A Dream within a Dream

Jiang Ruan followed Yang Gugu outside and asked, "Auntie, do you know why Grandmother seems so displeased?"

Empress Dowager Yide appeared unusually despondent, showing rare signs of weariness and aging. Jiang Ruan didn't believe the Empress Dowager was mourning Ye You's death. In truth, the Empress Dowager was decisive by nature and had long held Ye You in contempt. It had been her Imperial Decree that allowed Ye You to leave the palace and establish his own residence early on.

Yang Gugu smiled. "Princess, perhaps Her Majesty is simply fatigued lately, which is why she seems listless. She'll recover in a few days."

The answer was evasive, so Jiang Ruan responded with a faint smile. "Is that so? Then I'll trouble you to take good care of Grandmother, Auntie."

"This servant doesn't deserve such words from the Princess." Yang Gugu was a long-time attendant of Empress Dowager Yide and held Jiang Ruan in high regard. Jiang Ruan had once risked her life to save the Empress Dowager but never used it to her advantage. She knew what to ask and what not to—such intelligence was essential for survival in the palace. Yang Gugu's eyes held a trace of admiration as she looked at Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan lowered her gaze slightly. Indeed, even Empress Dowager Yide had her secrets, and Jiang Ruan wasn't yet close enough to share in them. But she had little interest in others' secrets; if the Empress Dowager chose not to speak of it, she wouldn't pry. Today, she had come for a far more important matter.

"Auntie, many incidents have occurred in the residence these past few days, and I feel quite unsettled. I've heard the palace's Buddhist hall offers peace and clarity—I'd like to go and listen to the scriptures."

Ever since the state preceptor entered the palace years ago, the Emperor had commissioned the construction of a Buddhist hall for convenience. Palace women who were devout often visited to listen to the sutras, and the Emperor encouraged it.

Yang Gugu was aware of the events on Jiang Li's wedding day and sighed inwardly. The Princess of Great Peace was poised, intelligent, and steady—it was a pity she had been born into the Jiang family. How could two daughters of the same father be so different? With this thought, she smiled and said, "Does the Princess mean the small Buddhist hall? It's at the end of the Southern Garden. This servant will take you there."

Jiang Ruan smiled. "Thank you, Auntie."

...

The palace's Scripture Hall was situated at the end of the Southern Garden, a serene and tranquil spot with fresh air—a rare blessing within the palace. The late Emperor had once considered building a residence here but abandoned the idea for fear of disrupting the palace's feng shui. Now, this auspicious site had been repurposed into a Buddhist hall, a testament to the high status of its owner within the palace.

Yang Gugu led Jiang Ruan to the Scripture Hall and exchanged a few words with the young monk inside. Jiang Ruan entered first. The hall housed a golden Buddha statue—an unprecedented sight, as no Buddhist hall had ever been built within a palace before. An elderly monk in crimson robes sat in meditation, holding a string of dark prayer beads, his eyes closed in silent contemplation. Wisps of incense smoke curled through the hall, lending an ethereal air.

The young monk approached the elder and whispered a few words. The old monk opened his eyes and, upon seeing the figure before him, froze momentarily, his benevolent expression flickering with the faintest trace of alarm.

After listening to his master, the young monk turned to Jiang Ruan and said, "Benefactor, my master invites you to the inner chamber for a discourse on the scriptures."

Jiang Ruan pressed her palms together and bowed slightly to the young monk. Seeing this, Yang Gugu smiled at her. Jiang Ruan then followed the young monk into the adjacent inner chamber.Inside the inner chamber stood a small greenwood table, upon which lay a divination tube and several sutras.

The old monk entered the inner chamber and took a seat on one side of the wooden table, while Jiang Ruan followed suit and sat opposite him. The chanting of novice monks drifted in from outside, and the ancient, well-preserved hall exuded a profound Buddhist ambiance.

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "It's been years. Congratulations on achieving your wish, Master."

Huijue's breath hitched as he looked up at the figure before him. The young woman was clad in fiery red robes, her presence even more striking than three years prior. Yet her eyes were icy, and beneath her gentle smile lurked a hint of cold mockery.

He pressed his palms together and bowed humbly. "Amitabha."

"Are you bowing to the Buddha, or to me?" Jiang Ruan casually picked up the divination tube from the table and gave it a gentle shake. The wooden sticks clattered inside, producing an unsettling sound—each clack striking heavily against Huijue's heart.

For the first time in three years, the state preceptor, who had long been revered as the Holy Monk devoid of earthly desires, felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He met Jiang Ruan's gaze and spoke slowly, "The benefactor is chosen by the Buddha. This humble monk follows the Buddha's will."

Jiang Ruan smiled. "Master truly is an eminent monk."

Huijue remained silent. Three years ago, someone had delivered him a letter, claiming it was from Jiang Ruan. The letter detailed every major and minor event that would unfold over the next three years. Being meticulous by nature, Huijue had initially dismissed it. But as time passed, he was astonished to see each prediction come true, one after another. Convinced, he went into hiding among the common folk, gradually building his reputation as an eminent monk until word reached the palace, and the Emperor summoned him. Armed with that single sheet of paper and his silver tongue, Huijue spent three years ensuring the entire Da Jin Dynasty knew of the Holy Monk Huijue, whose prophecies never failed. Step by step, he ascended to the position of state preceptor.

Huijue lifted his gaze to Jiang Ruan. Three years ago, she had promised him boundless glory and status, to elevate him above all others. Now, every word had come to pass. To him, Jiang Ruan was a figure of dread—how could anyone predict the future? Yet she was precisely that enigmatic. Huijue knew nothing came for free; Jiang Ruan wouldn't aid him without expecting repayment. Now that she had returned, it was time to collect.

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Now that Master holds the esteemed position of state preceptor, I trust your young son's health has improved."

Huijue stiffened. His son was his lifeblood. Now, under the guise of a master-disciple relationship, and with the Emperor's unwavering trust, he had easy access to the imperial physicians. The palace's rare medicines were plentiful, and his son's condition had gradually improved, his body no longer as frail as before. His fingers trembled slightly around the prayer beads as he asked, "What does the benefactor seek?"

"Master, I do not believe in the Buddha. Spare me the sutras." Jiang Ruan's voice was soft, yet Huijue felt its weight. Her pressure was deliberate—she wanted him to declare his stance outright. Gritting his teeth, Huijue said, "This humble one is willing to serve the Junzhu with utmost loyalty."

Jiang Ruan released her grip, letting the divination tube clatter onto the table. She then drew out all the wooden sticks inside, carefully selecting one and placing it before Huijue. "What does this stick signify?"Huijue was taken aback and glanced at the stick before asking, "This is the worst fortune. May I ask what the County Princess is seeking?"

"This fortune is not for me," Jiang Ruan replied calmly. "It concerns family matters, which are also state affairs."

Family matters that are state affairs naturally referred to the Emperor's household—in other words, the affairs of the imperial harem. Huijue looked up in confusion, only to hear a soft voice continue, "This County Princess has observed dark energy swirling in the eastern part of the palace, likely something disturbing His Majesty's peace. I humbly request the master to conduct a ritual to uncover the 'flood dragon.'"

A flood dragon was not a true dragon—it merely awaited the chance to leap through the Dragon Gate, symbolizing usurpation. Huijue's heart skipped a beat. Was this an attempt to frame someone for treason? But what did it have to do with the harem?

"The eastern part of the palace is the Dream Reflection Hall," Jiang Ruan said. "As for the flood dragon, naturally, it is a beautiful one."

The moment her words fell, Huijue froze. Interference in state affairs by the harem was a grave taboo. Jiang Ruan's implication was clear—she intended to pin the blame for disrupting imperial order on someone in the harem. And that someone was no ordinary figure—the current occupant of the Dream Reflection Hall was Noble Consort Chen, the most favored imperial consort, whom even the Empress treated with caution. Though Huijue maintained an ascetic demeanor in the palace, he was not ignorant of political affairs. Rumors had reached him that the Emperor was dissatisfied with the current Crown Prince and intended to appoint a new heir. Among the contenders, Eighth Prince Ye Li, born of Noble Consort Chen, and Fifth Prince Ye Hua, born of Consort De, were the most prominent, with Ye Li currently holding the upper hand.

To offend Noble Consort Chen would mean offending the mother of a potential future emperor, inevitably bringing him endless trouble. Huijue frowned deeply but remained silent.

"Has the master found himself increasingly overwhelmed in recent years?" Jiang Ruan's tone was indifferent. "Having glimpsed too much of heaven's will, yet unable to foresee what lies ahead. If it proves too difficult, the master may step aside and yield his position to more capable successors. Under heaven, the Buddha has countless disciples—it is not certain that only the master can interpret his will." She studied him leisurely. "Though it would be a pity for the young master... away from the palace, who knows if his health will remain as robust?"

Every word struck at Huijue's core. Indeed, over the past three years, the Emperor had placed great trust in him, often seeking his counsel. The letters Jiang Ruan provided had detailed the outcomes of events and their optimal resolutions, as if she had lived through them herself. The solutions were so thorough and impeccable that the Emperor's satisfaction with him grew, securing his position as state preceptor.

But three years had passed, and the letters only covered events up to the present—there was nothing beyond. Huijue himself was nothing more than a charlatan; how could he truly divine heaven's will? Lately, when the Emperor sought his guidance, he had nothing to offer. Yet, with decades of experience in deception and the credibility of his accurate predictions in the past three years, he had managed to fob off the Emperor with excuses. However, this could not last. Sooner or later, suspicions would arise—or worse, he would lose his usefulness, and the Emperor's favor would wane.If he were to leave the palace, his young son would lose access to the precious medicinal herbs within the palace, and it was uncertain what the future would hold. Moreover, as the esteemed state preceptor, he had inevitably made enemies within the palace, unknowingly obstructing certain individuals. The emperor's trust was currently his lifeline—once that trust was lost, unforeseen calamities might befall him.

Jiang Ruan's words of threat struck directly at Huijue's vulnerabilities. Since she had once elevated him to the position of state preceptor, she could just as easily replace him with someone else. Given her methods and prophecies, this was a simple matter.

Huijue slowly lowered his head, his voice strained as he said, "I beg the Young Mistress... to show mercy."

"I know what troubles you, Grandmaster," Jiang Ruan suddenly leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The throne of this land will never be occupied by the Eighth Prince."

Huijue abruptly looked up, staring at Jiang Ruan in disbelief, frozen in place. He asked, "Is... this also a prophecy?"

"Yes," Jiang Ruan replied coolly.

In truth, in her past life, it had indeed been Ye Li who seized the entire Da Jin Dynasty in the end. But in this life, she would never allow such a thing to happen. Noble Consort Chen wished to maintain her harmless facade in the palace, feigning disinterest in the struggle for succession before the emperor? Well, now, she wouldn't hesitate to tear off that beautiful mask. What would happen when that mother-and-son pair, so adept at acting, were branded as traitors to the nation?

No matter how much the emperor doted on a woman, he would never jeopardize his empire for her sake. Otherwise, in her past life, the emperor wouldn't have begun to suspect Ye Li in the end, prompting Ye Li to act prematurely.

When Huijue looked at Jiang Ruan again, the hesitation in his eyes had vanished, as if he had made a crucial decision. He asked softly, "What does the Young Mistress wish to do?"

"Grandmaster, your methods are unparalleled. Naturally, you will act according to the will of the Buddha. Three days from now, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau will hold a ritual. At that time, the Buddha will deliver a decree: within this palace lurks a beautiful serpent. And you, Grandmaster, must ensure there is only one true dragon in this world."

Her voice was low, carrying an eerie allure. Huijue shuddered and replied reverently, "Understood."

...

After leaving the small prayer hall, Jiang Ruan intended to return to Cining Palace but unexpectedly encountered an uninvited guest along the way. The man, dressed in a blue robe with a jade belt, stopped in his tracks upon spotting her from afar, then strode purposefully toward her.

Tianzhu moved protectively in front of Jiang Ruan, but the man was well-mannered, halting several steps away without approaching further.

Jiang Ruan smiled at him and said, "Grand Tutor Liu."

Liu Min stared intently at Jiang Ruan, unsure of what he wanted to do. Having met her some days ago but unable to speak properly due to Xiao Shao's presence, he had been preoccupied with the matter ever since. The person he had once considered a kindred spirit turned out to be a woman—he had spent days gazing at the painting hanging in his study. There were so many things he wanted to ask her, and upon seeing Jiang Ruan just now, he had unconsciously walked over. Yet now, he found himself at a loss for words.

Luzhu blinked. This Grand Tutor Liu truly embodied the pedantic nature of a scholar, carrying that peculiar air of bookish awkwardness.

After a pause, Liu Min finally said, "Young Mistress." As if realizing how sparse his words were, he added, "Are... you well?"Jiang Li's incident had now become a joke throughout the entire Da Jin Dynasty. Even though it was Jiang Li who had acted improperly, it would inevitably affect the reputation of the Jiang sisters to some extent. Although Liu Min knew the relationships within the Jiang household were complicated, he didn't think too deeply about it. His main concern was whether Jiang Ruan's reputation would suffer as a result. As a daughter of the Jiang family, she would surely lose some face too.

Jiang Ruan returned the courtesy: "Thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor. I'm living quite comfortably."

Liu Min was taken aback and carefully observed Jiang Ruan. Indeed, she looked as beautiful as ever, with gentle eyes and a smiling expression, still radiating her usual dazzling charm without a trace of weariness. His feelings became complicated—how could she remain so untroubled after such an incident? Seeing that she was fine, he felt relieved again.

Liu Min didn't understand why he had such strange thoughts. He only knew that ever since receiving that letter from her, he had regarded Jiang Ruan as a close friend in his heart. Friends should support each other, so his concern was only natural. However, there was one more thing he wanted to ask. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke: "What is the relationship between the Junzhu and Prince Xiao...?"

Tianzhu frowned slightly, thinking this Grand Tutor was quite annoying—she would definitely report this to her master later. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Grand Tutor Liu, you're overstepping your bounds."

(End of Chapter)