To become the mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor is to be its rightful owner. Over the years, though Jinying Wang was labeled a traitorous subject, he was in fact under the imperial family's protection, and the honor, status, and power associated with his position were immeasurable. The wealth and prestige represented by Brocade Hero King Manor were like gilding a person in gold. Who wouldn’t covet such a position? Moreover, Xiao Shao himself was exceptionally handsome. A beautiful husband, a family richer than a nation, no in-laws to answer to, freedom, and prominence—it was every woman’s dream. What virtue or ability did Jiang Ruan possess to become the lady of Brocade Hero King Manor?
"Someone as dashing as Jinying Wang, Da Jiejie must surely like him, but... why would Empress Dowager Yide suddenly decree a marriage?" Jiang Dan asked timidly. "We’ve never heard Da Jiejie mention it before."
At these words, the crowd’s gazes turned thoughtful once more. Jiang Ruan had somehow won Empress Dowager Yide’s favor, prompting the Empress Dowager to personally request the Emperor to bestow upon her the title of Princess of Great Peace. It wasn’t impossible that Jiang Ruan had actively sought the marriage decree to Xiao Shao from Empress Dowager Yide. The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed—surely Jiang Ruan had taken a liking to Xiao Shao’s qualities and the wealth of Brocade Hero King Manor, and thus petitioned the Empress Dowager for the match. What a pity that such a rare and outstanding man like Xiao Shao would be paired with a woman who was all looks and no substance.
"How utterly shameless," Miss Li fumed. "To think such a brazen person exists in this world."
"What a waste," Miss Wang sighed. "I wonder how Prince Xiao feels about this marriage."
"What can he do? A fine cabbage ruined by a pig—what a tragedy," another woman lamented.
Jiang Dan lowered her head, her fists clenched tightly within her sleeves, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
...
That day, the entrance of the Jiang residence was indeed bustling with activity. The crowd gathered in layers, nearly blocking the road outside the Minister’s residence, all because an imperial decree had arrived—bestowing a marriage upon the Princess of Great Peace.
The Princess of Great Peace was now a household name in the capital. Beautiful and favored by the Empress Dowager, yet seemingly cursed by fate, repeatedly framed and imprisoned. Some pitied her plight and decried the injustice, while others secretly rejoiced at her misfortunes. For a time, she was the talk of the town.
In the main hall of the Jiang residence, people knelt inside and out, with Jiang Quan and Jiang Ruan at the forefront. A palace eunuch, his voice shrill and drawn-out, announced, "By the mandate of heaven and the Emperor’s decree, upon the Imperial Decree of Empress Dowager Yide, the noble Jinying Wang is hereby bestowed a pair of golden Ruyi scepters and a set of jade coral. The daughter of the Minister of War, Jiang, virtuous and chaste, is appointed as the Princess of Brocade Glory. A match made in gold and jade. So it is decreed—"
Once finished, the eunuch glanced sideways at those kneeling and said, "Princess of Great Peace, receive the decree."
Jiang Ruan paused briefly before stepping forward with a smile to accept the Imperial Edict. Zisu hurried to present a heavy brocade pouch, smiling as she said, "Your efforts are much appreciated, Eunuch.""You are too kind, County Princess," the eunuch said, weighing the brocade pouch in his hand with a satisfied smile, his tone warm and friendly. "This golden match is truly auspicious, and this humble servant is here to share in your joy." He glanced at Jiang Quan, whose expression had stiffened, and raised an eyebrow. Rumors had long circulated that Lord Jiang was harsh toward his legitimate daughter, and now it seemed they were true. Empress Dowager Yide was intent on protecting Jiang Ruan, and once Jiang Ruan became the mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor, she would wield considerable influence in the Da Jin Dynasty. Eager to curry favor, the eunuch seized the opportunity to admonish Jiang Quan, his voice sharp as he said, "What’s the matter? This is a joyous occasion. Why does Lord Jiang seem less than pleased?"
Jiang Quan started, forcing a smile as he replied, "I am simply overwhelmed with joy and at a loss for words. My daughter is unworthy and hardly a match for Brocade Hero King Manor. It is only by the grace of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager that she has such fortune."
The eunuch smirked without warmth. "Well said, Lord Jiang. Indeed, it is the Empress Dowager’s protection that matters now. Her Majesty has declared that even after entering Brocade Hero King Manor, should Prince Xiao mistreat the County Princess, the Empress Dowager will stand up for her. She treats the County Princess as her own granddaughter, and anyone who dares to bully her will face dire consequences."
The words left Jiang Quan’s face alternating between green and purple. The thinly veiled warning was clearly directed at him, and the implied threat filled him with stifled anger. Yet, though this palace eunuch might seem insignificant, he was close to the Emperor and Empress Dowager—not someone to offend lightly. For now, Jiang Quan had no choice but to swallow his resentment and force a smile. Once the eunuch had finally left, Jiang Quan turned to Jiang Ruan and sneered, "You truly are remarkable!"
"You flatter me, Father. It is all thanks to the Empress Dowager’s blessings," Jiang Ruan replied with a modest bow, her serene expression only deepening Jiang Quan’s frustration. He snorted and stormed off in a huff.
After Jiang Quan had gone, Lianqiao frowned and said, "Miss, this Imperial Decree..." The decree had come without warning, and there was no way to refuse it. Lianqiao sighed inwardly. Born into an official’s family, one’s marriage was never a matter of personal choice. Even if Jinying Wang seemed decent and their young mistress didn’t dislike him, such a direct arrangement disregarded Jiang Ruan’s feelings entirely. At this moment, there wasn’t a trace of joy on Jiang Ruan’s face.
Zisu also felt a pang of sorrow, casting a worried glance at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Prepare yourselves. We’ll visit Brocade Hero King Manor shortly."
She hadn’t expected Xiao Shao to act so swiftly, but there were still matters she needed to clarify.
...
At the Eighth Prince’s residence, Ye Li swept everything off the table in a sudden burst of fury. The delicate porcelain shattered with a sharp crash, scattering white shards across the floor and leaving tiny cuts on the hands of those standing nearby.
Ye Li slumped into his chair, taking a deep breath as if drained of strength, before murmuring slowly, "So that’s it. So he was aiming for the Empress Dowager all along."Previously, the rumors in the palace about Xiao Shao seeking the Emperor's approval for a marriage were likely all part of Xiao Shao's scheme. Judging from subsequent events, the Emperor clearly disapproved of Jiang Ruan becoming the Princess of Brocade Glory. Now, with Empress Dowager Yide's sudden Imperial Decree, Ye Li finally understood. Xiao Shao had never intended to seek the Emperor's approval for the marriage—his target had always been Empress Dowager Yide. The earlier rumors were merely a smokescreen to mislead everyone, causing Ye Li to panic and even agree to Ye Lang's clumsy forced marriage scheme. In the end, Ye Lang died, leaving Ye Li without a useful pawn in the palace and nearly implicating himself in the process.
"Xiao Shao, I truly underestimated him," Ye Li murmured, his eyes narrowing. Though his lips still curved into his usual gentle smile, his gaze was filled with venom, his words dripping with hatred as if he wished to tear Xiao Shao apart. For someone as proud and arrogant as him, nothing was more infuriating than being manipulated—yet Xiao Shao had led him by the nose the entire time. How could he possibly accept this?
The young man seated below him also wore a grim expression, his left hand missing a finger—none other than the Jiang family's second young master, Jiang Chao. If Ye Li was furious, Jiang Chao was no better off. Both Jiang Ruan and her brother were thorns in his side, and now that the Empress Dowager's decree had elevated Jiang Ruan under the protection of the Brocade Hero King Manor, dealing with her in the future would be even harder.
"Did you clean up the mess from the last task I assigned you?" Ye Li abruptly changed the subject, turning to Jiang Chao.
"Your Highness," Jiang Chao hurriedly replied, "everything has been taken care of. The matter in the palace has been settled and won't cause any further trouble."
"Ye Lang was a fool—his death was his own doing," Ye Li remarked indifferently, glancing at the shattered porcelain fragments scattered on the floor. "We'll need to replace our man in the palace." Though Ye Lang had seemed incompetent, he had been an excellent messenger. With him gone, inserting a new pawn into the palace would be difficult, so they would have to recruit from within the existing ranks.
"Does Your Highness intend to target one of the princes? From what I've observed, the Thirteenth Prince seems quite intelligent—perhaps he could be of use," Jiang Chao suggested. Everyone had witnessed Ye Pei's actions that day. Though the Thirteenth Prince had always kept a low profile, he was clearly sharp-witted. The insolent servants who once bullied him now treated him with respect, and even the Emperor had begun to take notice, occasionally sending him gifts.
