The weather grew increasingly cold.
After a night of rain, the air the next day was much fresher. Bai Zhi pushed open the window, and the branches outside still held raindrops from last night’s shower—crystal clear, spinning as they fell into the soil below. The room was immediately filled with the unique fragrance of soil after rain.
After Jiang Ruan finished washing and having her morning meal, she walked to the window. Lu Zhu hurriedly entered the room, placing the rose pastry tea in her hands on the table. Blinking at Jiang Ruan, she suddenly whispered, “Miss, the First Madam is gone.”
Jiang Ruan made a sound of acknowledgment and sat down in the chair by the window. The rose pastries Lu Zhu had brought back looked extremely fresh in color, showing a faint pink hue that appeared even more lustrous and lovely under the morning sun. She slowly picked up a piece—her snow-white fingertips holding the pastry revealed a unique charm.
Lu Zhu continued, “Second Miss is also gone, and Fifth Concubine is also gone.”
With three people dead in succession, Jiang Ruan’s expression showed no change whatsoever, as if she had already anticipated the outcome. A trace of weariness seemed to flash quickly through her eyes, but this expression was so brief that no one noticed.
“The Prince’s spies witnessed it personally,” Lu Zhu said anxiously about Jiang Ruan’s reaction, speaking rapidly. “Second Young Master brought men to find Second Miss, but somehow killed Second Miss instead. After returning to the residence, he told Master that Second Miss had been abducted by bandits and committed suicide. As for Fifth Concubine, she swallowed gold and died by herself.” Lu Zhu thought for a moment. “That First Madam’s case is somewhat strange. I heard that last night Second Young Master went to the manor to visit Madam, and at midnight she was discovered to have hanged herself with white silk. However, Master won’t let this matter be publicized for now, though I don’t know why.”
Jiang Ruan said lightly, “It’s not strange. Now that three people have died in the residence at once—Fifth Concubine doesn’t matter, she was just a concubine anyway. But for the Jiang residence’s legitimate Second Miss and the Jiang residence’s Madam to die suddenly together would inevitably invite speculation from interested parties. The Jiang residence is already the subject of considerable gossip in the capital. With my father being so cautious, he naturally wouldn’t add fuel to the fire at this time.”
Lu Zhu suddenly understood, “So that’s how it is. But why would First Madam commit suicide? And that Second Young Master—just to give Second Miss relief, he would strike so cruelly. That’s truly too excessive.”
A trace of mockery flashed in Jiang Ruan’s eyes, her tone carrying a chilling coldness that was startling, “He didn’t do this to give Jiang Susu early relief. He simply didn’t want Jiang Susu to become a stumbling block in his career path. As long as Jiang Susu lived, she could become evidence for others to criticize him in the future. My second brother is determined to climb higher, so naturally he had to personally destroy this evidence.”
Lu Zhu gasped. She hadn’t thought of so much. Because no matter how Jiang Chao and his sister treated Jiang Ruan, the two always stood on a united front, and their sibling affection wasn’t fake. Who knew Jiang Chao could abandon and kill his own sister for selfish desires—truly terrifying.
Though Lu Zhu came from common origins and had broader knowledge than Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao, she was fundamentally kind-natured and couldn’t associate such dark, sordid matters. Regarding human nature, she always held the view that people were inherently good. Jiang Ruan was different—to some extent, she extremely doubted human nature, firmly believing people were inherently evil. Things others could hardly consider came naturally to her.
She continued, “As for Madam’s death, it was merely the result of Second Brother’s instigation. Second Brother has now completely abandoned all restraint. His disregard for consequences clearly shows he’s prepared for a desperate gamble. I’m afraid very soon he’ll undertake some major action.”
Hearing Jiang Ruan say this, Lu Zhu’s heart jumped with alarm, “Are they preparing to deal with Miss?”
“I’m only afraid they won’t make a move,” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, though that smile appeared somewhat cold to Lu Zhu. She said, “I’m also very curious to see who the winner will be in this round.”
Lu Zhu said nothing. After a moment, she suddenly seemed to remember something, “Miss, this servant heard from Jin Er that Prince Xiao will depart for the campaign in less than ten days.”
