Jiang Dan had now risen from a Beauty to a third-rank Zhaoyi, currently thriving in the palace, admired by everyone from the empress down to the maids and servants. Even the strict Empress Dowager Yide could find no fault with her. She had secretly allied with Ye Li and was living quite well. Cautious and clever, she concealed her ambitions perfectly, steadily climbing the ranks in the palace with each step carefully calculated. Though she flourished, Jiang Ruan was in no hurry. This prosperous world was but a hunt—it all depended on who had more patience. Having endured a lifetime of restraint, what harm was there in waiting a little longer?
Jiang Ruan lowered her gaze and caught a falling snowflake in her palm, watching it melt swiftly. As the New Year approached, she felt as though she had been transported back to the year of her rebirth—huddled in the filthy room of Zhang Lan’s village estate, unable to even afford charcoal, waking from a blood-soaked past life to a cruel reality where her enemies stood high above while she lay beneath.
Time flew by. Now, standing in the Brocade Hero King Manor, their positions seemed reversed. Her enemies were either dead or wounded, while she remained unscathed. Recalling Qi Feng’s words earlier, Xiao Shao should be returning soon. The grand wedding she had failed to experience in her past life was now about to begin with her—this cold-hearted, emotionless version of herself. Whether it would bring fortune or misfortune remained to be seen.
...
In the Eighth Prince’s residence, a guard knelt on the ground and reported, “Your Highness, news from the border—the Celestial Jin Kingdom can no longer hold out. The Brocade-clad Guards have breached their main pass, and Celestial Jin has surrendered.”
Seated at the center of the room, Ye Li wore an oddly gentle expression. Though the report brought no joyful news, he seemed almost pleased, his smile as warm as a spring breeze—an eerie contrast.
His advisors dared not speak a word. Over the past year, despite the Xia Family’s relentless attacks, Ye Li had grown even more composed. His emotions were now entirely inscrutable. If he had once been adept at wearing a refined mask, that mask had now fused seamlessly with his very being.
“Faster than I expected,” Ye Li sighed. “Is there truly no way to destroy the Brocade-clad Guards?”
“Your Highness, we have yet to fully confront the Brocade Hero King Manor. Jinying Wang has always remained neutral in court affairs. It would be wisest to avoid conflict,” one advisor cautiously advised. With Ye Li’s forces greatly diminished, clashing head-on with Xiao Shao was far from prudent. Moreover, Xiao Shao had never involved himself in court matters. Avoiding his wrath would save them considerable trouble.
“Too late,” Ye Li chuckled. “Do you truly believe we can coexist peacefully with the Brocade Hero King Manor?” He raised the letter in his hand. “Gentlemen, do you know who orchestrated the burning of the granaries and the downfall of the Xia Family?”
The advisors exchanged uneasy glances. Ye Li’s men had investigated the matter tirelessly but uncovered nothing, leaving him furious and haunted by the mystery. Judging by his demeanor now, had he finally discovered the mastermind?
Ye Li said calmly, “It was the Princess of Brocade Glory—Jiang Ruan.”"How could it be?" The people in the room were astonished. "The Princess of Brocade Glory is merely a woman. How could she orchestrate such a grand scheme? Moreover, she couldn't have foreseen the future. If all this was indeed her doing, wouldn't that make her utterly terrifying? Why would she do such a thing and oppose Your Highness?"
"I understand your surprise, but I must tell you frankly—this was indeed the work of the Princess of Brocade Glory," he said meaningfully. "You believe she couldn't have done this, that she has no reason to act against me. But have you considered whether this represents the will of Jinying Wang?"
Silence fell over the room at his words. Ye Li glanced around before speaking. "Could it be that the Princess of Brocade Glory was acting under Jinying Wang's orders?" In truth, Ye Li knew this explanation was hardly credible. When his spies revealed that Jiang Ruan was the mastermind behind the Xia Family's turmoil, he had been equally shocked—yet he believed it almost instantly. He had always sensed something peculiar about Jiang Ruan. Though he knew his suspicion was unfounded—she was just a naive noblewoman, after all—how could she possess such formidable cunning? Yet every time he saw her, he felt an inexplicable unease, as if she harbored some hidden hatred toward him. And yet, he could recall no offense he had committed to earn her enmity.
