Xia Qing stood dumbfounded in place, swallowing a mouthful of dust kicked up by the carriage. As the onlookers gradually dispersed, he remained rooted to the spot, stunned. Having lived this long, wherever he went, he was met with nothing but respect and praise. Even young maidens who knew of his reputation regarded him with favor. Yet today, for some inexplicable reason, he had encountered a thorny character who had berated him so harshly without warning. Even for someone as even-tempered as him, this provocation had him gritting his teeth in frustration. She... she even insinuated he had some hidden ailment? Where did a young lady learn such shocking words!
The young miracle healer remained immersed in his astonishment, completely forgetting what he had intended to tell Lin Zixiang earlier. Shaking his head, he glanced at the grand gates of the Brocade Hero King Manor before him, and a fresh wave of resentment surged within him. If it weren’t for Xiao Shao insisting he stay in the capital to become Jiang Ruan’s personal physician, he wouldn’t have had to endure such public humiliation. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. With a flick of his sleeve, Xia Qing turned and strode away.
......
Inside the Xia residence, Xia Jun brushed the dust off his sleeves and stepped out of the courtyard. As he emerged, he spotted Xia Jiao Jiao wrestling something from a maid’s grasp, shouting loudly, "What use does a lowly servant like you have for such a fine bracelet? Hand it over!"
The maid, however, refused to back down. "Miss, this was a gift from the Old Madam. If you wish for one, you may ask her directly. I dare not give away her belongings to others. Besides, as a young lady of noble birth, surely you have no shortage of fine things. Why trouble yourself with a mere servant like me?"
The maid’s sharp tongue clearly enraged Xia Jiao Jiao, who raised her hand to strike. "How dare you talk back! Who’s the master here?"
The maid dodged the slap and retorted, "Miss, it would be best not to make things difficult for me. If the Old Madam’s attendants see this, you might end up punished for it."
Hearing this, Xia Jiao Jiao grew even more furious. "You dare threaten me?!"
The courtyard descended into chaos, but the maid suddenly caught sight of Xia Jun standing nearby and immediately called out, "This servant greets Second Young Master!"
At the mention of Xia Jun’s name, Xia Jiao Jiao froze, quickly withdrawing her hand. When she saw him standing there, a flicker of fear flashed in her eyes as she murmured, "Second Brother."
Xia Jun regarded her coldly. Ever since the scandal involving Shen Rou and Xia Tian Cai had been exposed, the Xia family had become the laughingstock of the capital. Unfortunately, Shen Rou’s family connections made it impossible to simply cast her aside. Though no lives were lost, her standing in the household had plummeted. Xia Jiao Jiao, meanwhile, became the living proof of the shameful affair between her uncle and her mother. Xia Furen had once summoned Xia Jiao Jiao to the ancestral hall, intending to force a cup of poisoned wine down her throat. Yet Xia Tian Cai, having somehow learned of the plan, intervened at the last moment and saved Xia Jiao Jiao from Xia Furen’s grasp.Unfortunately, although Xia Jiao Jiao managed to keep her life, she could never return to her former days of exalted status in the Xia Family. Wherever she went, she was seen as the family's disgrace, a subject of gossip about their scandal. Xia Cheng confined her to her room, forbidding her from leaving the estate. With her reputation in ruins, naturally, no one was willing to marry her. Not only that, but Shen Rou could no longer protect her, Xia Tianyi despised her, and Xia Cheng and his wife had grown cold toward her. Life in the estate became increasingly difficult for Xia Jiao Jiao, to the point where she no longer lived like a young lady of the house. Thus, she was reduced to squabbling with maids over jewelry.
Xia Tianyi had since resigned from his official post and now spent his days indulging in debauchery, a far cry from his once composed and restrained demeanor. Perhaps the blow of his own younger brother cuckolding him had been too much to bear. In any case, he was now utterly broken, wallowing in misery like worthless mud.
Yu Ya had dealt with Shen Rou but did not find the carefree happiness she had imagined. Xia Tian Cai made no secret of his displeasure with her over the incident, growing increasingly unrestrained in his behavior and outright refusing to spend nights in her courtyard. Xia Cheng and his wife resented her for exposing the scandal and tarnishing the family's reputation, treating her with cold indifference. As a result, Yu Ya's temperament grew even more sullen.
