A Dream within a Dream

Xiao Shao stared intently into her eyes, feeling shock and helplessness for the first time. Suddenly, he called out in a low voice, "Ye Feng!"

Ye Feng pushed the door open abruptly. "Master, what's wrong?" When he saw Jiang Ruan's state, he was equally stunned. Never had Jiang Ruan appeared so disheveled—her expression was as if she were facing not Xiao Shao but a sworn enemy with a deep-seated blood feud. Before he could process the scene before him, Xiao Shao's icy voice rang out, "Tell Xia Wu to get in here now!"

Xia Qing arrived swiftly. For convenience in treating Jiang Ruan's condition, he had taken up residence in the Brocade Hero King Manor. Being dragged out of bed in the dead of night gave him an uneasy premonition. Upon entering and witnessing Jiang Ruan's abnormal behavior, his heart lurched. Xiao Shao's face was dark as storm clouds as he demanded, "Why has she become like this?"

Not daring to be careless, Xia Qing immediately stepped forward to check Jiang Ruan's pulse. The moment he did, he froze, as if unable to believe what he felt. He checked again meticulously before turning to Xiao Shao. "Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law's body shows no issues. But her behavior seems like she's trapped in a nightmare. It's possible she has some inner demons that have been inadvertently triggered." Xia Qing felt awkward; he had unwittingly stumbled upon Jiang Ruan's secret. Given his sister-in-law's decisive and formidable nature, he had no idea how she would treat him once she awoke. Despite his reservations, she was still family, so he added, "These are her inner demons. I can prescribe a calming tonic, but whether it will work, I can't say. Third Brother, I'm a physician, but I can't cure the ailments of the heart. Don't press me further."

His words held truth. Knowing that pressing Xia Qing further would yield no better solution, Xiao Shao said coldly, "Get out." Xia Qing rubbed his head and quickly retreated with the others, leaving only Ye Feng and Xiao Shao in the room.

Jiang Ruan huddled in a corner of the bed, her expression desolate, her eyes hollow and chilling. The moment Xiao Shao met her gaze, he was stunned. How could anyone in this world possess such a look? Over the years, the Brocade-clad Guards had taken many lives, and even in their final moments, those people had struggled and pleaded. Yet none compared to the sheer anguish in the young woman before him. Those usually alluring, upturned eyes held none of their usual coldness or cunning—only a despair so deep it seemed to seep into the bones. One glance from those eyes made it feel as if all light had vanished from the world.

Inner demons? Xiao Shao recalled Xia Qing's words. Did Jiang Ruan harbor inner demons? His gaze turned icy as he studied the young woman before him. For a long time, he had sensed that Jiang Ruan carried a secret known to no one. She often exhibited strange behaviors, yet none were ever meaningless. She was like a sudden glimmer of light in the Da Jin Dynasty—bizarre and enigmatic, her true significance unclear. And he hadn't missed her earlier words. Ye Li... Many of her actions seemed subtly connected to Ye Li. He had once sent shadow guards to investigate the relationship between Jiang Ruan and Ye Li but found nothing. He had assumed it mere coincidence, but now it seemed his suspicions were correct. There must be some unresolved conflict between Jiang Ruan and Ye Li—one so severe it could well be a blood feud! What had Ye Li done to her? Her question had been uttered with such heart-wrenching sorrow.Ye Feng watched from the side, his heart pounding with unease. Jiang Ruan had always seemed like someone without any weaknesses, composed and unshaken even in the face of the most cunning enemies. Yet now, poisoned and tormented by inner demons, she revealed an incredibly fragile side. What had she truly endured?

Xiao Shao approached her gently, careful not to startle her, but Jiang Ruan glared at him coldly. He reached out, intending to pull her into his embrace to comfort her, but as soon as he drew near, she grabbed his arm and sank her teeth into it with brutal force.

"Master!" Ye Feng exclaimed in alarm. The bite was vicious—Xiao Shao was wearing light-colored robes that day, and blood immediately seeped through the fabric. Yet he didn’t flinch, raising a hand to stop Ye Feng from intervening. He let her bite him, then used his other hand to gently stroke her hair, murmuring soothingly, "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

He remained still, and so did Jiang Ruan, refusing to release her grip. Ye Feng watched anxiously, unsure how much time had passed before Jiang Ruan finally loosened her jaw, seemingly exhausted. Xiao Shao freed his arm but didn’t bother checking his wound. Instead, he wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Jiang Ruan stared at him blankly, then suddenly her eyes reddened, and large, hot tears rolled onto the back of his hand.

