Butler Lin was startled by the ruthless determination in Jiang Ruan's words and immediately replied, "Yes!"
Butler Lin acted swiftly. In less than half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, everyone had already gathered in the front hall of Brocade Hero King Manor. Jiang Ruan stood in the courtyard of the front hall, facing the assembled crowd, with Butler Lin at her side and Jin Er along with several shadow guards silently following behind her. All eyes were fixed on this future young mistress of the manor. Tonight's situation was perilous, yet this woman refused to flee alone. Her actions had already won the favor of the manor's servants. The noble ladies of the capital were all delicate and fragile; to possess such courage was truly admirable. However, bravery without strategy would not bring good fortune to Brocade Hero King Manor. Thus, everyone was eager to see what plan Jiang Ruan had in mind.
Jiang Ruan stood before the crowd. The deeper the night grew, the more striking her beauty became. Amidst such extreme danger, her eyes shimmered with an intimidating brilliance, her lips curled into a faint smile, exuding an air of composure. Yet everyone could sense the subtle aura of lethality around her. She spoke, "Everyone, there's no need for me to say much. Tonight, someone intends to break into Brocade Hero King Manor. I don't know their purpose, but they certainly come with ill intent. You are all part of this manor. Now, someone is about to invade your home, possibly slaughter your loved ones, plunder your treasures, or even frame you as assassins."
Her tone was cold, as if she were speaking of events that would happen to someone else's household. The crowd below felt a jolt of fear. Guessing what might happen was one thing, but hearing the stark truth from another's lips was entirely different. Their expressions shifted slightly.
"Before your master left, he entrusted Brocade Hero King Manor to me. I promised to safeguard its peace. Every plant and tree in this manor may be tied to its future, so we cannot afford to be careless. Tonight, I will uphold my promise to your master. I will not abandon this manor and flee. I stand with you. If the bandits break in and you choose to stay, I will not leave either. I will remain here until the very end."
The crowd stared at her in stunned silence. Some might have wondered why Jiang Ruan, a noble and delicate young mistress, the lady of the entire manor, would willingly stay here. Knowing full well this was a trap, she refused to retreat. In her beautiful eyes burned a gaze akin to that of a starving wolf—solitary courage and extreme indifference. She was disregarding her own life.
Tianzhu stood quietly by Jiang Ruan's side. From the moment she began following Jiang Ruan, she had understood that her mistress shared a certain indomitable spirit with the Brocade-clad Guards. No matter how the outside world changed, her heart remained unyielding and strong.Jiang Ruan issued a cold command: "Now, as the Princess of Brocade Glory, I order all servants and maids to return to their rooms and find hiding places. All manor guards, gather here and focus on guarding Xiao Shao’s study and bedroom. Kill anyone who intrudes on sight. Jin Er, find a way to break out of the manor—if there’s a secret passage, even better—and set fire to all the houses surrounding the Brocade Hero King Manor. Jin San and Jin Si, the two of you launch signal flares. The Brocade-clad Guards cannot intervene, but the Zhao family can." Her eyes were icy, her tone unfathomable: "If they dare step foot here, they’d better weigh their own capabilities first. Those who test the depths of the Brocade Hero King Manor will find no way back!"
Her near-cursed words sent a chill through everyone’s hearts. They couldn’t help but look up at their beautiful mistress. Enchanting and radiant, her crimson robes fluttered like red blossoms in the cold night wind, yet her tone was cruel and biting, as if she were a vengeful spirit clawing her way out of hell. The mockery at the corners of her eyes carried a bone-deep disdain, leaving everyone somewhat dazed. Butler Lin’s palms trembled. For some reason, he felt that Jiang Ruan at this moment bore an uncanny resemblance to Xiao Shao—an innate strength and resilience, unshaken by anything. Even if a blade were pressed to her throat the next second, she would still have the composure to command her subordinates with unyielding resolve.
