Chapter 53: Conspiracy
Luzhu raised her head proudly. "If she intends to harm the young lady, we need not show any mercy. If they truly act, it will be Second Miss who suffers—this is called retribution."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "You've done very well." She had gained a new appreciation for Luzhu. Initially, she had been grateful to this maid for daring to testify on her behalf back at the village estate. Later, she discovered Luzhu's extensive travels and broad knowledge, which proved quite helpful. Now, day by day, she saw that Luzhu was also exceptionally skilled at gathering information within the mansion. Today's handling of the situation had been both quick-witted and decisive—truly a girl who knew when to love and when to hate.
Lianqiao let out a long sigh of relief. "No one in Delicate Splendor Courtyard has a good heart. Luzhu, we underestimated you before. This kind of vengeance is truly satisfying."
"But how did you get Second Miss's handkerchief?" Zisu asked.
"A few days ago, when I passed through the garden to deliver digestive tea to the young lady, I happened to see Second Miss drop it by accident. I meant to return it when I had the time, but who knew it would come in handy today? This is what they call 'heaven's justice.'"
Lianqiao burst into laughter, and Zisu chuckled as well. Seeing them laugh, Luzhu joined in. Though Jiang Ruan wore a smile, her mind was already turning over her own thoughts. Xia Yan truly wanted to ruin her reputation, using the exact same methods as in her past life. This time, the Lantern Festival had come three years earlier—was she planning to disgrace Jiang Ruan again? She wondered what expression Xia Yan would wear when she realized it was Jiang Susu who ended up disgraced.
In Delicate Splendor Courtyard, Jiang Susu sat at the table, delicately sipping a cup of lotus seed and red date tea. Her posture was graceful and refined, her face adorned with an innocent, sweet smile—like a flawless fairy.
Xia Yan gazed at her beloved daughter with satisfaction. "You've grown into such a lovely young lady now. I wonder what fortunate man will have the honor of marrying our Susu."
Jiang Susu pouted. "Mother, what are you saying? I haven't even had my coming-of-age ceremony yet. Tonight on the Exquisite Boat isn't about meeting anyone—I've practiced the seven-string zither for a full month. It's time to show the results."
"You play so beautifully—even I might not match your skill," Xia Yan said proudly. "And when you recite the poem I taught you, none of the other young ladies on the boat will compare to you."
Jiang Susu smiled. "That would be perfect." Then, her brow suddenly furrowed. "But Da Jiejie is so striking. Since it's her first time back in the capital, she’ll surely draw attention on the Exquisite Boat." Though she tried to hide it, a trace of jealousy seeped through.
Xia Yan noticed but said sternly, "Pay her no mind. She’s nothing but an ill-omened girl. With the way your father treats her, how could she possibly surpass you in this Jiang household? Besides, you needn’t worry about her stealing your spotlight tonight—I’ve already made arrangements."
"Arrangements?" Jiang Susu was startled, then laughed. "I knew Mother dotes on me."
Xia Yan tapped her forehead lightly. "In this mansion, if someone can’t be of use to you, there’s no reason to keep them around. Otherwise, they’ll only cause trouble later. Jiang Ruan is far too beautiful. These past few days, I’ve observed her—if she isn’t a fool, then she’s far too cunning. The way she dealt with Chen Zhao’s family proves she’s not easily fooled. For some reason, she makes me uneasy. Keeping her around is a disaster—it’s better to eliminate her early.""Mother wants her dead?" Jiang Susu asked.
"What use is her life? She's just returned to the capital—we can't be too obvious. But after tonight, it'll be impossible for her to stir up any trouble in the capital again," Xia Yan replied. Anyone passing by would have been shocked by the venom on the face of this woman usually known for her gentle kindness.
"Mother, tell me your plan," Jiang Susu straightened up. "After all, I'd also like to see her humiliated." The fairy-like maiden's eyes burned with jealousy.
Xia Yan gave her daughter a disapproving look. "I can tell you, but remember this: after today, she'll be nothing more than an ill-omened, unchaste woman scorned by everyone in the capital. There's no need for you to lower yourself by competing with her in everything."
Jiang Susu agreed with a coquettish nod. Only then did Xia Yan dismiss the surrounding maids, keeping only a few trusted confidantes as she explained her scheme in detail to Jiang Susu.
By afternoon, when the sun slanted westward, it was time for the Jiang daughters to depart for the Lantern Festival.
The rest of the Jiang household would also attend, though not boarding the Exquisite Boat, instead watching the capital's lantern displays from a riverside tavern.
The coachman waited by the manor gates. Jiang Susu boarded first, beckoning Jiang Ruan and the others to follow. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan also shared the carriage with Jiang Ruan's group, escorted by Jiang family guards to the Yongding River where the Exquisite Boat already awaited.
Though the Exquisite Boat gathering was ostensibly organized by noblewomen, its annual expenses actually came from the palace treasury. The patron wasn't the Empress, but the Noble Consort—mother of the Eighth Prince—whom even the Empress treated with caution due to her undiminished imperial favor. With her wealthy, powerful family behind her, the Noble Consort generously funded both the Exquisite Boat and Evergreen Pine Boat each Lantern Festival, claiming she merely sought festive atmosphere, though her true motives remained unclear.
As the carriage ambled through the capital's streets, Jiang Li and Jiang Dan—attending their first Lantern Festival as concubine-born daughters—reacted differently: Jiang Dan kept her timid silence while Jiang Li barely restrained herself from peeking outside, mindful of Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu's presence.
Jiang Ruan rested with closed eyes when Jiang Susu's voice suddenly came: "Da Jiejie, what talents do you possess?"
Here it comes, Jiang Ruan thought coldly. Opening her eyes with feigned surprise, she replied, "I have no particular skills. Why do you ask, Second Sister?"
"No need for such modesty," Jiang Susu pretended offense. "Are we not sisters? You should know—every year aboard the Exquisite Boat, young ladies display talents to win honors. The victor claims the most beautiful Festive Lantern."
Jiang Ruan lowered her head thoughtfully. "That does sound interesting, but I truly have nothing to offer.""How could that be?" Jiang Susu said. "When Aunt Zhao was still here, she was proficient in all the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I simply can't believe she never taught you any of them." Her tone was innocent, as if she were truly a frank and sincere young girl, yet the underlying meaning of her words was enough to make one's heart sink. Back in the Jiang residence, everyone knew that Zhao Mei was the daughter of a military general. Born and raised in a martial family, she had willingly learned the refined arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting for Jiang Quan's sake—only to receive no favor in return. The stiff, scholarly skills she had painstakingly acquired for him appeared as childish as a toddler's first scribbles in the presence of the capital's top talent, Xia Yan. Jiang Quan favored Xia Yan, and on every occasion, he would bring her along. Thus, Xia Yan's erudition only served to highlight Zhao Mei's lack of refinement—at least, that was how the world saw it.
Now, Jiang Susu had brought up Zhao Mei's efforts to learn the arts again—the irony was unmistakable.
(End of Chapter)
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