Xiao Shao handed the letter to Jin Er, who hurriedly left. Seeing this, Guan Lianghan was puzzled: “It’s not yet New Year’s. What are you writing to the old man about?”
“Old man” was Guan Lianghan’s way of addressing their master, Master Baqi. Speaking of which, since returning from the Southern Borderlands, Xiao Shao had not yet visited him once. Xiao Shao said, “I need to make a trip to Mount Jianan.”
Mount Jianan was where Master Baqi resided, and also where the eight senior brothers of this school usually practiced. Master Baqi was truly an extraordinary person—he knew astronomy above and geography below, was proficient in medical arts, and understood enemy tactics and battlefield formations. When the previous emperor was alive, he had invited him to come down from the mountain to assist, but the then-young Master Baqi had flatly refused, saying only that the way of Heaven could not be reversed, and one must not act against Heaven’s will. Mount Jianan was protected by formations that no one in the world could break, making it impossible for ordinary people to find.
“Going to Mount Jianan? Third Brother, wait for me.” Mo Cong jumped up: “I want to go too!”
“What are you going for?” Guan Lianghan asked strangely. Mo Cong had an impulsive nature and had been most afraid of Master Baqi when they were on the mountain before.
“Recently, that Grand Tutor Liu Min in court has been gaining more and more of the emperor’s trust. Last time I submitted a memorial, Liu Min found fault with it. Usually it would be fine, but this guy is like a stinking hard stone—he insists on absolute fairness in everything and can’t tolerate even a grain of sand. It’s infuriating.”
Mo Cong was a genuine aristocratic young master. Though clever and cunning from childhood with a strong sense of justice, he was ultimately someone who had grown up in his father’s arms in the officialdom, deeply understanding that when water is too clear, there are no fish. Encountering such an unreasonable bookworm like Liu Min nearly made him spit blood in anger. Thus, he could only seek help from their master.
“Is that the new top scholar?” Guan Lianghan had always held some prejudice against scholars: “Pedantic. Why waste so many words with a sour scholar? Just beat him up.”
“Assaulting a court official—aren’t you afraid of censors submitting memorials?” Xiao Shao looked at the eager Mo Cong, who immediately deflated like a punctured ball. Seeing his provocation unsuccessful, Guan Lianghan was quite disappointed. He turned to Xiao Shao: “When are you leaving?”
“Now,” Xiao Shao answered.
…
For several consecutive days, Jiang Ruan hadn’t seen any trace of Xiao Shao, and she felt somewhat unaccustomed to it. When she came to her senses, a faint worry had risen in her heart. Having grown used to solitary days, Xiao Shao had used only a short time to make her accustomed to his presence—for Jiang Ruan, this wasn’t a good thing.
Though she didn’t know what Xiao Shao usually did, she understood it must not be anything simple. There were so many dandy young masters in the capital who spent their days with horses and birds, but Xiao Shao was different from those dandies—he had no trace of cynical indifference about him. In daily interactions, he made people easily forget his age and feel unusually reassured.
However, what Xiao Shao did was ultimately unrelated to her. In comparison, the demons and monsters in the manor were more concerning. For instance, Hong Ying had recently pestered Jiang Quan to invite a physician to examine the pregnant women in the manor. The legitimate wife Xia Yan was just about to give birth and was already emotionally unstable, so she refused Hong Ying without a second word. Hong Ying acted coquettishly with Jiang Quan, and finally Xia Yan was almost forced to have her pulse taken. The physician said her pulse was stable, but Xia Yan’s fetal qi was disturbed by Hong Ying’s actions. Jiang Quan was somewhat angry and hadn’t visited Hong Ying’s courtyard much these past few days. Out of guilt, he spent time with Xia Yan whenever he returned to the manor.
Lu Zhu said strangely, “How odd. Madam clearly has no child in her belly, so how did the examination still show one?”
“Having suffered a loss, Xia Yan would naturally become cleverer. If she didn’t even keep this trick in reserve, wouldn’t she have been thoroughly defeated by Hong Ying long ago?” Jiang Ruan was looking through an invitation from Dong Ying’er, inviting her to visit the Capital Magistrate’s manor tomorrow. Since returning this time, she hadn’t yet seen these nominal close friends. In fact, after returning from the estate to the capital and then following the Empress Dowager out of the city, the time had been too short for her to truly befriend anyone. Now, returning to the capital in high profile, she needed to start integrating into the circle of the capital’s elite—these personal connections required careful maintenance.
