A Dream within a Dream

Jiang Ruan frowned slightly, "Who was it?"

"Thirteenth Prince," Qi Feng replied, equally puzzled. "I heard that the Emperor visited Thirteenth Prince's side palace that day and sat for a while. After leaving, he went straight to the imperial study to draft the edict. I think he must have heard something from Thirteenth Prince that led to this decision."

The teacup in Jiang Ruan's hand trembled, spilling a large drop of tea. Startled by her reaction, Qi Feng asked, "What's wrong, Third Sister-in-law?"

Lowering her gaze, Jiang Ruan wondered why Ye Pei would suddenly do such a thing. In this lifetime, he should still be just an oblivious child. Yet ever since their last encounter in the palace, she had sensed something unusual about him. Now, he could even influence the Emperor's decisions. She had deliberately avoided news about Ye Pei to prevent causing him trouble, but now she realized she might have overlooked something crucial. A bold conjecture surfaced in her mind—could it be...?

Ye Pei seemed almost telepathically connected to her, and this time, he had effortlessly seized the opportunity to deal the Xia Family a fatal blow without leaving a trace. If it were for that reason, then everything might indeed be possible.

Qi Feng studied her intently, scrutinizing every subtle change in her expression. But within moments, Jiang Ruan lifted her head and smiled faintly, "Regardless, we've achieved our goal."

Failing to discern her thoughts, Qi Feng felt a twinge of regret, though he knew the young woman before him had always been adept at concealing her emotions. He nodded in agreement, "Indeed. It seems the Xia Family won't escape this calamity."

Lianqiao, who had been sewing nearby, looked up curiously, "What do you mean, Miss? The Emperor didn't sentence the Xia Family to death—it's practically letting them off easy." When she heard the news, Lianqiao had been indignant. In her eyes, the Xia Family's plot to swap the military pay and frame the Brocade-clad Guards was a heinous crime deserving of death ten times over.

"Not acting directly is to leave no trace," Qi Feng explained with a smile on Jiang Ruan's behalf. "Don't worry. We won't need to lift a finger—someone else will ensure the Xia Family meets their end."

The Xia Family had held high positions in court for many years, accumulating allies as well as bitter enemies. For instance, the Fifth Prince's faction surely harbored deep resentment toward them. The journey into exile would be long and treacherous, and safely reaching the desolate northwest would prove an insurmountable challenge. They were confident that within three days, the Xia Family would meet a violent end.

In fact, they didn't even have to wait until the third day. By noon of the second day, soldiers escorting the exiled prisoners sent a carrier pigeon with news: the entire Xia Family, spanning three generations, along with Jiang Chao, had all committed suicide en route, overcome by guilt.

That was the official account, though its veracity remained unknown. With the journey being so perilous and the bodies still present, no one bothered to question the truth. Thus, a once-powerful noble family met its downfall, earning cheers from the common people—those who dared to burn military pay were truly wicked, and who knew what sinister intentions they harbored?

When Qi Feng brought the news to Jiang Ruan, he noticed her indifferent response and couldn't help but ask, "Third Sister-in-law, why do you seem so unconcerned? Aren't you worried they might have been rescued?""The cunning hare dies, the hound is stewed," Jiang Ruan said indifferently as she sorted through the account books before her. Since she had entered the manor, Butler Lin had truly treated her as the mistress of the Brocade Hero King Manor, handing over all the household management rights to her. Even though she declined, the account books and the keys to the storerooms were eventually placed in her hands. She had no desire to deal with these matters, but since it was Xiao Shao's manor, she couldn’t simply ignore them. Thus, she found herself burdened with an additional daily task. She continued, "The Xia Family has been Ye Li’s sword in the court for so many years, accumulating countless enemies. Now that Ye Li has abandoned them, he certainly won’t lift a finger to help. Being killed during exile and labeled as having committed suicide out of guilt is a convenient outcome. It’s just a pity their end came so swiftly."

"You guessed wrong this time," Qi Feng said with a smile. "It wasn’t the Xia Family’s enemies who did it."

"It was Ye Li," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "He’s quite bold."

"How did you know?" Qi Feng was taken aback.

"Ye Li wants to protect the secret passage and can’t risk its exposure, so he naturally had to sacrifice the Xia Family and Jiang Chao. But after serving under Ye Li for so many years, the Xia Family and Jiang Chao must have known something about his plans—enough to have leverage over him. Ye Li couldn’t afford to let them live." Jiang Ruan explained, "I imagine the Xia Family thought their exile was the result of Ye Li’s intervention, believing they could make a comeback someday. That’s why they went so quietly, only to walk straight into their doom."

Qi Feng rubbed his nose. "You’re not far off." He added, "The Brocade-clad Guards we sent to monitor them reported that when Xia Jun and Jiang Chao realized Ye Li had sent assassins to silence them, their faces turned pale. But it was too late for regrets. Third Sister-in-law, I took the liberty of having Xia Jun and Jiang Chao’s heads brought back." He studied Jiang Ruan’s expression. "How would you like to handle them?"

Hearing Qi Feng’s words, Jiang Ruan was slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected Qi Feng to do such a thing. In truth, Xiao Shao’s sworn brothers shared his habit of fiercely protecting their own. While Guan Lianghan and Mo Cong had reservations about her, Qi Feng had grown genuinely impressed by Jiang Ruan during their interactions. A man of exceptional intelligence himself, he admired those who matched his wit. To him, Jiang Ruan’s cunning bordered on the supernatural, and he held her in high regard. Having accepted her as one of their own, Qi Feng had discreetly inquired about the past grievances between Xia Jun, Jiang Chao, and Jiang Ruan. Outraged by what she had endured, he understood why she had been so relentless in crushing them. Far from finding fault with her actions, he admired her meticulous vengeance and wanted to help her settle the score. If Jiang Ruan had any wishes, he was ready to assist.

Qi Feng assumed that, given Jiang Chao and Xia Jun’s past offenses against Jiang Ruan, she might regret not being able to kill them herself. Bringing back their heads might offer her some consolation. To his surprise, after her initial astonishment, Jiang Ruan replied calmly, "It doesn’t matter. Do as you please."

"You don’t hate them?" Qi Feng was taken aback by her indifference and asked uncertainly.

"They’re already dead. I’ve achieved my goal. Dwelling on it further would just be a waste of time," Jiang Ruan said.Qi Feng pondered for a moment before saying, "Very well, then I shall burn these two heads to ashes. I refuse to let them be buried in the earth."

This man usually carried himself with a composed and wise demeanor, so hearing such childish words from him was rare. Jiang Ruan couldn't help but feel amused, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. Her usual smiles always carried a hint of coldness, never reaching her eyes. But this light, effortless smile made her eyes curve slightly, the upward tilt of their outer corners softening, revealing an entirely different kind of radiant beauty. Qi Feng was momentarily stunned, feeling as though something had stirred within him. He quickly lowered his head, evasively saying, "In that case, this matter is settled. Third Sister-in-law, I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave." With that, he hurried away.

Though Jiang Ruan found his sudden departure somewhat odd, she wouldn't waste her thoughts on it. Now that the Xia Family had fallen, she wondered what Ye Li must be thinking at this moment? A faint smile played on her lips as a sliver of joy slowly rose in her heart: Ye Li, just you wait. Wait and watch as your grand ambitions for family and country slowly, slowly, slowly crumble in my hands.

In the Eighth Prince's residence, Ye Li wore a look of frustration for the first time. The teacup before him had already been overturned, clearly indicating the master of the house had just vented his fury.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger," his advisors quickly stepped forward to console him. "Though the Xia Family has fallen, it is not a complete loss. After all, the Fifth Prince has not made any significant moves either. Your Highness must not harm your health in anger. As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

"What do you know!" Ye Li's face was as dark as water. "A mere Xia Family is not enough to dishearten me. What angers me is that after all this time, we still haven't uncovered the mastermind behind this. A bunch of useless fools!" He spoke hastily, his voice even carrying a panting tone. The advisors exchanged glances, none daring to make a sound.

