Everyone hadn’t seen Jiang Ruan’s movements clearly—they only saw the guard’s body stiffen and collapse. There wasn’t a single visible wound on him, just a thin trickle of blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth.
The remaining guards all watched Jiang Ruan warily, greatly alarmed. If this ordinary-looking maid was vicious enough, that was one thing, but even the princess who seemed powerless also had some deadly skills?
Jiang Ruan steadied herself and turned the blood moon bracelet on her hand. It contained only nine needles total, each one poisoned with deadly venom. This device was indeed crafted ingeniously—once used, there was absolutely no room for turning back. However, it had one fatal flaw: the poison needles could only be fired at close range.
In that urgent moment just now, it reminded her of something from the past. In her previous life, Left Vice Minister Zuo Jiang had smooth sailing in court and accomplished several beautiful tasks for the Emperor. In her previous life, the one who married Zuo Jiang wasn’t Jiang Dan or Jiang Li, but a cousin from Consort Chen’s maternal family.
Like a thread connecting the entire affair, thinking this through made things somewhat clear. Xuan Xin naturally didn’t have the power to command an entire vice minister’s residence, but what if it were the currently influential Consort Chen? In her previous life, Xuan Li had also praised Zuo Jiang as quite talented. If Zuo Jiang belonged to Xuan Li’s faction, working for Consort Chen would be natural.
In that case, Xuan Xin and Jiang Li were merely being used by Consort Chen. But why did Consort Chen harbor such deep hatred toward her? Even if she wanted to act, it shouldn’t be now, and certainly not using such vicious methods that seemed aimed at destroying her reputation and killing her. If this were Jiang Susu and Xia Yan’s handiwork, it would seem more likely.
Consort Chen was different from Xia Yan—once she acted, there would certainly be follow-up moves. How could she easily escape today? Consort Chen was willing to use an entire vice minister’s residence to set a trap for her—truly impressive.
The more urgent the situation became, the more relaxed Jiang Ruan’s expression grew. She stood straight in the open courtyard of the vice minister’s residence, smiling enchantingly.
Unknowingly, more and more guards appeared, now divided into two groups. One group surrounded Tianzhu—no matter how skilled she was, she couldn’t fight so many, especially since these guards were sent by Consort Chen and were hardly incompetent. The other group slowly closed in on Jiang Ruan. Seeing her suddenly burst into laughter, they couldn’t help feeling suspicious and actually hesitated to advance. Their companion’s tragic death also made them wary of this princess, fearing hidden weapons.
She said coolly, “Has your master considered the consequences of today’s actions?”
Hearing this, the guards’ eyes immediately flashed with surprise. Consort Chen’s involvement should have been unknown to anyone. Even if discovered afterward, Jiang Ruan would only blame Xuan Xin. But this Princess Hong’an directly pointed to the Consort without even suspecting the vice minister’s residence—how could this not alarm them?
If not for Consort Chen’s orders to deliver Jiang Ruan to Xuan Xin’s bed, these guards might have already killed her to silence her. From beginning to end, Consort Chen had never shown her face in the palace and had no apparent connection to this affair, yet Jiang Ruan could guess it! No—judging by her eyes, she was certain.
Time was pressing. Several guards rushed forward to surround Jiang Ruan. Faster than their movements was the dark blue light from her bracelet. After several swooshing sounds, some were hit and collapsed before her. However, no matter how fast she moved, the drug’s effects were sapping her strength. One person circled behind her and suddenly pinned her arms behind her back. Though they couldn’t see clearly what hidden weapon Jiang Ruan used, seeing her body now weak, they gradually relaxed. Seeing Jiang Ruan captured, Tianzhu became anxious and struck more viciously, but this exposed her weaknesses, giving enemies opportunities to wound her.
Tianzhu was trained in assassination, mostly one-on-one combat. Facing large groups of guards was somewhat beyond her capabilities. Now Tianzhu was also shocked—so many people just to deal with one Jiang Ruan seemed excessive. Or perhaps their master’s hatred for Jiang Ruan was bone-deep, ensuring absolute success.
Taking advantage of Tianzhu’s distraction, one man stabbed her waist. Tianzhu stumbled, and when she looked back, Jiang Ruan was nowhere to be seen.
The guard dragged Jiang Ruan away, covering her eyes with his hand. Jiang Ruan bit her tongue tip as her body burned abnormally hot. It was like sparks gradually igniting from her heart, making her entire body tremble. The hotter her body became, the colder her heart grew.
After an unknown time, the person carrying her stopped. The hand covering her eyes was removed, revealing a luxuriously decorated room. Burning incense filled the room with a strange, ambiguous atmosphere. Jiang Ruan wasn’t unfamiliar with this scent—in her previous life in the palace, many beauties would burn such incense when favored by the Emperor to extend those moments of affection. Aphrodisiac incense.
Already affected by the powerful aphrodisiac drug, smelling this incense made Jiang Ruan feel like burning from toes to hair tips. But she had always been able to endure, so only a slight flush appeared on her face. Without knowing the drug’s effects, others probably wouldn’t believe she was drugged.
“Princess Hong’an.” A slimy voice sounded, like disgusting maggots crawling on bone marrow. The guard bowed and retreated. Jiang Ruan could no longer stand and collapsed to the ground, coldly watching the man before her who stared and smiled lecherously.
Xuan You’s gaze roamed over Jiang Ruan. Since that first glimpse in the palace, he dreamed of having Princess Hong’an beneath him. After seeing such exceptional beauty, even the concubines in his own courtyard seemed like vulgar powder. These days Xuan You had no appetite for food or tea. Who knew that the outwardly proper Zuo Jiang was so understanding, and his newly married delicate wife Jiang Li had created such a wonderful opportunity for him.
Xuan You naturally didn’t know that what he thought were Zuo Jiang’s guards were actually not Zuo Jiang’s people at all—he completely overestimated his own capabilities. But now with Jiang Ruan unable to escape, thinking of the surely passionate night ahead, Xuan You couldn’t help feeling excited.
He approached Jiang Ruan step by step. She quickly drew the dagger strapped to her calf—Xiao Shao’s dagger never left her side. But now her head was increasingly dizzy. Jiang Ruan understood that if this continued, before anyone came to rescue her, she would succumb first. Her vision was already blurring—even Xuan You appeared fuzzy.
Seeing Jiang Ruan draw a dagger, Xuan You was first stunned, then laughed, “Princess Hong’an, why make unnecessary moves? You have no strength now. If you want to deal with this prince, let’s go to bed—this prince will let you handle me however you want.” He grinned, his gaze increasingly lewd, “Be careful not to hurt yourself. You should save your strength now—what we’re about to do will be quite exhausting.”
“Get lost,” Jiang Ruan said coldly.
“Why be so unfriendly, Princess?” Xuan You smiled as he approached, “This prince truly admires you. After tonight, this prince will naturally ask Father Emperor to marry you. We’re not blood siblings, and Jin Dynasty has precedents. You’ll be this prince’s consort—isn’t that wonderful?” He drew closer, murmuring, “This prince will serve you well.”
Jiang Ruan looked at him and laughed coldly. Her eyes suddenly darkened as she unhesitatingly plunged the dagger into her left arm. She struck viciously with a life-risking attitude that even startled Xuan You. The light pink garment was immediately soaked with a large bloodstain, shockingly red.
Seeing the large blood stain, Xuan You was first dazed, then anger surged, “Bitch! Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!” He strode toward Jiang Ruan. In his view, this woman was truly ungrateful—being chosen by him was her fortune, yet she spoiled his mood like this. Today if he didn’t torment Jiang Ruan until she knelt begging for mercy, he wouldn’t be Xuan You!
Xiao Shao’s dagger could cut through iron like mud—a treasured weapon. Jiang Ruan actually didn’t stab deeply, but it was painful enough. The pain cleared her mind somewhat, and looking at Xuan You again, her vision wasn’t as blurry as before.
Xuan You reached Jiang Ruan and was about to lift her from the ground when she suddenly extended her hand, pressing on the blood moon bracelet.
“Third Prince, if you take another step forward, don’t blame this princess for not giving you face. If I harm your life, you can only discuss it with the King of Hell,” she said.
These words successfully made Xuan You stop his actions. He looked at Jiang Ruan somewhat suspiciously, then laughed heartily, fire already in his eyes, “Princess, this prince advises you not to play tricks. My people are right outside—what method could you possibly have?”
Jiang Ruan stared at him coldly, raised the bracelet on her hand, and curved her lips in a cruel smile. Her voice was like an icy mountain spring, “Does Third Prince know what this is?”
Xuan You’s gaze fell on the bracelet on Jiang Ruan’s wrist. The blood jade bracelet radiated a faint blue luster—clearly no ordinary item. He had thought it was Jiang Ruan’s precious jewelry, but now didn’t know what it was.
“It’s called the Blood Moon Bracelet, from the capital’s Yibao Pavilion. It contains nine needles, each poisoned with deadly venom—death upon contact with blood,” Jiang Ruan said coolly. “Third Prince is too close to me. This princess fears that with a slip of the hand, I might accidentally press the trigger and cause Third Prince’s immediate death.”
Xuan You was first stunned, then furious, laughing loudly, “You dare threaten me?”
“Whether it’s a threat or not, Third Prince can test it and find out,” Jiang Ruan replied.
Xuan You looked at Jiang Ruan incredulously. This Princess Hong’an, legendary for her exceptional beauty and the Empress Dowager’s favor, showed not a trace of fear at this moment. She was different from all the women he had toyed with before—so special that Xuan You immediately felt intrigued. He smiled lecherously, “This prince knows the Princess is afraid, but there’s no need to fool me with this bracelet. If something happened to me, how could the Princess escape involvement? Murdering imperial family members—the Princess would probably have to pay with her life.” His gaze lingered on Jiang Ruan’s snow-white neck, “Princess, don’t be afraid. This prince will be gentle.”
Xuan You dismissed Jiang Ruan’s words precisely because he was certain she wouldn’t dare harm him. He was, after all, a prince. The crime of killing a prince—even as the Empress Dowager’s adopted granddaughter, she couldn’t escape death.
Jiang Ruan laughed with a “tsk,” looking at Xuan You as if he were a joke. Her arm had already soaked a large area of her garment, the light pink clothing stained deep red with blood. She smiled radiantly, extraordinarily seductive, her entire being carrying a kind of cruel beauty.
“What wouldn’t I dare? Third Prince is lustful and without virtue, having toyed with countless women. Falling into Third Prince’s hands, after tonight, this princess’s only option would be a white silk noose. Since it’s death either way, what’s wrong with having someone accompany me in death?” She raised her head, almost laughing until her body shook, “If Third Prince doesn’t believe it, please come forward. But I’m also very curious—is Third Prince’s movement faster, or are the poison needles in my Blood Moon Bracelet faster?”
Xuan You had intended to mock this woman’s overestimation of her abilities. Over the years, he had toyed with so many women—no matter how fiery their temperament or how chaste and virtuous they were, they all eventually submitted to his manipulation. However, when he saw Jiang Ruan’s eyes, his advancing movement froze. In those clear, lustrous eyes was something like a deep, icy pool—that gaze was so familiar, just like the man-eating demons painted on temple murals.
How could a woman have such fierce eyes?
Xuan You was caught in a dilemma.
Large beads of cold sweat appeared on Jiang Ruan’s forehead. Every second longer in this room meant inhaling more aphrodisiac incense, making the drug’s effects stronger. Even the pain from the wound in her arm could barely suppress the burning desire in her heart.
In truth, there wasn’t a single poison needle left in the blood jade bracelet. When those guards had surrounded her, all the silver needles in the bracelet had been used up. These words were merely to frighten Xuan You. But Tianzhu still hadn’t arrived—had something gone wrong?
Jiang Ruan suddenly felt her heart itch unbearably, like an ant crawling over it. She almost let out a moan but bit her lower lip hard, forcing the sound back down her throat.
Xuan You was uncertain what to do when he noticed the flush on Jiang Ruan’s face deepening and her breathing becoming more rapid. He immediately understood. Having spent so many years in matters of passion, he’d be an fool not to recognize that Jiang Ruan was aroused. Delighted, he knew the drug’s potency better than anyone. Thinking of this, Xuan You was no longer anxious. He retreated to sit on the bed, calmly watching Jiang Ruan, “Since the Princess is so stubborn, this prince won’t force you. But you say no now—when you come begging this prince later, this prince might not be willing to give.”
Though his heart itched unbearably, he still valued his life highly. The drug was very potent—even a taste would turn someone into a lustful beast. Jiang Ruan had quite strong self-control, but even so, given more time, when lust overcame her, she would lose her mind and beg Xuan You to pleasure her.
Thinking of this, Xuan You sneered coldly, waiting for the good show. With guards outside, Jiang Ruan couldn’t escape—he just had to wait for the drug to take effect.
What he could think of, Jiang Ruan naturally thought of too. But now she had no power to protect herself, and the blood jade bracelet had no more poison needles. As the drug took effect, her entire body felt terribly uncomfortable. Her gaze fell on Xiao Shao’s dagger, and steeling herself, she prepared to stab again.
But with a loud “bang,” the entire door was almost kicked out from outside. A tall, slender figure stood in the dust and smoke. Seeing that familiar silhouette, Jiang Ruan couldn’t help but stare.
Xuan You was also startled, jumping up from the bed. The person walked straight into the room—dressed in black brocade, eyes cold as blade edges. He approached Jiang Ruan, his gaze falling on her blood-soaked arm. Those usually intoxicating dark eyes now held black storms.
“Xiao Shao,” Jiang Ruan stared at him in a daze.
“It’s me.” Xiao Shao bent down and lifted her up. As the dust settled, Jiang Ruan and Xuan You finally saw that all the guards outside were lying scattered on the ground, throats marked with thin blood lines—all killed with single sword strikes. The execution was clean and efficient, with Xiao Shao’s sword at his waist still dripping blood.
“Xiao Shao, what do you want to do? Are you planning rebellion?” Xuan You’s legs trembled with fear. If he was the number one wastrel in Da Jin Dynasty whom no one could handle, this Prince Jinying was no pushover—he was the leader of three hundred thousand Imperial Guards who dared to contradict even the Emperor. Who in the world dared to underestimate him? He screamed, “Someone! Help!” His face showed complete panic, nothing like his earlier arrogance.
Xiao Shao looked at him coldly. That gaze was too icy, making Xuan You unconsciously shut his mouth.
“Jin Yi, Jin Er,” Xiao Shao ordered.
“Yes, Master.” Before Xiao Shao finished speaking, the two shadow guards understood his meaning. They exchanged glances—their master was truly enraged this time. This Third Prince was audacious beyond belief, daring to target their master’s person.
Seeing the two shadow guards approaching, Xuan You turned pale with terror, “What are you doing? Don’t come over… Help!”
Xiao Shao carried Jiang Ruan all the way back to Prince Jinying’s residence. In his urgency, he didn’t think there was anything wrong with bringing an unmarried woman to his own residence. Jiang Ruan was usually cold and composed, but also vivid—even her silent anger could make people feel her living hatred. But now she was barely breathing, her light pink clothes stained red with blood. Looking at her like this, she seemed as pitiful as a ten-year-old child.
Xiao Shao’s heart ached slightly. He felt the person in his arms was unusually light. Thinking of the scene he had witnessed earlier, his heart nearly stopped beating. If he hadn’t happened to pass by the vice minister’s residence today, thinking of Jiang Ruan being there and wanting to check on her, only to discover something wrong with the residence and follow the trail to find Tianzhu fighting people, learning that Jiang Ruan had been drugged and kidnapped—even he found his own instant anxiety strange.
He was used to being alone, never worrying about anyone, never paying such attention to anyone. But now, looking down at the thin, fragile girl in his arms, he had only one thought: to protect her, to shelter her under his wing, to shield her from blades and arrows. With him there, he would never let her fall into any danger again.