Privately raising troops with the intent to rebel was considered an unforgivable crime, not just in the eyes of the imperial family but also in the hearts of ordinary people. Moreover, Li Dong had long been domineering and tyrannical, earning the deep-seated hatred of the populace. Now that he had fallen from grace, the people naturally vented their pent-up resentment, cursing that evil men would eventually meet their deserved fate.
In contrast, the Guan Family Army and the Zhao Family Army, who led the troops to capture the rebels, received unanimous praise. Especially the younger generation, Zhao Yi and Jiang Xin Zhi, saw their reputations soar rapidly during this flood disaster, almost to the point where everyone spoke highly of them.
With the rebels subdued and the floodwaters receded, the capital returned to its usual tranquility, exuding a sense of peace after surviving calamity.
However, starkly different from the joy of the capital's citizens, the dungeon was damp and gloomy. The jailers guarding the entrance, armed with knives and looking fierce, paced back and forth in front of the cells, turning a deaf ear to the moans of the prisoners.
This place held only death-row inmates, those who had committed grave offenses. Once imprisoned here, there was virtually no chance of redemption.
In the innermost cell of the dungeon, three prisoners in tattered prison garb sat on dry straw. Though disheveled, their demeanor still carried the air of those accustomed to privilege—arrogant and domineering. They were none other than Li Dong and his two sons.
Li Dong, with his large belly, wore a once-white prison uniform now so filthy its original color was unrecognizable. His expression was one of extreme agitation as he roared at Li An, "This is all your doing! Think of a way out!"
Li An remained motionless, eyes closed, as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Furious yet helpless, Li Dong could do nothing. He had said all he could in court, but this time, the Emperor was resolute in punishing him. In the past, a bribe would have sufficed, but now, no one dared to accept his silver. In fact, the Prime Minister’s residence had already been raided, and his concubines, having caught wind of the disaster, had fled with the remaining treasures. Now, he truly had nothing left.
Leaning back, Li Dong was overwhelmed by anger and terror. Throughout his life, he had gotten everything he wanted—there was nothing he couldn’t achieve. Yet now, he was imprisoned and facing execution. Death had always terrified him, and the injustice of it all gnawed at him, driving him to desperately seek a way out. His only hope was Li An, whose brilliance could surely devise an escape. But this time, Li An disappointed him.
Li Yang sneered at Li An beside him. He had always known Li An was clever and calculating, and he feared his intellect. But Li An was also a eunuch, and Li Yang had always despised him for it. Now, with death looming, he no longer hid his contempt: "A useless freak who ruins everything!"
Li An ignored him, but in his mind, the faint smile of a young girl surfaced. Her words echoed in his ears, each sentence a curse leading him into the abyss.
As his thoughts gradually cleared in the cell, Li An carefully pieced together the events. He finally began to see the pattern—ever since Li Yang first visited the Jiang residence and encountered Jiang Susu, only to be castrated, they had all fallen into Jiang Ruan’s trap.The incident with Li Yang was merely a prelude; her true target was clearly the entire Prime Minister's residence. Yet Li Dong, Li An, and even he himself had unwittingly walked into the ending Jiang Ruan had meticulously designed for them. Jiang Ruan had calculated everything. He even had the absurd illusion that she had long known about the Crimson Thunder Army and his physical shortcomings, merely orchestrating an elaborate play for them—with the Crimson Thunder Army's two trump cards as her final, devastating weapons.
How could such a person exist in this world?
Li An's heart sank. Proud and intelligent all his life, he could now gradually piece together Jiang Ruan's schemes, but there was one thing he still couldn't comprehend, even now.
Why would Jiang Ruan do this?
What was her purpose? Her relentless pursuit to destroy the Prime Minister's residence suggested deep-seated grievances. Yet, he had sent people to investigate before, and there was no trace of any prior conflict.
Would she act so ruthlessly without reason? Was that even possible?
Lost in his thoughts, Li An failed to notice that the prison guards in the dungeon had vanished without a trace.
By the time he sensed the eerie silence and his instincts warned him of danger, Li An abruptly opened his eyes to see two black-clad, masked figures emerging from the shadows.
He scanned the surroundings but found no sign of the guards. Li Dong and Li Yang, however, immediately spotted the two figures and exclaimed excitedly, "Heroes, are you here to rescue us?"
The two figures remained silent as they approached the cell door. Producing two keys from nowhere, they began unlocking the door without a word.
Li An watched their movements intently, suspicion flickering in his eyes. The only one who might attempt a rescue now was the Eighth Prince, Ye Li. But Ye Li, though outwardly gentle, was cold and calculating by nature. If something benefited him, he would treat it with utmost care; if not, it would be discarded without hesitation. The Prime Minister's residence was now accused of treason—the Emperor's most hated crime. Anyone associated with it would become the Emperor's enemy. Given Ye Li's temperament, he would sacrifice the pawns to save the king. Why would he send rescuers?
Before Li An could voice his doubts, Li Dong and Li Yang had already stood up, staring eagerly at the two figures. Once the cell door was open, one of the figures suddenly seized Li Dong and Li Yang, while the other flicked something into their mouths.
Li Yang and Li Dong froze in shock, and before they could react, the same was done to Li An, forcing him to swallow an unknown substance.
Li Dong sensed something amiss and glared at the figures. "What are you trying to do?"
One of them replied coldly, "Just something to keep you quiet."
Without another word, they struck the back of Li Dong and Li Yang's necks, knocking them unconscious instantly. Realizing the danger, Li An barely had time to react before a chill spread across his own neck, his mind going blank as he lost consciousness.
...
Qiling Road was a place often frequented by the poor in the capital.This place bordered the living quarters of the most destitute laborers, where lowly outcasts frequently came and went. These people were usually of the lowest status, penniless, making a meager living by selling their labor, their days filled with hardship.
Among such people, men often found it difficult to secure wives.
Thus, the brothels and male brothels along Qiling Road thrived the most.
The brothels, of course, were self-explanatory. The women sold into the brothels of Qiling Road were different from those in the pleasure houses of the capital. They had to receive clients nonstop all day, and the madams treated them with extreme harshness. On ordinary days, they were lucky to get a single meal. If they fell ill, they still had to work while sick. Those who couldn’t endure their illnesses were wrapped in a straw mat and dumped in the mass graves, their bodies often devoured entirely by wolves.
The male brothels on Qiling Road, however, were different from the brothels.
Among those lowly outcasts, there were occasionally one or two with unconventional tastes. Women’s bodies were too frail to withstand rough treatment, and the young men in the male brothels were unlike the delicate, fair-skinned youths kept by the nobility in the capital. Most came from impoverished families, unable to earn much even through hard labor, and thus sold themselves here. These young men were sturdy and robust—their looks mattered little. Yet even such hardy youths often ended up being tormented to death.
On this day, the male brothel on Qiling Road received another transaction. The madam took one look at the three men, her face lighting up at the first two but furrowing at the last. She tapped her stubby, lacquered fingers and batted her eyes at the man before her. “Sir, what’s the meaning of this? The first two are fine goods, no doubt, but this one… Are you mocking me?”
The person on the ground was disheveled. The first two appeared to be young men, their faces smooth and tender beneath their tousled hair—prime specimens in this male brothel, easily top-tier. But the one behind them looked to be a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with a bulging belly—truly… revolting.
Jin Yi ignored the madam’s coquettish gestures and pulled out a stack of banknotes from his robe. “Here’s the payment.”
At the sight of the money, the madam’s eyes crinkled with delight. “Since you trust me, sir, leave this one to me. Though he’s a bit old, his body’s well-maintained. As long as the price is right, someone will take him. After all, as long as they don’t look at his face, a few training sessions will make him serviceable.”
She spoke so casually of such distasteful matters that even Jin Yi felt uncomfortable. “All three must be properly trained. I’ll leave it to your expertise, madam.”
Having been in this business for years, the madam was no kind soul. She understood Jin Yi’s implication—likely some wealthy family settling a grudge. Her job was to take the money and do the work. Judging by the man’s bearing, he was no commoner. She smiled. “Do you doubt my methods, sir? Rest assured, I’ll have them ready for clients today.” She fluttered her handkerchief, nearly brushing Jin Yi’s face, and simpered, “Would you like to witness it yourself?”
