In short, the New Year passed in a warm and cozy atmosphere. Apart from the unrest in the imperial court, the capital remained peaceful without any notable incidents. If there was anything particularly special, it was that Jin Er and Luzhu had somehow reconciled, and though the young couple bickered every day, anyone with eyes could see their affection for each other had grown significantly.
Sure enough, before the New Year festivities even concluded, Jin Er came to seek a favor, asking Xiao Shao to speak to Jiang Ruan about their marriage. Pairing Jiang Ruan’s maid with Xiao Shao’s shadow guard—strictly speaking in terms of status—Luzhu was actually the one marrying up. She wasn’t originally a household-born servant but had been bought from outside the estate to work in the fields. After following Jiang Ruan, she was fortunate enough to rise to a second-tier maid, and after Baizhi’s incident, she filled the vacancy to become a first-tier maid. Even so, this didn’t mean she and Jin Er were equals. Jin Er had served under Xiao Shao for many years, and within the Brocade-clad Guards, hierarchy was strict. Those who could get close to Xiao Shao were considered trusted confidants. Though referred to as a shadow guard, Jin Er’s rank was equivalent to a seventh-grade military officer. Moreover, Jin Er himself was quite handsome, and the Brocade-clad Guards were well-off. With such qualifications, if he were an ordinary man, matchmakers would have worn out his doorstep long ago. It was only because he served Xiao Shao that he had never given marriage much thought, and with his parents living far away, he had avoided many romantic entanglements.
That said, the Brocade Hero King Manor had always been a place where men far outnumbered women. A crowd of bachelors cooped up together meant that a sweet and clever girl like Luzhu was quite beloved in the manor. The servants often vied for her favor, so when news of her engagement to Jin Er spread, many were disappointed, lamenting that yet another of the madam’s maids had been snatched away.
When Lianqiao recounted this to Jiang Ruan, she couldn’t help but laugh. “One of them has a temper like firecrackers, and the other is as slippery as an eel—when they’re together, they’re bound to quarrel. Who knew they’d actually take a liking to each other? It’s quite amusing, really.”
Jiang Ruan was sorting through newly delivered account books when she glanced at Lianqiao and said, “They’ve taken a liking to each other. I wonder if there’s anyone you’ve taken a liking to?”
Lianqiao’s laughter cut off abruptly, and her face flushed red. “What nonsense are you saying, miss?” In her fluster, she even reverted to addressing Jiang Ruan as she had before her marriage. Luzhu lifted the curtain and entered, grinning. “Oh, there must be someone! I heard that Ye Feng, the night guard, stood under the willow tree in the manor for half the night yesterday playing his flute.”
This became another topic of gossip in the Brocade Hero King Manor. The young master, Xiao Shao, was a man of few words, but every single one of his guards was a master of romance, each with their own repertoire of tricks to charm young ladies. Even Ye Feng, who usually seemed so steady, had taken a page from the books of sentimental scholars and spent half the night beneath the willow tree playing “The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate,” facing the direction of Lianqiao’s room.
Lianqiao, both embarrassed and annoyed, stamped her foot. “I—I can’t argue with you, miss! I’m leaving!” With that, she dashed out of the room. Luzhu stood with her hands on her hips, laughing heartily behind her. “Oh, she’s mad now! What’s there to be mad about?”Lianqiao, after all, had been raised within the mansion. Though spirited, she still adhered to propriety and would naturally feel shy upon hearing about romantic affairs. Luzhu, however, was bold. Having wandered the streets and alleys from a young age, she had absorbed more of the jianghu’s free-spirited ways and cared little for such reservations.
Jiang Ruan observed her demeanor and felt a momentary daze, recalling the first time she had met this child—it was the first year after her rebirth. Back then, isolated and helpless on the estate, this kind-hearted girl had stubbornly insisted on following her. In the blink of an eye, everything had changed. Her enemies had either died or suffered, while she herself had risen to greater heights. Fortunately, Luzhu’s loyalty had not been in vain—she had ultimately found her own happiness.
Setting down her teacup, Jiang Ruan pulled Luzhu closer. Her smile faded as she regarded the beaming young woman before her with a solemn expression. "Luzhu," she asked, "have you truly made up your mind? Is it really him?"
The "him" naturally referred to Jin Er. Even for maidservants, it was customary for their mistress to at least symbolically ask for their opinion before arranging a match. Luzhu lowered her head briefly before lifting it again to flash Jiang Ruan a radiant grin, her white teeth gleaming brightly. "It’s him, miss."
Jiang Ruan nodded. Though Jin Er might seem unreliable on the surface, with his usual playboy demeanor, someone who had seen so much of the world’s temptations understood better than most what he truly wanted. Moreover, Luzhu was no fool—there was no reason for Jin Er to take advantage of her. Still, the proposal had come rather abruptly. Who knew what Jin Er was thinking? But since both parties had agreed, and Jin Er had already sent a letter home to inform his parents in Jiangnan, the matter of the betrothal was left to Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao to decide—Luzhu’s deed of servitude was in Jiang Ruan’s hands, after all. The wedding would take place by the end of summer next year.
"I’ll ensure you have a grand wedding," Jiang Ruan said. "Since you have no parents, I’ll handle the dowry."
Luzhu froze, lifting her head in disbelief to meet Jiang Ruan’s gaze. When Jiang Ruan smiled at her, Luzhu’s eyes instantly reddened. "Miss, how could this servant dare—"
"There’s no question of daring. I made it clear from the start—you staked your life to follow me down a path with an uncertain outcome. Now it’s time for your reward. Even in gambling, there’s a prize for winning. Consider this your payout."
What kind of talk was this? Luzhu felt both the urge to laugh and cry. She knew Jiang Ruan usually kept people at arm’s length. Even with her closest maids, like Baizhi and Lianqiao—who had been her personal attendants from the start—she seemed to harbor her own secrets, never overly affectionate or prone to playful teasing like other mistresses. Following Jiang Ruan, Luzhu had witnessed nothing but danger, and Jiang Ruan herself often retaliated with violence, appearing cold and unfeeling. Yet beneath it all, she was fiercely protective of those she claimed as her own. She simply wasn’t one to express it openly. In truth… she was a very gentle person.
Tears welling in her eyes, Luzhu stared blankly, lost in thought. Jiang Ruan, meanwhile, couldn’t help but chuckle faintly—she certainly couldn’t be bothered to manage Luzhu’s emotional outbursts.At that moment, Jin Yi entered and handed Jiang Ruan a letter from the palace. Jiang Ruan dismissed Luzhu and began reading it herself. It was a letter from Xuan Pei, which didn’t contain much—first, wishing her a prosperous New Year, followed by a string of complaints about being stuck in the palace and unable to meet her, all due to the lack of freedom that came with his princely status. Finally, he mentioned that the Emperor had been in a poor mood lately, and the atmosphere in the palace was rather gloomy, so it would be best not to visit. After reading the letter, Jiang Ruan tossed it into the nearby candle flame to burn. Yet her heart remained unsettled for a long while. The Emperor wasn’t merely in a bad mood—he was gravely ill, as she had learned from Xiao Shao. Xuan Pei, who had once suffered in silence, had changed drastically after his rebirth, becoming even more inscrutable. The fact that he made no mention of palace affairs only made it all the more suspicious. Jiang Ruan stared at the ashes curling in the candlelight, lost in thought.
...
Meanwhile, in a quiet residence somewhere in the capital, a gray-clad man stood by the window and likewise tossed a sheet of paper into the flickering candle flame. The fire quickly consumed the slightly yellowed paper, which emitted a peculiar fragrance, as if made of some unusual material. After a long pause, the man slowly curved his crimson lips and murmured, "So that’s how it is."
"My lord, the Holy Maiden’s orders have yet to arrive," a subordinate ventured cautiously.
Yuan Chuan smiled. "No need."
The subordinate was taken aback as the gray-clad man suddenly reached up and lifted his own veil, revealing his face—or rather, half of it. The lower half was concealed behind a mask painted with a ferocious, ghastly visage, while the exposed upper half was strikingly handsome. Such a masked face should have exuded an air of mysterious allure, but the man before them, while undoubtedly enigmatic, lacked any sense of beauty—all because of his eyes. They were a piercing, unnatural shade of green, narrow and fox-like, lending him an almost demonic appearance that inspired an instinctive dread. The subordinate shivered and quickly averted his gaze, not daring to meet Yuan Chuan’s eyes. Yuan Chuan, however, paid him no mind and said slowly, "The Holy Maiden has already arrived in the capital."
The subordinate’s head jerked up in disbelief. "This...?" When Yuan Chuan had entered the capital, the Holy Maiden had not yet arrived. There had been no word of her coming—how could she suddenly appear in the heart of the Da Jin Dynasty? As the subordinate’s mind raced with speculation, those fox-like green eyes flicked toward him again, sending a chill down his spine and scattering his thoughts. Yuan Chuan smiled once more, his lips a vivid red as if painted with the finest rouge, even more alluring than a woman’s. His grin carried an indescribable eeriness as he said, "Since when are the Holy Maiden’s decrees subject to your idle conjectures?"
"N-no, of course not! This lowly one wouldn’t dare!" The subordinate broke out in a cold sweat. From above, Yuan Chuan chuckled softly. "Well then, since it’s your first offense... I’ll let it slide."The man was about to express his gratitude when he suddenly felt a chilling sensation in his chest. Looking down, he saw a glint of silver—a small, exquisitely crafted curved dagger, no larger than a thumb, had pierced his heart with deadly precision. His eyes widened, his face began to darken, and within moments, he collapsed. The blood pooling beneath him was black, clearly poisoned. Yuan Chuan smirked coldly before turning his gaze back to the window. With a sigh that was neither joyful nor sorrowful, yet eerily unsettling in the quiet courtyard now housing a corpse, he murmured, "Human life... is as worthless as grass." He chuckled softly again, his emerald-green eyes flashing with an odd light as he stared into the void and whispered, "And you... how much longer will you live?"
......
In the palace.
Inside the imperial study, the Emperor sat before a desk piled high with stacks of memorials. His health had deteriorated further, slowing his ability to review them, yet the endless stream of reports from across the nation never ceased, growing taller by the day—an overwhelming sight. Eunuch Li timely presented a cup of hot tea and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Rest for a while."
The Emperor shook his head but then felt a pang of hunger. Frowning, he asked, "Who was it that came just now?"
"It was Dong Xiuyi," Eunuch Li quickly replied. "She brought lotus seed porridge for Your Majesty."
Since Wang Lian'er and Jiang Dan had vanished from the palace one after another, none of the newly arrived beauties had particularly stood out. The remaining Mu Xirou was cold by nature and never took the initiative to serve others. One day, however, the Emperor happened to catch sight of Dong Xiuyi in the gardens and was reminded of this daughter of the Metropolitan Governor's household.
Sending the Metropolitan Governor's legitimate daughter into the palace was rather intriguing. Most who entered the palace sought wealth and glory, yet the Metropolitan Governor's position was already as high as it could realistically go—there was no need to trade a daughter for political security. Moreover, Dong Xiuyi had never actively sought favor, remaining largely unnoticed. Had the Emperor not stumbled upon her that day, she might have continued languishing in obscurity within the palace depths.
Now, however, things had changed. Though Dong Xiuyi's personality was somewhat dull, her porridge was excellent—light, refreshing, and delicious. The Emperor frequently summoned her to prepare it, and through these interactions, she gradually became one of the women closest to him.
The Emperor waved a hand. "Bring it here."
