The moment their leader died, the remaining men below immediately fell into chaos, too preoccupied to care about anything else. In an instant, they became entangled in a fierce melee with the City Garrison troops Zhao Yi had brought. Jiang Ruan abruptly stood up from her seat. The figures on the rooftop were all shadow guards familiar to Jin Er. The earlier lengthy conversation with the leading man had merely been a tactic to buy time. Hidden in the shadows, the shadow guards gave these men the illusion that the Brocade-clad Guards were appearing and disappearing unpredictably, crushing their morale. Now, she could see clearly—these men were indeed all zealots. With their leader dead and knowing they would face death if they failed their mission tonight, they had nothing left to lose but to fight desperately. Zhao Yi was locked in combat with them, but victory was far from certain. Yet with no immediate reinforcements available, who else could step in to help?
Lost in thought over possible strategies, Jiang Ruan failed to notice several zealots closing in on her. Butler Lin had just finished discussing matters with the shadow guards, leaving Jiang Ruan alone near the courtyard gate. Zisu and Lianqiao screamed in alarm as Tianzhu leaped forward, kicking away the blade that had been leveled at Jiang Ruan. Turning back, Tianzhu grabbed her hand urgently. "Miss, please take shelter inside the house. It's too chaotic here."
Jiang Ruan nodded. With Zhao Yi already engaged, staying here would only be a burden. She followed Tianzhu and the maids toward the house. But halfway there, Tianzhu became entangled with another zealot who had lunged forward. More and more zealots swarmed around them, turning Jiang Ruan into a living target. The shadow guards were locked in fierce combat with the frenzied zealots, leaving no one free to rescue her. Glancing at Lianqiao and the others, Jiang Ruan turned and ran in the opposite direction—staying together would only endanger them.
As she reached a corridor in the courtyard, a sudden grip clamped around her ankle. Looking down, Jiang Ruan saw a severely wounded zealot who had just regained consciousness, using his last ounce of strength to seize her. His grip was ironclad, impossible to shake off. Another zealot, spotting the opportunity, raised his blade without hesitation and swung it down toward her head. Unable to move, Jiang Ruan stood frozen like a target, watching the glint of steel descend upon her—death seemed inevitable.
Qi Feng, who had just arrived at the Jiang residence in search of Jiang Ruan, witnessed this heart-stopping scene. A gut-wrenching cry tore from his throat: "Jiang Ruan!"
The anguish and overwhelming grief in his voice threatened to drown everything in an instant. Before Jiang Ruan could react, a dark figure leaped forward, yanking her into a protective embrace just as the deadly blade missed its mark.
The cold embrace carried the familiar scent of bamboo and wind. For a moment, Jiang Ruan was stunned. Under the moonlight, the man's frosty gaze bore down as he uttered two words: "Seeking death."
The two zealots barely had time to comprehend the situation before a chill pierced their chests—a longsword had run them through. Xiao Shao tossed his blade aside, scooped Jiang Ruan into his arms, and commanded those behind him: "No survivors. Kill them all."
Just as they reached the entrance, the sounds of clashing forces echoed from outside. A figure rushed toward them in haste, his brow twitching at the sight of Jiang Ruan cradled in Xiao Shao's arms. But there was no time to dwell on it as he called out: "A Ruan!""Big Brother?" Jiang Ruan was stunned to see Jiang Xin Zhi standing before her. He looked travel-worn, having clearly rushed back in haste. She asked in surprise, "Why have you returned to the capital so early?" The news had indicated he wouldn't arrive for several more days, yet here he was unexpectedly. What was going on?
Jiang Xin Zhi glanced at Xiao Shao and said, "I had a bad feeling, so we hurried back ahead of schedule." Pausing, he surveyed the chaotic scene in the courtyard and complained, "You're usually so clever, yet you act foolishly at times like this. If we hadn't returned just in time today and something had happened to you, how could I face Mother? Next time you encounter such danger, don't worry about anything else—your safety comes first." Unable to suppress his frustration, he turned to Xiao Shao. "I truly can't feel at ease leaving you in this place."
Jiang Ruan patted Xiao Shao, signaling him to let her down. Once Xiao Shao released her and she steadied herself, she addressed Jiang Xin Zhi. "They were targeting me today. It wouldn't have mattered where I was."
