Xiao Shao's temperament was such that now that Jiang Ruan was his future wife, he naturally took her under his protective wing. He didn’t want Jiang Ruan to be hurt over trivial matters, and the fact that she could make such a promise already surprised him greatly.
“No, Xiao Shao,” Jiang Ruan refused. “This isn’t just any dispensable manor—this is the Brocade Hero King Manor, the place where your father and mother lived. It represents the achievements and pride of the old Jinying Wang, the dignity of the Xiao family. Even if this dynasty were to fall, it must not be trampled upon.” She said softly, “I won’t let it be trampled upon.”
Xiao Shao was stunned, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. When people spoke of the Brocade Hero King Manor or Jinying Wang, they only remembered the old Jinying Wang’s rebellion. A villain who commits a thousand wrongs only needs to do one good deed to be seen as good, while a good person who does a thousand good deeds but commits one wrong will have all their past virtues erased. For so many years, he had guarded the Xiao family and the Brocade-clad Guards. The world feared his power but never truly respected him from the heart. People were always forgetful—they forgot who had led these so-called "traitorous" Brocade-clad Guards to battle against foreign invaders, maintaining the balance of this dynasty. The glorious achievements of their ancestors flourished amidst splendor, while those who had charged into battle gradually faded into obscurity.
Yet she called this the old Jinying Wang’s achievement and pride, the dignity of the Xiao family. Even if this dynasty fell, it must not be trampled upon. At this moment, the shock in his heart was beyond words. Acting faster than reason, he seized Jiang Ruan’s hand and pulled her into his embrace.
Jiang Ruan was slightly taken aback as she found herself enveloped in Xiao Shao’s arms. Pressed against his chest, she was puzzled when she felt his chin resting atop her head. The young man’s voice was low, carrying a faint sigh as he said, “Thank you.”
Her heart stirred. After a moment’s hesitation, she tentatively wrapped her arms around his waist in return and replied, “There’s no need to thank me. Since I’ll be marrying into this family, this is my responsibility too.”
Xiao Shao slowly released her, and as Jiang Ruan moved to step back, he caught her chin before she could rise. Startled, she looked up to find his intense gaze locked onto hers.
This man was naturally handsome, with a rare air of heroic vigor. Yet his usual cold and indifferent demeanor kept others at a distance. But when his expression softened, his entire being took on a refined and striking beauty. His eyes were dark as ink, exceptionally striking—like the dazzling stars in the capital’s night sky, bursting with boundless radiance against the deep darkness, almost blinding in their brilliance.
Now, as he held her chin and leaned slightly forward, his thin lips curved into a faint smile, suddenly exuding an irresistible charm. It was as if the chilly autumn day had abruptly given way to overwhelming spring warmth. With features as exquisite as a painting, he slowly closed the distance between them in a firm, unstoppable motion.
Jiang Ruan froze, her body stiffening instinctively as she thought to pull away. But when she met those dark, fathomless eyes, for some reason, she couldn’t move.This man appeared cold but was deeply sentimental. His face was icy, yet his heart burned with warmth. He was powerful, living his life with unbridled freedom. In her past life, she had been distant from him, but in this life, through twists of fate, they had drawn so close. He didn’t impose, instead surrounding her like a drop of water, a wisp of cloud, gradually stepping into her life. She had tried to resist but found it futile. She was strong-willed, yet he was no fragile man either.
In this lifetime, he silently aided her, rejecting any mutually beneficial arrangement—he was not merely someone to be used.
Jiang Ruan slowly closed her eyes. She did not refuse.
A kiss brushed her lips, light as a dragonfly skimming water, then swiftly withdrew—he was, after all, a gentleman.
Jiang Ruan slowly opened her eyes. In his gaze, she saw a flicker of quiet joy and affection he couldn’t conceal. That faint tenderness sent ripples through her heart, then like a short blade, it began to grind slowly against it.
He was such a good man, his feelings so genuine, so unfeigned. Yet, why did it have to be in this life?
