Yet for some reason, his heart was now in turmoil. Logically speaking, Ye Li and Jiang Ruan had not interacted much, so deep affection was unlikely. But for some inexplicable reason, hearing about Xiao Shao's marriage proposal to the Emperor felt like something that should have belonged to Ye Li had been snatched away, filling him with resentment. It was as if Jiang Ruan was destined to be his woman, as if events should not have unfolded this way.
After a pause, Ye Li slowly tightened his grip on the teacup. "Stop him."
"This..." His advisor hesitated. "If possible, it's best not to provoke Jinying Wang."
Though Xiao Shao was labeled a traitorous subject and not particularly outstanding in court, officials knew full well he was the Emperor's confidant—otherwise, why would the Emperor have protected him so persistently over the years? The Brocade-clad Guards under Xiao Shao's command were also fearsome enough. Currently, Xiao Shao had not declared allegiance to any faction, and neutrality was ideal. Provoking him could sway his stance, drastically altering the court's balance of power.
"Fool," Ye Li said. "Target the Princess of Great Peace." His gaze fell on the tea leaves floating in his cup, and a dark glint flashed in his eyes. "With Jiang Xin Zhi's military defeat, Jiang Ruan's position is already precarious. The slightest misstep could be fatal." He seemed to recall something, his expression gradually relaxing. "If we frame her with a crime, given His Majesty's intolerance for flaws, any hope of her marrying Jinying Wang would be nothing but delusion."
...
Empress Dowager Yide, upon hearing how highly Jiang Ruan was regarded among the servants of Brocade Hero King Manor, was thoroughly pleased. Chatting with Yang Gugu about it, she remarked, "Ah Shao has always been meticulous. He must have subtly signaled his intentions—otherwise, how would the servants have discerned the situation?"
Yang Gugu echoed the praise but then shook her head. "Still, I wonder how His Majesty feels about this. I’ve heard he remains somewhat displeased with the Princess."
"Who knows what grudge he holds from a past life," Empress Dowager Yide sighed. "I understand his reservations, but since Ah Shao has sought my help, even if the Emperor resents me for it, I must grant this marriage. You know Ah Shao’s temperament—he’ll ensure everything is handled flawlessly. Likely, before I even clarify matters with the Emperor, he’ll have already devised his own solution."
The Empress Dowager’s prediction was correct. The very next day, when the Emperor summoned Governor Cheng for a "casual chat," the governor’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Previously, when the Emperor hinted at a marriage alliance between the Cheng family’s daughter and Jinying Wang, Governor Cheng had been overjoyed. But now, he repeatedly declined, claiming his daughter was unworthy of the heroic young prince, even fabricating excuses about her being bedridden for the next year or two.
Such blatant evasion and fear were not lost on the Emperor, who was furious, certain Xiao Shao was behind it. Who else in the Da Jin Dynasty but Xiao Shao—with his audacity—could terrify a coastal governor into such a state? His methods remained as swift and decisive as ever. With Governor Cheng’s stance now fixed, there would be no turning back.The Emperor was frustrated. The Cheng family's daughter had been the most suitable candidate, but Xiao Shao had gone and ruined it himself. If similar ideas arose in the future, Xiao Shao would undoubtedly employ the same tactics again. As for what method Xiao Shao had used to make the Cheng family change their mind, the Chengs certainly wouldn’t disclose it.
Governor Cheng wiped the sweat from his brow, watching as the Emperor’s expression shifted repeatedly. His heart tightened with each change. It was often said that serving the Emperor was like taming a tiger—one should stroke its fur gently. Yet today, he had defied the tiger’s will, though he truly had no other choice. In truth, the Cheng family’s daughter was his treasured jewel, his pride and joy. He felt no man in the world was worthy of her. When the Emperor proposed a marriage alliance between the Cheng family and the Brocade Hero King Manor, Governor Cheng had been immediately tempted.
