In contrast, the palace maid couldn't help but show a flicker of surprise when observing Jiang Ruan. While many daughters from noble families were well-versed in etiquette, few could perform it so flawlessly. Her walking posture—eyes fixed straight ahead, taking delicate steps with her chin slightly raised—exuded humility without servility, nobility without arrogance. It was perfectly balanced. Her steps were steady, and her eyes showed none of the nervousness or curiosity typical of first-time visitors to the palace. All emotions were concealed within those beautiful, alluring eyes, making them impossible to read.
Her manners didn't resemble those of an official's daughter but rather a beauty who had lived in the depths of the palace for years, every movement exuding familiarity and precision, without the slightest misstep.
Naturally, the maid didn't know that in her previous life, Jiang Ruan had entered the palace only to be ostracized by other beauties due to her striking looks. They constantly used palace rules to trip her up—whether it was violating some obscure regulation or offending some unspoken taboo. Unwilling to bring trouble to the Jiang family, she had painstakingly copied down thousands of stringent palace rules word by word, studying them daily until she could follow them flawlessly. Even those who sought to use her as a scapegoat couldn't find the slightest fault in her conduct.
What had been a desperate measure in her past life had unexpectedly found use in this one. A cold smile flickered in her heart.
As they walked, some discerning noblewomen began to notice the difference. Among the Jiang family's young ladies—setting aside the two illegitimate daughters for now—the eldest and second young miss each had their own charms in appearance. But when it came to grace and etiquette, the eldest clearly outshone the second. Though the second young miss made no mistakes, her movements appeared stiff and inexperienced, lacking Jiang Ruan's natural ease and poise.
As they rounded a palace wall, they encountered another group of noblewomen led by palace maids. Before they could clearly see who it was, a bright, enthusiastic voice called out, "Ruan Meimei!"
Jiang Ruan looked up to see Dong Yinger, dressed exquisitely today in a way that accentuated her lively and cheerful personality. After exchanging greetings with Xia Yan and paying respects to the wife of the Capital Magistrate, Dong Yinger linked arms with Jiang Ruan and pulled her aside, whispering as they walked.
Noticing Jiang Ruan's attire, Dong Yinger remarked, "I always knew you were beautiful, but I didn’t expect you to dress like this today—it’s quite striking."
Jiang Ruan smiled. "Sister Dong is the truly beautiful one."
As young girls often do, Dong Yinger blushed faintly at the compliment. Suddenly remembering something, she leaned closer to Jiang Ruan's ear and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Did you know? Noble Consort Chen is planning to select a fiancée for the Eighth Prince today."
Jiang Ruan froze momentarily. In her past life, this had never happened. Her expression tightened briefly before she forced a smile. "What do you mean? Why would the Eighth Prince suddenly need a fiancée?"
"It's said to be Noble Consort Chen's idea," Dong Yinger whispered even softer. "Think about it—the Eighth Prince is now of marriageable age, yet he doesn’t even have a bedroom maid." Her cheeks reddened slightly, but she pressed on. "Noble Consort Chen is anxious. With so many noble young ladies attending tonight’s banquet, she intends to personally choose a match for him. His Majesty has already granted permission."
Jiang Ruan studied her. "How did you come to know this, Sister Dong?""Our household has a maid whose elder sister serves in the palace. She came home to visit yesterday and revealed this. It's no longer a secret now—all the servants in the Dream Reflection Hall know about it." Dong Yinger stamped her foot. "My mother insisted I dress like this today, saying it would be wonderful if I became the Eighth Prince's consort by entering the palace. But I don't want to marry the Eighth Prince at all. I only wish to spend my life with someone I truly love." Dong Yinger pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "However, with so many noble ladies in the palace tonight, the Eighth Prince won't take notice of me anyway. Ruan Meimei, you've always been clever. Quickly think—who might catch Noble Consort Chen's eye tonight and become the Eighth Prince's consort?"
Seeing Jiang Ruan remain motionless, she nudged her arm. When Jiang Ruan turned her head, Dong Yinger was startled by the depth in her eyes. Jiang Ruan's beautiful gaze was dark and unfathomable, like a vortex that could pull one into its depths. The swirling darkness was overwhelming, exuding an icy indifference that sent chills down one's spine.
She called out, "Ruan Meimei?"
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "I don't know either." The earlier gloom vanished in an instant, as if it had been nothing more than Dong Yinger's imagination. Hidden within her sleeves, Jiang Ruan's fingers slowly dug into her palms.
So this was their scheme. So this was Ye Li's intention.