Ye Li had sent his own men to kill the Xia father and son to eliminate future troubles, but this move was akin to cutting off his own arm. Though he repeatedly claimed the Xia Family was unimportant, over the years, many of Ye Li's affairs had been carried out through the Xia Family's hands. It was a well-used and familiar blade. Now, with the struggle for the throne seemingly within reach, he had to replace this blade—how infuriating it was for him. Moreover, the Emperor had confiscated all of the Xia Family's wealth, which meant the silver he had received from them annually was now entirely gone.

From now on, where would the funds to bribe officials come from?

What was even more vexing was that this time, everything had been meticulously planned, yet something had gone awry midway. On the surface, it seemed Xia Jun and Jiang Chao had failed in their tasks, but Ye Li knew deep down that the sudden arrival of the City Garrison must have had another reason. He just didn't know what that reason was. He had tried to probe indirectly, but the official in question was as unyielding as ironwood—impossible to pry open, perhaps genuinely knowing nothing. Someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes. The mere thought that this person was so cunning, luring him into a trap all along, sent a chill down Ye Li's spine.He had always maintained a refined and elegant demeanor, even when carrying out ruthless deeds. Operating from the shadows, he had always been meticulous and strategic. Yet, at some unknown point, everything he did began to meet with obstacles—the death of Ye Lang, the death of He Yi, the downfall of the Xia Family, the loss of influence by Noble Consort Chen. Unbeknownst to him, all his advantages had vanished. It was as if an invisible hand was orchestrating everything, seemingly targeting him alone. Now, he was the one exposed, while others lurked in the shadows, treating him like prey, luring him step by step into a trap.

Ye Li had always been patient and calculating, but for the first time, he felt a surge of anxiety and unease. A series of events struck like a boulder, disrupting the calm of his heart.

His most astute advisor watched him with concern. Ye Li had always been steadier than others, but now his mind was in turmoil—a grave taboo. Once the mind is unsettled, mistakes follow. And if someone truly was manipulating events from behind the scenes, they would surely exploit Ye Li’s missteps...

A trace of irritation flickered across Ye Li’s face. He had sent numerous people to investigate, yet nothing had come to light. Just how vast was the power of the person behind this, to remain so deeply hidden? Initially, the struggle for the throne had seemed a contest only between him and Ye Hua. But at some point, the Emperor had begun favoring the Thirteenth Prince, Ye Pei. Ye Li had once dismissed Ye Pei as insignificant—low in status and lacking maternal support, unworthy of competing for the crown. But now, he saw things differently. The Emperor’s closeness to Ye Pei rivaled even that of the once-favored Fourth Prince. Worse still, the Emperor had assigned Liu Min, the Crown Prince’s tutor, to Ye Pei—an ominous sign.

Seeing the darkening expression on Ye Li’s face, the advisor hurried to reassure him, “Your Highness, there’s no need for excessive worry. No matter how formidable that person may be, at least we still have the eight hundred carts of military pay. As long as we hold that, you are not yet defeated.”

Military pay? Ye Li gradually calmed, the thought dispersing some of his gloom. Yes, he wasn’t defeated yet. The eight hundred carts of military pay were still in his hands. With it, he could exchange for substantial benefits in the Celestial Jin Kingdom. It would take time for the Xia Family’s silver to be reallocated for military funds, but this war was far from over. Though he couldn’t eliminate the Brocade-clad Guards entirely, neither were they assured victory. The military pay was currently being transported nonstop through secret tunnels to a relay station outside the capital. Once it reached the station, those eight hundred carts would be beyond the reach of the Brocade-clad Guards.

Steadying himself, Ye Li was about to summon someone to inquire about the military pay when a guard stumbled in, his face a mask of panic. “Your Highness!” he cried. “Disaster has struck! Disaster!”

Ye Li shot up from his seat, his heart pounding. He fixed the guard with an intense stare. “What happened?”

“The military pay—the military pay—” The guard’s voice trembled on the verge of tears. “It’s gone!”

With a sharp clatter, Ye Li’s teacup overturned and shattered on the floor.

...

In stark contrast to the chaos in the Eighth Prince’s residence, another place was now brimming with jubilation.Jin San plopped down on the ground, dusting off the dirt from his clothes, and said, "The young madam is truly brilliant. Who would have thought of such a daring plan to snatch food from the tiger's mouth? If I were that so-called Prince Wenya, I'd have hanged myself long ago. To be outsmarted by a woman from the inner chambers—what kind of hero is that?"

Jin Si shook her head. "What 'woman from the inner chambers'? I'd say most men in the world can't compare to her. Ye Li picked the wrong opponent when he chose the young madam. To even calculate the emperor's thoughts into her plans—I doubt any of us would have the guts for that."

Hearing this, Luzhu immediately wore a smug smile, puffing out her chest. "Of course! My lady is the very best. Though she may not control everything, whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes without fail. Not only is my lady clever, but she's also stunningly beautiful. Who in the capital can rival her peerless grace? Whoever marries my lady would truly be picking up a treasure!"

"You talk as if you're the clever one," Jin Er chimed in, walking over and rapping Luzhu lightly on the head. "Though the young madam is indeed smart and beautiful, it's a pity her maid isn't much to speak of." He deliberately gave Luzhu a once-over. "Ah, whoever marries you would be truly unlucky."

"You—you scoundrel!" Luzhu bristled. "Who are you talking about?"

The two bickered and bantered, completely oblivious to the amused looks around them. This was another secret passage, though not one belonging to Ye Li. Jiang Ruan had previously instructed them to station men at the entrance of Ye Li's secret passage. Once the eight hundred carts of military pay arrived, they were to intercept and kill Ye Li's men. The Brocade-clad Guards were well-versed in such lethal tasks. They had exploited Ye Li's secret passage to transport the military pay out of the city—not to another relay station, but into the Brocade-clad Guards' own secret passage.

Every organization had its hidden chambers and passages. Though Jiang Ruan wasn't overly familiar with the Brocade-clad Guards, she knew such a thing must exist—and indeed, it did. The Brocade-clad Guards transported the military pay through their own passage, then disguised it as merchant goods to be sent to the border via another route. This not only resolved the issue of the border's military pay but also infuriated Ye Li.

Given Ye Li's temperament, the news of the military pay vanishing without a trace would send him into a rage. The incident was baffling, but with the Brocade-clad Guards' methods, Ye Li wouldn't trace it back to them anytime soon. Thus, he would be consumed by confusion day after day. And given his paranoid nature, he would inevitably suspect his secret passage had been discovered. This was true psychological warfare—to torment someone with constant fear and suspicion, wearing down even the most resilient mind.

"What puzzles me," Ye Feng mused, "is how she knew about Ye Li's secret passage." This passage had never been used before, not even discovered by the Brocade-clad Guards. Yet Jiang Ruan seemed to have known every detail as if it were second nature. For an organization that prided itself on mastering secrets, this was nothing short of bewildering.Jin Er and Jin San both turned to look at Luzhu. Noticing their expressions, Luzhu took a step back and said, "Why are you looking at me? I'm the young lady's maid, not a mind reader." After a moment's thought, she added, "Besides, the young lady is now the Princess of Brocade Hero King Manor—your mistress. What is there for you to doubt?"

"Exactly," Tianzhu also stood up, glancing around before speaking. "She is your mistress now. Mind your place."

Ye Feng lowered his head awkwardly, a hint of confusion in his heart. In such a short time, Jiang Ruan had unwittingly won over so many hearts. She probably hadn't even realized it herself—the Brocade-clad Guards were becoming increasingly at her disposal. The guards under Xiao Shao's command had never been meant for courtly struggles; their duties had never involved such matters. Yet now that Jiang Ruan was involving them, no one objected—this in itself was a rare sight.

...

Far away at the border, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. It seemed completely unaware of the turmoil in the capital. Outside the tents, the scene was lively and bustling, the glow of bonfires illuminating every face. Soldiers cheered and reveled, occasionally accompanied by beautiful foreign women in scant clothing, dancing and singing.

No matter how valiant the soldiers of the Da Jin Dynasty were, they couldn't withstand the relentless consumption of the desert grasslands. The rapid depletion of supplies was unbearable for anyone. Without replenishment, and with the Celestial Jin Kingdom holding the advantage of terrain, they didn't face the same troubles as the Jin soldiers. Moreover, the news they'd received was that the Jin Dynasty's military pay had been burned to ashes, leaving no immediate means to replenish provisions. This meant that in the coming standoff, the Da Jin Dynasty would likely exhaust its resources and surrender without a fight.

