A Dream within a Dream

Jiang Xin Zhi frowned slightly. Dong Yinger's question clearly displeased him, but out of politeness, he still replied, "Indeed."

Hearing this confirmation from Jiang Xin Zhi's lips, Dong Yinger felt a sudden pang in her heart. The impatience in his eyes didn't escape her notice, and an uncontrollable resentment began to simmer within her. Why was this happening? She had been the cherished jewel of her parents since childhood—bright, warm-hearted, and thoughtful in all matters, earning universal praise. Yet what had she gained in the end? Her father had sent her into the palace to secure his own official career, the man she loved treated her with icy indifference, and her former sisters turned a blind eye to her plight. The entire world had betrayed her—why should she let any of them off easily?

Dong Yinger stared fixedly at Jiang Xin Zhi for a long moment before suddenly smiling. "I heard that Ruan Meimei was abducted by bandits and remains missing. She and I were once close friends, so I can't help but worry for her. I do hope nothing terrible has happened."

Jiang Xin Zhi keenly detected the strange undertone in Dong Yinger's words, as though they were laced with barely suppressed fury. Though fiercely protective of his own, he had grown more measured in his dealings now. Suppressing his displeasure, he chose not to engage further and merely said coolly, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Xiuyi. I have matters to attend to and must take my leave." With that, he strode away without another glance at Dong Yinger, as though lingering would taint his sight.

Dong Yinger stood rooted to the spot, watching Jiang Xin Zhi's retreating figure before slowly allowing a smile to spread across her face—though it was a smile twisted with something darker.

...

In stark contrast to the chaos in the capital, Jiang Ruan found herself in an environment of serene elegance. The maid who attended to her daily was mute, never uttering a word, and apart from this maid, she saw no one else. The room was well-appointed with all necessities, even a few travelogues likely provided to pass the time. Indeed, it was clear that Xuan Li had given the orders and Qi Man had carried them out. Knowing Jiang Ruan still held value, they hadn't subjected her to undue hardship.

Over the past few days, Jiang Ruan had done her utmost to adapt to her surroundings. As time passed, she grew increasingly certain of her suspicion—she might be with child. With this realization, she became even more cautious in her actions, treating the place almost as a retreat for quiet recuperation. The only regret was the absence of any prenatal medicine, which only strengthened her resolve to resolve matters swiftly and leave this place as soon as possible.

On this particular day, the weather was overcast. Rain had begun early in the morning, and as it was spring rain, it showed no signs of stopping. From dawn until afternoon, the air grew damp and slightly chilly. Outside, tender green buds had begun to sprout on the branches, their delicate freshness a vivid reminder of spring. Jiang Ruan stood by the window, gazing absently at the branches, when suddenly the door was pushed open and someone entered.The footsteps were different from those of the mute maidservant. The mute maidservant moved silently, like a cat, so Jiang Ruan could hardly hear any sound here. These footsteps, though light, were not cautiously so; instead, they carried a hint of casual arrogance, like a beast stalking its prey, crouching low and slowly preparing to strike.

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. After waiting so long, they had finally arrived. The smile at the corners of her lips faded quickly, and as she turned her head, she perfectly feigned a trace of astonishment.

The person standing at the door was not the mute maidservant. On the contrary, compared to the almost imperceptible presence of the mute maidservant, this person seemed born to seize attention. It was a woman dressed in a long crimson gown. Yet, this attire was unlike the garments of the Da Jin Dynasty—it was sprinkled with gold dust, embroidered with intricate patterns in golden thread, shimmering even in the absence of sunlight. The sheer red gauze revealed a slender waist adorned with tinkling little bells, and her feet were bare, save for a string of turquoise bells around her ankles, making her jade-like feet appear even more striking, as if carved from ancient artifacts.

But more breathtaking than her feet was her face. Jiang Ruan was already bewitchingly beautiful, yet this woman could truly be called a heart-stealer. Her eyes brimmed with vitality, a blend of purity and wickedness. Though her face bore no makeup, her lips were painted the deepest red, like a sudden flame amidst spring snow, wild and all-consuming. Her beauty was not just striking—it was a complex mix of restraint and seduction. Merely standing near her made one feel as if they were being drawn into an abyss. Even Jiang Ruan, a woman, felt this way; if an ordinary man were to see her, he would surely mistake her for some fox spirit or malevolent spirit, willing to be drained of his essence without regret.

