Lifting the curtains to find the space completely empty, when Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao’s unusual behavior had already convinced Jiang Dan that the person was in the room, how could she be willing to give up now? She wished she could examine every inch inside and outside the curtains. But no matter how she looked, in such a small space that could be seen clearly at a glance, there was clearly no one else – it all seemed like a joke.
Jiang Dan forced a smile and looked at the incense rising from the copper deer: “Elder Sister usually doesn’t like using incense. Why did you use it today?”
“I don’t particularly like it,” Jiang Ruan said slowly. “I’m just using it to mask the fishy smell in the room.”
Jiang Dan suddenly looked up, somewhat puzzled why Jiang Ruan would say such a thing. Wasn’t this an admission?
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “My monthly courses came, and I’m feeling unwell. Fourth Sister, why are you looking at me that way?”
Jiang Dan was so angry she nearly spat blood, convinced that Jiang Ruan was simply toying with her. Such words only made her feel awkward, yet she couldn’t find any rebuttal. Looking around the room again, Jiang Ruan’s room had few decorations – besides the soft couch, it would be difficult to hide a grown person. Realizing today would be fruitless, though disappointed, Jiang Dan was also somewhat puzzled and stood frozen, not knowing what to do.
Jiang Ruan sat up on the couch, gathering her loose hair while saying: “Fourth Sister will be entering the palace for selection soon, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Jiang Dan was startled and lowered her head in response.
“I see Fourth Sister has been quite happy these days,” Jiang Ruan casually examined her fingernails. “Since that’s the case, you should stay properly in your room each day. If something were to happen at this crucial moment, it would be… such a pity.”
Her words carried a chill, and Jiang Dan naturally heard the warning, involuntarily shivering. She had witnessed Jiang Ruan’s methods – if something happened before then, wouldn’t all her efforts be wasted?
Despite her unwillingness, Jiang Dan showed nothing on her face, instead resuming her formerly delicate, timid, and somewhat weak demeanor. She nodded: “Elder Sister’s teaching is correct. Dan’er will return to her courtyard to properly study women’s conduct.”
After Jiang Dan left, Lu Zhu said indignantly: “Fourth Miss clearly has ill intentions. Look at her expression – she truly wishes something would happen to Miss.”
Since following Jiang Ruan into the mansion, Lu Zhu knew about the relationship between Jiang Dan and Jiang Ruan. Logically, since Jiang Dan was raised by Zhao Mei, she should be close to Jiang Ruan, yet she constantly added insult to injury – truly malicious. Even though Lu Zhu had mixed in the marketplace in her early years and understood the principle of repaying kindness, this was her first encounter with someone who repaid kindness with revenge.
Jiang Ruan remained silent. Lu Zhu had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg – since Zhao Mei’s death was connected to Jiang Dan, she wouldn’t let Jiang Dan off easily. Since Jiang Dan so wanted to enter the palace, why not fulfill her wish? No one understood better than Jiang Ruan what kind of place the palace truly was. Slowly tormenting Jiang Dan in the palace would cause more suffering than finding a way to eliminate her now.
Lu Zhu noticed the hostility in her miss’s eyes and was slightly startled. As if suddenly remembering something, she said: “Since Fourth Miss has left, let’s release Prince Xiao so he won’t be stifled.”
Xiao Shao was probably a pampered young master born with a golden spoon, and being stuffed into such a cramped storage space like cargo must have been truly uncomfortable.
Tianzhu and Bai Zhi went to guard outside. Jiang Ruan lifted the bed frame and opened the storage door. Xiao Shao crawled out, and upon seeing Jiang Ruan’s appearance, he was again slightly stunned, his handsome face reddening as he uncomfortably averted his gaze.
Having been lying on the couch earlier, Jiang Ruan was naturally wearing only a snow-white undergarment. After Jiang Dan left, she had forgotten about this detail. Seeing Xiao Shao’s behavior, she found it strange. Lu Zhu softly exclaimed “Ah” and quickly found a cloak to drape over Jiang Ruan, covering her from head to toe. Inwardly annoyed, she thought that now Xiao Shao had both slept in Jiang Ruan’s bed and seen her body – by any account, Jiang Ruan had suffered a great loss. Both Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao felt frustrated.
