The first to voice refusal was, surprisingly, Empress Dowager Yide.

Xuan Li, who had seemed detached from the situation all along, stiffened slightly in expression, his gentle and elegant smile freezing momentarily at the corners of his mouth. Everyone else was puzzled, but Jiang Xinzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. When Empress Dowager Yide spoke, even the Emperor would not easily contradict her. No matter how favored Consort Chen was, the Emperor would never oppose Empress Dowager Yide’s wishes for her sake.

Consort Chen had always sailed smoothly through the palace. In daily life, she had no conflicts of interest with Empress Dowager Yide, and with her excellent reputation in the palace, everyone loved her. Empress Dowager Yide usually kept her distance from the consorts except for the Empress, so they had always coexisted peacefully. Who would have thought that today, this most noble woman of the Great Jin Dynasty would mercilessly rebuke her suggestion in front of all civil and military officials and their families? If it were just Empress Dowager Yide, that would be one thing, but even Jiang Ruan refused – what was wrong with her?

Consort Chen smiled at the corners of her lips, reassessing Jiang Ruan. Initially, she had indeed seen that Jiang Ruan conducted herself appropriately, with a demeanor that didn’t match what an unfavored daughter of the Minister’s residence should display. Combined with Xuan Li’s evaluation of her, she had only thought of Jiang Ruan as a somewhat clever young girl. But now it seemed she was not only intelligent but also very bold. Meeting Consort Chen’s smiling gaze, Jiang Ruan also looked back with a smile, her expression humble yet composed, as if her eyes held different emotions. Consort Chen’s movement faltered slightly. Throughout the realm, this was the first time she encountered such a gaze.

That was—provocation!

And within that provocation was complete confidence in victory.

Empress Dowager Yide’s sudden intervention made Xiao Shao pause in his movement to stand. Mo Cong said curiously, “Eh, doesn’t Her Majesty the Empress Dowager usually not interfere in such trivial matters? Strange, could this eldest daughter of the Jiang family really be so endearing that even the Empress Dowager treats her with special regard?”

Xiao Shao looked thoughtful, his dark eyes fixed intently on Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan never did anything without certainty; she had already anticipated that Empress Dowager Yide would object. But how did she know?

Everyone present was puzzled, but no one dared voice their doubts. Jiang Ruan’s gaze turned cold—she naturally knew why.

Consort Chen thought her plan was foolproof, so she brazenly proposed taking Jiang Ruan into the Eighth Prince’s residence in front of all civil and military officials. However, everything about Jiang Ruan today—her dress, her appearance, everything—resembled Princess Yuanrong. If it were anything else, it might not matter, but this concerned marriage. In such circumstances, how could Empress Dowager Yide not think of Princess Yuanrong’s forced marriage alliance to a foreign country?

She had deliberately hesitated and appeared reluctant and unwilling, precisely to remind Empress Dowager Yide, to make her think of how Princess Yuanrong had sacrificed her lifetime happiness for the current stability of the Great Jin Dynasty. Facing a forced marriage, how could Empress Dowager Yide remain unmoved when reminded of such painful memories?

Empress Dowager Yide would sympathize with her, and at the same time, would develop a dislike for Consort Chen in her heart!

No matter how favored Consort Chen was, having offended such a noble woman in the imperial palace, how could she continue to thrive as before?

Life was so precious, and she lived every minute and second calculating. How could she willingly accept such a marriage proposal from Consort Chen?

Consort Chen said nothing, only looked at the Emperor with her beautiful eyes. Those water-like pupils seemed veiled with the misty rain of Jiangnan water towns, appearing wronged and sorrowful. With just one glance, she could make people feel heartache.

The Emperor indeed asked, “Mother, why is this?”

“This dowager came today to reward the eldest daughter of the Jiang residence. What Consort Chen suggests is not a reward, but plunder,” Empress Dowager Yide said calmly, her tone already showing sharp edges. “The eldest daughter of the Jiang family is Vice General Jiang’s treasure. How could he bear to marry off his sister so early?”

Jiang Xinzhi was startled and felt some gratitude toward Empress Dowager Yide. Without considering anything else, he stepped forward and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager: “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. This subject indeed does not wish to betroth my sister early.”

The hall immediately filled with sighs. Regardless of what Empress Dowager Yide said, she held the position of Empress Dowager, so what she said didn’t matter much. But Jiang Xinzhi had just achieved merit and was already contradicting the Emperor’s most beloved consort. Both siblings were so ungrateful—it was simply ridiculous.

Xia Yan was naturally delighted, wishing that the Jiang siblings would severely offend Consort Chen, preferably angering the Emperor enough to order their execution. However, Jiang Susu’s face regained some color. When she first heard that Consort Chen favored Jiang Ruan to become the Eighth Prince’s consort, she nearly fainted. She couldn’t understand why such a gentle, elegant, and distinguished man would want Jiang Ruan—that malicious, cruel orphan with a fox-like seductive face—as his imperial consort. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s objection, she slowly came to her senses.

Jiang Li naturally was filled with jealousy, envying Jiang Ruan’s luck and hating herself for not having such a brother who could achieve merit and establish a career. Jiang Dan kept her head down, frantically scratching her fingernails, appearing very nervous.

Zhao Guang had just relaxed when Jiang Xinzhi’s words made his heart suspend again.

Guan Lianghan frowned and muttered, “Sister complex. Such overprotectiveness—those who don’t know might think she’s his own daughter.”

Even the Emperor’s eyes flashed with displeasure. Jiang Xinzhi had indeed achieved merit, and he appreciated this brave and resolute young man, but that didn’t mean he could tolerate Jiang Xinzhi’s disrespect toward the palace consorts. If there was no respect for imperial authority in his eyes, even extraordinary talent couldn’t remain in the Great Jin court.

Amidst many disapproving gazes, Jiang Ruan turned to look at Jiang Xinzhi and smiled gently. No matter what happened, in this lifetime, she still had Jiang Xinzhi by her side. He would stand unreservedly on her side, and even if it meant opposing the entire world, he would protect her without hesitation.

Seeing Jiang Ruan could still smile, Jiang Xinzhi felt somewhat reassured.

After hearing Empress Dowager Yide’s words, Consort Chen laughed softly: “That’s true, this consort actually forgot about this matter. But Vice General Jiang, no matter how much you love Miss Jiang, one day she will marry. Isn’t that so?” She looked at Jiang Ruan with a smile, her gaze like the gentle spring rain of Jiangnan, carrying early spring’s slight chill, penetrating everywhere and slowly drilling into people’s hearts. Consort Chen asked, “Miss Jiang, why are you unwilling?”

“Ruan is of humble status and truly feels unworthy of His Highness’s noble character, feeling ashamed in my heart,” Jiang Ruan lowered her head, her tone quite sincere.

Xuan Li’s gaze stirred. Jiang Ruan was clearly making up excuses—how could Jiang Ruan be someone who felt inferior? He was also puzzled. How could a young girl still wet behind the ears always hold a trace of hostility toward him? Xuan Li believed he presented a gentle and approachable image to everyone, and countless women admired his jade-like gentleness. Even if Jiang Ruan was still young and didn’t understand matters between men and women, where did this hostility come from? He had never shown any impropriety in front of Jiang Ruan. Could it be because of Jiang Susu?

Thinking of this, he slowly felt relieved. If it were only because of Jiang Susu, gaining her closeness and trust would be easy.

Consort Chen sighed gently: “Child, what do you mean by matching? If it weren’t for Xiao Ba personally requesting, how would this consort suddenly propose this matter?”

Everyone was shocked again—it was actually the Eighth Prince who took the initiative!