But no matter how clever the Thirteenth Prince was, his lowborn mother ensured he would never be a contender for the throne. Someone like him—smart but harmless—would make the perfect pawn.
"Clever? Being too clever isn't necessarily a good thing," Ye Li said slowly, shaking his head. "What if he's Xiao Shao's man?"
"You mean…" Jiang Chao was taken aback.
"A mere brat like him couldn't have turned the tables on his own—Xiao Shao must have taught him. The Crown Prince is likely the same. I haven't figured out why Xiao Shao didn't act directly, but I don't want to use Ye Pei." There was another reason Ye Li didn't voice: for some inexplicable reason, the sight of Ye Pei unsettled him, stirring a strange discomfort he couldn't explain. He simply didn't want to see him.
"If not the Thirteenth Prince, who does Your Highness suggest we approach?" Jiang Chao ventured cautiously.“Hasn’t the new batch of court ladies entered the palace?” Ye Li gazed at her fingertips. “There will always be those eager to climb higher. Find an opportunity and carefully select among them.”
Jiang Chao stiffened, then lowered his head respectfully. “Understood.”
…
Clearly, Jiang Ruan’s betrothal announcement had soured more than one person’s mood. In the Eastern Palace, Liu Min stood in the garden pavilion, his expression somber as he watched the koi fish darting through the pond, his thoughts drifting far away.
The Empress Dowager’s Imperial Decree, a grand display of imperial favor, had sealed his fate with a single sentence. His first love had ended before it even began. The mere thought of Jiang Ruan now bearing another’s surname filled Liu Min’s heart with a bitter ache. He was a thorough bookworm, priding himself on his lofty ideals, and for twenty years had never known the pangs of love. By the time he understood his own feelings, it was already too late. Still, Jiang Ruan seemed quite close to Xiao Shao. Given their intimacy, perhaps she… was happy about this decree.
Lost in thought, he was startled when a hand suddenly clapped his shoulder. Turning, Liu Min found himself face-to-face with the Crown Prince’s mischievous grin. “Grand Tutor Liu, what has you so distracted?”
Liu Min shook his head. “Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince casually took a seat beside him and gave him a knowing look. “You’re grieving for the Princess of Great Peace, aren’t you?”
Liu Min was startled. A lady’s reputation was not to be carelessly maligned, and he was about to deny it when the Crown Prince continued, “No need to deny it, Grand Tutor Liu. When it comes to classics and strategy, I may not match you, but in matters of the heart, you pale in comparison.” Propping his chin on his hand, he studied Liu Min curiously. “Honestly, I find it strange. The Princess of Great Peace—let’s be frank—is merely somewhat beautiful. Why are you all so bewitched? Xiao Shao, that block of ice, is one thing, but even someone as unromantic as you grieving for her? Truly eye-opening.”
Liu Min’s lips parted, but no rebuttal came. Normally eloquent, he now found himself silent. In truth, the Crown Prince wasn’t wrong. In his current despondency, he had no energy for verbal sparring. Swallowing his words, he finally said, “Regardless, I must thank Your Highness for speaking up on behalf of the Princess of Great Peace recently.”
“Enough. I didn’t do it just for you.” The Crown Prince waved a hand. Though Liu Min had indeed pleaded with him to help Jiang Ruan, the Crown Prince was never one to meddle in others’ affairs—he even enjoyed spectating. Had it not been for Ye Pei’s intervention, he would never have stepped into this mess.
That day, Ye Pei had asked him if he wanted revenge against the traitorous Fourth Prince, Ye Lang. The Crown Prince had long been furious at Ye Lang’s duplicity but lacked the perfect opportunity to retaliate. Ye Pei’s words piqued his interest, and after hinting at the benefits the Crown Prince could reap, he successfully ignited the Crown Prince’s playful side. The two struck a deal on the spot, setting the stage for this grand performance.The Crown Prince still found it strange how Ye Pei, an unremarkable prince in the palace, could come up with so many ideas. That so-called Golden Mausoleum Master Hand Xia Qing wasn't someone just anyone could invite, yet Ye Pei insisted that merely hinting at some medical techniques in the palace would make Xia Qing agree to enter. And indeed it happened. Back then, the Crown Prince couldn't fathom how Ye Pei could predict things so accurately, but now it seemed clear—it must have all been Xiao Shao's doing. After all, Ye Pei was just a child; scheming at that age was too early for him. Such meticulous planning must have been orchestrated by Xiao Shao.
