Who could this person be? The Jiang family? The Xia family? The Li family? Jiang Ruan's gaze darkened—it was likely that Ye Li was involved in this matter. The weakening of the Zhao family was something he would be most pleased to see.
But in this lifetime, she had provided the disaster relief grain for the Zhao family, Zhao Yi hadn’t died, and the Zhao family remained firmly established among the capital’s nobility. She wondered what Ye Li’s reaction would be when he found out.
Zhao Yi had captured those men. Regardless, now that they knew there were traitors within the City Garrison, once the Zhao family was informed, they wouldn’t be easily fooled. Once they pieced things together, they would become vigilant. If Ye Li wanted to strike again, it wouldn’t be so easy.
Most importantly, Jiang Ruan sighed softly. The past incident with Zhao Guang remained a hurdle. She had saved the Zhao family and Zhao Yi—she wondered if she could use this as leverage to gain entry into the General's Residence. No matter what, for Jiang Xin Zhi’s sake, she had to try.
...
The rain grew heavier.
Residents living near the slopes suffered as mudslides poured down. The Bo Chang Reservoir, the largest in the capital, was crucial for irrigating the city’s farmlands. But with the relentless downpour, the water levels rose dangerously, threatening to breach the reservoir. Xuan Li led his men in flood control efforts, temporarily suppressing the rising waters.
In the residence of the top scholar, the young scholar stood by the window, frowning thoughtfully at the rain.
Liu Furen entered with a bowl of ginger soup, placing it on the table. Seeing Liu Min like this, she sighed. "What kind of calamity is this, bringing suffering to so many families?" Coming from humble origins themselves, they empathized deeply with the people’s hardships. If not for Liu Min’s current position as an official, they too might have been displaced and starving like these commoners.
Liu Min patted Liu Furen’s shoulder reassuringly. "Mother, don’t worry. This will pass."
"If not for General Zhao distributing grain for disaster relief, who knows how many more would have starved," Liu Furen remarked. "General Zhao is a good official. You should stay close to him in court."
Liu Min nodded. But if the rain continued endlessly, even Zhao Guang’s resources would eventually run out. This relief was only a temporary solution, not a long-term fix. He recalled how the Eighth Prince had eagerly sought his opinion on the flood situation a few days prior. The Eighth Prince seemed intent on contributing to flood control. Yet, someone who truly cared for the people wouldn’t have calculated every move so meticulously like him.
Liu Min sighed almost imperceptibly. The court’s waters ran deep—only those within knew how difficult it was to navigate. At times like this, he missed his "confidant." If only he were here...
...
For over ten days, the distribution of porridge never ceased, and the capital gradually settled. The only fresh news was that the City Garrison had captured a group of bandits disguised as refugees in Chongxin Village, east of the city. That day, short on manpower, the garrison commander had borrowed personnel from the city magistrate. A fierce battle ensued in Chongxin Village, and though the bandits were subdued and imprisoned, they all committed suicide in their cells overnight.
While the capital’s citizens cheered, they also worried—with such unrest in the city, life would only grow harder. The City Garrison, however, gained some prestige from this incident.In the Ruan Residence, Jiang Ruan was reclining on a couch embroidering. In the past, while living in the village, she had been forced by Zhang Lan's family to embroider day and night, leaving calluses on her hands. Having been reborn, she loathed the scars and mutilations from her previous life and refused to let any blemish remain on her body this time. Thus, after returning to the Jiang residence, she had abandoned embroidery entirely. Only now, after the calluses had completely faded and her hands had regained their fair softness—looking like those of a proper young lady—did she pick up the needle again.
Luzhu entered from outside, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby before approaching Jiang Ruan and whispering, "Miss, someone from the General's Residence has come, asking to meet the person behind the porridge distribution."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Are they truly from the General's Residence?"
"They have an official seal. It doesn’t seem fake," Luzhu replied. "Miss, how should we respond?"
Jiang Ruan set down her embroidery and picked up a blue porcelain teacup beside her, gently tracing its rim. "Tell them I will pay them a visit tomorrow morning."
"Miss?" Luzhu was taken aback.
Jiang Ruan said, "Go."
The Zhao family... Since they had made such a request, they were determined to meet her. Very well. With Jiang Xin Zhi's return to the residence drawing nearer, relying solely on her own strength was too difficult. The bargaining chips were laid out plainly—it was up to the Zhao family whether they would grant her this favor.
...
When the Zhao family in the capital received this news, Zhao Guang's expression darkened. A few days prior, Zhao Yi had detained a group of refugees at Chongxin Village. According to Zhao Yi, those people were skilled martial artists—definitely not ordinary refugees. Yet overnight, they had all "committed suicide" in the Heavenly Prison. This was no simple matter. Zhao Guang could guess whose hand was behind it. Rumors had it that the Eighth Prince's residence in the capital had recently shut its gates, with whispers of many guards being executed.
Zhao Yi had mentioned encountering a young lady, and the Zhao father and sons all believed the mastermind behind the porridge distribution was the same person. Given Xuan Li's methods, this person must be opposing Xuan Li—and had incidentally helped the Zhao family several times. However, nothing could be taken for granted yet. The other party's identity remained uncertain. What if this was Xuan Li's scheme? They had sent someone to the porridge distribution site to request a meeting with the mastermind, only to receive a reply that the person would visit them tomorrow. Such behavior was truly perplexing.
Zhao Yuanjia said, "Father, if this person dares to visit, they must be well-prepared. Should we make arrangements too?"
"No need," Zhao Yuanping interjected, a thoughtful glint in his shrewd eyes. "I believe this move signals they mean no harm—at the very least, they won’t cause trouble for us at the General's Residence."
"Who cares about trouble?" Zhao Yuanfeng said dismissively. "Our General's Residence has plenty of men. What’s there to fear? Beat the hell out of them first, and they’ll behave."
"Shut up!" Zhao Guang glared, his beard quivering in irritation. "Must you always act like a brute? Your second brother is right. But just in case this person tries anything, have your mother, wife, and Yulong moved to safety first."
"Second Brother," Zhao Yuanfeng nudged the cleverest among them, Zhao Yuanping. "Who do you think this person is?"
"No idea," Zhao Yuanping shook his head. "We’ve gone through Father’s colleagues—it can’t be any of them. We’ll find out tomorrow."That night, the Zhao family slept restlessly. Early the next morning, Jiang Ruan set out in a carriage. Lin Zixiang frequently sent her invitation cards, and Xia Yan, maintaining her gentle and caring maternal facade, had no reason to stop her. Moreover, Xia Yan had been preoccupied with Jiang Susu’s affairs these days. Jiang Quan’s stance had softened somewhat, so Jiang Susu might avoid being sent to the family temple. However, Jiang Susu had been unable to sleep well for over half a month, claiming that ghosts knocked on her door at midnight. Despite consulting several physicians, her condition showed no improvement, leaving Xia Yan deeply worried.
Since the General's Residence gained the Emperor’s praise for its porridge distribution, opportunistic colleagues in the official circles had flocked to their doorstep, making it unusually bustling. Today, however, they deliberately declined all invitations, waiting specifically for one person.
A bluish-gray carriage rolled up and stopped in front of the General's Residence.
A tall maid dressed in servant’s attire jumped out and exchanged a few words with the gatekeeper, who hurried away. Moments later, Zhao Yi strode out, followed by several burly guards. Spotting the maid, he paused briefly, then eyed the carriage at the gate with a guarded expression.
The maid walked to the carriage, stood on tiptoe, and whispered inside. The carriage curtain was lifted, and another maid-like figure hopped out.
Zhao Yi frowned. Why would someone travel with two maids? How effeminate.
Then, the tall maid helped someone else out of the carriage—a hunched old woman with a black cloth tied over her eyes, clearly blind, guided to the side by the maid.
Zhao Yi’s eyes widened in shock. Could it really be this blind old woman? That was utterly astonishing. He scrutinized her carefully but found nothing remarkable, only deepening his bewilderment.
“Young Master?” A soft voice called from ahead. Zhao Yi realized that while he’d been staring at the blind woman, another figure had descended from the carriage unnoticed—a person wearing a bamboo hat that concealed their face. The voice was unmistakably female and somewhat familiar.
Unprepared for a woman to visit the General's Residence, Zhao Yi hesitated before saying, “Miss, please follow me.”
The four followed Zhao Yi inside. He was still puzzled: if this was a woman, two maids were understandable, but why bring a blind old woman? What was the purpose?
As he pondered, the figure suddenly removed the bamboo hat, revealing a familiar face.
Zhao Yi gaped. “It’s you!”
“It’s me.” Jiang Ruan smiled. “It’s been a while, Lord Zhao.”
For a moment, Zhao Yi blushed, stammering as he took in the girl’s radiant face. He felt ashamed—she was just a teenager, while he was nearly twenty. How could he blush over a young girl? Then a thought struck him, and he exclaimed, “You were the one distributing porridge?”
“Not me.” Jiang Ruan said, watching Zhao Yi’s relieved expression before adding, “I hired someone to do it.”
“Y-you—!” Zhao Yi stuttered. “Who exactly are you?”
