As soon as Xiao Shao returned to Dongfeng Tower, the maids downstairs informed her that someone was waiting in the private room. Upon reaching the secret chamber on the second floor, she entered to find Ye Feng staring tensely at the person before him.
Seeing Xiao Shao arrive, Ye Feng quickly stood up and bowed his head, saying, “Master.”
Xiao Shao waved her hand, and Ye Feng respectfully withdrew. Jiang Ruan looked up as Xiao Shao sat down across from her and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Is there a medicine that can restore one’s appearance? Or rather, is there a method that can make someone increasingly… bewitching? Like a demon?” Jiang Ruan got straight to the point. There were far too many strange things about Jiang Susu. Judging from her appearance alone, it was already suspicious. The scars on her face from being scratched by thorns now showed no traces whatsoever, and that day Jiang Ruan had seen clearly that Jiang Susu hadn’t applied any rouge or powder to her face. If there were some miraculous elixir, that might make sense. Moreover, the deliberate allure in Jiang Susu’s every gesture was rather peculiar. Since Xiao Shao knew medicine and was well-traveled, she might know something about it.
Xiao Shao looked at Jiang Ruan with slight confusion, pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Yes.”
Jiang Ruan was startled. “What is it?”
“A secret art,” Xiao Shao said. “Women of the Southern Borderlands are skilled in seductive arts. The situation you describe is very likely the result of practicing such secret techniques.”
Jiang Ruan’s heart sank. “Southern Borderlands?”
Seeing her reaction, Xiao Shao asked thoughtfully, “Do you have such a person around you?”
“I want to ask Prince Xiao, what must someone who has practiced such secret arts do? What price must they pay? Such as fresh blood and the like?” Jiang Ruan inquired.
“Not necessarily. The secret arts of the Southern Borderlands come in many varieties. Even among seductive arts, different practitioners pay different prices. Generally speaking, secret arts are actually a kind of medicine that merges with the person. The deeper the fusion, the more outstanding the effect, but the greater the price paid. Those who have practiced such seductive arts behave differently from ordinary people. Some need to supplement with fresh blood or other things. However, this cannot be confirmed for certain.” Xiao Shao patiently answered her questions.
Jiang Ruan’s brow gradually furrowed. If before she had only three parts suspicion, now that suspicion had grown to seven parts. Jiang Susu’s behavior was abnormal, and her face was so smooth and fair—it truly resembled the secret arts Xiao Shao described. But she had only gone to the family temple to cultivate her temperament, so how did she become involved with the Miao Borderlands? The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
Xiao Shao observed Jiang Ruan’s furrowed brow and naturally began to contemplate. The Southern Borderlands people seemed to be brewing a grand conspiracy. Jiang Ruan never asked meaningless questions. Her earlier inquiry meant someone resembling a seductive arts practitioner had appeared around her. If this were true, it could be a point of entry.
With this in mind, Xiao Shao said, “I want to meet the person you mentioned.”
Jiang Ruan had been calculating how to get Xiao Shao into the Jiang Manor to meet Jiang Susu face-to-face, to personally confirm whether it was related to those Southern Borderlands secret arts. Unexpectedly hearing Xiao Shao’s words startled her slightly—this person had thought of the same thing. She naturally didn’t know that Xiao Shao had Southern Borderlands matters to handle, only thinking this person was being thoughtful, and a trace of emotion floated up in her heart. She couldn’t call it gratitude, but increasingly felt that Xiao Shao wasn’t as cold and ruthless as the rumors claimed.
She smiled slightly, “Naturally that would be good, but that person isn’t elsewhere—she’s right in the Jiang Manor.”
Xiao Shao raised her eyes to look at her, those beautiful eyes deep as the Milky Way, and said, “Jiang Susu?”
“How did you know?” Jiang Ruan asked in surprise.
“Among the women of the Jiang Manor, only Second Miss Jiang is said to be as beautiful as a celestial fairy. It must be her,” Xiao Shao said.
Jiang Ruan was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “Prince Xiao also thinks my second sister is as beautiful as a celestial fairy?”
Xiao Shao seemed unprepared for Jiang Ruan to suddenly ask this, frowned slightly, looked at Jiang Ruan seriously, and said, “She doesn’t compare to you.”
Such a response from Xiao Shao was truly unexpected. Even though Jiang Ruan usually maintained composure, hearing such words from someone usually so aloof left her somewhat dazed, not knowing how to respond for a moment. When she looked up, she saw Xiao Shao watching her with interest, a hint of playful amusement flashing through those eyes.