Xuan Li frowned, putting away his gentle smile, and rose to walk to the center of the hall. His features were handsome, his bearing elegant and scholarly, with the noble and refined temperament unique to the imperial family. Yet with a completely serious and solemn expression, he knelt before the Emperor on his high seat: “Reporting to Father Emperor, these are indeed your son’s thoughts.” He glanced at Jiang Ruan, his expression becoming somewhat gentle, like the spring breeze of early spring: “Since first seeing Miss Jiang at Linglong Boat, your son has been captivated by her brilliant beauty and has been thinking of her for four years. Your son feared Miss Jiang might think his actions rash, so he asked Mother Consort to help fulfill this wish.” Xuan Li said, “Your son wishes to marry Miss Jiang as wife, to cherish, protect, and love her for life.”

He turned to Jiang Ruan, speaking slowly word by word: “Miss Jiang, are you willing to become my wife, Xuan Li’s wife?”

Such a handsome young man declaring his love in front of civil and military officials, so deep and passionate, and this was the consistently virtuous Eighth Prince. Countless young ladies present felt both love and hatred. They loved such a distinguished, deeply devoted handsome man. They hated only that they weren’t the eldest daughter of the Jiang residence with such incredible fortune.

After hearing the Eighth Prince’s words, Jiang Susu swayed unsteadily. Her initial secret joy had now been replaced by bone-deep hatred and pain. Never had she been so jealous of Jiang Ruan as at this moment—crazily jealous! Why should Jiang Ruan steal her legitimate eldest daughter status and now steal her beloved? Why!

Jiang Ruan looked at Xuan Li coolly. Since her rebirth, regarding Xuan Li, he was like a fly she had once swallowed—she always avoided him when possible. This was the first time she had been so close to him. His eyes clearly held not a trace of sincerity, yet the words he spoke were so moving and earnest. In a trance, time seemed to flow backward, returning to her previous life. In Ningshui Valley, peach blossoms bloomed pink and passionate. She stood there helplessly, not knowing what to do, while Xuan Li stood under the peach blossoms, smiling at her gently and considerately. He said, “Ruan’er, I truly like you.”

“I truly like you”—how beautiful those words sounded. He only said “like” but never mentioned marriage. He said he couldn’t give her status, and she believed him, understanding his difficulties. In her previous life, how much she had hoped to hear Xuan Li say personally, “Are you willing to be my wife?”

To become his wife, to be worthy of his word “like”—she had wronged herself, entering the palace full of deadly traps in place of Jiang Susu, where she was abused, humiliated, mocked, and cruelly trampled into dust.

How could he turn a blind eye? When he finished using her and declared her a nation-destroying demoness, watching her fall pathetically in the great hall, did he remember that day in Ningshui Valley under the peach blossom tree when he said, “Ruan’er, I truly like you”?

In this lifetime, she finally heard those words: “Are you willing to be my wife?” But what did it matter? She no longer cared.

Xuan Li looked at Jiang Ruan confidently. Jiang Ruan had not been favored by her father since childhood, her mother had died early, and she had lived in the countryside for five years. Such a person would be grateful and fond of anyone who showed her the slightest kindness. Touching her heart would be easy.

But as he continued gazing into Jiang Ruan’s eyes, his smile gradually froze.

What kind of eyes were those? Beautiful like clear mountain springs, moist and clear, yet desolate like black poppies blooming in barren land. The emotions surging in those eyes were both intense and calm. That wasn’t admiration and emotion, nor did it belong to any kind of joy. That wasn’t love—it was hatred.

Xuan Li was startled. He hadn’t seen wrongly—that was hatred, hatred so deep it reached the bones, as if she wanted to devour his flesh and drink his blood. And within that hatred was a kind of disgust, as if he were something rotten.

His expression gradually stiffened. Why?

Under such emotionally intense, love-hate complex gaze, Xuan Li’s mind went blank with confusion, as if he didn’t know how to face what came next. Facing Jiang Ruan’s gaze, he actually felt a faint fear in his heart.

Why was this?

He desperately wanted to understand, and then he saw the young girl before him suddenly show him a cold smile, speaking with faint mockery in a firm voice: “I—am—not—willing.”