With clothes draped over her, Jiang Ruan seemed to understand why Xiao Shao had acted strangely and couldn’t help but glance at him. Their eyes met.
The young woman was stunningly beautiful, wearing no makeup yet appearing even more deeply enchanting, with delicate beauty like the most brilliant cloud from the heavens of the Great Jin Dynasty, lightly touching the slightly desolate autumn scenery. Under the slanting sunlight, she appeared even more radiant as spring flowers. With her sharpness softened and her gaze slightly confused, she was like a playfully postured young beast, drawing all eyes to her.
Jiang Ruan also looked at him. The young man stood tall and elegant as jade, his skin like snow, eyes like dots of paint, eyebrows like ink drawings. Fine golden threads embroidered with a qilin treading fire and burning wind were deeply woven into the black fabric. His thin lips lightly pressed, making his entire being appear exquisitely beautiful. Yet looking closely, he also radiated heroic spirit, extremely cold and aloof, with elegance in his very bones – naturally flowing like clouds and water. In this world there were beautiful people – black robes and ink-dark hair, like a qilin divine beast, naturally noble with dignified bearing.
The two gazed at each other, both showing slight emotional fluctuations, as if awed by the other, or as if some emotion was emerging. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu stood quietly aside. The gentle, kind sunlight seemed unwilling to break this serene scene – this moment of tranquility was like distant green mountains.
Xiao Shao had seen beauties before and was himself stunningly handsome. He had always considered appearance merely a shell and had only known that Jiang Ruan looked decent. But in this moment, he deeply understood this young woman’s beauty. Unlike any beauty he had seen before, she clearly had the coldest heart yet possessed a seductive and passionate appearance. When tranquil, she seemed to become another person entirely – calm and gentle, even though he knew deeply that it was merely an illusion.
This young woman was unlike anyone he had ever met. Though clearly full of hostility, she could instantly conceal it beneath a serene exterior. What kind of experiences had shaped her into who she was now?
The cloak wrapped around her completely, revealing only Jiang Ruan’s palm-sized face. Xiao Shao suddenly remembered the earlier image of the young woman in snow-white garments. Knowing she had always detested white and refused to wear it, yet when wearing undergarments she appeared quiet and frail, like a newly bloomed lotus trembling on its stem. The gentle spring breeze swayed the flower’s shadow into his heart. That heart like stone had, at some unknown moment, gained a shadow.
He was slightly stunned by this surge of emotion, and though unfamiliar with love’s taste, he understood what it meant. Unlike the shallow emotional stirrings of the past, from last night when he had unconsciously considered this courtyard a trustworthy place, Xiao Shao understood that something was different.
Last night she had been calm, gently yet firmly bandaging his wounds without hesitation. Time seemed to reverse, returning to Baoguang Temple many years ago, when that girl who seemed to know no sorrow had looked at him with clear eyes and smiled, bringing warmth to a lonely young man amid deadly threats on that cold moonlit night.
Now that girl had grown into a decisively cold young woman with countless schemes, striking without blood yet deeply. Yet still on lonely nights, she brought a basin of clear water, resolving everything with laughter and conversation, showing no trace of panic.
He looked deeply at Jiang Ruan and said: “I’ll take responsibility.”
Jiang Ruan was momentarily stunned. Xiao Shao’s dark eyes were like a night sky scattered with diamonds, naturally brilliant and dazzling, seeming to draw one into drowning depths. After saying this, Xiao Shao stared intently at Jiang Ruan, a barely perceptible nervousness flashing in his eyes. Having maintained composure through countless dangerous situations in his life, even facing mortal peril hadn’t made him as nervous as this moment.
Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao neither left nor stayed, sweat beading on their foreheads. Lian Qiao still hesitated in her heart, but Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan with hopeful expectation. They had all observed what kind of person Xiao Shao was these days. If Jiang Ruan could be with him, it would be the most secure arrangement. Though their miss always acted with great determination, even they, her closest servants, sometimes felt extremely close yet distant from Jiang Ruan. If someone could enter her heart and protect her, perhaps Jiang Ruan wouldn’t be so lonely.
After brief astonishment, Jiang Ruan smiled gently, but her smile contained a trace of self-loathing. Xiao Shao keenly caught this expression and heard Jiang Ruan say: “Xiao Shao, you know I don’t care about such things.”
This was a gentle refusal. Xiao Shao felt momentarily disappointed, though it didn’t last long. If the person before him could be so easily moved, she wouldn’t be herself. He nodded: “The gates of Prince Jinying’s mansion will always be open to you.” He paused, adding: “I will always stand on your side.”
Jiang Ruan nodded: “Thank you.” She looked out the window: “In that case, you needn’t hurry back. Since people are waiting outside anyway, why not stay longer?”
Xiao Shao had intended to refuse but suddenly changed his mind: “Alright.”
Jin San, who had been listening eagerly outside, stared into the room in disbelief. They were clearly supposed to visit Baizhang Tower today, yet Xiao Shao had agreed to Jiang Ruan’s words and acted as if she made perfect sense. When usually proper people started lying, they were truly deviously wicked!
Xiao Shao was completely unaware of his subordinate’s mental criticism, only feeling very satisfied with this arrangement and thinking his injury this time was quite worthwhile. However, Jiang Ruan seemed unaware that an additional man was in her room, continuing to do whatever she normally did without any discomfort, causing small frustration in Xiao Shao’s heart.
He had thought the day would pass like this, but something else happened that evening.
…
In the outer courtyard of Ruan Residence, Lu Zhu sat with Jin Er without their usual bickering, instead asking nervously: “Will this really work?”
Jin Er nodded seriously: “It should work.”
“I think so too,” Lu Zhu agreed. “I’ve seen it performed this way in plays.”
“What kind of play is this?” Jin Er was surprised. “Could it be some wild troupe?” He then laughed wickedly: “Who would have thought that at your young age, you’d have such tastes.”
Lu Zhu’s face flushed red with anger. She kicked him again, furious: “That’s still better than your thick skin. Aren’t you afraid of injuring your descendants someday and becoming useless?” With that, she left in high spirits, leaving Jin Er alone and disheveled in the wind.
He most hated people questioning his abilities. Very well, this girl had stepped on his sore spots several times!
Regardless of what happened outside, internal affairs had to proceed step by step.
After dinner, Jiang Ruan went out to find more books. Though Xiao Shao was in the room, he maintained proper etiquette, and they got along quite comfortably. As she was about to enter the room, she noticed no one in the outer room and found it strange. Just then she saw Lu Zhu hurrying in to replace the afternoon tea. Jiang Ruan asked: “Where are Lian Qiao and the others?”
“Sister Lian Qiao and Sister Bai Zhi went outside to help Prince Xiao brew brown sugar water,” Lu Zhu lied without changing expression. “Sister Tianzhu and Sister Jin San have matters to discuss.”
Jiang Ruan found it somewhat odd but didn’t think deeply about it, simply nodding: “Alright, you may go.”
Lu Zhu left with the tea service.
Jiang Ruan entered the inner room. Just as she entered, she heard a “click” sound. Turning around, she saw the iron lock between the inner and outer rooms had been secured. Usually, as a precaution against nighttime dangers, Jiang Ruan had added a door between the inner and outer rooms with a special lock. Now it had been locked by Lu Zhu.
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow slightly. For her servant to act this way, it couldn’t possibly be to truly harm her. Though she didn’t understand Lu Zhu’s intention, Jiang Ruan wasn’t worried. She thoughtfully glanced at the locked door and turned to face the curtain in the inner room.
It wasn’t the pearl or crystal curtains that ordinary young ladies favored, just ordinary silk rain curtains in light green due to mourning. Looking through the hazy gauze curtains, there was no sign of anyone inside.
Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain and boldly walked in.
However, upon entering, she discovered her mistake and had no opportunity to retreat.
The room was indeed empty, but the screen beside the soft couch had been erected at some point, with a tall figure silhouetted against it – narrow waist and hips, lean torso, every movement containing a beauty of restrained power. The next moment, that figure emerged from behind the screen. Xiao Shao appeared before Jiang Ruan wearing only a loosely draped jade-colored robe.
A beauty before her, colored like spring flowers.
For a moment, Jiang Ruan didn’t know how to react. If this were some trap, that would be manageable, but at this moment, she could only stand stunned.
Xiao Shao had removed his usual black clothing. The jade-colored robe hung loosely on his body, revealing expanses of lustrous, fair skin that was also jade-colored. The lamplight’s glow made his entire being seem coated with moonlight. With red lips and white teeth, starry eyes and elegant brows, he was like an immortal descended from a painting. Having shed his cold elegance, he gained warm radiance that, seen by others, possessed an otherworldly charm and allure previously absent.
Jiang Ruan stood dazed in place. Xiao Shao was also stunned, perhaps not expecting to see Jiang Ruan immediately upon emerging. The impact was too great – both stared at each other without moving.
After a moment, Xiao Shao coughed lightly and nonchalantly walked to sit on the soft couch. His robe spread casually on the ground while his ink-black hair fell smoothly over his shoulders, making his entire being appear even more jade-like.
In her previous life, Jiang Ruan had thought Xuan Li was the most gentle and jade-like man she had ever seen. Even now, seeing through Xuan Li completely, she had to admit his appearance was good – at least outsiders would consider him worthy of being called “a gentleman, gentle as jade.” But this person’s casual movement could completely overshadow Xuan Li. Unlike Xuan Li’s deliberate cultivation, Xiao Shao naturally exuded beauty. The world called her a country-destroying enchantress, but in her view, only Xiao Shao truly deserved the title “country-destroying.”
Xiao Shao seemed unable to bear her gaze any longer. He turned around with a mischievous smile, curved his lips, raised an eyebrow and said: “So infatuated with me?”
When cold people smiled, their deep gaze seemed even more brilliant. A smile revealed all his charm and grace – a different kind of seduction. Jiang Ruan was stunned, not expecting to hear such words from Xiao Shao. She immediately looked him up and down appraisingly, commenting like a critic: “Elegant bone structure, extremely beautiful, features like a painting, strong physique – truly… a beauty.”
The beautiful Xiao Shao’s mouth twitched. He glanced at her sideways, withdrew his seductive posture, and pulled out a snow-white porcelain bottle from his robes: “I need to apply medicine. Turn around.”
He opened his clothing, revealing the shocking wound on his chest. It was difficult for Xiao Shao to treat it himself. Seeing this, Jiang Ruan walked over, took the porcelain bottle from his hand, and said: “Don’t be so formal. I’ll do it.”
“Men and women shouldn’t have physical contact,” Xiao Shao reminded.
Jiang Ruan’s voice was flat: “I’ve seen what I should and shouldn’t see, touched what I have touched. You might as well consider me a man.”
Initially, when hearing the first part of Jiang Ruan’s statement, the beautiful Xiao Shao was quite satisfied. But upon hearing the latter half, he sensed something wrong. Looking down at the young woman’s head as she moved closer, he endured it but still said: “I can take responsibility.”
“…” Jiang Ruan deliberately pressed down on the wound, indeed hearing Xiao Shao’s muffled groan before releasing her hand and saying casually: “You should first recover your health. So weak – what responsibility can you take?”
Xiao Shao’s face darkened again. Steward Lin and several subordinates secretly discussed daily how he was unromantic and stone-like. Xiao Shao felt they should come see Jiang Ruan to understand what truly being unromantic meant.
Jiang Ruan was also puzzled – why had Xiao Shao suddenly become somewhat roguish? She hadn’t noticed him being so annoying before.
Outside, the guards lined up with ears pressed to the door, hoping to hear something. But they didn’t dare be too obvious, and with two doors between them, listening was truly difficult. They could only vaguely distinguish sounds. One person said: “Hey, I think I heard the young master call out.”
“The young mistress is truly heroic,” another praised.
“We are impressed!” Even more excited.
Inside the room, the two had ambiguous overtones but insufficient intimacy, completely wasting the good opportunity their subordinates had painstakingly created. If Steward Lin saw this, he would certainly sigh again: “These youngsters cannot be taught!”