Returning to Ruan Residence, Jiang Ruan dismissed all the maids. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu didn’t know what had happened, and Tianzhu, the only one who knew the details, was taciturn by nature. Though puzzled, the servants obediently withdrew, leaving only Jiang Ruan alone in the room.
Jiang Ruan sat at the writing desk, thinking of nothing, and before she knew it, night had fallen. Feeling slightly restless in her heart, she stood up and walked out of the room. The courtyard of Ruan Residence wasn’t very large. She walked along the small courtyard to the wall and sat down beside it.
The summer night’s moon was large and round, like a huge bright pearl, illuminating the courtyard clearly. Jiang Ruan sighed softly, and Xia Yan’s words suddenly floated through her mind again.
It was Jiang Dan—Jiang Dan who had put poison in the tonic medicine Zhao Mei drank daily.
She remembered when Third Concubine died and entrusted Jiang Dan to Zhao Mei. In fact, as the legitimate mistress of the Jiang family, Zhao Mei had pitied Jiang Dan for losing her mother at such a young age and truly loved her as her own daughter. Although Jiang Quan had been cold to Zhao Mei for a long time, and compared to Zhao Mei, Xia Yan seemed more like the head mistress, at that time Zhao Mei and her children had lived quite happily together.
Regarding Jiang Dan, when Jiang Ruan was young, she only felt this fourth sister was too timid. She would occasionally cling too much to Zhao Mei, which even made Jiang Ruan slightly jealous. But thinking about it, she had rationalized it as a motherless little girl depending on her legitimate mother.
Now thinking back, she felt chills throughout her body. The poison that had afflicted Zhao Mei was actually administered by Jiang Dan. Not only that, Jiang Dan had also poisoned her. Only now did Jiang Ruan somewhat understand why her health had never been good—it was because in her early years, she had unknowingly consumed poisonous substances. It was probably because Jiang Dan was timid at that time and didn’t have many opportunities to poison her tea and snacks. Later, she went to the manor, otherwise she might not be alive now.
Jiang Dan. Jiang Ruan laughed coldly in her heart. She had originally known there was someone deeply hidden in this mansion, but hadn’t expected her to be such an ungrateful creature. Thinking that her mother’s life seemed like a joke, Jiang Ruan didn’t know whether she felt anger or sorrow in her heart.
She didn’t know how long she sat under the courtyard wall. It wasn’t until she felt sore all over that Jiang Ruan stood up, wanting to return to her room. Turning around, she was stunned—not far away, a black-clothed youth stood quietly under a tree, silently watching her, obviously having been there for quite some time.
“You… have returned.” Jiang Ruan said. Xiao Shao had disappeared for several days, and now suddenly appeared from nowhere. Jiang Ruan had matters on her mind at the moment and didn’t bother to scold him for breaking into the mansion at night again.
Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow and walked toward her, saying: “What’s wrong with you?”
As soon as he returned, he heard from Tianzhu about what had happened these past few days. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s melancholy expression by the courtyard wall, not knowing what she was thinking about, he felt she seemed very lonely. That desolate silhouette was painful to look at.
Jiang Ruan watched Xiao Shao approach her, extending his hand as if to touch her face, but stopping just before contact, only asking: “Why hasn’t it healed yet?”
Several days had passed, but the handprint on her face was still clearly visible, the red swelling quite obvious against her fair cheek. Jiang Ruan was startled and turned her head away: “I need to enter the palace tomorrow.”
Xiao Shao paused, understanding. After thinking, he still took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom and handed it to her: “Use this after entering the palace.”
Jiang Ruan took it and said softly: “Thank you.”
Her emotions were truly low today—even an ordinary person could see it, let alone someone as perceptive as Xiao Shao. He looked at Jiang Ruan, then suddenly reached out to grab her arm and lifted her up. Before Jiang Ruan could react, she found herself on the large pear tree in the courtyard.
“What are you doing?” Sitting precariously on the pear tree, she had to reach out and grab Xiao Shao’s hand. Still feeling unsafe, she steeled herself and simply wrapped both arms around Xiao Shao’s waist.
Xiao Shao had originally just wanted to bring Jiang Ruan up to the tree. In the Jinyiwei, when Jin Yi and Jin Er were in low spirits, they often climbed trees to drink. Now without wine, Xiao Shao thought perhaps looking at the moon might improve Jiang Ruan’s mood. Who knew Jiang Ruan would immediately embrace his waist? Xiao Shao’s body stiffened, and a strange emotion quickly arose in his heart. The unique fragrance of the young woman entered his nostrils, and under the moonlight, the hands draped over his black clothes were white as jade. Xiao Shao actually felt an inexplicable impulse to cover those soft hands.
