After Lu Zhu returned to the room with Jiang Ruan, she still stood aside without moving. After a long while, Jiang Ruan looked up, and Lu Zhu’s eyes immediately reddened as she said quietly, “This servant was wrong. Please punish me, Young Madam.”

“Where were you wrong?” Jiang Ruan asked, looking at her. Lian Qiao moved her lips but ultimately said nothing. Lu Zhu said, “This servant shouldn’t have quarreled with someone at the manor gates, making the manor become a laughingstock in others’ mouths.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “You were wrong, but not in this. Your mistake was being too polite to that woman from the beginning. I originally thought that after following me for so long, you would surely see through people’s hearts. I didn’t expect your nature to still be too straightforward, though I can’t really blame you.” Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes: “Since that person dared to make trouble at the manor gates, she must have something to rely on and probably has more tricks up her sleeve. Don’t go out these next few days. Leave this matter to me.”

These words made Lu Zhu want to cry again. The grievances of recent days had all been buried in her heart, but Jiang Ruan’s words seemed to instantly give her a backbone. Jiang Ruan had always been protective of her people. Originally, she couldn’t tolerate anyone saying a bad word about Jiang Xinzhi, and now she was equally protective of her. It seemed that with Jiang Ruan there, the previous sadness wasn’t so sad anymore. She paused, then asked somewhat hesitantly, “This matter… could it cause conflict between Young Madam and the Imperial Guards?”

No matter how wrong Jin Er was, he was ultimately one of the Imperial Guards. Just as Lian Qiao unconditionally stood on her side, Jiang Ruan had made Jin Er lose face in front of everyone, which would inevitably make the Imperial Guards overthink and might even cause misunderstandings between Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan as a married couple.

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. “There’s no reason for subordinates to have opinions about their master. If not for Jin Er’s sake today, I would have had them thrown out long ago.”

Lu Zhu said nothing more.

Outside the manor, Jin Er helped Liao Meng into a carriage nearby. Nanny Zhou was in the carriage, and Liao Meng hadn’t let her get out. Nanny Zhou didn’t know what had happened outside. Seeing Jin Er, she was first startled, then seeing the slap marks on Liao Meng’s face, she was even more frightened and said somewhat frantically, “Oh my dear miss, what happened to you? Who hit you? Heavens, this swelling is so severe. Miss, why didn’t you let this old servant follow you?”

Jin Er felt somewhat ashamed and only said, “It’s all my fault. I didn’t take good care of Miss Liao.”

“This matter has nothing to do with you.” Liao Meng hurriedly interrupted him, saying to Nanny Zhou, “Nanny Zhou, I’m fine. There was just some misunderstanding earlier. Second Young Master, please go attend to your own affairs. The manor has many duties, and it’s not a solution for you to keep accompanying me. It’s still early—surely you have important matters. Nanny Zhou and I can return by ourselves.”

Jin Er thought for a moment and said, “You’re a weak woman. What if something happens on the road? Coming to the manor today was already risky. Let me escort you.”

“Really, there’s no need,” Liao Meng smiled. “Moreover, Miss Lu Zhu has already misunderstood. If you escort me like this, it will only deepen the misunderstanding between you two. It’s fine—the coachman knows the way. Nanny Zhou and I, in broad daylight, surely won’t encounter any problems. Rather, Second Young Master, having displeased the Princess Consort, will it affect your standing with the Prince? Thinking about it, I truly feel that today was all my fault—always causing you trouble.”

These words were spoken so gently and warmly that it made one even more unsure how to respond. Jin Er’s expression changed as he said, “I told you this matter has nothing to do with you. Don’t keep worrying about it. Since that’s the case, I’ll leave and come to the residence to see you later tonight. You and Nanny Zhou be careful on the road.”

Liao Meng nodded agreement and smiled as she lowered the carriage curtain. The crowd of onlookers had already dispersed. Jin Er also mounted his horse and galloped swiftly in the opposite direction. In the carriage, Nanny Zhou distressedly touched Liao Meng’s face: “Miss, that maid was too vicious. These red marks will probably take several days to fade. She’s truly ruthless and cruel. How could Second Young Master want such a woman?”