A cold smile curled at the corners of her lips. But tonight, whether it was the alignment of the heavens, the advantage of terrain, the harmony of people, or even her own will—Noble Consort Chen and Ye Li's plans were destined to fail. In her past life, she had mistaken wolves for kin, devoting herself wholeheartedly to them, only to meet such a tragic end and drag down those around her. How pitiful was that?
In this life, she would not repeat the mistakes of her past. Marry Ye Li? She would sooner wed some stray cat or dog than be tied to that man again.
The Jade Peace Hall was already filled with noble ladies and their mothers, nearly all of them relatives of high-ranking officials bearing Imperial Mandates. Many palace nobles were also in attendance, and the hall buzzed with quiet conversation—neither too reserved nor too unrestrained.
On the raised dais, the Empress sat at the center, while the four consorts smiled and took their seats below in order of rank. They occasionally exchanged pleasantries with the ladies below, appearing warm and amiable.
When the announcing eunuch's voice rang out—"The wife of Lord Jiang has arrived!"—all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Lord Jiang Quan, the Minister of War, had been the talk of the capital recently—not for any other reason, but because his eldest son, newly returned to the capital, was the youngest and fastest-rising deputy general in the Da Jin Dynasty. Moreover, since his return, he had repeatedly distinguished himself in service. It was said the Emperor held him in high regard, and his future appeared bright and unimpeded. The noble ladies present had all heard their husbands mention him once or twice, and many of the young ladies were of marriageable age. Some with ambitions in mind hoped to forge ties with the Jiang family. Thus, upon hearing of the Jiang family's arrival, their gazes naturally turned toward the entrance.
Xia Yan and the others truly believed the noble ladies were looking at them, so they straightened their backs even further, their smiles gentle and dignified as they walked forward with impeccable grace.The crowd observed silently. Xia Yan and Jiang Susu both appeared gentle and elegant, Jiang Li was spirited yet somewhat frivolous, while Jiang Dan seemed timid and unfit for grand occasions. In contrast, Jiang Ruan, walking behind Xia Yan, moved at a leisurely pace with a smile on her lips—bright and charming, yet every gesture exuded the composed serenity unique to those from the palace.
At this sight, the onlookers were reminded once more that Xia Yan was not Jiang Xin Zhi’s birth mother, whereas Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi were full siblings. If Jiang Xin Zhi were to rise in rank and fortune, Jiang Ruan would naturally benefit as well. Observing her poised demeanor, showing no trace of nervousness even in such a grand palace banquet, she hardly seemed like someone raised in a remote countryside estate. Some noblewomen began entertaining other thoughts, considering whether to secure this eldest daughter of the Jiang family for their own households early on.
Xia Yan and her group stepped forward to pay respects to the Empress and the noble consorts. The Empress, though past forty, was well-preserved and showed little sign of aging. Despite her high status, she carried no air of superiority—perhaps due to her lack of favor with the Emperor, having only his respect and her son, the Crown Prince. At first glance, she appeared no different from an ordinary noblewoman. With a warm and kindly expression, she gestured for Xia Yan and the others to rise.
Xian Fei (Consort Xian) was slightly younger, appearing sweet and innocent, with a naive charm that seemed untouched by worldly affairs—unsurprising, given that her son, the Fourth Prince Ye Lang, was rather mediocre. De Fei (Consort De), older and seated with dignified grace, lived up to her title of "Virtue." Her son, the Fifth Prince Ye Hua, was also highly regarded in court for his loyalty, filial piety, courage, and integrity—at the very least, a man of virtue.
Shu Fei (Consort Shu) was strikingly beautiful and coquettish. If Chen Guifei (Noble Consort Chen) was the misty drizzle of Jiangnan, then Shu Fei was a vibrant splash of color from the exotic grasslands. Her temperament was equally capricious and fiery, and her daughter, Princess Heyi, had inherited both her beauty and her domineering nature.
Yet the gentlest and most beautiful among them, seated beside the Empress, was Chen Guifei. While the Empress and the other consorts bore the dignified bearing of palace nobility, Chen Guifei seemed like an ordinary maiden from Jiangnan, untouched by artifice. Her presence felt incongruous in the palace, as if she had brought the misty rains of the south with her.
Jiang Ruan smiled as she bowed, but her heart seemed to freeze in that moment. These were all familiar faces from her past life, though she had been too insignificant to meet them often. Chen Guifei, however, was an exception.
Unlike the other consorts who mocked and belittled her, Chen Guifei had frequently summoned her to Dream Reflection Hall for conversation. Gentle in nature and the birth mother of Ye Li, Jiang Ruan had once regarded her as a dear friend, an elder sister, even a mother—a trusted kin in the cold, unforgiving palace.