Had it been her past life, when she was still that naive, foolish girl brimming with endless hope for love, she could have wholeheartedly loved and returned his sincerity when facing Xiao Shao. But fate was capricious—Xiao Shao had met her in this life, a cold-blooded, vengeful woman who no longer knew how to love.
A sudden wave of self-loathing and despair washed over her. Noticing her expression, Xiao Shao paused, then gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, frowning.
Jiang Ruan looked at him and suddenly smiled. “Xiao Shao, do you regret asking the Empress Dowager for our marriage?”
“No,” he replied.
Xiao Shao had spent years accustomed to solitude, never bothering to decipher the complexities of a woman’s heart. So he didn’t understand the reason for Jiang Ruan’s abrupt melancholy.
His consort had always been adept at masking her emotions. Just moments ago, he had sensed her fleeting despair and self-disgust, yet in an instant, she had returned to her usual calm and composed smile.
Jiang Ruan suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close and holding him tightly.
Xiao Shao was momentarily stunned by her unexpected initiative. After a pause, he hesitantly raised a hand to pat her back gently, as if soothing a startled creature.
Jiang Ruan rested her head against his shoulder. He couldn’t see her face, nor could he know what resolution his betrothed had made in that moment.
He was too good—so good it pained her to hurt him, so good that even her heart of stone had unknowingly begun to soften. Since he said he had no regrets, then in this life, there would be no chance for regret. She was willing to let go of her reservations and try to accept him, whether with love or without. Naturally, she would never let him regret it either.Five days later, Xiao Shao led a hundred thousand Brocade-clad Guards to march against Tianjin. Accompanying them were the old General Zhao and his three sons, though the Zhao Family Army was dispatched to the Western Rong frontier, where recent disturbances suggested ulterior motives. The Emperor's intentions were unfathomable—no one could discern why he chose this moment to send the Zhao family away. With only Zhao Yi, Zhao Yulong, and Zhao Feizhou remaining, the Zhao family posed little threat, yet their weakened position left them vulnerable to opportunistic attacks. Should anyone choose to strike at this critical juncture, the Zhao family would find themselves in dire straits.
Yet none dared defy the Emperor's decree, and the loyal Zhao family had no reason to refuse. That very day, they departed the capital alongside Xiao Shao and the Brocade-clad Guards.
Though Jinying Wang had taken command of the campaign, his betrothed remained in the capital. According to the customs of the Da Jin Dynasty, an unmarried woman whose future husband was away at war could reside in his household. Out of compassion for the Princess of Great Peace, the Empress Dowager issued an edict permitting her to stay at the Brocade Hero King Manor.
Meanwhile, the Princess’s maternal home, the Jiang residence, suffered a series of misfortunes. First, Lord Jiang accidentally injured one of his concubines, whose injuries proved fatal. Then, the missing second young miss was found—she had been abducted by bandits and, to preserve her chastity, had taken her own life. Though Jiang Susu had not enjoyed the best reputation in life, death forgave all sins, and people were always more lenient toward beauty.
Most shocking of all, the Jiang family’s first madam, née Xia, succumbed to a long illness. Before even three months had passed, the Xia family sent a distant cousin—a new madam for the Jiang household.
Many had assumed that with the death of the first madam, the last ties between the Jiang and Xia families would be severed. Yet the Xia family personally delivered a new bride, preserving the alliance between the two houses. Those who had hoped for drama were sorely disappointed.
Though Xia Yan’s relationship with the Jiang family remained intact, Lord Jiang’s reputation suffered. Imperial Censors flooded the Emperor’s desk with memorials condemning him for remarrying before his first wife’s bones had even cooled—proof, they claimed, of his fickle nature.
For years, the Jiang family had stood firm in court, their name synonymous with integrity. Now, bit by bit, that reputation crumbled. Jiang Quan’s hasty remarriage stripped away the last vestiges of their former glory. From then on, when people spoke of the Jiang residence, it was no longer as a noble house of virtue, but as the home of a mediocre official plagued by domestic strife.