Thus, the soldiers celebrated today, singing and drinking in high spirits, confident of victory. They probably didn't even consider whether this war should continue—after all, those hundred thousand Brocade-clad Guards would eventually become their prisoners, just like the man in the grand tent now.

Yuan Chuan—the man in the gray cloak—stood silently in the distance from the bonfire, his gaze dark and brooding. A young soldier nearby raised a cup to toast him. "Strategist, this great victory is all thanks to your guidance. A toast to you!"

Yuan Chuan smiled faintly, accepting the wine and downing it in one gulp. The firelight outlined his elegant and mysterious figure, his jawline exuding allure. His eyes swept over the laughing, singing soldiers, their faces filled with joy. Yet... why had all news from the Da Jin Dynasty ceased after the burning of the military pay? This wasn't normal. Those so-called refined Central Plains people loved to betray their promises—could it be that this alliance wasn't as reliable as it seemed? Or had something unexpected happened? Yuan Chuan slowly lowered his head.

Inside the tent, the young man watched the girl bustling around him and frowned slightly. "There's no need for this. Put it down."

"Deputy General Jiang, I'm your maidservant. This is what I should do." The girl, Jin'er, smiled at him. These days, she had played the role of a personal maid quite well—as long as one ignored the clumsy flaws in her act.How could a servant not even know how to clear the table, let alone serve dishes properly, completely ignorant of etiquette and manners? Her sewing and cleaning were an utter mess too. Take now, for instance—tidying up the tent only ended up stirring dust everywhere inside.

"This is the desert. You're just kicking up dust like this," Jiang Xin Zhi finally couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up to stop her.

Jin'er was taken aback for a moment, putting down her work and sticking out her tongue sheepishly. "Sorry, Deputy General Jiang, I'll stop right away." If not for the large unsightly scar on her cheek, this expression would have looked quite charming on her. She had an exceptionally good temperament—no matter how coldly Jiang Xin Zhi treated her, she would always cheerfully complete tasks on her own. Though she often ended up being more of a hindrance than help, there were times when Jiang Xin Zhi found her flustered efforts somewhat endearing.

Yuan Chuan would frequently drag Jiang Xin Zhi away for interrogation, a process that was naturally brutal. Each time he returned covered in wounds, Jin'er would watch with tear-filled eyes, her pained expression seeming genuinely heartfelt. Over time, Jiang Xin Zhi began to suspect that Jin'er might not actually be a spy sent by the enemy.

Noticing his distraction, Jin'er brought over the meal she had prepared. "Everyone outside is celebrating today, so the food is quite good. Deputy General Jiang, you should have some too," she said, lifting the lid of the food basket. A rich aroma immediately wafted into Jiang Xin Zhi's nose—inside was a plate of roasted beef and a few grayish, unappetizing dry biscuits.

Jin'er blinked. "I sneaked a few biscuits, and the beef was given to me by someone else. Please try some."

Ever since Jin'er arrived, Jiang Xin Zhi's meals had often included extra dishes—all thanks to her "kindness." Though entirely unnecessary, Jin'er was stubborn about adding these extras, insisting on watching him finish every last bite of her special treats.

Today's dry biscuits were likely obtained the same way. The Eastern Barbarian Country certainly wouldn't have provided such food for him, but he couldn't be bothered to question it. After taking a few bites, he asked, "What are they celebrating?"

Jin'er froze, then turned her head away. "Who knows? Maybe they're celebrating prematurely, thinking they've already won. Deputy General Jiang, don't pay them any mind—they'll all be defeated in the end."

Seeing her expression, Jiang Xin Zhi's heart sank as he grasped the truth. He realized the Jin Dynasty's army must have suffered another defeat, and a heavy weight settled in his chest. He lost his appetite, staring pensively at the dry biscuits.

Noticing how her words had plunged Jiang Xin Zhi into silence, Jin'er grew anxious. "Deputy General Jiang, don't overthink it. You mustn't give up—this war will end soon, and you'll be rescued. These people are nothing but clowns who'll be utterly crushed in the end."

(End of Chapter)