Chapter 25: Purpose
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room gasped in shock.
"What do you mean by this?" Imperial Censor Wang asked.
Lianqiao then recounted how Jiang Ruan had been verbally harassed by Chen Zhao and forced into falling into the pond. When she spoke of Jiang Ruan lying ill in bed yet unable to afford medicine, Lianqiao's voice choked with sobs: "Everyone, please judge for yourselves—even among ordinary families, few children suffer such cruelty. For servants to dare plot against their master's life is utterly outrageous!"
Her words held truth. While harm inflicted by others was common, it was unheard of for servants to abuse their master to such an extent. Zhang Lan had already fainted in the crowd, and many began spitting on her. The few maids by her side dared not intervene, fearing the wrath of the crowd.
Qian Wanli had fallen silent, realizing the situation was far beyond his ability to handle. The waters ran too deep, so he left the matter entirely to Imperial Censor Wang, content to watch from the sidelines.
Imperial Censor Wang said, "Jiang Ruan, is what your maid said true?"
"Every word," Jiang Ruan replied calmly. "However, my thoughts differ slightly from Lianqiao's."
"How so?" Imperial Censor Wang raised his eyes to look at her.
"Nanny Zhang is, after all, merely a stewardess of this estate. Who gave her the authority to abuse me? Even if she did, there are hundreds of people on this estate—why did no one come to my aid when I suffered, as if they had all silently agreed not to treat me as their master? I believe that as a lifelong servant whose entire family works on this estate, Nanny Zhang would never have the audacity to mistreat me unless someone else was behind it, directing her actions."
A glint flashed in Imperial Censor Wang's eyes. "Who?"
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "That is a matter for the authorities to investigate. I do not know."
The crowd gathered at the entrance buzzed with discussion once more, finding Jiang Ruan's reasoning sound. Yet, who could be so heartless as to torment such a well-mannered young girl?
Imperial Censor Wang nodded. "I will verify the facts you've presented. However, there is one thing I do not understand. As the young mistress of this estate, how could you be bullied to such an extent by the servants? Why did your family not intervene? If there are other grievances or hidden circumstances, I will also see justice done for you."
This was a clear declaration of his intent to stand firmly on Jiang Ruan's side. The crowd began speculating about the identity of this plainly dressed official, realizing that someone who spoke with such authority must hold considerable status.
Jiang Ruan shook her head gently. "Wicked servants deceived their master. My family... simply did not know."
"Do you take me for a fool?" Imperial Censor Wang suddenly raised his voice. "If this estate belongs to your household, it cannot be far from your residence. How could they remain completely unaware at such a short distance? Are you suggesting that every servant on this estate conspired to betray their master? Then I must investigate this thoroughly!"
"Your Honor," Jiang Ruan raised her voice, a trace of indignation flashing in her eyes. "Do not presume recklessly. I am the legitimate eldest daughter of Minister Jiang of the Ministry of War. My father is impartial and has always cared for me deeply—he was simply deceived too thoroughly!"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire room was stunned!A gasp rippled through the crowd, and murmurs instantly filled the courtroom. No one had expected this destitute young lady, who seemed even worse off than a commoner, to be the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War, Lord Jiang. Jiang Quan was currently at the peak of his political career, basking in the sun of success, and appeared to be an upright and impartial man. Yet, his own daughter had been left to suffer abuse on a rural estate. The gazes turned toward Jiang Ruan were now filled with sympathy and pity. At this point, no one believed her words anymore. They could only assume this was a pitiable noble young lady swallowing her grievances to protect her father’s reputation, a desperate act of covering up for him.
This led many to admire Jiang Ruan’s actions. Such behavior was both filial and virtuous. Despite her father’s neglect, she harbored no resentment and instead rushed to defend her family’s honor. Even for an adult, this would be no easy feat, let alone for a girl barely in her teens. What remarkable nobility!
In stark contrast stood Jiang Quan’s reputation. The Minister of War enjoyed an impeccable reputation, praised by everyone from the imperial court down to the common folk for his integrity, fairness, and incorruptibility. Yet now, it seemed he had neglected his own legitimate eldest daughter to the point of allowing servants to bully her. If his household was in such disarray, how clean could his official conduct truly be?
Jiang Ruan seemed unable to bear the weight of the sympathetic gazes around her. She lowered her head slightly, revealing the pale nape of her neck, like a swan with broken wings—fragile yet fiercely clinging to her pride. Her jet-black hair veiled one side of her face, leaving only the delicate curve of her jaw visible. Her lips, pale from being tightly bitten, showed a faint trace of blood, lending her a cold, haunting beauty.
No one saw the mocking glint hidden beneath her long lashes.
Family scandals should never be aired in public, and she would never air them herself. But there were many ways to let a story spread, and people’s conjectures were one of them. Jiang Quan had long deserved to have his hypocritical reputation torn away. In her past life, he had sent her to prison, earning himself a reputation for upholding justice at the expense of his own kin. In this life, let him see what kind of fate awaited those who destroyed their own family! The world was not so kind as to let heartless deeds go unpunished while their perpetrators basked in eternal glory. Today, she would use the murmurs of the crowd to expose the filth and ugliness of the Jiang family to the world!
The noise of the crowd grew too loud, and Imperial Censor Wang struck his gavel. "Silence!" Once order was restored, he turned to Jiang Ruan and asked, "You stayed on the estate for years. Did Lord Jiang never come to fetch you?"
"Father was occupied with official duties," Jiang Ruan raised her head briefly before lowering it again. "As a child, it is my duty to ease my parents’ burdens. I did not wish to trouble him."
At these words, the murmurs rose again. The more forgiving Jiang Ruan appeared toward Jiang Quan, the more disgusted people grew with him. What trouble could it possibly be to have his own daughter live at home?
Imperial Censor Wang frowned. "It is said you stayed on the estate for six years. Tell me, why did you go there six years ago?"
"My birth mother passed away from illness. I went to observe filial mourning for her." Her voice was soft and melodious, stirring sighs of pity from those around her. No wonder the girl had been sent away—with her mother gone, the stepmother must have been cruel to torment her so. That Lord Jiang was truly a beast in human guise, doting on his concubine while destroying his wife.Lord Jiang struck the magistrate's block and declared, "According to the laws of Jin Dynasty, the three-year mourning period has ended. Since you've long passed the mourning period, there's no need to linger. As your official, I rule that you must return to the residence immediately!"
Jiang Ruan was taken aback and asked cautiously, "Really?"
Her upturned eyes brimmed with joy, like a fluttering butterfly in that moment - so beautiful it was impossible to look away.
She was truly delighted, for after going through such great lengths, she had finally achieved her ultimate goal - returning home!
(End of chapter)
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