Jiang Ruan immediately realized what she had done after embracing Xiao Shao’s waist. Somewhat annoyed at her momentary impulse, she quickly let go. Instinctively looking up to see Xiao Shao’s reaction, she saw Xiao Shao sitting dazedly on the tree, his profile exquisitely beautiful. This usually elegant and aloof person, when acting foolishly, had a somewhat stubborn cuteness.
“Hey.” She tried to make her voice sound calm: “Take me down.”
Xiao Shao came to his senses, pressed his lips together, and asked: “Are you feeling better now?”
“No,” Jiang Ruan said irritably: “Not at all.”
Xiao Shao looked at her with surprise. Jiang Ruan was usually composed—it was rare to see her so flustered. Finding it interesting, he simply stretched out his long legs, pillowed his hands behind his head, and leaned against the tree branch to rest.
In the distance, Jin Yi and Tianzhu simultaneously widened their eyes. When had these two usually composed, calm, cunning, and scheming people become so childish? Saying they were like children of a few years old wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Jiang Ruan glared at the culprit lying there leisurely, only regretting that she hadn’t learned martial arts and couldn’t kick this person out of the tree. Being in the tree, with the cool summer night breeze blowing over, her troubled mood became somewhat refreshed.
In the Jiang mansion, with its constant scheming and conspiracies, it was really hard to find moments of peace. Even now, doing nothing and thinking of nothing was a luxury. She turned her head—Xiao Shao’s head was facing her. This youth was naturally stunning. The capital had rumors that the Jiang family daughters were beautiful, but Jiang Ruan felt that was because Xiao Shao was born as a man. Like now, looking at him, Xiao Shao’s thin lips were tightly pressed, his long eyebrows slanted into his temples, his straight nose. He was handsome yet heroic, most captivating were his pair of dark eyes, now tightly closed, with long eyelashes hanging down. Looking at him, Jiang Ruan thought disdainfully—what was a man doing with such long eyelashes? Yet she felt somewhat tempted, unconsciously reaching out wanting to touch them…
Jin Yi nervously nudged Tianzhu: “What does she want to do? Molest our master?”
“How should I know?” Tianzhu said angrily: “Look at our master’s expression—isn’t that welcoming molestation?”
Jiang Ruan’s hand was about to touch Xiao Shao’s eyelashes when Xiao Shao suddenly opened his eyes. Jiang Ruan was startled, looking directly into a pair of deep, dark eyes. Xiao Shao’s eyes were his best feature. Usually cold in expression, his emotions were all written in his eyes. Now looking over, they were brilliant as if scattered with crushed diamonds, carrying three parts intoxication. Even someone with a heart like stone couldn’t help but be moved upon seeing them.
Jiang Ruan was somewhat dazed, but Xiao Shao was also slightly stunned. Jiang Ruan stared at him without blinking. Her usually mocking gaze now held only confusion, her eyes clear, unconsciously showing the unique charm of a young woman.
Xiao Shao felt as if an ant was crawling through his heart, making it itch. Jiang Ruan was dazed for a moment, her gaze falling on Xiao Shao’s slightly reddened ear tips.
This person was actually so pure-hearted?
She burst out laughing with a “puchi” sound. This laughter made Xiao Shao somewhat annoyed. He wanted to turn over and sit up, but forgot they were still in the tree. Unintentionally, he shook the branches with a crisp rustling sound, and both fell downward together.
Jiang Ruan cried out in alarm. Xiao Shao quickly reached out to embrace her waist. When they came to their senses, they were one above the other, with Xiao Shao on top of Jiang Ruan, one hand instinctively cushioning the back of Jiang Ruan’s head, with fallen leaves from the shaken tree covering both of them.
Lu Zhu and Bai Zhi heard the sound and ran out, immediately seeing this scene. Jin Yi covered his eyes, while Tianzhu, changing from her usual sullen demeanor, excitedly swallowed: “Master… Master is actually so passionate.”
Lian Qiao, fearing to disturb others while feeling both hateful and angry, pushed Xiao Shao away and pulled Jiang Ruan up, protecting her and looking warily at Xiao Shao: “Prince Xiao breaks into the mansion in the middle of the night just to take advantage of our miss?”