Among them all, the one living most comfortably these days was Xia Jun. Back then, Xia Jun had been deeply disheartened after losing his chance to enter officialdom due to the ancestral hall incident. But now, it seemed he had moved past it. Every day, he watched the absurd chaos of the Xia household with cold detachment, as though he were merely an outsider.
Xia Jiao Jiao had always feared this second brother, and now that her status was no longer what it once was, her fear of Xia Jun only deepened. She groveled before him in every way possible. Xia Jun merely smiled as he leisurely walked past her, flicking his sleeve as he did so—dropping a small piece of broken silver onto the ground.
It was an utterly humiliating gesture, the kind one would use toward a beggar. Yet Xia Jiao Jiao, far from being angered, instead beamed with delight, bending down to pick up the silver while saying, "Thank you, Second Brother."
...
After leaving the estate, Xia Jun walked to a small tavern on the street and entered without hesitation. The tavern owner seemed quite familiar with him, ushering him into a private room in the back where a man was already seated. Dressed in blue, the man sat by the window, pouring himself a drink. As the owner withdrew, the man turned and, upon seeing Xia Jun, smiled faintly. "Cousin."
This was none other than Jiang Chao. Xia Jun returned the smile, taking a seat across from him. He poured himself a small cup of wine, brought it to his lips, and inhaled the aroma. "Fine wine indeed. Cousin, your taste for indulgence puts me to shame."
"These are but trifling pleasures, hardly worth mentioning. If the opportunity arises in the future, there will be endless fine wines far superior to this."
Hearing this, Xia Jun downed his cup in one gulp. "Cousin, speaking like this—does that mean you have good news?"
"Indeed," Jiang Chao replied leisurely. "And not just good news—extraordinarily good news."
"Oh?" Xia Jun seemed intrigued. "What is it? Has Cousin been promoted again under the Eighth Prince's service?"
"Not quite," Jiang Chao said calmly. "Something even more joyous than a promotion. Cousin, our shared enemy—there is now an opportunity to rid ourselves of them."Xia Jun's eyes darkened, a fleeting emotion flashing through them before vanishing in an instant. Within moments, he smiled faintly and said, "Cousin, what do you mean by that?"
"After all, we share half the blood of the Xia Family, so we should be frank with each other. There's no need for riddles, cousin. Now that you've fallen to such a state—unable to enter officialdom, forced to work in the shadows for the Eighth Prince without receiving the official position and glory you deserve—who do you have to thank for all this?" Jiang Chao chuckled. "We both know the answer!"
Xia Jun smiled as he regarded Jiang Chao. Unlike Jiang Chao, who, though working under Ye Li and seemingly rising in his career, had been overly protected by Xia Yan in the past and lacked sufficient wit. Moreover, Jiang Chao had inherited Jiang Quan's weak and indecisive nature, often acting clever at the wrong times. For instance, at this moment, Xia Jun clearly knew Jiang Chao was deliberately provoking him, yet he remained unfazed.
"Working for the Eighth Prince is an honor. I dare not complain. As for your promotion, cousin, that is your fortune. My misfortune is no one's fault but my own," Xia Jun replied.
Hearing this, Jiang Chao gave Xia Jun a deep look. Xia Jun was an enigma. Back then, an Imperial Edict had barred him from officialdom, yet he had stubbornly become Ye Li's hidden advisor. Jiang Chao had since discerned some of Ye Li's habits—he never employed incompetent people. Given Xia Jun's special status, the fact that Ye Li held him in high regard meant he must possess extraordinary talent. Narrow-minded by nature, Jiang Chao harbored reservations about Xia Jun, but given the current circumstances, he had no choice but to collaborate with him.
"To be frank, cousin, this is the Eighth Prince's intention," Jiang Chao said, realizing that beating around the bush would yield no benefit. He decided to lay his cards on the table. "The Eighth Prince has tasked me with this matter, but I believe we can take it further. However, I need your help."
Xia Jun slowly reached out and poured himself a cup of wine. The liquid rippled slightly, releasing a faint, enticing aroma. He lifted the cup but didn't drink immediately, instead narrowing his eyes slightly as if savoring the delicate fragrance. After a pause, he finally spoke, "Oh? Then, cousin, what benefit would this bring me? And how far can this matter go?"
He didn't rush to ask what the matter was or how to proceed. His first concern was the outcome, which showed that Xia Jun was someone who cared little about the means—only the result mattered, as long as it satisfied him.