She was actually smiling—was this… a joke?
Jiang Ruan stood dazed for a moment before laughing, “So Prince Xiao can smile after all.”
Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow. “When shall we go to your home?”
Jiang Ruan felt this conversation seemed somewhat strange. After pondering briefly, she said, “How about tonight?”
Ye Feng, who was eavesdropping at the door outside the private room, nearly went weak in the knees, while the pretty maid beside him couldn’t help but exchange meaningful glances with him. Who would have thought that their master, who usually appeared so detached and celibate, would immediately go to a young lady’s home, and the future young mistress was also a heroine among women, showing no bashfulness and agreeing to tonight. Would they become husband and wife tonight?
Xiao Shao said, “Good. Tonight at the zi hour, I’ll come find you.”
Jiang Ruan looked at him, “How will you get in?”
Though Xiao Shao was highly skilled in martial arts, the Jiang Manor wasn’t child’s play. Moreover, wandering around one’s own manor in the middle of the night with a young man felt inappropriate no matter how one looked at it. However, both were extraordinary people. Though Jiang Ruan felt somewhat strange about it, she ultimately wouldn’t be as rigid as in her previous life. Besides, she was eager to understand Jiang Susu’s situation.
“Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll naturally come find you,” Xiao Shao said.
After thinking it over, Jiang Ruan nodded, “Then I must thank Prince Xiao.”
Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi stood to one side, both maintaining composed expressions while exchanging glances. Their young miss was becoming increasingly trusting of Prince Xiao. As personal maids, they understood Jiang Ruan’s temperament best. Since awakening after falling into the water at the estate, she had become extremely vigilant, never easily trusting those around her. Even toward her maternal grandfather Zhao Guang’s family, she maintained some reservations. Though Prince Xiao had a cold temperament, he had helped Jiang Ruan considerably several times. If they could form a matrimonial bond, the two maids thought, it would be much better than marrying someone else.
Jiang Ruan naturally didn’t know that her two personal maids had unconsciously sold her out. She lowered her head to drink tea alone, and because she could finally uncover Jiang Susu’s secret, her gloomy mood of recent days became much more cheerful.
…
“Such inferior face powder, and you dare bring it before me? Do you take this young miss for a fool? Get out!” A round small box was thrown out with a “smack,” the finely ground powder inside scattering across the floor, creating fine traces in the air. Jiang Li angrily swept everything on the table to the ground: “A bunch of useless fools!”
The maid Xiliu beside her consoled, “Miss, don’t be angry. In a few days, people from Physician Left’s manor will arrive. You should be beautiful and happy when you go.”
Rather than helping, mentioning this made Jiang Li even angrier: “I just don’t understand—what’s not good enough about me that the Left family is so unwilling? They’re determined to have that sickly, dying seedling.”
Xiliu advised, “Physician Left is a good man who naturally keeps his promises. He probably only values his commitment to Fourth Miss. Once you marry over, he’ll naturally treat you well.”
“Truly mistaking fish eyes for pearls!” Jiang Li said indignantly.
Three years ago, Physician Left had saved Jiang Dan’s life at a palace banquet, then sent a matchmaker to propose marriage to Jiang Dan. Second Aunt spoke with Jiang Quan at length, and the candidate for marrying into the Left family changed from Jiang Dan to Jiang Li. Who knew that Physician Left was also straightforward—when he learned of this, he became furious. By then the engagement contract had been exchanged and birth charts matched, making it difficult to back out. But Physician Left made another request, and every time Jiang Li thought of this matter, she became extremely annoyed—Physician Left had actually expressed to Jiang Quan his willingness to take Jiang Dan as an equal wife.
Sisters serving one husband would make a fine tale when spread, but Jiang Li had always been narrow-minded and naturally unwilling to accept such an outcome. Jiang Quan also didn’t want to place both daughters in Physician Left’s manor. Most surprising was Jiang Dan’s reaction—before Jiang Quan and Jiang Li could command her, Jiang Dan had actively refused such a marriage arrangement. At the time, this caused quite a stir in the capital, with people saying that the concubine-born Fourth Miss of the Jiang Manor didn’t know what was good for her, even looking down on the position of equal wife in Physician Left’s manor. In truth, with Jiang Dan’s status, being able to climb up to Physician Left’s manor was already like a sparrow becoming a phoenix, let alone as an equal wife.
