Jiang Quan lowered his eyes in dejection, his usually spirited face now filled with despair. His most proud son and daughter were both bedridden, likely to be left with lifelong disabilities. He recalled Xia Yan's words—the only legitimate son and daughter in the household were now in such a state. Who would be left to carry on the Jiang family in the future?
"To think I, Jiang Quan, have fallen to such a state, unable to even protect my own children."
Hong Ying's gentle voice whispered by his ear: "Master, you are mistaken. There is still the eldest young master and the eldest young lady."
Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan. Jiang Quan paused slightly. Jiang Xin Zhi had left the Jiang residence many years ago, and his fate was now unknown. As for Jiang Ruan, he thought of her as he had seen her today in Plain Heart Courtyard—a graceful young woman standing tall, already showing hints of blossoming elegance. The fiery red of her attire reminded him of Zhao Mei in her youth.
Yet Jiang Ruan lacked Zhao Mei's reckless impulsiveness, instead exuding a gentle and radiant charm. He had despised Zhao Mei back then, forced into marrying her due to her high-born status and her infatuation with him, though he never loved her. He knew well how Zhao Mei, the daughter of a military general, had painstakingly learned the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting for his sake.
Because he did not love Zhao Mei, even Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan received none of his affection. Now that Jiang Chao and Jiang Susu had met with misfortune, was this heaven's punishment upon him?
"Li Dong will not let this rest," Jiang Quan sighed deeply. "With Li Yang in his current state, I fear he may demand Susu's hand in marriage."
Hong Ying's hand stilled. "Demand her hand?"
"If Li Yang were dead, it would be one thing. But alive and in that condition, no respectable family would willingly marry their daughter to him," Jiang Quan said. "He harbors deep hatred for Susu. If he were to demand her hand, he would torment her endlessly, leaving her neither the chance to live nor die, ensuring a lifetime of misery."
"Would the master be willing to sever ties with Chancellor Li for the sake of Second Young Lady?" Hong Ying asked.
"No," Jiang Quan replied. "For the Jiang family to align with the Eighth Prince, breaking with the Li family would almost certainly ruin our chances."
"Then... would the master be willing to marry Second Young Lady into the Li family?" Hong Ying probed cautiously.
"Susu is my most beloved daughter. I would never willingly send her into such a living hell," Jiang Quan said. "Even if Li Yang were unharmed, I would never give Susu to him, let alone now that he is little more than a cripple."
"Does the master have any solution in mind?" Hong Ying's voice grew even softer, sensing what might come next.
"I refuse to send Susu. But if we could offer Ruan'er to them instead, perhaps it would appease the anger of Li Dong and his son," Jiang Quan said. "Ruan'er has grown quite beautiful now, and with a few more years, her looks will only become more striking. Offering the Jiang family's legitimate daughter to them might demonstrate our sincerity."
Though she had guessed at this possibility, Hong Ying was still struck speechless. Jiang Quan could actually consider trading Jiang Ruan's lifelong suffering for Jiang Susu's deliverance—how could a father treat his own flesh and blood so differently? Had she not heard it with her own ears, she would never have believed such words could come from Jiang Quan's mouth.
She couldn't help but speak up: "Does the master understand what it would mean for Eldest Young Lady to marry into that family?" It would mean Jiang Ruan becoming a tool for the Li father and son to vent their fury, transferring their hatred for Jiang Susu onto her, condemning her to a life of humiliation.Jiang Quan averted his gaze. "I have no other choice. As the elder sister, Ruan should naturally care for her younger sister."
His words were spoken so matter-of-factly that Hong Ying felt a chill in her heart. She forced a smile and said, "Master, perhaps it would be best to wait until the Second Young Lady wakes before making any decisions. We still don’t know the situation with Second Young Master Li."
Jiang Quan paused, then nodded. "You’re right. We’ll discuss this matter another day. For now, we’ll wait for Su Su to wake. You may leave."