Jiang Chao lowered his voice, a trace of coldness flashing across his face. "The outcome? That depends on how much you're willing to stake."
"How about the entire Xia Family as my stake?" Xia Jun smiled faintly.Jiang Chao was taken aback, scrutinizing the man before him. Xia Jun had handsome features, but his gaze carried a shadow of gloom. Suddenly, a glimmer of light flickered in those eyes—like a starving wolf on the brink of death spotting prey in the wilderness, brimming with a frenzied excitement. Suppressing his shock, Jiang Chao thought to himself, This cousin of mine is truly a madman. Yet, his expression remained solemn as he said, "Then, I promise you this, cousin—once this matter is over, there will no longer be a General's Residence, nor any Brocade-clad Guards, and certainly no... Jiang Ruan and her brother." He added, "At that time, the Princess of Great Peace will be delivered into your hands personally. You may do with her as you please."
This offer... was indeed tempting. Xia Jun's mind conjured the image of a pair of alluring, slightly upturned eyes—eyes that, when not looking at anyone, seemed veiled in a thin mist, cold and serene, but when they did gaze upon someone, carried a hint of mockery, as if ridiculing the other's ignorance and naivety, exuding a disdain that could drive one mad.
In the first half of his life, he had lived in luxury, getting whatever he desired, be it wind or rain. There was nothing he couldn't obtain. Yet this balance was shattered by Jiang Ruan. With just a small scheme, she had utterly destroyed his flourishing life. He had no great obsession with officialdom, but Jiang Ruan had trampled upon his dignity. In his eyes, if he fancied Jiang Ruan, she should have obediently submitted. Who would have thought she wasn't a docile house cat but a terrifying panther, merely flashing her claws to make others taste her ferocity.
But no matter how formidable a panther was, it was still prey. Over the years, he had watched Jiang Ruan transform from an overlooked daughter raised in the countryside to the feared eldest legitimate daughter of the Jiang household, from a noble lady to a princess favored by the Empress Dowager. He had seen her defeat Jiang Li and Jiang Susu, bring down Xia Yan, and undoubtedly play a role in Xia Jiao Jiao's downfall. He had never encountered a woman like her, and it was precisely this that piqued his interest.
Such a woman—deeply cunning, strong and resilient, with a bewitching exterior and a rotten core—was perfectly suited to his tastes. Yet... she dared to reject him, and for that, she would pay the price she deserved.
Jiang Chao's proposal was far too enticing.
A flicker of regret passed through his eyes. If only Jiang Ruan had obediently submitted to me, it would have been ideal. But alas, he knew what kind of person Jiang Ruan was. She would never lower her noble head to anyone. So, the only option was to sever that beautiful head. He said, "Cousin's proposal is indeed... intriguing."
Jiang Chao stared at him intently, and only after a long pause did he hear Xia Jun utter the remaining words: "Worth a try." Only then did Jiang Chao let out a sigh of relief.
Xia Jun idly gazed at his wine cup and asked, "How exactly does my cousin plan to proceed?" Wiping out both the Brocade-clad Guards and the General's Residence was no ordinary feat. With the Zhao family and the Brocade-clad Guards currently stationed at the border, the battlefield would undoubtedly be the key.
A sinister smile suddenly crept onto Jiang Chao's face. "Before the troops move, provisions must go first. No matter how formidable the Brocade-clad Guards and the Zhao Family Army are, they won't last long without supplies."
...The battles in the Western Rong region aside, the Brocade-clad Guards frequently sent reports of victories. Their morale soared as they reclaimed several lost territories one after another. Guan Lianghan's injuries gradually stabilized, and the soldiers of the Da Jin Dynasty regained their composure. In contrast, the Celestial Jin Kingdom, once known for its fierce prowess, found itself unable to reverse its defeats despite superior weapons and tactics.
To everyone's astonishment, Xiao Shao, the Jinying Wang of the Da Jin Dynasty—often labeled a "Traitorous Subject"—proved to be a master tactician. His style of warfare differed starkly from that of Guan Lianghan and Jiang Xin Zhi. It was cold, ruthless, and utterly devastating, like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. The Brocade-clad Guards under his command seemed almost indestructible, their ferocity surpassing even the lone wolves of the grasslands. They fought with the strength of ten, unstoppable in their advance.
Faced with such a force, the soldiers of the Celestial Jin Kingdom trembled in fear, retreating step by step. Xiao Shao achieved victory after victory with tactics that scarcely resembled conventional warfare. Since his arrival, the conflict with the Celestial Jin Kingdom had ceased to be a war—it had become a one-sided slaughter.
Yet, even so, the war between the Celestial Jin Kingdom and the Da Jin Dynasty would not conclude overnight. During their march, the troops had traveled light to expedite their journey, carrying provisions strictly for close combat. The battleground lay in the desolate desert, devoid of herdsmen or livestock, making food supplies scarce. While living off the land might suit a war of plunder, it was neither feasible nor permissible now. Following the Da Jin Dynasty's protocols, provisions were gathered from the capital's relay stations and transported under the supervision of Lord Zhang, the leader of the supply corps.
Zhang Ji had overseen the supply corps for years, ensuring the shortest routes and minimal consumption. The initial provisions brought for the war had nearly been exhausted, and the national treasury could spare little extra. The current supplies were collected from various civilian sources—these meager reserves would soon be rushed to the border of the Celestial Jin Kingdom. Xiao Shao had to secure victory before these provisions ran out; otherwise, defeat by starvation loomed.
In the Brocade Hero King Manor, Jiang Ruan set down the book in her hands and looked at the young man in purple sitting across from her. He smiled at her, leisurely fanning himself with a folding fan. Were it not for the incongruous tuft of a beard that belied his youth, he might have cut a dashing figure of a handsome nobleman. Alas, the beard lent his otherwise graceful demeanor a touch of absurdity.
Qi Feng resided in a large courtyard adjacent to the Brocade Hero King Manor, arranged by Xiao Shao, where he lived with Xia Qing. Were it not for Jiang Ruan's presence in the manor—and the potential for gossip—Xiao Shao would have housed them directly within. Though they didn't live inside, the wall separating them was thin, keeping them close at hand."Third Sister-in-law," Qi Feng fanned himself leisurely, "you specifically summoned Fourth Brother here. May I ask what instructions you have?" Though he put on an air of utmost sophistication, a flicker of doubt passed through his eyes. Having long resided in the Hundred Zhang Tower, he had grown disillusioned with the court and remained hidden in the shadows, thus knowing little about the inner workings of the Da Jin Dynasty's imperial harem and noble households. Consequently, he was not well-acquainted with Jiang Ruan. On his journey to the capital, he had heard some accounts of Jiang Ruan's past and present from others. Guan Lianghan praised her as resourceful, Mo Cong deemed her ruthless, and as for Xiao Shao—anyone he cherished so deeply was certainly no ordinary person. Qi Feng did not underestimate Jiang Ruan, but he believed that no matter how intelligent she was, she was still a woman, and women tended to be overly sentimental and fanciful. Yet, from the moment he arrived in the capital and met Jiang Ruan until now, she had not shown the slightest hint of longing for Xiao Shao. Qi Feng found this intriguing—it seemed the fallen flower had intentions, but the flowing water was indifferent. Xiao Shao had truly met his match this time.
Jiang Ruan observed the young man before her and slowly smiled. She had no prior interactions with Qi Si, but since Xiao Shao had mentioned that Qi Si was well-versed in courtly tactics, there were some matters for which his involvement would be ideal.
She spoke unhurriedly, "I invited Young Master Qi here today to ask for your help in saving lives."
"Saving lives?" Qi Feng looked at Jiang Ruan, noting her expression was not at all joking. He pondered briefly but did not rashly respond, "Third Sister-in-law, I am no physician. If you wish to save lives, you ought to seek Xia Wu." He had yet to grasp Jiang Ruan's temperament. Unlike Xiao Shao, who trusted her out of affection, Qi Feng's relationship with Jiang Ruan was not deep, and he remained somewhat wary of her. If Jiang Ruan intended to take advantage of Xiao Shao's absence to act recklessly and harm Xiao Shao or the Brocade Hero King Manor, Qi Feng would not stand idly by—he would intervene, even at the cost of his life.
"If it were one life, Young Master Xia could indeed save it. But now, it concerns tens of thousands of lives. How could Young Master Xia manage alone?" Jiang Ruan replied calmly.
Qi Feng's brows gradually furrowed, his earlier playful demeanor completely vanishing. He said, "Third Sister-in-law, what do you mean by this? Fourth Brother truly does not understand."
