A Dream within a Dream

"He is indeed a good official, but unfortunately, he has a worthless son," Jiang Ruan said coldly.

"His three sons are all promising young talents. How can you say they're worthless?" Qi Feng frowned.

"Zhang Ji has a favored mistress who bore him a son. This son spends his days indulging in debauchery. Zhang Ji's wife is the daughter of Marquis Muyang, a formidable woman. Zhang Ji doesn’t dare tell her about his illegitimate son, but he can’t stop the boy from squandering money like water. The estate and shops in the eastern part of the city, even the silver, were all prepared for this son. I believe you, Young Master Qi, are also aware of Lord Zhang’s doting on his son."

Qi Feng naturally knew Zhang Ji was henpecked, but he had no idea when Zhang Ji had fathered an illegitimate child outside. Nor did he know how Jiang Ruan had learned of such matters. Zhang Ji already doted on his three legitimate sons, so it was plausible he would feel even more affection—and guilt—toward the child born of his mistress. But... Qi Feng said, "Still, the risk is too great. For a bit of wealth, to gamble his career and his entire family’s lives—no intelligent man would do this."

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Indeed, for mere wealth, it wouldn’t be worth it. But what if it could lead to soaring success? He would no longer have to endure the disdain of the Wu Marquis, his wife’s family. He could openly welcome his beloved mistress and her son into his household, even secure a future for that illegitimate child. Tell me, isn’t that stake big enough?"

Qi Feng was stunned.

Jiang Ruan’s voice turned icy. "Who wouldn’t gamble for boundless riches? Especially if winning means the heavens change—the emperor is no longer the emperor, the court no longer the court. Who would then hold him accountable for deceiving the throne?" She spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "Crimes are only borne by the losers. But who will emerge victorious remains to be seen. He dares to gamble."

Qi Feng drew a sharp breath. Jiang Ruan’s words shocked him, but even more shocking was the ruthless, almost sinister tone in which she spoke. He suddenly realized that Mo Cong’s label of "venomous woman" fell far short of describing Jiang Ruan. Her heart was cruel, but more importantly, her audacity was unmatched. No ordinary young woman would dare utter such treasonous words, yet she spoke them so naturally. The principle that the victor becomes king and the loser a bandit was an unspoken truth of court struggles, but no one would ever voice it so plainly.

After a long silence, he finally said, "Even if he truly dares to do this, the capital is full of prying eyes. If anything goes wrong with the provisions before they even leave the city, Zhang Ji will be exposed and meet a grim end. The Eighth Prince is no fool—why would he entrust such an easily exposed scheme to someone for exploitation?"

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Ye Li is the most suspicious of men. Naturally, he wouldn’t use such a crude method. So, the tampering with the provisions won’t reveal any issues until they’ve traveled dozens of miles beyond the city. Moreover, he will certainly stage a grand performance—one so spectacular that winning the Emperor’s trust becomes the ultimate goal.""You..." Qi Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. "You seem to know the Eighth Prince quite well." There was a natural familiarity in Jiang Ruan's words when she spoke of Ye Li, which gave Qi Feng a strange feeling. Yet how could a sheltered noblewoman be so acquainted with Ye Li? Even as a palace lady, such an understanding of someone's character—even predicting their next moves—could only come from someone who had spent considerable time with them.

A thought flashed through Qi Feng's mind: Could it be that Jiang Ruan harbored feelings for Ye Li? Only when one is infatuated would they pay such close attention to another's actions and thoughts, understanding their every move. But when Qi Feng carefully observed Jiang Ruan's expression, he inwardly shook his head. Her gaze was calm, her smile gentle, yet devoid of any affection. Judging by her words and actions, she didn’t seem to have any romantic interest in Ye Li, which only deepened Qi Feng's confusion.

"Know thy enemy and know thyself, and you shall win a hundred battles," Jiang Ruan said, noticing Qi Feng's puzzled look. She smiled faintly. "Sooner or later, Brocade Hero King Manor will have to face the Eighth Prince head-on. Since it’s a fight to the death, we must prepare early. Otherwise, we’d be fools to walk blindly into our own demise." Her voice was soft, yet Qi Feng could almost hear the gritted teeth beneath her words. Yet her face remained beautiful, her gaze tender, as if what he had sensed was merely an illusion.

