The tension mixed with a hint of excitement made her forget the fear of being "carried" into the air, leaving her somewhat dazed.
Xiao Shao glanced down at Jiang Ruan, surprised by her unusual quietness. The bewitchingly beautiful face that was usually calm and composed now wore an expression of bewildered confusion—a rare sight that made him pause. His gaze fell on her hands tightly clutching his waist, her fingers gripping his clothes as if entrusting herself entirely to him. Suddenly, his heart felt as though it had been plucked violently. For some reason, his ears began to burn.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Shao landed with Jiang Ruan in a courtyard. As soon as she steadied herself, she let go and froze upon recognizing the place—Plain Heart Courtyard. She shot Xiao Shao a suspicious look. "How do you know this place? Have you been here before?" Xiao Shao moved through the Jiang residence as if it were unguarded, and now he had effortlessly found Jiang Susu’s courtyard, which was undeniably suspicious.
Xiao Shao: "..."
Though it wasn’t his first time in Plain Heart Courtyard—the last time was when Jiang Ruan had castrated Li Yang, and he had watched the entire scene from a tree before stepping in to help—it was better not to mention that now. Otherwise, it might seem strange.
"Jin Yi investigated and drew me a map," he replied calmly.
Jiang Ruan nodded. "I see." Her expression, however, betrayed her disbelief.
The two moved to a corner of the courtyard, behind Jiang Susu’s room, where there was a small empty shed. As they circled around the back, a strange sound suddenly reached their ears.
The noise was abrupt in the night air, but its nature was unmistakable—something struggling fiercely, thrashing against the ground, creating a loud commotion.
Frowning, Xiao Shao picked up a small stone and flicked it at the window. It silently punched a tiny hole in the paper pane. He peered inside, his expression gradually turning grave. Seeing this, Jiang Ruan shook her head at him. Xiao Shao stepped aside, and she pressed her eye to the hole. What she saw made her breath catch.
Inside, a dim lamp flickered, but it was bright enough to reveal a figure hunched over, gnawing at something. When the figure turned, it became clear—a disheveled hen clutched in its hands, its neck nearly bitten through, blood staining its feathers as it lay dying. The person’s skin was unnaturally pale, their gaze distant, dressed in white like an ethereal fairy. Yet, their mouth was smeared with blood, resembling a vengeful ghost from the grave.
It was Jiang Susu.
Jiang Ruan’s gaze froze. Just then, footsteps sounded outside. Xiao Shao tensed, grabbing her arm and pulling her behind the door of the nearby shed.
Butterfly entered the room and soon emerged, carrying the dead hen. Under the peach tree in the courtyard, she dug a hole and buried it. The practiced ease of her movements suggested this was far from the first time.
As Jiang Ruan shifted slightly, her hairpin accidentally tangled in the collar of Xiao Shao’s robe. Only then did she realize how close they were standing. The faint scent of bamboo and wind clung to him, his clothes cool to the touch yet strangely comforting.After Butterfly left the room, the light inside was extinguished. It seemed that once everything was done, they could boldly fall asleep. When the courtyard was completely silent again, Xiao Shao, just as before, carried Jiang Ruan and returned to the Ruan Residence.
Inside the room, Lianqiao and Zisu had been waiting anxiously, only letting out a sigh of relief when they saw the two return safely. Noticing that Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan had matters to discuss, Lianqiao and Zisu stepped out and closed the door behind them, effectively standing guard.
Xiao Shao sat down at the table, and Jiang Ruan poured him a cup of cold tea, asking, "You saw it clearly earlier—was she... practicing forbidden arts?"
"Yes," Xiao Shao replied, taking the tea but not drinking it. His gaze fixed on the floating tea leaves in the cup as he frowned. "She's been practicing for quite some time. Soon, she won't even need chicken blood anymore."
Jiang Ruan frowned. Three years ago, Jiang Susu had gone away to cultivate her temperament—how could she have gotten involved with those people from the Eastern Barbarian Country? She asked, "How did the Eastern Barbarian forbidden arts even make their way into the Jin Dynasty? And how did she learn them?"
Xiao Shao's expression turned grave. "It's likely someone has been secretly aiding Jiang Susu. This matter is no small thing."
"Aiding or using her?" Jiang Ruan pressed.
Xiao Shao shook his head. "Until we find the person behind it, everything remains uncertain."
Jiang Ruan lowered her head.
Xiao Shao glanced at her. Perhaps because her demeanor had been unusually gentle throughout the night, she seemed less distant than usual. Now, with her brows furrowed, she appeared unexpectedly fragile.