Jiang Xin Zhi wanted to say more but held back, not wanting to upset Jiang Ruan further after the day's frights. Instead, he firmly grasped her hand. "Regardless, this place isn't safe. Come back to the manor with me."
Xiao Shao seized Jiang Ruan's arm, his gaze icy. "She's not leaving. She stays here."
With each man holding one of her arms, the atmosphere grew tense. Jiang Xin Zhi retorted, "She's not yet married! What would people think if she stayed here?"
"She belongs to Brocade Hero King Manor," Xiao Shao stated calmly.
"Enough," Jiang Ruan said, shaking off both their hands, a wave of complicated frustration rising within her. She turned to Jiang Xin Zhi. "Big Brother, it's too late now. Returning to the Jiang Manor would be inconvenient, and there might still be spies sent by Ye Li outside, which could cause unnecessary trouble. I'll stay here tonight."
Xiao Shao's expression softened slightly, but Jiang Xin Zhi grew even more agitated, thinking how quickly his sister was siding with another man before even marrying. He felt somewhat wronged, yet he knew Jiang Ruan's reasoning was sound, leaving him in a conflicted state.
Jiang Ruan could tell what was going through her brother's mind and sighed inwardly. After years on the battlefield, he had somehow become more childish. She placated him, "The outside doesn't seem safe either. Why don't you stay as well? There are some things I'd like to ask you. Get settled—you can rest here tonight too."
Just as Xiao Shao was about to refuse outright, Jiang Xin Zhi immediately agreed. "Fine. For your sake, I'll stay tonight."
Xiao Shao: "..."
...
The men Xiao Shao had brought worked with remarkable efficiency. In no time, nearly all the zealots had been eliminated, and his subordinates, well-practiced in such matters, swiftly cleaned the courtyard until not a trace of blood remained. Sitting under the lamplight, Jiang Xin Zhi still sounded displeased. "This doesn't seem like the first time this has happened. How many have died in Brocade Hero King Manor? Do you truly wish to live in such an ill-omened place?""Big Brother, what exactly is the matter with you?" Jiang Ruan asked. Ever since Jiang Xin Zhi had seen her, he had been at odds with Xiao Shao, and his behavior was far too obvious. Previously, Jiang Xin Zhi hadn't exactly liked Xiao Shao, but he hadn't been as hostile as he was now. Jiang Ruan herself suspected that something must have happened at the border. But would Xiao Shao really bully Jiang Xin Zhi for no reason?
Jiang Xin Zhi averted his gaze and paused for a moment before saying, "Are you really going to marry him?" In Jiang Xin Zhi's eyes, after years of fighting abroad, he had suddenly learned about the Imperial Decree betrothing Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan, and naturally, he was furious. If he had been present, it might have been different, but this had happened while he was away. To him, Xiao Shao had taken advantage of the situation—like someone snatching away the cabbage he had painstakingly grown—and he couldn't help feeling resentful.
"Big Brother, this is the Empress Dowager's Imperial Decree," Jiang Ruan sighed. "I can't exactly defy it. Besides, marrying into the Brocade Hero King Manor isn't so bad. There's no mother-in-law or sister-in-law for me to serve—it’s peaceful and straightforward."
"You're my sister," Jiang Xin Zhi said solemnly. "Even if he's young and accomplished, and not bad-looking, he still has a terrible reputation and is cold by nature. A girl like you doesn’t understand what marriage entails—what’s so good about spending every day with someone so icy?" In Jiang Xin Zhi's eyes, his sister was flawless, while Xiao Shao was unworthy of her no matter how he looked at it. How could he possibly be pleased?
"What does reputation matter?" Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Big Brother, have you forgotten? I was once labeled the 'Star of Calamity and Solitude'—was that true?"
"That was slander against you—how could it be taken seriously?" Just mentioning this made Jiang Xin Zhi's chest tighten with anger. Back then, he had been powerless and unaware of Xia Yan's family's malicious schemes, allowing Jiang Ruan to be branded with such a vile name and suffer years of hardship in the countryside.
"If I was slandered, couldn’t the same be true for him?" Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Besides, you’ve been at the border for so long and have spent time with him. You must know him somewhat. What kind of person is he—don’t you understand?"
