"Wretched wench!"
That maidservant had been her dowry attendant brought from the Jiang residence. Who could have imagined such a thing would happen just days after the wedding? Zuo Jiang loathed her, yet this personal maid seized the chance to climb into Zuo Jiang's bed. Were it not for her pregnancy, Zuo Jiang would have immediately elevated her to concubine status!
Pregnant. Jiang Li let out a bitter laugh, her gaze falling on the shattered bowl of prenatal medicine on the floor. Conceiving so soon after entering the household should have been a tremendous blessing, but—it happened right after that incident. The child in her belly—she didn't know whether it was Zuo Jiang's or that Third Prince Ye You's.
Whether it was Zuo Jiang's or Ye You's, she dared not abort it. Instead, she had to protect this seed in her womb with utmost care. The imperial family was not to be provoked, a truth well understood by everyone in the Zuo household. They fed her prenatal medicine while subjecting her to endless humiliation. The Zuo matriarch wished for her immediate death, for she had ruined Zuo Jiang's future and reputation. As for Zuo Jiang himself, the way he looked at her daily was as if she were his mortal enemy. That man was a devil—outwardly gentle and refined, yet endlessly inventive in his torment.
Jiang Li smiled bleakly. How had it come to this? This wasn't how it was supposed to be. With great effort, she retrieved a bronze mirror from beside her pillow. The reflection showed a haggard woman—a face that should have been in the bloom of youth now resembled that of a forty-year-old crone. Her skin was sallow and dull, her body emaciated beyond recognition. Her sunken eyes, lifeless and dull, were set deep in her skeletal face, repulsive to behold. Where was the radiant beauty she once possessed? Disgusted, she hurled the mirror to the ground and broke into wracking sobs.
She had thought marrying into the Zuo household would make her an official's wife, allowing her to trample others underfoot and finally shed her identity as a concubine-born daughter. Yet now, even a lowly maidservant could bully her!
This wasn't how it was supposed to be. This should have been Jiang Dan's fate. Jiang Li curled into a ball. If she hadn't stolen Jiang Dan's marriage, the one suffering in the Zuo household would have been Jiang Dan. She had thought she was seizing a blissful union, only to find herself on the road to the underworld!
She hated Jiang Dan, hated Zuo Jiang, hated Ye You, hated her treacherous maidservant, and hated Jiang Ruan most of all—the one who had orchestrated her downfall. Even if she gave birth, death awaited her. Worse still, she had no desire to bear this bastard child, this living symbol of her disgrace.
A fanatical glint flashed in Jiang Li's eyes. If she died, the child in her womb would die with her. The imperial family would never let the Zuo household off the hook, and Zuo Jiang would be disgraced forever. If that happened—if that happened—it would still be better than this living hell. At least the Zuo household would suffer. At least Zuo Jiang would suffer. The thought brought her a sliver of vicious satisfaction.
She rolled off the bed and shakily picked up a shard of the broken bowl, murmuring, "If there's a next life... I won't let any of you go..."
...
In Princess Hall where Jiang Ruan resided, an unexpected visitor arrived early in the morning.
Luzhu lifted the curtain and addressed Jiang Ruan, who had just finished her morning ablutions. "Young Miss, Wang Meiren has come to deliver the ceremonial robes for tomorrow's rites at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."
For the Astronomical Bureau's rituals, the palace women were required to attend, and their attire had to be meticulously chosen. Normally, such garments were delivered by the Office of Attire—this was the first time an imperial consort had personally brought them. While not technically against protocol, the enthusiasm was certainly... excessive.Luzhu clearly thought the same, saying, "This servant remembers that the young lady has no acquaintance with this Wang Meiren."
Jiang Ruan brushed aside the small blanket beside her and asked, "What do you think of Wang Meiren?"
"She seems quite amiable and speaks candidly," Luzhu pondered before adding, "But unsolicited kindness often harbors ill intent. It would be best for the young lady to remain cautious."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "It's good that you understand."
Though Luzhu was clever, her inherently kind nature meant she didn’t fully grasp the true nature of the palace. If the Jiang residence was a den of wolves, the imperial palace was a tiger’s lair. How could a lamb dwell in a tiger’s lair? Take this Wang Meiren, for instance. Jiang Ruan slowly curled her lips into a smile. After all these years apart, she wondered what kind of scene would unfold upon their reunion.
"Let’s go meet this Wang Meiren."
As they approached the front hall, a warm and cheerful voice called out, "Princess of Great Peace!"
Jiang Ruan lifted her gaze and indeed saw a young woman attended by palace maids. She wore a skirt embroidered with gold and silver threads, her hair styled in a flowing chignon—neither overly elaborate nor too plain. Her lovely face was bright and spirited, her smile as sincere as fire.