Hong Ying quickly retreated. Even after stepping outside the room, her heart still pounded with lingering fear. Recalling Jiang Quan’s words sent shivers down her spine. The disgusting methods of the Li father and son were well-known throughout the capital, yet Jiang Quan could suggest marrying Jiang Ruan into their family without batting an eye—it was truly chilling.
Jiang Ruan had once extended an olive branch to her, but Hong Ying, ever cautious to protect herself, had not easily formed alliances. Yet she couldn’t help but notice the subtle shifts in the Jiang household since Jiang Ruan’s return. The eldest young lady appeared gentle and kind, but in recent events, she had always emerged unscathed while Xia Yan and her daughter suffered. Having grown up in a brothel, Hong Ying wasn’t naive enough to believe it was all mere luck.
The first rain of spring began to fall. Droplets trickled from the eaves onto the stone slabs in the courtyard, and the sky loomed so dark it seemed on the verge of collapse.
Xia Yan sat by the bedside, holding a bowl of steamed sweet cheese and bringing it to the young girl before her.
"I don’t want it," Jiang Susu turned her head away, her beautiful eyes filled with fury. Her flawless jade-like face bore a jagged scar running diagonally from below her right eye. Though treated with medicine, the wound remained grotesquely exposed, splitting the crimson teardrop mole in half and giving her a ghastly, demonic appearance.
"Susu, be good. Eating will help your wound heal faster," Xia Yan coaxed gently.
Jiang Susu violently knocked the porcelain bowl from Xia Yan’s hands, her voice sharp with anger. "Heal? How can I heal looking like this? I might as well die!" Her agitation triggered a fit of coughing, twisting her already disfigured right face into something even more horrifying.
Xia Yan’s heart ached as she patted her daughter’s back. "Do you want to break your mother’s heart? Susu, don’t worry. I’ll find the best physicians—there won’t be a single trace left."
"You expect me to believe that?" Jiang Susu glared at her, her expression full of disappointment. "If it weren’t for your idea to have Shuxiang lead Li Yang to Plain Heart Courtyard, none of this would have happened. It’s all your fault! All of it!" By the end, her gaze had turned wild, her emotions teetering on the edge of hysteria.
"Enough!" Xia Yan suddenly hissed, her voice low but urgent. "Do you want everyone to hear about this?"
Jiang Susu fell silent but continued to stare at her with unyielding intensity.
Xia Yan’s tone turned stern. "Stop this pitiful act. Do you think it will change anything? If Jiang Ruan saw you like this, she’d be overjoyed. And your father would only be disappointed. If you want revenge, dry your tears and listen to me."
Her harsh words stunned Jiang Susu into silence. After a moment, she slowly calmed down and asked, "What should I do?"Seeing Jiang Susu's reaction, Xia Yan knew her words had sunk in and sighed in relief. "Your second brother has lost a finger now, and this matter is quite suspicious. I don't know what exactly happened to him, but Li Yang's affair with you definitely has Jiang Ruan's hand in it. She actually managed to deceive both of us."
"I wish I could skin her alive and drink her blood," Jiang Susu clenched her fists, her eyes dark with malice. "She's brought me to this state—I won't rest until she pays!"
"The Li family holds too much power. No matter what, I won't send you to them. I've already written to your grandfather. Once he learns about your and your brother's current condition, Jiang Ruan's days of peace will be over."
Jiang Susu's eyes lit up. "Grandfather will avenge me."
"So now you must focus on recovering," Xia Yan said gently. "Once you're better, I'll arrange for you to visit the Xia residence."
Xia Yan was born to Xia Cheng, Marquis of Yongding, and his second wife. Back then, Xia Cheng was merely an obscure county official, so Xia Yan's status wasn't high enough to become Jiang Quan's principal wife. Unexpectedly, Xia Cheng's elder brother—the legitimate heir—died suddenly from illness years ago, leaving the title to this former concubine-born son. Xia Yan's status rose accordingly, and with Zhao Mei's severed ties with General Zhao, Xia Yan's position as Jiang Quan's wife seemed more fitting.
Like Xia Yan, Xia Cheng was fiercely protective of his own. If he learned what had befallen his grandchildren, he would undoubtedly make Jiang Ruan suffer.
