A Dream within a Dream

Zisu walked over and advised, "It's getting late, Miss. You should rest in bed earlier. The account books can wait to be reviewed later."

"Indeed," Luzhu teased with a mischievous blink. "His Highness is still waiting in the bedchamber. If Miss stays in the study too long and catches a chill, His Highness will surely blame us servants again."

Anyone with eyes could see that since Jiang Ruan's return, something seemed different between her and Xiao Shao. Their relationship had improved, and the servants were all delighted to see it. Luzhu, in particular, was constantly scheming to bring the two closer.

Lianqiao flicked Luzhu's forehead. "You little minx, how dare you jest about Miss's affairs? It seems Miss has spoiled you too much, making you increasingly unruly." She grinned at Jiang Ruan. "But she does have a point. Miss's health can't withstand exhaustion now. It's better to rest early, lest His Highness worries."

Jiang Ruan watched her maids banter and suddenly recalled the scenes from her dream while she was poisoned and unconscious. In her past life, none of these maids had survived to the end. She let out a long sigh. "How many years have you all been with me?"

Lianqiao and the others were taken aback, not expecting Jiang Ruan to bring this up. Lianqiao and Zisu exchanged a glance before answering, "This servant and Zisu have been by Miss's side since childhood—about sixteen years now."

Luzhu blinked. "This servant followed Miss from the estate, so about four years."

"Your subordinate has served the Wangfei for a year," Tianzhu said softly.

"So it's been that long," Jiang Ruan murmured.

"Miss..." Zisu said worriedly.

Jiang Ruan waved her hand and smiled. "I was just reflecting. You've been with me for so many years, yet it seems you haven't had an easy time. Outwardly, it may appear glamorous, but in truth, danger lurks everywhere. In a way, it's my fault as your mistress."

Her words were baffling, and Luzhu quickly protested, "Miss mustn't say such things! It's our fortune to serve someone as kind as you. Miss treats us well, and we've never felt wronged."

The others chimed in agreement. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "It's nothing. I'll rest now. You should all retire early too. We must enter the palace early tomorrow." With that, she stood up. Tianzhu hurriedly draped an outer robe over her shoulders, and Jiang Ruan left the study for the bedchamber.

The night had deepened, and the Brocade Hero King Manor was enveloped in silence, so still that not a sound could be heard. Past midnight, a light snow began to fall, dampening the ground with a slippery chill.

In the darkness, an inconspicuous figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard, as if merely rising in the night to use the privy. But as they passed the outermost wall, they crouched down seemingly by accident and brushed a hand against a spot at the base of the wall.

In that instant, the pitch-black night was abruptly illuminated by several torches, their bright flames exposing the figure. Startled, the person immediately crouched lower, shielding their face with their hands and refusing to let anyone see their features.

A voice rang out sharply in the night: "Wangfei, we've caught them! There really was a trespasser!"

Another voice demanded, "Hey, lift your head! Who exactly are you?"The person trembled slightly, bowing their head even lower. It had been a trap all along. From behind the ranks of guards, Jiang Ruan slowly stepped forward, clutching a torch in her hand. The firelight cast her face in a cold yet beautiful glow, though her eyes held a trace of quiet sorrow and a hint of imperceptible disappointment.

Jiang Ruan stopped beside the person. The shadow guards exchanged uneasy glances as she looked down at the bowed head before her, finally speaking in a calm voice, "Zisu, do you dare not raise your head to look at me?"

The shadow guards nearby were startled. The name Zisu was familiar to all the servants of Brocade Hero King Manor—she was one of the young mistress's personal maids who had accompanied her as part of her dowry. Among Jiang Ruan's four maids, apart from Tianzhu, who had originally been Xiao Shao's subordinate, the other three were highly regarded in the manor. Zisu had always been the most composed and gentle of them, with a delicate and pleasing appearance, and many guards had often brought gifts to curry her favor. Deeply trusted by Jiang Ruan and having grown up by her side, Zisu was considered a loyal confidante. Today's operation to catch the mole had been arranged by Jiang Ruan herself, so hearing Zisu's name left the shadow guards stunned.

The figure on the ground remained motionless for a long while, yet Jiang Ruan showed no impatience, standing quietly as she waited. After what seemed like an eternity, the person finally straightened their clothes and slowly rose, revealing a familiar face.

Zisu's expression was as serene and composed as ever, as if she had merely completed a task assigned by Jiang Ruan. There was not a trace of panic at being caught—only a calm gaze as she met Jiang Ruan's eyes. "The young mistress is clever. You've caught me after all."

"This..." The surrounding shadow guards, now certain it was Zisu, were utterly bewildered. Some eyed her warily, ready to intervene if she made any move against Jiang Ruan. Just then, Lianqiao and the others, having heard the news, hurried over. At the sight of Zisu surrounded by shadow guards, they froze in shock. Luzhu, the most impulsive of them, immediately blurted out, "Sister Zisu, how could it be you?"

Lianqiao and Zisu had grown up together, their bond deep and unshaken. Witnessing this scene, Lianqiao's first thought was that Zisu must have been wronged. Anxiously, she pleaded, "What's going on? Zisu, surely there's some misunderstanding? The young mistress is here—she’ll surely clear your name. Speak up!"

Her urgency stemmed from her belief that Zisu had no reason to betray Jiang Ruan, let alone be the mole the informants had spoken of. Yet Zisu did not offer the explanation Lianqiao hoped for. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, "There’s no misunderstanding. I am the mole by the young mistress's side. She has always been discerning, and this time is no exception—she hasn’t accused the wrong person." She glanced at Lianqiao and added softly, "I'm sorry. I deceived all of you.""How is this possible?" Lianqiao couldn't hold back any longer, rushing forward to grab Zisu's sleeve. Her expression was agitated, and she didn't care about the many people present, pouring out her words like beans from a bamboo tube: "You and I have served the young lady together since childhood. How we've treated her, everyone has seen clearly. Back at the estate, you were also wholeheartedly helping the young lady navigate difficulties. After all these years, I have the right to say what kind of person you are. Zisu, do you have some unspeakable difficulty? With our years of friendship, and the young lady treating you as one of her own, if you speak up, she will surely help you. Has something happened to you?"

Zisu paused slightly but then more forcefully pulled Lianqiao's hand from her sleeve, saying, "I have nothing to say, and no unspeakable difficulties. If you don't trust me, at least trust the young lady. When has she ever wrongly accused anyone?"

Lianqiao was startled by the determination in Zisu's eyes and involuntarily stepped back two paces. Looking at the woman before her, she felt utterly unfamiliar, completely different from the friend who had been by her side day and night. She turned to Jiang Ruan with confusion. Jiang Ruan's expression showed no change as she addressed the surrounding shadow guards: "You may leave. Just leave a few people stationed outside the courtyard."

"Princess Consort," one shadow guard worriedly said, "Your safety is paramount."

"A woman without any weapons, why worry? With Tianzhu here, it's enough," Jiang Ruan said coolly. Seeing her firm stance, the shadow guards knew Jiang Ruan wasn't easily swayed and had no choice but to retreat outside the courtyard.

Only Lianqiao, Luzhu, Tianzhu, Jiang Ruan, and Zisu, who seemed lost in thought, remained in the courtyard.

"The young lady has treated you well. Why would you do this?" Luzhu was the first to lose patience. She was straightforward in her likes and dislikes and had always regarded Jiang Ruan as family in her heart. To suddenly discover that Zisu was the one secretly plotting against Jiang Ruan, her anger was understandable. If there had been any doubt before that Zisu was being framed, seeing Zisu's attitude and Jiang Ruan's certainty now made Luzhu see the truth, leaving her indignant towards Zisu.

Zisu didn't answer Luzhu but instead looked at Jiang Ruan and said, "Did the young lady set up this entire scheme today just to catch me? Did you already know I was the one who introduced the poison?"

