Chapter 42: Snakes and Rats
Xia Yan and Jiang Susu's expressions shifted slightly at the same time, while the noblewomen around them had already begun whispering among themselves:
"What mountain village girl? Her bearing looks more like someone who came from the palace."
"Exactly. She seems no less refined than the Second Young Miss Jiang. Nothing like the rumors suggested."
"And her looks are even more striking than the Second Young Miss's."
For the first time, the crowd's attention wasn't solely fixed on Jiang Susu. Jiang Ruan walked forward without glancing sideways, her expression unreadable, a faint smile on her lips as if this weren't her first time at the Shen residence. Her composed and steady demeanor made those who had come expecting a spectacle look at her with newfound respect. The round-faced woman's expression had darkened, while the high-cheekboned lady nodded repeatedly in approval.
Shen Mingzhen, who had followed behind, was already fuming. She glared viciously at Jiang Ruan before striding over to take Jiang Susu's hand, deliberately ignoring Jiang Ruan as she led her to the ladies' seating area.
Xia Yan, meanwhile, smiled as if nothing had happened, chatting amiably with Madam Shen as they took their seats. Jiang Li, though arrogant by nature, had friends among the young ladies present. Whether intentionally or not, she even pulled along Jiang Dan, whom she usually paid little attention to, leaving Jiang Ruan standing alone at the edge of the seating area, unsure where to sit.
Though the noblewomen and young ladies were surprised by Jiang Ruan's beauty and poise, all the guests present were close acquaintances of Madam Shen and naturally sought to maintain good relations with the Jiang family. Since Xia Yan, not Zhao Mei, was now the mistress of the Jiang household, those in the know wouldn't step forward to help Jiang Ruan. Moreover, her striking looks made the other young ladies wary of sitting beside her, lest they be overshadowed. In an instant, she was left standing alone.
Luzhu and Lianqiao, standing behind Jiang Ruan, both felt stifled with frustration. This visit to the Shen residence seemed less like a social call and more like a deliberate humiliation, leaving them feeling awkward and out of place.
Just then, a clear, bright voice rang out from among the seated guests:
"Young Miss Jiang, please sit here."
A young girl in her early teens stood up from the ladies' seating area. She wore a blue cotton jacket with a floral pattern, her complexion slightly tanned but her features delicate, with a hint of spirited determination in her brows. Jiang Ruan recognized her from her past life—this was Lin Zixiang, the eldest daughter of the current Imperial Historian Lin. She was a woman of strong principles. In her past life, Lin Zixiang had married the Third Prince as a concubine. Though the Imperial Historian held little real power in court, his influence was significant. After the marriage, Lin Zixiang found no favor with the prince, and after her father was stripped of his position by the emperor, her life became increasingly destitute. The Third Prince, a beast in human guise, kept a harem of concubines. One of his favored concubines murdered the child in Lin Zixiang's womb, and when the prince shielded the culprit, Lin Zixiang, unable to endure the humiliation, took up a blade and died together with the concubine in vengeance.
In her past life, palace women had idly gossiped about this incident as mere entertainment, but Jiang Ruan had felt nothing but sorrow for Lin Zixiang. Such a fiery woman had met such a tragic end, her death reduced to idle chatter—truly, heaven was unjust. During a palace banquet in her past life, Jiang Ruan had once caught a distant glimpse of Lin Zixiang among the noblewomen. Dressed plainly amidst a crowd of lavishly adorned ladies, her lonely and despondent demeanor had immediately drawn Jiang Ruan's attention. They were the same kind of people—forced into marriages they didn't want, imprisoned for life in gilded cages.Jiang Ruan smiled at Lin Zixiang and walked over to sit beside her. Lin Zixiang nodded at her, and Jiang Ruan said softly, "Thank you."
"I just can't stand the way they act," Lin Zixiang replied. "Noble families are always so self-righteous, yet they go out of their way to bully a young girl."
Hearing such a mature remark and seeing Lin Zixiang's serious expression, Jiang Ruan couldn't help but laugh, feeling even more fond of her.
As Jiang Ruan chatted with Lin Zixiang, Jiang Li seethed with resentment. Shen Mingzhen, who was talking with Jiang Susu, frowned at the scene and said, "What kind of ability does that Jiang Ruan have? Lin Zixiang usually acts like she's too good for everyone, so why is she talking to her?"
Jiang Susu smiled. "Da Jiejie has always been so likable."
"She's clearly a seductress," Shen Mingzhen said indignantly. Then, noticing Jiang Li glaring at Jiang Ruan, she added, "Su Su Jiejie, I see Jiang Li dislikes her too. Why don't we help Jiang Li?"
Jiang Susu paused, then laughed. "Why would you say that? Don't get any strange ideas. Da Jiejie just returned from the countryside. If anything goes wrong, her reputation will be ruined. How will she face people in the capital afterward?"
Shen Mingzhen also laughed. "Su Su Jiejie, you're so kind-hearted, but you should consider who deserves it. Look at how she deliberately wore that red dress today—it was obviously to steal your spotlight. Knowing you prefer simplicity, she dressed so boldly. I think it's a provocation. You can't always be so accommodating."
"This..." Jiang Susu hesitated, her uncertain expression making Shen Mingzhen think she was being wronged. "Su Su Jiejie, don't worry. I'll stand up for you." With that, she waved to Jiang Li, who was sitting nearby. "Jiang Li Jiejie!"
Jiang Li turned around, flattered, and walked over to Shen Mingzhen. Among the noble young ladies in the capital, legitimate and illegitimate daughters moved in separate circles. Though Jiang Li had tried hard to ingratiate herself with Shen Mingzhen, Shen Mingzhen only befriended Jiang Susu, leaving Jiang Li to seethe with envy. Now that Shen Mingzhen was reaching out, even if she had ulterior motives, Jiang Li still responded with a smile.
A hint of disdain flashed in Shen Mingzhen's eyes, but her smile remained sweet as she crooked her little finger. "Jiang Li Jiejie, I have a secret to tell you."
Jiang Li leaned in, and Shen Mingzhen whispered a few words in her ear. Jiang Li's expression first showed surprise, then hesitation, as she glanced uncertainly at Jiang Susu, who was sitting quietly. Jiang Susu merely sipped her tea, her usual gentle smile giving nothing away.
"Jiang Li Jiejie, have you decided?" Shen Mingzhen looked up at her, her tone even more coquettish. "I'm only doing this for your sake."
After a long silence, Jiang Li finally gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, thank you, Mingzhen Meimei."
Shen Mingzhen giggled and pulled Jiang Li down to sit beside her. "In that case, let's talk some more."
Jiang Li hesitated but complied, and the two huddled together, whispering.
Throughout all this, Jiang Susu sat primly, sipping her tea as if completely unaware of Shen Mingzhen and Jiang Li's scheming. Only when Jiang Li sat down did she glance briefly at Jiang Ruan from afar, her eyes flickering with malice.However, when she raised her eyes, Jiang Ruan seemed to sense her gaze and slightly turned her head. Their eyes met, and Jiang Ruan gave her a faint smile. The upturned corners of her eyes clearly carried a hint of amusement, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down Jiang Susu's spine. By the time she looked again, Jiang Ruan had already turned away, as if nothing had ever happened.
Since it was her first time at the Shen residence, Jiang Ruan only spoke with Lin Zixiang, while the other young ladies around merely observed her from a distance. Jiang Susu, on the other hand, was quite popular, with no shortage of people eager to befriend her.
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel