Although the Crown Prince was called the talentless prince, he was not a fool. He understood the implication in Jiang Ruan’s words and frowned, saying, “What do you mean? How could Fourth Brother be involved with Eighth Brother?”
Jiang Ruan glanced around and said, “Your Highness, I happened to be going to Biyun Pavilion to find some books. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, you could come along with me.”
Biyun Pavilion housed many books, and palace consorts often sent their maids there to find books to read. The Crown Prince thought for a moment and said, “Good. I happened to want to take a look as well.”
The young eunuch beside the Crown Prince was astounded. Everyone knew the Crown Prince hated reading most of all. If the Crown Prince went to Biyun Pavilion with Jiang Ruan today, by tomorrow the palace would be buzzing with gossip. But the Crown Prince had always been one to do as he pleased, so how could he care about such things? With Empress Dowager Yide backing her, Jiang Ruan naturally had nothing to fear either. The two went to Biyun Pavilion.
At this hour, there was not a soul around. While accompanying Jiang Ruan as she selected books from the shelves in the pavilion, the Crown Prince asked, “What did you mean by what you said earlier?”
Jiang Ruan searched carefully along the bookshelves, saying, “Does Your Highness truly not understand?”
The Crown Prince fell silent. Jiang Ruan didn’t tell him, but from then on he had a thorn in his heart. Once the seed of doubt is planted, when it sprouts and grows in the future, it becomes beyond one’s control. For Xuan Lang to gain the Crown Prince’s trust as before would be very difficult. If the Crown Prince set his mind to investigating, it wouldn’t be hard to uncover the problems between Xuan Lang and the Eighth Prince.
“Why do you dislike Eighth Brother so much?” the Crown Prince asked. He truly didn’t understand—everyone in the palace loved Xuan Li. Xuan Li was gentle as jade and quite talented and virtuous, yet Jiang Ruan treated him as if facing a venomous snake or fierce beast.
Jiang Ruan said, “The Eighth Prince is very good, but he always makes me feel very similar to my second sister, and I most detest people like my second sister.”
The Crown Prince looked at her with interest, “What kind of person is your second sister?”
“Honey-tongued but venomous-hearted, cruel and ruthless. Too clever for her own good, stupid and ridiculous.” Such merciless words couldn’t help but startle the Crown Prince. He looked Jiang Ruan up and down, shaking his head, “I originally thought Xiao Shao took a liking to you because of your beauty, but now it seems you’re also very bold.” He smiled mischievously, “Now I’m truly somewhat interested in marrying you and bringing you back to my residence.”
“If Your Highness has that capability, I would naturally have no complaints,” Jiang Ruan said, having selected her books and walking down from the pavilion. In the main hall was a large writing desk made of rosewood, with ink, brush, paper, and inkstone arranged on top. Jiang Ruan walked over to take a look and, seeing it was finest peach blossom ink, couldn’t help but pause.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince teased, “I heard from Princess He Yi that you’ve been sent to live on an estate since childhood, and your birth mother came from a military family, so you’re illiterate and only know seductive singing and dancing like a courtesan.” He deliberately spoke harshly, wanting to see Jiang Ruan’s reaction, but she acted as if she hadn’t heard, her expression not changing in the slightest.
Princess He Yi hated her to the bone and naturally spared no effort in slandering her reputation publicly. Jiang Ruan couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. But this peach blossom ink in the palace reminded her of scenes from her previous life when Xuan Li taught her calligraphy hand by hand. Now and then, past and present—the situation was no longer what it was yesterday. The person she once loved had become her enemy, but the peach blossom ink was still as fragrant as before.
She slowly picked up the brush. The Crown Prince watched her curiously. There were too many mysterious aspects about Jiang Ruan—no wonder the usually aloof Xiao Shao treated her differently. Even he, the Crown Prince, was becoming somewhat interested.
Jiang Ruan dipped the brush tip in ink and, following the handwriting from her previous life, slowly began to write. The brush fell silently on paper, with only faint ink fragrance wafting up. The handwriting was elegant and unrestrained, yet seemed to hide sharpness—every stroke and line carried an indescribable refined charm.
“Good is like pine, evil like flowers. Pine may be cold, but not as pretty as flowers. When heavy frost comes one day, only pine will remain, no flowers.” The Crown Prince watched from the side, reading aloud the characters on the paper. After speaking, he said with some surprise, “Your handwriting actually resembles Eighth Brother’s somewhat.” Though similar, it seemed to carry clearly different meanings. He looked at the characters on the paper and smiled, “I really didn’t expect Hong’an to be such a virtuous person.”