"Yes," Jiang Ruan replied calmly. "When I previously mentioned finding the person behind this and going to the palace to set a trap, those words were specifically meant for you. I knew you would find a way to pass on the message, so I ordered people to wait in the residence to catch the traitor."

"The young lady has always been clever. Nothing can escape your notice," Zisu smiled, her expression remarkably composed. "When did you first realize that I was the spy?"

A strange emotion flickered in Jiang Ruan's beautiful eyes. Her red lips curved slightly, but her smile was cold. "Zisu, if possible, you are the last person I would want to suspect." Her tone was even, seemingly devoid of any emotion. "You were the maid my mother gave me, always by my side. You've been with me for so long that I always believed those who could stay with me till the end would never betray me. If there are few people in this world I trust, Zisu, you would be one of them."Zisu was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Jiang Ruan to say such words. Her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she remained silent.

"My meals in the prince's residence all passed through Butler Lin's hands. The residence is very strict about such matters, and I don't suspect any mistakes there. If there was a way poison was introduced, it must have been from outside. I thought it might have been in the palace or that Jiang Dan had done something, until I later remembered—on the day I married Xiao Shao, while waiting in the bridal chamber, Luzhu gave me some pastries because she was afraid I'd be hungry, and you brought me a cup of tea."

Luzhu seemed to recall as well: "That's right. Because we were worried the pastries might choke the young lady, Sister Zisu brought a cup of tea. Could the poison have been in the tea?"

"With just a cup of tea, how can the young lady be certain it was my doing?" Zisu smiled.

"A single cup of tea indeed proves nothing. Someone else might have tampered with it. But you know, I've never had much of a taste for overly sweet things. That day, the pastries were already very sweet, yet you still brought me lotus leaf honey water to drink. On the surface, it seems harmless, but Zisu, you've served me for over a decade. No one knows my eating habits better than you. As my first-rank maid, you've always been meticulous—you wouldn't make such a mistake. The only reason you did was because, in your panic, you overlooked it. Overly sweet pastries and overly sweet tea—Zisu, the real you wouldn't have done that."

Lianqiao also paused, raising her eyes to look at Zisu. Having served Jiang Ruan alongside Zisu for so many years, she knew Jiang Ruan's words were true. Zisu had always been precise in attending to Jiang Ruan's daily needs—her cautious nature wouldn't allow such a slip.

After a long silence, Zisu let out a soft laugh: "The young lady is truly observant. I never thought such a small detail would betray me. I admit defeat."

"No, it wasn't just that." Jiang Ruan gazed at the burning torch, its bright flames illuminating everything without mercy. Her beauty carried a chilling edge as she continued, "When I returned, Lianqiao and the others all gathered around me, overjoyed that I had been cured. Only you were sad."

Zisu looked puzzled. "I was sad because I was worried about the young lady. What's wrong with that?"

"Of course, you should have been worried. As a personal maid, it's only natural to be concerned about your master's well-being. But a normal person would first feel relief that someone survived a great danger. Zisu, from the moment you saw me, you never once showed happiness. That in itself was unusual—as if you weren't glad I had recovered but instead worried and saddened. What were you sad about? Was it because your plan had failed?" she asked.

Zisu froze, staring at Jiang Ruan in a daze. "So I gave myself away here too...""Not only that, but when I returned to my quarters and saw the mess inside, as if no one had tidied up, you claimed it was because everyone was too worried about my injury to bother with cleaning." Jiang Ruan shook her head. "That excuse might work for Lianqiao and Luzhu, because they're impulsive by nature and can't hide their worries—once something happens to me, they lose all focus on other matters. But you're different, Zisu. You've been by my side for so many years, the steadiest of them all. Even when I fell into the water unconscious at Zhang Lan's estate, you still managed every trivial matter with perfect order. Because you're someone with strong principles, unaffected by external changes. Would you really neglect your duties just because of my injury? No, you were simply preoccupied—because something was weighing on your mind, you couldn't settle down."

Her suspicion of Zisu might also have been influenced by the warning from her past-life dream. In that previous life, Lianqiao had died under Jiang Quan's staff, while Zisu remained by her side until the very end, accompanying her into the palace. Back then, she had assumed it was because Zisu's gentle nature moved Xia Yan to mercy. But now it seemed clear—no matter what kind of person Zisu was, given Xia Yan's cautious temperament, how could she have allowed someone she trusted to enter the palace with her?

Zisu looked at Jiang Ruan, then suddenly took a step forward. Tianzhu immediately moved to shield Jiang Ruan. Having arrived the latest among them, Tianzhu didn't share the deep bond Lianqiao had with Zisu. Now that Zisu's identity as a spy was confirmed, and as a member of the Brocade-clad Guards who despised traitors above all else, Tianzhu saw Zisu as nothing but an enemy.

At Tianzhu's movement, Zisu halted. She studied Jiang Ruan, pondered for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "The young mistress is absolutely right. After serving you for so many years, you know me inside out. Moreover, you've always been adept at reading people—my petty tricks are laughably transparent before you, only serving as material for mockery."

"No," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "I didn't deduce your unusual behavior because I understand you so well, nor did I uncover your betrayal through some talent for reading minds." The reason I could discern your true identity is simply because you deliberately revealed it to me." She stepped past Tianzhu, slowly approaching Zisu until they stood face to face, her gaze unwavering as she stated a fact: "These slip-ups—you left them intentionally. You no longer wished to conceal your identity. You wanted me to discover it. This game of catching the mole wasn't orchestrated by me—it was you, using my hand to arrange it."

Zisu froze momentarily, then laughed. "The young mistress jokes. I'm no fool—why would I willingly hand someone evidence to incriminate myself? What reason would I have to do such a thing?"

"Indeed," Jiang Ruan sighed, her piercing eyes locked onto Zisu's. "That's precisely what I wish to know—why would you do this?"

Those upturned, alluring eyes held a razor-sharp intensity, seeming to strip away all pretense, leaving no thought concealed before their clarity. Zisu felt her composure waver under that gaze. Clenching her teeth, she met Jiang Ruan's stare with stubborn resolve."You chose this method, didn't you, to tell me the truth?" Jiang Ruan's voice was soft, carrying a tone of inducement and temptation that made one involuntarily speak their mind. "Zisu, whatever difficulties you have, you can tell me. This is not just an explanation to me, but also to yourself. Being betrayed by a maid who has been by my side for over a decade, you owe me at least an explanation. Otherwise, I might start to think I'm the kind of mistress who can't keep people around."

Luzhu and Lianqiao both looked at Zisu. As sisters who had spent every day together, to suddenly become enemies overnight was an unbearable reality. Lianqiao said, "Zisu, you should at least tell us why."

Under such intense gazes, Zisu finally lowered her head. When she looked up again, her eyes were calm, as if she had made some significant decision. She said, "The young lady guessed correctly. It's not that you can't keep people. The reason I became the one to introduce the poison is that... I was always the First Madam's person."

"How could that be?" Luzhu exclaimed in shock. "The First Madam has long been dead. How could she still make you poison the young lady?"

"Originally, Lianqiao and I were both chosen by the late Madam to serve the young lady. But unlike Lianqiao, whose background was clean—she was born into the household—my family was on one of the estate's farms. My brother worked under the First Madam's steward. The First Madam ordered me to come and care for the young lady but kept my family's deeds of sale in her hands."

Lianqiao hadn't expected this twist. She had always thought Zisu was like her, personally selected by Zhao Mei to serve Jiang Ruan, with an equally clean background. Who would have guessed Zisu's purpose for being sent here was never pure?