As soon as her hand touched the skin, she felt burning pain. Lu Zhu had indeed used full force. Half of Liao Meng’s face was now swollen high, almost unrecognizable from its original appearance. Liao Meng gritted her teeth: “I also didn’t expect her to be such a vicious person.” Today she had originally planned to target Lu Zhu. She had already made this vulnerable pose and gained sympathy. Someone with Lu Zhu’s simple mind should have only suffered losses. But she hadn’t expected this girl, who looked honest, to be so fierce at heart. These three slaps had almost stunned her—she hadn’t anticipated suffering such a loss today.

However, what made Liao Meng feel even more unsettled was the red-clothed woman who had emerged from the manor gates—Jiang Ruan, the current Young Madam of Prince Jinying’s manor. Before coming, she had already inquired about Jiang Ruan’s affairs and knew this woman was shrewd and formidable. But seeing her in person today, being looked at by those eyes, she felt that the rumors about her prowess didn’t even amount to one ten-thousandth of seeing her personally. Those eyes appeared to smile on the surface, but the sharpness within was shocking. It seemed that being looked at by those eyes left one’s inner thoughts with nowhere to hide. Moreover, Jiang Ruan’s protection of Lu Zhu was almost naked.

Nanny Zhou was still distressedly muttering, asking, “Miss, should we go to the pharmacy now to get some medicine? These facial wounds should heal quickly. That maid’s heart is too black—who specifically targets someone’s face?”

“No need, Nanny Zhou,” Liao Meng came back to her senses. “I feel somewhat unwell. Let’s return to the residence and rest for a while.” There was no such thing as such easy deals in the world. Since Lu Zhu had already slapped her three times, she would eventually get those three slaps back from Lu Zhu. So what if Jiang Ruan was protective? That’s exactly what she wanted. If she weren’t protective, that would be strange. The more protective she was, the more interesting things would become later. Liao Meng slowly caressed her red, swollen cheek, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

…

The incident of Jiang Ruan making Jin Er lose face in front of countless onlookers at Prince Jinying’s manor gates spread throughout the entire manor within the time of one incense stick, or rather, throughout the capital and into everyone’s gossiping mouths. The servants in Prince Jinying’s manor were truly becoming more silent by the day. Since Jiang Ruan had entered the manor and become the Princess Consort, she rarely put on airs as a Princess Consort. Though her temperament couldn’t be called lively, she had always been gentle with servants. When servants occasionally made mistakes, she didn’t pursue them—she was a magnanimous master whom everyone liked. This was the first time she had so clearly expressed displeasure with the Imperial Guards, even pulling out her Princess Consort authority to pressure the other party. If it had been for her own affairs, that would be one thing, but it was actually for domestic matters. Both sides were family—everyone felt that Jin Er had indeed acted improperly in this matter, but the Imperial Guards never interfered in domestic emotional affairs. There was absolutely no reason to meddle in such things. Moreover, Jin Er was also a companion who had grown up with them, so it was impossible to sever relationships over this. For a time, the manor became clearly divided—Jiang Ruan’s people and the Imperial Guards ignored each other. Ye Feng had sought out Lian Qiao several times, but Lian Qiao now found the Imperial Guards disagreeable no matter how she looked at them, so she showed him no good face upon seeing him.

Not only were relationships between servants subtle, but the relationship between Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan also became somewhat delicate. Originally, Xiao Shao was very busy today, and the couple didn’t have much time together. The manor also had such troubling matters. Jin Er was Xiao Shao’s subordinate after all, and Xiao Shao hadn’t punished him for his own domestic affairs. But Jiang Ruan was someone who couldn’t tolerate sand in her eyes. With her temperament, it was impossible for her to quarrel with Xiao Shao, but her attitude became somewhat cold invisibly. Xiao Shao seemed not to notice, but women were always more sensitive. Unknowingly, some estrangement and distance grew between them.

