The shock that Madam Jiang’s death brought to the Jiang residence was immense. Rather than saying Madam Jiang’s death was too shocking, it was more accurate to say that Jiang Ruan being arrested and thrown into prison was even more astonishing. Naturally, Jiang Quan was furious when he learned of this. That day in Guilan Courtyard, only Cai Que remained by Madam Jiang’s side. Cai Que had served Madam Jiang for many years, so her words were naturally convincing. As for Madam Jiang’s tea, it was indeed found to contain arsenic.
The rumors spreading through the streets and alleys claimed that Jiang Ruan harbored deep resentment against Madam Jiang and thus poisoned her tea with arsenic. However, while these rumors spread far, clever people could immediately detect something suspicious upon hearing them. If one wanted to murder someone, wasn’t the method of adding arsenic to their tea in person too foolish? Princess Hong’an wasn’t an idiot—why would she seek her own death?
Yet speculation remained speculation, after all it was the Jiang family’s internal matter. While people gossiped with relish and waited to watch the drama unfold, they wondered how this sister of the Great Jin Dynasty’s war god, the favored princess by the current Empress Dowager Yide’s side, would turn this situation around.
Perhaps because the rumors outside were too fierce, Jiang Quan issued a house arrest order—no one in the residence was allowed to venture out except for necessary shopping. In Second Concubine’s courtyard, Yang Liu was carefully serving Second Concubine her medicine.
“Take it away!” Second Concubine waved her hand, knocking the medicine bowl aside, her face showing several traces of irritation. Jiang Quan forbade people in the residence from going out, and outsiders couldn’t get in either. Even the servants who usually carried messages couldn’t get word, so she had no idea what was happening outside. Thinking of the thirty thousand taels of silver she had sent out, Second Concubine gritted her teeth. She had wagered her entire fortune—even if Jiang Ruan grew wings, she couldn’t escape.
Although Hu Qianqiu had once been intimate with her, that was many years ago. On the surface, Hu Qianqiu was helping her out of past affection, but in reality, wasn’t he just trying to quietly establish connections with the Jiang family? The struggle between Xuan Hua and Xuan Li was becoming increasingly fierce. Even though Hu Qianqiu was in Xuan Hua’s camp, he inevitably felt some hesitation. If he could establish ties with the Jiang residence, should anything happen in the future, he’d have someone to rely on.
As for Li Qiang, he was her own nephew who loved gambling most of all and owed debts everywhere. If she hadn’t seen through this weakness, she wouldn’t have gotten Li Qiang to work for her. She had never intended to bring down Jiang Ruan through this framing scheme alone—she only wanted Li Qiang to use some tricks while Jiang Ruan was in prison. Any woman who experienced such things would naturally commit suicide, and even if she didn’t, Li Qiang would help make it look like suicide. Jiang Li had originally suffered because of Jiang Ruan—her body was defiled by that lecherous prince, and she gained a reputation for being violated and disgraced. Now she wanted Jiang Ruan to taste that same suffering, to have her body ruined and her reputation completely destroyed.
Only in prison would Jiang Ruan be alone and most vulnerable to attack. It should have been a foolproof plan, but there had been no news from that side. Second Concubine’s heart grew anxious, and within that anxiety lurked an ominous premonition that made her inexplicably panic.
After a pause, she stood up and said, “I’m going to see Jiang Dan.”
…
Jiang Dan’s courtyard, which was close to Ruan Residence, was also wrapped in silence at this moment. White silk for mourning had been hung everywhere. Jiang Dan, dressed entirely in white mourning clothes, sat by the window, fidgeting with small white flowers on the table. Her long hair wasn’t pinned up but casually draped over her shoulder, making those shoulders appear even more delicate and weak. Her entire being was like the white flowers in her hands—fragile, helpless, and pitifully touching.
“Miss,” a maid approached and said, “Second Concubine is outside.”
“I’m feeling unwell today and won’t see visitors,” Jiang Dan brushed her hair and rose to walk toward the bed.
The maid looked troubled but didn’t dare disobey, so she reluctantly went out. Jiang Dan walked to the bedside and sat down, reaching back to pull down the soft gauze curtains. The newly made autumn-fragrance-colored tianxiang silk soft gauze curtains emitted a faint, ethereal fragrance. Their color was fresh and captivating, and even one bolt was quite expensive. Though Hong Ying managed the household and the young ladies’ allowances, she wouldn’t dare openly tamper with them. As a concubine’s daughter, Jiang Dan naturally couldn’t afford such things.
However, this was a gift from someone who hadn’t left their name, though she could guess who it was. Zuo Jiang’s attitude was perhaps too enthusiastic. Jiang Dan’s face flashed with disdain. In the past, the Minister’s residence would indeed have been a good match, but now the Minister’s residence had a worrying future and no room for advancement in official circles. She wasn’t an idiot—why would she throw herself into such a situation? Zuo Jiang was just too conceited, truly thinking she was eagerly wanting to marry over there.
Still, keeping him around had some uses. Jiang Dan played with the silk knots that tied the curtains, her mood quite good. That fool Second Concubine had probably made her move yesterday. With just a few light words of instigation, she had gotten that stupid woman to find people herself. If they could bring down Jiang Ruan, that would naturally be wonderful, but Jiang Dan knew in her heart that with Jiang Ruan’s capabilities, Second Concubine definitely wouldn’t be her match. In the end, the loser would still be Second Concubine.
So what? A flash of hatred passed through Jiang Dan’s eyes. Back then, Second Concubine had encouraged Jiang Li to steal away the marriage arrangement she had fought for—did they really think she was a soft persimmon? Jiang Li was dead, but Second Concubine was living well. That wouldn’t do. People who offended her in this world never had good endings. First it was Jiang Li, now it was Second Concubine, and in the future there would be others… She smiled slightly, extending her porcelain-white hand to delicately pick up an embroidery piece. Embroidered on it was a young phoenix stretching its neck as if about to cry out, seeming to wait only for a clear breeze to soar through the nine heavens with its phoenix call.
…
In the imperial study, Zhao Guang wiped the sweat from his forehead, his expression finally relaxing somewhat. After much persuasion, the Emperor had finally revealed that this matter wouldn’t be hastily concluded. After all, Jiang Ruan was now an imperially enfeoffed princess—if something happened to her, wouldn’t it be slapping the Emperor’s face?
Thinking of that Censorate Director Hu Qianqiu, Zhao Guang felt a belly full of anger. Zhao Guang was a founding minister and the Grand General Who Assists the State. In court, his colleagues usually showed him considerable respect. Hu Qianqiu’s ability to secure his position as Censorate Director was inseparably linked to his shrewd and smooth character. However, Zhao Guang had always been critical of civil officials and had little interaction with Hu Qianqiu. He hadn’t expected that this seemingly respectful and courteous Director would send Jiang Ruan to prison this time. While it appeared to be without problems, Zhao Guang’s intuition told him that this bastard definitely had a hand in it.
The Emperor threw the memorial in his hand aside and pressed his temples. Eunuch Gao observed with his eyes and nose, silently standing to one side. Earlier, Empress Dowager Yide had also come to discuss Jiang Ruan’s matter with the Emperor. The Empress Dowager rarely involved herself in such trivial matters these years, yet now she was managing these affairs again for Princess Hong’an’s sake. Eunuch Gao pondered—Princess Hong’an had won the Empress Dowager’s sincere affection and had the Zhao family behind her, plus Jiang Xinzhi’s military achievements. Originally, the Emperor hadn’t paid her much attention, but now he would probably need to reassess this legitimate daughter of the Jiang family.
Just then, they heard a young eunuch outside announcing that Prince Jinying requested an audience. As soon as Xiao Shao entered, the Emperor looked at him and said, “What, don’t tell me you’re also here about Princess Hong’an’s matter?”
Xiao Shao remained silent.
The Emperor had spoken casually, but seeing Xiao Shao’s expression, he paused and frowned thoughtfully, “What is your relationship with Hong’an?”
Xiao Shao said flatly, “As a high official of the Censorate, Hu Qianqiu was lax in his investigations, deceived by base people, and has been repeatedly promoted. I request Your Majesty to severely punish him.”
“You’re speaking to me like this, which means you’ve already taken action. So why are you asking me?” The Emperor snorted coldly. “Princess Hong’an truly has some capabilities. In just this short time, the people coming to plead for her have opened my eyes. I never knew when my ministers all developed such friendship with Princess Hong’an.”
Xiao Shao frowned. The Emperor’s words weren’t referring to Zhao Guang and Empress Dowager Yide. It was perfectly reasonable for Zhao Guang and Empress Dowager Yide to plead for Jiang Ruan—the Emperor need not speak this way. Could there be others? He looked questioningly at the Emperor, who slapped the memorial on the table. “Don’t think about it—Grand Tutor Liu also came.”
Liu Min had also come to plead for Jiang Ruan. Xiao Shao was slightly stunned.
But the Emperor was somewhat angry. Such a small matter shouldn’t have been brought to the imperial study. Yet today he had heard about Jiang Ruan’s affairs one after another—how could this not make him thoughtful? Since entering court as an official, Liu Min had always been aloof and arrogant, never having any particularly close court colleagues, yet today he had unexpectedly pleaded for Jiang Ruan. He glanced at Xiao Shao, and Jiang Ruan’s beautiful and alluring appearance floated into his mind. Were they truly bewitched by beauty?
“Ah Shao, your marriage…” Before the Emperor could finish speaking, he saw Xiao Shao say flatly, “Since there are no other matters, this subject will take his leave first.”
The Emperor was choked up, and after a long while waved his hand: “Go.”
The young eunuch waiting outside saw that Xiao Shao had entered quickly but came out even faster. Seeing the Emperor’s less-than-pleased expression, he thought that Prince Jinying was indeed a rebellious subject and even the Emperor couldn’t deal with him. Inside the room, Eunuch Gao sighed in his heart and shook his head.
Xiao Shao had come to the imperial study today merely to inform the Emperor—he didn’t even need to obtain permission. Leaving the imperial study, Xiao Shao went directly to the Censorate.
The officials of the Censorate were handling official documents. This job was both busy and leisurely—busy when it came to cases involving the imperial family or high officials that fell under Censorate jurisdiction, leisurely otherwise. Most of the time, those above were relaxed while those below were busy. Moreover, with the unspoken understanding in official circles, no major incidents had occurred. Director Hu Qianqiu’s rash arrest of Jiang Ruan had already caused dissatisfaction among the Censorate officials.
Currently, the Censorate had two positions: the Director and the slightly lower-ranking Inspector. Director Hu Qianqiu and Inspector Ke Xiuran. Ke Xiuran had long been subordinate to Hu Qianqiu, but Hu Qianqiu firmly held onto the Director position, leaving Ke Xiuran unable to find an opportunity.
The Censorate officials were roughly divided into two factions—one supporting Hu Qianqiu, another supporting Ke Xiuran, though naturally more supported Hu Qianqiu. Regarding Princess Hong’an’s imprisonment this time, Ke Xiuran was opposed.
Suddenly seeing Xiao Shao enter greatly surprised the Censorate officials. In the hall sat a middle-aged man wearing dark blue official robes, thin and slightly dark-complexioned, with some depth in his eyes. This person was Ke Xiuran.
Ke Xiuran stood up and bowed to Xiao Shao, saying, “Prince Xiao.”
Xiao Shao looked at him coldly and threw something in his hand to Ke Xiuran. Ke Xiuran was first startled, then saw it was a letter. He walked to one side to read it completely, his expression already becoming uncontrollably excited. He looked toward Xiao Shao, his gaze quite agitated: “This…”
“If Hu Qianqiu doesn’t want to be this Director, then he need not continue.” Xiao Shao said, then turned and left the Censorate.
This left Ke Xiuran alone, holding the item in his hands. What was written in this letter was enough to cause a complete purge of the Censorate. Certainly, it wouldn’t affect him much, but Hu Qianqiu’s position was definitely lost. Since Xiao Shao had thrown this to him, his attitude was tacit approval. Whatever Ke Xiuran did wouldn’t meet with obstruction. But why would Prince Jinying, who usually didn’t manage court affairs, suddenly target Hu Qianqiu?
Ke Xiuran thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered Jiang Ruan who was still in prison. His heart stirred—so that was it. Hu Qianqiu was seeking his own death. He had long seen that Princess Hong’an wasn’t someone to provoke. Just based on Jiang Xinzhi’s reputation alone, the Emperor would protect Princess Hong’an. Yet Hu Qianqiu didn’t know what evil possessed him to imprison Princess Hong’an. Didn’t he realize that if something went wrong and angered the war god Jiang Xinzhi, his career path would come to an end?
Ke Xiuran naturally gloated over Hu Qianqiu’s fate, thinking that Princess Hong’an truly wasn’t ordinary—even Prince Jinying would stand up for her. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly stood up. Even for Prince Jinying’s sake, he absolutely couldn’t slight this Princess Hong’an. He’d better give instructions to the prison guards immediately.
…
While other places in the capital were still unaware, the atmosphere in the Jiang residence was quite heavy. Madam Jiang’s coffin was placed in the newly established mourning hall. Everyone in the residence wore hemp and white mourning clothes. That night, Du Juan and Cai Que were the ones keeping vigil in the mourning hall.
After Madam Jiang’s death, the two maids had nowhere to go. Considering they had served the old madam for so many years and deserved recognition for their hard work, they would be released from the residence according to usual practice. Du Juan and Cai Que were both now past seventeen years of age and still unmarried. Du Juan was house-born—her parents still worked on the Jiang family’s estate, so she would have a place to shelter when released. But Cai Que had been bought from outside by Madam Jiang years ago and had always been alone.
The mourning hall was especially desolate at night. Madam Jiang’s coffin emanated a gloomy, dark aura. When wind blew in from outside through the mourning hall, it made the already weak white candles flicker precariously. Incompletely burned paper money in the basin fluttered up and down, as if invisible hands were playing with the paper money. The musicians had long since returned home, making the Jiang residence even more desolate—it seemed as if only the two of them remained in the vast mansion.
Du Juan had gone to the latrine and hadn’t returned for a long time, leaving only Cai Que alone. White paper lanterns swayed back and forth on the rafters, casting mottled black shadows that were inexplicably eerie.
Cai Que’s heart tightened, and she couldn’t help but hug her arms. The moonlight outside the flower window had somehow disappeared, leaving seemingly only the weak light in the mourning hall. With the cold wind rising, even this weak light seemed about to be extinguished.
Suddenly, the coffin made a sharp cracking sound—strange, exactly like someone scratching wood with their fingernails. Cai Que’s body stiffened, and a chill poured over her head and face, soaking her through to the bone. Uneasily, she walked forward, then another loud sound rang out, frightening her face pale as she collapsed to the ground.
Du Juan had gone and seemed to disappear without a trace, never returning. The loud sounds grew louder and louder, almost exploding next to Cai Que’s ears. On the ground, in the lantern light’s shadows, a shadow suddenly appeared.
The shadow was thin and long, its body seeming strangely stretched, vaguely a woman’s silhouette with long hair trailing down, particularly conspicuous in the mourning hall.
Cai Que screamed and could no longer maintain her composure. Such a scene was truly too terrifying. She immediately knelt down, frantically kowtowing toward the spirit tablet in the mourning hall: “Old Madam, this servant was wrong, this servant shouldn’t have harmed you. Please spare this servant, please spare this servant.”
The black shadow didn’t seem to let her off, visibly circling from behind, getting closer and closer. Cai Que felt a pair of icy hands caressing her neck, those long, grayish-white nails scraping past. She finally couldn’t help but look up, meeting a ghastly pale face with large black eyes, long hair wound around the entire body, and large patches of dark black blood around the lips.
Cai Que finally broke down, crying and screaming loudly: “Old Madam, this servant was wrong! Old Madam…” Her voice cut off abruptly as Cai Que’s eyes became vacant and she collapsed softly.
The terrifying ghost suddenly pulled off its hood, revealing a seductively beautiful face—it was Jin San. Jin San pulled out a medicine bottle from her bosom, skillfully pinched Cai Que’s chin and fed her the contents. Cai Que lay softly on the ground.
Only then did Jin San stride out. Outside the window, Jin Yi expressionlessly held Du Juan, who had been struck at pressure points. Du Juan’s expression was terrified beyond measure, unable to utter a word.
“Be good. Don’t you want to end up like her?” Jin San smiled. Though she was beautiful, in Du Juan’s eyes she looked like an evil spirit.
Du Juan frantically shook her head.
Jin San laughed: “Then I’ll release your pressure points, but don’t scream. If you cry out and distract me, then…” The silver hairpin in her hand glowed with an eerie blue light, obviously poisoned.
Du Juan quickly nodded.
Only then did Jin San release the pressure points. As soon as they were released, Du Juan urgently asked, “How is she?”
“Nothing much,” Jin San said casually. “Just that from now on she’ll probably be an idiot.”
Du Juan was stunned, immediately feeling a surge of desolation. She and Cai Que had served Madam Jiang together in their early years, supporting each other through thick and thin—their bond was naturally very deep. But just now she had been held captive by this stranger, watching helplessly as Cai Que was frightened to this extent. And to become an idiot from now on… what good fate could await a maid who had become an idiot?
“Don’t just feel sorry for her,” Jin San giggled. “Do you want to become an idiot like her too? I wonder if young Master Wang would still like you if such a beautiful girl became an idiot?”
Du Juan froze, immediately feeling chilled throughout her body. Young Master Wang—how did she know about Young Master Wang?
How Madam Jiang died, she knew better than anyone. While shocked by Cai Que’s boldness, she had also received that person’s offer. That person said that as long as she could also testify, they would help her escape her slave status.
Du Juan, serving beside Madam Jiang, had originally planned never to marry. But she had encountered Young Master Wang, yet a slave had no qualification to marry Young Master Wang as his legitimate wife. If she could escape her slave status, wouldn’t she be able to live together with Young Master Wang, becoming a loving couple? So Du Juan had silently agreed.