After speaking with Jiang Susu for a while, Xia Yan rose to leave. At the doorway, she massaged her temples and asked, "Has Chao'er woken yet?"
Lin Lang lowered her head. "The young master woke at noon, but he flew into a rage afterward, drove all the maids out, and refuses to see anyone."
Xia Yan took a deep breath. "Let's go. I'll check on him."
...
Despite the incessant drizzle, the Ruan Residence remained as tranquil as ever, seemingly untouched by the gloomy weather. Jiang Ruan stood at her desk practicing calligraphy while Zisu ground ink beside her. "Young Miss, your handwriting improves daily," Zisu remarked.
"You can't even read—how would you know if it's good?" Lianqiao teased.
Zisu flushed, no match for Lianqiao's sharp tongue, and mumbled, "It just looks beautiful."
Jiang Ruan set down her brush. "Would you two like to learn to read?"
The maids stared at her in delighted surprise. "We'd love to!"
"Then in a few days, I'll select some simple books for you to study." Being literate would serve them well while following her. Luzhu handled external affairs, while Lianqiao and Zisu could assist more within the residence.
"This servant thanks Young Miss!" The two maids were overjoyed. For servants, literacy was a privilege of the upper class—Jiang Ruan granting them this opportunity filled them with gratitude.
"Young Miss sent Luzhu out today to retrieve banknotes deposited at Four Seas Bank. Why is that?" Lianqiao asked.
Jiang Ruan glanced at her. Though loyal, these two maids were still too upright in their thinking. Luzhu, having traveled extensively and witnessed the darker sides of society, could be used without reservation. But these two weren't yet ready for greater responsibilities.
"Look at this rain," Jiang Ruan said, gazing out the window. "It keeps falling, but who knows when it will stop?""You jest, miss," Zisu said in surprise. "It's just a spring rain—it might well stop by tomorrow morning."
"But I don't think it will," Jiang Ruan shook her head.
In her past life, it was also this year when this rain began to fall, drizzling incessantly for three whole months. The spring crops couldn't be sown, and floods ran rampant. Many people's homes and fields were washed away or submerged, and the capital was suddenly filled with refugees.
She remembered this clearly because the estate she lived on was also ravaged by the floods. With food scarce, Zhang Lan's family reduced her provisions to a cruelly meager amount. Though her room wasn't washed away, it was perpetually damp. Every day, she dragged her starving body to do hard labor, and once, she was nearly swept away by the floodwaters. Fortunately, a laborer saw and rescued her. She would never forget the look in Zhang Lan's eyes then—full of disappointment, as if wishing she had drowned. At the time, Jiang Ruan thought Zhang Lan resented her for taking up their family's food and thus wished her dead. Now, looking back, had she died in that flood, Zhang Lan's family would likely have received a hefty reward from Xia Yan.
Back then, the capital teemed with refugees. The wealthy households naturally didn't care to feed them, so the desperate refugees roamed about, resorting to robbery when they couldn't get food. The poor had no surplus grain, so they targeted the rich. Zhao Yi, her cousin and the city's garrison commander, led troops to suppress them but was hacked to death by the refugees. And it was then that the Emperor decreed that the Zhao family should fund disaster relief. The family donated ten thousand taels of silver, nearly emptying their savings, and from then on, the Zhao family seemed to begin its decline.
Jiang Ruan only learned of this after entering the palace, when a concubine mentioned it casually in conversation. It was Ye Li who had suggested to the Emperor that General Zhao's family was wealthy and might have silver to spare for relief efforts. When Jiang Ruan later asked Ye Li about it, his reply was that above all else, money was merely an external possession, and saving the lives of those refugees was a virtuous deed.
Now, reflecting on it, after that incident, Ye Li's prestige in court rose while the Zhao family weakened—perhaps all part of his plan. And Zhao Yi's death likely wasn't as simple as it seemed. How could a garrison commander of the capital be hacked to death by unarmed rioters?
Her gaze darkened abruptly. In this life, she had no intention of remaining a stranger to the Zhao family. They were her staunch allies—how could she let others humiliate them like this?
"Even if the rain doesn't stop, why should you spend your silver, miss?" Zisu asked, puzzled. "No matter what, you ought to keep some for yourself. Do you have something in mind?"
"I've told Luzhu to buy up all the grain in the capital," Jiang Ruan said calmly.
"Miss!" Lianqiao's eyes widened. "Why would you buy so much grain?"
It was early spring, and the new harvest hadn't yet come in—only last year's old grain remained, so the prices weren't high. Two or three thousand taels would be enough to buy most of it. The farmers, anxious to sell their surplus, would gladly part with all their stock.
"I thought that if the rain keeps falling and turns into a flood, this grain will become very valuable," Jiang Ruan smiled."Miss." Zisu moved her lips but ultimately said nothing. There was never any room for rebuttal when it came to Jiang Ruan's words—her will was resolute, and once she decided on something, she would not waver. So even though Zisu found Jiang Ruan's actions utterly incomprehensible, she could only follow along.
Just then, Luzhu pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Jiang Ruan, she smiled and said, "Miss, the people we sent have bought all the grain as instructed. It's stored in a warehouse in the western part of the city. The key is in my hands."
She handed the key to Jiang Ruan and added with a smile, "Since no one has been buying old grain these past few days, I managed to purchase most of the rice and flour available."
"You've done well." Jiang Ruan toyed with the delicate little key in her hand.
"But, Miss," Luzhu hesitated before continuing, "just now, at the courtyard gate, I saw Fifth Concubine. She seemed like she was about to come in, but when I asked, she left instead."
"I see." Jiang Ruan pondered for a moment. "In that case, let's pay Fifth Concubine a visit."
Hong Ying was embroidering in her room. The weather wasn't great, and the dim light made it hard to see clearly. After working for a while, she still wasn't satisfied with the embroidery and was feeling rather vexed when a maid approached and said, "Madam, the eldest young miss is here."
"The eldest young miss?" She frowned slightly, not expecting Jiang Ruan to visit. No one besides Jiang Quan had ever set foot in this courtyard. She stood up just as Jiang Ruan walked in.
"Auntie was embroidering?" Jiang Ruan smiled. "How exquisite."
Hong Ying followed her gaze to the embroidery on the table—a pouch pattern for Jiang Quan, depicting a white crane soaring among clouds. The crane was lifelike, the scene ethereal, and the colors were beautifully matched.
"It's just a pastime," Hong Ying replied with a smile. "If the young miss likes it, I can embroider one for you another day."
"Then I’ll thank Fifth Auntie in advance." Jiang Ruan accepted graciously, then glanced around the room. "People always say Father dotes on Fifth Auntie the most. I didn’t believe it before, but now that I’ve seen it for myself, I can’t deny it."
The room was exquisitely furnished, with every item on the shelves and tables delicate and valuable. Clearly, Jiang Quan had put considerable thought into pleasing Hong Ying.
Hong Ying was taken aback but quickly laughed it off. "The master naturally cares most for his wife. The young miss must be joking."
"I never joke." Jiang Ruan smiled gently. "I came to visit Fifth Auntie today, though there isn’t anything particular to discuss." Her expression softened. "Lately, the household has been unsettled. Second Sister and Second Brother have suffered misfortunes one after another, as if cursed. I can’t help but wonder—am I next?"
Hong Ying’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Jiang Ruan and asked, "Why would the young miss say such a thing?"
"Instinct." Jiang Ruan chuckled lightly. "I have no close kin in this household. My mother passed too soon. Stepmother treats me well, but she already has Second Sister and Second Brother..." Her voice lowered slightly. "There are some things I can only confide in Fifth Auntie. If only you were the mistress of this household. Someone as kind as you would surely protect me at every turn, and in return, I would ensure the Jiang family thrives in harmony and prosperity."The fifth concubine pursed her lips, her heart inexplicably racing. She studied Jiang Ruan intently—those charming, bright eyes smiled back at her, gentle as flowing water, yet their emotions remained as elusive as flowers veiled in mist. Having come from a brothel, she had encountered all sorts of people and prided herself on understanding human nature, yet she couldn’t comprehend this twelve-year-old girl before her.