Lian Qiao had always been sharp-tongued and spoke directly, but didn’t realize the impropriety in her words. Xiao Shao frowned almost imperceptibly.
Lu Zhu was quite happy. Coming from common origins, she didn’t regard rules as importantly as Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao did, and could see at a glance that Xiao Shao was no ordinary person. This cold person treated only Jiang Ruan differently from others. If they had such a son-in-law, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Lu Zhu privately thought that being the mistress of Prince Jinying’s mansion seemed quite good—at least with these sordid affairs in this mansion, these people wouldn’t dare easily trouble Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan felt somewhat headache-inducing. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao had both misunderstood. Thinking that this matter was all caused by Xiao Shao’s night intrusion into the Jiang mansion, she couldn’t help but glare at Xiao Shao again. But she didn’t expect that although she usually appeared gentle, she was actually distant, only showing her rare true nature with those close to her. This action fell in Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu’s eyes, shocking them greatly and further confirming their suspicions about their miss and the young Prince Jinying.
Seeing this, Xiao Shao’s eyes flashed with amusement. But he didn’t continue to add trouble for Jiang Ruan, only saying: “If you have matters, come find me at Dongfeng Tower. It’s too late tonight—rest early.” Having said this, he turned and leaped onto the wall, disappearing into the night.
The master of the Great Jin Dynasty’s three hundred thousand Jinyiwei insisted on learning from flower thieves to climb over walls. Xiao Shao naturally left with extreme elegance, but didn’t know how much his parting words stirred the imagination, immediately causing great waves in the hearts of Jiang Ruan’s two personal maids.
Because of Xiao Shao’s chaotic interference, Jiang Ruan had no mind to think about what Xia Yan had said during the day. Even the matter of Jiang Dan was thrown to the back of her mind, and her mood improved considerably compared to before. Returning to her room, she didn’t think much more and went to bed early after blowing out the lamp.
…
The next day, before Jiang Ruan could enter the palace, she saw Lu Zhu running over hurriedly, saying in amazement: “Miss, it’s chaos outside! They’re saying the madam had an affair with someone, then miscarried, and wanted to frame the miss. The common people are spreading it fiercely, saying the master… wore a green hat but won’t divorce his wife—what great tolerance.”
Lu Zhu spoke with some restraint, so the actual words being spread must have been even harsher. Jiang Ruan pondered slightly. She hadn’t had time to spread the news yet—how did outsiders know? The Xia and Jiang families naturally wouldn’t speak of it, and Xuan Li wouldn’t seek trouble for himself. She asked: “Who did you hear say this?”
“It was that middle-aged doctor,” Lu Zhu covered her mouth and laughed: “That man was drinking in a tavern, got drunk, and told this story as a joke. Now probably all of the capital is discussing this matter.”
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. How could that man, having received benefits, say it himself? He must have been instructed by someone. A person floated through her mind—wasn’t Xiao Shao being too meddlesome? But having him do it saved her a lot of trouble.
“Is the carriage ready?” Jiang Ruan asked. The palace visit couldn’t be delayed.
“Ready, waiting at the gate,” Bai Zhi said.
Just as she was about to reach the main gate, she happened to encounter Jiang Quan. Jiang Quan’s face was unusually dark. Early this morning, such news had spread outside, making him lose face completely. After court, he hurried back to the mansion, feeling as if everyone on the road was laughing at him. With such an incident, he would be gossiped about for the rest of his life. Jiang Quan now wished he could strangle Xia Yan, the instigator, to death, his heart burning with anger. Seeing Jiang Ruan about to leave the mansion, he asked: “Where are you going?”
Jiang Ruan turned to look at him and smiled: “The Empress Dowager has invited me to the palace for a chat. Does father have any matters?”
Jiang Quan was momentarily speechless. Since Jiang Ruan was enfeoffed as county princess, her relationship with Empress Dowager Yide had grown much closer. He, as her father, had less face before the Empress Dowager than Jiang Ruan did, which filled him with anger whenever he thought about it. His gaze fell on Jiang Ruan’s face, and he was startled again: “What is this?”
Five clear fingerprints hung on her face, as if accusing the striker of their violence. Several days had passed, but the marks had not only not disappeared, they looked as fresh as if newly made, the red swelling not reduced at all, very conspicuous on her fair cheek.
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “What is this? Father doesn’t know?”
Jiang Quan was embarrassed and angry: “How can you enter the palace to see the Emperor like this? This is disrespectful to the Empress Dowager. Hurry back and cover it up.”