Jin Yi suppressed a shudder. “No, thank you.”
…When Li An woke up, Li Yang and Li Dong were still unconscious. Li An had practiced martial arts before and had some foundation, so he tried to circulate his inner energy, only to find his entire body weak and devoid of strength.
He froze, narrowing his eyes as his vision gradually cleared. Looking around, he saw a small room filled with a strange fragrance—like the powder scent of a woman, yet mixed with something indescribable. The decorations were cheap yet gaudy. At the moment, he was sitting on a bed draped with peach-pink gauze curtains, resembling a lady’s boudoir, yet not quite.
No matter how clever Li An usually was, he couldn’t figure out where this place was. Seeing Li Yang and Li Dong lying unconscious beside him, his heart tightened—they had clearly been tricked.
Whoever dared to abduct them from the Heavenly Prison must have been confident. But what exactly was their intention?
Just as he was thinking this, the door creaked open, and someone walked in gracefully.
The footsteps approached slowly, the fiery-red hem of a skirt swaying. Following the vibrant fabric upward, he saw a slender figure, an enchanting face, a gentle smile—but eyes as cold as knives.
"Miss Jiang, it really is you," Li An sneered.
He had already sensed it, but when he saw Jiang Ruan, he couldn’t quite describe the emotions in his heart—anger, resentment, humiliation at being outmatched?
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "The Second Young Master is indeed extraordinary. The Eldest Young Master and the Prime Minister are still unconscious, yet you’ve already woken up." She paused. "But waking up now might not be a good thing."
"What do you want?" Li An asked.
Jiang Ruan replied, "Second Young Master, don’t you want to know where this is?"
Li An stared at her darkly as Jiang Ruan explained softly, "This is a male brothel—but not an ordinary one. The men here cater to the lowest laborers, those who toil for a living."
Li An’s expression, initially disdainful, twisted violently upon hearing her words, his body stiffening.
"What do you mean by this?" he finally gritted out between clenched teeth.
"The Prime Minister has spent his life wielding power, treating lives like ants—countless commoners have died by his hand. How many young men and women has your Prime Minister’s estate abducted and killed? The Eldest and Second Young Masters are no different. If one day, you were forced to struggle and cry beneath those so-called ‘lowly commoners,’ I wonder how that would feel?"
Li An glared at her, his gaze no longer calm. He wanted to shout in fury, but the drug left him weak, unable to raise his voice. "You bitch!" he spat.
Such methods—how could a woman from a noble household even conceive of them? He wasn’t afraid of death or torture, but the thought of being defiled by commoners made his skin crawl. He wanted to vomit!
Jiang Ruan watched him with amusement, smiling. "So the Second Young Master Li can also feel fear. I thought nothing in this world could faze you. How is it that you keep losing to me?"Her words struck at the heart, and she didn’t stop there. With a smile, she continued, "I suppose Second Young Master Li has always wanted to be first in everything. But now that the Prime Minister’s residence has fallen, you’ll never taste that victory again. So, I thought I’d lend you a hand." Her laughter was utterly carefree. "You and your father and brother are all quite handsome. Starting today, the three of you will entertain clients together. I wonder if Second Young Master can still claim the top spot?"
Li An’s eyes burned with fury. He had faced countless opponents in his life and crushed them effortlessly. But never had he encountered someone like Jiang Ruan—every move she made felt meticulously calculated, terrifyingly precise. In the end, she had even pinpointed his true weakness. Death was not the worst fate; what was unbearable was living a life worse than death, with no end in sight.
Panic surged within him as he desperately sought a way to escape. But when he met the young woman’s mocking gaze, despair took root.
There was no escape. The girl before him was no human—she was a devil, a poppy flower blooming from the depths of hell. Beautiful and alluring, yet the moment one drew near, her bloodstained vines would coil around them, dragging them down into damnation.
She did not strike often, but when she did, she left no chance for recovery.
