Jiang Ruan's entire body tensed up, and for a moment she was so stunned she didn’t know what to do. Xiao Shao slowly replied, "I'm listening."
His smooth, silky black hair brushed against Jiang Ruan’s face, tickling her heart. His features were as exquisite as a painting, his eyes as captivating as ink wash, and his thin lips were perfectly shaped. His faint breath brushed against her, and Jiang Ruan could almost hear the steady beat of his heart. An undeniable, overwhelming pressure suddenly enveloped her, carrying with it an undercurrent of subtle intimacy.
She stammered, "You... get up, you're too heavy."
Unaware of the sight she presented, she was already breathtakingly beautiful, but now the collar of her inner robe had loosened slightly, revealing a glimpse of the crimson undergarment beneath. Her face was enchantingly lovely, like a freshly bloomed rose, with a faint flush spreading across her fair cheeks—more alluring than the finest rouge. Her lips, naturally red, seemed to invite a kiss.
Xiao Shao had only intended to tease her, finding amusement in seeing the usually cold and ruthless girl flustered. But now, faced with such beauty, even he—who had always kept his distance from women—found it hard to remain indifferent. His breathing gradually grew heavier as he leaned closer.
Jiang Ruan’s eyes widened in panic. In her past life, even at the height of her affection for Ye Li, their intimacy had never gone beyond holding hands. She had never been this close to a man before and had no idea how to react. Resigned, she squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding so fiercely it might leap out of her chest.
But the expected kiss never came. Instead, a low chuckle sounded by her ear. Jiang Ruan abruptly opened her eyes to find Xiao Shao gazing at her with amusement.
Furious, she broke free, her face burning with embarrassment. She shot him another glare before yanking the blanket over herself, cocooning from head to toe. Xiao Shao was silent for a moment before wrapping his arms around the blanket-wrapped bundle. "Don’t suffocate yourself," he murmured.
Jiang Ruan ignored him. Xiao Shao coaxed softly, "I’m sorry, I was just teasing you."
This was beyond embarrassing. Jiang Ruan sat up abruptly, throwing off the blanket to glare at him. Xiao Shao found her increasingly fascinating—no matter how cold and composed she was in public, in matters of love, she was as naive as a child, like a paper tiger all bark and no bite. Under the scrutiny of his beautiful face, her anger dissipated. She said coldly, "Lend me Jin San tomorrow. I have something to do."
"Alright," Xiao Shao agreed without hesitation. "They’re all yours. You don’t need to ask me."
"And are you mine too?" Jiang Ruan retorted with a sneer.
"I am yours," Xiao Shao replied solemnly.
"...Shameless!"
...
How she fell asleep that night, Jiang Ruan couldn’t remember. She only knew that the two of them had grown closer than before. At the very least, having another person on the bed now made her feel much more at ease. She was getting used to Xiao Shao’s presence.
The next morning, Butler Lin hummed a tune as he entered while Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao were having breakfast. He meticulously inspected the entire bed, searching for any trace he hoped to find. Disappointed when he found none, he left with his head drooping dejectedly.After finishing his meal, Xiao Shao went out to attend to business, leaving Jiang Ruan in the manor. Jin San arrived promptly after receiving instructions and, seeing Jiang Ruan organizing documents on a chair, asked, "What does the Princess Consort wish Jin San to do?"
Jiang Ruan explained her plans in detail to Jin San, who was momentarily stunned upon hearing them. "The Princess Consort isn't informing the master?"
"He likely already knows what I intend to do," Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Today, I even overheard him instructing someone to prepare the officials at the Judicial Bureau."
"With such bold moves, the Princess Consort is bound to attract gossip. While outsiders' words need not be heeded, may Jin San dare to ask why you chose this particular moment to act? Is there a deeper meaning?" Jin San inquired.
Jiang Ruan smiled but did not conceal her intentions. "This is something I must do sooner or later. I chose this moment simply because I'm tired of waiting. On the surface, my target appears to be him, but my true aim is the one in the palace. The more I stir up trouble, the more unsettled she becomes. I'm forcing her hand—she's too cautious, leaving no traces for me to exploit. People only make mistakes when they're flustered. All this is merely to make her deliver her own mistakes into my hands."
