Liu Min had refused in a panic without thinking at the time, but upon later reflection, he couldn't help but ponder the matter deeply. Ever since learning that the person from back then was Jiang Ruan, Liu Min found himself frequently thinking about this extraordinary woman. Even the Crown Prince occasionally noticed his demeanor and asked, "Grand Tutor, you've been absent-minded all day—could it be you've found someone special in your heart?"
Now seeing Jiang Ruan standing right before him, Liu Min felt a sour, indescribable emotion welling up inside. He hesitated slightly and said, "This humble official deeply admires the County Princess."
"You flatter me, Grand Tutor Liu," Jiang Ruan replied with her usual gentle demeanor, yet her tone remained distant, as if keeping him at arm's length. A pang of disappointment rose unexpectedly in Liu Min's heart. He could craft elegant essays and propose outstanding state policies, yet he didn't know how to converse with this woman he once considered a kindred spirit. No matter what he said, Jiang Ruan's responses remained cool and detached.
Luzhu's eyes darted around, sizing up Liu Min, and she thought to herself, This man is a Grand Tutor? Why does he seem like such a bookish fool, so silly and clueless?
Tianzhu, however, frowned. She knew full well that her master disliked Liu Min approaching Jiang Ruan. The Brocade-clad Guards were hoping for another young mistress—how could they let a mere Grand Tutor snatch her away? Moreover, from a personal maid's perspective, Jiang Ruan's temperament was certainly not something a Grand Tutor who only knew state policies and essays could handle. How could the feeble Grand Tutor Liu possibly protect Jiang Ruan? Tianzhu whispered, "Miss, much time has passed. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is waiting..."
Jiang Ruan nodded and smiled at Liu Min. "Grand Tutor Liu, I must take my leave now—I have matters to attend to at Cining Palace."
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Liu Min's eyes. "In that case, farewell," he said.
Jiang Ruan turned and followed Tianzhu in the opposite direction. Liu Min stood there for a moment before slapping his forehead in frustration and walking away dejectedly.
Upon arriving at Cining Palace, Yang Gugu visibly relaxed at the sight of Jiang Ruan. Glancing inside, she said, "Her Majesty is in low spirits today. Please comfort her, County Princess."
"I understand," Jiang Ruan replied with a nod. Entering the chamber, she saw Empress Dowager Yide reclining on the plush Nine Sons Continuous Blessing Soft Couch, her long ruby-adorned fingernails idly tracing the edges of the couch. The frame was made of agarwood, and the nails made faint scratching sounds as they dragged across it. The Empress Dowager's brows were tightly knit, her expression heavy with melancholy.
Jiang Ruan approached with light steps, her smile gentle. Hearing the sound, Empress Dowager Yide turned her head and seemed momentarily stunned, as if lost in some distant memory. Unconsciously, she murmured, "Yuan Rong..."
"Imperial Grandmother," Jiang Ruan called softly.
The sound of her voice seemed to snap the Empress Dowager back to reality. She sighed and patted her forehead helplessly. "I'm truly getting old—my eyesight fails me."
On the small table before her lay an unfurled painting depicting an endless expanse of grasslands and deserts, with a setting sun slowly sinking below the horizon, casting a blood-red glow across the scene. In the distance, a caravan of camels ambled leisurely, their bells almost audible in the stillness.
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow slightly. This painting is of the Eastern Barbarian Country?
Noticing Jiang Ruan's gaze, Empress Dowager Yide sighed, looking utterly exhausted, as if she lacked the energy for further words. She simply said, "Hong'an, stay and sit with me awhile."Jiang Ruan responded gently, "Yes."
In the end, Empress Dowager Yide said nothing that day. Jiang Ruan sensed keenly that the Empress Dowager must be harboring a secret, much like that inexplicable painting of the Eastern Barbarian Country's scenery. Yet, it seemed the Empress Dowager had no intention of sharing this secret with her. In her previous life, having spent many years in the palace, she had never heard of any secrets concerning Empress Dowager Yide—likely something even Ye Li was unaware of.
If there was anything particularly noteworthy, it was the ongoing battle between the Celestial Jin Kingdom and the Da Jin Dynasty. Initially, the Da Jin Dynasty had been gaining momentum, seemingly on the verge of victory, when unexpectedly, the Celestial Jin Kingdom staged a miraculous comeback, managing to repel the final assault. The war had once again reached a stalemate.
Jiang Susu, of course, was overjoyed by this turn of events. Whenever she encountered Jiang Ruan in the manor afterward, she would deliberately bring it up. Jiang Ruan treated it as nothing more than the mad barking of a dog. After several attempts failed to provoke any reaction from Jiang Ruan, Jiang Susu lost interest and stopped mentioning it altogether, focusing instead on preparing for the upcoming Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet.
The Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet was a tradition of the Da Jin Dynasty. In early autumn, when chrysanthemums bloomed in abundance, the wife of the prefect would host a gathering, inviting young maidens of marriageable age from the capital. Meanwhile, young men would gather separately to socialize. Though it appeared to be a simple gathering, in reality, it was an opportunity for mothers to scout potential sons- and daughters-in-law. The Da Jin Dynasty was relatively progressive in this regard, and there had been instances where young couples met at the banquet and later formed happy marriages, their stories becoming celebrated tales.
Jiang Quan had perhaps finally realized that his two legitimate daughters were of marriageable age. Setting Jiang Ruan aside for the moment, Jiang Susu was his treasured pearl, and naturally, he wanted to find her a good husband. This time, he had invited Shen Rou, the wife of the Xia Marquis, to accompany Jiang Ruan to the banquet.
Xia Jiao Jiao's portrait had already been sent to the palace, so she naturally had no need to attend such events. As Jiang Chao grew increasingly favored by Ye Li, Xia Cheng seemed to have realized something. Coupled with the fact that Xia Yan's actions had put the Xia Marquis's household in the wrong, relations between the Xia and Jiang households gradually eased, as if the incident had never occurred.
If Jiang Ruan did not attend the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet while Jiang Susu did, it would inevitably invite gossip. Moreover, the invitation card from the prefect's wife included Jiang Ruan's name, so she went along with Shen Rou.
Perhaps because she considered this banquet extremely important, Jiang Susu spent her days secluded in her room, practicing. Occasionally, the melodious sound of a zither would drift from the Plain Heart Courtyard, elegant and pleasing to the ear. The maids in the Ruan Residence, however, were unimpressed. While Xia Yan suffered in the Buddhist hall, her daughter had the heart to attend such frivolous banquets. Xia Yan had always prioritized Jiang Susu's interests, never expecting her daughter to be so ungrateful.
Jiang Ruan, on the other hand, paid little attention to the banquet, going about her daily routine as usual. Tianzhu (Nandina) was relieved to see her like this, thinking to herself that their master's efforts had not been in vain. If the carefully nurtured "cabbage" were to be carelessly "gnawed" by some other "pig," their master would surely be furious upon returning to the capital. Ahem , of course, Jiang Ruan was not a cabbage, and their master was certainly not... well, you know.The scorching summer days had finally dragged out their last remnants, and in the blink of an eye, early autumn arrived. The sun had long shed its earlier harshness, becoming somewhat gentler. Occasionally, a few refreshing breezes would blow, and even the nameless little white daisies casually planted in the small flower beds outside the Ruan Residence had begun to bloom—the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet was approaching.
In previous years, the Jiang household would have been bustling with activity for the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet. There was Xia Yan overseeing preparations, Old Madam Jiang dictating the rules, Second Madam busily purchasing jewelry, and Hong Ying dressed like a celestial beauty. Jiang Li would be as domineering as ever, while Jiang Susu would smile and play the part of an ethereal fairy untouched by mortal concerns. Jiang Dan would timidly and cautiously try to please. The Jiang household was never short of women, filled to the brim with rouge and powder, an endless display of charm and allure.
Yet the past had vanished like flowing water, as if those enchanting figures were nothing more than a fleeting dream. Now, the Jiang household had only one pregnant concubine, who seemed to have changed her temperament entirely, no longer indulging in romantic pursuits but instead fussing over trivial matters, devoid of her former lightness. The others were either dead or mad. The once-grand Jiang residence now stood empty and desolate, exuding an air of decline.
The servants in the household were most sensitive to these changes. In just a few short years, the Jiang residence seemed to have transformed entirely. Those who had grown up in the Jiang household began to harbor a vague thought: the decades of prosperity and splendor of the Jiang family might soon, like the women of the household, turn to dust.
...
Early in the morning, Jiang Ruan was dressed and groomed by Zisu and Lianqiao. Today, even the heavens seemed to favor them, as the sun peeked out gently, casting a warm glow without any lingering summer heat. The cool breeze made it the perfect day for flower viewing.
Since Jiang Ruan was still in mourning, Zisu chose a lotus-blue outfit for her. Lianqiao remarked, "What a pity for the young lady’s beauty. She would look best in bright red—no one could compare."
"The young lady isn’t here to compete in beauty," Zisu said. "Lotus-blue is just fine—dignified and proper."
Once she was finally ready, a maid announced that the Xiahou family’s carriage was already waiting outside the gate—Shen Rou had arrived early to fetch her. As Jiang Ruan stepped out, she caught sight of Jiang Susu, dressed in plain white.
Jiang Susu had been confined to the household these past days, likely growing increasingly anxious, which had diminished her former radiance by a third. Today, however, she had clearly taken great care with her appearance. Her Soft Silver Green Gauze Lily Skirt was tailored exquisitely, accentuating her slender figure. Her long hair was styled into a Phoenix Hairbun, adorned with a Glazed Ruyi Hairpin. The ensemble was both simple and ethereal, and it seemed her Bewitchment had grown more refined, her every movement shedding its former frivolity and exuding a unique charm. She effortlessly drew all eyes to her, as if she were truly a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
Noticing Jiang Ruan’s arrival, Jiang Susu also took stock of her. Jiang Ruan had not worn red in a long time, and today she had chosen a Plain Pattern Embroidered Jacket Skirt in lotus-blue. The color was notoriously difficult to pull off, but it only accentuated her fair complexion and striking features. The dignified hue lent her an innate royal elegance, as if she were a princess born to stand above all others.
As Jiang Susu looked on, a deep-seated hatred gradually welled up in her eyes.In truth, it wasn’t Jiang Ruan’s fault. When Empress Dowager Yide had the Directorate of Imperial Clothing make garments, she often had some made for Jiang Ruan as well. The fabrics allocated to a princess in the palace were naturally beyond compare. Although Jiang Quan also possessed many fine items, they still couldn’t rival the palace’s materials. Moreover, Jiang Ruan had spent so many years in the palace in her past life that her every gesture and movement naturally carried the habits of the imperial court—habits that couldn’t be learned in a short time. Others, unaware of her past, would only say her grace was innate.
The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted slightly, and Shen Rou laughed, “Young ladies, won’t you come aboard?”
Jiang Ruan’s gaze swept over and noticed another person in the carriage. She paused briefly, only realizing upon boarding that it was none other than Yu Ya, the second madam of the Xia Family.
The enmity between the Xia Marquis’s residence and the Jiang residence had stemmed from the incident involving Xia Jun. At the time, Yu Ya had harbored deep hatred for Jiang Susu, but the Xia family were no fools. With just a little thought, they could discern who had orchestrated the affair. Because of Jiang Ruan, Xia Jun had been barred from entering officialdom. That Yu Ya hadn’t sought her life already spoke volumes about her restraint.
Shen Rou glanced at Jiang Ruan, then at Jiang Susu, covering her mouth as she tittered, “The Minister is truly blessed—both young ladies are as fair as jade and flowers.”
“Indeed,” Yu Ya spoke up unexpectedly, “The Princess appears even more radiant now than she did three years ago.”
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly but didn’t respond, merely observing Yu Ya coolly. Of the two madams of the Xia Marquis’s residence, the elder, Shen Rou, was a smiling tiger—gentle and amiable to all, and quite beautiful. But one only needed to look at Xia Jiao Jiao to guess her true nature. The second madam, Yu Ya, was acerbic and sharp-tongued. The second lord of the Xia family was notorious for his philandering, and had Yu Ya not borne him a son, he would likely have divorced her long ago.
Had such flattering words come from Shen Rou, it wouldn’t have been unusual. But for them to come from the sharp-tongued Yu Ya—who was at odds with Jiang Ruan—was exceedingly strange.
Under Jiang Ruan’s gaze, Yu Ya averted her eyes and said to Jiang Susu, “The Second Young Lady will surely dazzle everyone today.”
Jiang Susu smiled demurely, “You flatter me, Second Aunt.”
…
The journey to the prefect’s wife’s residence passed without incident. Upon disembarking, servants waiting outside came forward to greet them and led them inside. The main hall was already filled with noblewomen, while the young ladies had gathered in the courtyard to admire the chrysanthemums. The prefect’s wife was an avid lover of flowers and had dedicated a large portion of her estate to cultivating them. The grounds were spacious enough for the young men to converse or spar in the western garden, while the young ladies gathered in the eastern courtyard. Any secret glances exchanged were overlooked—as long as no boundaries were crossed, the day was treated with leniency toward the youth.
The prefect’s wife rose to welcome them, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Jiang Ruan. “The Princess of Great Peace truly possesses an innate grace,” she remarked. “How enviable Minister Jiang must be.”Jiang Susu, seeing herself so easily overlooked, felt a sudden surge of anger. Yet she noticed that most of the people in the hall had their eyes fixed on Jiang Ruan, which made her suspicious. She wondered if her Bewitchment had weakened—otherwise, why would everyone ignore her and focus on Jiang Ruan instead?
What she didn’t realize was that while Bewitchment worked on men, the women present were all officials' wives. They cared little about who was more beautiful. Jiang Ruan was now the Princess of Great Peace, backed by the General's Residence and with a war god of an elder brother. Every mother with a son was calculating whether they could secure Jiang Ruan as a daughter-in-law. Jiang Ruan was born noble, and though her beauty was striking, her composed demeanor tempered any hint of seductiveness, lending her an air of dignified grace. For these officials' wives, looks were secondary when choosing a daughter-in-law. Even if Jiang Ruan had been plain as salt, she would still be a coveted prize in their eyes.
The prefect's wife seemed to share this sentiment. She had two sons, both just coming of age and ready for marriage. The more she looked at Jiang Ruan, the more pleased she became. Just as she was about to engage in some warm conversation, a clear voice rang out from behind: "Sister Ruan, I've been waiting for you."
Jiang Ruan lifted her gaze to see Zhao Jin stepping forward from her seat, blinking playfully at her. Jiang Ruan nodded, and Zhao Jin took her hand, addressing the prefect's wife, "Madam, Sister Ruan and I are going to the garden to admire the chrysanthemums. Such lovely flowers—she hasn’t seen them yet."
(End of Chapter)
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