Jiang Xin Zhi was at a loss for words. In truth, though Xiao Shao was aloof, his subordinates respected and revered him deeply. To judge a person, one need only observe how those around them treat them. If Xiao Shao's men were so fiercely loyal, he must have exceptional qualities. Moreover, on the battlefield, his courage and insight were truly admirable. There was no denying that he was an extraordinarily formidable man, one who could absolutely protect Jiang Ruan. Still, Jiang Xin Zhi couldn't shake his discomfort and muttered, "A Ruan, every word you say is in his defense. You act indifferent, but in truth, you’ve already taken a liking to him—that much is true."This time, it was Jiang Ruan's turn to be at a loss for words. She stared at Jiang Xin Zhi for a long moment before finally saying, "Eldest Brother, it makes no difference whom I marry. Although the Empress Dowager favors me, the stability of the Jin Dynasty outweighs my personal safety. The higher my status and the more I am favored by the royal family, the more likely I am to become their bargaining chip in the future. Do you remember Princess Yuan Rong from back then? Everyone sees me now as the second coming of Princess Yuan Rong in the Empress Dowager's eyes. Who can guarantee that my fate won’t mirror hers in the future?"
Jiang Xin Zhi was startled and exclaimed urgently, "Don’t talk nonsense!"
"Eldest Brother, you understand exactly what I mean," Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Princess Yuan Rong was Empress Dowager Yide's own daughter, yet she still met such an end. I share not a single drop of royal blood—who knows if the winds might suddenly shift one day? As for my so-called father, he despises and resents us to the core. If he can use me to pave the way for his political career, he would be more than willing. My life may seem splendid on the surface, but in reality, every step is fraught with danger. Marrying Xiao Shao—though he is cold and indifferent—will at least save me some trouble. It makes no difference whom I marry, but with him, I at least have leverage. Our relationship is that of allies, which is more solid than any other bond."
"You..." Jiang Xin Zhi was both shocked and furious. "What nonsense are you spouting? How can marriage be treated as a bargaining chip? Whatever you want, I will fight for it myself. I will protect you, but you cannot treat your husband as an ally. He is someone you should entrust your heart to, someone to accompany you for life. Speaking like this—where does that leave you?"
"Eldest Brother, I have no heart for romance now," Jiang Ruan said calmly. "Since childhood, we’ve witnessed Mother’s fate, and there’s always been an insurmountable barrier in our hearts. If I marry into the Brocade Hero King Manor and he truly turns out to be my destined one, given time, allies may naturally become husband and wife. But these things take time to nurture." She lied to Jiang Xin Zhi. In this life, her resistance and aversion to marriage, her emotional detachment, did not stem from Zhao Mei’s fate. Rather, it was the betrayal and slaughter she endured in her past life after pouring her heart and soul into love. To completely rid herself of that shadow in this life was no easy task. But this was something she could not tell Jiang Xin Zhi.
Hearing this, Jiang Xin Zhi didn’t know how to persuade her. Once his younger sister made up her mind, no one could sway her. He sighed and patted her head, saying, "So young, yet you sound like a little old woman. I wonder who you take after."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, and the two siblings moved on to other topics.
In the study on the other side, Xiao Shao sat at the desk, with Xia Qing and Qi Feng seated across from him. Xia Qing, unable to rest easy, had rushed over and was surprised to find Xiao Shao had returned. Now, sitting in the study of the Brocade Hero King Manor, he finally had the chance to voice his question: "Third Brother, why didn’t Eldest Brother return with you?"
"He stayed behind with the troops," Xiao Shao replied. He had raced back at full speed, only to find Jiang Xin Zhi had followed. The army couldn’t be left without a leader, so naturally, Guan Lianghan had to stay behind.Qi Feng sat in his seat, lost in thought, remaining silent all the while. Xia Qing, noticing this, nudged his arm and asked, "Fourth Brother, what's wrong? You've been distracted ever since we arrived. I heard you rushed out when the fire broke out earlier—why were you in such a hurry?"
By the time Xia Qing arrived, the Brocade-clad Guards had already disposed of the zealot's body, so Xia Qing was unaware of what had transpired. At his words, Xiao Shao's gaze flickered briefly toward Qi Feng but he said nothing.