Jiang Ruan paused slightly, lowering her eyes. Ten days—so soon?
…
Xiao Shao was reviewing documents in his study. The military reports delivered by express horses from the frontier were filled with crisis at every turn—just reading them made one feel the tension of the situation. Jiang Xinzhi’s whereabouts were unknown, Guan Lianghan was wounded, morale in the army was low, and somehow the Jin country’s forces kept changing tactics unexpectedly, catching them completely off guard. If this continued, even the remaining troops would be completely annihilated.
To his left was a military formation diagram. Even from a thousand li away, he had to control the overall situation. Everyone said Prince Jinying was a young hero who commanded three hundred thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards, but no one had seen his wisdom in achieving victory from a thousand li away, strategizing from within his tent. The round trip from the capital to the frontier took over a month. For now, he could only write down defensive strategies to send to the frontier, temporarily holding the line until he personally arrived at the battlefield to catch the enemy off guard.
The room was completely silent, with all the Embroidered Uniform Guards having withdrawn. He had gone a full night without sleep, carefully studying the enemy’s formations until now without eating anything.
The door was suddenly pushed open. Xiao Shao frowned, catching the scent of food. Seeing who had come, he was slightly startled. Jiang Ruan had come herself, carrying pastries and porridge.
These days, though she lived in Prince Jinying’s residence, the two maintained proper etiquette between them, never doing anything inappropriate. Moreover, Xiao Shao was usually elusive, running around outside during the day and studying military tactics and formations when he returned at night. The two rarely even saw each other. Jiang Ruan had an even more aloof temperament, living quite comfortably in Prince Jinying’s residence each day, yet unwilling to even leave her courtyard.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan had now come personally. While Xiao Shao was momentarily stunned, Jiang Ruan had already walked to his side, setting down the pastries and porridge, “The kitchen made osmanthus cakes and chicken porridge—not too sweet. I tasted them, and they’re very good.” She did all this with complete naturalness, as if she had done it thousands of times before. Xiao Shao glanced at her but didn’t move.
“You haven’t eaten anything all day,” Jiang Ruan said. “Do you want to starve to death in your own residence?”
Jiang Ruan usually treated people gently, always maintaining a smiling expression that made her features appear lively and bright. However, upon closer observation, that smile never reached her eyes, like an extremely well-made mask that ultimately gave people a sense of subtle distance. She rarely let her emotions show, and apart from those close to her, even when facing Jiang Xinzhi, she mostly wore comforting expressions, never showing any particular displeasure.
She was fundamentally someone with clear loves and hates, but whether love or hate, both were hidden beneath her smiling expression. This made her smile somewhat intriguing—though always smiling, the meanings conveyed were quite different. For instance, right now, she was clearly smiling, but the reproach and displeasure in her gaze were finally seen by someone.
Xiao Shao made a sound of acknowledgment and silently took the spoon from Jiang Ruan’s hand, slowly scooping up a mouthful of porridge to taste. Food that usually seemed unremarkable somehow felt particularly delicious today. Xiao Shao’s mood brightened, and he quickly finished the porridge, even eating all the pastries he normally wouldn’t touch.
Jiang Ruan was very satisfied with Xiao Shao’s sensible behavior. She sat down across from him, “I heard you’re departing for the campaign soon?”
She asked so bluntly, but Xiao Shao didn’t find anything wrong with it and answered, “Mm.”
“You… must be careful,” Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, still offering this advice. After all, she would marry this man in the future. Regardless of his character, it seemed Xiao Shao had been unconditionally helping her. In this life, she no longer trusted people easily, but Xiao Shao was an exception. She paused, “I will help you guard Prince Jinying’s residence well.”
Xiao Shao was again shocked by her words, unable to help but look up at her.
Xiao Shao naturally understood what kind of person Jiang Ruan was. From their first meeting, Xiao Shao had seen clearly that this young girl was calm and decisive, ruthless and merciless, filled with hostile energy. She seemed to have many secrets, stubbornly sealing her inner heart in a corner. She appeared to be someone without heart or conscience, but this wasn’t entirely true. She would risk everything for Jiang Xinzhi regardless of her own life, would voluntarily distance herself to protect the Zhao family, and would even help Xuan Pei, whom she had only met once in the palace. She was actually someone who fiercely protected those close to her, but there were too few people she would protect.
Today’s words were actually a promise—a promise to him. She was saying that Prince Jinying’s residence would henceforth become part of her responsibility. I will help you guard it…
The young girl before him had bright eyes and white teeth. She was naturally beautiful with features like a painting. Unlike Jiang Susu’s pure beauty, every feature was exquisitely formed. Now gradually shedding her childishness, she already showed signs of exceptional beauty. Those lustrous eyes, like clear mountain springs, with a barely perceptible upward curve at the corners, naturally created an incomparable charm. When she smiled lightly, it seemed as if the evening clouds in the sky had been reflected in her eyes.
Xiao Shao considered himself to have seen countless beauties in his life, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but admit that the young girl before him truly deserved the four words “nation-toppling enchantress.” If she had such ambitions and carefully seduced someone, encountering an emperor who loved beauty, she might truly cause the overthrow of kingdoms.
“You don’t need to do these things,” Xiao Shao looked at her. “Prince Jinying’s residence will protect you. If it cannot protect you, you need not trouble yourself with such concerns.”
Jiang Ruan was fundamentally someone who protected those close to her, and Xiao Shao even more so. When the three hundred thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards had no leader and Xiao Shao was still young, the emperor dared not easily entrust such great power to him. The Embroidered Uniform Guards became a hot potato. At that time, everyone said such an elite force that only served Prince Jinying’s residence was too difficult to truly subdue, and many speculated the emperor would eventually disband this group. Under such rampant rumors, the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ days became particularly difficult. Army soldiers they had previously suppressed turned around to attack them, kicking them while they were down. At that time, Xiao Shao stood up himself, using his own deep penetration into the Southern Border to assassinate the Southern Border leader as a condition to preserve the Embroidered Uniform Guards. He could overturn an entire prince’s residence for one small hidden guard among the Embroidered Uniform Guards, and could fight nobles to the death for the wrongful death of one subordinate. Xiao Shao’s protective nature was well known, and therefore, the Embroidered Uniform Guards respected him, loved him, and were willing to go through fire and water for him.
With Xiao Shao’s temperament, and with Jiang Ruan as his future wife, he naturally placed Jiang Ruan under his protective wing. He didn’t want Jiang Ruan to be harmed for some empty things. That she could make this promise was already very surprising to him.
“No, Xiao Shao,” Jiang Ruan refused. “This isn’t some dispensable prince’s residence. This is Prince Jinying’s residence, where your father and mother lived. It’s the merit and pride that old Prince Jinying earned, the dignity of the Xiao family. Even if this dynasty falls, it must not be trampled upon.” She said softly, “I won’t let it be trampled upon.”
Xiao Shao was shaken, his heart immediately surging with complex emotions impossible to describe. Prince Jinying’s residence—when people mentioned Prince Jinying’s residence and Prince Jinying, they only thought of old Prince Jinying’s rebellion. When bad people did a thousand bad things, doing one good thing made them good people. When good people did a thousand good things, doing one bad thing erased all previous good. All these years, he had guarded the Xiao family and the Embroidered Uniform Guards. People feared his power but never truly respected him from their hearts. People were always forgetful—they forgot who had led these Embroidered Uniform Guards, branded as traitors, to fight foreign tribes and maintain this dynasty’s balance in past years. The ancestors’ meritorious achievements grew ever more glorious in flowery embellishments, while those who charged into battle gradually disappeared.
Yet she said this was old Prince Jinying’s merit and pride, the Xiao family’s dignity. Even if this dynasty fell, it must not be trampled upon. At this moment, the shock in his heart was beyond expression. Action preceded reason as he grasped Jiang Ruan’s hand and pulled her into his arms.
Jiang Ruan was slightly startled, already embraced by Xiao Shao. She leaned against his chest, feeling confused, sensing Xiao Shao’s chin resting on top of her head. The young man’s voice was slightly deep, containing a trace of almost imperceptible sighing, “Thank you.”
Jiang Ruan’s heart moved. After thinking, she hesitated briefly, then also reached out to embrace his waist, “You needn’t thank me. Since I will marry here, this place becomes my responsibility.”
Xiao Shao slowly loosened his arms. Jiang Ruan struggled free from his embrace, but before she could stand up, Xiao Shao caught her chin. She was startled and looked up at Xiao Shao, only to discover he was also staring intently at her.
This young man was naturally extraordinarily handsome, with a rare heroic spirit. However, he usually maintained three parts coldness, giving people a sense of alienation that kept others at a thousand li distance. But when his features softened, his entire being carried three parts warm elegance. His eyelashes were long and straight, creating a beautiful arc when lowered. Most captivating were his dark eyes—like a starry sky scattered with crushed diamonds, suddenly blazing with endless brilliance in the deep night, almost dazzling to behold.
At this moment, he held Jiang Ruan’s chin, leaning slightly forward. His thin lips curved slightly upward, suddenly creating endless romantic charm, making this cold autumn day suddenly burst with compelling spring light. The young man with features like a painting and unparalleled beauty leaned toward her in a firm, irresistible manner.
Jiang Ruan was slightly startled, feeling her body stiffen. She wanted to avoid him directly, but when meeting those ink-dark starry eyes, somehow she didn’t move.
This young man appeared cold but was actually sentimental. His face was cold, but his heart was warm. He was strong, so he lived his life without restraint. In her previous life, she was too far from him; in this life, by some twist of fate, they had come so close. He didn’t pressure her, like a drop of water, a cloud, gradually surrounding her, entering her life step by step. She had tried to resist but found it futile. Her character was resilient, but he wasn’t fragile either.
In this life, he had silently helped her and refused a mutually beneficial cooperation arrangement. He… wasn’t simply someone to be used.
Jiang Ruan slowly closed her eyes. She didn’t refuse.
The kiss fell on her lips—a light touch like a dragonfly on water, then quickly withdrew. He was ultimately a gentleman.
Jiang Ruan slowly opened her eyes. In the young man’s eyes, she saw joy and happiness, and affection that couldn’t be hidden no matter what. That layer of tender emotion made her heart slowly ripple, then like a short blade slowly grinding against her heart.
He was such a good person, with such genuine, unhypocritical affection. But why did it have to be this lifetime?
If it had been her previous life, when she was still that simple girl, almost foolishly so, harboring endless hope for love, when facing Xiao Shao, she could have loved wholeheartedly, returning this sincere love. But heaven was always full of twists—Xiao Shao happened to encounter this lifetime’s version of her, cold-blooded and ruthless, focused solely on revenge and incapable of loving.
Her heart suddenly filled with self-loathing and self-destructive despair. Xiao Shao noticed her expression and was slightly startled. He again lifted her chin, forcing her to face him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked with a frown.
Jiang Ruan looked at him and suddenly smiled slightly, “Xiao Shao, do you regret requesting the Empress Dowager’s marriage decree?”
“No regrets,” Xiao Shao looked at her. No matter how composed he usually was, facing the girl he favored, he was always like any young man experiencing first love. He couldn’t fathom women’s complex thoughts and had never bothered to guess before, so he didn’t understand what caused Jiang Ruan’s sudden melancholy.
His fiancée always had excellent methods for concealing emotions. For instance, at this moment, though he had clearly sensed Jiang Ruan’s fleeting depression and self-loathing, in just an instant, she had returned to her previous smiling, calm appearance.
Jiang Ruan suddenly reached out to embrace his neck, pulling him close to her, hugging him tightly.
Xiao Shao was slightly stunned by Jiang Ruan’s sudden initiative. After a moment, he hesitated before reaching out to gently pat her back, as if comforting some frightened small animal.
Jiang Ruan rested her head on his shoulder. He couldn’t see her expression and naturally had no way of knowing what kind of decision his fiancée had made in her heart at this moment.
This person was too good, Jiang Ruan closed her eyes—so good that one couldn’t bear to hurt him. Since he said he had no regrets, there would never be another chance for regret in this life. She was willing to set aside her reservations and try. Whether with or without feeling, naturally, she also wouldn’t let him regret it.