But Xia Yan had never considered that if Jiang Chao truly cared about his birth mother, he wouldn't have gone so long without even asking about her. Even if Jiang Chao was usually busy, sending a servant to check on her would have been simple. Just like when Jiang Ruan was sent to the manor and suffered abuse, these people dared to act so recklessly precisely because they saw Jiang Chao's indifference toward Xia Yan. Jiang Chao wasn't foolish—he naturally knew Xia Yan might be mistreated at the manor, yet he remained unmoved. His selfishness had reached its peak. Though Xia Yan was ruthless, she was still a devoted mother. Everything she did was to pave the way for her two children. Unfortunately, both siblings were equally self-centered and never truly cherished their birth mother.
Jiang Chao glanced at Xia Yan and suddenly said, "Mother, Su Su is dead."
Xia Yan froze, staring at him in shock.
Jiang Chao continued calmly, "She fell into someone's trap, angered Father, and was to be sent to a nunnery. She refused, escaped at night, was caught by bandits, and... was violated before taking her own life."
His words were measured, each syllable like a knife stabbing into Xia Yan's heart. A strangled cry tore from her throat, but no words came out—only endless tears streaming down her face.
"Why... didn't you protect her?" she managed to ask hoarsely.
"Protect her?" Jiang Chao sneered. "How could I? Shouldn't you, as our mother, have protected us? Do you know why she fell into that trap? Because she tried to seduce Jinying Wang, willing to become his concubine! Do you know why a noble-born daughter like her would stoop so low? Because your reputation is ruined, and no one has come to propose marriage to her! That bitch Jiang Ruan has already been granted a marriage to Jinying Wang by the Empress Dowager. Meanwhile, Su Su was left in the dust because of your disgrace. Her death is entirely your fault!"
Xia Yan trembled violently, staring at Jiang Chao in disbelief. That incident had clearly been a setup—even if others doubted her virtue, how could her own son say such things to her?
What she didn't know was that Jiang Chao, humiliated by her tarnished reputation, had become the target of his colleagues' ridicule. His accusations against her over Jiang Susu's death were merely an outlet for his own resentment. He blamed Xia Yan!
"No... it wasn't me..." Xia Yan whispered.
Jiang Chao shook his head. "It doesn't matter now, Mother. But I promised Su Su I'd avenge her. Right now, both Jinying Wang and Jiang Ruan outrank me. The only way I can fulfill that promise is by advancing in my career." His gaze darkened as he looked at her. "And as long as you're alive, you'll remain a stain on my name, holding me back from rising honorably."
It took Xia Yan a long moment to grasp his meaning. She stared at her son as if he were a stranger. "You... want me to die?"
"Since you've always loved us so dearly, I'm merely fulfilling Su Su's wish. There's no other way." Jiang Chao's voice was low, devoid of any remorse. "You're a smart woman, Mother. Surely you don't want that bitch Jiang Ruan to trample over your son."
"You monster...!" Xia Yan gasped for breath. "Get out!"Jiang Chao shook his head. "I came this time only because blood is thicker than water, wanting to make Mother more comfortable. Since Mother refuses to accept my goodwill, I have no choice but to give up. However... some things don’t rely on the process, only the outcome matters, isn’t that right?"
"You want to kill me?" Xia Yan’s eyes widened in shock.
"No, I believe Mother will come to understand, won’t you?" He smiled slowly, revealing his white teeth, but the bright demeanor he once had was gone. Under the lamplight, he resembled a frenzied beast. "The beams in this room are high enough, Mother. Trading one life for an unblemished reputation—Mother knows what’s most cost-effective, doesn’t she?"
He strode out the door without another word.
...
The weather grew even colder.
After a night of rain, the air the next morning was much fresher. Zisu pushed open the window. Raindrops from the previous night still clung to the branches outside, glistening and translucent, spinning briefly before falling into the soil below. The room was instantly filled with the unique fragrance of rain-soaked earth.
After washing up and having breakfast, Jiang Ruan walked to the window just as Luzhu hurried into the room. She placed the rose pastry and tea on the table, blinked at Jiang Ruan, and suddenly lowered her voice. "Miss, the First Madam is gone."
Jiang Ruan responded with a faint "Hmm" and sat down in the chair by the window. The rose pastry Luzhu had brought back looked exceptionally fresh, its delicate pink hue glowing softly under the morning sun, appearing even more moist and appealing. She slowly picked up a piece, her snow-white fingertips holding the pastry, exuding a unique charm.
Luzhu continued, "The Second Miss is also gone, and so is the Fifth Concubine."
