Chapter 19: Dirty Water
The sudden news left Zisu and the others both furious and shocked, yet Jiang Ruan remained unhurried, even calmly continuing to sip her porridge. Xiaoyuan couldn't help but say, "Miss should make preparations sooner rather than later. Those people seem extremely confident—almost as if they’re certain Miss has committed murder."
Her words were carefully chosen, almost as if deliberately hinting at something. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "It’s fine. Right and wrong in this world won’t remain muddled forever. What’s true is true, and what’s false is false. Since I haven’t done it, I’ve nothing to fear even if the constables come."
Xiaoyuan clenched her teeth and steeled herself. "To be honest with Miss, having worked in the estate for so many years, I know a thing or two about these matters. Miss may not realize the gravity of the situation, but... this is truly a dead end. Once convicted, even if Miss is truly innocent, she’ll still be guilty. Miss should make arrangements now—perhaps inform the Master."
Zisu also nodded. "That’s right, Miss. These people are coming with fierce intent. It’s better to seek the Master’s help. He wouldn’t stand by and do nothing."
Lianqiao agreed as well. "Miss, the situation is urgent."
Under everyone’s gaze, Jiang Ruan gently shook her head. "No need. Xiaoyuan, thank you for the warning, but the constables are already on their way. It’s best you don’t linger here, lest you get implicated. You should leave now. If I need your help, I’ll have Zisu find you."
Xiaoyuan glanced out the window and nodded. "Miss needn’t be so polite. You are the mistress, and it’s only natural for servants to follow orders. This servant will take her leave now. If Miss ever has need of me, I’ll do my utmost."
After Xiaoyuan left, Jiang Ruan tapped the table lightly and said calmly, "When the constables arrive later, no matter what happens, neither of you is to breathe a word to the Shangshu residence, nor are you to seek my father’s help."
"Why?" Zisu couldn’t understand. "Miss is the Master’s own daughter—blood runs thicker than water. If he can help, Miss will be spared suffering. Miss, now is not the time to hold grudges against him. Family quarrels shouldn’t last overnight."
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "You think too simply. If I’m truly in trouble and you seek my father’s help, what awaits me may not be aid but added burden."
Lianqiao frowned. "What does Miss mean?"
"Think about it," Jiang Ruan said, staring at her fingertips. "If I’m falsely accused of murder, what will my father do? He won’t clear my name—he’ll likely pull strings to suppress the matter. But now, everyone inside and outside knows the constables are coming for me. This can’t be hushed up. Even if it’s suppressed on the surface, rumors will spread that I killed someone and used my father’s influence to cover it up. From then on, my reputation will be forever tarnished."
Zisu and Lianqiao broke out in cold sweat, hearts pounding with dread. Lianqiao asked, "If seeking the Master’s help won’t work, what should we do?"
"This situation may seem like a dead end, but there’s a way out at every turn. Don’t worry—sometimes survival comes only after facing death. The final victor is yet to be seen. I have a plan, so there’s no need for you to fret."
With Jiang Ruan’s reassurance, Lianqiao and Zisu gradually calmed down. Zisu said, "Understood, Miss. For now, we’ll act as if nothing has happened."Jiang Ruan pulled a sheet of paper from the book beside her and handed it to Lianqiao: "Tomorrow, give this to Qiu Yan."
Lianqiao nodded, then after a moment's thought, poured Jiang Ruan a cup of tea. Jiang Ruan wasn't in a hurry to drink it, merely smoothing the sleeve of her robe absently.
The two maids' suggestion to seek help from Jiang Quan had been rejected by Jiang Ruan from the start. Beyond her explanation, there was another reason. Truthfully, even without her sending a letter, the Minister's residence would learn of this news immediately. Zhang Lan's family would surely report this matter to their masters. Xia Yan and Jiang Susu would be only too happy to see her in trouble and wouldn't miss this opportunity to add fuel to the fire and throw stones at someone who's down. They could do much, and Jiang Quan certainly wouldn't stand up for her. Ever since her past life, when she saw her father publicly denounce her as the Nation-destroying enchantress who plotted against the Emperor during the palace coup, and witnessed his cold indifference as she was imprisoned, she knew Jiang Quan had never regarded her as his own flesh and blood. His only daughter was Jiang Susu.
Even if she were to die, she would never seek help from the Minister's residence or Jiang Quan. Moreover, after this matter was settled, she had a grand gift prepared for Jiang Quan and the mother-daughter pair Jiang Susu—a token of gratitude for sending her to live these years of inhuman suffering at the estate.
The play must go on, but the actors had long since changed.
As she was lost in thought, a clamor arose outside the courtyard. Before Lianqiao could react, the door was flung open with a crash, and several bailiffs with swords at their waists strode in, their voices rough as they demanded, "Where is Jiang Ruan?"
Jiang Ruan stood up and gave a slight curtsy.
The lead bailiff looked up to assess Jiang Ruan, surprised to see such a delicate young girl before him. Nevertheless, he maintained a stern expression. "Miss Jiang, apologies, but someone has accused you of murder."
Jiang Ruan looked at him with feigned astonishment. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, like willow catkins brushing against one's heart in spring, carrying an unintentional allure. The bailiff's tone unconsciously softened, as if afraid to disturb this crystal-like figure. "It's the steward's youngest son at this estate, Chen Zhao."
Lianqiao couldn't hold back any longer. "Our young lady is gentle and frail—how could she possibly kill anyone? Clearly, it's those vile schemers trying to frame her!"
The bailiff hesitated, noticing Jiang Ruan's faint smile as she gazed at him. The slight upward tilt of her eyes carried an indescribable charm—though she was still a young girl, there was a mature woman's grace about her, yet her overall demeanor exuded an inexplicable aloofness. This contradiction blended seamlessly within her, making her seem like a fairy who had strayed into the mortal realm, irresistibly drawing all eyes toward her.
Jiang Ruan said, "Lianqiao, no need to say more. Right and wrong will be judged fairly by the authorities. We need only wait and see."
Hearing this, the bailiff's impression of Jiang Ruan improved further. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Our intrusion has disturbed you, and we apologize for our rudeness. The search is underway outside. Please step out of the room to facilitate the investigation."
Jiang Ruan smiled and gestured for Zisu and the others to follow her out.
Once outside, they saw bailiffs everywhere, crowding the small courtyard until it felt cramped. Chen Zhao stood beside Zhang Lan, and when his eyes met Jiang Ruan's, they flickered with unease.Before Chen Zhao could speak, Lianqiao jumped up and pointed at his nose, shouting, "It was clearly you who killed someone, yet you dare to shift the blame onto our young lady! You're blinded by greed, you beast in human skin!"
Zhang Lan sneered, "Watch your words, Lianqiao. You can eat recklessly, but you can't speak recklessly. If you dare to falsely accuse our Zhao'er, you'll regret it!"
Chen Zhao also looked at Jiang Ruan with feigned anguish, "Miss, Zhao didn't want to bring this up, but I cannot go against my conscience. I hope you won't hold it against me."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "Conscience? Of course I won't hold it against you. The dead have spirits, especially those who died unjustly—they will surely seek vengeance on those who harmed them. I'm not afraid of vengeful ghosts. I wonder if you are."
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel