Chapter 33: Ruan Residence
Zisu and Lianqiao were each lost in their own thoughts, while Luzhu stood beside Jiang Ruan as she wrote, saying cheerfully, "Miss, your handwriting is truly beautiful."
On the snow-white rice paper, two bold characters danced like dragons and snakes: "Ruan Residence." The strokes were indeed imposing. It is often said that one's handwriting reflects their character—these characters appeared smooth and rounded, yet concealed a hidden sharpness within. It was as if the suppressed resentment in her heart was veiled beneath a calm exterior, seemingly gentle as water at first glance, yet brimming with lethal intent at every turn.
"Do you know how to read?" Jiang Ruan asked Luzhu.
Lianqiao shook her head. "No, but this servant knows that Miss's writing is excellent."
Jiang Ruan chuckled. Xia Yan, once hailed as the most talented woman of the Da Jin Dynasty, had readily agreed to change the name of the courtyard, appearing magnanimous on the surface but secretly waiting to mock her. Jiang Ruan had wanted to replace the characters on the plaque, but upon returning to the residence, she found herself penniless and had to write them herself. Yet, ever since she was sent to the village estate at the age of six, no one there had taught her to read or write. Everyone assumed she had long since become an illiterate fool. If she truly could write, who knew how ridiculous it would seem?
Luzhu asked curiously, "Miss never learned to read or write on the estate—how did you manage to learn?"
How had she learned? Jiang Ruan's gaze lingered on the paper before her. In her past life, Xia Yan had similarly molded her into a beautiful fool, teaching her only skills like playing the zither and dancing. So much so that whenever the people of the Da Jin Dynasty mentioned her, they would sneer, "That Nation-destroying enchantress? She only knows vulgar entertainments like a lowly courtesan—far inferior to her brilliant younger sister." After being sent to the palace, she found herself surrounded by countless women skilled in dance and music. To win favor, she was forced to endure grueling training, and among those lessons, it was the Eighth Prince himself who had taught her calligraphy.
Back then, beneath a shower of falling blossoms, he had guided her hand, teaching her to hold the brush as they wrote on pristine rice paper: "The exquisite dice bear red beans—do you know the longing etched into my bones?" Such tender words. Who could have imagined it was all just another act?
Now, it seemed she ought to thank the Eighth Prince. His calligraphy was renowned throughout the Da Jin Dynasty for its elegance. He had often said her handwriting was too soft, lacking strength—that it was why she had met her demise in the end. Now, her strokes remained smooth and gentle, but she wondered if he could detect the hidden lethality within them.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, lifted the rice paper from the desk, blew on it lightly, and handed it to Luzhu. "Have it framed and mounted above the courtyard gate."
Zisu and Lianqiao also smiled as they looked on. "Ruan Residence—what a fine name. If only the young master could see how beautifully Miss writes." Only then did they realize their slip of the tongue and glanced uneasily at Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan's expression stilled. Back when Zhao Mei passed away and she was sent to the estate, Jiang Xin Zhi had knelt in the ancestral hall for a full day and night, yet even then, he couldn't sway Jiang Quan's decision. In a fit of anger, Jiang Xin Zhi enlisted in the military. Before leaving, he had urged her to return in glory one day, so that no one would dare bully her again.
During those unbearable days, Jiang Xin Zhi had been her sole pillar of strength—until one day, news arrived from the Jiang residence: Jiang Xin Zhi had died in battle, his body lost to the sands of the battlefield.She suddenly recalled that in her previous life, the news of his death had come several years later. Since that time had not yet arrived, was there still a chance to change things? At this thought, Jiang Ruan grew excited—if Jiang Xin Zhi was still alive, she wouldn't be utterly alone in this world. But... how could she find out whether he was still alive? And how could she alter his fate?
Lianqiao noticed Jiang Ruan frowning deeply, her expression unreadable, and asked worriedly, "Miss?"
"Lianqiao, when Mother passed away, I was bedridden and unaware of what happened outside. I only knew that Eldest Brother knelt in the ancestral hall for a full day and night before bidding me farewell. You and Zisu were outside at the time—do you know under which military officer Eldest Brother enlisted?"
Lianqiao was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Zisu before shaking her head. "This... the young master didn't mention it, and this servant doesn't know either. But I remember clearly that at the time, the Hu people were causing trouble at the border, and both the Chen army and General Guan were recruiting new soldiers. It's just unclear which one he joined."
The first day back at the Jiang residence passed amidst the undercurrents beneath a calm surface. The next day, the weather was splendid, and Lianqiao and Zisu set out early to inquire about Jiang Xin Zhi. Since Luzhu knew nothing of the Jiang family's past and wouldn't be of much help, she stayed by Jiang Ruan's side to manage affairs around Ruan Residence.
Sunlight streamed through the latticed windows, filling the room. Sitting by the door doing embroidery, Luzhu remarked cheerfully, "The weather in the capital is so much better. The sunlight feels more comfortable, warming one up nicely."
Jiang Ruan made no comment. The courtyard of Ruan Residence was already quite remote, with little sunlight reaching it—far inferior to the former Meiqing Courtyard. The sunlight there had been truly warm and abundant. Back when Zhao Mei was still alive, Jiang Ruan would rest her head on her mother's lap, watching Jiang Xin Zhi practice his swordplay as locust blossoms drifted down—that had been a truly beautiful scene. Now, everything had changed. Zhao Mei had long since passed away, Jiang Xin Zhi's fate was unknown, and of all her flesh-and-blood kin, only she remained, solitary and desolate.
Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Jiang Ruan returned her attention to the book in her hands. Just then, Zisu hurried in and whispered urgently, "Miss, something terrible has happened—Lianqiao has gotten into an argument with people from Delicate Splendor Courtyard."
"What happened?" Jiang Ruan frowned. "Though Lianqiao is quick-tempered, she knows her place. How could she cause trouble on the very first day?"
Luzhu also set aside her embroidery and looked at Zisu.
Zisu hesitated, glancing uncertainly at Jiang Ruan before forcing out the words, "When Lianqiao and I were returning to the residence, we saw people from Delicate Splendor Courtyard disciplining a servant. At first, we didn't pay much attention, but then Lianqiao recognized the person's face... It was... it was Granny Zhou."
"Nanny?" Jiang Ruan exclaimed in surprise. Granny Zhou had been the wet nurse for both Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan, brought over from Zhao Mei's maiden family. After Zhao Mei's death, the household had claimed that Granny Zhou, grieving her mistress's passing, had requested to leave the residence to retire, and from then on, there had been no news of her. In her previous life, Jiang Ruan had never seen Granny Zhou again. Yet now, Zisu was saying Granny Zhou was still in the Jiang residence?
Luzhu, sharp as ever, quickly grasped the significance of Granny Zhou from their conversation and asked, "Why did Lianqiao-jie argue with them? Was Granny Zhou being mistreated?"Zisu met Jiang Ruan's sharp gaze and spoke with difficulty, "Granny Zhou... she's gone blind. When Lianqiao and I saw her, she was disposing of night soil. The people from Delicate Splendor Courtyard said she spilled it on Madam's new dress prepared for meeting the Princess Consort. They punished her... forced Granny Zhou to eat from the chamber pot."
Jiang Ruan's eyes narrowed, her entire body radiating sudden fury. Even Luzhu, who had never met Granny Zhou before, couldn't help covering her mouth in outrage, exclaiming, "This is utterly despicable!"
Jiang Ruan's brows knitted tightly, her eyes blazing with anger. What a splendid Delicate Splendor Courtyard! What a fine Xia Yan! In her previous life, Granny Zhou must have endured this same inhuman torment right under her nose, yet she remained oblivious to the suffering. Now that Granny Zhou had reappeared before Zisu and Lianqiao, it was undoubtedly Xia Yan's deliberate scheme—to let her see Granny Zhou living a life worse than death in the Jiang household, using Granny Zhou to strike at her. Was this humiliation, or a test?
(End of Chapter)
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