A virtuous person? Jiang Ruan sneered coldly. In her previous life, she had indeed thought so—sincerely pursuing virtue, but what had been the result? In this life, she would never repeat her previous life’s mistakes. Rather than being an evil person in the world’s eyes, what did it matter if she truly lived up to the four words “nation-destroying enchantress”? At least she had sharpened her eyes and could protect those she wanted to protect.
The Crown Prince instinctively felt Jiang Ruan’s gaze had grown somewhat cold. Just as he was about to say something more, Jiang Ruan had already picked up her selected books and said to the Crown Prince, “If Your Highness still wishes to select books, please take your time. I must return to Cining Palace and won’t wait for Your Highness.”
After Jiang Ruan left, the Crown Prince’s gaze fell on the calligraphy on the writing desk. The characters were well-written—even someone like him who disliked writing could see they had real backbone. But Jiang Ruan seemed to have no intention of taking it with her. The Crown Prince thought for a moment, then ordered the young eunuch beside him to collect the calligraphy, and he too left Biyun Pavilion.
…
When Consort Chen heard that the Crown Prince and Jiang Ruan had gone to Biyun Pavilion, she naturally found it strange: “When did the Crown Prince become so friendly with her?”
Her personal palace maid replied, “In response to Your Ladyship, the two seemed to only select books together, and they separated not long after.”
Consort Chen pondered silently. She no longer underestimated this Jiang Ruan. Initially thinking she was just a legitimate daughter with some luck and minor cleverness, now it seemed her scheming ran quite deep. That masterstroke that completely undermined Consort Chen’s arranged marriage and led to her becoming the Empress Dowager’s personally enfeoffed Princess Hong’an—that wasn’t something an ordinary official’s daughter could accomplish. Jiang Xinzhi and Jiang Ruan had embarrassed her in front of all the civil and military officials at the palace banquet, and she hadn’t forgotten.
“Jiang Ruan is no ordinary person,” Consort Chen lazily adjusted her position, like a beautiful Persian cat. “Continue investigating.”
“Yes.” The palace maid acknowledged the order and departed.
…
Having obtained Jiang Ruan’s calligraphy, the Crown Prince first went to Kunning Palace to chat with the Empress for a while, then returned to the Eastern Palace. He spread out Jiang Ruan’s writing and looked at it more and more, feeling the characters were excellently written, but couldn’t decide where to display it. To have it mounted and hung on the wall seemed somewhat excessive, but to carelessly put it away would be quite a pity.
Just then, someone approached from outside—blue robes with jade belt, flowing garments, an aloof expression with a hint of pride between his brows. Seeing this person, the Crown Prince’s eyes lit up as he called out, “Tutor!”
This person was Liu Min. Though named tutor, he actually helped the Emperor handle some governmental affairs in his daily routine. However, he still nominally had to instruct the Crown Prince, though this student was too mischievous and practically abandoned books as soon as he touched them, leaving Liu Min quite helpless. Today, it was rare for the Crown Prince to greet him so warmly. Liu Min frowned but still walked over, asking, “Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince felt he had found an excellent piece of calligraphy and naturally wanted this top scholar to take a look, saying, “I obtained a piece of calligraphy today. Please examine it, Tutor.”
Liu Min sighed inwardly, thinking the Crown Prince was playing tricks on him again. The last time he had also claimed to have fine calligraphy, but when opened it turned out to be an erotic painting, causing the upright scholar to flee in embarrassment.
The scroll slowly unrolled, and before he could see it clearly, he caught a refreshing fragrance—this was finest peach blossom ink. Legend said gentlemen favored peach blossoms, and this peach blossom ink was beloved by many who prided themselves on noble character. When Liu Min clearly saw the handwriting, he was struck as if by lightning, standing frozen in place.
The handwriting flowed gracefully, bold and vigorous, with restrained sharpness that held subtle brilliance. It was handwriting Liu Min knew intimately, that he recalled almost daily. Liu Min would never forget this handwriting in his lifetime—it belonged to the mysterious person who had helped him win first place and become the top scholar three years ago.
