Chapter 60: Releasing Lanterns
Jiang Ruan followed the crowd toward the bow of the boat, her smile exceptionally radiant.
In her past life, she had never made it to the lantern-releasing ceremony before the scandal broke out. While she cowered trembling on the boat, it was the Eighth Prince, Ye Li, who had approached her with a Festive Lantern and asked, "Do you have a wish?"
His tall frame had shielded her from the scornful gazes of the crowd, and in that moment, all she wanted was to cling to the warmth he offered. Inside that lantern, she had wished to stay by his side.
A young girl's wish had ultimately become nothing more than a complete deception. Looking back, Jiang Ruan realized that the person she should resent the most wasn’t Ye Li—compared to him, Jiang Susu had taken far more from her. Yet Ye Li’s mistake lay in giving her hope, making her believe she had grasped a lifeline in her darkest hour, only for it to turn into a fatal blow. After offering warmth and care, he revealed it had all been a lie.
Zisu handed her the distributed Festive Lantern, while Lianqiao passed her paper and a brush. Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, then took the slip of paper from Lianqiao without writing anything, simply rolling it up and placing it inside the lantern.
Her actions were noticed by Jiang Susu, who had been watching her closely. She approached and asked, "Da Jiejie, why aren’t you writing anything on the lantern?"
Jiang Susu deliberately raised her voice, and since Jiang Ruan was now the center of attention, everyone on both boats turned to look at her.
"Nothing to wish for, nothing to write," Jiang Ruan replied calmly.
Jiang Susu smiled. "How could Da Jiejie have nothing to wish for? For example, wishing for Father’s good health, for Eldest Brother to achieve first place in the imperial exams, for the Jiang family to prosper—or perhaps for Mother to bless us with a little brother soon. Surely there must be something?"
Her words were a veiled accusation that Jiang Ruan was unfilial, disloyal, and unkind, implying she did not care for the Jiang family’s well-being. Even Lianqiao and Zisu frowned at such a heartless remark. Jiang Ruan, however, only let out a cold laugh.
Father? How could Jiang Quan be called a father? He would gladly sell her out to pave the way for Jiang Susu and her brother. Mother? Her own mother’s bones had long since turned to dust—there was no such person left in this world. Eldest Brother? Now missing without a trace, his fate unknown. Jiang Susu’s words were nothing less than rubbing salt in her wounds.
"Second Sister, you may not know," Jiang Ruan’s voice was soft and gentle, as if devoid of anger, "Father is naturally in good health—otherwise, how could he serve the court? As for Second Brother’s imperial exams, that’s not something we can assist with. And as for Mother blessing us with a little brother, that’s the domain of the Child-Giving Bodhisattva—what does it have to do with us?"
She lifted her lips slightly. "In this world, success depends on human effort. Though one may pray with sincerity, one’s future must still be earned. Isn’t that so?" Her voice carried a trace of melancholy. "In the past, I often burned incense and prayed to the gods. Yet in the end, Mother passed away, and Eldest Brother disappeared. Tell me—do the wishes in our hearts truly come true? In the end, it all depends on the individual."
Her words drifted into the ears of the crowd, and Mo Cong burst into laughter. Noticing Xiao Shao’s gaze, he quickly explained, "I just think this Eldest Miss Jiang speaks so brilliantly. Ahem, that matter of having children—it really isn’t something they can control."
Jiang Ruan’s response was both humorous and profound, tinged with Zen-like wisdom. Hearing of her tragic circumstances, the crowd’s impression of her grew even more sympathetic. Jiang Susu’s face turned ashen with rage, yet she forced herself to maintain a cheerful facade.Next came the moment for everyone to release their festive lanterns. Jiang Ruan bent down to place her lantern into the river. Just as she was about to stand up, Jiang Susu, standing nearby with an unchanged expression, stealthily extended her foot to trip her.
As Jiang Susu attempted to trip her, Jiang Ruan continued to rise as if unaware, yet inadvertently shifted her body just enough to narrowly avoid Jiang Susu's leg. This slight movement, however, appeared to accidentally "bump" into Jiang Li, who couldn't dodge in time and stumbled forward, colliding with Jiang Susu. Caught off guard, Jiang Susu immediately toppled toward the river.
At that moment, Jiang Ruan let out a startled cry and grabbed Jiang Li, who was about to fall into the water with Jiang Susu. With a loud "splash," Jiang Susu vanished from the boat.
Jiang Ruan asked the shaken Jiang Li, "Are you alright, Third Sister?"
Jiang Li shook her head. "How did I trip just now?" With the boat crowded and her back turned to Jiang Ruan, she naturally didn't realize who had bumped into her. Jiang Ruan shook her head, then suddenly remembered something and exclaimed loudly, "Oh no! Second Sister has fallen into the river!"
Her shout drew everyone's attention to the water, where amidst the splashing waves, a figure struggled to stay afloat—it was Jiang Susu. Soaked from head to toe, with water gushing into her nose and mouth, she abandoned all decorum and screamed, "Help! Help me!"
On the Evergreen Pine Boat, many young gentlemen who could swim were eager to jump in and rescue the damsel in distress. However, saving Jiang Susu from the water would also mean compromising her virtue, and she would inevitably have to marry her rescuer. But with Lord Jiang's rising influence in court and Xia Yan's family gaining prominence, any unworthy suitor would be unacceptable. Lord Jiang might even prefer to settle the matter permanently rather than force his daughter into a lowly match.
With this in mind, the interested gentlemen could only watch from the boat.
But Jiang Susu was no ordinary woman—she was the capital's top talent, hailed as its most beautiful since the age of seven. Naturally, there were high-born heirs from equally prestigious families who adored her. Seeing the beauty's strength waning, one such heir prepared to dive in and play the hero.
Just then, with a loud "plop," a figure suddenly leaped into the water from the opposite shore. Clearly an excellent swimmer, the person quickly reached Jiang Susu, lifted her with one arm, and swam back to the boat.
Jiang Ruan and the others helped lift Jiang Susu onto the boat. After struggling in the water, Jiang Susu was barely conscious. Then, everyone turned their attention to the person who had saved her.
It was a young man of seventeen or eighteen, with dark skin and a decent appearance, though his eyes betrayed a shrewd glint.
Jiang Ruan shielded Jiang Susu and said gently, "Young master, thank you for saving Miss Jiang's life. The Jiang family will send our gratitude later today."
The man, however, seemed impatient. "I don't want gratitude—just check if she's alright!" He moved forward as he spoke.
His actions naturally aroused suspicion. The crowd on the Evergreen Pine Boat eyed him curiously, and someone couldn't resist asking, "Who are you?"
Frowning, Jiang Ruan stepped in front of Jiang Susu again and said sternly, "The Jiang family will never forget your heroic deed, but Miss Jiang is an unmarried maiden. Your proximity violates propriety."She was wholeheartedly thinking of Jiang Susu's best interests, considering the overall situation, and her words were both appropriate and eloquent. For a moment, everyone around nodded in agreement.
The swarthy man grew anxious: "We are deeply in love with each other. What do you mean by 'close proximity'? I will naturally marry her in the future."
Jiang Ruan smiled sweetly, but her voice was icy cold: "What nonsense are you speaking, sir? I admired your courage in standing up for justice, but your current actions disgust me. Miss Jiang is virtuous and talented—to put it bluntly, you are hardly a match for her. You should know that the daughters of the Jiang family are not just anyone's to marry!"
(End of Chapter)
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