Firstly, like the Brocade Hero King Manor, the Cheng family was loyal to the Emperor and unaffiliated with any faction. Amidst the current political turmoil in the court, an alliance with the Brocade Hero King Manor would ensure that even if the Fifth Prince or the Eighth Prince seized the throne in the future, neither family would be easily targeted. Secondly, Governor Cheng was a man of discernment. He could see that Xiao Shao was no ordinary man. Though his actions now remained hidden, one day he would astonish the world. His talent and martial prowess were rare even in the Da Jin Dynasty, making him a perfect match for his daughter.
When the Emperor proposed this excellent match, Governor Cheng had secretly rejoiced. But just two nights ago, an anonymous letter had appeared in his study. It contained nothing but a record of the secret deeds Governor Cheng had committed since taking office. Every official family had its secrets, but the letter was cunningly crafted—each incident was hinted at vaguely, fragmented just enough to invite the worst interpretations. Matters that were originally trivial, when arranged as described in the letter, appeared life-threatening. Governor Cheng believed that if this letter reached the Emperor’s study, even if His Majesty spared his life out of gratitude for years of service, the Cheng family would never regain its footing in the court.
It was a masterful frame-up, yet the contents were undeniably true. The sender had precisely seized the Cheng family’s vulnerabilities, leaving Governor Cheng powerless to resist.
The letter’s demand was simple: Governor Cheng must abandon any thought of a marriage alliance with the Brocade Hero King Manor.
Governor Cheng was no fool. He had a fair idea of who was behind this. The realization filled him with both anger and resignation. Well, if the other party looked down on his family, there was no point in sending his daughter into a household where she might suffer. Thus, Governor Cheng had no choice but to inform the Emperor that he would not marry his daughter to Jinying Wang. After all, another match could always be found, but if disaster truly struck his household, all would be lost.
...
Even after many years, the Bramble Bamboo Garden remained immaculately maintained.
It had been a gift from the late Emperor to Princess Yuan Rong on her fifteenth birthday, when he had set aside a secluded plot within the palace to build this exquisite courtyard.
But though the garden remained, its mistress was gone. By the time Princess Yuan Rong left for a political marriage abroad, the garden had still not been fully completed. Yet its beauty endured—after the late Emperor’s passing, Empress Dowager Yide had continued to ensure the garden was meticulously tended.However, despite the garden's beauty, Empress Dowager Yide had never set foot in it—perhaps fearing it would evoke memories and stir feelings of guilt and remorse. Thus, Bramble Bamboo Garden became a unique presence within the deep palace: meticulously maintained yet eerily desolate.
Yet the garden's solitude was ultimately disrupted by Jiang Ruan's arrival. She inherited many privileges once exclusive to Princess Yuan Rong, including free access to Bramble Bamboo Garden. It must be said that the late Emperor had doted deeply on Princess Yuan Rong, for every detail of the garden was exquisitely crafted. It even housed a library, a study, and small courtyards for leisurely retreats.
However, Princess Hall was still some distance from Bramble Bamboo Garden, so Jiang Ruan seldom visited, only occasionally strolling there.
One day, a palace maid appeared from outside, carrying a small basket toward Bramble Bamboo Garden. Judging by her direction, she was likely heading there, and the basket in her hands was probably for gathering petals. Recently, Jiang Ruan had taken up perfumery, often sending maids from Princess Hall to collect flowers from the garden. Along the way, any eunuchs or maids who assisted might even receive small rewards.
But just as the maid reached halfway, she was suddenly called to a halt: "Stop!"
Turning around, the maid took a long moment to recognize the speaker—none other than Princess Heyi.
Princess Heyi strode over, eyeing the basket in the maid’s hands with a frown. "Where are you going?"
"This servant is under orders from the Princess of Great Peace to gather petals in Bramble Bamboo Garden," the maid replied, bowing her head.
"Oh, Bramble Bamboo Garden." Princess Heyi paused, her expression shifting. "Very well, go ahead."
The maid glanced at her in surprise. The usually domineering princess was unexpectedly accommodating today—a stroke of luck. Hastily, she curtsied and hurried off with her basket.
What the maid failed to notice, however, was that Princess Heyi did not leave. Instead, she stood still, staring intently in the direction the maid had gone before quietly following. She trailed the maid until she saw her turn down a corridor and disappear into an estate.
Princess Heyi smoothed her robes—today, she wore a plain blue-green brocade gown, a stark contrast to her usual preference for opulent gold. Her face was bare of cosmetics, making her nearly unrecognizable at first glance.
Adjusting her sleeves, a strange smile curled on her lips before she followed the maid’s path into the garden.
The estate seemed unguarded, its beauty as refined as the rumors claimed. Princess Heyi’s expression twisted with resentment. As a child, she had once overheard palace servants speak of Bramble Bamboo Garden and begged the Emperor for it. Yet even the doting Emperor had refused without hesitation. Proud and stubborn, Princess Heyi had since treated the garden as if it didn’t exist.
But now, Jiang Ruan—though not granted ownership—had been permitted by Empress Dowager Yide to roam freely within it. To Princess Heyi, this was nothing short of humiliation. Her hatred for Jiang Ruan deepened. It seemed that whatever she cherished or desired, Jiang Ruan would always snatch it away.The garden was vast, with scenic beauty at every turn. Having never visited before, she hadn't known its splendor. Now that she witnessed its beauty, a possessive desire grew within her, wishing she could enter this garden herself.
Strangely, there wasn't a single guard in sight, nor did she know where the study was located. After wandering aimlessly for quite some time, just as Princess Heyi was growing impatient, she suddenly spotted a bamboo pavilion beyond a massive camphor tree.
The pavilion looked brand new, nestled among the trees with an indescribable elegance—it must be the legendary study. To sit there, watching the dancing shadows of trees while sipping tea and reading, would surely be a delightful experience.
Flames of fury erupted in Princess Heyi's eyes, and an impulsive urge surged within her—she wanted to burn the bamboo pavilion to ashes. However, when her fingers brushed against the envelope in her sleeve, the rage on her face subsided, replaced by a smile.
The contents of the envelope were none other than "evidence" of Jiang Ruan's "treason and collusion with the enemy." Although Consort Shu had promised to frame Jiang Ruan with this crime to ensure her demise, the right opportunity had yet to arise. Consort Shu could wait, but Princess Heyi could not. If she waited any longer, the Emperor's marriage decree would be issued. Even if Jiang Ruan were convicted by then, with Xiao Shao protecting her, it would be far harder to act.
The attendants around Princess Heyi were all given by Consort Shu. If she used them for this task, Consort Shu would inevitably find out. Since Consort Shu had forbidden her from acting recklessly, she couldn't alert her. But Princess Heyi had never been one for patience. Unable to endure any longer, she secretly stole the "incriminating evidence" from Consort Shu's chambers, determined to carry out the plan herself.
The evidence consisted of letters exchanged between Jiang Ruan and someone from the Celestial Jin Kingdom. The letters addressed Jiang Ruan with intimate familiarity and vaguely mentioned that Jiang Xin Zhi was safe. They even bore the seal of a high-ranking official from the Celestial Jin Kingdom.
With Jiang Xin Zhi's recent military defeat already placing him in grave danger, the discovery of these letters would be unforgivable, instantly confirming his guilt—and compounding it. The siblings would be branded as traitors who colluded with the enemy, acting as spies for the Celestial Jin Kingdom, making them criminals of the Da Jin Dynasty. As a result, Jiang Ruan would be thrown into prison, and even if Jiang Xin Zhi survived, he would never be able to live in the Da Jin Dynasty again.
A life of being hunted like a stray dog—that would be the perfect punishment for Jiang Xin Zhi. Since Jiang Ruan cared so deeply for her elder brother, Princess Heyi would destroy him.Princess Heyi thought smugly to herself. She had already done her research—Princess Hall was guarded like an iron fortress, making it impossible to infiltrate, but Bramble Bamboo Garden was an easy target. Jiang Ruan didn’t frequent the place often; these days, she merely sent palace maids to gather flower petals, which made it all the more convenient for Heyi to act. However, her own people might alert Consort Shu, so she had to do it herself. But Princess Heyi wasn’t afraid. Even if the plan was exposed, as a princess, as long as no concrete evidence was found, what could they possibly do to her? Today, following the maid to Bramble Bamboo Garden, all she needed was to plant the incriminating evidence in the study while no one was around, then conveniently spread rumors of Jiang Ruan’s treason. Once a search was conducted here, with the evidence right before their eyes, how could Jiang Ruan possibly deny it?
Princess Heyi’s plan was flawless—except she hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be to locate the bamboo pavilion. Still, she felt a twinge of doubt. Why hadn’t she seen a single maid or eunuch in Bramble Bamboo Garden? Normally, there would at least be servants assigned to maintain the place, yet today, not only were there no guards, but even the gardeners were nowhere to be seen.
Along the way, she hadn’t spotted any flowers either. Didn’t Jiang Ruan send maids to gather petals? Why wasn’t there a single blossom here? What was that maid with the flower basket doing earlier? Surely she wasn’t here to collect leaves?
Princess Heyi began to feel uneasy, wondering if she had taken the wrong path. But the maid had definitely come this way. Her hesitation lasted only a moment before she steeled herself. So what if she was wrong? She was a princess of the mighty Da Jin Dynasty—aside from the Emperor’s private quarters, there was nowhere in the palace she couldn’t freely enter. This place had no guards, so it couldn’t be some forbidden inner sanctum. Since she was already here, wouldn’t it be a waste not to investigate?
Princess Heyi, proud and stubborn by nature, refused to back down and dismissed any concerns about the place. Consumed by her desire to destroy Jiang Ruan, she paid no heed to such trivialities. Blinded by hatred, even the most astute minds lose their ability to weigh risks and consequences.
Lifting her skirts gracefully, she ascended the bamboo pavilion. The structure was exquisitely crafted, and as she climbed the steps, she had just reached the seventh stair when—unbeknownst to her—she triggered something. A sharp blade shot out from within with a swift, slicing sound. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Princess Heyi shrieked. Before she could react, a familiar voice rang out from inside the pavilion: “Who goes there?”
“I—” Before she could utter the word “princess,” a flash of silver light streaked across her face, and the step beneath her gave way. She plummeted straight down.
With a loud thud , dust billowed from the ground. Falling from the two-story bamboo pavilion wasn’t fatal, but Princess Heyi, a delicate noblewoman accustomed to luxury, paled from the impact. Whether a bone was broken or not, she gasped in pain and immediately began cursing.
“Ninth Sister,” the familiar voice spoke again, stopping right before her. Princess Heyi’s eyes widened. “Eighth Brother, Fourth Brother.”Ye Li and Ye Lang stood right before her, both wearing expressions of surprise. Clearly, the arrival of Princess Heyi had startled them as well.
"Why are you two here?" Having suffered a loss, Princess Heyi was in no mood to let things slide. Furious and in pain from her leg injury, she lashed out without thinking, just as she always did: "You’ve done this to me! I’ll tell Father about this. I’ll tell him how you two conspired together to do evil and even tried to silence me by killing me!"
Princess Heyi had always been reckless with her words, quick to hurl baseless accusations. She had often used such threats against Ye Hua, mostly just for the sake of venting. Today, she merely wanted to make Ye Li and Ye Lang feel guilty, hoping they would help her deal with Jiang Ruan.
Unfortunately for her, this time, Princess Heyi had miscalculated.
At her words, Ye Li and Ye Lang’s expressions darkened instantly. Ye Lang said, "Ninth Sister, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"Does Fourth Brother think I’m still in the dark?" Princess Heyi had always looked down on Ye Lang, and now her tone dripped with sarcasm: "Who would’ve thought Fourth Brother harbors such grand ambitions? What, now that you’ve sided with Eighth Brother, you’ve grown a backbone? Hmph, Fourth Brother must have forgotten the days when you begged my mother and me for help. Fourth Brother, one must never forget their roots."
Ye Lang had always been branded as talentless. Though Consort Xian held one of the four consort positions, her standing in the palace was far from lofty. Once, Ye Lang had offended envoys from another country, and at that time, Consort Shu was the Emperor’s favorite. Ye Lang had knelt outside Consort Shu’s palace for four full hours before she finally agreed to put in a good word for him before the Emperor.
If Princess Heyi lacked any other skill, she excelled at provoking others. Perhaps she had inherited her mother’s sense of entitlement, but she lacked Consort Shu’s cunning. For instance, even as Ye Lang’s expression darkened visibly, she continued her tirade without pause.
Ye Lang had already been unsettled by Jiang Ruan’s threats the other day, and now Princess Heyi’s words brought his buried resentment to the surface. Staring at her beautiful yet twisted face, he was suddenly reminded of years ago when he was still a young prince, forced to kneel outside Consort Shu’s palace under the scorching sun while the mother-daughter pair inside laughed, flirted, and enjoyed chilled watermelon, indifferent to his suffering. The palace maids and eunuchs passing by all mocked him—he knew they looked down on him.
There were always women in this world as venomous as snakes. The humiliation inflicted upon him by the mother and daughter of Shu Fang Palace suddenly became unbearable. So what if he had to rely on Ye Li? In the grand scheme of things, if Ye Li ascended the throne, there would still be a place for him. With such ambitions within reach, what did one insignificant woman matter?
Abruptly, Ye Lang clasped his hands toward Ye Li and said, "Eighth Brother, it seems Ninth Sister overheard our conversation earlier. This is... unfortunate."
Princess Heyi, noticing Ye Lang’s uncharacteristic reaction, felt a flicker of unease. But she had always been good at masking her emotions, and her face betrayed nothing.
Ye Li glanced at Ye Lang. "Fourth Brother, what do you propose?""This matter is of utmost importance, and not the slightest mistake can be tolerated," Ye Lang whispered. "Only the dead are truly foolproof."
"You're insane, Ye Lang!" Princess Heyi widened her eyes in disbelief. Had she not heard it with her own ears, she would never have believed that the terrifying words came from the incompetent prince everyone in the palace despised. She squirmed uneasily, her injured foot preventing her from standing, so she resorted to threats: "Ye Lang, how dare you kill me? Aren't you afraid Father Emperor will have your head—and your mother the Empress's—chopped off? A worthless prince like you, what gives you the right—"
Her words only darkened Ye Lang's expression further. He turned to Ye Li and said earnestly, "Eighth Brother, please reconsider."
Ye Li had also noticed Ye Lang's unusual demeanor but was in no hurry to refuse. Instead, he suddenly smiled. "Fourth Brother makes a valid point. Why don’t you handle this matter yourself?"
His smile was as warm as a spring breeze, as if discussing a painting or an ancient inkstone—refined and elegant. Yet the words he uttered carried a chilling coldness, their implication sending shivers down the spine.
Ye Lang was taken aback, secretly admiring Ye Li's cunning calculations. Regarding today's events, Ye Li had likely already harbored intentions to kill Heyi Junzhu (Princess Heyi) in his heart, yet deliberately had him propose it—thus making the demand for him to carry out the deed appear natural. This was Ye Li's test for him. If the matter remained undiscovered, he would forever hold an additional leverage over Ye Lang in his presence. If it were exposed, Ye Li would remain entirely uninvolved.
Heyi Junzhu (Princess Heyi) was terrified, now truly feeling fear for the first time. She stammered repeatedly, "No... it wasn't me, I didn’t hear anything, don’t kill me, I didn’t see anything..."
Ye Lang narrowed his eyes. Even if Heyi Junzhu (Princess Heyi) truly hadn’t heard anything today, she had witnessed his ruthless side and knew his intent to silence her. Keeping her alive would only invite future trouble. Moreover... as he looked down at the princess groveling at his feet, an inexplicable sense of dark satisfaction rose within him. It was as if he relished this moment—a sudden, twisted desire to see that beautiful body marred with wounds, her expression frozen in agony forever. As if in that way, the dignity he had lost could be reclaimed.
A sinister smile slowly crept onto his face. "Very well, Eighth Brother, leave it to me."
"No—" Heyi Junzhu (Princess Heyi) let out a piercing scream, frantically trying to call for help. But in this desolate garden, where were the guards? Even if there were any, they would not come to her rescue now. Her delicate hands clawed weakly at the air before suddenly going limp, slowly falling. A streak of blood sprayed from the tip of the sword.
(End of Chapter)
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