"Although the First Madam wanted me by the young lady's side, she never asked me to do anything, only occasionally inquiring about the young lady's situation. I didn't dare refuse. Later, when the young lady went to the estate, my family was fortunate enough to be freed from servitude. I stayed by the young lady's side, wanting to serve her wholeheartedly as compensation for the past years." She paused, then smiled. "Before, the young lady was gentle and often bullied. But after going to the estate, for some reason, her temperament changed completely. I was truly happy for her. Then the First Madam died, and I thought those past events were over forever, that we could just continue living like this. But recently, someone brought me my mother's token. They had found my family and demanded I administer a certain drug to the young lady, or my family's lives would be forfeit."

"So to protect your family, you poisoned the young lady?" Lianqiao said in shock. While this might be understandable, as a servant, one must never betray their master. Thus, in Lianqiao's eyes, Zisu's actions were still unacceptable. She immediately added, "Even so, did you ever think of the young lady when you did this? Forget the past, but now, you could have told the young lady about this. She's so clever—she would have found a way to help you!""You don't understand!" Zisu shouted loudly: "Lianqiao, your family is clean and honorable, you can easily remain a loyal servant before our mistress. But I was originally the First Madam's person. If this matter comes to light, even if I haven't done anything to the young lady, when past affairs are dug up, how could the young lady view me without reservation? Once this is revealed, I can never return to how things were before. Moreover, no matter how capable our young lady is, I absolutely dare not gamble with my family's lives. I still have elder and younger brothers—I cannot endanger them because of myself alone."

"You're utterly incorrigible!" Lianqiao said angrily.

"Scold me if you will, resent me if you must—I care not either way." Zisu smiled bitterly. "After all, I've committed this grave crime. Whatever punishment the young lady metes out, I'll accept without complaint."

"Who was it that made you lead poison to the young lady?" Luzhu asked urgently.

"I don't know," Zisu shook her head. "He communicated with me through notes tied to throwing darts. I don't know who that person was—it was through the wall, so I never saw his face either."

"I'll ask you just one thing," Jiang Ruan said coolly. "Over a decade ago, when Jiang Dan poisoned my mother—did you know about it?"

Both Luzhu and Lianqiao were startled—they hadn't known about Jiang Dan's poisoning attempt. They hadn't known who the person from the Xia residence behind this was—could it actually have been Jiang Dan?

After a long silence, Zisu finally nodded.

Jiang Ruan gazed at her coldly. If her attitude towards Zisu before had still been gentle, without showing the anger of betrayal, now it was so indifferent it chilled the heart. She said, "You've followed me for so many years, and as you said, you haven't done anything to harm me. During the most difficult times, it was you and Lianqiao who stayed by my side. Though I never said it, as long as I live safely in this world, I would do everything in my power to protect you both. Zisu, I won’t hold you accountable for leading me into the poison trap. You did these things for your family, and if I were in your place, I might not have done any better. But you stood by and watched as my mother was poisoned by Jiang Dan. You could have given me a warning, just as you did today by deliberately revealing your flaw. Yet you said nothing. Though you served another master, and it’s understandable, this—this I can never forgive."

Zisu was startled and abruptly raised her head to look at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan had always been somewhat aloof, appearing indifferent to most matters, which was why she was usually lenient with the mistakes of her subordinates. But only those close to her knew of her obsessive stubbornness in certain matters. Before, Zisu had been certain that Jiang Ruan would be disappointed in her but wouldn’t truly turn her anger upon her. Now, Jiang Ruan’s words made it clear—they stood on opposing sides.

"You led me into poison—I have nothing to say about that. But standing by as my mother suffered—that I cannot forgive. Zisu, between you and me, the bond of master and servant ends here. From this moment, in this life, we are strangers."

Word by word, her declaration rang with finality. There was no room for doubt in Jiang Ruan’s tone. Lianqiao, Luzhu, and Tianzhu stood silently to the side, none daring to speak. Zisu stood frozen, like a wooden statue. Light snowflakes drifted onto her shoulders. The firelight burned soundlessly in the snowy night, and she felt utterly alone, as if the heavens and earth had abandoned her.

(End of Chapter)