Jiang Ruan proudly raised her chin. Though her tone was humble, her expression was like that of a lofty princess: “This subject is grateful for Your Highness’s kind intention, but this subject’s aspirations lie elsewhere. Your Highness’s words fill this subject’s heart with terror—I truly dare not aspire so high.” After speaking, she prostrated herself before the Emperor and kowtowed: “I implore Your Majesty to grant this request.”

No matter how passionately Xuan Li spoke, she remained unmoved like iron and stone.

Consort Chen’s smile deepened, the light in her eyes shifting, yet she showed no sign of anger.

Though the Emperor was annoyed by Jiang Ruan’s ungrateful behavior, he couldn’t force her to agree to Xuan Li in front of all civil and military officials. He waved his hand somewhat irritably: “Since this is the case, then you and Lao Ba simply have no fate.”

Xuan Li’s complexion was poor. He hadn’t expected today’s confident plan to be completely thwarted by Jiang Ruan’s cold, hard refusal. He looked at Jiang Ruan searchingly, truly unable to understand why she refused him without a thought, showing no sign of wavering, and why she revealed such hatred toward him. If it were only for Jiang Susu’s sake, why did she hate so deeply?

Jiang Ruan observed Xuan Li’s expression and sneered silently in her heart. In this lifetime, he still used the same methods as in her previous life, hoping to buy her heart and make her work for him. Where in the world was there such a cheap deal? Did Xuan Li think that just because he condescended to deceive people, others should be grateful to him?

Mo Cong shook his head, his tone rather regretful: “This Eighth Prince is truly romantically unlimited, but unfortunately he encountered this Jiang family’s poison… young lady. Destined to be ignored.”

Xiao Shao looked at Jiang Ruan coolly. As a martial artist with good eyesight, he had seen clearly the look Jiang Ruan gave Xuan Li—there wasn’t a trace of love in it, but the hatred was somewhat puzzling. How could she hate Xuan Li so much? For a moment, it seemed as if she might disappear, as if she didn’t belong to this world at all.

Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Xiao Shao suddenly frowned. Years of intuition made him sensitively aware that something was wrong in the air. He gently pressed the dagger at his waist—ministers weren’t allowed to carry weapons at palace banquets, but he was an exception. The Emperor had specially permitted him to carry one.

Xuan Li bowed to Jiang Ruan, looking regretful as he returned to his seat. His dejected appearance made the palace women feel heartbroken, simultaneously celebrating that Jiang Ruan hadn’t accepted Xuan Li while secretly resenting her ingratitude for making such a god-like figure sad.

Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xinzhi smiled slightly. After this incident, the Emperor’s mood was considerably dampened. He waved his hand and said, “Begin the feast.”

Palace maids serving food entered in procession, each carrying a tray. The leading palace maid was gracefully built with clear, beautiful features. Her clothing differed from other palace maids. Behind her followed two other differently dressed palace maids carrying trays, walking toward the Emperor. One remained in place while the other two began pouring wine for the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager.

The palace maid beside the Empress took out silver chopsticks to test the wine. The leading palace maid was pouring wine when she suddenly drew a dagger from under the white cloth and viciously stabbed toward the Emperor’s chest.

With a “thud,” a gust of wind carrying something struck the palace maid’s dagger, deflecting it from its fatal target. It was a golden button.

Almost simultaneously, Xiao Shao leaped up and rushed toward the Emperor. Guan Lianghan’s expression changed as he slammed the table and stood up. The surrounding women, having never witnessed such scenes, all screamed in terror. Several of the pink-clothed palace maids suddenly trembled, then leaped up, drawing hidden soft swords from their waists and charging straight at the Emperor’s face.

“Dog Emperor, die!” those women shouted.

They had actually mixed in among the serving palace maids!

Today’s banquet was served by at least several hundred palace maids. With this chaos, the hall descended into pandemonium. The Emperor was greatly shocked. Guards desperately shouted, “Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!”