“Lord Zhao, I did save your life, after all.” Jiang Ruan chuckled. “I won’t harm you.”Zhao Yi remained silent. With the capital in such turmoil and many eyeing the Zhao family covetously, who knew if this was yet another trap? However, inheriting his father Zhao Yuanjia's gentle and upright nature, Zhao Yi understood the principle of repaying kindness. He clasped his hands and said, "Miss, your life-saving grace will be repaid in full one day." Strangely, he felt an inexplicable closeness to Jiang Ruan, instinctively believing this young girl meant no harm to the Zhao family. Though he had many questions, seeing Jiang Ruan's smiling profile made him swallow them back—those questions would surely be raised by Zhao Guang and his uncles in the hall.
Zhao Yi led the four toward the main hall of the General's Residence. Compared to the refined elegance of the Jiang residence, the General's Residence exuded grandeur and magnificence. The guards stationed throughout looked formidable, their gazes subtly trailing the group as they passed.
Lianqiao and Zisu were visibly nervous, while Granny Zhou trembled slightly the entire way. Jiang Ruan inwardly smiled—Zhao Guang had clearly gone to great lengths for her arrival. The guards treated her as if she were a formidable enemy, suggesting they were no ordinary men.
Upon reaching the hall, Zhao Yi entered first. Seated in the main seat was Zhao Guang, his presence radiating the commanding aura of a seasoned general—a blood-forged intimidation from countless battles that sent chills down one's spine. Zhao Yuanjia, Zhao Yuanping, and Zhao Yuanfeng sat on either side. Zhao Yuanjia was dignified and steady, Zhao Yuanping shrewd and wise, and Zhao Yuanfeng unrestrained and free-spirited. At a glance, the three sons of the Zhao family were clearly extraordinary.
Zhao Yi strode in, subtly signaling to the others with a hand gesture—their code indicating no danger.
"Miss, please come in," Zhao Yi called outside.
Jiang Ruan stepped forward.
The four Zhao men frowned as they turned their attention to the hall's entrance. Slowly, a young girl in red walked in. Clad in a luxurious maroon gown, she appeared no older than twelve or thirteen, yet her beauty was startling—her features strikingly vivid without a hint of frivolity, instead exuding a composed elegance.
But that wasn't the most surprising part.
She walked in step by step, smiling.
Zhao Guang stared at her in shock, while his three sons abruptly straightened, their gazes fixed intently on her.
As she drew closer, Zhao Guang suddenly stood, his eyes wide, lips trembling uncontrollably. In a low voice, he uttered, "Mei'er."
Zhao Yuanjia and the others were equally dumbfounded.
The resemblance—it was uncanny. Her likeness to Zhao Mei was too striking.
Even if Jiang Ruan had inherited only sixty or seventy percent of Zhao Mei's looks, in the male-dominated General's Residence, her similarity to Zhao Mei was overwhelming. The three brothers hadn't seen Zhao Mei in years, but in their memories, she had been just this age—fond of wearing red, fiery and passionate, laughing, running, pestering her brothers to go horseback riding with her.
The departed had long been sealed in their memories, her image preserved forever. Now, seeing Jiang Ruan, it felt like reuniting with an old friend.
And no one was more shaken than Zhao Guang.
His lips moved soundlessly, unable to form a single word.Jiang Ruan's gaze swept lightly over them, taking in the expressions of each person. As for the Zhao family, in truth, she had never had any substantial contact with them, neither in her past life nor this one. Yet when she was young, Zhao Mei often told her stories of the General's Residence—about her rough and stubborn grandfather, her uncles with their distinct personalities, and the joyful times Zhao Mei had shared living with her brothers and parents. Even through mere descriptions, Jiang Ruan could vividly imagine what a blissful scene it must have been.
Back then, Jiang Ruan would always ask Zhao Mei, "Why don’t Grandfather and the others ever come to see us?"
A shadow of melancholy would then veil Zhao Mei’s brows. "It’s Mother’s fault. I made a mistake, and I don’t deserve their forgiveness."
At the time, Jiang Ruan hadn’t understood the meaning behind Zhao Mei’s words. But now, looking back, she realized it was simply the deepest sorrow in a woman’s heart. What could be more tragic than abandoning one’s family, only to realize too late that the so-called beloved was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Born into a family of civil officials, she was accustomed to a life of scheming and intrigue, yet she yearned for the straightforwardness of the military household Zhao Mei had described—where grievances were settled openly, even with fists if necessary. Sadly, even at the end of her previous life, she never got the chance to see the General's Residence with her own eyes. All she received was news of their entire family being executed. The pain and regret she felt then still lingered in her memory, but alas, there was no such thing as a cure for regret in this world.
(End of Chapter)
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