These changes seeped into the environment unnoticed, even by the family themselves. Yet as the saying goes, a thousand-mile dike may collapse due to an ant hole—what seemed like minor incidents now would eventually trigger a chain of events. This was only the beginning.
If there was any cause for celebration in the capital, it was the complete upheaval of the imperial harem. With the three consort positions vacant, a new batch of imperial concubines rose to prominence, among them three particularly favored ladies:
The youngest legitimate daughter of the Hanlin Academy’s Wang family, Wang Lian’er;
The eldest daughter of the Yingwu Marquis’s main branch, the illegitimate Mu Xirou;
And the Jiang family’s fourth young miss, the illegitimate Jiang Dan.When an emperor's foundation is still unstable, the women he favors are often tied to their family's power and influence, representing the strength of certain noble houses. Once the emperor's rule is firmly established and nothing can shake his throne, he no longer favors women from prominent families. Instead, he chooses those without backing or connections as his beloved consorts—women who are delicate and dependent, incapable of stirring trouble, surviving only through his favor. Suspicion is inherent in emperors throughout history; only such women are entirely harmless, free from ulterior motives.
These women either come from families with hollow prestige but no real power or are mere insignificant daughters of concubines, overlooked by their clans. To the emperor, they pose no threat. Yet, among the many palace ladies, these three stood out. Wang Lian'er was the most poetic and refined, the emperor's gentle confidante, her demeanor soft and graceful like a delicate maiden strolling beneath the misty rain of Jiangnan—somewhat reminiscent of Noble Consort Chen from years past.
Mu Xirou possessed the most striking beauty, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley, though her temperament was excessively cold. Even toward the emperor, she remained aloof. Yet, this very indifference piqued his interest, making her the famed "Ice Beauty" of the palace.
Among the three, Jiang Dan was the least remarkable in appearance, nor was she purely gentle and accommodating. Her encounter with the emperor had been somewhat coincidental—one night, she was seen in her courtyard praying to the moon, her words simple and sincere, wishing only for her family's peace and prosperity. Accustomed to all manner of beauties, the emperor was struck by her natural innocence. Concealing his identity, he conversed with her through the night, growing increasingly charmed by her purity. The next day, he sent an Imperial Edict elevating her status.
Now, all three had risen from lowly palace ladies to fourth-rank beauties—a meteoric ascent for daughters of concubines. Currently, Wang Lian'er enjoyed the most favor, while Mu Xirou held the emperor's fascination. Though Jiang Dan had been promoted, she had yet to receive a summons from the emperor. Yet, she remained unbothered, living contentedly. Her servants, however, fretted, urging her to find a way to meet the emperor again lest she lose his favor. Jiang Dan paid no heed, continuing her tranquil routine, much to their frustration.
One day, while admiring flowers in the palace garden, Jiang Dan grew weary and retreated to a pavilion to rest. Feeling inspired, she instructed her maids to gather fallen petals and morning dew, intending to brew floral wine later. Dissatisfied with merely supervising, she rose, lifting her skirts to join them in their task.
Unbeknownst to her, at the far end of the garden, a figure stood watching her movements intently.
Jiang Chao lowered his head and murmured to Ye Li, "Your Highness, are you certain it's her?" Hesitation laced his voice. "Perhaps another choice would be better. Using Jiang Dan... it's far too risky."Ye Li narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke slowly, "Oh? You speak of taking risks—what are your thoughts on her?"
Jiang Chao pondered for a moment, as if struggling to recall anything about Jiang Dan. Unfortunately, his relationship with his fourth sister had always been distant, and he couldn't think of anything noteworthy. After a pause, he shook his head and said, "This fourth sister of mine—born to a concubine, raised under the care of the late madam—has always been timid. Even a slightly raised voice in the household would frighten her. She’s truly of little use." After a brief hesitation, he added, "And she isn’t particularly clever either. Why would Your Highness choose her to be one of our people?"
Ye Li shook his head. "Jiang Chao, do you know why, despite following me for so long, you’ve repeatedly failed to secure a higher position? Why you can’t seize every opportunity I give you, allowing others to take the lead instead?"
Jiang Chao stiffened, his expression turning serious. "I beg Your Highness to enlighten me!"
"You are ruthless enough and capable in your methods, but alas, you are too arrogant." Ye Li sighed. "You never truly observe those around you, leading you to underestimate them. For instance, you are underestimating Jiang Dan right now."
"Your Highness, I don’t understand," Jiang Chao said. "Even if my fourth sister entered the palace as a Beauty, it was only due to my father’s maneuvering and her own luck. But she lacks ambition. Didn’t Your Highness say that those without ambition are of little use? Despite receiving the Emperor’s decree to be promoted as a Beauty, she didn’t even try to capitalize on it, wasting a golden opportunity. Now, among the three Beauties, Wang Lian’er and Mu Xirou are both more favored than her."
Ye Li shook his head again. "That’s where you’re mistaken. You only saw Lord Jiang sending Jiang Dan into the palace, but did you consider how much effort Jiang Dan herself put into it? Do you truly believe her so-called 'chance encounter' with His Majesty was mere coincidence, as others claim? That it was just luck?"
Jiang Chao remained silent. He had harbored doubts, but Jiang Dan seemed so insignificant in his eyes that he couldn’t bring himself to suspect her. With her timid nature and lack of cunning, how could she possibly scheme against the ruler of a nation?
"You see, this is your flaw." Ye Li sighed. "I think Lord Jiang has raised his daughters quite well. Both the eldest and the fourth young lady of the Jiang family are truly exceptional." He gave Jiang Chao a meaningful glance, half-smiling. "Your fourth sister is a viper—perhaps even more adept at biding her time than you are. Look—" He nodded toward Jiang Dan’s direction.
Following his gaze, Jiang Chao saw Jiang Dan laughing merrily with a group of palace maids, displaying none of the airs befitting a palace Beauty. Just as he was struck by this thought, a figure clad in bright yellow robes slowly approached from behind Jiang Dan.
It was the Emperor.
The Emperor had merely been passing through the garden when he heard the distant sound of women’s laughter—clear and melodious like silver bells, infectious in its joy. Intrigued, he deliberately took a detour to see who it might be.At first glance, he was momentarily stunned. Among the palace maids stood a young woman holding a flower basket in one hand and a freshly fallen, intact begonia in the other. A soft smile graced her lips, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons—bright, sparkling, and utterly charming. She wore a peach-colored embroidered dress with a vibrant emerald short jacket, radiating a youthful allure unique to her age. While her features could only be described as delicately pretty, every movement carried an innate playfulness—natural and full of vitality, never seeming affected. Even amidst the crowd of palace maids, she stood out effortlessly.
The Emperor stepped forward and asked, "What is your name?"
The girl seemed startled, turning around and blushing the moment she saw him. Perhaps from prolonged laughter, tiny beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, adding to her endearing charm. Lowering her head, she appeared flustered and hesitant before finally replying, "This humble concubine... is named Jiang Dan."
"It's you—" By the time she spoke, the Emperor had already recognized her face. "You were the one who kept me company in conversation that night."
The Emperor, burdened with endless state affairs, had encountered countless beauties in his time—women of unparalleled grace and talent were innumerable within the palace's three main halls, six side palaces, and seventy-two consorts. Each one was exceptional in her own right, making it rare for anyone to leave a lasting impression on him. That night, the simple and unpretentious girl had been but a fleeting glimpse in his memory. Though he had elevated her rank, he had soon forgotten about her. Yet now, seeing her again, she struck him with renewed brilliance. It was nearly impossible for the Emperor not to take notice of Jiang Dan this time. If their first encounter had merely been a prelude, the current Jiang Dan had already carved a distinct impression in the Emperor's mind—one entirely different from Wang Meiren or Mu Meiren. Accustomed to women who were either enchanting or aloof, the Emperor now found himself intrigued by this lively, spirited charm.
With a smile, he said, "Rise. Accompany me for a walk."
In the distance, Ye Li arched an eyebrow. "See that? That's your fourth sister's skill."
Jiang Chao stared incredulously at Jiang Dan walking side by side with the Emperor. In that brief moment, her playful, adorable smile had even stunned him. Back in the manor, his fourth sister had only ever worn one expression—fear and timidity. For a second, he was utterly bewildered, almost convinced that the Jiang Dan before him was a different person altogether.
"She wasn't avoiding the fight—she was biding her time," Ye Li remarked with a faint smile. "She excels at lying low. Unless the odds are entirely in her favor, she won't act. Just watch—this Jiang Meiren will soon rise to favor."
"But," Jiang Chao suppressed his shock and asked, "how could she possibly cooperate with us?"
"There's ambition in her eyes," Ye Li said. "Ambitious people are never timid. Jiang Chao, when you have the chance, pay more visits to your fourth sister. She'll be tempted—because she wants to climb higher. And we, too, need someone who can speak before the Emperor."When Noble Consort Chen was still in favor, he had always been successful. With just a few words whispered in the Emperor's ear by her, His Majesty would show him some sympathy. But now that the noble consort had fallen from grace, neither the Empress nor De Fei would speak well of him. The Emperor's attitude toward him grew increasingly distant, and even the usually composed Ye Li began to feel a sense of urgency.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jiang Chao lowered his head. "Jinying Wang and Zhao Guang set out over two months ago and should have reached the battlefield by now. Yesterday's scout report indicated the situation is already under control. If this continues..." He trailed off. The more favorable the war situation became, the worse it was for them. They couldn't allow such a monumental achievement to fall into Jinying Wang's hands. Xiao Shao had now made it almost explicitly clear he wouldn't side with them. Such a man couldn't be used—only destroyed.
"No need to worry," Ye Li said indifferently. "They can't win this battle—it's a doomed situation. Why bother paying attention?" A flash of killing intent passed through his eyes as he smoothed his sleeve. "Notify Xia Cheng, it's time to act."
"Your Highness?" Jiang Chao was startled. "So soon?"
"Long nights invite many dreams," Ye Li sneered.
...
At Brocade Hero King Manor, Jiang Ruan sat reading in Xiao Shao's study.
Having lived at the manor for two months now, the servants had gone out of their way to make her stay comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable—she had almost unconsciously grown accustomed to life here. During these two months, she had returned to the Jiang residence to mourn Xia Yan and Jiang Susu, wearing the traditional hemp garments of filial piety. She had also met the new mistress of the Jiang household, Xia Yue, a beautiful woman with a smiling tiger's nature. But since she no longer lived at the Jiang residence, these matters no longer concerned her.
Xiao Shao's study was like a treasure trove, filled with books of all kinds. It was where Jiang Ruan spent most of her time. She had read Xiao Shao's personal notes, and the more she read, the more astonished she became. Certain suspicions she had harbored before gradually surfaced with some clues. However, she didn't dwell on them further—everyone had their secrets, and Xiao Shao was no exception. What concerned her more now was the war in the Celestial Jin Kingdom.
In her past life, she had been embroiled in the treacherous struggles of the palace at this time and hadn't paid much attention to the war in Celestial Jin. The letters she had written to Jiang Xin Zhi contained all the information she could recall that might aid him. Beyond that, she was powerless.
But one thing was certain now: Ye Li would undoubtedly make his move at this time. With the Zhao family weakened and Xiao Shao absent from the capital, someone like Ye Li, who thrived on taking advantage of others' misfortunes, wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by. The political landscape of the court was highly sensitive—even the slightest action could trigger earth-shaking changes. She could roughly guess what Ye Li intended to do.
(End of Chapter)
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