Though the Emperor was protected impenetrably, the assassins weren’t limited to targeting only his life. They began massacring throughout the hall, killing whoever they encountered. The women’s section was filled with defenseless women and young ladies. The assassins specifically targeted the women’s section, and immediately sounds of flesh being cut, screams, and shouts filled the air. Even just hearing the sounds revealed the horror.

Jiang Susu had long since hidden under a table in terror, watching as a beautiful young lady was cut in half before her eyes. Frightened beyond measure, she was nevertheless more composed than Jiang Li, who only knew to scream. Xia Yan was also terrified, holding Jiang Susu under the table. Hidden beneath corpses, they were barely noticeable.

Jiang Dan was also terrified, but she neither hid nor screamed like Jiang Li. Amidst the chaos, she showed remarkable composure. After thinking, she seemed to make a decision and lifted her skirts to run toward the men’s section.

Facing this sudden crisis, no one was prepared. The Emperor was quickly moved to safety. They thought the assassins would stop there, but who knew they would be so mad as to continue killing. The chaos in the hall made things even more dangerous. Jiang Xinzhi had lost sight of Jiang Ruan in the confusion. As a vice general, he couldn’t abandon the defenseless women and children, so he had to resist the assassins while secretly searching for Jiang Ruan.

The Zhao family sons also joined the battle, but these assassins seemed to have received precise training. They didn’t waste time fighting those with martial arts skills, instead targeting defenseless women and children. The guards and generals, considering they couldn’t accidentally harm ministers’ family members, inevitably held back, allowing these assassins to grow increasingly bold.

Zhao Jin and Wen Feifei, coming from military families, didn’t panic in such situations and showed admirable composure. Zhao Jin said, “Feifei, take these sisters out first. I’ll look for Sister Ruan and Ying’er.”

Wen Feifei hesitated: “Can you manage alone?”

“It’s fine, I’ll be careful.” After settling the sisters, Zhao Jin picked up a soft sword dropped by a killed assassin. She saw Dong Ying’er being cornered by an assassin whose sword was about to pierce Dong Ying’er’s chest. Zhao Jin anxiously threw the soft sword at the assassin’s back. She threw with great force, and the assassin couldn’t dodge in time, being pierced through. The sword in his hand fell weakly. Dong Ying’er was already crying continuously and saw Zhao Jin like a savior: “Jin’er.”

Zhao Jin hurried over to help her up: “Are you alright?”

Dong Ying’er looked behind her, terror filling her widened eyes. Zhao Jin sensed something amiss and turned to see a fierce face: “Die!” Immediately, silver light flashed. Zhao Jin desperately closed her eyes.

But she felt herself being lifted, hearing the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. She opened her eyes in amazement to see a young man carrying both her and Dong Ying’er. Sword in hand, he wielded it excellently. Zhao Jin, from a military family who had watched her brothers and father practice swords since childhood, had never seen anyone wield a sword so beautifully. His features weren’t rough like her father and brothers, but had a scholar’s refined handsomeness, yet within that handsomeness was determination and courage.

Dong Ying’er also stared in amazement, her cheeks suddenly blushing.

After rescuing the two, Jiang Xinzhi placed them in a corner: “Stay here and don’t move.” Then he turned and joined the battle without looking back.

Dong Ying’er softly asked, “Who is he?”

Zhao Jin shook her head: “I don’t know.” Watching that tall figure disappear into the hall, she actually felt worried and concerned for this stranger.

Setting aside this scene, Jiang Ruan had excellently concealed herself when the crisis struck. The Emperor had been moved, and the Empress remained, but with many guards around her, there was no need to worry. Jiang Ruan turned her head and saw several assassins cornering Empress Dowager Yide, seemingly all targeting her specifically.

Xuan Li had just settled Consort Chen when he saw this scene and was startled, about to rush over.

Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow and without hesitation, just as the central assassin was about to thrust his sword into Empress Dowager Yide’s chest, she cried out, “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!” Her actions were faster than her voice as she lunged forward, pushing Empress Dowager Yide aside and throwing herself toward the sword point.

She turned her head toward the shocked Xuan Li and showed him a cold smile.

You see, the real show has just begun.