"Now, move immediately!" she ordered.
The servants of the Brocade Hero King Manor were, after all, well-trained. At Jiang Ruan’s command, they scattered like startled birds. The low-skilled servants and maids all sought hiding places, while the armed guards concealed themselves in Xiao Shao’s study and bedroom.
Jiang Ruan sat solemnly in the main hall, surrounded by a dozen or so guards for protection. Butler Lin fretted, "Young Madam, if you truly refuse to leave, at least find a place to hide. Staying here is too dangerous—what if those people break in?"
"If I hide, they’ll search for me and inevitably harm innocents in the process. Why waste lives needlessly? By staying here, I can see for myself what they truly want—whether it’s my life or some other purpose for targeting the Brocade Hero King Manor," Jiang Ruan replied, shaking her head.
"This is far too perilous," Butler Lin said helplessly. Jiang Ruan’s temperament was just like Xiao Shao’s—once she made up her mind, not even nine oxen could pull her back. Moreover, this reckless approach was something no life-loving person would take. Jiang Ruan had completely cast aside her own safety. This wasn’t some grand act of righteousness—Butler Lin, having lived so many years, could read people well. Jiang Ruan had never truly valued her own well-being. Her methods were ruthless, her heart merciless. If there were enough stakes to achieve her goals, even her life could be bargained away. But now that she had made her decision, there was no changing it. With a sigh, Butler Lin could only ask, "Young Madam, what was the meaning behind your earlier orders? Why have the houses around the Brocade Hero King Manor burned down?""The night is deep, who else would be around. If we don’t stir up some commotion, wouldn’t it mean silently accepting an ambush? These people seem bold, yet they only dare to act under the cover of darkness, likely to avoid drawing attention. Since they’ve disguised themselves as officials, I won’t hesitate to expose them. If the houses on this entire street catch fire, it’s bound to alarm everyone. As more people gather, someone only needs to shout ‘bandits are here,’ and suspicions will inevitably arise. Killing and arson at night are no small matters. A single household may not have many guards, but the combined forces from every residence on this street are considerable. They might not be able to defeat those attackers, but silencing everyone is impossible. Once they panic, they’ll become cautious, and as long as they hesitate, we’ll find our way out."
Butler Lin suddenly understood and said, "The Princess’s idea is excellent, but what if people ask about the fire the next day? Burning houses is a sin against virtue."
"What does the fire have to do with us?" Jiang Ruan countered. Butler Lin was taken aback as she continued nonchalantly, "After all, it was those fake officials who caused the commotion—we’re the victims here. As for virtue..." She smiled faintly. "This life isn’t over yet; why worry about what comes after? The ones dying tonight won’t be us." Her tone turned icy by the end, carrying an ominous chill.
Butler Lin steadied himself and asked, "What about the signal flare? I’ve never heard the Princess mention it before."
"My cousin and I have always kept in touch privately," Jiang Ruan explained. "Ye Li will inevitably target the Brocade Hero King Manor in the future, and the Zhao family won’t be spared either. Since I’ve married into the manor, he’ll assume the Zhao family is aligned with the Xiao family. To prevent any mishaps, my eldest cousin and I have a signal system. Tonight, the Brocade-clad Guards can’t intervene, but the Zhao family might. Ye Li is aware of the Zhao family’s forces anyway. The General’s Residence isn’t far from here, and since we have the City Garrison at hand, using them to eliminate sea bandits disguised as officials is a fine idea." Jiang Ruan gazed at the tea before her. "They want to ambush the entire Brocade Hero King Manor and trap us like turtles in a jar, but I’ll use the Zhao family’s forces to wipe them out instead. I want Ye Li’s spies watching from the shadows to witness everything—to understand that even without Xiao Shao, this manor is not a place they can come and go as they please!"
