The next morning, Jiang Ruan woke up later than usual. The servants at the General's Residence, following Li Shi's instructions, did not disturb her peaceful slumber. By the time she awoke, the sun was already high in the sky, and Xiao Shao was nowhere to be seen. The room was immaculate, as if nothing had happened the night before. She slowly propped herself up, feeling an overwhelming soreness throughout her body. Faint red marks were visible on her shoulders. Jiang Ruan stared at them silently for a moment—Xiao Shao had grown even more beastly after their days apart, his actions domineering and intense. Truly, "absence makes the heart grow fonder" in the most literal sense.
She called Lianqiao and Luzhu in to help her freshen up. While combing Jiang Ruan's hair, Lianqiao seemed somewhat awkward. Noticing her expression, Jiang Ruan asked, "What's the matter?"
"Young Mistress, perhaps it would be better to change your clothes," Lianqiao replied, her face flushing as she glanced at the back of Jiang Ruan's neck. Seeing Jiang Ruan still unusually oblivious, she lowered her head and fetched a bronze mirror, holding it up behind Jiang Ruan to show her. There, on her fair neck, was a conspicuous red mark, undeniably suggestive. Jiang Ruan froze for a moment before mentally cursing Xiao Shao to the depths of hell. She then instructed Luzhu to fetch a high-collared dress that would cover the mark.
Luzhu carefully observed Jiang Ruan's expression. Though she seemed slightly reproachful, there was no trace of anger. It appeared Xiao Shao's visit the previous night had indeed softened her demeanor, melting away some of her usual aloofness. The couple had likely reconciled, their rift mended—a most welcome outcome. Luzhu was genuinely happy for Jiang Ruan, but she suddenly noticed Jiang Ruan staring at her with a thoughtful gaze. Startled, Luzhu hesitated before asking, "Young Mistress, is there something you need me to do?"
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Nothing." The events of the previous night had confirmed her suspicions—Jin Er's actions had merely been an act. Xiao Shao knew it, she knew it, and Jin Er himself knew it. The only one unaware was Luzhu. But what were Luzhu's true feelings toward Jin Er? Others' lives and emotions were not hers to dictate. How this matter would resolve itself depended entirely on Jin Er and Luzhu. Jiang Ruan sighed softly and turned to Tianzhu. "Pack our things. We're returning to the residence today."
"Returning?" Tianzhu was taken aback. Though she knew the two had reconciled the night before, why the sudden decision to leave? Jiang Ruan simply replied, "It's nothing. The element of surprise is best." With that, she stood and walked out the door. "I'll go inform Grandfather and Grandmother."When Li Shi heard that Jiang Ruan was suddenly leaving, she was naturally surprised again. Over the past dozen or so days, the Zhao family had been extremely happy with Jiang Ruan's arrival. Although Jiang Ruan wasn't particularly warm by nature, she was very skilled at getting along with everyone. In her past life, she had learned much about being socially adept from Xuan Li in the palace, and now dealing with the Zhao family who already held goodwill toward her came effortlessly. Thus, the Zhao family had long regarded her as one of their own. For her to leave so suddenly—never mind the others—Li Shi was certainly reluctant. But Jiang Ruan only said that Xiao Shao had come to fetch her, and Li Shi naturally couldn't stop her. The young couple should be together; how could they stay at the bride's family home every day? It wouldn't do to create distance between husband and wife. So Li Shi smiled and said, "In that case, I won't say much more. Later, I'll have the steward bring the gifts for you to take back. There's something for Xiao Shao too. A Ruan, you must visit the General's Residence often in the future. This is your home, and your grandmother will be thinking of you."
Jiang Ruan smiled again, but when she saw the carriage prepared by the General's Residence, she was stunned. The carriage was nearly loaded with a full cart of gifts—Li Shi had indeed sent her almost everything she could think of. One cannot refuse the gifts of elders, nor could she return them all. Jiang Ruan found it both amusing and exasperating. This was hardly the usual gift exchange for a casual visit—it was more like moving house. Tianzhu hesitated, "Young Madam, the carriage might move very slowly."