Had she regained her senses? Xiao Shao froze in surprise. Jiang Ruan suddenly covered her face, her voice caught between laughter and sobs. Ye Feng didn’t dare breathe—in the silence of the night, her cries were piercingly clear. When she lowered her hands, her beautiful face was twisted with an indescribable expression, a mix of despair and heart-wrenching sorrow. She began to shout accusations: "Father! So this is how you send me to my death! You deceived me alongside them—you wanted my life to serve as a stepping stone for Jiang Susu! From the very beginning, you planned to sacrifice me for your own achievements and career! How cruel you are!"

But hadn’t Jiang Susu already died? Why was she being mentioned again? Ye Feng was bewildered. And what did Jiang Quan’s achievements and career have to do with this? Jiang Ruan’s words left him utterly confused. She shook her head and cried, "I’m not the nation-destroying enchantress! I didn’t kill the Emperor!"

"Shh, A Ruan, don’t think about it anymore," Xiao Shao murmured, pressing her firmly against his chest. His dark eyes were unreadable, but his voice was tender and reassuring.

Jiang Ruan clutched his sleeve and suddenly pleaded, "Save my brother. Save him—they want to kill him. Please, save my brother."

Xiao Shao closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his gaze was icy. "Ye Feng," he ordered coldly, "go to the Minister’s residence immediately and bring Jiang Xin Zhi here!"

By the time Jiang Xin Zhi hurriedly arrived at the Brocade Hero King Manor, his expression was beyond grim. In the dead of night, someone had broken into his room—had they not revealed their identity in time, they would have been treated as an assassin. The messenger had been frantic, only saying that something had happened to Jiang Ruan and urging him to rush to the manor. The moment Jiang Xin Zhi heard this, he panicked, mounting his horse without hesitation and charging toward the manor. The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew—his beloved sister had only been married into the manor for a single day! How could something have happened already? The messenger had been vague, leaving him clueless about the specifics. Yet Jiang Xin Zhi knew one thing for certain: if Xiao Shao had personally sent someone to summon him, the situation had to be dire.Sure enough, upon arriving at the Brocade Hero King Manor, as soon as Jiang Xin Zhi stepped through the main gate of the courtyard, he saw Zisu and Lianqiao standing outside with grave expressions. His heart sank, and he strode in, immediately spotting Jiang Ruan sobbing in Xiao Shao's embrace.

Since being brought back from the estate, Jiang Ruan had hardly ever cried so uncontrollably. Even in front of Jiang Xin Zhi, she always remained composed and steady. He knew well how resilient his younger sister had become over the years. When had he ever seen her like this? For a moment, he was dazed—the girl before him seemed to overlap with the gentle, fragile child from years ago when Zhao Mei was still alive.

But his distraction lasted only a moment. Jiang Xin Zhi quickly snapped back to reality and marched up to Xiao Shao, demanding angrily, "A Ruan, what's wrong? Did he bully you?"

Jiang Ruan was crying so intensely that Jiang Xin Zhi's heart ached. There was probably no one in the world who could make her cry like this—unless it was Xiao Shao. Jiang Xin Zhi glared coldly, while Ye Feng grew tense, as though if Jiang Ruan answered "yes," Jiang Xin Zhi would immediately throw himself into a fight with Xiao Shao right then and there.

"She's been poisoned," Xiao Shao said, his expression equally grim. "Now she's tormented by inner demons and isn't in her right mind. I called you here because there's something I need to ask you—before the Xia Family plotted against you, had you ever fallen into someone else's trap?"

"What poison? What are you talking about?" Jiang Xin Zhi frowned, not understanding Xiao Shao's words. Noticing that Jiang Ruan seemed completely unaware of his arrival, he sensed something was wrong. He stepped forward, bending down to lean closer to her. "A Ruan?"

But Jiang Ruan remained oblivious, her gaze hollow like a deep, dark pool. Yet her words were clear, striking Jiang Xin Zhi like a bolt of lightning: "Brother, don't die. Don't leave me alone."

Jiang Xin Zhi froze in place. Xiao Shao looked at him coldly. "Now you understand why I called you here."