"Do you truly believe this concubine is qualified to be the mistress of the Jiang household?" she heard her own voice tremble slightly.
Jiang Ruan smiled and took a sip of tea from the cup before her. "Why not?"
Hong Ying looked at her and suddenly smiled. "For the young miss to hold this concubine in such high regard, I hardly know how to respond. In truth, even if the young miss hadn’t sought me out today, I would have gone to see you."
Jiang Ruan continued to smile at her, and Hong Ying added, "Yesterday, while chatting with the master, he mentioned the matter of the Li father and son. The young miss must also know about the affair between the young master Li and the second young lady. Given young master Li’s current state, the Li chancellor will surely not tolerate the second young lady. But the master doesn’t wish to openly break ties with the Li chancellor, so he intends for the young miss to marry into the Li family in the second young lady’s stead." After speaking, she scrutinized Jiang Ruan’s expression, only to find that the girl’s radiant face remained unchanged, her smile still in place—like a flawless mask.
Jiang Ruan sighed softly. "Father dotes on Second Sister so much. It truly makes me envious."
Seeing this, Hong Ying said, "This concubine is also anxious. Clearly, it was the second young lady who caused this trouble—how can the young miss be made to atone for it? Moreover, young master Li is practically a cripple now. If the young miss were to marry him, she would surely suffer endlessly."
Jiang Ruan pondered for a moment before smiling at Hong Ying. "Thank you for your concern, Fifth Concubine. But if Father has made up his mind, as a daughter of the Jiang family, I can only accept it."
Hong Ying was taken aback. "The young miss agrees to marry him?"
"I agree. Father agrees. But I wonder if Chancellor Li agrees?" Jiang Ruan gave a light laugh and stood up. "It’s getting late. I should take my leave." She paused, her gaze falling on the embroidery patterns on the table. "Father cherishes Fifth Concubine, so it’s only natural for you to care for him in return. Still, I must remind you—without children, there is no difference between you and the bedroom maid Lian Ye." She smiled as she finished, "And even with children, without status, the fate of the children and the concubines remains the same."
Long after Jiang Ruan had left, Hong Ying remained seated in a daze. Her maid cautiously asked, "Concubine?"
Hong Ying waved her hand, her expression weary, and murmured, "Just what is the young miss planning?"
...
At the Brocade Hero King Manor in the capital, Ye Feng stood before the desk and reported, "General Guan has sent word—he will return to the capital next month." After a pause, he added, "While on duty today, I overheard subordinates discussing how someone has been aggressively hoarding surplus grain in the city. It may be related to the Eighth Prince. Upon further inquiry, it seems the person behind it is a maid serving the eldest young lady of the Jiang household." He frowned. "But the purpose remains unclear."
Xiao Shao turned around, his handsome face cold and stern. "Continue investigating. Keep an eye on Li Dong’s residence as well."
"Chancellor Li?" Ye Feng was startled. "Does the master intend to deal with him in advance?"Xiao Shao shook his head: "The eldest son of the Li family is on the verge of death, and this matter is related to the Jiang family. The Jiang family doesn’t want to feud with the Li family. If I’m not mistaken, Jiang Quan should be making a move soon."
Ye Feng pondered for a moment: "Behind the Jiang family stands the Xia family, and the Xia family is also part of the Eighth Prince’s faction. Perhaps the Eighth Prince will intervene." After all, both the Xia and Li families were rare resources, and Ye Li wouldn’t let them go to waste. He suddenly laughed: "Who knows how the Eighth Prince would feel knowing his own subordinates are turning against each other? In any case, the eldest son of the Li family’s misfortune is rather timely. The second young lady of the Jiang family has done a good deed—by castrating Li Yang, she’s ensured that the Li and Jiang families will harbor resentment no matter what."
