Chapter 50: Mo Cong
Since Granny Zhou fainted last time, Jiang Ruan had instructed Zisu and Lianqiao to take care of her. However, it was unclear whether it was due to a relapse of her old illness, but Granny Zhou had yet to wake up. Upon hearing this news, Jiang Ruan's expression softened slightly as she said, "This might actually be a good thing. I'll go see her."
...
That night, lanterns left over from the New Year celebrations hung all over the capital, casting a crimson glow over the otherwise dark sky. Many commoners took to the streets, and makeshift stages set up by traveling performers could be seen everywhere, making the scene exceptionally lively.
In the private booth at the back of the East Wind Pavilion, a heavy curtain of purple and gold beads hung down, completely obscuring the entrance, leaving only a dazzling shimmer of light visible.
Inside, a man leaned against the window, his head lowered indifferently as he watched the bustling crowd below. The lamplight illuminated his jade-carved, handsome profile, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as ink-washed skies, lost in thought. He wore a dark cyan brocade robe, which only accentuated his cold, aloof demeanor, making him seem untouchable.
The bead curtain was abruptly pushed aside as a young man in green strode in. He was also handsome, with a cheerful grin on his face as he addressed the dark-robed young man, "Ah, Third Brother, it's been days since we last met. Why the rush this time?"
The dark-robed man didn’t move upon seeing him and replied, "The Emperor doesn’t know."
"In all the world, only you would dare to openly defy an imperial decree like this," the green-clad man said as he sat down at the table in the center of the room, pouring himself a cup of tea and downing it in one gulp. He sighed, "If you had come half an hour earlier, I wouldn’t have had to endure drinking with those Imperial College fellows." This man was none other than Mo Cong.
The dark-robed man shook his head and asked, "How did the imperial examinations go?"
"Passable. I should rank in the top three," Mo Cong replied nonchalantly. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he added regretfully, "It’s just a shame about Liu Min. Such talent, but if he weren’t so stubborn, I would’ve liked to befriend him. From what I gathered from Chancellor Chen, it seems Jiang Chao might end up benefiting instead."
"Jiang Chao?" The other man frowned.
Seeing his reaction, Mo Cong continued, "The son of Minister of War Jiang Quan and his second wife. Jiang Quan really outdid himself—this son of his is practically a demon, annoying me endlessly. I don’t know how Jiang Quan raised him. Weren’t the rumors about the Jiang family’s legitimate daughter causing an uproar in the capital recently? Yet Jiang Quan still has the energy to meddle in his son’s affairs. Truly impressive." Mo Cong rambled on for a while, but when no one responded, he couldn’t help but glance up at his senior brother. Noticing the pensive look on the other’s face, he added mischievously, "I heard from Ye Feng that you’ve had him investigating a woman these past few days." He teased, "Who is she? Do I know her?"The young man in black ignored his teasing, his expression growing even colder. Mo Cong rubbed his nose, looking somewhat sheepish, but his words didn't stop: "Don't be shy, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. When it comes to other matters, you're more skilled than I am, but when it comes to affairs between men and women, I have the upper hand. How about I take you for some flower wine another day? The newly arrived Ruyue at Cuiwei Tower is truly gentle..." As he spoke, Mo Cong glanced at his senior brother's face again, only to see that the other seemed not to have heard a word he said. He sighed: "With your temperament, I really wonder who could ever catch your eye. Looking around, all the beauties in the capital seem too ordinary for you. It would have to be someone truly extraordinary."
Hearing this, the young man in black was momentarily stunned. His mind drifted back to that night in the temple—the girl in simple, plain clothes, her features strikingly beautiful under the moonlight, smiling brightly as she gazed at the corpses strewn about, not a trace of fear in her. When they met again, she was clad in red, fluttering like a mysterious flame, holding all the secrets of the Shen residence in her grasp.
According to Ye Feng's investigation, this girl had never been to the Shen residence before, so there was no way she could have known its secrets. Yet how was she so remarkably capable? The eldest daughter of the Jiang family, rumored to be timid and meek—she was nothing like that at all. Who exactly was she?
Mo Cong looked at him in surprise: "What are you thinking about? You're so lost in thought."
The man in black snapped out of his reverie and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he said coldly, "Nothing. Old Eight has been getting unusually close to Chancellor Liang lately. There's something suspicious about the imperial examinations—keep an eye on it."
"Things have been getting tighter these days," Mo Cong also set aside his earlier playful demeanor, his expression turning serious. "My sister mentioned that Noble Consort Yang has been acting tyrannically in the palace. Has it already begun? Third Brother, why don't you assign me a few Brocade-clad Guards? The Imperial College has also been acting strange lately, and I don't trust Jiang Chao."
The young man in black was silent for a moment before replying, "Fine." After a pause, he added coldly, "Pay extra attention to the Jiang family."
As spring arrived, the weather grew better day by day, and people's moods seemed to follow suit. Jiang Susu and Xia Yan treated Jiang Ruan with extreme politeness. Jiang Li, who had been confined to her quarters, hadn't been seen since. Apart from the occasional sarcastic remarks from Second Madam, the days passed uneventfully, as if such peace was only natural.
Luzhu poured Jiang Ruan a cup of red date and lotus seed tea, adding some fresh locust honey newly delivered from the kitchen. The drink sparkled brightly, looking quite lovely. Jiang Ruan rested her chin on one hand, idly flipping through the book in her other hand.
"Young Miss, you should take a break. You've been reading all morning," Luzhu said with a smile. "Anyone would think you're preparing for the imperial examinations."
Zisu scolded her playfully: "Since when is it your place to tease Young Miss? You're getting more and more unruly."
Luzhu looked at Jiang Ruan and grinned: "But it's true, isn't it? Young Miss, did I say anything wrong?"Jiang Ruan watched the two maids playfully bickering beside her and was about to say something when Lianqiao walked in with a cold expression. Lianqiao was usually all smiles, so this demeanor meant something must have happened. Sure enough, before Jiang Ruan could speak, Lianqiao said, "Just now, as I passed by Delicate Splendor Courtyard, Li Momo from the madam's side stopped me. She said that since Ruan Residence is short on hands, the madam personally picked a few maids to send over later. I knew it! I thought she'd been behaving these past few days, but of course, she’s up to no good—this is clearly about planting her own people in our courtyard."
"Keep your voice down," Zisu quickly interjected. "Walls have ears."
Luzhu also frowned. "This is really too much."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and slowly picked up her teacup. Under the guise of doing her a favor, yet she couldn’t outright refuse. After all, she couldn’t openly doubt the mistress of the household. Xia Yan was always like this—her unreasonable demands always came wrapped in a pretty excuse. Who knew what filthy schemes lay beneath?
In her ears, Granny Zhou’s words seemed to echo once more: "Eldest Miss, this old servant must speak out even if it costs my life. The late madam’s death was no accident—it must be connected to the woman in Delicate Splendor Courtyard. I wanted to stay in the mansion to find evidence, but never thought things would come to this. Eldest Miss may not believe me, but I served the madam for many years. I knew her health well—that illness came too suddenly, and the master turned a blind eye... Eldest Miss, the madam was murdered!"
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the delicate porcelain cup’s handle. Jiang Ruan’s gaze turned icy. She had no doubt that Zhao Mei’s death was linked to Xia Yan. And if Jiang Quan had known yet allowed it to go unpunished all this time, then he shouldn’t blame her for being merciless in the future.
(End of Chapter)
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