On this day, Lu Zhu was teaching several new maids who had entered the courtyard for cleaning about things to pay attention to when she suddenly heard the little maids crying out in alarm. Before she could understand what was happening, she saw a black figure striding over. When he reached her, she felt pain in her wrist as someone grabbed it tightly. She looked up and saw a familiar face—it was Jin Er.

However, Jin Er’s face now didn’t wear the careless, mischievous smile of former days, nor was it as silent and wordless as in recent days. At this moment, his expression showed some anger and disappointment. Before Lu Zhu could speak, Jin Er spoke first: “Why did you do such a thing?”

This question was asked without beginning or end, leaving Lu Zhu somewhat bewildered. But Jin Er’s accusatory manner made her anger flare up, and she immediately shouted back unwillingly, “Do what? What mad dog are you acting like in broad daylight, biting people randomly!”

Jin Er gripped her hand without letting go, gritting his teeth: “This matter arose because of me. I wronged you, but how could you be so venomous as to have someone do that kind of thing to Liao Meng?”

“Let go of me!” Lu Zhu’s hand hurt from his grip. In anger, she bit down on Jin Er’s wrist. Jin Er released his grip in pain, and Lu Zhu took the opportunity to break free. Red, swollen marks immediately appeared on her slender wrist. Lu Zhu angrily said, “What ‘that kind of thing’? I’m telling you, splashing dirty water on others can happen once or twice, but not three or four times. Don’t think you can use it on me again!” After being reprimanded by Jiang Ruan, when Lu Zhu saw Jin Er again, regardless of what she felt inside, at least on the surface she was composed. She would scold when she should scold and fight when she should fight, never dwelling on past affections. Speaking like strangers already made Jin Er slightly stunned. Then he frowned, glanced at the maids gathered around watching, and despite Lu Zhu’s objections, pulled her to the artificial mountain in the manor’s garden. He tried hard to lower his voice but still couldn’t help revealing suppressed anger: “You had people harm her?”

Lu Zhu was already feeling bitter seeing him act this way for Liao Meng’s sake. Hearing him say this, instead of getting angry, she laughed: “Jin Er, put your hand on your conscience and ask yourself—we’ve known each other for quite some time. Don’t you know what kind of person I am? Setting traps for people in dark corners has never been something I, Lu Zhu, could do. As for your fiancée…” She laughed coldly: “The thief cries ‘catch the thief!'”

Jin Er gripped her hand tighter again. Lu Zhu frowned and looked at him, suddenly discovering that Jin Er’s eyes were somewhat red. She held back and finally asked stiffly, “What happened to her?”

“Last night, someone broke into her courtyard, intending to violate her. Though someone rescued her and they didn’t succeed, her reputation is ruined.” Jin Er said quietly, as if each word was squeezed out from between his teeth.

Lu Zhu was first somewhat stunned upon hearing this, then an inexplicable anger rose in her heart as she laughed: “Don’t tell me you think I did this?”

“It really wasn’t you?” Jin Er asked hoarsely.

Lu Zhu suddenly looked up at him, her gaze fierce as a lion. She looked into Jin Er’s eyes and said word by word: “It wasn’t me.”

Jin Er released her hand, appearing somewhat weary. Lu Zhu turned and walked away. After taking two steps, she turned back around. Seeing Jin Er still standing motionless by the artificial mountain, she walked over and stood before him, asking, “How did you conclude it was me?”

“The captured masked man,” Jin Er sighed, but his expression didn’t seem relieved—rather, it appeared very complex. He continued, “admitted that the person who gave him silver came from Prince Jinying’s manor.”

…

The news that Liao Meng had nearly been violated at night spread throughout the capital the next day. Now the affairs of Jin Er, Liao Meng, and Lu Zhu had become the talk of the entire capital. This matter produced waves every few days, providing the capital’s residents with endless daily conversation material. Though those masked men ultimately didn’t succeed, having such an incident occur and spread throughout the city meant Liao Meng’s reputation was finished for life. However, people felt more sympathy for her, and more secretly speculated about who was behind it. Some people felt this matter couldn’t be separated from that maid in the manor. Regardless of how outsiders speculated, ultimately it was still Liao Meng who suffered.

However, compared to other young ladies encountering such situations, Liao Meng’s outcome was better because Jin Er was still a man of feeling and loyalty who didn’t despise her or cancel their engagement over this matter. Thus, in the eyes of the capital’s residents, these two were even more a match made in heaven—after all, not everyone could be a couple who weathered storms together.

In the residence, Nanny Zhou held up a medicine bowl to feed Liao Meng. The medicine was quite bitter, but Liao Meng drank it without even frowning. Nanny Zhou’s complexion had also been very haggard lately. She was the most self-reproaching about Liao Meng’s incident, only blaming herself for not protecting Liao Meng properly and allowing outsiders to take advantage. Daily she went to the government office to urge them to quickly catch the mastermind behind this. After feeding Liao Meng the medicine, Nanny Zhou went out. Only after Nanny Zhou left did Liao Meng get out of bed herself. These past days she had been bedridden from shock, her expression always carrying some panic. But if someone saw her appearance now, they would be greatly shocked. Liao Meng’s expression was calm, even showing some smile. She walked to sit before her dressing table, took out a small box from the side. In the box was a small folded letter. She slowly unfolded the letter paper and quickly read through it, then carefully tore it to shreds and threw it into the basket she used for discarded practice calligraphy. Only then did she slowly sit back on the bed, staring out the window lost in thought.

Things had reached this point more smoothly than imagined. What the world lacked least were protective people. To set up someone according to their character, one only needed to grasp the most vulnerable part of the human heart. As long as they were human, hearts would have weaknesses. The more cold someone appeared on the outside, the less they could tolerate impurities inside, and the higher their demands for emotions. Thus, contradictions arose instantly, and the gates of Prince Jinying’s manor were opened, thereby opened.

Of course, for her, this was merely “every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy him”—all for her own benefit.

…

Liao Meng’s guess was correct. Jin Er’s affair affected more than just Lu Zhu. For instance, at this moment, Jiang Ruan was looking at Xiao Shao angrily: “You suspect me?”

Xiao Shao was silent for a moment without speaking.

Jin Er’s impulsive visit that day to demand answers finally made Jiang Ruan unable to suppress her anger. Originally, making Lu Zhu sad was bad enough, but now this dirty water was being splashed on her. Jiang Ruan had always looked down on that Miss Liao, and hearing this truly angered her. She immediately wanted to expel Jin Er from the Imperial Guards.

But Xiao Shao stopped her. Jin Er had followed Xiao Shao for many years and held the same position for Xiao Shao as Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu did for Jiang Ruan. The Imperial Guards had an unwritten rule that subordinates’ domestic affairs were unrelated to Imperial Guard duties. Xiao Shao had never expelled anyone from the Imperial Guards for their private matters before. Though Jin Er’s actions were inconsiderate, they had nothing to do with official duties. The Imperial Guards had strict rules that couldn’t be changed. To maintain authority, Xiao Shao naturally couldn’t casually deal with Jin Er.

Among the several masked men who attacked Liao Meng that day, only one was caught. That person claimed someone had given them silver to do this job, but they didn’t know who was behind it. However, there seemed to be vague implications that it was someone from Prince Jinying’s manor. Originally Jin Er thought it was Lu Zhu, but Lu Zhu was just a maid who couldn’t produce so much silver. Moreover, Lu Zhu’s character wasn’t so calculating. Naturally, suspicion fell on Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan’s methods were ruthless, and she never showed mercy when acting, especially toward those who displeased her—she would certainly repay them a hundredfold. That Liao Meng had bullied Lu Zhu, and with Jiang Ruan’s protective nature, how could she not get back at her? Finding someone to cause trouble for Liao Meng seemed like Jiang Ruan’s handiwork given her character and wealth.

When Jiang Ruan wanted to expel Jin Er and Xiao Shao refused, even saying Jiang Ruan shouldn’t interfere in this matter, Jiang Ruan became furious and spoke without thinking: “You suspect me?”