Three deaths in a row, yet Jiang Ruan’s expression remained unchanged, as if she had long anticipated this outcome. A fleeting trace of weariness might have flashed in her eyes, but it was too brief for anyone to notice.
"The prince’s scouts saw it with their own eyes," Luzhu said anxiously, quickening her words at Jiang Ruan’s lack of reaction. "The Second Young Master led men to find the Second Miss, but somehow ended up killing her. When he returned to the manor, he told the master that the Second Miss had been abducted by bandits and committed suicide. As for the Fifth Concubine, she swallowed gold and died." Luzhu paused in thought. "But the First Madam’s case is rather strange. They say the Second Young Master visited her at the estate last night, and by midnight, she was found hanging from a white silk noose. However, the master has ordered this matter kept quiet for now. No one knows why."
Jiang Ruan replied indifferently, "It’s not strange. With three deaths in the manor at once—Hong Ying aside, as she was merely a concubine—the sudden demise of both the Jiang family’s legitimate Second Miss and the First Madam would inevitably invite speculation. The Jiang family is already mired in rumors in the capital. My father is cautious by nature and wouldn’t want to add fuel to the fire at such a time."
Luzhu suddenly understood. "So that’s why. But why would the First Madam take her own life? And the Second Young Master—to kill the Second Miss just to free her from suffering, that’s truly too cruel."
A hint of mockery flashed in Jiang Ruan’s eyes, her tone chillingly cold. "He didn’t do it to free Jiang Susu from suffering. He simply didn’t want her to become a stumbling block in his career. As long as Jiang Susu lived, she could one day become evidence used against him. My second brother is determined to climb higher, so of course he would personally destroy that evidence."Luzhu gasped in shock, never having imagined such depths. No matter how Jiang Chao and his sister treated Jiang Ruan, the two siblings always stood united, their bond as blood siblings undeniably genuine. Who would have thought Jiang Chao could abandon and even kill his own sister for personal gain? Truly, it was nothing short of terrifying.
Though Luzhu came from humble origins and had broader experiences than Zisu and Lianqiao, her inherently kind nature made it difficult for her to fathom such dark and vile deeds. She always held onto the belief that human nature was fundamentally good. Jiang Ruan, however, was different. To some extent, she deeply distrusted human nature, firmly convinced of its inherent wickedness. What others might struggle to consider, she naturally grasped without effort.
She continued, "As for Xiayan’s death, it was merely incited by Jiang Chao. My second brother has now reached a point of desperation. His reckless disregard for consequences clearly signals his intent to gamble everything. I fear it won’t be long before he attempts something monumental."
Hearing this, Luzhu’s heart skipped a beat. "Then, are they preparing to act against you, miss?"
"The more they act, the better." Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, though the expression sent a chill down Luzhu’s spine. "I’m eager to see who will emerge victorious in this game."
Luzhu fell silent, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Miss, I heard from Jin Er that Prince Xiao will be departing for the battlefield in less than five days."
Jiang Ruan paused briefly, lowering her gaze. Five days—so soon?
...
In his study, Xiao Shao was reviewing military dispatches from the border, each report brimming with crisis. The tense situation was palpable even from afar. Jiang Xin Zhi’s whereabouts remained unknown, Guan Lianghan was injured, and morale among the troops had plummeted. Meanwhile, the Celestial Jin Kingdom’s army had inexplicably altered its tactics repeatedly, striking unpredictably. If this continued, even the remaining forces would face annihilation.
To his left lay a battle formation map. Even from a thousand miles away, he had to maintain control over the entire situation. The world praised Jinying Wang as a young hero, commanding a hundred thousand Brocade-clad Guards, yet none had witnessed his brilliance in strategizing victories from afar. The journey from the capital to the border took over a month round trip. For now, he could only draft defensive measures to send to the frontlines, buying time until he could arrive in person and catch the enemy off guard.
The room was silent, the Brocade-clad Guards having all withdrawn. He hadn’t slept a wink all night, meticulously analyzing enemy formations without even pausing to eat.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Xiao Shao’s senses stirred as the aroma of food reached him. To his surprise, Jiang Ruan stood there, carrying a tray of pastries and porridge herself.
Though she had been staying at the Brocade Hero King Manor these days, the two had strictly observed propriety, never overstepping boundaries. Moreover, Xiao Shao was often elusive—busy outside during the day and immersed in military strategies at night—so their paths rarely crossed. Jiang Ruan, with her reserved nature, lived comfortably within the manor’s walls but seldom ventured beyond her courtyard.Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan had come in person today. In the brief moment Xiao Shao was taken aback, she had already walked to his side, placing down the pastries and porridge. "Osmanthus cakes and chicken porridge from the kitchen," she said. "I've tasted them—they're quite good. Eat up." She performed these actions with utter naturalness, as if she had done them countless times before. Xiao Shao gave her a somewhat surprised glance but made no move.