"Even if Ye Li seeks the throne, the path to power isn’t so easily won," Qi Feng said with a proud smile. "There are people in this world he wouldn’t dare provoke. Third Sister-in-law, perhaps you worry too much. I assure you, he wouldn’t dare strike against Brocade Hero King Manor."

Jiang Ruan's smile cooled gradually. Qi Feng was skilled in courtly politics and might navigate its conflicts to achieve his goals, but he had one weakness: he wasn’t adept at reading people. He viewed Ye Li as a politician, a scheming prince, and predicted his actions accordingly. But Ye Li wasn’t just a stagnant prince. Jiang Ruan saw him as a selfish, cunning man who excelled at biding his time. This man would exploit everything at his disposal, including opportunity. She had spent years by his side—her understanding of him was bone-deep, far beyond Qi Feng’s.

"Then, Young Master Qi, are you willing to help me or not?" Jiang Ruan asked coolly.

Qi Feng was taken aback. He suddenly realized that in the brief exchange, Jiang Ruan’s words had already swayed him. Her arguments had indeed shaken him, and without realizing it, he had begun to agree with her. He frowned. "My fate is tied to Third Brother’s—his affairs are my duty. Third Sister-in-law," he said slowly, "we mustn’t act rashly. Let the shadow guards continue monitoring Zhang Ji for now, and station people to watch the Xia and Jiang residences. We’ll plan carefully. At the very least, if we’re to obstruct him, we must have a foolproof strategy."

"Why obstruct him at all?" Jiang Ruan asked lightly.

Qi Feng froze, looking at her in confusion. "What do you mean?""There is a kind of bitterness in this world—success that cannot be shared and grievances that cannot be voiced. Since Xia Jun and Jiang Chao insist on carrying out this scheme in the shadows, I will make them swallow bitter herbs in silence, unable to voice their suffering. Young Master Qi is accustomed to open and righteous tactics, but I believe that sometimes, operating in the shadows is more convenient. This time, I will make them pay!"

Startled by the icy glint that flashed in those beautiful eyes, Qi Feng froze momentarily, yet he couldn’t help but feel that this already enchanting girl, when ruthless, exuded an overwhelming allure that bloomed in an instant. He had never encountered a woman like her before and couldn’t help but sigh deeply. "Then, Third Sister-in-law, what do you propose we do?"

Jiang Ruan smiled at him. "I know Young Master Qi holds a position in the court as well. The Eighth Prince is undoubtedly preparing to stage a grand spectacle next, and this play will require someone from your side to set the stage. Only then will it be truly entertaining."

"He even told you about this?" Qi Feng was stunned once more, then smiled wryly. "Well, you are, after all, the young madam of Brocade Hero King Manor. It’s only natural he’d share this with you. In the future, I’ll rely on your guidance, Third Sister-in-law. For this matter, I’ll also seek your advice."

Jiang Ruan nodded lightly, a cold gleam flickering in her eyes.

...

In the palace.

At the Imperial Garden, the Empress was having tea and conversation with several beauties. The garden was filled with a lively gathering of graceful and charming women, yet the Empress seated at the head, despite her resplendent attire, could not conceal the weariness on her face.

The Crown Prince had increasingly fallen out of favor. Though the Emperor had not openly issued an edict to depose him, the fact that the Crown Prince now participated in fewer court affairs than the Eighth Prince and the Fifth Prince was enough to sway those who had been observing the situation to change their allegiances. Many who had remained neutral had now quietly sided with either the Eighth or Fifth Prince’s factions. As for the Crown Prince’s supporters, they were dwindling. At the very least, everyone in the court knew that the future heir of the Da Jin Dynasty would likely not be the Crown Prince. Now, it was merely a matter of whether the Eighth Prince or the Fifth Prince would prove more capable.

Among those seated beside the Empress were Wang Lian’er and Jiang Dan. Wang Lian’er wore a pink silk-waisted palace gown that accentuated her already fair skin, making it appear as smooth as goat’s milk. She was beautiful, but her every gesture carried an innate gentleness and refinement, along with a faint scholarly air. As the daughter of a Hanlin scholar, she was a true talent, now serving as the Emperor’s sweet-tongued flower and enjoying considerable favor.

Jiang Dan, dressed in emerald green, was not as striking in appearance as Wang Lian’er, nor did she possess the latter’s gentle grace. Yet she had a refreshing and lively charm that made her quite popular in the palace—even the Empress found it hard to dislike her. She carried herself with a natural innocence, treating palace servants kindly and never actively vying for favor. Thus, compared to Wang Lian’er, Jiang Dan was well-liked by everyone in the palace. She now frequently accompanied the Emperor, occasionally amusing him with witty remarks, and the Emperor held her in high regard.Mu Xirou did not come today. She was a person of inherently haughty and aloof temperament, always disdaining to associate with the palace consorts. As for Xian Fei, ever since Noble Consort Chen and Shu Fei had fallen from grace, she had adopted an ascetic and detached demeanor within the palace. Precisely because the rivalry between the Fifth Prince and Eighth Prince was growing increasingly intense, she felt it all the more necessary to withdraw from the limelight rather than presume upon imperial favor.

The remaining attendees were mostly newly selected lower-ranking beauties. Among them were several lively and fair-faced ones, yet currently only three of the newest beauties enjoyed any significant favor. The Empress wore a faint expression of weariness as she remarked, "The weather grows colder by the day."

Indeed, it was growing colder. Since the onset of winter, the winds had grown stronger each day. Wang Lian'er smiled and said, "Quite so, though the capital remains relatively warm. I hear that in the Celestial Jin Kingdom, snowflakes as large as paper sheets have already begun to fall. It must be bitterly cold there."

The Empress glanced at Wang Lian'er. The latter's words implied that the Emperor must hold her in high regard, otherwise why would he share news from the border with her? The Empress's expression cooled at once as she replied indifferently, "Indeed. The soldiers endure bitter hardships in such conditions—truly a heavy burden."

"Your Majesty speaks wisely," Jiang Dan said with a smile. "The Da Jin Dynasty's stability relies on these soldiers' protection. With His Majesty's boundless blessings, we are certain to achieve victory against Celestial Jin. When the troops return triumphant, it will be a glorious sight. Yet whenever I think of their suffering while we indulge in luxury here, I feel deeply ashamed. I would like to donate some silver and jewelry to procure provisions and supplies for the border, as a small contribution of my own."

Hearing Jiang Dan's words, the Empress was momentarily surprised, then looked at her with approval. As the mother of the nation, whatever private thoughts the Empress harbored about court affairs, she always wished for the Da Jin Dynasty to prosper. Naturally, she also hoped for a decisive victory against Celestial Jin. Yet everyone knew this would not be easy. With provisions already scarce, Jiang Dan's offer to donate supplies was truly remarkable. As a mere palace beauty, her personal contribution would be modest, but once word spread, other beauties and court officials would follow suit, amassing a considerable sum. Moreover, Jiang Dan could have raised this matter directly with the Emperor, yet she chose to mention it to the Empress instead—a sign that she harbored no ambition to compete for favor. This further reassured the Empress, who now regarded Jiang Dan with even greater warmth. "Your thoughtfulness is rare," she said. "I shall mention this to His Majesty." Her words clearly signaled her intention to elevate Jiang Dan.

Jiang Dan smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty. There is little I can do, but I wish to offer my humble efforts."

The surrounding beauties cast glances of envy or admiration toward Jiang Dan. Wang Lian'er's expression flickered briefly before she composed herself and forced a smile.

After the Empress dismissed the assembly, Jiang Dan returned to her courtyard, where her maid Wan'er handed her a letter, whispering, "Miss, a letter has arrived."

Once inside her chambers, Jiang Dan dismissed all the palace maids before unfolding the letter. At first, she froze upon reading its contents, then swiftly scanned the rest. After setting it down, she pondered for a long while before suddenly breaking into a slow, knowing smile.

...The supply convoy was set to depart in about three days. Since Jiang Dan had taken the initiative to donate supplies, the beauties in the palace were unwilling to be outdone and contributed their own jewelry. Even the women of the inner court were so public-spirited—how could the officials, as subjects, not follow suit? Everyone in the court, high and low, donated some amount of silver, and the combined sum was quite substantial. With the war depleting the national treasury of vast sums and consuming large quantities of provisions, this temporarily alleviated the urgent shortage of supplies. The Emperor was greatly pleased and grew even more fond of Jiang Dan.

Zhang Ji was busy every day gathering provisions and planning routes. The war with the Celestial Jin Kingdom was not to be underestimated, and everything had to be foolproof. On the third day, when they were supposed to set off, an inexplicable rumor suddenly spread through the palace: Zhang Ji, the leader of the supply convoy, had abused his authority to embezzle more than half of the military pay.

The rumor emerged out of nowhere but shocked the entire court. If proven true, embezzling military pay would cost Zhang Ji his head—ten times over. Given the gravity of the matter, the Emperor immediately ordered someone to intercept Zhang Ji and summon him back to the capital posthaste.

At the time, Zhang Ji had just left the city with the supply convoy and the provisions when he was apprehended by the imperial guards sent by the Emperor. The news spread like wildfire through the court, leaving almost everyone uneasy.

Within a short time, the Emperor summoned the court officials to discuss their views on the matter. Ye Li straightened his collar, his expression as leisurely as ever, even radiant with satisfaction.

Jiang Chao stood respectfully to the side, bowing his head as he asked, "Your Highness, everything has been arranged. We’ve spread enough rumors to lure them in. With this incident, not only will His Majesty trust you more, but we can also use it to suppress the Fifth Prince’s faction."

"This is just the beginning," Ye Li replied, pleased but not letting his triumph show. No matter the circumstances, he remained composed and restrained.

"Your Highness is wise," Jiang Chao said. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he glanced at Ye Li. "This time, we also owe thanks to Consort Jiang for spreading the rumors. It seems our cooperation went well, and having her around will make things much easier in the future." The rumors had been disseminated by Jiang Dan’s machinations. The inner court was teeming with women, making it fertile ground for gossip. Moreover, each woman was backed by a faction, making the harem—though ostensibly a place of leisure—far more complex and easier to manipulate than the outer court. With just a little guidance, the desired effect could be achieved. Jiang Dan was clever, had no backing of her own, and left no traces—no one would suspect her. Jiang Chao sighed. "This subordinate originally thought she was timid, but it seems that’s not entirely true. Your Highness has keen insight, having foreseen that she would cooperate with us."

Ye Li shook his head. "Don’t underestimate women. They can be cunning. As long as they know how to use their beauty and charm, they can effortlessly accomplish things many men cannot. Jiang Dan is no coward—her ambitions reach higher than the heavens. As for why she agreed to cooperate with us so readily, on one hand, she understands she needs our support in the palace. On the other hand—" Ye Li’s gaze darkened. "She has a grudge against Jiang Ruan.""An enmity?" Jiang Chao was puzzled. "She never did anything to Jiang Ruan in the mansion, and it was Jiang Ruan's mother who raised her in the first place. Where did this grudge come from?"

Ye Li gave a cold laugh but didn't answer. There were some things Jiang Chao might not know, but that didn't mean Ye Li couldn't uncover them. The truth about how Zhao Mei died—Xia Yan had entered the mansion cautiously back then, yet she had used Jiang Dan's hand to do the deed. When Ye Li had first uncovered this information, even he had been shocked. After all, Jiang Dan had been just a child at the time, yet she had acted against her own stepmother without hesitation. But this also revealed that Jiang Dan had been ruthless and skilled at deception from a very young age.

Such an excellent pawn—if she couldn't be used by him, it would be a great pity. The only concern was whether Jiang Dan truly harbored hatred. The fact that she had poisoned Zhao Mei could be a powerful tool if wielded properly in the future. But where and how to use this information required careful consideration. Jiang Chao was brave but lacked strategy, so Ye Li had no intention of sharing this with him yet.

By the time Jiang Chao met with the Emperor, the civil and military officials had already split into two clearly opposing factions. One side insisted that Zhang Ji had embezzled the military pay, while the other firmly believed Zhang Ji had been framed.

Everyone knew that Zhang Ji's eldest son, Zhang Ming, had once been close friends with Ye Li. So when Ye Li entered the hall, all eyes turned to him. Some were indignant, others gleeful, but Ye Li met their gazes with nothing but a composed smile, as though no worldly matter could shake his calm demeanor.