The revelation had infuriated him. His grand ambitions had been ruined by a mere woman. A single scheme of Jiang Ruan's had cost him the entire Xia Family, and later, even the eight hundred carts of military pay—truly, he had suffered a double loss. Whenever he thought of it, he burned with the desire to kill her on the spot.
"Xiao Shao will soon return triumphant," Ye Li said with a faint smile. "I'd like to give him a gift."
The Brocade Hero King Manor had always been an anomaly in the Da Jin Dynasty. For years, he hadn't even managed to grasp a fraction of the true power of the Brocade-clad Guards. If he had already harbored suspicions about the manor before, Jiang Ruan's betrayal was the final straw. Sometimes, desperate measures were necessary. Ye Li did not want Jiang Ruan to marry Xiao Shao. If she truly was as scheming as his spies reported, joining forces with Xiao Shao would make the Brocade Hero King Manor an overwhelming threat.
Before Xiao Shao's return, he needed to confirm one thing—and settle a problem once and for all. Ye Li slowly clenched his fist.
As Qi Feng had predicted, it wasn't long before the Celestial Jin Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat at Daye and surrendered to the Da Jin Dynasty. The prolonged war had taken everyone by surprise. The Celestial Jin Kingdom was but a tiny nation—how had it suddenly gained the strength to rival the Da Jin Dynasty? The question was troubling. Regardless, beyond serving as a warning to the Da Jin Dynasty, the kingdom had ultimately been defeated. Envoys bearing the surrender documents would accompany the returning Da Jin army to the capital to present themselves before the emperor. Rumors of territorial concessions and reparations spread like wildfire, though the specifics varied—no one knew which version was true.The journey back to the capital from the border was long and arduous, so it would take some time before they could return. Despite this, the entire Brocade Hero King Manor was already bustling with preparations. Butler Lin was busy every day arranging everything for Xiao Shao's return, with the most important matter being Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan's grand wedding. Before Xiao Shao left the capital, the Empress Dowager had issued an Imperial Decree stating that the wedding would take place upon his triumphant return. Now that Jiang Ruan had also completed her mourning period, her ascension to the position of the young mistress of the Brocade Hero King Manor was imminent. Butler Lin had been planning since receiving the decree a year ago. Jiang Ruan had thought everything was already in perfect order, but to her surprise, Butler Lin was still fussing over the details—from the crystal beads on the wedding invitations to the carved patterns on the ivory chopsticks for the banquet—leaving nothing to chance.
Luzhu sidestepped Butler Lin with a pleading gesture. "Butler Lin, the dessert menu has been revised dozens of times already. I truly can't think of anything else—spare me! I'm just a servant."
Butler Lin looked at Luzhu sternly. "Since you've been by the future princess consort's side for so long, you should know the kind of people she usually interacts with. This wedding banquet cannot be rushed—the more refined it is, the more it reflects our manor's respect for her. This way, the princess consort gains face, and you, as her servant, will also take pride in it. Besides, now that you've entered the manor with her, you're part of this household too. You should see yourself as one of us. Why are you so impatient, young lady? Come, take a look—how about making the opening porridge a light Jiangnan-style dish?"
Luzhu rolled her eyes and simply walked past Butler Lin without another word, heading straight into the room.
Inside, Lianqiao and Zisu were gathered around Jiang Ruan, with even Tianzhu standing nearby watching curiously. Luzhu asked in surprise, "Huh? What's this?"
Spread across the soft couch in front of Jiang Ruan was something that, upon closer inspection, made Luzhu gasp. "What a stunning wedding gown!"
Traditionally, a bride's wedding gown was often embroidered by her own hands, with many girls starting years in advance. The craftsmanship of the gown reflected the bride's needlework skills, and the process was naturally filled with sweet anticipation. However, when Jiang Ruan received the Imperial Decree, time was too tight. Even after moving into the Brocade Hero King Manor, her thoughts were occupied with matters other than the gown, and the timeline was simply too constrained. She had planned to commission a dress from a reputable tailor in the capital when the time came, ensuring it wouldn't disgrace the manor's reputation. To her surprise, the manager of Baoyue Lou arrived today to deliver a wedding gown, explaining that Xiao Shao had commissioned it before leaving the capital. Given Jinying Wang's status, this order alone could sustain the shop for three years. The manager had enlisted the finest embroiderers, who worked with utmost dedication to complete the gown before Xiao Shao's return.