Slowly, Li An raised his head to meet her gaze. "Why are you targeting the Prime Minister’s residence?"
Jiang Ruan watched him silently, her expression unreadable. The warmth and charm in her upturned, enchanting eyes vanished abruptly, replaced for the first time by undisguised hatred. It was like a monstrous wave rising from a tranquil sea—nothing but a churning darkness, a black tide laced with blood-soaked vengeance. A grudge so deep, it defied reconciliation.
Under the weight of that gaze, Li An felt a chill crawl down his spine. Suddenly, he realized that opposing this girl was the most foolish decision he had ever made.
Jiang Ruan stood poised in the room, her stunningly beautiful face icy and ruthless, radiating a fear that struck deep into the heart. Her hands were tucked into her sleeves, her posture gentle and refined—yet it felt like the stance of a reaper.
With a soft sigh, she said, "Perhaps because, in a past life, the Prime Minister’s residence owed me a debt of blood."
Li An froze. Her words made no sense, yet an absurd conviction told him she spoke the truth. He stared at her, unmoving, before suddenly letting out a bitter laugh. "I lost. Fair and square."
"Wrong." Jiang Ruan’s smile remained sweet and gentle. "I never competed with Second Young Master Li. I only wanted to destroy the Prime Minister’s residence—and you failed to protect it."
Her voice was calm. "All one hundred and three members of the Prime Minister’s household were executed at the Meridian Gate yesterday. The Emperor was furious—their entire clan was purged."
One hundred and three lives for one hundred and three lives. A debt from a past life, repaid in full.
...
In the dimly lit room, a few lanterns cast a faint glow. The garish pink lanterns were made of cheap fabric, and the incense burning in the chamber emitted a nauseating fragrance. The smoky scent coiled in the air, and with every breath, it stirred a stifling heat in the chest—an unbearable itch, as if claws were scraping beneath the skin.The door was kicked open with a loud bang, and three burly middle-aged men strode in. Their skin was dark, their clothes filthy—clearly laborers who sold their strength. As soon as they entered, their gazes locked onto the three figures in the room.
Two young men lay slumped on the bed, their fair skin and delicate features strikingly handsome under the dim lamplight. Though slender, their smooth, tender flesh was unmistakable. The leader’s eyes gleamed as he exclaimed, "Liu Sanniang wasn’t lying when she said there were some fine goods today." With that, he strode forward, first running a hand over Li Yang’s face before glancing at the other man and frowning. "What’s wrong with this one? Is Liu Sanniang playing us for fools?"
Li Dong’s face was deathly pale, his heart a storm of fury and terror. Having spent his life indulging in the exploitation of young boys, he knew exactly what kind of place this was. Yet never could he have imagined that he, of all people, would end up here—helpless, at the mercy of others. The very thought was unbearable!
Despite his rage, his body remained limp and unresponsive, his voice weak when he tried to speak. Another of the men chuckled, his expression lecherous. "Who cares? Once the lights are out, it’s all the same. He’s a bit old, but the skin’s still tender. We paid Liu Sanniang a hefty string of coins tonight—might as well get our money’s worth."
Li Yang stared at the men in horror. The leader narrowed his eyes, then slid a hand beneath his clothes. The room was thick with the scent of aphrodisiac incense, and the man, already burning with desire, found Li Yang’s delicate features—tinged with fear—utterly irresistible. Without another word, he began tearing at Li Yang’s garments.
Li Dong shut his eyes in agony. Though Li Yang had always been a libertine, he was still his own flesh and blood. Now, right before his eyes, his son was about to be defiled by these lowborn wretches.
The other two men, eager for their turn, approached Li An. Unable to move, Li An could only glare at them with venomous hatred. His gaze was so unnerving that the two hesitated for a moment before reacting with furious humiliation. One of them struck Li An hard across the face, sending him staggering. The other wasted no time in ripping off his clothes, only to pause in surprise before bursting into laughter. "A natural eunuch!" he jeered, grabbing Li An by the hair. "If you were born to be beneath others, we might as well teach you what that really means."
A bright red handprint bloomed on Li An’s pale cheek, his furious glare only fueling their cruelty. His face flushed deeper—Liu Sanniang had dosed all three of them with the strongest aphrodisiac available, ensuring their bodies would crave release regardless of their will. Even as he seethed with hatred, his body betrayed him, responding against his control. The two men exchanged a glance, then pounced without further delay. The room soon filled with muffled groans and suggestive cries.
Time blurred. By the end, Li An and Li Yang were barely recognizable, brutalized beyond endurance by the three men’s relentless strength. They lay sprawled on the floor, barely breathing. The men exchanged another look before turning their attention to Li Dong, trembling on the bed. With a wave, the lamp was extinguished, and they descended upon him.Outside the house, Jiang Ruan stood quietly by the door, listening to the sounds of agony with an utterly indifferent expression.
Yet what rose in her mind were the frightened, youthful eyes from her past life and the grotesquely laughing face of Li Dong. She had watched helplessly as Pei Er, whom she regarded as her own son, was tormented to death—unable to speak, unable to move, forced to witness it all without recourse. Sworn in blood and tears, in this life, she would make Li Dong taste the same suffering!
She had thought that after so long, at this moment, her heart would only feel relief. She believed she had concealed love and hatred so well that they wouldn't easily surge from the depths of her heart. But now, listening to the screams of Li Dong and his two sons, she realized that hatred had been lurking all along—and it was far from enough!
Far from enough. The Prime Minister's residence had fallen. Who would be next?
Not far behind her, Xiao Shao watched her back. When he heard her decision to send Li Dong and his sons to the male brothel, he too felt a flicker of surprise. Now, seeing her icy expression and the dark storm brewing in her ink-black eyes, he wondered what thoughts were churning within her. Though she tried hard to suppress it, her clenched fists betrayed her fury.
Only hatred could drive someone to this.
After a long while, Jiang Ruan slowly turned around. Seeing him still there, she was momentarily startled but quickly regained her composure. She stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Prince Xiao."
Xiao Shao's expression softened as he looked at her. "No need. I owe you my life. It's only right that I help you."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Then I must ask Prince Xiao to send someone to keep a close watch on that brothel—to ensure the Prime Minister's family is 'well taken care of.'"
Xiao Shao found it hard to believe. How could a sheltered young lady know so much about such matters, even being aware of the male brothels in Qiling Lane? Who would teach a noble daughter these things? And even if she knew, how could she stand so unflinchingly at the entrance, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, her demeanor so unapologetically bold that it was astonishing.
He nodded. "Very well." After a pause, he took something from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Ruan.
It was an exquisitely beautiful bracelet, emitting a faint blue glow. Intricate yet elegant patterns were carved into its surface, giving it an air of mystery. The bracelet looked strikingly familiar. Jiang Ruan froze at the sight of it. "The Blood Moon Bracelet?"
She had once visited a newly opened jewelry shop in the capital with Zhao Jin. On the second floor, where weapons and treasures were displayed, she had admired this very bracelet—only she hadn't had enough silver to buy it. The bracelet wasn't just beautiful; it was a cleverly concealed hidden weapon. Pressing a mechanism would release silver poison needles, which could be reused. It was truly a rare treasure.
She looked up at Xiao Shao. His dark eyes were cool and unfathomable as he said, "If you're ever in danger, you can use it."
Jiang Ruan hesitated. The Blood Moon Bracelet was indeed a priceless treasure—exactly what she needed. But Xiao Shao had only just declared his allegiance to her. Could he be trusted?
Yet her fondness for the bracelet momentarily outweighed her doubts. She accepted it and smiled at him. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Xiao Shao's lips curved slightly. He turned and walked alongside her, then reminded her, "Jiang Chao has already been released."
Jiang Ruan pondered briefly. "I know." She had never expected to defeat Jiang Chao in a single strike. Without concrete evidence, he would only be met with suspicion at most. Xia Yan would undoubtedly pull every string to free him from prison. But Jiang Chao wouldn't escape unscathed—if nothing else, his reputation was ruined beyond repair.
Who would ever look favorably upon someone who had been imprisoned?
As for Xia Yan, the price she paid might not be so simple either. In any case, both of them had suffered heavy losses this time. The thought brought Jiang Ruan a faint sense of satisfaction.So be it, one by one. Debts must be repaid, and lives must be atoned for—this is only natural.
...
In the Yanhua Courtyard of the Jiang residence, Xia Yan trembled as she looked at Jiang Chao before her.
Jiang Chao's face was deathly pale, as if gripped by extreme terror. His cheeks were deeply sunken, his eyes vacant, his hair matted with filth, and his entire body exuded a nauseating stench. After just a few short days in prison, he had become almost unrecognizable, a far cry from the elegant young master he once was.
The physician had already examined him and said that Jiang Chao's health was poor and that he had suffered severe shock, requiring careful and gradual recuperation at home. Though the physician's words were veiled, to Xia Yan, they struck like a thunderbolt.
Jiang Chao had been violated in prison!
She stared at him in disbelief. Jiang Chao was curled into a ball, huddled in a corner of the room, trembling uncontrollably and muttering, "No... no..."
Xia Yan could bear it no longer. She pulled him into her arms and wailed, "Chao'er!"
Jiang Chao frantically pushed her away, his eyes filled with terror as he bit her wildly. "Get away! Get away!"
Caught off guard, Xia Yan was bitten deeply on the hand, blood gushing out instantly. Lin Lang stood frozen in shock before rushing over to help. "Madam, are you alright?"
Xia Yan shoved Lin Lang aside and clung to Jiang Chao, weeping, "My Chao'er, open your eyes and look at me! It's me, your mother! Your mother!"
Her embrace was too tight for Jiang Chao to break free. Gradually, he calmed in her arms, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Mother?"
"Yes, it's me, your mother," Xia Yan sobbed, overwhelmed with grief. "Chao'er, who did this to you?"
Jiang Chao trembled violently, clutching Xia Yan's sleeve and repeating the same phrase over and over: "Mother, save me... save me, Mother, save me..."
His mind reeled with unbearable memories. Prison was no place for humans—its inmates were ruthless and depraved. The jailers, acting on someone's orders, had locked him in with those monsters. Their vile natures knew no bounds, and they had forced themselves upon him, regardless of gender. In just a few days, he had been reduced to a broken shell of a man.
At the thought, bile rose in Jiang Chao's throat. He retched violently, spewing vomit all over Xia Yan's face and hair. The maids in the room gasped in horror and rushed to assist. Xia Yan, dizzy and disoriented, ordered them to take Jiang Chao away first.
Only after much effort did they finally manage to soothe Jiang Chao to sleep. Xia Yan then changed her clothes, looking as though she had aged ten years overnight. Gone was her gentle, beautiful demeanor—now she merely pressed her hands to her temples like a weary middle-aged woman.
Lin Lang said worriedly, "Madam..."
"How dare they treat Chao'er like this?" The thought of Jiang Chao sent a pang through Xia Yan's heart. "I will make that bitch pay a thousand—no, ten thousand—times over."
She knew Li An was to blame, but since he was already imprisoned, she directed all her hatred toward Jiang Ruan. If not for her, Jiang Chao would never have suffered this fate!
"Madam, the silver has been arranged as requested. The account book in the treasury still needs to be altered," Lin Lang reminded her.Mentioning this matter made Xia Yan's chest tighten with frustration. After Jiang Chao's incident at the Hundred Flowers House, most of their silver had been spent, and even a significant portion of her own dowry had been depleted. Now, rescuing Jiang Chao from prison required greasing palms and pulling strings, costing another hefty sum. The remainder of her dowry was reserved for Jiang Susu's future marriage, and the household funds were running low. Thus, she turned her attention to Old Madam Jiang's dowry. As the daughter of nobility, Old Madam Jiang's dowry had been substantial, and since it would eventually pass to Jiang Quan anyway, Xia Yan hadn't previously considered touching it. But when Jiang Chao got into trouble and Jiang Quan, in his anger, refused to intervene, she had no choice but to seek Old Madam Jiang's help. To her surprise, the old madam refused without hesitation. Normally, she could have turned to Xia Cheng for assistance, but recent events had left him resentful toward the Jiang family. Left with no options, Xia Yan secretly sold off Old Madam Jiang's properties and land—assets that couldn't be moved—to raise the silver needed to free Jiang Chao.
Now that Jiang Chao was back, the accounts still needed to be settled. Xia Yan felt overwhelmed. Though she appeared detached from worldly affairs, she was actually sharp-witted. Yet, with everything piling up at once, even she was at a loss.
She shook her head and said to Lin Lang beside her, "Help me take a walk in the courtyard."
Lin Lang obeyed, but as soon as they reached the courtyard gate, they encountered Jiang Ruan and Lianqiao passing by. Jiang Ruan stopped upon seeing Xia Yan and curtsied. "Mother."
Xia Yan forced a smile and nodded, in no mood to play the role of a doting mother. Her eyes betrayed her resentment.
Jiang Ruan took a slight step back and smiled. "Mother, what is that smell on you? You should go back and freshen up. I’ll return to my courtyard now." With that, she left with Lianqiao.
Watching Jiang Ruan stroll away, Xia Yan thought of how Jiang Chao had vomited all over her, leaving her in a humiliating state. She gritted her teeth in fury.
Jiang Xin Zhi went straight to Jiang Ruan’s courtyard upon his return. Jiang Ruan was instructing Lianqiao and Zisu to replace items that had been dampened in recent days. When Jiang Xin Zhi entered, Lianqiao hurried to make tea, and Jiang Ruan sat across from him.
After a pause, Jiang Xin Zhi got straight to the point. "A Ruan, Li Dong and his two sons died in prison yesterday."
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"
"The jailers found them this morning—apparent suicides out of guilt. The Emperor was furious and ordered their bodies to be torn apart by horses." Jiang Xin Zhi’s voice was thick with anger. "This is what they call divine retribution. They wanted to marry you off, but they didn’t live to see it happen."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, her mind working. The "suicides" of Li Dong and his sons in prison were likely Xiao Shao’s doing. Though she didn’t know the specifics, even Jiang Xin Zhi hadn’t noticed anything amiss, meaning the plan must have been flawless.
Her quiet smile stirred something in Jiang Xin Zhi. Softening his voice, he said, "In a few days, the Emperor will host a palace banquet to reward officials for their flood control efforts. I’ll be attending, and as family, you’ll go too. When the time comes, your elder brother will secure a future for you."She understood exactly what he meant by those words. Jiang Xin Zhi wanted to use the merits he had earned to secure her a new status, or an opportunity to elevate her position, so that the Jiang family would no longer dare to bully her so easily. Jiang Xin Zhi continued, "The greater my achievements now, the more His Majesty values me. The western frontier is still unstable, and it's inevitable that I'll lead troops into battle again someday. If you have some form of protection, it would be for the best."
"Protection?" Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "What kind of protection does Brother have in mind? A title as a county princess? Brother mustn't forget that both thunderous wrath and gentle rain are signs of imperial favor. His Majesty values you now—that's your opportunity. But if you presume to guess the emperor's intentions or even make such demands, it might displease him. And as for a county princess title—I don't mean to belittle your efforts, but your merits aren't quite enough for that yet."
Jiang Xin Zhi fell silent. He knew Jiang Ruan was right. But wealth and honor meant nothing to him; all he wanted was for her to live well. Yet what kind of place was the Jiang residence? He had seen their true colors these past days, and the thought of what she had endured in the past chilled him to the bone. How could he leave her in such a dangerous place when he went off to war?
Jiang Ruan looked at him and smiled. "If not a county princess title, there is another way to protect me."
"What is it?" Jiang Xin Zhi pressed.
"It's simple. Arrange an engagement for me with someone of great influence. Once betrothed, I would only be half a Jiang. If that family's power is substantial, no one here would dare to trouble me."