“I don’t mean that,” Xiao Shao said. “It’s just that this is his domestic affair—there’s no reason to interfere.”

“Your subordinate is a person, but my maid isn’t?” Jiang Ruan said incredulously. “Xiao Shao, I also told you—I didn’t do this matter. It has nothing to do with me! I won’t accept this blame. You want to protect your people, and I want to protect mine too. Since we each have our own thoughts, there’s nothing more to say!” She slammed her book heavily on the table and walked out.

This was the first quarrel between the couple since their marriage, and it was over such matters unrelated to themselves. But Xiao Shao was naturally cold-tempered, and Jiang Ruan had extremely strong self-esteem. Their temporary cold war was actually more frightening than Lu Zhu and Jin Er’s. Everyone in the manor was on edge—it was like dark clouds covering the sky.

Xiao Shao usually indulged Jiang Ruan in everything and was quite strict with the Imperial Guards, but unfortunately he was also protective of his people. Jiang Ruan was also protective. Compared to Xiao Shao, Jiang Ruan’s temperament was more extreme. Perhaps her previous life’s experiences made her unable to tolerate her people suffering any grievance. Once Xiao Shao showed the slightest protective attitude toward Jin Er, she unconsciously became sensitive and overthought, becoming much more extreme in her attitude. Xiao Shao also became increasingly busy, misunderstandings couldn’t be explained, and the invisible barriers between them grew thicker.

Lu Zhu instead worried terribly for Jiang Ruan. Looking at Jiang Ruan’s back as she sat in the study, she said quietly to Lian Qiao: “Though Young Madam appears fine these days, I keep worrying she’s keeping everything bottled up inside. The Prince hasn’t returned to the manor much these days—what can we do?”

Lian Qiao shook her head: “Young Madam has a stubborn temperament, and the Prince isn’t one for sweet words—naturally it’s not good. Never mind them—you’re not doing well either. I think that Jin Er isn’t a good match. You must be sad inside too.” Now that Jiang Ruan had become a suspect, for Jin Er, though he didn’t kill Uncle Ren, Uncle Ren died because of him. Lu Zhu was also indirectly the cause of Liao Meng’s incident. Jin Er and Lu Zhu could now truly be considered complete strangers. With Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao like this too, Lu Zhu naturally felt terrible.

Lu Zhu lowered her head: “This was originally caused by me. It was only my affair to begin with. Making the Prince and Young Madam unhappy is all my fault. But Lian Qiao, in my heart I feel that all this is that Liao Meng’s doing. To say something you might think is vicious—that Liao Meng encountered this incident, it might not be anything but karmic retribution. I think since she’s the root cause of the Prince and Young Madam’s anger, she’s the villain.”

Lian Qiao tapped Lu Zhu’s head: “You girl aren’t worrying about your own affairs anymore. Don’t worry—Young Madam is so clever and skilled at reading people’s hearts. She definitely won’t fall for others’ tricks. We just need to do our own jobs well.”

Lu Zhu sighed: “It’s precisely because Young Madam can read people’s hearts that using her usual perspective to speculate about the Prince makes things worse. Young Madam can guess everyone’s heart but can’t fathom her own.”

As the two were talking, they heard a little maid outside reporting: “Young Madam, Young Master Qi has arrived.”

Xiao Shao wasn’t in the manor at the moment either. Jiang Ruan walked out of the room, and just as she reached the courtyard, she saw Qi Feng approaching from outside. These days she didn’t know what he’d been busy with—though they lived quite close, he hadn’t visited. Jiang Ruan smiled: “How did you come? You’re quite the rare guest.”

“A friend came to the capital a few days ago, and I went to receive him for a while. I didn’t have time to visit—don’t be angry, Third Sister-in-law,” Qi Feng smiled. “I know I was wrong. Look, I specially brought something to apologize.” As he spoke, he raised something in his hand—a square box, though its contents were unknown. Jiang Ruan laughed: “Who brings gifts when visiting? This isn’t some tavern that collects money.”