There were two carriages in total: one for Jiang Ruan herself, and the other for the gifts. Because of the gift carriage, Jiang Ruan's carriage would also move slowly. The General's Residence and the Brocade Hero King Manor weren't too far apart, but this would make the journey several times longer than usual. Lianqiao suggested, "Why doesn't Young Madam go ahead first? The other carriage can follow slowly. In broad daylight, no one would dare rob it."
But Jiang Ruan shook her head. "It's fine, let's go back slowly." During her days at the General's Residence, she hadn't been observing her surroundings or sending messages to Xuan Pei as she had in the manor, so she was somewhat behind on news. Unlike Xiao Shao, who gathered intelligence through the Brocade-clad Guards, Jiang Ruan relied on her own eyes, piecing together anomalies from the minutiae of daily life.
Lianqiao didn't press further. The carriage moved slowly but steadily. Just as they reached the main street of the city, a clear female voice called from outside the carriage, "Might this be the carriage of the Princess of Great Peace?"
Jiang Ruan sat inside as the carriage came to a stop. Tianzhu was the first to jump down and asked the person outside, "Who are you?"
The person outside was merely a young maid, but the fabric of her clothes indicated her household was far from ordinary. The maid hadn't expected a cold-faced woman to suddenly jump out and brusquely demand her identity, and she was startled. Collecting herself, she was about to speak when a gentle voice came from beside her, "It's me. My maid was rude and has offended the Princess. I beg your forgiveness. Just now, I saw the General's Residence's carriage and guessed the Princess might be inside, so I took the liberty of approaching to greet you."The words were spoken with great warmth and without any airs, as if addressing an old acquaintance. Moments later, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ruan stepped out. Tianzhu stood by Jiang Ruan's side as they both looked at the young woman before them—none other than the Yao family's young lady, Yao Niannian.
Jiang Ruan smiled as well. "What a coincidence. I never expected to meet Miss Yao here. It seems fate truly brought us together."
Yao Niannian nodded with a smile. "Indeed. Niannian suddenly approached and disturbed you, fearing it might seem too abrupt and impolite. It was rather thoughtless of me. However, since I’ve had the chance to meet His Highness a few times before, I thought it only proper to greet you as well."
Inside the carriage, Luzhu frowned. Why did Yao Niannian keep clinging to Xiao Shao in her words? Was she deliberately trying to sow misunderstanding in Jiang Ruan’s mind? Luzhu couldn’t help feeling tense, thinking how Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao had only just reconciled last night, and now Yao Niannian was here to stir trouble again—truly detestable. Lianqiao held Luzhu back to prevent her from impulsively rushing out. She was the more composed of the two, yet even she found Yao Niannian’s words hard to stomach.
To everyone’s surprise, Jiang Ruan didn’t even acknowledge Yao Niannian’s remarks. Still smiling, she instead asked, "Speaking of which, there’s something I’d like to ask Miss Yao for help with."
Yao Niannian’s expression flickered slightly before she replied with a smile, "If I can be of assistance to the Young Lady, I’ll naturally do my utmost."
"My grandmother’s birthday is approaching, and I plan to embroider a three-dimensional Thousand-Hand Guanyin for her. However, the statue will require beads, and I’ve heard that moonstones from the Jialin region of the South Sea are the most brilliant when polished. Unfortunately, none of the shops in the capital carry them at the moment. Since I know Governor Yao oversees the coastal regions, could you ask him to bring some back the next time he visits the South Sea? I’d be deeply grateful."
Inside the carriage, Luzhu and Lianqiao exchanged puzzled glances. Since when had Jiang Ruan planned to embroider a Thousand-Hand Guanyin? Yao Niannian, too, seemed taken aback that Jiang Ruan had ignored her earlier remarks and instead made such a request. Governor Yao was indeed the Coastal Governor, spending most of the year stationed in the South Sea. Yao Niannian had lived there as a child before being sent back to the capital as she grew older. Such a trivial matter was no trouble for her, so she smiled and said, "There’s no need for gratitude. Since His Highness and I are acquainted, naturally, you and I are friends as well. Friends should always help one another. I’ll speak to my father about it when I return home."
She kept steering the conversation back to Xiao Shao, yet Jiang Ruan showed no sign of irritation, as if oblivious to the underlying implications. Instead, she smiled and said, "Then I’ll thank Miss Yao in advance."
Yao Niannian smiled faintly. "No need for thanks. But judging by your appearance, Young Lady, have you just returned from the General's Residence?"
"Indeed," Jiang Ruan replied.Yao Niannian lowered her head, as if recalling something, and murmured softly, "No wonder he was like that those few days..." Halfway through her words, she suddenly looked up at Jiang Ruan, as if realizing something inappropriate in her speech, and promptly stopped. Such half-spoken words only served to pique curiosity further. However, this tactic clearly had no effect on Jiang Ruan. She still appeared as though she hadn't noticed Yao Niannian's expression at all, merely smiling as she said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. There are many matters awaiting my attention at the manor, and I must return to handle them. If Miss Yao wishes to continue strolling, I hope you enjoy yourself thoroughly."
It was like punching cotton—no matter how much force one exerted, it all dissipated into nothing. Any words meant to provoke others seemed to simply bounce off Jiang Ruan without leaving a trace. Watching the carriage depart, Yao Niannian's maid indignantly said, "Miss, she must be doing this on purpose! She's surely seething inside but putting on a calm front—it must be so!"
Yao Niannian stood motionless, her gaze following the distant carriage, a shadow flickering in her eyes. What did that phrase, "many matters awaiting my attention at the manor," signify? The supreme authority of the mistress of Brocade Hero King Manor, or was it a show of dominance? Yao Niannian slowly lowered her head, her expression as serene as before, and said, "Let's go."
...
Inside the carriage, Luzhu and Lianqiao dared not make a sound, for Jiang Ruan's expression had turned unusually grave the moment she boarded—a rare sight for someone who usually faced everything with a smile. Unaware of the reason, the two maids assumed Yao Niannian had once again provoked their mistress to fury. They inwardly wished they could drive Yao Niannian out of the capital immediately. What unmarried woman spent her days eyeing another's husband? Given the Yao family's status, Yao Niannian would never stoop to becoming a concubine in Brocade Hero King Manor, yet her current attitude made her intentions all too clear—she aimed to enter the household openly. Did she truly believe she could stand as Jiang Ruan's equal? Lost in their thoughts, Luzhu and Lianqiao noticed Jiang Ruan's expression growing even more solemn, and they didn't dare ask.
Upon returning to the manor, Butler Lin naturally made a lively fuss over Jiang Ruan's arrival, marveling at the General's Residence's generosity—proof of the young mistress's esteemed family. But Jiang Ruan had no mind for conversation, instructing Butler Lin to handle the gifts before retreating to her courtyard. Once there, she summoned only Tianzhu to the study.
Tianzhu followed Jiang Ruan inside. As Jiang Ruan seated herself at the desk, Tianzhu hesitated before asking, "What troubles you, Young Mistress?" Being called in alone surely meant something important. Yet Jiang Ruan simply looked at her and said, "What do you think of that Yao Niannian just now?"
"This..." Tianzhu was momentarily baffled. "What do you mean, Young Mistress?""Does she possess any martial arts skills?" Jiang Ruan's expression was unusually grave. Tianzhu was slightly taken aback but carefully recalled before shaking her head. "No, but her maid does have some basic skills—though not particularly advanced, likely just for self-defense." This wasn't particularly surprising. A young lady of Yao Niannian's status would naturally have guards when venturing out. Yao Niannian probably preferred not to bring guards and instead brought a maid with some martial ability.
"No martial arts—does she have any other distinctive traits?" Jiang Ruan pressed.
Tianzhu shook her head again. "Nothing noticeable. Why do you ask, Young Madam? Miss Yao is just an ordinary gentlewoman. Why would she have martial arts or...?" The Brocade-clad Guards had extensive intelligence networks, and Yao Niannian was one of the capital's most prominent young ladies. Everyone knew her background. So why would Jiang Ruan suddenly ask if she knew martial arts? Tianzhu was baffled, but then she saw Jiang Ruan slowly lower her head and say, "She isn't Yao Niannian."
"What?" Tianzhu gasped, lowering her voice. "If she isn't Yao Niannian, then who is she?"
"This is serious," Jiang Ruan said abruptly. "Find a way to contact Xiao Shao and have him return to the estate as soon as possible. There's an urgent matter to discuss."
Tianzhu acted swiftly, and within an hour, Xiao Shao had returned. He must have rushed back from outside, as he hadn't even changed his clothes. The moment he saw Jiang Ruan, he asked, "What happened?"
Jiang Ruan was momentarily taken aback by his concern but quickly pulled him into the room and shut the door. Xiao Shao let her guide him without protest, sitting down at the desk as she poured him a cup of tea. "Take your time," he said calmly.
"I ran into Yao Niannian today," Jiang Ruan began.
"Hm?" Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow as she continued, "I suspect she isn't Yao Niannian." When Xiao Shao showed no reaction, Jiang Ruan frowned in confusion before realization dawned. "You already knew?" she demanded angrily.
"Don't be upset," Xiao Shao quickly interjected, stifling her anger before it could flare. "I had my suspicions before, but they were only recently confirmed. How did you figure it out?" He deftly changed the subject.
Jiang Ruan shot him a glare but didn't press the issue. She hadn't been at the estate these past few days, so even if he had wanted to tell her, he couldn't have. "I felt something was off before—call it intuition. She seemed very different from when I first met her. So today, when I saw her on the street, I deliberately tested her." Jiang Ruan recounted how she had asked Yao Niannian to help find moonstones, then added, "Jialin was a place I made up on the spot, and there's no such thing as moonstones there. Yet she agreed without hesitation. Clearly, she knows nothing about the southern coastal regions. Yao Niannian grew up following Governor Yao along the coast—how could she not recognize such a basic detail? There's definitely something wrong with her." Jiang Ruan's gaze darkened as she slowly said, "I suspect... she's from the Southern Borderlands?"
Xiao Shao studied her for a long moment before sighing in resignation. "You're right. The Southern Borderlanders are cunning by nature. Once you're involved, danger is inevitable."“I’m naturally not afraid of any danger,” Jiang Ruan retorted, glaring at him. A flicker of slyness suddenly crossed her eyes as she added, “I’ve roughly figured out your plan, so I simply helped you get started ahead of time.”
Xiao Shao was momentarily taken aback, as if pondering the meaning behind her words, before finally saying, “You….”
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, cutting him off. “No need to say more. I’ve already made up my mind. If the Southern Borderlands and Xuan Li were to collude, it would eventually affect Xuan Pei as well. I can’t just let that happen.”
“You plan to expose her?” Xiao Shao asked.
“Why should I be the one to expose her? She can no longer use this identity. And in such a short time, it won’t be easy for her to find another identity that allows her to get close to the core of the court’s influential families.”
As Jiang Ruan had predicted, back in the Yao residence, the steward beside Governor Yao was staring at Yao Niannian in astonishment. “The young miss wants the Moonlight Stone of Jialin? Jialin… I’ve never heard of any place called Jialin in the South Sea. And what is this Moonlight Stone? Is it famous?”
Yao Niannian’s teacup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor. For a moment, her expression stiffened. The maid beside her was startled and immediately knelt to pick up the broken shards. Noticing Yao Niannian’s odd demeanor, the steward grew nervous and asked, “What’s wrong, young miss? Should this old servant inquire further? Perhaps it’s just my ignorance—maybe the Moonlight Stone is well-known elsewhere.”
The maid on the floor, however, knew the reason for her mistress’s reaction and grumbled indignantly, “Asking the young miss to find something that doesn’t even exist—that Princess of Brocade Glory is truly heartless. If the young miss fails, she’ll have an excuse to criticize her.” She failed to notice anything amiss in the situation.
“It’s nothing. I’ll return to my room now,” Yao Niannian suddenly murmured softly. For the first time, her face was devoid of its usual smile, appearing only cold. Once back in her room, she sat alone before the dressing mirror, staring intently at the woman reflected in the bronze glass. “A trap?” she muttered to herself. “So I’ve been discovered.” With a sigh, her sleeve fluttered imperceptibly—something slipped out and drifted straight through the window, leaving behind a faint trace of orchid fragrance.
OpenNovel