Though Liu Min was grateful to him, the Crown Prince hadn't helped for Liu Min's sake. Seeing Liu Min so unsettled now, the Crown Prince felt a twinge of sympathy. For all his usual strictness and unpleasantness, Liu Min was ultimately just a straightforward tutor. Watching him so downcast over a woman, and considering their past teacher-student bond, the Crown Prince patted Liu Min's shoulder. "Tutor Liu, there's no need to be so heartbroken. There are countless women in the world—why cling to just one? Soon enough, she'll be another man's wife. You're well-versed in propriety, so why not let me find you a few charming ladies? They may not match the beauty of the Princess of Great Peace, but they certainly won't disappoint."
Liu Min stiffened, quickly standing up. "Your Highness's kindness is appreciated, but I have no such intentions. I have matters to attend to and must take my leave." With that, he bowed and fled as if escaping.
The Crown Prince spat out tea dregs in annoyance. "How tedious."
...
Meanwhile, at the Brocade Hero King Manor, the atmosphere was the complete opposite of the gloom elsewhere—it was practically jubilant with New Year preparations. Since the old Jinying Wang and his wife passed away, the manor had been cold and quiet for years, making this rare scene of universal joy all the more striking. The moment Empress Dowager Yide's Imperial Decree arrived, the entire household spread the news excitedly. Even the Brocade-clad Guards stationed across the Da Jin Dynasty, upon receiving carrier pigeon messages, began pooling money to buy grand wedding gifts for their master and his bride.
Butler Lin, overjoyed, polished his Western spectacles until they gleamed before putting them on. He tugged at Jin Si. "What do you think—should the wedding invitations be gold-stamped or embroidered with heavenly silk threads?" After a moment's thought, he shook his head. "No, better to make them sandalwood slips with glued beads. We still have those glass beads from Persia—stick them on, and they'll shine brilliantly, looking especially luxurious and festive. Yes, that's the way to go."
Jin Si rolled her eyes. "Old Lin, do you really need to make the invitations so elaborate? If the old mistress were still here and saw you squandering like this, she'd regret ever making you the butler."
"What do you know, little girl?" Butler Lin hated nothing more than having his competence questioned. He immediately puffed out his chest proudly. "Wedding invitations done poorly would disgrace the manor. What our master is doing is no small matter—he's getting married! How many people said he'd never take a wife in his lifetime? Well, we're going to prove them all wrong. We'll make this wedding grand and dignified. And as for you calling this squandering—Jin Si, let me tell you, the dowry our master has decided to give? Now that's what you call squandering!"Jin Si's eyes lit up before she could even speak, when suddenly there was a rustling sound from the trees above. Jin San leaped down in one swift motion and eagerly asked Butler Lin, "How much is the betrothal gift?"
"Guess?" Butler Lin deliberately kept them in suspense, thoroughly whetting their appetites.
"Forty-nine chests?" Jin Si ventured. With a temperament more akin to a man's, she wasn't very familiar with matters of dowries and betrothal gifts, so she just threw out a number.
"Pah, forty-nine chests are for beggars!" Jin San shook her head. "For a woman, the more betrothal gifts, the more glorious it is. I guess eighty-one chests." Though Jin San was more feminine than Jin Si, her usual duties as a Brocade-clad Guard left her somewhat lacking in knowledge about such typical feminine concerns.
Butler Lin gave them a look of exasperation. "To think you'd consider our Brocade Hero King Manor so shabby—eighty-one chests? It's a full one hundred and sixty-eight chests!"
"One hundred and sixty-eight chests?" Jin San and Jin Si exclaimed in unison. Jin San frowned. "But how much is that, really?"
"Let me put it plainly for you. That one hundred and sixty-eight chests of betrothal gifts could buy the entire assets of three Minister's residences and still have leftovers," Butler Lin said. "But that's just the betrothal gifts. Judging by our master's temperament, once the princess consort enters the household, the entire Brocade Hero King Manor will be hers. Ah, grown children don't stay—our master only cares for his wife now, not us servants." Despite the melancholy in his tone by the end, his face was brimming with joy.
A betrothal gift equivalent to three Minister's residences was undeniably extravagant. Jin San and Jin Si exchanged glances, each seeing astonishment reflected in the other's eyes. Jin San swallowed hard and asked, "With so many gifts, didn't our master worry about giving it all to the Minister's residence, letting them benefit for nothing?"