"What the hell is going on?" Jiang Xin Zhi was no fool. Seeing Jiang Ruan in such an abnormal state, he had already grasped part of the situation. He scrutinized her carefully, relieved to find no visible wounds on her body. His gaze toward Xiao Shao turned hostile. "What's wrong with A Ruan? Why doesn't she recognize even me? She looks like she's been possessed." Recalling Xiao Shao's earlier words, he shuddered. "You said she's been poisoned?"

"Yes," Xiao Shao replied, looking down at Jiang Ruan in his arms. Her panic had persisted for far too long, and the words she occasionally uttered were laden with endless secrets—each one shocking. Even he found much of it baffling. Jiang Xin Zhi was Jiang Ruan's own brother; he had assumed he would know at least some of these things. But now, it seemed even between these siblings, not everything was shared. Jiang Ruan had always confined herself within a narrow space, one no one could enter—because the secret she guarded seemed to be part of a vast conspiracy."How could she be poisoned?" Jiang Xin Zhi grabbed Xiao Shao by the collar, though his grip was somewhat restrained for fear of hurting Jiang Ruan. His voice was low, his eyes slightly reddened, brimming with undisguised fury. "Xiao Shao, she's been married to you for barely a day, and already someone poisoned her right under your nose? Is this how you take care of her? Had I known your residence was such a den of tigers and dragons, I would have kept her at home for life rather than let her marry you!"

He had always been fiercely protective of his own. But Ye Feng, standing nearby, couldn't help but speak up in defense of his master. "Young Master Jiang, your words are rather unfair. The poison wasn't administered in our residence. If we trace it back, it was tampered with while she was still in the Jiang household. Blaming our master for this is completely unreasonable."

The Brocade-clad Guards held Xiao Shao in the highest esteem but had little regard for others' sensibilities. Ye Feng spoke bluntly, leaving Jiang Xin Zhi momentarily stunned. "The Jiang household?" he echoed.

"That's why I'm asking you," Xiao Shao said coldly, his gaze piercing. "In the Jiang residence, who has harmed you before? Who was it?"

Jiang Xin Zhi froze momentarily before letting out a bitter laugh. Normally amiable and upright, his expression now darkened with rare hostility. "A Ruan and I were thorns in everyone's eyes in the Jiang household. If you ask who wished us harm, the list is far too long. A Ruan has faced schemes since the day she was born. Back then, with Mother and me protecting her, she could at least live in peace. If not for your mention today, I wouldn't have known she had been poisoned even before then." Jiang Xin Zhi clenched his fists. "If I knew who did this, I'd tear them limb from limb!"

"The death of your late mother also seems suspicious," Xiao Shao said calmly, though his tone carried an undercurrent of deep anger. "Yet you appear unaffected." He glanced at Jiang Ruan in his arms. "The Jiang family's affairs are best known to you. The origins of this must be uncovered by you. Once we find the culprit, there's no need for you to act—I won't let them off lightly either."

His words were deceptively mild, yet the room suddenly grew colder. The last few syllables carried a faint but unmistakable killing intent, sweeping over them like a tidal wave. No one would doubt that this elegant, beautiful man could transform into a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon in an instant.

Jiang Xin Zhi stared at him intently, and Xiao Shao met his gaze unflinchingly. After a long pause, Jiang Xin Zhi finally spoke in a low voice, "If you ask me who our greatest enemy was, it was undoubtedly Xia Yan and her family. Back then, she wanted to be the mistress of the house—though she was merely a concubine, she constantly made trouble for Mother, all while pretending to be magnanimous. And Jiang Quan always shielded her." Jiang Xin Zhi's expression twisted as if he had swallowed a fly. Just recalling those days—the humiliation Xia Yan's hypocritical acts had inflicted on his mother and siblings—filled him with visceral disgust. Now, he wouldn't even deign to call Jiang Quan "Father," a clear sign that not a shred of affection remained for the Minister's household."Xia Yan is already dead, yet someone induced the accumulated poison within her to surface. It's clear the perpetrator isn't Xia Yan." Xiao Shao said, "I will investigate this thoroughly. For now..." He looked down at Jiang Ruan in his arms, "You should see her." As he released his hold, Jiang Ruan, who had been somewhat calmed by his earlier coaxing, was no longer hysterically questioning, though her expression remained one of profound terror and anguish, as if she had experienced something utterly despairing.