Xiao Shao did not correct Ye Feng's words. He recalled how Jiang Ruan had decisively used a shard of porcelain to sever Li Yang's manhood that day in her room. Despite being a young maiden from the inner chambers, she showed not a trace of embarrassment at such a bloody scene—only cold indifference remained in her eyes, as if she were looking at a pig awaiting slaughter.
Having seen much of the world over the years, he would never have believed that a sheltered young girl could possess the gaze of an assassin—had he not witnessed it himself.
Just how had Jiang Quan raised this eldest daughter of his?
After a moment, Xiao Shao shook off his thoughts and said coldly, "I'm going to the palace."
...
In the northern part of the capital, firecrackers crackled incessantly in front of a grand three-courtyard mansion. Two ferocious stone lions stood guard before vermilion pillars, while a gilded plaque adorned with red silk hung above the entrance, bearing two bold characters: "Liu Manor."
This was the residence bestowed upon the top scholar by the Emperor.
Liu Furen was not yet forty, yet her face bore the marks of hardship, and her temples were already streaked with gray, making her appear as if she were in her fifties. Despite this, she wore a plain blue robe embroidered with lotus patterns, her hair meticulously arranged, as she cheerfully distributed rewards to the crowd.
The four maidservants gifted by the Emperor also stood by with smiles, while many came forward to offer congratulations and receive their rewards. Among them were former neighbors—Liu Min's success was akin to a carp leaping through the dragon's gate, ensuring the Liu family's rise to glory.
After distributing the rewards, Liu Furen turned to a maidservant and asked, "Why hasn't Min'er come out yet?"
The maidservant smiled. "Perhaps he's still tidying up in his room. This servant will go and hurry him." With that, she turned and left.
In the study, Liu Min stood transfixed by a painting hanging on the wall.
The courtyard granted by the Emperor was spacious and luxurious, and the study was more than twice the size of his previous one—now he would have ample shelf space for his books. Yet, at this moment, he felt somewhat dazed. Was all of this truly what he desired?
A few days prior, his quarters at the Imperial Academy had been burglarized, and the letters from that mysterious figure had vanished without a trace—as if they had never existed. Liu Min had questioned his attendant, who claimed ignorance, yet nothing else had been stolen. He couldn't help but suspect that the letters had been retrieved by the mysterious person himself.
Were it not for the Moonlight Firefly Painting before him, Liu Min might have thought the entire episode a mere illusion—that the mysterious figure had been nothing but a figment of his imagination.
He studied the painting closely—its strokes were elegant and unrestrained, its edges sharp and bold. Liu Min couldn't help but wonder: What kind of person was this? Having grown accustomed to discussing scholarly arguments with another, he now felt a pang of loneliness at their sudden disappearance.
"Young Master, the mistress urges you to hurry." The newly arrived maidservant blushed slightly as she gazed at the refined and scholarly young man.
Liu Min glanced once more at the painting. "Let's go."
...
Now, to speak of another matter.
At the Eighth Prince's residence in the capital, Ye Li set down the letter in his hand and frowned slightly.
Noticing this, an advisor behind him asked, "Your Highness, has something happened?"Ye Li glanced at the letter on the table: "A letter from the Xia Marquis's residence mentions a dispute with Chancellor Li." He couldn't conceal his surprise. Xia Cheng's letter described in detail how Li Yang had been castrated at the Jiang residence. Now, Li Dong sought revenge for Li Yang and wouldn't spare Xia Cheng's granddaughter, Jiang Susu. Xia Cheng claimed in the letter that Jiang Susu had been framed but didn't reveal the culprit.
Ye Li briefly recounted the matter to his advisor, who frowned in thought for a moment. "Your Highness, this seems to be the work of someone with ulterior motives. With the eldest son of the Li family harmed, Chancellor Li and the Jiang family are now at odds, which also creates tension with the Xia family. This is an attempt to sow discord among Your Highness's allies—a truly malicious scheme."
"I'm well aware," Ye Li replied. "Li Dong knows I can't do without him, and I'm unwilling to lose the Xia family either. Moreover, Lord Jiang now holds some influence in court. If these two sides clash, it will only harm my interests."
"Could it be the Fifth Prince's doing?" the advisor asked. "The Fifth Prince has been gaining favor in court recently, and His Majesty trusts him greatly."
"I know my father's temperament," Ye Li said with a cold snort. "The higher the Fifth Prince climbs now, the harder he'll fall later. I don't believe he's clever enough to plant someone in the Jiang residence."
"Then the Fourth Prince?" the advisor pressed.
"The Fourth Prince appears indifferent on the surface, but we must remain cautious. What I fear most is that this is the Crown Prince's doing."
The advisor was taken aback. "The Crown Prince lacks virtue and has achieved nothing in governance. He's foolish and naive—why would Your Highness be concerned about him?"
"The Crown Prince alone is no threat," Ye Li narrowed his eyes. "But what if this is my father's intention?"
"His Majesty considered deposing the Crown Prince years ago—he must have long grown weary of him. Why would he act this way?" the advisor asked.
"It might just be a smokescreen," Ye Li said. "Otherwise, consider how the Crown Prince has made countless enemies in court over the years yet remains unshaken. If not for my father's tacit approval, he would have been devoured long ago."
"This..." The advisor cupped his hands. "This subordinate truly cannot fathom His Majesty's intentions."
Ye Li cast a disdainful glance at the kneeling advisor but kept his tone gentle. "It's not your fault. Even after all these years by my father's side, I've never been able to discern his thoughts."
After a moment, the advisor spoke again. "If Your Highness wishes to consolidate power, there is another way—a marriage alliance with the Jiang family."
"The Jiang family?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow.
The advisor bowed. "What Your Highness needs most now is the support of the Xia and Li families. An alliance with the Xia family would be too obvious, but marrying into the Jiang family would indirectly secure the Xia family's backing." He paused before continuing, "Moreover, the Jiang family's young lady is still of tender age. A betrothal could be arranged now, and if circumstances change, you could reconsider later."
Ye Li frowned, recalling recent rumors in the capital—how Madam Jiang had hired assassins to frame the eldest daughter but ended up harming the second daughter instead, and how Jiang Chao had squandered a fortune at the Hundred Flowers House only to have his little finger severed for failing to pay. Displeased, he said, "The Jiang residence is a den of chaos. Besides, the second daughter's reputation is now tarnished. How could I marry her? Wouldn't that make me the laughingstock of the realm?""Your Highness," the advisor said, "Isn't there still the eldest daughter in the Jiang household? Her birth mother was from General Zhao's residence. It's merely a matter of title. If Your Highness marries the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, not only would you establish ties with both the Jiang and Xia families, but you might also connect with General Zhao's residence."
"That brute Zhao Guang," Ye Li replied, "has always been aligned with the Crown Prince's faction and won't easily switch sides." As for Jiang Ruan, his mind flashed back to the indifferent smile of the red-clad maiden in the pleasure boat during the Lantern Festival that night. His heart suddenly clenched with an inexplicable sense of concern.
"At present, a marriage alliance seems the most viable approach," the advisor continued to suggest. "If an engagement is arranged with the Jiang family's young lady, no matter how displeased Minister Li may be, he wouldn't act rashly. By granting such a favor to the Jiang family, both the Jiang and Xia families would spare no effort in supporting Your Highness."
"You're right," Ye Li said, picking up the letter on the table again. "Perhaps I should reconsider your suggestion." The letter invited Ye Li to visit the Xia Marquis's residence. After some thought, he ordered, "Send someone to reply to Marquis Xia—tell him I accept his invitation and will visit in three days."
...
Meanwhile, when Marquis Xia received the message from Ye Li's attendant, he heaved a deep sigh of relief. Xia Furen anxiously asked, "What happened? Did the Eighth Prince agree?" "He agreed," Marquis Xia told her. "Send a letter to the Jiang residence and have Yan Er prepare Su Su and Chao Er to come over." After a pause, he added, "Tell her to bring that Jiang Ruan as well."
Xia Furen nodded. "Naturally. To think she ruined Su Su's face—this Jiang Ruan truly has some nerve."
(End of Chapter)
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