After Jiang Dan’s refusal, matters became much easier to handle. Jiang Susu had already celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony the day before returning to the manor. Next, they only needed to wait for Jiang Li’s coming-of-age ceremony to pass before beginning preparations for her marriage to Physician Left. Physician Left would also personally attend the ceremony that day. This should have been a happy occasion, but who could have predicted that Jiang Li would start making a fuss at this time.
It wasn’t for anything else—recently, every single rouge and powder sent to her courtyard had been disdained by Jiang Li. Though Second Aunt was only a concubine, she had some spending money, and having only one daughter, she was naturally generous. These rouge and powders were all fine goods from the best shops in the capital, which she had used well before, but now Jiang Li found them displeasing.
Actually, it wasn’t for anything else. Over these three years, only Jiang Li and Jiang Dan had been in the Jiang Manor. Since Jiang Dan changed her marriage arrangement, she had become even more withdrawn and reserved, hardly ever leaving her courtyard. Most social obligations with other young ladies in the capital were handled by Jiang Li. Over these years, Jiang Li had practically considered herself the legitimate daughter of the Jiang Manor. Who knew that Jiang Susu and Jiang Ruan would suddenly return? Needless to say about Jiang Ruan—she had transformed into a County Princess and had the Zhao family’s protection. As for Jiang Susu, she had thought that going to the family temple would naturally make her unable to hold her head up, but now she was becoming more beautiful by the day.
With Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu as pearls and jade in front, Jiang Li’s proud beauty became a joke, so naturally everything seemed wrong to her. She clenched her fists: “What about the coming-of-age ceremony? Even with those two in front, everyone will go look at them—who will still look at me?”
“Miss mustn’t say such things,” Xiliu said quietly. “The eldest miss is now a County Princess, but accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. In the palace, speaking too much leads to mistakes—who knows what will happen in the future? As for Second Miss, even after three years, people still remember what happened back then, so finding a marriage match will be very difficult. You, Miss, seem to be living most comfortably in the manor now. Once the coming-of-age ceremony passes, Physician Left will marry you. Even the master cannot interfere with this marriage arrangement. You’ll marry before the eldest miss and second miss—isn’t that wonderful?”
After hearing the maid’s words, Jiang Li’s heart gradually calmed down: “You’re right. What do I have to worry about? At least the husband I’ll marry is better than theirs!”
Xiliu consoled her further for a while, and Jiang Li finally relaxed, no longer throwing tantrums or smashing rouge.
…
The night sky stretched endlessly. The deep night of spring was unusually dark, making the countless stars appear crystal bright and brilliant, as if they might fall from overhead.
It was already late at night. The courtyard was completely quiet, and all of the Great Jin Dynasty’s capital had fallen into slumber. The Jiang Manor was extraordinarily quiet, so silent that a dropping needle could be heard.
A small lamp still burned quietly in Ruan Residence. This lamplight was so weak in the night that it could barely illuminate the flower-carved window in front of the desk. Lian Qiao felt sorry for her and brought over a small cup of honey water: “Miss, why don’t you rest for a while? This servant will keep watch for you. If Prince Xiao arrives, I’ll wake you. It’s already so late—please take care of your health.”
Lian Qiao silently cursed in her heart. Of all times, this Prince Xiao had to choose the zi hour at night. Jiang Ruan usually slept early and was already drowsy, yet she still kept the lamp burning while waiting for that person’s arrival. Lian Qiao glanced at the water clock: “Sigh, it’s almost zi hour now.”
Jiang Ruan had been supporting her chin with one hand while listlessly staring at the lamp before her. Hearing Lian Qiao’s words perked her up somewhat. Xiao Shao was a dignified prince—she wondered what he looked like entering the Jiang Manor now. Could he be climbing over walls? Or crawling through dog holes? Imagining that incomparably handsome face covered in dirt while crawling through a dog hole made Jiang Ruan unable to suppress a “pfft” of laughter.
“You seem quite happy?” A clear, slightly hoarse voice sounded beside her ear, accompanied by the faint bamboo fragrance from the man. Jiang Ruan was slightly startled, and Lian Qiao had already cried out in surprise.
Though Jiang Ruan was also startled inwardly, she had always been good at pretending. Her face showed no sign of panic whatsoever. She only looked Xiao Shao up and down, blinked, and said somewhat disappointedly, “It’s not what I expected.”
“Not what?” Xiao Shao glanced at Lian Qiao, who quickly lowered her head and withdrew.