Ye Hua watched Ye Li's arrival with a cold sneer curling at his lips.

At that moment, a courtier bowed and argued, "Your Majesty, Zhang Ji is arrogant and self-serving, disregarding the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers for his own greed and casting aside the safety of the Da Jin Dynasty. His crimes are unforgivable!"

"Minister Wang is mistaken," another official countered. "Lord Zhang has overseen the supply troops for many years—how could he make such a mistake? This must be the work of schemers. I refuse to believe it."

"Scheming? Lord Zhang has been an official for so long—who could manipulate him unless he willingly listened to slander?" Another voice carried a pointed implication. "I hear Lord Zhang's three sons are growing older now..."

The words subtly—or not so subtly—directed suspicion toward Ye Li. It was a strange accusation. Indeed, Zhang Ji lacked neither reputation nor wealth. If someone had promised him something so tempting that he would risk committing such a grave crime, the reward must have been extraordinary. And what promise in this world could be more alluring than one from the Son of Heaven? The relationship between Zhang Ji's son and Ye Li only deepened the suspicion of foul play.

The Emperor's gaze darkened as he surveyed the court. Over just one matter concerning Zhang Ji, the court had split so distinctly into factions. He hadn't realized that the empire no longer regarded him as its true master—was it because they thought him too old? If anything were to happen to him, he had no doubt that, even without his decree, the throne would change hands in an instant!Eunuch Li noticed the Emperor's expression and sighed inwardly. The competition among the princes was growing increasingly fierce, to the point where they could no longer conceal it. But who could truly fathom the Emperor's thoughts? And yet, that man... Ah, Eunuch Li felt a trace of doubt. Why was the matter concerning Zhang Ji so unusual today? Normally, before the truth came to light, these opportunistic courtiers would sit back and observe the situation, refraining from rushing to take a stance. They would only voice their opinions after Zhang Ji's guilt or innocence was confirmed. Today was truly peculiar.

Of course, they were unaware that the reason these courtiers had declared their positions so early was because they had already been tipped off. Each believed the information they received was absolutely accurate, and their current fervent arguments stemmed from their unwavering confidence in the side they had chosen.

Ye Hua's face flashed with a hint of smugness, which Ye Li noticed and found amusing. Ye Hua was too impatient. Over the years, thanks to De Fei's guidance, Ye Hua had managed to remain unscathed in the palace and even reached his current position, yet his impatient nature hadn't changed at all. In the past, such behavior would have surely sown seeds of discord in the Emperor's heart. But emperors throughout history have always been suspicious—the more the situation seemed unfavorable to Ye Li on the surface, the more the Emperor would trust him instead.

Naturally, if anything truly happened to Zhang Ji, the first person suspected of being able to manipulate or entice him would undoubtedly be Ye Li. The more Ye Li appeared to be at a disadvantage, the louder the public outcry against him, the more hesitant the Emperor would become. Because Ye Li seemed utterly isolated and helpless—people always sympathize with the weak, and the Emperor was no exception. It was simply human nature.

However... A flicker of doubt also passed through Ye Li's eyes. Had today's events gone too smoothly? So smoothly that it gave him a strange feeling, as if things shouldn't have unfolded this way. When he had Jiang Dan spread the news earlier, it was only meant to reach a specific group of people. Yet today, some of those who spoke up weren't part of the original plan. Admittedly, these people had indeed advanced his scheme, even making it proceed more smoothly—but excessive smoothness only bred suspicion.

"Lao Ba, what do you think of this matter?" The Emperor finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Ye Li like a piercing sword, as though a single wrong word from Ye Li would result in bloodshed on the spot.

"Justice lies in the hearts of the people," Ye Li replied calmly. "I believe Father has already made a decision. Your son trusts in Father and in Father's ministers. We need only await the report of the investigation to know the truth."

With these words, he had made his stance clear—he believed Zhang Ji was innocent, yet he phrased it as trusting the Emperor's ministers, a cleverly worded response. The Emperor's expression gradually softened. Ye Li's demeanor, in fact, made him all the more reassuring.

(End of Chapter)