“So we just watch Fifth Aunt suffer losses?” Lu Zhu asked. “Miss doesn’t actually like Fifth Aunt, does she?”
Though Jiang Ruan had always favored Hong Ying and appeared warm on the surface, the maids had seen from the silk fish thread incident that Jiang Ruan didn’t consider Hong Ying one of her own people.
Jiang Ruan smiled. Human desires were endless. Hong Ying might have once only wanted to be a proper concubine, but after being enlightened, she now wanted the position of the manor’s lady in charge. When dealing with such greedy people, one should never give excessive trust. Moreover, she had always hated everyone in the Jiang Manor—how could there be any liking?
Lian Qiao laughed cheerfully: “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Speaking of which, Miss hasn’t seen Miss Dong and the others for three years. This servant heard from outsiders that Miss Dong has reached marriageable age and will marry into the Chang family by New Year’s at the latest.”
Dong Ying’er? Jiang Ruan frowned slightly. In her previous life, Dong Ying’er had married Chang An, a third-rank Salt Transport Commissioner of the capital. This marriage had been arranged since childhood and should have been a well-matched couple who lived very comfortably and contentedly. In her previous life, during a palace banquet, Jiang Ruan had seen them from afar. At that time, Dong Ying’er and Chang An appeared deeply in love, which had made her quite envious.
Calculating the time now, it seemed about right. After this late summer, Dong Ying’er should indeed marry over. After Dong Ying’er married, Lin Zixiang wouldn’t be far behind. In her previous life, Lin Zixiang had married Third Prince Xuan Xin. Xuan Xin’s mother had died early, and without anyone to discipline him, he had become a dissolute playboy. Since establishing his own household and manor, he had hardly appeared in the palace again, being the most inconspicuous prince. Unfortunately, this prince was also extremely debauched with numerous concubines. In her previous life, Consort Chen had personally arranged the marriage between Lin Zixiang and Xuan Xin, and Lin Zixiang had ended up dying together with Xuan Xin’s favored concubine, leading to the Lin family’s decline. Jiang Ruan frowned. Calculating now, there was still some time before the consort’s marriage arrangement—she should think of some way to avoid it, or perhaps petition the Empress Dowager Yide?
Shaking her head, she temporarily set these matters aside. Jiang Ruan planned to gather more information when she saw Lin Zixiang tomorrow.
…
The next day, Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao helped her dress and arrange her hair early. Since this was Jiang Ruan’s first meeting with various noble ladies since returning to the capital, and Dong Ying’er was a good-natured person who would naturally invite other noble ladies as well, she couldn’t dress as casually as before, given her current status as County Princess. She mustn’t give others ammunition against her.
After all grooming was complete, Jiang Ruan said, “Tianzhu and Bai Zhi will accompany me out. Lian Qiao, you and Lu Zhu stay in the manor and carefully handle anything from Yanhua Courtyard.” Though Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao were first-class maids while Tianzhu and Lu Zhu were second-class, Jiang Ruan treated them equally. Tianzhu knew martial arts and was best to bring along. Bai Zhi had a steady temperament and needed to learn to interact with noble ladies in the future. Lian Qiao was fierce and Lu Zhu was clever—keeping them in the manor, with Hong Ying and Xia Yan being increasingly cautious today, if they tried to redirect trouble to Ruan Residence, the two girls could resist somewhat.
Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu had no objections to these arrangements. Nanny Zhou had been sent back to the Zhao family three years ago. She was blind, and Zhao Guang felt guilty toward her, so he would naturally provide for her old age. Jiang Ruan was considering whether to find a disciplinary nanny to keep by her side, even if just for appearances.
In the back courtyard of the Capital Magistrate’s manor, a group of young ladies in their prime sat together with tea and snacks on the table, chatting and laughing lively.
County Princess Rong Ya laughed: “Why hasn’t Miss Jiang arrived yet? Could it be that now that she’s become a County Princess, she’s putting on airs and deliberately giving us a show of force?”
County Princess Rong Ya was the beloved daughter of Prince Yong. Prince Yong had been a cousin of the previous emperor, and their relationship had been excellent. During the Four Princes’ Rebellion, Prince Yong had also helped the current emperor. Thus, he held high status in the Great Jin Dynasty. County Princess Rong Ya had met Jiang Ruan once three years ago at Linglong Boat. However, having been proud and arrogant since childhood and considering herself a true noble lady, she couldn’t regard Jiang Ruan—a neglected legitimate daughter raised on an estate—with any respect. Who knew she would now transform into a County Princess who could stand as her equal? How could she not feel jealous? Her words naturally carried some venom.
Zhao Jin frowned, and Wen Feifei was also somewhat displeased. Both were daughters raised by military families and had always looked down on women’s petty scheming, instinctively feeling that Rong Ya’s words were unpleasant. Lin Zixiang had an even more straightforward personality and immediately showed her displeasure on her face, answering stiffly: “Ying’er’s invitation to Sister Ruan hasn’t reached the appointed time yet. The County Princess arrived three quarters of an hour early but says Sister Ruan is late. Could it be that the time on Ying’er’s invitation doesn’t count, and everything must follow the County Princess’s timing?”
County Princess Rong Ya’s face reddened from Lin Zixiang’s words, and she was naturally furious. If it were someone else, she could still make a few cutting remarks, but it was the unyielding Lin Zixiang. Continuing to argue with her would only lose face for a dignified County Princess. Though Rong Ya was grinding her teeth in hatred, she only assumed an air of not bothering to speak with Lin Zixiang: “I’m too lazy to argue with you.”
Just as Lin Zixiang was about to respond, Dong Ying’er quickly came over to mediate: “Ah, both of you say less. Today I invited you all here—if there’s arguing, it would be my fault instead.” She had invited many aristocratic young ladies today, originally to dispel her troubled mood, but she didn’t want these matters to cause an uproar.
Several other noble ladies also began to mediate. Just as they were talking, they saw Dong Ying’er’s maid running over with a smile: “The County Princess has arrived.”
The girls looked toward the entrance and saw a red-clothed young lady walking slowly from outside the courtyard. She wore a vermillion base with pink-orange white magnolia flower fitted magnolia skirt, and a jade white base with bright red gold brocade contrasting front long robe. Her hair held only a ruby ruyi hairpin. As she walked, her skirt didn’t move a thread—clearly a ball of fire, yet when she approached, she seemed like ice. Her appearance need not be mentioned. When Jiang Ruan had been younger, her seductive beauty hadn’t yet fully developed, but now at the perfect age of youth, she combined girlish innocence with her natural charm in a way that made one’s breath catch.
With each step she took closer, County Princess Rong Ya’s expression grew uglier. Before such beauty, she was nothing but a clown. The more proud and arrogant someone is, the less they can bear others being better than them, especially when it was Jiang Ruan, whom Rong Ya had previously looked down upon. She immediately felt insulted. When Jiang Ruan approached, she covered her mouth and laughed: “Miss Jiang, how did you come alone? I thought your second sister would be here too. Miss Jiang Er is quite a remarkable person. Since you’re both legitimate daughters of the Jiang Manor, could your relationship not be as good as rumored?”
Jiang Ruan glanced at her lightly. She could guess what Rong Ya was thinking and smiled slightly: “Wrong.”
“What?” Rong Ya was startled, not knowing what Jiang Ruan meant.
Dong Ying’er had wanted to find an excuse to smooth things over, but hearing Jiang Ruan’s sudden statement, she didn’t know what to say and could only look at her in confusion.
Jiang Ruan spoke softly: “County Princess Rong Ya is mistaken. Since we share the same rank, County Princess Rong Ya should address me as County Princess. If this were to spread, wouldn’t it embarrass the imperial family?”
Rong Ya had calculated everything but never expected Jiang Ruan to make an issue of this, or more precisely, hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan to dare speak to her this way. Putting on County Princess airs in front of her—but Jiang Ruan was absolutely correct. Rong Ya had always maintained the appearance of a proper young lady, and Jiang Ruan held the moral high ground, so she struggled to say: “County Princess…”
Jiang Ruan said gently: “No need for such formality. Since today is just an ordinary gathering of sisters, we needn’t observe so many rules and ceremonies. Just call me by name as usual.”
“You!” Rong Ya had never been played like this before and nearly choked on her anger, glaring at Jiang Ruan. Just then came a “pfft” sound—Lin Zixiang beside them couldn’t help but laugh.
Feeling humiliated, Rong Ya could no longer stay in this place. She immediately stood up and shouted: “You all came specifically to bully me today, didn’t you? I’m leaving!” She then stormed off in anger. With Rong Ya’s departure, several noble ladies who were close to her also took their leave. Soon, only a few of them remained.
Dong Ying’er wanted to chase after them, but Lin Zixiang grabbed her: “Let them go. Really, putting on airs as if they’re great ladies—all rushing to flatter and fawn over each other. It’s truly annoying to watch. You too—why did you invite her here in the first place?”