In fact, after he became the top scholar, that person had completely disappeared from Liu Min’s life, as if such a person had never existed. Since entering the court, Liu Min had earned the emperor’s deep trust. Countless people wanted to win him over, and countless others wanted to harm him. With the world’s black and white so chaotic, sometimes he felt quite lost. At such times, Liu Min often thought of that mysterious person. That person saw clearly and seemed to understand his thoughts, truly deserving the words “kindred spirit.” In life’s busyness, kindred spirits are hard to find. Sometimes Liu Min felt that the so-called mysterious person and kindred spirit was just a dream of his. And now, seeing that handwriting appear before his eyes again, Liu Min stood dazed in place, unable to believe his eyes.
Seeing Liu Min spacing out, the Crown Prince waved his hand in front of him, “Tutor, Tutor?”
Liu Min came to his senses and could no longer restrain himself, grabbing the Crown Prince and asking urgently, “Your Highness, where exactly did you get this calligraphy, and who wrote it?”
Liu Min was the Crown Prince’s tutor, and in all the time the Crown Prince had known him, when had he ever seen him lose control like this? For a moment, he found it rather strange. He then replied, “Why is Tutor so agitated? Do you have some connection with this calligraphy?”
Liu Min’s heart stirred. Knowing he couldn’t let the Crown Prince see through him, he put on a shameful expression, saying, “Seeing this handwriting’s fine character, I was truly somewhat surprised. This writing deserves the word ‘elegant.’ As a literary enthusiast, I was quite unseemly just now. I hope Your Highness will punish me.”
The Crown Prince thought it over and was reassured. These scholars were always acting mysteriously. As the top scholar, Liu Min always got very excited when seeing fine calligraphy and paintings. His losing composure today upon seeing this treasure was understandable. He believed Liu Min’s words and laughed, “Tutor, this is genuine emotion.”
No wonder the Crown Prince easily believed Liu Min’s words—Liu Min normally had an excellent reputation in court and was inherently an upright person, never involved in any shady affairs. Encountering such an aloof and noble person, the Crown Prince had nothing to say and naturally nothing to doubt.
Seeing the Crown Prince believed him, Liu Min breathed a slight sigh of relief. This was his first time lying, and his back was covered in cold sweat. However, curiosity about the calligraphy still overcame his apprehension as he tentatively asked, “Your Highness, whose handwriting is this exactly?”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily, “Who do you think could write such characters, Tutor?”
Liu Min pondered slightly, “The handwriting is elegant and unrestrained, frank and candid, containing sharpness—it should be… written by a true gentleman.” Actually, this assessment was somewhat biased. The handwriting appeared smooth yet contained hidden sharpness, penetrating deeply—it didn’t seem frank and candid, but rather had a somewhat complex and mysterious feeling. But naturally the Crown Prince couldn’t discern such things, and Liu Min wouldn’t voice his true thoughts.
The Crown Prince shook his head, “This time Tutor is wrong. These characters weren’t written by any gentleman, but by a woman.”
Liu Min was slightly stunned, “A woman?” That person was actually not a man? Actually a woman?
“Yes,” the Crown Prince patted his shoulder, “Tutor would never guess who it is—it’s precisely the red person before Imperial Grandmother, Princess Hong’an who just returned to the capital this year.”
These words were like earth-shattering thunder. The Crown Prince didn’t know what tremendous shock his words brought to Liu Min. Princess Hong’an, Jiang Ruan—Liu Min naturally knew of her. On the day the Empress Dowager returned to the capital, the young woman in red robes was devastatingly beautiful, with exquisite features and natural elegance. Liu Min also remembered that scene. In fact, that wasn’t his first time seeing Jiang Ruan. Three years ago at the palace banquet, he had also seen Jiang Ruan standing in the hall, straight-backed and neither servile nor arrogant as she refused Consort Chen’s arranged marriage. When he became the top scholar and was filled with the joy of success, he had also heard of the tragic circumstances of the Jiang family’s legitimate daughter. But he had never imagined that this woman was the mysterious person he considered his kindred spirit!
It was her, it was actually her!
Liu Min couldn’t describe what he felt in his heart now—only a sense of bitterness mixed with shock. That person of extensive learning whose thoughts resonated with his was actually a woman, and so close to him all along.
The Crown Prince teased, “What expression is that, Tutor? Don’t tell me you’ve been conquered by Princess Hong’an’s calligraphy? I’ve always wondered what kind of woman could move Tutor’s heart. Now it seems anyone who writes decent characters can catch Tutor’s eye. Could it be that Tutor has developed feelings for Princess Hong’an? How about I mention it to Mother Empress and arrange a marriage for you two?”