Eunuch Li instructed the young eunuch outside to fetch the lotus seed porridge Dong Xiuyi had left.
Meanwhile, in the dimly lit palace corridors, a woman in lavish robes walked alone. The eunuchs and maids she passed bowed respectfully. This Dong Xiuyi had once seemed destined for obscurity, and many had bullied her without consequence. Who could have guessed she would now gain the Emperor's favor? Truly, fortunes changed—now it was the palace servants who had once looked down on her who trembled in fear. Yet the woman in splendid attire seemed not to notice, her gaze distant and unfathomable.Returning to the courtyard of the side hall, Dong Yinger dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids before sitting down at her dressing table. From beneath the wooden cabinet, she retrieved a small wooden box containing a fresh lotus seedpod, its surface glistening with what appeared to be honey. The Emperor's appetite had been light recently, unable to tolerate overly strong flavors. While lotus seeds cleared heat, their bitterness was unbearable to many—especially when it came to the imperial palate. Thus, the lotus seeds had to be soaked in honey to temper their bitterness, making the resulting porridge sweeter. However... Dong Yinger then reached for a sachet at her waist, withdrawing a pinch of white powder that carried a peculiar fragrance. As soon as it was sprinkled over the lotus seedpod, it was swallowed by the fresh honey, leaving only a more pronounced aroma behind.
Her ears seemed to echo with the flattering words of a young eunuch: "Lady Xiuyi's lotus seed porridge is exceptional. His Majesty now cannot go a day without it—such skill even surpasses the imperial chefs. This servant believes His Majesty and Your Ladyship will only grow closer with time, inseparable indeed."
Dong Yinger tucked the sachet away, her gaze lingering on the seemingly ordinary lotus seedpod as a slow smile spread across her lips. Yet the smile was stiff, as if someone had forcibly stretched her skin, giving it an eerie, unnatural quality.
Of course, the Emperor couldn’t do without her—or rather, not her, but the lotus seed porridge she prepared. The addictive substance she used was undetectable, even to the most skilled imperial physicians, who would only assume the Emperor had developed a fondness for her cooking. To avoid suspicion, she didn’t serve the porridge daily, but it didn’t matter—as long as the Emperor grew dependent.
Her fingers tightened around her skirt as she recalled the recent news from the palace: the General's Residence intended to arrange a marriage between the eldest son of the Jiang family, Jiang Xin Zhi, and the Zhao family’s young lady, Zhao Jin. Negotiations for the marriage agreement were already underway. Jiang Xin Zhi and Zhao Jin. Dong Yinger shut her eyes abruptly, taking a deep breath, but her composure shattered. With a violent sweep of her arm, she sent everything on the table crashing to the floor. The maids waiting outside startled, one rushing in with a cry, "My lady!"
"Get out!" Dong Yinger snapped, and the servants outside fell silent, not daring to move. Staring at the shattered porcelain on the ground, a flash of venomous resentment flickered in her eyes.
Why did some people have such good fortune? Born of similar standing, where had she fallen short? Yet she was left to wither in the depths of the palace. Why? If this was how it would be, then let them all descend into hell together—at least she wouldn’t be alone.
......
In a manor south of the Yangtze, the black-tiled white walls exuded refined elegance, a testament to the household’s prosperity. A young servant hurried through the gates, calling out, "Madam! Madam!"
The woman seated in the main hall had a kindly and gentle demeanor, appearing dignified and virtuous despite being in her forties. Though age had touched her, traces of her youthful beauty remained. Dressed in a honey-colored silk jacket and skirt, she scolded with a smile, "Running so recklessly—you’ll trip over your own tongue. Speak slowly."The servant boy smiled sheepishly and pulled a letter from his bosom, saying, "Madam, a letter from the young master has arrived!"
"A letter from Erlang?" The woman immediately stood up, her face lighting up with unconcealable joy. "Quick, let me see it."
The servant boy hurriedly presented the letter with both hands. The woman took it and eagerly opened it, her eyes scanning the lines rapidly. In no time, she finished reading, her expression now a mix of mild reproach and amusement. The maids and elderly servants around her, seeing her reaction, grew curious. "Madam, what news from the second young master?" they asked.
"This child," the woman said, pressing a hand to her chest, "doesn't write home all year, truly not keeping his own mother in mind. He's gone and decided such a major matter on his own, only now sending a letter to inform me. Really..."
The elderly servant who had been serving her tea looked even more puzzled. "What matter does Madam speak of? Has the second young master been promoted?" Since it was called a major matter and their mistress didn't seem upset, it must be good news. Thinking this, the servant smiled. "If so, that's truly cause for celebration."
"It is good news, but not a promotion," the woman replied with a smile. "Erlang has asked the prince to arrange a marriage for him, and now he's just sending word."
"This... this..." The servant hesitated. "May I ask which family's young lady it is?"
"She's a first-rank maid serving the princess consort," the woman answered cheerfully.
"A maid? So she hasn't been freed from servitude. For a young master of his status, it seems..." The servant chose her words carefully, watching the woman's expression cautiously.
Seeing her hesitation, the woman laughed again. "I know what you're thinking. You feel this is beneath Erlang. But remember, the prince once showed great kindness to our family. Were it not for him, we wouldn't be living this comfortable life today—we'd be long buried. Our family isn't official nobility, just merchants. Though the girl's status isn't high, it's not entirely unsuitable."
"Madam," the servant still seemed reluctant, "though we're not nobility, we're still a prominent family in Jiangnan. With the second young master's standing, he could marry any proper young lady from a good family. Why must it be..."
The woman gave her a slow, measured look, and the servant immediately realized she'd spoken out of turn, growing uneasy. With a sigh, the woman said, "What standing do you think Erlang has? He's chosen to serve the prince willingly. All these years, he's rarely written home—likely because his work is dangerous. What well-bred young lady would marry into such peril? Moreover, this marriage was something Erlang personally requested from the prince. If it pleases him, what reason do I have to object? Enough. Since Erlang serves the prince, the prince has the right to decide for him. If the prince approves of this match and I agree, I doubt my husband will object either. A person without trustworthiness cannot stand firm, and someone close to the princess consort can't be a bad choice." As she thought of that composed, quietly dignified young man in black, a faint smile touched her lips.The woman was so reasonable that the old lady had nothing more to say. Moreover, the woman's words were indeed not wrong, so the old lady gradually smiled along and said, "That is a joyous matter. If the wedding is held soon, I imagine it won't be long before Madam has another golden grandson."
"The Eight Characters haven't even been matched yet, and you're already making such a lively fuss," the woman chided, though her face grew even more radiant with joy. Just as they were speaking, someone outside said, "Mother, what are you talking about that's so delightful? Let your daughter-in-law hear it and share in the joy."
"Eldest Young Madam," the maids and old women quickly greeted with smiles. A young woman walked in from outside, her hair styled in a married woman's fashion—she was indeed the eldest young madam of the household. The woman smiled and said, "We were talking about your second brother's marriage. It's perfect that you're here; let's discuss it together." Suddenly, the woman paused and looked behind the young woman, where stood a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a pink padded jacket and skirt. Hearing the conversation, the girl raised her head and curtsied with a smile, "Greetings, Madam."
"This is...?" The woman looked puzzled.
The young woman laughed and took the pink-clad girl's hand, saying, "Mother, what a coincidence! I was just about to bring this up. Do you remember this young lady? This is the eldest daughter of the Liao family from Dingxi, Miss Liao."
The girl smiled faintly, still seeming a bit shy. She raised her face, and this time it was clear to see—she had delicate features and an elegant demeanor, like a flower bud just beginning to bloom. She said, "Liao Meng greets the madam."
The woman's hand trembled, and the teacup instantly toppled to the ground.
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