After pondering for a while, Jin San finally grasped her meaning and exclaimed in delight, "The Princess Consort is truly brilliant." She hesitated before adding, "But today will undoubtedly be another tough battle. Wouldn't the Princess Consort prefer the master by your side?" The Brocade-clad Guards now held genuine respect for Jiang Ruan. Her refusal to flee during the crisis, choosing instead to defend the Brocade Hero King Manor and conceal their strength, had earned her their deep admiration. Hearts are made of flesh, after all—when she needed help, they would spare no effort.
"No need," Jiang Ruan replied with a smile. "I am, after all, the mistress of this manor. If I can't handle such matters, I'd be far too weak. This is my own affair, and I can manage it. As for Xiao Shao, there will be plenty for him to do later." A strange emotion flickered in her bright eyes—something akin to eager anticipation, yet tinged with bitter irony—a complex entanglement that lent her beauty a ruthless decisiveness.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Judicial Bureau, the grievance drum was being pounded heavily, drawing a growing crowd of onlookers. The throng swelled until it nearly blocked the entire entrance. Two young women stood on either side of the drum, their faces filled with indignation. After some time, an official in robes emerged and bellowed, "Who dares strike the grievance drum?"
"We, the maidservants, strike on behalf of our mistress, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Jiang family. The petition is here—we beg Your Honor to reopen the case of the true murderer behind the late wife of the Minister's Manor!"
The crowd erupted in uproar at these words. The scandal of the Minister's Manor had been widely known in the capital years ago. Xia Yan's once-spotless reputation and celebrated talents had only made her eventual exposure for moral failings all the more detestable. The maids' declaration was like a stone cast into still waters, sending ripples far and wide. Some of the older onlookers began recalling memories of Zhao Mei, the late wife of the Minister's Manor.Speaking of those who had any impression of Zhao Mei, most held her in high regard. Zhao Mei was naturally beautiful, with a simple and kind-hearted nature. After marrying into the Minister's residence, she often helped the poor. She never discriminated against the less fortunate nor put on airs as a noblewoman, her approachability was astonishing. However, all these virtuous reputations eventually became attributed to the Minister's residence, adding considerable weight to Jiang Quan's political career. The clean and upright reputation Jiang Quan once enjoyed among the common people might well have been partly due to Zhao Mei's contributions.
But later, Zhao Mei gradually faded from public view, and soon after, Xia Yan emerged—gentle, virtuous, and renowned as a talented woman—with Jiang Quan's deliberate promotion. People then only remembered Xia Yan as the current lady of the Minister's residence, forgetting Zhao Mei of the past. Now, as the two maids brought it up, some recalled that beautiful and kind-hearted lady from before. There are always good-hearted people in the world, and someone spoke up in indignation: "Oh, who is the heartless one trying to harm the late lady? She was such a kind and good person."
The bailiff stepped forward to take the petition from Lianqiao, glanced at the crowd, and thought of the current situation—the Princess of Great Peace was now highly favored by the Empress Dowager, with the formidable backing of the Brocade Hero King Manor. Thus, upon hearing Jiang Ruan's name, he dared not be negligent. After shouting a few times to quiet the crowd, he took the petition inside.
Generally, it took a day for the Judicial Bureau to review a case before holding a trial. Ordinary cases were usually handled directly at the local yamen, unless it involved noble families with grievous grievances to air, who feared the accused's influence might sway the yamen's judgment unfairly. Only then would the case be escalated to the Judicial Bureau. The Bureau could also choose whether to hear the case, given the intricate and perilous nature of noble family disputes—one misstep could bring disaster. But today, since even a bailiff dared to accept the petition, it was clear that orders had already been given from above. Accepting the case meant it would be tried, and the surrounding crowd knew there would be quite a spectacle to witness the next day.
Luzhu, feeling it wasn't enough, deliberately raised her voice: "Xia Yan, the concubine of the Minister's residence, poisoned and murdered the rightful lady, cruelly harming the legitimate heirs. Lord Jiang, as the head of the household, was fully aware yet turned a blind eye, even abetting her actions. The lady met her end, yet it was claimed she died of illness. We implore the Judicial Bureau to adjudicate fairly and restore justice for our young lady and her mother!"
