Chapter 43: Borrowing a Blade
Lin Zixiang glanced at Jiang Susu, who was chatting with the daughter of Commandant Lin, and snorted coldly, "What a pretentious act!"
"Why do you say that?" Jiang Ruan asked, lifting her teacup.
"Aloof on the surface, yet vulgar at heart—what else can such a person be but hypocritical? And all that talk about being an ethereal fairy from a jade tower—nothing more than shallow praise from those blinded by appearances." Lin Zixiang's words were merciless, and Luzhu, standing behind them, couldn't help but chuckle.
Lin Zixiang's father, the Grand Historian Lin, oversaw the palace's records, astronomy, and calendar. Like Imperial Censor Wang, he was an upright and incorruptible man, and Lin Zixiang had inherited his unyielding temperament in full. Such bluntness naturally made her unpopular among the young ladies, but Jiang Ruan found it refreshing. In this world, truly candid and straightforward people were rare, and such individuals were far more endearing than those who hid venom behind pious words. Yet, it was a pity that someone like Lin Zixiang, with her forthright nature, would be married off to the dissolute Third Prince, her life wasted—truly a tragedy.
Noticing Jiang Ruan's gaze, Lin Zixiang frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that? As if I'm some pitiable creature."
"Is that so?" Jiang Ruan smiled and deftly changed the subject. "Miss Lin, though you dislike my second sister so much, you're willing to sit with me. I'm truly grateful."
"It has nothing to do with you," Lin Zixiang retorted bluntly. "I just can't stand seeing them bully a young girl. You and your second sister are both pretentious in your own ways, but at least you don't put on that 'untouched fairy' act like she does. It makes you slightly more bearable."
Jiang Ruan admired Lin Zixiang even more for this. "I could never be a fairy. I'm too busy with worldly matters—mundane deeds, coarse grains, just an ordinary person through and through."
Hearing this, Lin Zixiang gave Jiang Ruan another appraising look. "At least you're self-aware."
Lianqiao seemed about to speak but held her tongue in the end. Jiang Ruan herself didn't mind. She knew this young lady of the Lin family meant no harm—she was simply sharp-tongued. People like her were often wise in their simplicity, though their forthrightness made them seem unapproachable. Yet, wasn't such a heart as pure as glass?
Time slipped by unnoticed as they drank tea and chatted. Eventually, Jiang Li rose from her seat and approached Jiang Ruan, whispering, "Da Jiejie, I need to visit the privy. Would you accompany me?"
Jiang Ruan smiled. "But I don't know the way."
Jiang Li glanced at Shen Mingzhen. "It's fine. Miss Shen's maid can guide us. I just feel a bit nervous going alone. I've already informed Mother, and she agreed. Since we're sisters, I’d appreciate it if you could look after me for a while today."
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the surrounding ladies to hear, making it difficult for Jiang Ruan to refuse. After all, accompanying her younger half-sister to the privy wasn't a big deal, and Jiang Li had already humbled herself. Now that Jiang Ruan had just returned to the capital, she couldn't afford to let any unfavorable rumors spread.
Jiang Ruan nodded. "No need for such formalities. I'll go with you." She stood, and Luzhu and Lianqiao moved to follow, but Jiang Li stopped them. "We'll be back soon. I didn't bring my maids either, so these two can stay here. Miss Shen's maid will suffice."
Luzhu and Lianqiao looked worried, but Jiang Ruan reassured them with a smile. "It's fine. I won't be long."Jiang Li happily took Jiang Ruan's hand and left the banquet. After the two had departed, Madam Shen seemed to finally notice the absence of two guests and said to Xia Yan beside her, "Why are your eldest and third daughters missing from the banquet?"
Xia Yan glanced at the banquet with a smile, feigning nonchalance. "Perhaps they went to the washroom. With so many people around, nothing will happen."
Shen Mingzhen smirked triumphantly, holding Jiang Susu's hand. "Su Su, just wait and see the show later."
Jiang Susu looked uneasy, hesitating as she said, "Don't do anything too extreme. Da Jiejie is new here..."
"You're too kind-hearted," Shen Mingzhen said impatiently. "We're just teaching her a lesson so she won’t dare to show off like this in the future."
Meanwhile, Jiang Ruan and Jiang Li strolled leisurely along the garden path in the Shen residence, led by Shen Mingzhen's personal maid, Xiao Cui. Jiang Li kept stealing glances at Jiang Ruan, who remained smiling as if completely unaware of what was to come. Reassured, Jiang Li relaxed.
When they reached a secluded corridor, Jiang Li suddenly clutched her stomach and looked at Jiang Ruan. "Da Jiejie, I can’t hold it anymore. Why don’t I let the maid take me to the washroom first and come back for you later?"
"Are you sure you’ll be alright alone?" Jiang Ruan asked with concern.
"It’s fine, I’ll be quick." Jiang Li frowned, pretending to be in discomfort. Xiao Cui added, "Miss Jiang, I’ll escort the second young lady to the washroom. Please wait in this room here. It’s a guest room with tea and snacks."
Jiang Ruan glanced at the door, thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Li Niang, hurry back."
"Got it, Da Jiejie, go inside quickly," Jiang Li urged.
Jiang Ruan pushed the door open and entered. Outside, Jiang Li and Xiao Cui lifted their skirts and hurried away. Once their footsteps faded completely, the door opened again, and Jiang Ruan stepped out. She adjusted her crimson crane cloak, a cold smile playing on her lips.
She didn’t know who would enter that room later, but whoever it was would be found alone with her when the "concerned" Jiang Li and the others came looking. The ensuing scandal would ruin her reputation.
This was likely Shen Mingzhen’s scheme. Though they had only met today, Shen Mingzhen had already devised such a vicious plot. Jiang Susu had probably played a part too—after all, her specialty was using others to do her dirty work.
But Jiang Susu wasn’t the only one who knew how to manipulate others.
Jiang Ruan walked slowly down the deserted corridor, her steps unhurried and relaxed. If Jiang Li had seen her, she would have been shocked—Jiang Ruan moved as if she were familiar with the Shen residence, though this was her first visit.
Indeed, it was her first time here. But in her past life, Jiang Quan and the Eighth Prince had often shared confidential matters with her. Back then, she had mistaken their actions for trust, believing they regarded her as one of their own. She had memorized every detail, hoping to be of help someday.Little did she expect that it would now come to her aid—those confidential matters, including the secrets of the Shen residence. Jiang Li's biggest mistake was assuming that someone unfamiliar with the layout would obediently wait in that room for others to arrive. Unfortunately, whether in her past life or this one, she had committed the Shen residence's layout to memory.
In her previous life at the palace, the one thing she never lacked was endless time. She had strived to make her days more meaningful, and every word Jiang Quan and the Eighth Prince spoke to her, she would mull over repeatedly during sleepless nights. The Shen residence's layout remained unchanged from her memories, and now, navigating it was effortless.
(End of Chapter)
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