Chapter 12 Flower Appreciation
Jiang Ruan picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and then raised her eyes to look at Chen Fang beside her.
Chen Fang bit her lip tightly. Over the years at the estate, she had grown accustomed to Jiang Ruan's despondent and gloomy demeanor. Yet, ever since the drowning incident, Jiang Ruan seemed like a completely different person—like a withering flower suddenly infused with boundless vitality, blooming anew. The aura around Jiang Ruan was unfamiliar to Chen Fang. This young lady of an official's household now carried herself with grace in every movement, as if accustomed to a life of privilege, exuding a noble air that seemed utterly out of place here.
Naturally, Chen Fang had no way of knowing that in her past life, after Jiang Ruan was sent to the palace, she had been surrounded by endless schemes and intrigues. A single misstep could have led to dire consequences, and every action had to be flawless. The palace rules were strict, and the rigorous training from the etiquette matrons had honed her manners to perfection. Moreover, years spent in the unique environment of the palace had naturally cultivated her noble bearing. Such refined manners were nothing extraordinary among the beauties of the palace, but when displayed by a young, downcast lady who had long lived in a rural estate, it gave her an air of untainted elegance, like a lotus rising from the mud.
"What is it?" Jiang Ruan asked.
Her tone was as if she were truly the mistress speaking to her servant. A flash of resentment crossed Chen Fang's face, but she suppressed it with effort. Touching her hairpin, she smiled and said, "Miss, a pot of 'Beauty Under the Moon' was delivered from outside some time ago. It has been carefully tended to, and these days, the buds have grown larger and larger. It seems they will bloom tonight. If you're interested, perhaps you'd like to take a look?"
"'Beauty Under the Moon'?" Jiang Ruan mused. "At this time of year, it doesn’t seem to be the season for them to bloom."
Chen Fang quickly replied, "Indeed, ordinary 'Beauty Under the Moon' blooms in summer and autumn, but this pot is blooming unusually early. It’s quite rare. Why don’t you go and see it, Miss?"
Before Jiang Ruan could respond, Lianqiao interjected, "It’s late at night, and it’s freezing outside. How can we let the young lady wander about? What if she catches a chill? Her health can’t withstand such strain right now."
Zisu also added, "Why not bring the 'Beauty Under the Moon' inside? The young lady can admire it indoors."
Chen Fang frowned. "'Beauty Under the Moon,' as the name suggests, is best appreciated under the moonlight. If you view it indoors, it’s no different from any ordinary flower—what’s the point? Besides, this plant is recorded in the account book. I can’t take responsibility for moving it without permission."
Lianqiao was about to argue further, but Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and said, "In that case, let’s go take a look tonight."
"Young lady," Zisu protested, "it’s too cold outside. If you fall ill, it’ll be troublesome."
Chen Fang covered her mouth and giggled. "Sister Zisu, Sister Lianqiao, the young lady has already agreed. Why are you still objecting? As servants, our most important duty is to follow our mistress’s orders. How can you presume to make decisions for her? Isn’t that taking advantage of her?"
Her words were cutting, and both Lianqiao and Zisu paled. Jiang Ruan set down her teacup and said slowly, "Fang’er is right, but I’ll discipline my own people. However, Fang’er has surprised me—I didn’t expect you to enjoy such refined pastimes as moonlit flower appreciation."Chen Fang smoothed a lock of hair that hung over her chest and said, "Although this servant grew up in the village, I’ve always enjoyed reading poetry. Admiring flowers under the moonlight is an elegant pastime, and I’m quite fond of it myself." After a moment’s thought, she added, "Oh, and don’t forget—tonight at midnight, Miss must keep the appointment in the pear orchard. The Moonlit Beauty will be placed right at the entrance. I’ll be there too when the time comes."
"I understand," Jiang Ruan nodded.
Chen Fang breathed a sigh of relief. "This servant will take my leave now. Please don’t forget, Miss." With that, her gaze swept around the room once more before she left, visibly pleased.
Once Chen Fang was gone, Lianqiao fumed, "What nonsense! Talking about elegance—pah! As if wearing someone else’s clothes makes her think she’s a mistress! She should take a piss and look at herself in the puddle—shameless!"
Zisu looked at Jiang Ruan with concern. "Miss, are you really going to the pear orchard? This servant must speak up—Chen Fang is usually sharp-tongued and mean. For her to act so friendly is highly unusual. Be careful; she might have ulterior motives."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. In her past life, before she entered the palace, Lianqiao had been beaten to death for speaking disrespectfully to Jiang Quan. In truth, Lianqiao had merely been unwilling to let Jiang Ruan take Jiang Susu’s place in the palace and had gone to plead with Jiang Quan. Somehow, she had provoked his wrath and met a tragic end. In the end, it was all because Lianqiao had been too fiercely protective of her. Though bold and straightforward, Lianqiao had always known her place. Jiang Quan’s fury must have been stoked by Jiang Susu and her mother.
Zisu, on the other hand, had accompanied Jiang Ruan safely into the palace—likely because Jiang Susu and her mother saw her gentle nature as no threat. During the coup, Jiang Ruan had ordered Zisu to flee with Pei Er, but Pei Er had been captured. Zisu’s fate was likely no better.
These two maids had accompanied her through her brief and tragic past life, serving her wholeheartedly, yet she had failed to protect either of them—just like Pei Er and her elder brother.
Seeing Jiang Ruan lost in thought, Zisu and Lianqiao exchanged puzzled glances, startled by the coldness in her eyes. Just as they were about to speak, Jiang Ruan smiled again, the earlier chill vanishing instantly. "I know."
"If you know she has ill intentions, Miss, will you still go?" Lianqiao asked. "It’s too risky."
"This appointment must be kept," Jiang Ruan said. "But not to admire flowers—only to collect a debt."
"A debt?" Lianqiao was even more confused.
"Lianqiao, there’s something I need you to do." Jiang Ruan motioned for Lianqiao to lean in and whispered her instructions.
Meanwhile, Chen Fang left Jiang Ruan’s quarters in high spirits. Once she stepped out of the courtyard, the person waiting outside hurried over. "Well? Did she agree?"
"Of course she did," Chen Fang scoffed. "In her current state, the mention of Moonlit Beauty was too tempting to resist. Brother, where’s the thing you promised me?"
Chen Zhao grinned broadly and pulled out a translucent jade bracelet from his robe. "Good sister, your brother hasn’t spoiled you for nothing. Once this is done, I’ll reward you properly."
Chen Fang eagerly snatched the bracelet from Chen Zhao and slipped it on, admiring it. "The quality is decent." Then she suddenly glared at him. "Do you really like her? What’s so great about that vixen? The master doesn’t even favor her—she has no future.""Ah, it's not like I'm marrying her," Chen Zhao said smugly. "Having such a beautiful concubine at home means I won't need to visit brothels in the future—quite a money saver. I've never tasted the charms of an official's daughter before. Though she's a fallen noblewoman, she's still delicate and tender-skinned. Ahem, enough of this talk. I'm off now, remember to keep it secret."
"Can't be bothered with you," Chen Fang snorted lightly before turning and walking away.
(End of Chapter)
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