The crowd, which had been about to disperse, erupted once more. Luzhu's words had exposed a shocking scandal. Indeed, in wealthy households, it wasn't unheard of for concubines to scheme against the rightful wife to usurp her position. But if Jiang Quan knew everything and feigned ignorance, even tacitly approving Xia Yan's actions, this was unprecedented. Any official in the capital who wasn't a fool would never let such a thing happen, for once exposed, it would be an indelible stain. The squabbles among women in the inner courtyard were matters of jealousy—men should never involve themselves, especially in such underhanded deeds. If a man could be so cruel to his own lawful wife, what humanity could he possibly possess?If previously people had merely seen Jiang Quan as a laughable figure incapable of managing his household affairs, Luzhu's words now branded him as the epitome of a heartless and ungrateful man in the capital. His false benevolence and ruthless nature were laid bare, even to the point of abandoning his own flesh and blood. To find parents as despicable as him would be a rarity under heaven.
Luzhu and Lianqiao exchanged a glance, both feeling a deep sense of vindication. Having served by Jiang Ruan's side for years, they had witnessed firsthand how Jiang Quan treated her. Having such a father was worse than having none at all. Zhao Mei had died unjustly, and the siblings' status in the Minister's residence had transformed from being bullied to commanding respect. This small act of retribution brought them immense satisfaction.
The news of the Princess of Great Peace suing her own father spread like wildfire across the capital. With Xia Yan and the Xia Family gone, and Jiang Chao and Jiang Susu dead, there was no one left to refute the claims. The sole survivor, Jiang Quan, became the target of all accusations.
In the prince's residence, Jiang Ruan glanced at the sun overhead. The snow had stopped early in the morning, and even a faint sunlight peeked through—a rare pleasant day. She slowly sipped her tea before turning to Jin San and Tianzhu beside her. "Let's go. It's about time."
Tianzhu draped a silver fox fur cloak over her shoulders and handed her a hand warmer before following her out the door.
...
The Minister's residence, however, was unusually lively that day. Since Jiang Chao's death—no, since many years ago when Jiang Quan's career began its decline—the residence had lost its former bustling atmosphere. In the days when Jiang Quan thrived in court, visitors arrived daily, and the pile of invitation cards on his desk overflowed. He would discuss court affairs with high-ranking officials while Xia Yan exchanged pleasantries with noble ladies. Both were masters of social grace, filling the Jiang residence with laughter and merriment. Back then, Jiang Susu was still an ethereal fairy, whose harp melodies in the garden enchanted passersby. Countless young nobles would linger outside the walls, entranced by the music, hearts stolen by the beauty. Meanwhile, Jiang Chao would return triumphantly from the Imperial College, engaging in spirited debates with his newfound aristocratic friends.
Old Madam Jiang was still alive then, and Second Madam and Jiang Li could only seethe silently at Xia Yan's dominance, while Jiang Dan cowered timidly in her room. It was a scene of prosperity. Many speculated that the seemingly upright Minister's residence would one day become a pillar of the court, given their loyalty and impeccable conduct.
That prosperity seemed like only yesterday, yet its liveliness had nothing to do with Jiang Ruan—as if she and her siblings had always been strangers. Then she arrived, and the residence seemed cursed, gradually crumbling into decline. The former glory vanished, and those who spoke of it would say, "Retribution comes in due time—heaven watches all." The seeds sown by the Jiang family had finally borne bitter fruit. Over the years, misfortune struck the residence repeatedly, and now Jiang Ruan's lawsuit tore open the truth for all to see.The common folk were straightforward and uncomplicated in their thoughts. Some directly blocked the entrance of the Minister's residence, hurling eggs and vegetable leaves at the gates. When the Jiang family guards came out to stop them, they were also subjected to a torrent of abuse. Unable to withstand the public fury, they had no choice but to retreat in disgrace and shut the gates tightly—after all, it was unwise to provoke the wrath of the masses.
Just as the crowd was seething with righteous indignation, they noticed a carriage slowly making its way through the throng. The crowd automatically parted to make way. The carriage was exquisitely crafted yet not ostentatious, exuding a subtle elegance. The coachman was a tall and handsome young man, clearly from a wealthy family. At a glance, one could tell that the person inside the carriage was of noble status. Seeing that it was heading toward the Minister's residence, the crowd fell silent, watching intently.
Finally, the carriage came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and two tall young women stepped out. They then bent down to assist another woman out of the carriage.
The woman wore a plain crimson embroidered velvet jacket paired with a vividly patterned foreign crepe skirt. Despite the overly bright colors, she carried them with such grace that they did not appear garish but instead radiated a breathtaking beauty. Over her shoulders was a gold-woven fur cloak, and she held a hand warmer. Her skin was as fair as jade, her features delicate and moving. Her hair was styled in a simple "fallen horse" bun, tempering the vividness of her attire. Her enchanting eyes were strikingly clear, yet her gaze was calm, lending her stunning beauty an air of solemnity and aloofness.
Someone in the crowd recognized her and exclaimed, "Isn’t that the Jiang family’s legitimate eldest daughter, the Princess of Great Peace?"
The Jiang family’s legitimate daughter—this was her foremost identity. Even though she was the Princess of Brocade Glory and the Princess of Great Peace, she was first and foremost the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family. Her appearance here naturally invited deep speculation. Everyone knew that earlier that morning, she had sent her maid to file a complaint at the Judicial Office. Now, what was she doing at the Minister's residence? The crowd watched with keen interest, eager to see what she would do next.
Jiang Ruan gave Tianzhu a meaningful glance. Understanding her mistress's intent, Tianzhu stepped forward and lightly knocked on the Minister's residence gate three times. Her movements were polite and gentle, not at all like someone looking for trouble but rather like a guest paying a visit—utterly courteous. Then she respectfully said, "Kindly inform them that our Princess has returned today for her homecoming visit."
Since Jiang Ruan had married into the Brocade Hero King Manor, she had been poisoned before she could even make her homecoming visit. Yet, even so, the distance between the Minister's residence and the Brocade Hero King Manor was not insurmountable. If Jiang Quan had cared at all, he could have sent someone to inquire. But he had remained utterly silent, as if she were not his daughter at all. Now, as Tianzhu mentioned the homecoming visit, the onlookers gasped. It was already known that the Jiang family’s legitimate daughter and Jiang Quan were not close, but for him to be so cold-hearted as to let so much time pass before her homecoming visit was truly laughable.
There was no response from inside for a long time. Tianzhu carefully retreated behind Jiang Ruan, and the three of them stood quietly at the entrance of the Jiang residence. The crowd murmured in low voices, but they were also stunned by Jiang Ruan's icy composure at this moment. Her eyes were deep and unreadable, as if she were not looking at the Jiang residence but rather gazing through its gates at the long, distant years that had passed.Jiang Ruan's thoughts drifted back to her previous life—on a snowy day just like this, she had first returned to the Jiang residence from the manor. Though it was her own home, it felt as though she were living under someone else's roof. Standing at the gate of the Minister's residence, she had been both nervous and excited. Dressed in tattered clothes, she endured the pointing and murmurs of the crowd, their speculations about her identity making her burn with shame. Right at this very gate, Xia Yan and Jiang Susu had come to greet her, dressed in resplendent finery. The more gentle and refined they appeared, the more they highlighted her own coarseness. Beneath the plaque of the Jiang residence, as those tightly shut doors swung open, they unleashed upon her a flood of harm and humiliation. From the gates of the Jiang residence to the gates of the deep palace, each step had been more wretched than the last. That scene from her past life now seemed like a cruel joke, a constant reminder of those unbearable memories.
And now? Jiang Ruan lifted her head, her gaze settling on the grand plaque above the Minister's residence. Bestowed by the late emperor, it had once been Jiang Quan's pride, though now it was covered in dust. In her past life, Xia Yan had loved nothing more than ordering the servants to polish that plaque until it gleamed, as though it embodied the glory of the Jiang family. But now, the Jiang family was on the verge of collapse. When she had returned to the Jiang residence in this life, she had stood right here, at this very gate, and sworn an oath—to slaughter every last person who had harmed her loved ones in her past life. Here, she had planted the seed of vengeance, and now that seed had grown into a towering tree. With just a little more effort, she could uproot this massive tomb that had buried her and her family.