Yet the schemes Chen Guifei had orchestrated behind the scenes had ultimately made everything feel like a cruel joke. She was a venomous serpent hidden beneath tenderness, her kindness a lethal trap. She and Ye Li were cut from the same cloth—utterly cold-hearted, exploiting others without remorse before discarding and destroying them.
Chen Guifei studied Xia Yan and the others before suddenly speaking. "You must be the eldest Miss Jiang. Come closer and let me have a look at you."The Empress was taken aback and gave Jiang Ruan a thoughtful glance. Jiang Li shot Jiang Ruan an unwilling look, her eyes brimming with unconcealed jealousy, while Jiang Dan kept her head lowered, not daring to look up. Jiang Susu's face stiffened slightly, as if she couldn't believe what was happening. Jiang Ruan slowly raised her head, and in that instant, the faint smile at the corners of her lips vanished, replaced by a composed and slightly aloof expression.
Noble Consort Chen examined her carefully, seemingly oblivious to her indifferent demeanor, and smiled. "What a lovely child indeed."
The surrounding noblewomen began whispering among themselves at this scene. Dong Yinger, seated at the side, grew uneasy, recalling her mother's earlier words about Noble Consort Chen's intention to select a consort for the Eighth Prince. She couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan replied coolly, "Your praise is undeserved, Your Highness. I dare not accept it."
Her tone was neither warm nor even minimally deferential, carrying only a faint sense of resistance. This subtle defiance did not escape Noble Consort Chen's notice, causing her to pause briefly. After a moment, her smile grew even more affectionate. "Might I ask, Madam Jiang, if the eldest young lady is betrothed?"
Xia Yan stiffened, a surge of inexplicable anger rising in her heart. Jiang Ruan—again, it was Jiang Ruan! Noble Consort Chen was currently the Emperor's most favored consort in the palace, yet the first Jiang daughter she inquired about was Jiang Ruan, not Jiang Susu. Were all these people blind? Jiang Ruan had the face of a seductress, clearly someone who would bring nothing but trouble.
Yet, despite the storm of thoughts raging within her, not a trace of it showed on her face. She answered humbly, "Your Highness, Ruan-niang is only twelve this year and has yet to be betrothed."
"Ah, that's good then." Noble Consort Chen's beautiful face brightened with an even more sincere smile. Her flawless, porcelain-like features seemed veiled in a faint mist, making her emotions impossible to discern. Then she dropped a bombshell: "Such a delightful child should not be carelessly matched in marriage. I find myself quite taken with the eldest Jiang young lady—I truly wish to personally arrange a marriage for her."
The boldness of her words caused the surrounding noblewomen to exchange looks of astonishment and understanding. Consort Xian watched Jiang Ruan with keen interest, while Consort De remained expressionless. The Empress smiled without comment, but Consort Shu couldn't resist speaking up. "Sister Chen, what are you saying? Marriage should ultimately be based on the young lady's own preferences. Could it be that Sister Chen, in her advancing years, has taken a liking to playing matchmaker?"
Consort Shu and Noble Consort Chen had never gotten along. Consort Shu despised Noble Consort Chen's demure, otherworldly demeanor, but more importantly, she envied her for having a son as exceptionally talented as Ye Li. The child she had borne was only a daughter, meaning no matter how favored she was, she would never have a son who could become the Crown Prince. Though the Fifth Prince was also highly regarded, Consort De was not particularly favored and kept an extremely low profile. In comparison, Noble Consort Chen was the one Consort Shu detested the most. Whenever Noble Consort Chen spoke, Consort Shu would invariably find a way to contradict her.
Yet, upon hearing Consort Shu's words, Noble Consort Chen showed no anger. She merely gazed at Jiang Ruan with a silent smile. Her features were naturally gentle, and when she smiled at someone with such tenderness, one might easily mistake it for genuine affection.Jiang Ruan lowered her gaze slightly, avoiding direct eye contact with Noble Consort Chen. To outsiders, she appeared shy, but no one knew the surging hatred in her heart at this moment. In those brief moments, like a duel between masters, the ladies and young misses present saw nothing amiss. Only Jiang Ruan herself knew what she was truly thinking. Noble Consort Chen's gaze was anything but gentle—it was that of a venomous snake eyeing its prey, already seeing her as a possession in its grasp.
But even a venomous snake—she had ways to deal with it.
Noble Consort Chen's "special favor" toward Jiang Ruan left Xia Yan stifled with frustration. Her subsequent responses became somewhat perfunctory, revealing traces of unwillingness. Under normal circumstances, this might have gone unnoticed. But after the incident where Master Huijue had spoken of Jiang Ruan being the "Star of calamity and solitude," everyone had begun to doubt the virtuous and magnanimous facade Xia Yan had previously maintained. Now, witnessing her behavior, they became even more convinced that the Minister's wife was actually sweet-faced but bitter-hearted. Otherwise, why would she appear so displeased when Noble Consort Chen took such an interest in Jiang Ruan?
After Noble Consort Chen asked a few more questions, the Empress motioned for Jiang Ruan to withdraw. As soon as Jiang Ruan took her seat beside Xia Yan, Dong Yinger rose and came to sit beside her, whispering, "I was so worried for you just now. Are you alright?" Then, with a hint of admiration, she added, "Meimei Ruan, you’re truly bold. You spoke with Noble Consort without a trace of nervousness. If it were me, I’d have been too frightened to utter a word."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "There’s nothing to fear. I’ve done nothing wrong—why would I be punished?"
Dong Yinger hesitated before saying, "But... Noble Consort seems to like you very much. Could she be considering you for the Eighth Prince?" Realizing she might have overstepped, Dong Yinger glanced uneasily at Jiang Ruan. Seeing her expression unchanged, she relaxed slightly and continued, "Noble Consort rarely shows such interest in anyone. Yet today, she kept you talking for so long. Don’t blame me for overthinking, but I suspect all the ladies present share the same thought. If it really comes to that... what will you do?"
"Comes to what?" Jiang Ruan countered. "It won’t happen." Her tone, usually gentle, carried a faint chill that made Dong Yinger’s heart skip a beat. Assuming Jiang Ruan was upset at the prospect of marrying the Eighth Prince, Dong Yinger quickly reassured her, "Don’t worry too much. I was just speculating. Perhaps Noble Consort simply likes you. You’re still so young—even if it were true, there’s no hurry."
The reassurance sounded feeble even to Dong Yinger herself, and she felt a pang of guilt. Yet Jiang Ruan showed no particular emotion throughout, as if she were merely an indifferent observer of someone else’s affairs.
A short while later, seeing that the time was right, the Empress rose and invited all the ladies to proceed to the Main Hall for the palace banquet.
In the Main Hall, the Emperor and the male guests were already seated. Due to the recent flood relief efforts, the national treasury was strained, so the banquet was kept simple and frugal, a stark contrast to the usual lavish displays. Even the dishes and pastries served were modest.
The ladies took their seats in the women’s section. The Emperor and Empress sat on the elevated dais, accompanied by the current Empress Dowager—Empress Dowager Yide.Empress Dowager Yide was now in her sixties, with strands of silver beginning to fleck her temples. She wore a brocade robe of turquoise and gold inlaid with jade, adorned with auspicious cloud patterns. Even now, traces of her former beauty could still be glimpsed in her features. In her youth, she had been renowned as the most beautiful woman of the Da Jin Dynasty. Her striking features carried a hint of boldness. In her prime, she had borne two sons and a daughter with the late Emperor. During the struggle for the throne among the eight princes, she quelled the rebel forces and secured the Emperor's ascension to the throne, sacrificing her eldest son in the process. She even sent her daughter, Princess Yuan Rong, to marry into another kingdom to secure military aid for the Da Jin Dynasty, ensuring the new Emperor's rise to power. It could be said that without Empress Dowager Yide, there would be no Da Jin Dynasty as it stood today—nor would there be an Emperor. She was a woman of decisive action, even to the point of appearing somewhat ruthless.
Her gaze swept coolly over the assembled crowd, the ruby guards on her fingers gleaming sharply. But when her eyes fell upon one particular figure among the ladies' seats, the Empress Dowager stiffened involuntarily, straightening slightly as she focused on that person.
It was a girl who still carried an air of youthful innocence. Seated in the lower ranks, her face was not clearly visible—only the dark crown of her hair could be seen. Her hair was styled in a simple single-coil bun, adorned with a vividly colored Rose Hairpin. She wore a peach-pink dress, simple yet vibrant, standing out among the meticulously adorned noble ladies with a fresh and charming grace.
Though the distance was great, the girl seemed to sense the Empress Dowager's gaze and suddenly looked up. When their eyes met, she did not panic. After a brief moment of surprise, she returned the Empress Dowager's gaze with a smile—one that was pure and clear, yet carried a maturity beyond her years.
It was as if she overlapped with someone else in the Empress Dowager's memories.