Butler Lin shook his head. "Fool, how could all those gifts be sent to the Minister's residence? Of course, they'll all be handed over to the princess consort for safekeeping. No need to worry—our master has already made arrangements."
"Our master is such a man," Jin San blinked. "If I were a woman, I'd want to marry him too."
"Aren't you a woman?" Butler Lin scoffed. "But our master wouldn't fancy you anyway—you're not as pretty as the princess consort."
"..."
...
While Butler Lin continued bantering with Jin San and Jin Si, he was unaware that Jiang Ruan had already strode boldly through the main gates of the Brocade Hero King Manor. The manor's servants didn't even notify Butler Lin, each one eagerly welcoming their future mistress—some guiding her, others introducing the sights. Every servant they encountered along the way greeted her with utmost respect, bowing and addressing her as "Princess Consort" in voices louder than usual, making Luzhu cover her mouth to stifle giggles.
When the attendant led Jiang Ruan to Xiao Shao's study, the servants tactfully withdrew. Luzhu and Tianzhu considerately closed the door behind them, leaving the two recipients of the Imperial Decree of marriage alone in their private moment.
"Xiao Shao, what are you up to?" Jiang Ruan asked. Xiao Shao's actions had been so swift they left no room for reaction—now she found herself abruptly tied to the Brocade Hero King Manor's ship without warning.Xiao Shao turned around. Today, he wasn’t wearing his usual black robes but instead donned a dark red long gown with a round collar embroidered with cloud patterns. It made him appear gentler than usual, even more handsome, with his deep, ink-black eyes so captivating that one could easily lose themselves in them after a few glances. He gazed intently at Jiang Ruan and asked, "Are you unhappy?"
"Now the entire capital is saying that this fine cabbage of yours has been dug up by me. Do you think I can be happy?" Jiang Ruan was displaying such obvious emotion toward him for the first time.
A flicker of amusement flashed in Xiao Shao’s eyes. "It doesn’t matter. I’ll let you dig."
His accommodating attitude left one at a loss for words. Jiang Ruan glared at him for a moment. "Are you feeling very pleased with yourself right now?"
"I’m very happy," Xiao Shao murmured as he leaned closer to her. He was naturally tall, and at this proximity, Jiang Ruan barely reached his chest—from a distance, it almost looked as if he were embracing her. His voice carried a tenderness and indulgence he himself hadn’t noticed. "My consort."
Jiang Ruan took a step back, maintaining her distance from him. What was this person trying to achieve by using such honeyed words regardless of time or place? Being good-looking certainly had its advantages—there was no denying how effective this tactic was. With that faint smile of his and a tone laced with inexplicable allure, Xiao Shao suddenly appeared as charming as jade, a stark contrast to his usual aloof and indifferent demeanor.
"Why so sudden?" Jiang Ruan frowned.
Xiao Shao lowered his gaze to look at her. "Your elder brother's matter cannot be delayed any longer. In half a month, I will depart for Tianjin. To avoid complications, I must settle things with you before then, lest unforeseen issues arise."
Settle things? His words were somewhat baffling, but Jiang Ruan had no time to dwell on them now. "Half a month?"
"Time is pressing. Many in the court have their eyes on you. The Empress Dowager has decreed that once I leave, you will reside in Brocade Hero King Manor. We will marry upon my triumphant return." Xiao Shao's voice was firm. "Brocade Hero King Manor can ensure your safety. The marriage is a temporary measure. Rest assured, I understand your thoughts. After the wedding, I will not force anything upon you." At this point, the tips of Xiao Shao's ears reddened slightly, though his expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
Jiang Ruan was far more composed than he was. She met his gaze and said simply, "Fine." With Xiao Shao's prideful nature and her own lack of extraordinary beauty, she was certain he wouldn't resort to coercion. On this point, she felt entirely at ease. Once she reasoned it through, she found their relationship less awkward—if she considered him a helpful ally, it wasn’t such a bad arrangement.
Lost in thought, she remained silent. Xiao Shao studied her intently for a moment before suddenly speaking again. "But once you enter Brocade Hero King Manor, you will be Xiao Shao's woman. If anyone causes trouble, do not hesitate—deal with them directly." After a pause, he added, "As for Liu Min, Ye Pei, and Gu Yi, you need not concern yourself with them either."
(End of Chapter)
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