Jiang Ruan looked at the person across from her—dressed in black silk martial attire, with a golden barbarian-patterned rhinoceros belt at his waist that outlined his trim figure, making him look more youthful than usual. Under the lamplight, Xiao Shao’s features appeared even more gentle and beautiful. His pair of dark eyes were more brilliant and dazzling than all the stars in the sky, containing a hint of barely perceptible amusement, his thin lips pressed together, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.
Beautiful women were always best seen by lamplight. This youth under the lamplight was even more gorgeous than in daylight. Jiang Ruan inwardly called him a demon before turning her gaze away. She had thought he would dress like some flower thief, or at least appear somewhat constrained and timid when secretly exploring a young lady’s boudoir. But Xiao Shao wasn’t like ordinary people—his openness and composure were shocking. Moreover, from beginning to end, his elegance remained undiminished. Where did he look like someone coming to investigate secrets? He clearly looked like he was visiting as a guest.
Xiao Shao looked outside: “It’s about time. Let’s go.”
Jiang Ruan looked at him in surprise: “Just walk over with you like this?”
“No need.” Xiao Shao finished speaking and reached out to grab the back of Jiang Ruan’s collar. Before she could speak, he leaped out the window. Jiang Ruan was startled and instinctively wrapped her arms around Xiao Shao’s waist. The sound of rushing wind filled her ears, and her heart was genuinely nervous. This nervousness was different from her usual scheming and calculated wariness. It was a pure nervousness felt due to the unknown—like when Zhao Mei was still alive and Jiang Xinzhi would take her to sneak out of the manor to see temple fairs, the nervousness she felt when crawling through dog holes, afraid of being discovered.
That nervousness carried a hint of excitement, as if returning to that time when she didn’t need to worry about anything. That long-lost sense of thrill made her forget her fear of being carried through the air and feel somewhat bewildered instead.
Seeing Jiang Ruan unusually quiet, Xiao Shao couldn’t help but look down at her. He saw that bewitchingly beautiful little face wearing an expression of bewildered helplessness, yet with a careful, hopeful yearning—completely different from her usual calm composure. It seemed like the expression a girl of this age should have. Rarely seeing Jiang Ruan like this, Xiao Shao was slightly stunned. His gaze fell on Jiang Ruan’s arms tightly wrapped around his waist, those slender, soft fingers clutching his black clothing, appearing even more lustrous white as jade. For some unknown reason, the waist held by those hands began to feel uncomfortably warm.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Shao had brought Jiang Ruan down in a courtyard. Jiang Ruan had just steadied herself when she released her grip. Looking around, she was stunned—this was precisely Suxin Courtyard. She looked at Xiao Shao with some suspicion: “How do you know this place? Have you been here before?” Xiao Shao moved through the Jiang Manor as if it were uninhabited territory and found Jiang Susu’s courtyard so easily—it couldn’t help but arouse suspicion.
Xiao Shao: “…”
Though this indeed wasn’t his first time at Suxin Courtyard—last time when Jiang Ruan castrated Li Yang, he had been in the tree observing the entire scene and had even intervened to help Jiang Ruan—it was better not to mention that now.
“Jin Yi investigated and drew a map for me,” he explained.
Jiang Ruan nodded: “I see.” But her expression clearly showed disbelief, making Xiao Shao feel even more helpless.
The two walked to a corner of the courtyard, behind Jiang Susu’s room, where there was a small empty room. As they circled behind the empty room, they suddenly heard a strange sound.
That sound was somewhat abrupt in the night sky, but they could still tell there was something wrong with it—like something struggling desperately, with something flapping on the ground, creating a large commotion.
Xiao Shao frowned, picked up a small stone from the ground and flicked it at the window. The window silently had a small hole flicked through it. Xiao Shao stepped forward to look, and his expression gradually became serious. Seeing him like this, Jiang Ruan patted his arm. Xiao Shao stepped aside, and Jiang Ruan pressed her eye to the small hole to peer inside. She then saw a scene that made her breath catch.
The room was lit with dim lamplight, but even that dim light was sufficient to see clearly. Someone was holding something in their hands, burying their head to gnaw at it. When they turned their head, it became crystal clear—what they held in their hands was a disheveled hen, its neck nearly bitten off, blood staining its feathers, barely alive. That person’s skin was so fair it was almost otherworldly, with ethereal eyes and wearing white robes, appearing as beautiful as a fairy, yet with bloodstains around the mouth like a graveyard ghost.
It was Jiang Susu.