She straightened up and cast a fleeting glance at Xia Yan, her voice chillingly cold: "Madam Jiang, rest assured, I won't let you die so easily. Your life won't be ended by my hands—it will be your own flesh and blood who kills you." Her tone was bewitchingly seductive, carrying an eerie allure, like a malevolent spirit beckoning from the underworld. She continued indifferently, "A spectacle of kin turning against each other—with a heart as venomous as mine, how could I miss such a show?"
Her crimson skirts swayed gracefully as they brushed the ground. The door of the small prayer room snapped shut with a sharp click, and muffled sobs of someone breaking down could be heard inside.
Jiang Ruan lifted her head and coldly instructed the two matrons outside, "Keep a close watch. Don't let her die."
Upon returning to the Ruan Residence, Jiang Ruan dismissed all the maids. Neither Lianqiao nor Luzhu knew what had happened, and Tianzhu, the only one aware of the events, was naturally tight-lipped. Though puzzled, the maids obediently withdrew, leaving Jiang Ruan alone in the room.
Seated at her desk, Jiang Ruan lost herself in thought until dusk fell. A faint restlessness stirred within her, prompting her to rise and step outside. The courtyard of the Ruan Residence wasn't particularly large. She wandered along its paths until she reached the wall, where she sat down.
The summer night's moon hung large and round, like a colossal pearl, casting a clear glow over the courtyard. Jiang Ruan sighed softly, and suddenly, Xia Yan's words resurfaced in her mind.
It was Jiang Dan—Jiang Dan had poisoned the tonic Zhao Mei drank daily.
She recalled how, after the death of the third concubine, Jiang Dan had been entrusted to Zhao Mei's care. Indeed, as the mistress of the Jiang household, Zhao Mei had pitied Jiang Dan for losing her mother at such a young age and had treated her as her own daughter. Though Jiang Quan had long neglected Zhao Mei, making Xia Yan the de facto mistress, Zhao Mei and her children had still lived harmoniously back then.
As for Jiang Dan, Jiang Ruan had always thought of her younger sister as timid, like a startled fawn. Occasionally, Jiang Dan would cling excessively to Zhao Mei, even stirring a hint of jealousy in Jiang Ruan. But she had brushed it off, reasoning that a motherless girl would naturally depend on her stepmother, and told herself to be more understanding.
Now, however, the realization sent a chill down her spine. The poison that had afflicted Zhao Mei had been administered by Jiang Dan—and Jiang Dan had also poisoned her. Only now did Jiang Ruan understand why her health had always been poor: she had unknowingly ingested poison in her early years. Back then, Jiang Dan had been too timid to find many opportunities to poison her snacks and tea, and later, Jiang Ruan had been sent to the manor. Otherwise, she might not have survived to this day.
Jiang Dan. Jiang Ruan sneered inwardly. She had known there was someone deeply hidden in this household, but she hadn't expected such a heartless viper. The thought that her mother's life had been nothing but a farce left her torn between fury and sorrow.
She had no idea how long she sat by the wall, but by the time she rose, her limbs had grown stiff. As she turned to head back inside, she froze. Not far away, a man in dark robes stood silently beneath a tree, watching her with an impassive gaze. He had clearly been there for some time.“You… why are you here?” Jiang Ruan asked. Xiao Shao had disappeared for several days, only to suddenly reappear out of nowhere. Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Jiang Ruan didn’t even bother to scold him for trespassing into her residence at night again.
Xiao Shao smiled faintly as he walked toward her. “What’s wrong?”
He had just returned when Tianzhu told him about recent events. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s melancholy expression beneath the courtyard wall, he couldn’t help but notice how utterly lonely she seemed. The desolation in her silhouette was almost painful to witness.
As Xiao Shao approached, Jiang Ruan watched him reach out as if to touch her face, but his hand stopped just short. Instead, he asked, “Why hasn’t it healed yet?”
Several days had passed, yet the slap mark on her face remained vividly clear—the redness and swelling stark against her fair skin. Jiang Ruan stiffened slightly before turning her head away. “I’m entering the palace tomorrow.”
Xiao Shao paused, understanding dawning on him. After a moment’s thought, he retrieved a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed it to her. “Use this after you return.”
Jiang Ruan accepted it quietly. “Thank you.”
Her low spirits today were obvious even to an ordinary person, let alone someone as perceptive as Xiao Shao. He studied her briefly before suddenly grasping her arm and lifting her effortlessly. Before Jiang Ruan could react, she found herself perched high on the large pear tree in the courtyard.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, wobbling unsteadily on the branch. She instinctively clutched Xiao Shao’s hand for balance, but still feeling insecure, she steeled herself and wrapped both arms around his waist.
Xiao Shao had only intended to bring her up the tree—when Jin Yi or Jin Er of the Brocade-clad Guards were in low spirits, they often climbed trees to drink. Though there was no wine now, he thought perhaps gazing at the moon might lift Jiang Ruan’s mood. He hadn’t expected her to embrace him so abruptly. His body tensed, momentarily stunned. The delicate fragrance unique to young women drifted into his senses, and under the moonlight, her jade-white fingers clutching his robes appeared even more fragile and boneless.
Realizing what she had done, Jiang Ruan quickly released him, inwardly scolding herself for the impulsive act. She glanced up instinctively to gauge his reaction, only to find Xiao Shao sitting silently beside her, his striking profile breathtakingly handsome. The usually aloof man now feigned nonchalance with an almost boyish charm.
“Hey,” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. “Take me down.”
Xiao Shao snapped out of his daze and looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “Feeling better now?”
“No,” Jiang Ruan retorted irritably. “Not at all.”
Xiao Shao studied her for a moment. Jiang Ruan, usually so composed, was now flustered—a rare sight he found amusing. Stretching out his long legs, he reclined against the branch, resting his head on his hands as if settling in for a nap.
In the distance, Jin Yi and Tianzhu gaped in unison. Since when had these two—normally so composed, shrewd, and cunning—become so childish? They might as well have been a pair of toddlers.
Jiang Ruan glared at the culprit lounging so leisurely beside her, wishing she had learned martial arts just so she could kick him off the tree. Yet as the cool summer breeze rustled through the leaves, her restless heart gradually eased.In the Jiang residence, where scheming and intrigue filled every day, it was truly difficult to find a moment of peace. Even doing nothing at all, as she was now, felt like a luxury. She turned her head to see Xiao Shao facing her. This man was naturally outstanding in appearance. While rumors in the capital praised the beauty of the Jiang daughters, Jiang Ruan believed it was only because Xiao Shao had been born a man. For instance, as she looked at him now—his long, slanting brows, straight nose, and rosy lips—he was both handsome and heroic. Most captivating were his ink-black eyes, currently closed. Jiang Ruan gazed at him and sighed inwardly: so such a beautiful man truly existed in this world.
Jin Yi nudged Tianzhu nervously, "What is she doing? Trying to take liberties with our master?"
"How should I know?" Tianzhu snapped. "Look at our master's expression—doesn't it seem like he welcomes it?"
Just as Jiang Ruan's hand was about to touch his eyes, Xiao Shao suddenly opened his own. Caught off guard, Jiang Ruan froze, meeting a pair of deep, dark eyes. Xiao Shao's eyes were extraordinarily beautiful, and the way he looked at her now was like aged honey—intoxicating enough to stir even the most unyielding heart.
Jiang Ruan was momentarily dazed, and Xiao Shao hadn't expected her to be so close either, leaving them both stunned. Jiang Ruan stared at him unblinkingly, her usually mocking gaze now filled only with confusion, clear and inadvertently revealing the unique charm of a young maiden.
In Xiao Shao's heart, something seemed to bloom quietly in that instant. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruan's attention shifted to the faint redness on his ears.
Was he... embarrassed?
She burst into laughter, which only flustered Xiao Shao further. He tried to sit up abruptly but forgot they were still in the tree. The branch shook violently with a crisp crack, sending them both tumbling down.
Jiang Ruan let out a startled cry as Xiao Shao quickly wrapped an arm around her waist. By the time they regained their senses, they were in a compromising position—Xiao Shao on top of her, one hand instinctively cushioning her head, fallen leaves scattered over them both.
Luzhu and Zisu rushed out at the noise, only to witness the scene. Jin Yi covered his eyes, while Tianzhu, shedding his usual reticence, gulped excitedly. "Master... Master is so passionate!"
Lianqiao, fearing they might attract unwanted attention, was both furious and exasperated. She shoved Xiao Shao aside and pulled Jiang Ruan up, shielding her protectively as she glared at him. "Prince Xiao, sneaking into our residence in the dead of night—was this your plan all along? To take advantage of my lady?"
Lianqiao had always been blunt, but she didn’t realize how inappropriate her words sounded. Xiao Shao frowned almost imperceptibly.
Luzhu, however, was delighted. Having grown up in the streets, she didn’t hold propriety as dearly as Zisu and Lianqiao did. Moreover, she recognized Xiao Shao’s extraordinary nature at a glance. This icy man treated Jiang Ruan differently from everyone else—wouldn’t having him as a son-in-law be ideal? Privately, Luzhu thought becoming the mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor wouldn’t be bad at all. At the very least, those filthy schemes and people wouldn’t dare trouble Jiang Ruan so easily anymore.Jiang Ruan felt a headache coming on. Both Luzhu and Lianqiao had misunderstood the situation. Thinking it was all because Xiao Shao had barged into the Jiang residence at night, she couldn't help but glare at him again. Unbeknownst to her, while she usually appeared gentle, she was actually quite distant—only showing her rare true emotions to those closest to her. This reaction, however, shocked Luzhu and Lianqiao, further confirming their suspicions that their young mistress and the young Jinying Wang had something going on between them.