This must be the Holy Maiden of the Southern Borderlands, Jiang Ruan thought, steadying herself as she slowly met the woman’s gaze.

The woman naturally caught the fleeting admiration in Jiang Ruan’s eyes, and a hint of smug charm flickered at the corners of her own. Yet, her smugness wasn’t off-putting—it carried a coquettish allure all its own.

"Jiang Ruan," she said slowly, her voice strangely melodious, as if from the heavens, as though she hadn’t spoken to anyone in a long time.

Jiang Ruan nodded. "You are...?"

"I am the Southern Border Sacred Maiden, Dan Zhen," she replied.

"A pleasure," Jiang Ruan responded.

Dan Zhen seemed surprised, her voice lowering. "You know my name?"

"Just pleasantries," Jiang Ruan said with a faint smile. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I suppose the Holy Maiden hasn’t yet grown accustomed to the customs of the Da Jin Dynasty, to take such words seriously."

Dan Zhen’s irritation flared—she had clearly detected the mockery in Jiang Ruan’s words. The implication that she was an outsider stung. Even when the Southern Borderlands had still been a sovereign state, paying annual tribute, the people of the Da Jin Dynasty had disdainfully referred to them as "Southern Border savages." Now, hearing Jiang Ruan echo such sentiments, Dan Zhen found it grating. She composed herself, her delicate brows arching slightly before she spoke again, her tone measured. "Quite the sharp tongue.""Likewise," Jiang Ruan replied. She wasn't afraid that Dan Zhen would do anything to her at this moment. Although the alliance between Xuan Li and the Southern Borderlands wasn't particularly strong, now was a critical juncture where life and death hung in the balance. Xuan Li wouldn't allow any mishaps to occur, so he would certainly grasp the Southern Borderlands' vulnerabilities to force them to comply with his decisions. As for Qi Man, based on years of interaction, this was a person of resolve and strategy, someone who prioritized the bigger picture. Since there was no life-or-death enmity between them, Qi Man naturally wouldn't kill her immediately. Jiang Ruan had already deduced that the Southern Borderlands now had two leaders: Qi Man and the Dan Zhen before her. However, it was clear even now that Dan Zhen was far inferior to Qi Man, whether in tactics or magnanimity. Thus, Dan Zhen could only ever be a subordinate. Qi Man excelled at control, and under her restraint, Dan Zhen couldn't possibly harm Jiang Ruan.

In the past, Jiang Ruan would have been fearless, but now that she was with child, even if she didn't consider herself, she had to think of the baby in her womb. Therefore, she had been carefully guiding Dan Zhen's emotions all along. Dan Zhen was inherently unyielding, subconsciously wanting to compete with her—this was a woman's instinct. For instance, just now, though Dan Zhen was already exceptionally beautiful, her actions today clearly showed she had dressed up deliberately. Jiang Ruan wasn't a man, so there was no reason for Dan Zhen to go to such lengths to impress her. Naturally, it was because Dan Zhen still harbored a desire to outshine Jiang Ruan.

"You're not particularly beautiful," Dan Zhen said slowly, her lips curling as she scrutinized Jiang Ruan from head to toe, her eyes flashing with disdain. "And your origins are even more lowly. I heard you were once enslaved by servants in the countryside—how laughable." She toyed idly with her slightly curly hair. "I've heard of your exploits. Back then, your brother was called the God of War, and you played no small part in that. I originally thought you must be quite capable, but now it seems I overestimated you. To be captured so easily and kept here as a prisoner is rather dull."

Jiang Ruan watched her leisurely, showing no reaction to her words. Even if Dan Zhen was deliberately trying to provoke her, Jiang Ruan wouldn't take such petty remarks to heart. She had weathered far worse rumors and gossip—how could she possibly care about such trivial taunts?

Dan Zhen smiled faintly and slowly approached Jiang Ruan. Suddenly, she reached out and seized Jiang Ruan's throat. Dan Zhen's hand was incredibly soft, almost boneless. Such a delicate hand, if held by a man, would surely stir his desires. But now, coiled around Jiang Ruan's neck like a serpent, it carried only a sinister chill, ghostly and cold.

"You're so weak," Dan Zhen mused, admiring Jiang Ruan's expression. "If I were to make a single cut here, you'd be dead. What use is being the Princess of Brocade Glory then?"

"Oh?" Jiang Ruan tilted her head, evading Dan Zhen's grip, and met her gaze. "Why would you want to kill me? Is it because of Xiao Shao?"At the mention of the name "Xiao Shao," Dan Zhen's expression shifted slightly. In that instant, her once infinitely spirited eyes suddenly twisted with a chilling intensity that even Jiang Ruan found unsettling. Was her obsession truly this deep? Jiang Ruan felt both astonishment and anger. Xiao Shao and this woman had only crossed paths a few times, yet she had stubbornly pursued him from the Southern Borderlands all the way to the Da Jin Dynasty, harboring ambitions of restoring her nation while simultaneously wishing Jiang Ruan dead—all for the sake of that Femme Fatale?

"Do you think you understand him?" Dan Zhen suddenly sneered. "You think being the Princess of Brocade Glory makes you special? He is an eagle of the grasslands, a lone wolf of the desert. He will never be tied down in this lifetime. You’re nothing but an ugly stumbling block, yet you dare to gloat so shamelessly. How utterly ridiculous! Ridiculous!" By the end, her fury had overtaken her once more.

Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. Dan Zhen’s obsession with Xiao Shao was indeed profound—just mentioning him was enough to provoke her. What was this? A Holy Maiden, long chaste and pure, experiencing mortal desire for the first time, and because she couldn’t have him, no one else could? What did she plan to do in the end—turn Xiao Shao into a puppet to keep forever, like in those tales of Southern Border Secret Arts? As for the lone wolf and eagle, Jiang Ruan found it almost amusing. Perhaps that man did appear awe-inspiring and untouchable to others, but if Dan Zhen had ever seen him in his clingy moments, she might not be so fixated.

Then again, Xiao Shao’s clingy side wasn’t something just anyone got to witness. Jiang Ruan allowed herself a faint smile. "I may be a stumbling block, but I’m one he picked up himself. The Holy Maiden might have been an asset rather than an obstacle, yet didn’t he cast you aside all the same? Oh, wait—I misspoke. Your paths diverged long ago, destined to be enemies from the start. What else is there for you to say?"

Jiang Ruan’s counterattacks had never changed over the years. She disliked wasting words, always striking straight at the wound and grinding her heel in, then sprinkling salt for good measure—executed with ruthless efficiency. Those who crossed verbal swords with her were invariably left seething. Dan Zhen, as the Holy Maiden, held an exalted position in the Southern Borderlands, accustomed to unquestioning obedience and never having to engage in such exchanges. Jiang Ruan, on the other hand, had faced endless skepticism in both her past and present lives, making such retorts second nature to her.

Dan Zhen’s face darkened with rage. No woman could remain indifferent after being humiliated before her rival, especially when the humiliation came at the hands of the very man she desired. Dan Zhen looked ready to tear Jiang Ruan apart, her beautiful face contorted—but after a moment, she forced a smile and said mockingly, "What’s the point of your words? I’ve never needed his willingness. What I want is his submission.""Submission?" Jiang Ruan seemed to have heard something amusing as she looked at Dan Zhen with a smile. "Holy Maiden, didn't you say he is the eagle of the grasslands, the lone wolf of the desert? You should know that eagles soar the nine heavens, and lone wolves roam thousands of miles alone—they can be hunted but never tamed. Have you ever seen a tamed eagle or a starving wolf? If so, why speak of submission?"

Dan Zhen had gradually grown accustomed to Jiang Ruan's way of speaking. She smiled slowly in response, an eerie glint in her expression. "Miss Jiang, how naive. Perhaps this is the result of you Da Jin Dynasty women being raised in seclusion. What I mean by submission is not what you think. You speak of the heart's submission, but I speak of the submission of the person. When your nation, the entire Da Jin Dynasty, kneels beneath the Southern Borderlands, even the sky and the desert will submit to me—let alone an eagle or a wolf!"

Her words were so arrogant that Jiang Ruan fell silent. To Dan Zhen, this silence was a sign of retreat. Satisfied, she continued, "Don’t worry, I never intended to become his ally. Whether he is an eagle or a wolf, he will remain by my side for life. If he tries to leave, I will break his wings and pull out his fangs. Once the iron hooves of the Southern Borderlands trample this land, all of you will be our captives. As for him, I will poison his eyes, break his legs, and keep him alive—alive beside me."

Such a spine-chilling expression of love was something Jiang Ruan had never encountered in either this life or her past. She wondered what Xiao Shao would think if he heard these words. Outwardly, however, she remained composed and simply asked, "In that case, I’m of no use to you. Why not just kill me?"

Dan Zhen chuckled, her smile now tinged with excitement. "Oh, I do want to kill you—how could I spare you? But killing you outright would be too merciful. He was my prey, yet you, filthy as you are, defiled him. I’ve already decided how to deal with you. I’ll carve your body full of holes, then fill them with the smallest and longest-lasting eggs of the Southern Borderlands. Let them sprout and burrow within you. You will become a living vessel, enduring endless agony. Like the worms inside you, you’ll live long enough to witness how he submits at my feet. Wouldn’t that be perfect?"

Jiang Ruan froze for a moment. Unbidden, the memory of her past life surfaced—how Jiang Susu had turned her into a human pig before her death, leaving her unable to live or die, all to force her to watch Pei Er suffer. It had been unbearable torment. Dan Zhen’s hatred for her ran just as deep. Yet Jiang Ruan knew the real reason Dan Zhen didn’t kill her now wasn’t out of mercy—it was because of Xuan Li and Qi Man’s orders, making it inconvenient to act.

And she, too, had a use for Dan Zhen.Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and said, "How could your Southern Borderlands so easily conquer the lands of our Da Jin Dynasty? Do you think the warriors of Da Jin are all dead? The Holy Maiden probably believes the current tension in the palace presents an opportunity. I suppose you’ve also formed an alliance with the Eighth Prince, but don’t you think this alliance was made too hastily? After all, in His Majesty’s plans, there was never any mention of the Eighth Prince becoming the future heir to the Da Jin Dynasty."

Dan Zhen also laughed. "What does your Emperor amount to now? He’s nothing more than a useless man."

"But there’s still the Thirteenth Prince," Jiang Ruan interrupted her. "The Thirteenth Prince is exceptionally intelligent and profoundly knowledgeable. More importantly, his claim is legitimate..."

"Legitimate?" Dan Zhen seemed to recall something, her eyes suddenly lighting up as she looked at Jiang Ruan. "You probably think that so-called legitimacy lies in an Imperial Edict—that with this edict, you’ve bet on the right horse and thus have hope."

Jiang Ruan nodded, her gaze revealing a hint of understanding. Dan Zhen sneered and turned to leave the room. Moments later, she returned holding a long wooden tube, her smile carrying a trace of malice. "Miss Jiang, does this look familiar to you?"

Jiang Ruan remained silent, her eyes fixed intently on the tube. She knew exactly what was inside. Dan Zhen, noticing her unwavering stare, grew even more excited. She abruptly opened the tube and pulled out its contents—a long scroll that, when unfurled, was unmistakably an Imperial Edict.

"You thought hiding the edict in a carriage would go unnoticed? I must say, you’re always so bold, but boldness often leads to mistakes. Now, your so-called hope has fallen into my hands. You must realize that without this edict, that Thirteenth Prince has nothing. And if the Emperor were to pass away now, with the blame falling on the Thirteenth Prince, what do you think would happen?"

What would happen? Jiang Ruan sneered inwardly. She knew better than anyone what would happen, because in her past life, she had been slandered as the Nation-destroying enchantress, framed for the Emperor’s death, and condemned as a criminal by the entire world. Meanwhile, Xuan Li had emerged unscathed, ascending the throne without a single blemish to his name, hailed with nothing but praise. That was the truth.

Yet now, Jiang Ruan merely replied calmly, "What does it matter if you’ve obtained this edict? One day, it will be found and brought back to light. As long as that day comes, my hope will not be in vain."

The hope in Jiang Ruan’s eyes unsettled Dan Zhen, stirring an inexplicable irritation within her. She couldn’t understand why, at this point, Jiang Ruan still clung to such impossible expectations. Was she foolish or just naive? Dan Zhen didn’t know. All she knew was that the expression she wanted to see on Jiang Ruan’s face wasn’t this one—she should be filled with regret, despair, agony, and self-reproach, not brimming with hope.The thought of making her regret it now roared wildly in Dan Zhen's mind. She could no longer care about anything else. Suddenly, she pulled out a fire starter from her bosom—the tinder ignited instantly. She abruptly threw the Imperial Edict onto the burning tinder, and in an instant, flames engulfed the bright yellow silk.

Jiang Ruan's expression changed drastically. She only managed to shout "No!" before lunging forward to snatch the Imperial Edict from Dan Zhen's hands. But how could Dan Zhen let her succeed? With a nimble sidestep, the bright yellow silk—perhaps sprinkled with some unknown powder—burned even more fiercely. In mere moments, the flames completely devoured it, leaving only a pitiful remnant of glowing embers on the ground.

Jiang Ruan stared blankly at the pile of ashes. Though Dan Zhen was somewhat displeased that Jiang Ruan hadn't shown the heart-wrenching despair she had imagined, seeing the woman who had been so domineering and confident just moments ago now wearing such a lost expression finally satisfied her. Slowly, Dan Zhen walked up to Jiang Ruan and deliberately asked, "See? Your hope is gone."

Jiang Ruan lowered her head without speaking. Dan Zhen sneered and said, "In my eyes, you're nothing more than an insignificant ant. The hope you cling to means nothing to me. So, Jiang Ruan, even your precious Da Jin Dynasty and the Thirteenth Prince you support will turn to ashes like this Imperial Edict in the fire, becoming nothing. And he—for his entire life—will have no choice but to stay by my side." After saying this, Dan Zhen paid no further attention to Jiang Ruan and strode out. Today, she had finally vented her anger and felt immensely satisfied. However, staying out too long might arouse suspicion, as she had sneaked out without Qi Man's knowledge.

Qi Man had given strict orders not to harm a single hair on Jiang Ruan's head, which infuriated Dan Zhen. Seeing someone she despised yet being unable to kill her was pure torment. Still, today had been satisfying—seeing that woman utterly devastated. As for the Imperial Edict, Dan Zhen wasn’t worried in the slightest. Keeping it would only bring trouble; even Xuan Li himself would eventually destroy it. Rather than letting him do it, she might as well burn it in front of Jiang Ruan, crushing her hope and driving her to despair—exactly what Dan Zhen wanted to see.

After Dan Zhen left, the mute maid returned. She cast a fearful glance at Jiang Ruan, having likely waited outside, clearly terrified of Dan Zhen. Jiang Ruan looked at her and said expressionlessly, "Clean this up." Then she rose and walked toward the couch.

The mute maid was surprised. From their earlier expressions, it had seemed Jiang Ruan cared deeply about the edict. Now that Dan Zhen had destroyed it, shouldn’t she be heartbroken? How could she speak so calmly, without a trace of sorrow on her face?

Jiang Ruan paid no attention to the maid’s thoughts. She leaned tiredly against the soft cushions of the couch and let out a quiet sigh. That performance had been exhausting. These days, with her body growing heavier, even slight exertion left her more fatigued than usual. Maintaining a flawless facade in front of Dan Zhen had been no easy feat.

But her efforts hadn’t been in vain—everything had gone exactly as she’d planned.

When women compare themselves to others, they long to see their rivals utterly defeated. Dan Zhen was no exception. Unable to kill Jiang Ruan, she was desperate to shatter her composure. Under Jiang Ruan’s deliberate guidance, Dan Zhen had come to believe that her calmness stemmed from the hope the Imperial Edict represented. Destroying that "hope" would crush Jiang Ruan’s spirit, leaving her to live in perpetual despair.

Dan Zhen was from the Southern Borderlands and couldn’t read Da Jin script. Qi Man, being cautious, wouldn’t have opened the edict before delivering it intact to Xuan Li. Jiang Ruan’s plan had been risky—if Xuan Li had seen the edict, not only would everything have failed, but even Xiao Shao’s identity would have been exposed. The crucial point was ensuring the edict was destroyed before Xuan Li could read it.

And the only one who could destroy it was Dan Zhen.She had both the capability and the impulse—finding her was the best choice. Dan Zhen believed the Imperial Edict declared Xuan Pei as the Crown Prince, but in reality, the name of the heir written on it was Xiao Shao. From then on, as long as the Emperor remained unconscious and this edict vanished without a trace, Xiao Shao’s true origins would be buried forever in the dust of history. He would remain merely the young lord of Brocade Hero King Manor, the young master of the Brocade-clad Guards, and never be recognized as a descendant of the imperial bloodline.

Dan Zhen would quiet down for a while, and as for Xuan Li, given his cautious and steady nature, he naturally wouldn’t make a move at this time. He would surely wait until the storm passed before coming to see her. By then, Dan Zhen wouldn’t have mentioned the edict either, so when Xuan Li arrived, the edict would already be gone. Even if he suspected something, he would find no evidence. Moreover, he wouldn’t suspect—he would relax his vigilance against Xuan Pei in the palace, focusing entirely on manipulating the Emperor’s condition.

Substitution and deception might seem simple, but every step was like walking a tightrope—one misstep, and she would plunge into an abyss. Jiang Ruan had conceived this bold plan and executed it fearlessly. Every move she made here was arduous because of the child in her womb. Tasks that would normally be effortless now left her drenched in sweat. After a moment, she suddenly beckoned the mute maid. The maid waited for her orders, and Jiang Ruan said, “I’m truly bored. Fetch me a dog. This place is always so lonely—having a dog for company would be nice.”

The maid was surprised by the request, but she couldn’t disobey Jiang Ruan’s words. Perhaps those in charge had already instructed that Jiang Ruan’s wishes must be fulfilled. So, after a brief moment of astonishment, the maid left without another word. She didn’t notice Jiang Ruan gently pressing her forehead behind her back.

Her appetite had grown considerably now that she carried a little one inside her. The usual meals were clearly insufficient. Besides, for some reason, the food here, though meticulously prepared, was mostly bland congee and plain vegetables—hardly appetizing. Without prenatal medicine, if she didn’t take care of her health, she might harm the child. But a sudden increase in appetite would surely arouse suspicion. These people were cunning; the slightest irregularity on her part would be noticed immediately. It was better to get a dog. While people could eat vegetarian meals, dogs couldn’t. That way, if her portions grew larger, others would assume it was for the dog.

Jiang Ruan couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing. In this life, she had fallen from disgrace to splendor, experiencing the extremes of human warmth and cruelty. No one would have imagined that after marrying Xiao Shao and becoming the Princess of Brocade Glory, living in luxury as if she had found an unshakable support, she would still end up fighting for scraps from a dog’s bowl.

Precisely because no one would expect it, neither Xuan Li nor Qi Man’s people would suspect a thing. They couldn’t fathom that a noble princess would stoop to competing with a dog for food. No one would believe it if told—and Jiang Ruan intended to exploit that very fact to conceal her true intentions."I'm truly sorry." Jiang Ruan unconsciously placed her hands on her abdomen. Since coming into this world, she had been in such a precarious situation—it was all her fault as a mother. Yet every mother in this world would do everything in her power to protect her child. Even if she had to walk through fire and climb mountains of blades, she would keep herself safe for the sake of the baby in her womb.

As for the capital, Xiao Shao's faint smile surfaced in her mind. She smiled in return and murmured softly, "I leave it to you."