Such an appearance was naturally disarming, making one feel she was open-hearted and straightforward. The woman looked at Jiang Ruan, stood up, and curtsied with a smile. "I’ve long heard of the princess’s unparalleled beauty. At first, I thought the plain robes for the ritual might be too dull, but seeing the princess’s grace now, I realize even the simplest attire could be worn like the grandest finery."
Few women dislike being praised for their looks, and anyone else might have warmed to her after such words. But Jiang Ruan merely glanced at her coolly and replied with a gentle smile, "There’s no need for such courtesy, Wang Meiren."
She deftly sidestepped the overly enthusiastic compliment as if she hadn’t heard it at all.
Wang Meiren was taken aback, not expecting such a reaction. Her brows furrowed briefly before smoothing again.
Jiang Ruan took a seat on the divan, and Wang Meiren sat as well, instructing a maid to bring over a small wooden chest containing clothing. "These are the robes sent by the Directorate of Imperial Clothing. Since my return path happened to pass by here, I thought to deliver them to the princess. I hope the princess doesn’t mind my meddling?"
A flicker of disdain crossed Luzhu’s eyes. Having grown up in the streets, she was quick to learn the palace’s layout and had already memorized which residences belonged to which nobles in just a few days. Wang Meiren’s quarters were leagues away from here. A coincidence? Not likely.
"How could I fault Wang Meiren’s kind intentions?" Jiang Ruan replied neutrally.
Clearly unprepared for Jiang Ruan’s unyielding demeanor—neither swayed by flattery nor softened by courtesy—Wang Meiren couldn’t fathom how she might have offended the princess. She could only assume this was Jiang Ruan’s natural temperament. After a pause, she laughed. "Why be so formal? I am a few years older than the princess. If the princess doesn’t mind, may I call you ‘younger sister’? You remind me so much of my own little sister back home."
Jiang Ruan gave her a faintly mocking look. "Wang Meiren, propriety must be observed." She took a sip of the tea Luzhu handed her, savoring the shifting expressions on Wang Meiren’s face before adding, "This princess has only an elder brother. I’ve never had a sister."Wang Meiren clenched her fists tightly, forcing a strained smile as she said, "This humble one has been presumptuous..."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly without responding, making Wang Meiren feel increasingly awkward. Everyone in the palace praised her for her straightforward and sincere nature, and most consorts got along well with her due to her considerate demeanor. Yet today, she had unexpectedly met with cold indifference from Jiang Ruan. As she gazed at Jiang Ruan's exquisite features, a flash of envy quickly passed through her eyes.
Luzhu also found it strange. Although Jiang Ruan was usually aloof and distant, she never displayed such obvious coldness openly, always leaving some room for courtesy. It was the first time she had seen Jiang Ruan treat an unfamiliar consort with such overt indifference.
Jiang Ruan placed the teacup lid back on the rim, her mind drifting to memories of her past life.
This Wang Meiren was quite a figure in the palace. Among the many beauties, her looks were only average, and she lacked influential backing. Yet, through her ingratiating nature, she had managed to rise to the rank of Meiren. Back when Jiang Ruan was conferred the title of Consort Ruan, Wang Meiren had even come to congratulate her. Later, when Jiang Ruan fell out of favor and other consorts took the opportunity to trample on her, Wang Meiren was the only one who comforted her daily. Jiang Ruan had once considered her trustworthy—until the day Pei Er fell gravely ill. When Jiang Ruan went to request an invitation card to summon a royal physician, she accidentally overheard Wang Meiren instructing the imperial medical staff to ignore her plea.
It turned out Wang Meiren, fearing Jiang Ruan's striking beauty might one day overshadow her, had been two-faced all along. In the palace, people were adept at kicking those who were down while flattering the favored. Wang Meiren played the role of a confidante to her face but had no qualms about stabbing her in the back.
Jiang Ruan didn’t know how Wang Meiren’s life had ended in her past incarnation. But now, looking at this person she had once thought trustworthy, every gesture and word seemed like clumsy acting, evoking nothing but disgust. She couldn’t even muster the energy to play along.
Wang Meiren, after all, was someone of standing in the palace and had never been subjected to such inexplicable coldness. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s indifferent demeanor, she suppressed her resentment, unwilling to further humiliate herself. She stood and said, "Now that this humble one has delivered the garments, might the Junzhu at least take a look? If there are any issues, the Directorate of Imperial Clothing can make adjustments later."
"No need," Jiang Ruan smiled. "I trust the garments that have passed through Wang Meiren’s hands."
The words themselves were harmless, but Wang Meiren sensed an underlying implication. She instinctively looked up at Jiang Ruan, meeting her clear, piercing eyes. There seemed to be a trace of knowing mockery in that gaze, startling Wang Meiren, who quickly averted her gaze and stammered, "In that case, this humble one shall take her leave."
Jiang Ruan cast her a fleeting glance, not bothering to rise, and simply instructed Luzhu, "See Wang Meiren out."
