Chapter 17: Fatal Scheme
The crescent moon hung in the sky as dusk deepened, and a cold wind rustled through the barren branches in the desolate backyard. Crows perched high on the trees cawed twice before flapping their wings and vanishing into the night.
A maid carrying a laundry basket hurried past the courtyard. Startled by a dull "thud" from the well, she turned her head, only to hear faint rustling sounds in the darkness, accompanied by the occasional meowing of a cat. Assuming it was just a stray hunting mice, she tightened her clothes, feeling an eerie chill in the air, and quickened her steps to leave in haste.
Outside the Pear Garden, Lianqiao held a large paper bag, cheerfully saying to Jiang Ruan beside her, "Xiao Yuan brought some lily pastries from outside today—said they’re absolutely delicious. You should try a few when we get back, miss."
Jiang Ruan nodded, then glanced up at the sky. Dark clouds obscured most of the moon, leaving only a hazy glow outside. The path was dimly lit by a few pale red lanterns, their festive colors in the cold desolation adding an uncanny touch to the night.
Following Jiang Ruan’s gaze, Lianqiao mused, "It’s gotten dark so early, and it’s chilly too. Be careful not to catch a cold, miss."
"A moonless, windy night—perfect for murder," Jiang Ruan suddenly smiled. "What a lovely scene."
The remark was strange, and Lianqiao looked at her in confusion. Just then, a figure hurried toward them in the dark. As they drew closer, it turned out to be Chen Zhao.
Chen Zhao spotted the two and immediately halted. Jiang Ruan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
He bowed. "Miss."
Lianqiao instinctively shielded Jiang Ruan, wary of any unexpected trouble in the pitch-black night.
Jiang Ruan’s gaze slid from Chen Zhao’s tense expression to the fresh red scratch marks on his exposed neck—glaringly obvious, yet unnoticed by him. The corner of her lips curled, but she remained silent, staring at him with deep meaning.
Under the pallid moonlight, Jiang Ruan’s features took on an almost supernatural allure in the lantern light, like a newly bloomed malevolent spirit in a moonlit garden of flowers. Though her face was youthful, there was an ageless, sinister air about her, as if she had watched mortals struggle in the mortal realm for centuries. Her bewitching eyes, half-smiling, locked onto Chen Zhao, making him feel as though his soul had been ensnared. Yet, when he looked again, they seemed like an abyss, stirring an inexplicable dread. This alternating sensation of heat and cold finally settled into the faint smile lingering on Jiang Ruan’s crimson lips.
Chen Zhao gritted his teeth, a spark of fury flashing in his eyes. He thought of how it was because of Jiang Ruan that he had gotten involved with Chunying—if not for her, he wouldn’t have had to kill. Now that he had blood on his hands, Jiang Ruan stood there unscathed. The injustice of it all gnawed at him—how could he suffer such losses for nothing?
Noticing the wolfish glint in Chen Zhao’s eyes, Jiang Ruan glanced at Lianqiao and said lightly, "Let’s go. It’s pitch black—best not to attract anything unclean."
Chen Zhao stiffened as if doused with cold water, instantly extinguishing the heat in his chest. A chilling wind swept past, and the wide, lifeless eyes of Chunying seemed to loom before him. He shuddered violently. By the time he regained his senses, Jiang Ruan and Lianqiao had already walked far ahead. Clenching his fists, he stormed off in frustration.Back in their room, as soon as Lianqiao set down the lily pastries, Zisu hurried in with a tense expression. "Miss..."
Jiang Ruan waved her hand, signaling Lianqiao to close the door before sitting by the bed. "What is it?"
"Chunying is dead!" Zisu said.
"What?" Lianqiao exclaimed in shock. "How did she die?"
"Chen Zhao acted decisively," Jiang Ruan sneered. "But Chunying was a fool."
Seeing Jiang Ruan's calm demeanor, showing no surprise at all, Zisu was taken aback. "Miss... did you already know?"
"Chen Zhao has a violent temper, and Chunying was domineering. Conflict between them was inevitable. I had planned to use their quarrel to our advantage, but I didn’t expect Chen Zhao to be so ruthless as to silence her permanently." Jiang Ruan spoke coolly. "Still, Chunying brought this upon herself."
Lianqiao frowned. "That Chen Zhao is truly despicable—utterly heartless! But Chunying was foolish to try extorting money from him. She was courting death!"
Zisu, however, disagreed slightly. "A life is still a life. Chen Zhao is terrifying. Thankfully, Miss is sharp-witted, or today could have been our disaster."
"How did you find out?" Jiang Ruan asked Zisu.
Zisu hesitated before replying softly, "Qiu Yan told me. She said she witnessed Chen Zhao killing her."
"Qiu Yan?" Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. "She’s clever."
"Miss, Chunying’s death has nothing to do with us, right? Chen Zhao committed murder—surely he won’t get away with it?"
"Chen Zhao has planted the seeds of his own downfall," Jiang Ruan chuckled. "We don’t need to act. Soon, someone will expose him, and the truth will come to light."
Lianqiao said, "I can’t shake this uneasy feeling. It all seems too simple. Even if we didn’t intend for Chunying to die, it still somewhat involves us."
Jiang Ruan picked up a book from the table. "What’s there to fear? Their affair led to a quarrel and murder—how does that implicate me? Trying to pin this on me won’t be easy. No one can claim I forced them into an affair. If they want to investigate, let them. What will they find?"
Lianqiao smacked her forehead. "Right! I was being foolish. We couldn’t have predicted this—it has nothing to do with us. Chunying and Chen Zhao had no ties to us. Even if officials come, we can stand tall!"
Reassured, Zisu and Lianqiao went to fetch hot water. Jiang Ruan sat under the oil lamp, flipping through the book slowly, but her gaze was distant.
She had lied. Chunying’s death was no surprise—she had foreseen this outcome.
Everyone has their weaknesses and limits. Chen Zhao was volatile and paranoid. Chunying’s endless demands would only exhaust his patience, making him believe she’d never be satisfied. Resentment would grow until it reached a breaking point. When rage and guilt peaked, Chen Zhao’s inherent brutality would surface, making murder inevitable. And to ensure this, Chunying’s cooperation was necessary. Her greed was innate—she’d never pass up an opportunity for unearned gain.
All Jiang Ruan had done was have Zisu bribe a few servants to "accidentally" mention Chunying’s deceit and insatiable greed in front of Chen Zhao.
With all factors aligned—timing, circumstances, and human nature—Chunying was doomed to die.However, she could never reveal this to her maids. In their eyes, she was merely a destitute young lady pushed to the brink who had finally fought back—someone inherently kind at heart. But only she knew what truly lay beneath this facade: a soul utterly rotten to the core.
(End of Chapter)
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