"You haven't eaten all day," Jiang Ruan continued. "Do you want to starve to death in your own manor?"
Jiang Ruan usually treated others with gentleness, maintaining a smiling expression that made her features appear vivid and radiant. Yet upon closer inspection, that smile never reached her eyes—it was like an exquisitely crafted mask, ultimately giving off a faint sense of detachment. She rarely let her emotions show; even with those close to her, including Jiang Xin Zhi, her expressions were mostly comforting, never revealing any particular displeasure.
At her core, she was someone who clearly distinguished love from hate, yet both were concealed beneath that smiling facade. This made her smile rather intriguing—though it might look the same, its meaning could differ entirely. For instance, at this moment, she was clearly smiling, but the reproach and displeasure in her gaze were unmistakably noticed by a certain someone.
Xiao Shao gave a quiet "Mm" before taking the spoon from Jiang Ruan's hand. He slowly scooped a mouthful of porridge and tasted it, finding it exceptionally delicious today. He finished the bowl quickly.
Jiang Ruan sat down across from him and asked, "I heard you'll be leaving soon?"
Her question was abrupt, yet Xiao Shao didn't find it odd. "That's right," he replied.
"Be careful," Jiang Ruan added after a moment's thought. After all, she would eventually marry this man. Regardless of his true nature, Xiao Shao had unconditionally helped her thus far. In this life, she no longer trusted people easily, but he was an exception. She paused before continuing, "I'll guard Brocade Hero King Manor for you."
Xiao Shao was stunned by her words once more, unable to resist looking up at her.
He knew exactly what kind of person Jiang Ruan was. From their very first encounter, he had seen clearly that this young woman was calm, decisive, ruthless, and brimming with hostility. She seemed to harbor many secrets, stubbornly sealing away her heart in a corner. On the surface, she appeared heartless, but that wasn't entirely true. She had risked everything for Jiang Xin Zhi, distanced herself to protect the Zhao family, and even aided Ye Pei after just one meeting in the palace. In truth, she was fiercely protective—though few earned that protection.
Her words today were a promise. A promise to him. She was saying that Brocade Hero King Manor would henceforth become part of her responsibilities. I'll guard it for you...
The young woman before him had bright eyes and pearly teeth, her features as exquisite as a painting. Unlike Jiang Susu's delicate beauty, every part of her face was flawlessly refined. Now, as she gradually shed her youthful innocence, she was beginning to reveal a peerless elegance. The shimmering clarity of her eyes, like mountain springwater, curved faintly at the corners, naturally exuding an unparalleled charm. And when she smiled lightly, it seemed as though the evening glow of the sky had been captured in her gaze.Xiao Shao had seen countless beauties in his lifetime, yet at this moment, he couldn't help but admit that the young maiden before him truly deserved the title of "Nation-destroying enchantress." If she set her mind to it and carefully employed her charms, she could very well topple an empire by captivating a beauty-obsessed emperor. At times, even he lacked confidence, as if she might be snatched away at any moment.
"You don't need to do these things," Xiao Shao said, looking at her. "The Brocade Hero King Manor will protect you. If we fail, you needn't waste your efforts on this."
Jiang Ruan was fiercely protective of those close to her, and Xiao Shao even more so. Back when the hundred thousand Brocade-clad Guards were left without a leader, Xiao Shao was still young, and the Emperor dared not easily entrust such power to him. The Brocade-clad Guards became a hot potato—everyone said such an elite force, loyal only to the Brocade Hero King Manor, would be too difficult to truly command. Many speculated the Emperor would eventually disband them. Rumors ran rampant, and life grew increasingly difficult for the Brocade-clad Guards. Soldiers from armies they had once suppressed turned against them, kicking them while they were down. It was then that Xiao Shao stepped forward himself, offering to infiltrate the Eastern Barbarian Country and assassinate the rebel leader as a condition to preserve the Brocade-clad Guards. He would overturn a noble manor for the sake of a single Shadow guard, and he would wage an endless war against the powerful to avenge the wrongful death of one of his own. Xiao Shao's protectiveness was well-known, and for this, the Brocade-clad Guards revered him, loved him, and were willing to go through fire and water for him.
In some ways, he and Jiang Ruan were very much alike.
(End of Chapter)
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