Her words were utterly ruthless, leaving the guards tasked with her protection and Butler Lin inwardly awed, unable to help but admire her. The servants of the Brocade Hero King Manor had once debated which woman in the world could truly match Xiao Shao. After much discussion, only the young lady of the Cheng family was deemed somewhat suitable. She was accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—exceptionally intelligent, with peerless beauty and lineage. But if Xiao Shao had married her, what would the situation be today? At the very least, it wouldn’t be better than now. That young lady might rival Jiang Ruan in intellect and beauty, but she could never be a Princess of Brocade Glory like Jiang Ruan. Because noblewomen raised in prestigious families learn the art of diplomacy, not the ruthlessness of battle; they’re accustomed to the subtle maneuvering of inner chambers, not the brutal clashes of the night.Only those who have endured extreme suffering and peril can possess the courage to remain unfazed in the face of any threat. Her heart was forged with unyielding resilience, as if the past decade had not been spent growing up within the confines of a deep mansion, but rather treading a path paved with blood and blades—tempering her into the iron-willed person she was now.
Butler Lin solemnly replied, "This old servant understands. I will protect the princess consort with my life."
"You are not protecting me," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "You are protecting the Brocade Hero King Manor."
Butler Lin’s heart stirred, and he fell silent.
......
Flames surged into the sky, burning fiercely in the night. The crackling sounds startled those deep in slumber, and the wealthy households along the street began shouting and rushing out to extinguish the fire. Amid the chaos, panicked cries rang out from somewhere: "Help! Bandits are killing people!"
The terror in those voices instantly spread to everyone. Sleepiness vanished in an instant as guards from every household rushed out with swords drawn. The entire street erupted into pandemonium, a scene of utter chaos.
Xia Qing was jolted awake from his sleep. Dragging on his shoes and throwing on an outer robe, he stepped out of his room and called to a hastily approaching servant, "What’s going on? Why is it so noisy outside?"
"Young master, there’s a fire in the manor," the servant answered hurriedly.
"What?" Xia Qing’s drowsiness dissipated in an instant. "How did a fire start? Is anyone hurt?"
"No," the servant said, scratching his head. "Our situation isn’t too bad, but for some reason, fires have broken out in all the manors along this street. Just now, I heard people shouting about bandits. Young master, you’d better stay inside. I’ll go find out more."
"Bandits?" Xia Qing was stunned. "What kind of bandits are so brazen as to set an entire street ablaze? This is outrageous!" As he spoke, he noticed Qi Feng stepping out from another room, also clad in an outer robe. Qi Feng seemed far more alert than he was. Xia Qing quickly asked, "Fourth Brother, were you woken up too? How can there be bandits here? Isn’t the capital supposed to be safe? This is too dangerous."
Before Qi Feng could reply, he suddenly froze, his gaze fixed intently on a spot in the sky. Following his line of sight, Xia Qing saw a firework blooming in the southwestern sky. Though small, its sound was sharp and clear in the night. Xia Qing blinked in confusion. "Who would set off fireworks at a time like this? Fourth Brother, what’s really going on?" He turned back to Qi Feng, only to be startled by his expression. Qi Feng’s face had paled, and his usually composed and sharp eyes flickered with panic. "Something’s happened," he murmured. "She must be in trouble. I have to go."
Without another word to Xia Qing, he turned and rushed toward the gate.
Xia Qing called after him, "Fourth Brother, where are you going? There are bandits outside!"
"Shut up," Qi Feng snapped. "Stay here and don’t go anywhere. Don’t make things worse!" With that, he dashed out of the courtyard, vanishing into the night.
......Jiang Ruan had just entered the main hall when she intermittently received reports from the guards about the situation outside. Indeed, the fire had served its purpose. Perhaps caught off guard by the sudden commotion drawing so many people, those outside had clearly descended into a desperate frenzy, abandoning all pretense of being government soldiers and now forcing their way in directly. The guards of Brocade Hero King Manor were, after all, each highly skilled in martial arts, and for the moment, they managed to prevent the intruders from gaining the upper hand. However, outnumbered and facing such a fierce assault, it was unlikely they could hold out much longer.