Only after Wang Meiren had left did Jiang Ruan open the small wooden box on the table. She lifted out a plain snow-white palace gown. For the rituals conducted by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, garments were graded by rank, none allowed to be overly ornate. This one was indeed simple—if Jiang Susu saw it, she would undoubtedly adore it, as it would enhance her delicate, pitiful beauty, making her appear even more ethereal and refined. As for Jiang Ruan...
She tossed the gown to Tianzhu. "Is there anything amiss?"Tianzhu held the garment under her nose and sniffed it, frowning slightly. After a moment's thought, she walked over to pick up an oil lamp and lit it with tinder. She then held the garment over the lamp to fumigate it. After a while, a red stain gradually appeared on the pristine white fabric.
The red spread like blood seeping from within the cloth, growing increasingly alarming to behold. Jiang Ruan showed no surprise, merely asking, "What is this?"
"Biluo incense. The hotter it gets, the redder it appears," Tianzhu replied coldly.
Jiang Ruan nodded in understanding. During the imperial rituals conducted by the Office of Astronomy, incense would inevitably be burned. If her dress were to turn such a bloody red when the incense was lit in the grand hall, she would undoubtedly be labeled a demon and imprisoned—her fate easily imagined. This scheme was undeniably insidious. The Emperor placed great importance on such matters, and using this as leverage could indeed be fatal for her.
Without someone like Tianzhu by her side, the trap would have gone unnoticed. Tianzhu asked, "Mistress, shall we change into another dress?"
"No need to alert the enemy," Jiang Ruan said calmly. "This dress is too valuable to waste. Since someone has sent us such a fine gift, it's only right to return the favor." She smiled coldly. "I, too, would like to see who will emerge victorious in this ritual."
...
After leaving, Wang Meiren first returned to her own quarters to rest briefly before casually strolling over to Dream Reflection Hall.
The palace maids of Dream Reflection Hall welcomed her inside. Upon entering, Wang Meiren saw Noble Consort Chen reclining on a soft woolen divan, weaving knots. Wang Meiren had always found it strange how a woman of such high status could engage in such mundane activities as knot-weaving like an ordinary housewife. Now, however, she understood why the Emperor doted on the Noble Consort so exclusively. Any man entering Dream Reflection Hall would see a gentle, unassuming woman quietly weaving knots, as if all worldly troubles had faded away, leaving only the tranquility and elegance of a secluded corner of Jiangnan.
Yet a flicker of mockery passed through Wang Meiren's eyes. The woman men saw and the woman women saw were never the same. The Emperor saw Noble Consort Chen as tender, refined, demure, and free from worldly strife, while Wang Meiren saw her as ruthlessly ambitious and utterly terrifying.
"You've arrived. Take a seat," Noble Consort Chen said warmly, gesturing to a nearby chair.
"This humble one dare not," Wang Meiren replied with a smile. "The dress has been delivered."
"Oh?" Noble Consort Chen didn't look up, her fingers still deftly weaving through the silk threads. "What did you think of the Princess of Great Peace?"
"She is not an easy person to get close to," Wang Meiren mused. "I tried to be friendly, but the Princess gave me the cold shoulder. That's why I left early—her expression was quite frightening."
At this, Noble Consort Chen finally lifted her head from her knot-weaving, giving Wang Meiren a surprised look. She chuckled. "How strange. The Princess of Great Peace has always been gentle and soft-spoken, never one to show displeasure so easily. Since she is so well-mannered, why would she treat you so coldly? Perhaps you must have done something to upset our dear Princess."Wang Meiren smiled. "Perhaps so, it must be my foolishness." But in her heart, she thought that if the Princess of Great Peace appeared gentle on the surface, the one before her was the true smiling tiger—seemingly tender and harmless, yet countless women in the harem had fallen at her hands.
Noble Consort Chen smiled in satisfaction. "In that case, I must thank you for your efforts this time, Sister Wang. You work diligently in the palace every day, and when I next see His Majesty, I will surely put in a good word for you."
"This humble one thanks Elder Sister." Wang Meiren continued to converse with Noble Consort Chen, her words lively yet respectful, and indeed, it wasn’t long before she had Noble Consort Chen thoroughly delighted. It was only when night fell that Wang Meiren finally rose to take her leave.
After Wang Meiren had departed, Eunuch Chen approached Noble Consort Chen and reported, "Your Highness, this servant has inquired—the clothes were taken by the Princess of Great Peace, but nothing was discovered."
"Good." Noble Consort Chen raised her hand, admiring the bright red nail polish on her delicate, jade-like fingers. "Let’s see who can save her this time."
"The Zhao family may cause trouble in the future," Eunuch Chen cautioned.
"With that fool Wang Yi around, it won’t concern us," Noble Consort Chen replied indifferently.
(End of Chapter)
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