Qi Feng snapped out of his daze. Only he knew just how perilous the earlier moment had been—so much so that his heart had nearly stopped. Even now, the mere memory sent a chill down his spine. In his panic, he had lost his composure, and he wondered if Xiao Shao had noticed. Raising his head, he met Xiao Shao's calm gaze—a gaze so penetrating it seemed to lay bare his innermost thoughts. Qi Feng felt an immediate discomfort, as if he wanted to flee on the spot.
After a moment, he forced a smile. "It's nothing. I just stepped out to take a look." He recalled the critical moment when Xiao Shao had arrived just in time to save Jiang Ruan. Xiao Shao could protect her openly and rightfully, while he— The thought brought a surge of bitterness. Some things in this world could be fought for, but others could not—some, not even the right to fight for them. Suppressing the ache in his heart, Qi Feng said, "Third Brother, now that you're back, the capital is bound to see some changes. Did you uncover any leads during your mission to Celestial Jin?"
They had been investigating the Eastern Barbarian Country's movements for years. This sudden challenge from Celestial Jin was intricately linked to the Eastern Barbarian Country, and Xiao Shao's recent campaign had also been an opportunity to gather intelligence. Xiao Shao shook his head. "The court has their own agents planted, but this one is deeply concealed. With Celestial Jin's defeat and the Eastern Barbarian Country's alliance fractured, they may lie low for a while. There are other arrangements in the capital."
Xia Qing, naturally unable to follow their conversation, scratched his head and said, "Well, whatever the case, it's good that Third Brother has returned safely. Fourth Brother and I even made a bet about your marriage earlier. Now that you're back, when will the wedding be? I'm just waiting to toast at your celebration before heading back to Jinling. My medical apprentices are getting restless with the clinic left unattended for so long."
At his words, both Xiao Shao and Qi Feng froze momentarily. After a long silence, Xiao Shao replied evenly, "I'll visit the palace tomorrow to discuss the matter. The wedding will be held as soon as possible." His gaze lingered briefly on Qi Feng before flickering away, his expression as indifferent as ever.
"That's wonderful!" Xia Qing, oblivious to the undercurrents, said cheerfully. "I’ll have to think about what gift to give you!"
...Early the next morning, a light snow had begun to fall at dawn. By nightfall, the snowfall had grown heavy, nearly knee-deep. The weather was unusually cold, yet the streets and alleys buzzed with lively discussions rather than quieting down due to the extreme chill. Vendors chattered excitedly, all having heard from their masters that it seemed like bandits had struck. However, when the manor guards mustered the courage to investigate after a long delay, there was no sign of disturbance. Only a row of houses had been destroyed. But since those living in the prosperous northern district were either wealthy or noble, they cared little for the lost silver. Still, they couldn't shake off a lingering sense of unease, feeling it was an ill omen.
At the Eighth Prince's residence, Ye Li massaged his temples, his expression fraught with anxiety. There had been no word about last night's raid, and even the scouts he had sent out had not returned. Ye Li knew all too well what this implied, yet he couldn't bring himself to accept that all had likely perished. He had considered the possibility of total loss, but at the very least, someone should have reported on the Brocade-clad Guards' situation. Jiang Ruan was merely a woman—how could she have ordered a massacre? Moreover, the raid had relied on the element of surprise. Without thorough preparation, how could Jiang Ruan have escaped unscathed?
Ye Li had been utterly confident in these calculations, yet after waiting all night, there was still no news. The scouts he sent afterward could glean nothing from the vicinity of the Brocade Hero King Manor. The manor was impregnable—not even a fly could slip in—making it nearly impossible to gather information. After several fruitless attempts, Ye Li grew increasingly unsettled. The news of the fire that had consumed an entire street in the northern district that morning spread like wildfire. It was undoubtedly linked to the Brocade Hero King Manor. Ye Li recognized it as Jiang Ruan's ploy to sow confusion but was powerless to counter it.
As he brooded, two servants carried in a chest and placed it in the center of the room. Addressing Ye Li, they said, "Your Highness, Lord Zhang has sent a gift for your inspection."
It was common for subordinate officials to present gifts from time to time, but today, Ye Li had no patience for such matters. Waving his hand dismissively, he ordered, "Open it."
As the chest slowly creaked open, Ye Li heard the sharp intake of breath from the two servants and guards beside him. Though they stifled any screams to avoid alarming him, their ragged breathing made Ye Li frown. He turned to look and froze, his gaze locked onto the contents.