After what felt like an eternity, the gate creaked open. Behind the servant who answered the door, a figure in official robes slowly emerged. His expression was dark, his eyes glaring fiercely at Jiang Ruan.
Perhaps Jiang Quan had just returned from court and hadn’t had time to change, or perhaps he intended to use his official attire to intimidate Jiang Ruan. Either way, he looked utterly haggard. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and greeted him politely, "Father, it's been a long time."
Indeed, it had been so long that Jiang Quan was almost unrecognizable from the refined and decisive middle-aged man in Jiang Ruan’s memory. He had grown much thinner, his skin darkened by the sun, his cheekbones sunken deeply, his entire frame alarmingly gaunt. He now bore the marks of aging. Jiang Quan had always been a man who cared deeply about appearances—even past the age of forty, he had carried himself with the grace of a man in his prime. But now, he looked like nothing more than an unremarkable, somewhat disheveled man, perhaps even bordering on disreputable.
Only the coldness and bitterness in his eyes remained unchanged from her past life. Jiang Quan sneered, "So, Guining, do you still hold our Jiang family in any regard?"
Jiang Ruan nodded. "Of course, Father is always in my thoughts. I have never dared forget you, not for a moment." How could she ever forget the blood debt and the humiliation? The corners of her lips curled slightly. "It’s just that Father doesn’t seem to appreciate such filial devotion from his daughter."The words inside and out were all accusations of Jiang Quan's lack of paternal kindness. Furious, Jiang Quan retorted, "Have I ever deprived you of food, clothing, or necessities? Don’t forget, I am still your father! Without me, how could you have grown this big? Now that your wings have hardened and you have someone backing you, you dare to slander your own father! What kind of barbaric customs did you learn from those wild mountains?" Jiang Quan prided himself on being a refined scholar and had always spoken with grace. Outsiders had never seen him resort to such vulgar insults. At this moment, perhaps driven by desperation, he spoke without thinking, revealing his true nature to the surrounding crowd.
"Without a father, there would naturally be no me," Jiang Ruan said calmly. "Thanks to Father, when Mother was still alive, Eldest Brother and I only saw you a few dozen times a year, while Second Sister and Second Brother, born of Aunt Xia, spent all their time with you. Second Brother could enter your study, but Eldest Brother’s tutor was personally hired by Mother. Second Sister had the best instructors for music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while I was taught by Mother herself—yet Mother came from a military family and knew nothing of those arts. Father, are you going to claim it was out of consideration for Mother’s wish to have Eldest Brother and me by her side as a loving mother would?"
The words were dripping with sarcasm, and Jiang Quan's face slowly flushed red. He immediately opened his mouth to retort, "This—"
"But staying with Mother was truly joyful, so none of that mattered. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were never my passions, and Eldest Brother has not pursued the path of a civil official either. All of this is thanks to Father's foresight." A trace of mockery flashed in Jiang Ruan's eyes as she continued, "However, when Eldest Brother fell gravely ill one night and we sought a physician, Aunt Xia claimed Father was already asleep and to wait until morning. In the bitter cold, my mother had no choice but to warm Eldest Brother with her own body throughout the night. Had it not been for sheer luck, Eldest Brother would not have survived to grow up safely. How does Father explain this?" Without waiting for Jiang Quan to respond, Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Father was busy with official duties—I understand. That’s why he didn’t come when Mother was critically ill, nor when she was on her deathbed. But on the day Aunt Xia was elevated to the status of the legal wife, Father arrived, holding Second Brother and Second Sister’s hands, laughing joyfully. Eldest Brother left home in anger, while I was sent away to the countryside estate."
She chuckled softly, "Does Father still remember why I was sent to the estate? Because a Taoist priest declared me the 'Star of Calamity and Solitude,' destined to bring misfortune to my husband and mother. Yet six years later, when I returned to the capital, the same priest tried his old trick and was exposed as a fraud. Does Father recall who hired that priest? It was none other than his once-beloved concubine, later the legal wife—Aunt Xia."
Her words were drawn out with a sigh, but those listening felt their hearts pound in shock. To not even spare a young girl—Xia Yan’s ruthlessness was truly chilling.
(End of Chapter)
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