Butler Lin had been deeply anxious. For many years, Brocade Hero King Manor had stood in the capital like an impenetrable fortress. But now, he suddenly realized that the only reason people had dared not touch it before was because of Xiao Shao. With Xiao Shao absent, the manor was like a dilapidated house stripped of its walls and tiles. The glory built by their ancestors was gradually fading—what people feared were the Brocade-clad Guards, it was Xiao Shao, not Brocade Hero King Manor itself. Yet the future mistress of the manor was fiercely striving to protect it with unwavering courage. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s composed and indifferent demeanor, Butler Lin’s unsettled heart gradually calmed.
"Princess Consort, they've broken into the manor!" a guard reported.
"Stop them at all costs. Kill them on sight—one less is one less, two less is a profit," Jiang Ruan said slowly. "As long as I remain seated here, I will take responsibility for whatever happens!"
Her tone always had a way of steadying people’s hearts, as if she could precisely grasp the most vulnerable points of human resolve. Her words instantly reignited the guards’ loyalty. If even a woman could face death so fearlessly, how could they, as servants of the manor, shrink back before ravenous wolves? Unconsciously, she had become the backbone of the entire Brocade Hero King Manor—as long as she was present, there seemed to be nothing to panic or fear.
Yet beneath her outwardly calm appearance, Jiang Ruan was not as composed as she seemed. Even though the General's Residence was not far from here, those intruders were undoubtedly Ye Li’s zealots, and they would show no mercy. If they breached the courtyard before Zhao Yi arrived with reinforcements, everything would be uncertain. However, no matter what she felt inside, she could not let it show. The worst thing in the world was to reveal one’s hand—even the slightest waver in her expression could affect the morale of the manor’s servants.
Time crawled by in the tense atmosphere, each moment unbearably drawn out. Before the tea on the table had even cooled, the guards outside roared in fury—the enemy had broken into the courtyard.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly.
In the brightly lit hall, within moments, torch-bearing figures swiftly surrounded the courtyard, sealing it off completely. They were all dressed in the uniforms of government soldiers, and at first glance, they might have been mistaken for officials on duty—except for the murderous intent in their eyes, which betrayed their true purpose.
The situation had already become one-sided.After surrounding the courtyard, the group did not act rashly at first. The leader stepped forward. Today's events had once again deviated from the plan. When accepting the mission, their master had warned that encountering Jiang Ruan would likely bring unforeseen complications. Initially, he hadn't taken it seriously—just a woman who could at most wield some influence through men's power. But now, standing outside the Brocade Hero King Manor, he realized it wasn't so simple. The sudden turn of events had nearly overwhelmed them.
The fire breaking out in the houses along this street was undoubtedly connected to the manor's people. Otherwise, why would it happen at this precise moment, waking everyone on the street? Their identities were exposed, and if they failed this mission, death awaited them upon return. The fire had also disrupted their plans. Yet, the signal flare in the sky was unmistakable—likely from the Brocade-clad Guards. The leader shuddered at the thought of that elusive force, but as a zealot, he knew defiance was not an option.
He led his men into the Brocade Hero King Manor, clashing with the guards while putting on a brutal display, intending to create chaos for their mission. Yet, not a single servant or maid was seen along the way—only disciplined guards, with no sign of panic. The silent skirmishes failed to intimidate, and there was no one to interrogate for information. The eerie calm unsettled them all. Now, arriving at the main hall, they saw a group of guards protecting it and knew the mistress must be inside.
In truth, their men had already stationed outside. Had Jiang Ruan fled the manor, she would have been hunted down. Before the Brocade-clad Guards arrived, escape was unlikely. They had planned for every contingency—except one: Jiang Ruan had no intention of leaving the manor at all.
This was utterly foolish, the leader thought incredulously. In such a situation, protecting the most important person in the manor was the logical course. Rumors said Xiao Shao deeply cherished this Princess of Great Peace, so her safety should have been paramount. Yet Jiang Ruan remained, defying expectations.
The guards protecting her stood silently outside the main hall. Inside, maids tended to the silver-charcoal stove with practiced ease, while a bearded steward flipped through what looked like account books. No one glanced their way or spoke, as if sound itself had vanished. It was as though their armed intrusion had gone unnoticed.
The scene was unnervingly tranquil—a mundane, cozy setting that here felt strange, even sinister.The leader took a few steps forward, and seated in the main position of the central hall was a woman dressed in red. She wore a light-red embroidered plum brocade gown with a fiery-red fox fur cloak draped over it. The fur was glossy and radiant, shimmering like a cluster of flames in the night. Yet, even more dazzling than the fur was the woman's beauty. She held a small hand warmer, her head slightly lowered, her long, curled lashes fluttering faintly. Her gaze was as enchanting as autumn waters, her skin fairer than snow, her lips red and teeth white. Though her full visage was not yet revealed, every movement she made seemed irresistibly captivating, truly bewitching.
The scene was so beautiful it was almost unbearable to disturb. However, the leader steadied himself and signaled with a wave. His subordinates slowly advanced toward the central hall. "Are you the Princess of Great Peace?"
The red-clad maiden slowly lifted her head, revealing a face both alluring and radiant. She seemed to notice the torches in the courtyard only now, her expression flickering briefly before settling into a faint smile. "Indeed, I am."
"My apologies, Princess," the man sneered. "On your journey to the underworld, I’ll burn some paper money for you!" His expression was dark, yet his eyes held a trace of suspicion.
Perhaps it was no coincidence that the men Ye Li employed shared his temperament, especially in their paranoia. The calmer Jiang Ruan appeared, the more uneasy they grew, fearing some hidden scheme. Their hesitation to act stemmed from this very reason—likely wary of her tricks or perhaps warned by Ye Li before his departure.
A flicker of disdain passed through Jiang Ruan’s eyes. Had she been in his position, she would never have been so indecisive. In matters of life and death, ruthlessness was key. Hesitation only sealed one’s fate. She sighed softly but remained silent.
"What does the Princess mean by this?" The man’s suspicion deepened. Then, Jiang Ruan’s smiling voice rang out: "Too late."
"What’s too late?" The man froze before scoffing. "Have the Brocade-clad Guards come to your rescue?"
"It's too late." Jiang Ruan said calmly, "The Brocade-clad Guards won't come. Your master won't be able to test anything."
The man was startled, nearly taking two steps back, feeling Jiang Ruan's gaze was shockingly bright, carrying an intimidating force. He steadied himself and said coldly, "Why deceive yourself, County Princess? Even at death's door, you still refuse to yield."
"I was wondering what you were really after, but now I understand." Her smile was radiant, dazzling amidst the flames, yet her voice carried a bone-chilling coldness. "Tonight, you won't take my life, nor will you test the Brocade-clad Guards' limits. Of course, you won't leave the manor's gates, and you won't have a chance to survive. So I say," she shrugged, "it's too late."
The more she spoke, the more nervous the man became, as if she had seized his vital spot. His confidence wavered under her words. He immediately gestured for his subordinates to act, but before his hand was fully raised, the sound of arrows cutting through the air reached his ears. He didn't even have time to turn around before an arrow pierced through his chest from behind.
Outside the courtyard of Brocade Hero King Manor, on the rooftops, shadowy figures had silently appeared, blending into the darkness. A loud shout came from beyond the gates: "Bandits running rampant! Zhao Yi, Capital Defense Commander, is here! Surrender at once!"
The group was stunned as their leader slowly collapsed. Jiang Ruan's voice, now distant, now near, reached his ears with a mocking tone: "Have a safe journey to the underworld."
(End of Chapter)
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