Normally, Liu Min would certainly be angered by the Crown Prince’s frivolous words, but today shock overwhelmed everything else. He had no mind to distinguish the meaning in the Crown Prince’s words, completely absorbed in his own thoughts.
Seeing Liu Min like this, the Crown Prince assumed it was just a literary enthusiast wanting to examine beautiful calligraphy more closely. He said, “Never mind, I won’t discuss it with you further. Since you’re my teacher, Tutor, let me kindly remind you—if you’re interested in Princess Hong’an, you’d better act quickly. My brothers are eyeing Princess Hong’an like tigers stalking prey. Since Tutor likes this calligraphy so much, I’ll do you a favor and give it to you.” With that, he left the still-dazed Liu Min behind and walked out laughing.
…
Returning to Cining Palace, Jiang Ruan read for a while and felt somewhat tired. With Tianzhu and Aunt Yang together, Jiang Ruan took Lu Zhu to stroll through the imperial garden. Just as they reached the garden area, she heard a somewhat excited voice: “Princess Hong’an, please wait!”
Jiang Ruan was startled and turned around. Not far away, a young man in blue robes appeared clean and aloof—rather than a court favorite, he looked more like an ordinary scholar.
Seeing her turn around, Liu Min’s eyes flashed with unusual light. He walked forward a few steps but maintained a safe distance from Jiang Ruan, observing a scholar’s propriety. Looking at Jiang Ruan, he said, “I once heard that sages governed the country with ritual, and the country prospered. After the sages departed, the country declined. Therefore, governing with ritual is the correct path. However, others say: Though ritual is good, it’s difficult to bind the people. Only by restraining with law will the world follow order, achieving peaceful prosperity. I, a foolish person, cannot understand after much thought, and wish to hear your guidance.”
These words were exactly the question from the mysterious person’s first letter—that seemingly casual question that changed Liu Min’s entire destiny.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, gazing at the young man before her. He had indeed become a first-rank official as in her previous life, becoming a favorite before the Emperor. Only in this life, without the trials and tribulations, he had risen smoothly to success. People walk their own paths. Liu Min was upright and truly talented—emperors most favored such talent. She returned his courtesy, polite yet distant: “Tutor Liu, you seem to have asked the wrong person this question.”
Liu Min stared at the smiling woman before him. Ever since learning that person was a woman, his heart had been incredibly complex. Even at this moment, Jiang Ruan’s expression showed no confusion, only calm composure. Though she calmly refused to answer his question, Liu Min knew it was her—that person was definitely Jiang Ruan.
He had many questions he wanted to ask Jiang Ruan, such as how she had known the palace examination topic, and why she had helped him? And why had she disappeared from his sight afterward? If not for the Crown Prince accidentally producing that calligraphy today, he might have remained forever in the dark, never having the chance to know he had been so close to his kindred spirit.
Seeing he seemed at a loss for words, Jiang Ruan said, “If Tutor Liu has nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.” She was about to turn and leave, but just as she turned, she felt her arm tighten—Liu Min, no longer caring about rules and propriety, had grabbed her arm.
Lu Zhu was greatly alarmed and looked around frantically. Fortunately, there was no one else in this part of the imperial garden at the moment. Lu Zhu said anxiously, “How can you be so rude? Quickly release our young lady!”
But Liu Min stubbornly refused to let go. Looking at Jiang Ruan’s puzzled eyes, he finally asked hoarsely, “Is it… you?”
The answer was obviously clear. Jiang Ruan said, “It’s me.”
Something flickered in Liu Min’s eyes again. He took a sharp breath and asked firmly, “Why did you help me?”
Why help him? Could she say it was because of matters from her previous life? Jiang Ruan frowned and said, “I wasn’t helping you—I was helping Da Jin Dynasty’s top scholar. If not you, it would have been someone else.”
If not him, it would have been someone else? Liu Min felt somewhat lost, his heart suddenly surging with indescribable emotions—disappointment, anger, regret, grievance, all intertwining together, making him grip Jiang Ruan’s hand even tighter, tight enough to make Jiang Ruan unconsciously frown.
Just then, they heard a faint voice from behind, slightly cold, seemingly containing some inexplicable anger.
“Let her go.”