"Young Master Qi is a clever man. There's no need to speak in circles with me." Jiang Ruan's words were blunt, even bordering on direct. "Young Master Qi and Xiao Shao are martial brothers, bound by deep camaraderie. Now, someone is plotting against Xiao Shao. Given your friendship, I doubt you would stand by and watch. For both sentiment and reason, shouldn't you lend him a hand?"
"Has Xiao Shao encountered trouble?" Qi Feng's eyes betrayed disbelief. He had received no news from the Brocade-clad Guards about Xiao Shao facing any issues recently, making Jiang Ruan's claim highly suspicious. If Xiao Shao were in trouble, he would surely be the first to know."He's fine for now, but if things continue this way, he'll be in trouble soon." Jiang Ruan's voice was heavy as she stared directly at Qi Feng. A flicker of mockery flashed through her beautiful eyes before vanishing instantly, replaced by a radiant gaze that shimmered like colored glaze, brimming with charm. She continued, "I suppose you've heard about me before coming here. I have grievances with both Jiang Chao and the Xia Family. I cost Jiang Chao a finger and ensured Xia Jun could never enter officialdom."
Qi Feng had initially intended to smile casually but found the expression inappropriate now. He had indeed gathered information about Jiang Ruan beforehand, yet he couldn't fathom why she was bringing this up. After a pause, he asked, "So what? What does this have to do with Third Brother? Surely they wouldn’t dare commit treason just for revenge?"
"No," Jiang Ruan fixed her gaze on Qi Feng, whose heart jolted under her intense stare. She continued, "What I mean is, Jiang Chao and the Xia Family's hatred for me is merely superficial. They are working for the Eighth Prince, Ye Li, and Xiao Shao has become Ye Li's thorn in the side. Xiao Shao refuses to cooperate with Ye Li, and for someone whose power exceeds his control and remains unyielding, Ye Li has only one choice—elimination." Jiang Ruan spoke of these secrets with unsettling calm, as if discussing nothing more consequential than the day's pleasant weather.
Qi Feng's expression stiffened as Jiang Ruan's cool, composed voice reached him from across the room: "So, on the surface, it's Jiang Chao and the Xia Family targeting me. But in reality, it's Ye Li targeting Xiao Shao—or rather, Ye Li targeting the Brocade-clad Guards. Do you understand now?"
"You..." Jiang Ruan's words were too blunt, so blunt that Qi Feng was at a loss for how to respond. He suddenly had a feeling that Jiang Ruan was indeed perfectly suited for Xiao Shao. On the surface, she appeared calm and composed, someone who maintained stability, but beneath that exterior lurked a force of aggression. In her eyes, he saw strength and resilience.
"I know Ye Li very well. He will seize every opportunity, especially at this critical juncture. With Xiao Shao away from the capital and only Zhao Yi and a few others left at the General's Residence, this is the perfect time. Ye Li will undoubtedly try every means to stir up trouble." She glanced at the ledger before her. "I had Xiao Shao assign his shadow guards to monitor Jiang Chao. A few days ago, Jiang Chao met with Xia Jun."
"Have they formed an alliance?" Qi Feng asked. "The Xia Family isn't what it used to be. How dare they act recklessly?"
"The Xia Family naturally wouldn't dare, but unfortunately, Xia Jun is a madman." Jiang Ruan gave a cold smile. "These past few days, Lord Zhang Ji of the supply corps seems to have been exceptionally diligent, spending lavishly. He even purchased three large mansions and five shops in the eastern part of the city. The amount of silver notes deposited in Four Seas Bank has also increased significantly. Young Master Qi, don't you find this rather strange?"
"Zhang Ji..." Qi Feng's expression turned grave. Having studied court politics, he was well-versed in the affairs of court officials. Zhang Ji was a veteran of the supply corps, known for his integrity and talent. Over the years of transporting provisions, he had never made a single mistake. Jiang Ruan's words clearly implied suspicion of Zhang Ji. He was both shocked and incredulous. "Lord Zhang is a good official. 'Water too clear has no fish.' These funds may not necessarily be connected to Ye Li. Military provisions are a serious matter. Lord Zhang wouldn't ruin his own future—if anything were to happen, His Majesty would be the first to hold him accountable."
(End of Chapter)
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