“County Princess,” Tianzhu spoke timely: “Time to board the carriage. If we’re late and the Empress Dowager blames us, that would be bad.”
Jiang Ruan smiled: “Exactly.” She looked at Jiang Quan: “Father, I’ll go first.”
Seeing Jiang Ruan pay no attention to his words, Jiang Quan was about to explode with anger. He roared: “Jiang Ruan!”
“Father, the Empress Dowager treats me like family and won’t mind these small proprieties,” Jiang Ruan’s words carried no little sarcasm. She smiled: “If father insists on this, I’ll ask father’s forgiveness after returning to the mansion.” Having said this, she instructed Tianzhu to open the door. As soon as the Jiang mansion’s gate opened, quite a few common people watching the excitement gathered around. Jiang Quan couldn’t stay any longer. Even though his heart was about to explode with anger, he could only grit his teeth and say harshly: “Rebellious child!” before flicking his sleeves and leaving.
Tianzhu looked at Jiang Quan disdainfully and carefully helped Jiang Ruan into the carriage. Among the outside crowd, naturally some had sharp eyes and saw the handprint on Jiang Ruan’s face, connecting it to the rumors they’d heard about Xia Yan’s miscarriage and Jiang Quan slapping Jiang Ruan without asking questions. They discussed: “County Princess Hong’an is such a delicate person, yet Minister Jiang really had the heart to strike her. Looking at that red mark on her cheek is truly heartbreaking.”
Another said: “What do you understand? Minister Jiang has always favored the children born by that talented woman. When the former Lady Jiang died, he sent County Princess Hong’an to the manor—what biological father could do such a thing?”
A woman spat: “Bah, still calling her a talented woman—clearly just a whore giving birth to bastards. Who knows if that Second Miss Jiang and Second Young Master Jiang are Minister Jiang’s? Perhaps they’re that adulterer’s children.”
Everyone suddenly understood and began discussing with great interest. This time, they even began doubting Jiang Susu and Jiang Chao’s parentage.
Lu Zhu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and some of the outside discussion reached their ears. Lu Zhu said: “These people really can guess. If Second Miss and Second Young Master heard this, they’d be too angry to leave their homes.”
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. In this world, only the people’s mouths cannot be stopped. With just a little guidance, rumors could spread like wildfire, enough to destroy a person’s entire life. Like in her previous life—wasn’t she step by step forced to her final fate by these rumors? In this second life, it was time for that self-proclaimed fairy Jiang Susu and the proud Jiang Chao to taste this feeling. As for Jiang Quan, however much he had loved Xia Yan before, that’s how much he hated her now.
…
Entering the palace to see Empress Dowager Yide, indeed, as soon as the Empress Dowager saw Jiang Ruan’s face, she frowned: “How did it become like this?”
Nanny Yang beside her also looked at Jiang Ruan’s cheek, thinking of the outside rumors. Empress Dowager Yide lived deep in the palace and didn’t pay much attention to outside affairs, so she didn’t yet know about Xia Yan’s matter.
Jiang Ruan smiled: “It’s nothing.”
Empress Dowager Yide looked at her, then said to Tianzhu: “You speak.”
Someone accustomed to giving orders naturally carried an oppressive air when speaking. Tianzhu knelt down: “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the miss was injured by the master. Because the madam miscarried and framed the miss, the master struck the miss in anger. The Eighth Prince was also present at the time.”
Jiang Ruan laughed inwardly—Tianzhu was dragging Xuan Li into this as well.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Yide immediately understood what had happened and was furious: “Outrageous! How dare they lay hands on my people! Hong’an, what was the Eighth Prince doing at your mansion?”
Jiang Ruan thought for a moment and shook her head: “I don’t know either. Perhaps he came with Marquis Xia to discuss political matters with father.”
Empress Dowager Yide wasn’t someone who only knew palace women’s jealous scheming. Having played with power tactics in her youth and helped the new emperor ascend the throne, she naturally heard the impropriety in these words. Thinking of how the Eighth Prince’s ambitions were becoming increasingly obvious, Empress Dowager Yide frowned slightly. Looking again at the handprint on Jiang Ruan’s face, she was naturally furious and immediately said: “What does the Jiang mansion amount to? You’ll stay with me these few days. I don’t believe your father would dare to be so bold!” After a pause, she added: “How is that Xia Yan now?”
Nanny Yang smiled: “Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. This servant knows something about this matter. First, let the County Princess sit down and have some tea, then this servant will tell you properly.”