Though he knew full well that Jiang Ruan and fragility had never been remotely connected.
After a pause, Xiao Shao, still uneasy, spoke up. "The Jiang residence is no longer safe. I'll assign someone to protect you closely."
Jiang Ruan was momentarily taken aback. "That won't be necessary."
"Jiang Susu has learned the Eastern Barbarians' forbidden arts. They won't let this go—I suspect they're nearby, and Jiang Susu will eventually be put to use. If there are spies in the Jiang residence, your situation will be dangerous." Xiao Shao thought for a moment. "I'll send a woman over."
Jiang Ruan looked up at him. The man before her appeared cold and indifferent, yet he was considerate in every way—he truly seemed intent on repaying his debt wholeheartedly. Still, she couldn't deny that having a skilled martial artist by her side for protection was tempting. If there was anything she could use, she ought to make the most of it. After a brief consideration, she said, "Thank you."
Xiao Shao nodded. "I'll take my leave now. I'll send someone over tomorrow."
Jiang Ruan acknowledged this with a nod. Xiao Shao gave her one last glance before leaping out the window, vanishing into the night in the blink of an eye.
Calling Lianqiao and Zisu back in, the two maids were visibly excited. "Miss, don't worry—we kept the door tightly shut earlier. No one came in."
Jiang Ruan shook her head. It seemed Xiao Shao had already thoroughly scoped out the Jiang residence. To be a 'gentleman on the beam' with such elegance—in the entire Jin Dynasty, he was probably the only one. Thinking about the person Xiao Shao would send over the next day, she felt a flicker of curiosity. Noticing how late it was, Lianqiao hurriedly said, "Miss, you should rest now. Sleep in tomorrow." With that, she helped Jiang Ruan into bed, blew out the lamp, and left.
...
Having slept very late the previous night, Jiang Ruan didn't wake until the sun was high the next day. When Lianqiao brought in water to help her freshen up, she seemed hesitant. Noticing her expression, Jiang Ruan said, "Don't hold back. If there's something, just say it."
Lianqiao blinked. "Miss... the Fifth Concubine is with child?""So soon?" Jiang Ruan wasn't particularly surprised and smiled, "She's quite clear-headed."
"Did the young lady already know Fifth Concubine would act this quickly?" Lianqiao asked in astonishment.
"She's not stupid. The longer she waits, the greater her risk becomes," Jiang Ruan said calmly.
Hong Ying was the cleverest of them all, thoroughly analyzing the pros and cons. Now that Xia Yan was pregnant, she became the most important figure in the Jiang household. No matter how much Jiang Quan doted on Hong Ying, if Xia Yan used the future legitimate young master of the household as leverage, Hong Ying would be left with no way out. Just look at Hong Ying's fate in the previous life. This time, with Jiang Ruan's hint, Hong Ying immediately understood. If Xia Yan truly made a move, and if Hong Ying also became pregnant, Jiang Quan wouldn't act rashly for the sake of the child. A child was Xia Yan's pass, but it was also Hong Ying's get-out-of-jail-free card.
She wondered what expression Xia Yan would make upon hearing the news of Hong Ying's pregnancy?
Delicate Splendor Courtyard
Xia Yan suddenly smashed the cup in front of her: "Are you certain? She's really pregnant?"
The middle-aged man standing before her, dressed in plain brown clothes and carrying a medicine chest, replied, "I've taken her pulse. There's no doubt—it's a pregnancy."
"That bitch! How dare she get pregnant!" Xia Yan was furious. Hong Ying had been drinking contraceptive medicine right under the nose of her trusted servant Li Momo, yet now she suddenly announced her pregnancy. This meant the medicine must not have been consumed. It was too late to interfere now. Her gaze fell on the physician before her, and an idea struck her: "Physician, do you know of any method to induce a miscarriage... discreetly?"
The physician, accustomed to treating ladies in grand households, naturally understood such matters and whispered, "There are ways, but..."
"Then I'll trouble you," Xia Yan said, touching the golden hairpin on her head. "Once it's done, I'll reward you handsomely."
The physician's eyes gleamed at this, and Xia Yan's expression darkened with malice. What was there to celebrate about a mere pregnancy? Even noblewomen in the palace couldn't guarantee their children would survive to adulthood, let alone a lowly concubine from a brothel. Did she really think she had the fortune to bear a child?
...