The moment he heard this, Jiang Xin Zhi rejected the idea without hesitation. "No, you're still so young. How can we hastily arrange an engagement for you?" Seeing her composed and unembarrassed demeanor, he became even more convinced that she didn't truly understand what an engagement entailed. "Besides, the Jiang family is on good terms with the Xia family, and the Xia family is close to the Eighth Prince. It wouldn't be easy to find someone who could rival the Eighth Prince." As he spoke, a thought seemed to strike him, and he froze, remaining silent for a long while.
Jiang Ruan called out to him, "Brother?"
Jiang Xin Zhi snapped out of his daze and gave her a strange look. "A Ruan, what do you think of Xiao Shao?"
Jiang Ruan: "..."
He was actually seriously considering this. She glared at him, then sighed softly after a moment. "Brother, have you forgotten? I said I don't want to marry." Before he could respond, she added, "Besides, the world is ever-changing. A husband's family might turn into man-eating wolves. Have you forgotten about Mother?"
How innocent Zhao Mei had been, yet her youth and flower-like life had been wasted in the Jiang residence—wasn't it all because of Jiang Quan's heartlessness?
And in her past life, hadn't she ended up in unbearable suffering, with her family slaughtered to the last, all because Ye Li had deceived her with a gentle mask?
Human hearts were, after all, the most unreliable things in this world.
The profound coldness in Jiang Ruan's eyes stunned Jiang Xin Zhi slightly. He reached out and patted her head. "You're still just a little girl. Why do you speak like such an old soul?" He said, "As long as your big brother is here, I won't let you suffer.""Big brother, you don't need to worry about me. I have a way to achieve your wish during this palace banquet. But you must also promise me one thing—don't gamble your future for my happiness. For A Ruan, the higher you climb, the safer you'll be, and the more at ease I'll feel."
Jiang Xin Zhi looked at her and nodded: "Alright, I promise you."
...
At the Eighth Prince's residence in the capital, Ye Li's expression was agitated. His usually gentle and affectionate eyes now burned with fury. Li Dong and his two companions had actually committed suicide in prison out of guilt—such an act was utterly unlike Li Dong's character. But now, every move he made was under close scrutiny. With this incident at the Prime Minister's residence, the Imperial Censors were watching him like hawks, eager for him to make any misstep. The men he had sent out had failed to uncover any useful information. The thought of losing such a valuable chess piece for no reason filled Ye Li with frustration.
Although he had already planned to abandon the Prime Minister's residence, this was not the right time. In his hands, every last bit of value had to be squeezed out. Even if the Prime Minister's residence was to be destroyed, it had to be done in a way that paved the way for his own advancement. Yet now, Li Dong and the others had died inexplicably in prison, leaving no evidence. The suspicions against him would become a thorn deeply embedded in the Emperor's heart, impossible to remove.
How could he not be furious!
A subordinate approached and reported: "Your Highness, we've investigated. That day, Young Master Li had originally intended to deal with the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Somehow, government troops were alerted, and even the Crimson Thunder Army was completely dismantled."
Jiang Ruan—again, Jiang Ruan! Ye Li abruptly stood up, then sat back down, his chest tight with frustration. Li An had thought he could conceal the true strength of the Crimson Thunder Army, but everything had been under Ye Li's control. He had planned to take command of the Crimson Thunder Army at the right moment, but now, in a sudden turn of events, it had become a liability, and he could only watch helplessly as the troops were seized by the authorities.
Recalling how multiple Crimson Thunder Army bases had been raided that day, he couldn't help but suspect that the government troops had been from the Zhao and Guan families. The Guan family aside, the Zhao family's involvement was far too coincidental. Now, hearing his subordinate say that Li An had originally targeted Jiang Ruan, he began to understand.
If Jiang Ruan was truly behind all this, then she was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
He remembered a conversation with Li An before his arrest. Li An had once said: "The eldest daughter of the Jiang family is no ordinary mind. If given the chance, Your Highness should consider recruiting her. If that fails, she must be eliminated—otherwise, she will become a grave threat in the future."
At the time, Ye Li had scoffed at the idea. But now, his expression darkened. What had Li An been hinting at? And if Li An had truly fallen because of Jiang Ruan, then he would have to reassess this eldest daughter of the Jiang family very carefully.
(End of Chapter)
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