Jiang Ruan was puzzled—she hadn't been measured for it, so how had Xiao Shao known her size? But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Though Baoyue Lou was renowned for crafting garments for the imperial consorts, even Jiang Ruan couldn't help but inhale sharply at the sight of this gown.The wedding gown was a vibrant red from head to toe, yet not an ordinary red—it resembled the gradual diffusion of sunset clouds into the heavens, warm and soft, peerlessly gorgeous. The fabric was a double-nest cloud-patterned brocade cape, embroidered with golden and silver phoenixes paying homage to the queen phoenix. The gold and silver threads were exquisitely fine, each stitch meticulously crafted. The phoenixes stretched their necks in flight, their calls almost audible, while a colorful phoenix below trailed its splendid tail, adorned with gemstones of every hue. The slightest movement made it almost dazzling to behold.
The phoenix crown was also exquisitely crafted, small and delicate, not heavy at all, so wearing it wouldn’t be burdensome. The emerald-green bird feathers shimmered, reflecting intoxicating colors. The crown was resplendent with jewels, magnificent beyond the skill of ordinary artisans. The phoenix on the crown was especially exquisite, with the most captivating feature being the crystal-clear, translucent pearl held in the emerald phoenix’s beak. It emitted a radiant glow with every movement. Wearing such a crown would make one shine from head to toe.
Not only that, but there were also ornate hairpins, tinkling golden rings, a "Hundred-Knot Lock of Shared Hearts," and wedding shoes embroidered with mandarin ducks. Even though Jiang Ruan had witnessed the opulence of the palace in her past life, including the empress’s ceremonial robes, she couldn’t help but be momentarily dazed by this sight.
A woman’s wedding gown embodies all her hopes for the future, and she would pour all her effort into making it as beautiful as possible. In this life, Jiang Ruan had not been particularly moved by beautiful things, yet Xiao Shao had gone to such lengths to prepare this. Luzhu gaped in astonishment, utterly mesmerized, before finally murmuring, "His Highness is truly generous—it’s as if he wants the young mistress to wear an entire Minister’s estate on her person."
Lianqiao burst into laughter. "What nonsense! How can one wear a Minister’s estate?" She glanced at the wedding gown, so exquisite it seemed otherworldly, and laughed even harder. "A Minister’s estate wouldn’t even be enough to buy this gown!"
Since Jiang Quan’s attitude toward Jiang Ruan had grown increasingly indifferent—not once in the past year had he inquired about her well-being—the maids by Jiang Ruan’s side had long since given up on him. They had once believed that, as father and daughter, Jiang Quan would eventually recognize Jiang Ruan’s worth—after all, blood runs thicker than water. But now, they no longer wished to speak of him. In any case, Jiang Ruan was soon to marry into the Brocade Hero King Manor, and thereafter, she would be part of the manor’s household. Why bother with irrelevant people? Freed from such concerns, Lianqiao spoke of the Jiang residence without restraint.
The group burst into laughter again. Jiang Ruan’s gaze lingered on the wedding gown, and she couldn’t help but shake her head. Wearing such an outfit would undoubtedly cause a sensation. Xiao Shao’s wedding gown was worth the entire fortune of a fifth-rank official in the capital. Once they were married, even if she didn’t earn the title of a "nation-destroying enchantress," the label of a "femme fatale" would be unavoidable.
Just as they were speaking, someone outside announced, "Your Highness, Young Master Xia and Young Master Qi are here to see you."
Jiang Ruan instructed Zisu and the others to put away the wedding gown and stepped outside. Sure enough, Xia Qing and Qi Feng were seated at the stone table in the courtyard. When they saw her, Qi Feng teased with a smile, "We heard from the manor’s servants that the wedding gown from Baoyue Tower has arrived. Fifth Brother and I were just placing bets."