In the household, the happiest were undoubtedly Jiang Quan and Old Madam Jiang. However, Old Madam Jiang was growing increasingly frail, rarely lucid, and easily exhausted after brief conversations. Jiang Quan, on the other hand, was overjoyed. Though he had four daughters, his sons were only Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Chao. He had never regarded Jiang Xin Zhi as a true son—no matter how high his official rank or how influential he became in court, Jiang Xin Zhi was beyond his control. As for Jiang Chao, though he now worked under Ye Li, his past failures, the scandal at Hundred Flowers House, and the incident with the prime minister's family had made him the laughingstock of the capital. Subconsciously, Jiang Quan had already lost much of his hope in Jiang Chao.Who would have thought that past the age of forty, Xia Yan would become pregnant, filling him with immense joy as he longed to add a young son to the Jiang household. And then, to his surprise, Hong Ying also became pregnant at the same time, delighting him beyond measure. Though Hong Ying came from a brothel, she was gentle and sensible, possessing a charm and pride that Xia Yan lacked. If she could bear a son as talented as herself, even as a concubine’s child, he would raise him with great care. Xia Yan was dignified, while Hong Ying was refined and proud. With a beautiful wife and beloved concubine in his arms, children filling the household, and a successful career, life couldn’t be more perfect.
Jiang Quan indulged in such sweet dreams, unaware that his beloved concubine had just swallowed a dose of medicine in her room. The maid Ping’er asked, “Madam, do you need more water?”
Hong Ying shook her head. She had spent a fortune to obtain this prescription. Once brewed and consumed, her pulse would mimic the signs of pregnancy, and even a physician wouldn’t detect anything amiss, mistaking it for a genuine pregnancy. Now that she had fooled the household physician and even the one Xia Yan had summoned found nothing unusual, she could rest easy for a while.
She slowly relaxed, her gaze sweeping over the mountain of tonics Jiang Quan had sent, piled high on the shelves. A smug smile curled on her lips.
...
Jiang Ruan was just thinking about when to visit Hong Ying when a young maid from the front gate hurried over to Luzhu and said, “Sister Luzhu, there’s a girl kneeling outside the mansion gate, insisting on seeing the eldest young lady.”
Jiang Ruan stepped out and asked the maid, “Looking for me? Who is it?”
The maid shook her head. “I don’t know. She looks like an ordinary girl, fair and clean. She only said she came to repay a debt of gratitude but refused to say anything else.”
Recalling Xiao Shao’s words from the previous night, Jiang Ruan thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll go see.”
As soon as she reached the gate, she saw a young girl kneeling straight-backed in front of the Jiang residence. Dressed in plain blue clothes, she appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, her head bowed. A large crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside the gate, eager to see why this girl had come.
Jiang Ruan approached and asked, “You’re looking for me?”
The girl, startled by Jiang Ruan’s voice, lifted her head to reveal a delicate, fair face. She said, “Tianzhu has come to fulfill her vow and serve you from now on.”
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond, waiting for her to continue.
Sure enough, the girl went on, “Back then, Tianzhu’s parents were killed by sea bandits, and I had no choice but to sell myself to bury them. But I was harassed by a scoundrel, and if not for your intervention, I would have been devoured without a trace. You gave me silver to bury my parents but left without a word. You are my savior, and now that I’ve finally found you, Tianzhu wishes to serve you forever.”
Hearing this, the crowd understood. It seemed the Jiang family’s eldest young lady had a heart of mercy, saving someone without leaving her name. Fortunately, the one she had saved understood the principle of repaying kindness tenfold and had sought her out to express her gratitude.Jiang Ruan looked at the girl who called herself Tianzhu. Her face was a mix of gratitude and sorrow, truly the picture of someone repaying a kindness, with an expression full of deep emotion. If this were a man, it would be a lovely affair, adding a touch of romantic charm. But she was a woman. Had Xiao Shao fabricated such a backstory for Tianzhu to incidentally praise her character and give her a good reputation among the people? It didn’t matter. Jiang Ruan was used to being called a temptress—being labeled as having a bodhisattva’s heart was something that truly didn’t suit her now.
“Since you’re so determined to repay this kindness, I suppose sending you away would be futile.” Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. “Then you may stay by my side.”
Her straightforwardness left the onlookers stunned. The girl, too, seemed taken aback. By convention, most women would say something like, “I didn’t save you to demand repayment—you should go back,” and so on. For Jiang Ruan to accept so readily—didn’t that render all that earlier talk meaningless? Did she not even care about her reputation?
Yet the girl’s surprise lasted only a moment before she lowered her head and said, “Please bestow a name upon me, my lady.”
(End of Chapter)
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