Seeing this, Xiao Shao found it somewhat amusing. But he didn’t want to cause Jiang Ruan any more trouble, so he simply said, "If you run into any trouble, have Tianzhu come find me. It’s late tonight—you should rest early." With that, he turned and leaped onto the wall, disappearing into the night.
The master of the Da Jin Dynasty's hundred thousand Brocade-clad Guards had to go and imitate a flower thief, scaling walls. Xiao Shao left with effortless grace, unaware of how suggestive his parting words were—or how much of a stir they had caused in the hearts of Jiang Ruan’s two maids.
Thanks to Xiao Shao’s meddling, Jiang Ruan no longer had the energy to dwell on what Xia Yan had said earlier in the day. Even the matter of Jiang Dan was pushed to the back of her mind, and her mood improved slightly. Returning to her room, she didn’t dwell on it further and blew out the lamp to rest early.
...
The next day, before Jiang Ruan could leave for the palace, Luzhu came rushing in, exclaiming in astonishment, "Young Mistress, the whole city is in an uproar! They’re saying the Madam had an affair outside and even miscarried, then tried to pin the blame on you. The commoners are spreading the most vicious rumors—they say the Master... is wearing a cuckold’s horns yet still hasn’t divorced his wife, showing truly remarkable tolerance."
Luzhu always softened her words by a third, so the actual gossip must have been far more cutting. Jiang Ruan frowned slightly. She hadn’t even leaked the news yet—how did outsiders find out? Neither the Xia nor Jiang families would have spoken of it, and Ye Li certainly wouldn’t invite trouble. She asked, "Who did you hear this from?"
"It was that middle-aged physician," Luzhu replied, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "He was drinking at a tavern, got drunk, and spilled the whole thing as a joke. Now, probably the entire capital is talking about it."
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. Why would that man, who had been paid off, suddenly reveal everything? Someone must have put him up to it. A certain figure came to mind—was Xiao Shao being too meddlesome? Still, his interference had saved her a lot of trouble.
"Is the carriage ready?" Jiang Ruan asked. She couldn’t afford to delay her visit to the palace.
"It’s ready and waiting at the gate," Zisu replied.
Just as she was about to reach the main gate, she happened to run into Jiang Quan. His face was unusually dark. Early that morning, the scandalous news had spread, leaving him utterly humiliated. After court, he had rushed back home, feeling as though everyone along the way was laughing at him. With this disgrace, he would be the subject of ridicule for the rest of his life. At this moment, Jiang Quan wished he could strangle Xia Yan, the instigator of this mess, his anger choking him. Spotting Jiang Ruan about to leave, he demanded, "Where are you going?"
Jiang Ruan turned to look at him and smiled. "Empress Dowager Yide has invited me to the palace for a chat. Did you need something, Father?"
Jiang Quan was momentarily speechless. Ever since Jiang Ruan had been granted the title of Junzhu and grown closer to Empress Dowager Yide, his own standing in the imperial court paled in comparison to hers. The thought filled him with resentment. His gaze fell on Jiang Ruan’s face, and he froze. "What is this?"Five distinct finger marks marred her face, as if protesting the violence of the perpetrator. Several days had passed, yet the marks showed no signs of fading. Instead, they remained as fresh and swollen as if newly inflicted, standing out starkly against her fair complexion.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "What is this? Does Father not know?"
Jiang Quan, flushed with anger and shame, snapped, "How can you present yourself before the Emperor like this? This is an insult to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager! Go back and cover it up at once!"
"Your Highness," Tianzhu interjected at the right moment, "it is time to board the carriage. If we delay, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager may reprimand us."
Jiang Ruan smiled. "Indeed." She turned to Jiang Quan. "Father, I must take my leave."
Seeing that Jiang Ruan paid no heed to his words, Jiang Quan nearly exploded with rage. "Jiang Ruan!" he bellowed.
"Father, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager treats me as her own flesh and blood. She will not mind such trivial formalities," Jiang Ruan replied, her tone laced with irony. "If Father insists, I shall seek your forgiveness upon my return." With that, she instructed Tianzhu to open the gates.
As the gates of the Jiang residence swung open, a crowd of curious onlookers gathered outside. Unable to linger without losing face, Jiang Quan could only grit his teeth in fury and spit out, "Ungrateful wretch!" before storming off in a huff.
(End of Chapter)
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