"Bets on what?" Jiang Ruan smiled faintly.“Betting on how much silver Third Brother’s wedding dress is worth.” Xia Qing’s doll-like face was exceptionally charming, making his serious expression all the more adorable. “Fourth Brother guessed ten thousand taels, but I think it’s five thousand.”
These two were actually so idle as to bet on such a thing. Jiang Ruan felt slightly embarrassed, thinking that Xiao Shao’s martial brothers were quite lively in temperament—how Xiao Shao had turned into such a taciturn person was beyond her. Just then, Xia Qing’s crisp voice rang out again: “But whether it’s ten thousand or five thousand taels, Third Brother is really too wasteful. What kind of clothing costs so much? That silver could have opened several more charity houses, saving countless people.”
“None of your business,” Qi Feng rapped Xia Qing sharply on the head. “Third Brother’s silver wasn’t earned by you, and the Brocade Hero King Manor wasn’t built by you. His money is his to spend as he pleases. What’s wrong with Third Sister-in-law wearing a wedding dress? If I were to marry someone like Third Sister-in-law, I’d spare no expense to find her a dress worthy of her!” As soon as the words left his mouth, Qi Feng suddenly realized what he was saying and paused, casting an uneasy glance at Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan seemed oblivious, as if lost in other thoughts, causing Qi Feng’s eyes to dim. Xia Qing rubbed his head and complained, “Fourth Brother, you’re favoring Third Sister-in-law more and more these days. She’s not your wife—why are you so protective? What about our brotherhood?”
“You—” Qi Feng really wanted to give this clueless junior brother a good beating. But when he saw Jiang Ruan’s thoughtful expression, his movements slowed.
Jiang Ruan, meanwhile, was reflecting on how quickly the time had come for her to marry Xiao Shao. In this life, she was determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past, so she carefully avoided retracing her previous path. In her past life, she had never truly become a proper wife—being an imperial consort might have seemed glorious, but in reality, she was nothing more than the Emperor’s concubine. Becoming the young mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor not only meant gaining a solid backing—Xiao Shao’s influence would make many things easier—but most importantly, it would allow her to completely escape Ye Li’s shadow. In this life, in matters of the heart, she had finally severed the last thread tying her to Ye Li. From now on, she would be a woman of the Xiao family, not the Ye family.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she turned to Qi Feng and Xia Qing with a faint smile. “In any case, Xiao Shao will be returning soon, and so will my elder brother. The stable situation in the capital is likely to shift again soon. Don’t let your guard down these days. I’m not worried about Young Master Qi, but Young Master Xia…”
Xia Qing protested indignantly, “What about me? Third Sister-in-law, why the favoritism?”
“You’re kind-hearted and gentle-natured, making you an easy target for manipulation,” Jiang Ruan said with a smile. “It’s best to stay vigilant. Until Xiao Shao and the others return to the capital, be careful.”
Xia Qing and Qi Feng exchanged a glance, shrugged, and said, “Fine. As the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, I’ll listen to Third Sister-in-law.”
Luzhu giggled quietly from the side.
…The night wind picked up, and Zisu rose to close the window, only to discover that a light drizzle had begun outside. The winter night was already bitterly cold, and the raindrops felt icy against the skin. After shutting the window, Zisu turned to Jiang Ruan, who was still seated at the table reading, and said, "Miss, you should rest early. If the rain gets heavier later, you might catch a chill."
Jiang Ruan nodded, closed her book, and had just reached the doorway when a sudden noise echoed from outside—something like the sound of an explosion. She frowned. At this hour, who would be setting off firecrackers? She had always possessed an uncanny intuition for danger, so she immediately draped a coat over her shoulders and stood up, intending to step into the courtyard to investigate.
Seeing Jiang Ruan’s resolve, Zisu didn’t try to stop her. After all, the shadow guards outside would ensure no major trouble arose. As Jiang Ruan stepped into the courtyard, a young servant hurried in, his voice tinged with urgency. "Madam, a group of people have arrived outside, claiming to be officers hunting an assassin. I didn’t dare open the gate and came to seek your instructions."
The servants of Brocade Hero King Manor were carefully selected and far from foolish. It was suspicious for officers to suddenly appear so late at night hunting an assassin, and the servant’s caution was wise. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "No matter. Hunting an assassin requires official seals and tokens. Since you refused to open the gate, it means they didn’t present these credentials. Without them, their identity can’t be verified. Brocade Hero King Manor isn’t some humble household—even if it were, no one can barge in uninvited. Ignore them. You did well."
Praise from Jiang Ruan made the servant blush, but his expression quickly turned troubled again. "You’re right, Madam, but those people seem aggressive. From what I heard at the gate, their numbers aren’t small. If we refuse to open the gate, they might not leave peacefully."
As if to confirm his words, a guard from the gate rushed in. "Madam, it’s bad—they’ve started forcing their way into the manor. I took a look, and they’ve brought a large force, all armed with bows and arrows. They mean trouble—this is dangerous."
Butler Lin also arrived from the outer courtyard and exhaled in relief upon seeing Jiang Ruan. By now, the entire household regarded Jiang Ruan as their true mistress. In emergencies, matters were reported directly to her, bypassing Butler Lin. His usual jovial demeanor was gone, replaced by solemnity. "Madam, this place is too dangerous. Let the Brocade-clad Guards left by His Highness escort you away. With His Highness’s token, they’ll ensure your safety."
If Brocade Hero King Manor had become a target, and the intruders dared to act so brazenly tonight, they must have come fully prepared. Jiang Ruan’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed here. No matter what, the mistress of the manor took precedence.
Jiang Ruan pondered briefly before shaking her head. "No."
Her words stunned everyone. Luzhu grew anxious. "Miss, this isn’t the time to be stubborn. If those people dare to storm the manor at night, they must have some scheme. What if something happens to you?"Generally speaking, the Brocade Hero King Manor was like an impregnable fortress, and no one would think of forcing their way in. Yet at this critical moment, just as Xiao Shao was about to return triumphant with his troops, someone had brought men here. They even used military formations—it seemed the manor was completely surrounded, with no way to send word elsewhere. The other party had resorted to such blatant tactics for only two purposes: either for lives or for something else in the manor.
The matter of lives wasn’t hard to explain—the only extra person in the manor now was her. As for the other things... Jiang Ruan turned to Butler Lin. "How many guards are there in total in this manor?"
"One hundred and eighty guards in all. Every servant and maid has some martial skills," Butler Lin replied. "But against the forces outside, we’re like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. They’re using bows and arrows, and their men are disciplined—it’s practically a military assault on a royal manor. My lady, this place is truly perilous. Before His Highness left, he must have left a token behind. If you insist on staying, why not summon the Brocade-clad Guards to protect you?"
"No." Jiang Ruan refused decisively. "These people wouldn't dare come so boldly without ulterior motives. I fear they're testing the Brocade-clad Guards' capabilities—does this manor hold any secrets?"
Butler Lin froze, looking up at Jiang Ruan. Her usually charming, smiling eyes now held a sharp edge that made his heart tremble. He dared not conceal anything further. "There are. His Highness handles official documents here, and some confidential matters are discussed within the manor. Though this old servant doesn't know the details, I'm aware the manor likely holds many important items. They're well protected, but vulnerabilities might still be exploited."
Jiang Ruan's heart sank. "Truly a scheme that kills multiple birds with one stone," she said coldly.
"How so?" Butler Lin asked.
Jiang Ruan swiftly turned and strode toward the main hall. "What appears to be reckless action coincides perfectly with this timing. If they provoke the Brocade-clad Guards, they can gauge the true strength of Brocade Hero King Manor. If we abandon the manor to flee, they might uncover its secrets. And if they seek lives, taking them would be effortless. Bandits—but clever ones."
Ye Li, it seems you won't be so easily dismissed. Now that you've made your move, it's overwhelmingly aggressive. She walked swiftly without pause, her long fox-fur cloak cutting a magnificent arc through the night. "There's no time to lose. Old Lin, gather all the manor's personnel in the main hall immediately. Tonight, no one leaves Brocade Hero King Manor—not a single step!"
(End of Chapter)
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