Once Xiao Shao stepped aside, Jiang Xin Zhi immediately moved forward to embrace Jiang Ruan. Her eyes were swollen from crying. Though Jiang Xin Zhi had answered Xiao Shao's questions earlier, the sight before him now filled him with confusion and urgency. "How did A Ruan become like this?" he asked anxiously.

"By sheer coincidence, her inner demons have now emerged." Xiao Shao's voice betrayed no emotion, yet one could sense the hidden fury beneath his calm words. He stood up, glancing at Jiang Ruan, "These are her inner demons. Jiang Xin Zhi, she lives in constant fear like this every day. Neither you nor I truly understand, but there are things you ought to know." He lowered his gaze, a hint of mockery in his tone, "Your sister, the Princess of Great Peace, is not as fearless as she appears. She lives in perpetual terror—something neither of us realized." With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Jiang Xin Zhi standing there in stunned silence.

After a long moment, Jiang Xin Zhi seemed to finally comprehend. He looked down at Jiang Ruan, who remained oblivious, her gaze fixed beyond him as if seeing something else entirely. Jiang Xin Zhi noticed her little finger curled tightly into her palm, and his eyes reddened instantly. When Jiang Ruan was young, she had been timid, and whenever she was extremely frightened, she would unconsciously make this gesture. Later, after returning from the countryside, she had become clever, composed, bold, and decisive—seemingly afraid of nothing, and this habit had disappeared. He had assumed she had outgrown her fears and abandoned this mannerism. But seeing it now, he realized she was still that same little girl. How could he have let his sister fall into such a state? Xiao Shao's words struck him like a hammer—Jiang Ruan lived in fear day and night, and he hadn't known? He hadn't even noticed? Clenching his teeth, Jiang Xin Zhi slammed his fist against the bedpost.

The vase on the bedside shattered from the impact, and blood slowly seeped from between his fingers. Jiang Ruan shuddered, and as Jiang Xin Zhi turned to her, she suddenly grabbed his hand, murmuring, "You're bleeding... Big Brother is bleeding... Big Brother is dead... Big Brother died on the battlefield... No, he didn't die in battle—he was murdered! Big Brother!" Her previously subdued emotions erupted violently, her eyes wild with frenzy, yet every word she uttered was about Jiang Xin Zhi. Though he didn't fully understand her words, his nose stung with emotion. Unable to hold back, he pulled Jiang Ruan into his arms, comforting her as he had when she was a child, whispering softly, "A Ruan, Big Brother is fine. Big Brother won't abandon you. Don't be afraid. I won't go anywhere..."The night was silent, making it impossible to ignore the movements of the siblings. The sounds were all too clear to those standing outside the door. Luzhu covered her mouth, tears brimming in her eyes, and whispered, "I never knew the young lady had such bitterness in her heart." Since she began following Jiang Ruan at the estate, Jiang Ruan had never shown any sign of suffering. She had her own thoughts, but among all her emotions, vulnerability was never one of them.

Jin Er patted her shoulder. "The young mistress is strong. She'll be alright."

Tianzhu remained motionless, quietly gazing at the room. She had once admired the resilience and methods of the woman inside, striving to become as strong as her. Now, seeing Jiang Ruan in such a state, Tianzhu was also puzzled.

"She must have endured a great deal of suffering," Butler Lin suddenly said. The others, rarely seeing him so solemn, turned to look at him. Standing outside the room, his shrewd eyes now flickered with an uncharacteristic emotion, momentarily appearing aged and sorrowful. "Extraordinary intelligence and tactics aren't innate talents. Only by enduring what others cannot in youth can one achieve what others cannot. Her methods are so formidable, and she fears nothing—it must be because, long ago, she experienced moments of utter despair. A heartless person must have once had their heart broken."

Had her heart been broken? Everyone turned their gaze back to the pair of silhouettes under the lamplight inside the room. The woman seemed deeply distressed, her frail shoulders trembling in the flickering light, evoking unbearable pity. The one they had thought strong and aloof was, in truth, suffering so much inside. At that moment, their hearts ached even more for the future mistress of the manor.

"Where has the master gone?" Jin San glanced around, realizing Xiao Shao had disappeared after leaving the room.

Jin Si was startled. "Oh no, could the master have impulsively gone to find Jiang Dan?"

They exchanged uneasy looks.

...

As the year-end approached, even the palace was bustling with activity, preparing for the New Year. The weather had also been pleasant these past few days—even the light snow was charming under the gentle sun. The Emperor was in high spirits, and with the imperial concubines also in good moods, the servants naturally benefited. The palace, once shrouded in gloom, now brimmed with liveliness and cheer.

In a quiet corner of the palace, Mingyue was serving the young prince his morning meal. Ye Pei had just risen. This young prince had recently gained the Emperor's favor, and even Ye Li and Ye Hua couldn't overshadow him. Though court officials felt betting on the Thirteenth Prince, who had no backing, was risky, the Emperor's attitude left them uncertain.

Thirteenth Prince Ye Pei was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, and his policy essays were exceptional. Even the usually stern Grand Tutor Liu Min praised him endlessly. Despite his young age, he remained humble and had insightful views on court affairs. Whenever the Emperor tested him with official matters, Ye Pei could always offer several sound suggestions.The sky had just begun to lighten when he had already ordered the lamps to be lit. After hastily eating a few bites of breakfast and freshening up, he walked to his desk, where a thick stack of historical and classical texts lay. This was his usual routine—rising at the crow of the rooster. People only saw his brilliance in public, unaware of the immense effort this young man put in behind the scenes. He never spoke of these things, but Mingyue watched in silent awe. The longer she stayed by Ye Pei's side, the more she found this delicate and beautiful youth utterly extraordinary. Despite his young age, he understood the art of biding his time and concealing his talents. His self-discipline was astonishing; he hardly needed reminders, always knowing exactly what to do and striving toward it with precision. Even the Emperor's growing favor toward him was part of Ye Pei's carefully calculated plan. Take this moment, for instance—his relentless studying was merely to ensure he could answer any new question the Emperor might pose with effortless fluency.

Ye Pei had already taken a seat at the table, while Mingyue stood up to clear away the leftover dishes. Before she could finish, the flustered voice of Ye Pei’s other personal maid, Chaoyang, rang out from outside: "Prince Xiao, why have you come? His Highness is still resting, you—" Before she could finish, the door was abruptly pushed open with a bang. Standing at the threshold was a young man clad in dark robes, his face cold, yet his expression betraying a hint of barely concealed agitation.

Chaoyang rushed in, looking at Ye Pei with fear. "Your Highness, this servant couldn’t stop him—"

Though Ye Pei usually appeared easygoing and rarely spoke harshly to his subordinates, once provoked, his wrath was something to be dreaded. Thus, despite Chaoyang’s typically cheerful demeanor, she served her master with utmost diligence. Her words reminded Mingyue—originally placed by Xiao Shao’s side, her true allegiance lay with him. Ye Pei had merely found her useful. At this moment, she had no intention of stopping Xiao Shao.

Fortunately, Ye Pei didn’t seem angered. He merely glanced at Xiao Shao before addressing Mingyue and Chaoyang, "I wish to read. Both of you may leave." His words implied he wanted to conceal Xiao Shao’s presence. Mingyue and Chaoyang quickly withdrew, closing the door behind them. Only after they left did Ye Pei leisurely walk to the table and sit down. Today, he wore a pine-green brocade court robe with golden trim—now that the Emperor favored him, his clothes no longer hung ill-fitting as before. The cut and fabric complemented his refined demeanor perfectly. With his naturally elegant features, he now exuded an air of nobility, carrying a unique charm that straddled the line between youthful innocence and maturity.

Leaning back in his chair, his voice still carried a youthful clarity, yet his tone was unmistakably authoritative: "Prince Xiao, barging into my palace so early in the morning—if you have something to say, speak plainly." As he spoke, he picked up a brush, as if intending to practice calligraphy.

"What is your relationship with Jiang Ruan?" Xiao Shao asked coldly.

Ye Pei’s hand paused, and a large drop of ink dripped from the brush, spreading across the paper. He set the brush down, masking the depth in his eyes, before replying slowly, "Oh? And why does Prince Xiao ask such a question?"

"Answer my question first," Xiao Shao pressed, unwavering, his gaze fixed intently on him.

Ye Pei turned to look at him, his eyes gradually settling on Xiao Shao’s arm. The night before, Jiang Ruan had bitten him there. Butler Lin had bandaged the wound, but the scratches from her frenzied state remained on the back of his hand. The moment Ye Pei recognized those marks, he immediately stood up, his expression shifting sharply. "What did you do to her?"

(End of Chapter)