Neatly arranged inside the chest was a row of severed heads, their bloodied and mangled appearances enough to unsettle anyone. Yet their features were still faintly recognizable—five scouts and the leader of the assassins, six heads in total, meticulously displayed as if mocking his incompetence.
A metallic taste rose in Ye Li's throat as a surge of bitter rage erupted from his chest, nearly forcing him to vomit blood. Swallowing hard, he turned his dark, venomous glare onto the two servants who had brought in the chest. "How did this get here?"
The servants, already trembling from the shocking discovery, dropped to their knees and kowtowed frantically. "Spare us, Your Highness! Lord Zhang's men left the chest at the gate. It was like this when we brought it in! Spare us, Your Highness!"Ye Li clenched his fist, and the cup in his palm shattered with a crisp sound. The broken porcelain shards cut his hand, blood slowly seeping between his fingers, yet he seemed utterly unaware. The guards nearby dared not even breathe, for Ye Li's expression was twisted beyond recognition—though his lips curled upward, his muscles trembled uncontrollably, a clear sign of his fury.
If Ye Li felt aggrieved, it was not without reason. Previously, Brocade Hero King Manor had been under Xiao Shao's protection, leaving him no opening to exploit. Now that Xiao Shao was absent, with Jiang Ruan in charge, how could he have been outmaneuvered by a mere woman? And what was the meaning of this severed head, delivered so deliberately? It was nothing short of a provocation! Though Ye Li appeared magnanimous on the surface, his heart was narrow and vindictive. This act had nearly drawn out the darkest corners of his soul—those responsible were utterly unforgivable!
As he brooded with a stormy gaze, another shadow guard hurried in. Upon seeing Ye Li, he immediately reported, "Your Highness, we have just received word—Jinying Wang has returned to the capital."
Ye Li's eyes blazed as he snapped his gaze toward the messenger, his hand unconsciously tightening, blood dripping steadily to the floor.
...
While one branch of the story blossoms, let's turn to the other. At Brocade Hero King Manor, life was bustling with vitality. The master's return naturally brought great joy to all. After the perilous events of the previous night, everyone had expected a fierce battle, but at the critical moment, Xiao Shao had suddenly returned. Beyond happiness, there was also immense relief. Over the past year of interaction, the servants of the manor had grown quite fond of Jiang Ruan. Though the princess consort appeared somewhat aloof, she never made unreasonable demands and was always thoughtful in her generosity toward the servants during festivals. Unlike other noble ladies who might be temperamental, this princess consort was easy to get along with and carried almost no airs. After last night, when Jiang Ruan had revealed her strong and resilient side in front of everyone, her image instantly became grander in the servants' eyes. She had practically won their hearts on the spot, becoming the undisputed mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor in their minds—truly the people's choice.
Thus, when Xiao Shao returned, the servants naturally took it upon themselves to create every possible opportunity for the young couple to spend time together.
Jiang Ruan had just finished breakfast when Luzhu came in and said, "Miss, it's snowing outside. Would you like to take a look?"
There was nothing particularly special about snow falling every day, but with nothing else to do indoors, Jiang Ruan stood up. Seeing this, Lianqiao quickly fetched a fire-rat fur cloak to drape over her shoulders and pressed a small silver-carved hand warmer into her palm. "Be careful not to catch a chill," she said.
The group stepped outside, and as they reached the courtyard, they spotted a figure sitting in the pavilion in the distance. Luzhu blinked and feigned surprise, exclaiming loudly, "Oh! Isn’t that the young master over there? Miss, the young master is in the pavilion. Should we go see?"
Her voice carried clearly, reaching the ears of the person in the pavilion, who turned to look in their direction. At this point, pretending not to notice was impossible. Jiang Ruan shot Luzhu a glare, to which the latter responded by rubbing her nose and looking up at the sky. With a sigh, Jiang Ruan lifted the hem of her skirt and walked toward the pavilion. The maids, understanding their place, stayed behind, waiting at a distance.
Xiao Shao sat in the pavilion, dressed that day in an official robe of deep indigo embroidered with silver bat patterns. The delicate silver threads at the cuffs accentuated his jade-like elegance, while a black cloak draped over his shoulders emphasized his tall, slender frame. At that moment, lost in thought, his gaze was distant. His handsome, refined features and cool, graceful demeanor were undeniably captivating.
(End of Chapter)
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