major. These days, every batch of cosmetics sent to her courtyard was met with disdain. Though Second Madam was merely a concubine, she had some spare silver and doted on her only daughter, sparing no expense. These cosmetics were all top-tier products from the finest shops in the capital, ones Jiang Li had used without complaint before. Now, suddenly, she found them unacceptable.In truth, it wasn’t for any other reason. Over the past three years, only Jiang Li and Jiang Dan had remained in the Jiang residence. Jiang Dan had become even more withdrawn and timid after her betrothal was changed, rarely ever leaving her courtyard. Most of the social engagements with noble daughters in the capital had fallen to Jiang Li. During these years, Jiang Li had practically assumed the role of the Jiang family’s legitimate daughter. Who could have expected Jiang Susu and Jiang Ruan to return so suddenly? Jiang Ruan, needless to say, had transformed into a county princess overnight, with the Zhao family backing her. As for Jiang Susu, everyone had assumed she would be disgraced after being sent to the family temple, yet she had only grown more radiant with each passing day.
With Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu shining like pearls before her, Jiang Li’s pride in her own beauty became a joke, and naturally, everything seemed bitter to her. She clenched her fists tightly. “What’s the point of a coming-of-age ceremony? With those two stealing the spotlight, who would even look at me?”
“Young Mistress, you mustn’t say such things,” Xiliu whispered. “The eldest miss may be a county princess now, but serving the emperor is like taming a tiger—one wrong word in the palace could spell disaster. Who knows what the future holds? As for the second miss, even after three years, rumors of the past still linger. It won’t be easy for her to find a match. But you, Young Mistress, are the most carefree in the residence. Once your coming-of-age ceremony is over, Left Vice Minister will marry you. Even the master can’t interfere with this match. You’ll wed before both the eldest and second miss—isn’t that wonderful?”
Jiang Li, hearing her maid’s words, gradually calmed down. “You’re right. What do I have to worry about? At the very least, the man I’m marrying is better than theirs!”
Xiliu continued to soothe her with careful words until Jiang Li’s temper finally cooled, and she stopped throwing tantrums and smashing cosmetics.
...
The night sky stretched endlessly, the spring darkness unusually deep, making the scattered stars above seem all the more dazzling, as if they might tumble down upon one’s head at any moment.
It was late into the night, the courtyard utterly silent. The entire capital of the Da Jin Dynasty lay in slumber, the Jiang residence so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
In the Ruan Residence, a small lamp still burned faintly, its light so dim in the darkness that it barely illuminated the latticed window by the desk.
Lianqiao handed over a small cup of honeyed water. “Young Mistress, it’s time.”
Jiang Ruan had been resting her chin on one hand while idly watching the lamp with the other. At Lianqiao’s words, she perked up slightly. Xiao Shao, a prince of all people—she wondered how he had managed to sneak into the Jiang residence. Had he crawled through a dog hole? The thought of that peerlessly handsome face covered in dust from such an undignified entry made her burst into a soft laugh.
“You seem pleased?” A low, slightly hoarse voice sounded by her ear, accompanied by the faint scent of bamboo and wind. Jiang Ruan started slightly, and Lianqiao let out a startled “Ah!”
Jiang Ruan recovered quickly, then scrutinized Xiao Shao from head to toe before sighing in disappointment. “So it wasn’t.”
“Wasn’t what?” Xiao Shao glanced at Lianqiao, who immediately bowed her head and retreated.
Jiang Ruan studied the man before her. In the lamplight, Xiao Shao’s refined features appeared even more striking—his ink-dark eyes brighter than the stars in the sky, a faint trace of amusement lingering in their depths. The slight movement of his throat was enough to make one swallow unconsciously.It is often said that men are best admired under the moonlight, and the man before her now appeared even more striking than in daylight. Jiang Ruan silently labeled him a "Femme Fatale" in her heart before averting her gaze. She had expected him to adopt the demeanor of a flower thief—at the very least, someone sneaking into a lady's chamber at night ought to appear somewhat hesitant or furtive. Yet Xiao Shao defied expectations, his ease and composure so astonishing that he seemed less like an intruder and more like an invited guest.
Xiao Shao glanced outside. "It's about time. Let's go."
Jiang Ruan looked at him in surprise. "Just like that? Following you out?"
"No need." With that, Xiao Shao grabbed the back of Jiang Ruan's collar and leaped out the window before she could protest. Startled, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist. The wind whistled past her ears, and her heart pounded with an unfamiliar tension—not the calculated wariness of her usual schemes, but a pure, anticipatory thrill. It reminded her of the nervous excitement she'd felt when Zhao Mei was still alive and Jiang Xin Zhi had sneaked her out of the estate to visit temple fairs, squeezing through hidden gaps in the walls, hearts racing at the fear of being caught.
(End of Chapter)
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