Dong Ying’er sighed. Unlike Lin Zixiang’s straightforward nature, the Capital Magistrate dealt with numerous affairs daily and had to maintain good relations with everyone above and below. If Lin Zixiang had inherited Chief Clerk Lin’s upright and incorruptible nature, Dong Ying’er had learned Magistrate Dong’s diplomatic skills completely. Dong Ying’er had quite a good reputation among the capital’s noble ladies—lively and lovable with a pleasing personality that everyone was willing to accommodate.
Zhao Jin also chimed in: “What’s there to fear? One County Princess left, but didn’t another one arrive? Are you worried there won’t be anyone to eat the snacks?”
This made Dong Ying’er laugh despite herself. As she laughed, her brow gradually furrowed again.
Wen Feifei looked at her: “Why are you unhappy again? It’s rare that Sister Ruan has returned—just set those troublesome matters aside.”
“What’s wrong, Sister Ying’er?” Jiang Ruan asked with a smile.
“What else could it be but that marriage arrangement with the Chang family?” Lin Zixiang said.
“The Chang family is a good family in the capital,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Moreover, you’re childhood sweethearts—what’s not good about that?”
But Dong Ying’er seemed somewhat agitated: “I don’t want to marry yet.”
“What are you saying?” Zhao Jin said. “You usually say that if we don’t marry soon, we’ll become old maids, yet now you’re being coy at this moment. Could you be shy?”
“I already said it’s not that.” Dong Ying’er said. “I just don’t want to marry yet.”
Jiang Ruan observed Dong Ying’er’s demeanor. About to become someone’s wife, yet she showed no trace of bashfulness—unless she simply didn’t have that person in her heart. This was somewhat different from her previous life. She thought for a moment and smiled: “Is Sister Ying’er dissatisfied with Young Master Chang? Or has Young Master Chang made you angry?”
Dong Ying’er was startled and shook her head. Chang An was her childhood friend, and she had thought they would spend their lives together this way, which wasn’t bad. But ever since meeting that godlike man three years ago, she could no longer see anyone else. Only now did she understand that what she felt for Chang An wasn’t love at all.
Dong Ying’er’s unsettled appearance fell into Jiang Ruan’s eyes, making her contemplate. Could Dong Ying’er have fallen in love with someone else? Just now, when she seemed to think of something, the way her lips curved upward—wasn’t that exactly the bashfulness of a young lady thinking of her beloved?
Her heart shook. How could this also be different from her previous life?
Dong Ying’er seemed to remember something and suddenly looked up at Jiang Ruan, asking seemingly casually: “Sister Ruan, speaking of which, your eldest brother has been winning consecutive battles. Has he written to you this year saying when he’ll return?”
Jiang Ruan was startled, missing Zhao Jin’s strange expression beside her, and her body suddenly stiffened.
Could it be… She looked at Dong Ying’er, as if trying to confirm what she suspected. Dong Ying’er looked at her, her bright eyes filled with undisguisable anticipation. That gaze was too familiar—in her previous life, she had seen such a gaze countless times in bronze mirrors. It was the look of longing for one’s beloved.
Dong Ying’er’s beloved was actually Jiang Xinzhi!
This life generally followed the previous life’s path, but due to her arrival, many things had changed. For instance, Dong Ying’er before her—in the previous life, she had been deeply in love with Chang An, but in this life she had actually fallen in love with Jiang Xinzhi. Since this matter had changed, what about other things?
Seeing Jiang Ruan somewhat absent-minded, Lin Zixiang pushed her: “What are you thinking about? Not saying anything.”
“Oh,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Nothing. Eldest brother hasn’t sent any letters.”
Disappointment flashed in Dong Ying’er’s eyes. Jiang Ruan saw this and became even more certain of her suspicions. For some unknown reason, an ominous premonition rose in her heart—this premonition came inexplicably, and she herself didn’t understand why.
Lin Zixiang frowned: “If Ying’er marries, it will soon be my turn. Recently, father has been asking me about this matter constantly. I really don’t know what to do.”
Jiang Ruan pondered briefly and smiled: “Has Minister Lin revealed any information?”
Lin Zixiang had never cared about worldly opinions and wasn’t particularly bashful: “Not really, but recently I’ve seen him frowning deeply. I imagine things aren’t going smoothly. I’ve said before—with my personality, finding a suitable family in the capital that’s well-matched and tolerant in temperament is truly difficult.”
Jiang Ruan frowned slightly.