With great effort, the Empress Dowager suppressed the urge to rise and approach the girl. After smiling, the girl turned back to converse with the ladies around her, seemingly oblivious to the attention. Yet the Empress Dowager remained motionless in her seat, lost in thought.
Jiang Ruan, chatting with Dong Yinger, allowed a faint smile to curl at the corners of her lips. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the Empress Dowager sitting rigidly in her seat, still feeling the weight of her gaze upon her.
Jiang Ruan lifted her teacup and took a small sip. It seemed her initial objective had been achieved. To accomplish this simple goal—this seemingly effortless gesture—she had spent countless nights practicing in front of a mirror.
The men's seating area had likely already received their rewards. Jiang Xin Zhi's eyes sparkled with laughter, suggesting a generous reward. Jiang Quan, however, did not look pleased. The men and women were seated separately, and Gu Yi had not seen Jiang Ruan since their last encounter. Now, watching her seated among the ladies, growing ever more radiant with time, his gaze burned with intensity.
Ye Li wore his usual gentle smile, seemingly no different from usual. Yet his left hand unconsciously rubbed against itself—a habit he often displayed when agitated. Clearly, despite his efforts to appear unruffled, the incident at the Prime Minister's residence still weighed heavily on him.
Xiao Shao sat beside Guan Lianghan. Today, he wore a black brocade robe of Cleansing Flowers, the collar embroidered with intricate Bat Patterns, accentuating his cold, aloof demeanor. His peerless beauty drew many covert glances from the young ladies in attendance.Before long, another beautiful young girl arrived from outside the arena. She appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed in a feathered blue gown embroidered with floral patterns, a silver-red trailing skirt, and draped in a sheer Ten Pattern Brocade shawl. Though her attire was already exceedingly lavish, it did not seem excessive on her; instead, it enhanced her striking beauty. Her features were pronounced, carrying an exotic charm. She stepped forward with a smile and greeted, "Imperial Father."
"Hé Yí, why are you so late?" the Emperor chided, though his tone was affectionate. Princess Heyi was dearly favored by the Emperor.
"Your daughter spent too much time choosing an outfit—I couldn’t embarrass you, Imperial Father," Princess Heyi replied with a playful blink. The Emperor laughed heartily. Her gaze swept across the seats of the male attendees, and when it landed on Xiao Shao, her heart skipped a beat. Yet, though the flower may yearn for the stream, the stream remains indifferent—Xiao Shao did not spare her a single glance. A flicker of disappointment flashed in Princess Heyi's eyes.
Dong Yinger nudged Jiang Ruan's arm: "Ruan Meimei, is it true that Princess Heyi likes Prince Xiao?" Dong Yinger had always been fond of gossip. Now that there was an interesting topic at hand, she naturally wouldn't let it pass.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. In her past life, Princess Heyi's obsessive love for Xiao Shao was already an open secret, known by almost everyone in the Da Jin Dynasty. Princess Heyi had even sworn she would never marry anyone but Xiao Shao, going so far as to ask Consort Shu to persuade the Emperor to arrange a marriage. However, when forced to choose between his beloved Princess Heyi and Xiao Shao, the Emperor surprisingly sided with Xiao Shao, first seeking his opinion. Xiao Shao, who kept women at arm's length, naturally refused. Upon hearing of Xiao Shao's rejection, Princess Heyi threatened suicide daily and even personally went to the Brocade Hero King Manor demanding an explanation, but the other party remained as immovable as a boulder. In the end, Princess Heyi never achieved any result with Xiao Shao in her previous life.
Jiang Ruan lowered her gaze. While Princess Heyi's experience might evoke sympathy, she herself felt none. Because in her past life, Princess Heyi had frequently set traps for her in the palace. Princess Heyi was narrow-minded and prone to jealousy. When Jiang Ruan first entered the palace, she was the most beautiful among the new batch of imperial consort candidates. Her unparalleled delicate charm contrasted with Princess Heyi's flamboyant beauty, and the princess couldn't bear anyone stealing her spotlight. She often sent people to cause trouble for Jiang Ruan. Once, she even falsely accused the maids in Jiang Ruan's courtyard of theft, resulting in all the second-rank palace maids being beaten to death—a scene that had haunted Jiang Ruan's dreams countless times, often jolting her awake from nightmares.
None of these old acquaintances from the palace had ever shown her any kindness.
Just then, Empress Dowager Yide suddenly spoke up calmly: "Deputy General Jiang, you mentioned earlier that tomorrow is your sister's birthday?"
Earlier conversations with the male guests hadn't been kept secret from the Empress Dowager. She shared an excellent relationship with the Emperor and had no need for caution. Her bringing this up now gave one much to ponder.
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel