In Simeng Palace within the palace, Consort Chen reclined on her couch, no longer displaying her usual serene and otherworldly appearance. The colorful cord work was half-finished before being carelessly tossed aside, the intricate silk threads tangled together in an annoying sight.
“Old Chen, how are things with Father?” Consort Chen pressed her forehead.
Eunuch Chen lowered his head: “The Duke’s side… isn’t very good. These past days, the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War have been finding ways to oppose him. The Duke is also very angry.”
Consort Chen accidentally broke a snow jade porcelain vase in front of her: “That old bastard Zhao Guang!” In recent days, Duke Chen had encountered continuous setbacks in his affairs. Even using one’s toes, one could tell this was definitely Zhao Guang’s handiwork. The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War had some friendship with the General’s residence, especially those old stubborn officials who had always loved opposing the Chen family. These days their abnormally obvious provocations were definitely at Zhao Guang’s instigation.
Eunuch Chen frowned, somewhat disagreeing with Consort Chen’s thoughts. He hesitated: “In this servant’s opinion, it may not be the General’s residence behind this.”
“Oh?” Consort Chen glanced at him sideways: “Besides them, who else in court would dare so blatantly trip up the Chen family?”
Only those stubborn military officers from the General’s residence would oppose the Duke’s residence everywhere, not thinking that in the future the world would belong to her son. When that time came, crushing the General’s residence would be as simple as stepping on an ant.
“The General’s residence has always acted directly and rashly, lacking consideration. Based on what happened to the Duke, these incidents were executed smoothly and aggressively. Your Majesty only has suspicions but no recourse. The General’s residence people wouldn’t have such scheming. This servant boldly guesses it was Prince Jinying who acted.” Eunuch Chen analyzed.
“Prince Jinying?” Consort Chen’s voice suddenly sharpened, no longer gentle and graceful as usual, her emotions unconsciously becoming agitated: “Impossible!” After calming down, she said: “Prince Jinying has always remained neutral in court. For no reason, why would he oppose the Chen family?”
Eunuch Chen sighed. Was Prince Jinying truly neutral? Having navigated the palace for so many years, Consort Chen was ultimately a woman, and women were somewhat disadvantaged in understanding court situations. Though Xiao Shao had earned the reputation of “treacherous subject and rebel,” the Emperor’s regard for Xiao Shao didn’t seem like treatment for a rebel remnant. Though he didn’t know why, these years Xiao Shao appeared to be outside the court without taking sides, but actually his power was unfathomably deep—who could know his thoughts? From recent events, Xiao Shao seemed very concerned about the Jiang family’s legitimate eldest daughter. Since Consort Chen had acted and Xiao Shao had sent Xuan You’s severed head, that was clearly stating his position—he would protect Jiang Ruan. This being the case, suppressing the Chen family like this was precisely venting anger for Princess Hong’an.
What Eunuch Chen could think of, Consort Chen could naturally also think of. After being stunned for a while, she gradually calmed down. Just thinking that Xiao Shao had acted against the Chen family for Jiang Ruan’s sake made an inexplicable gloom rise in her heart. She said viciously: “What a Jiang Ruan, to actually make Prince Jinying regard her differently!”
Eunuch Chen lowered his head without speaking. Consort Chen was considered someone who hid her thoughts deeply in the palace. As her personal eunuch, Eunuch Chen also knew about those secret feelings of hers. Ever since learning Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan had a close relationship, Consort Chen often lost composure, which wasn’t good for her. He wanted to advise her, but Consort Chen had always been opinionated and wouldn’t listen to his words.
The person who had caused those in Simeng Palace to lose composure was currently staying in a corner of the palace. The imperial palace was full of people with ulterior motives everywhere—Jiang Ruan had already experienced this in her previous life. In this life, having transformed into a princess, those concubines who used to step on her now had to flatter her. Jiang Ruan didn’t particularly care about these matters, only feeling that everyone in the Jiang residence had ugly faces, and the palace was also full of murderous intent, making it quite difficult to find a peaceful place.
The Empress Dowager knew Jiang Ruan preferred quietude, so she had the side palace where Princess Yuanrong had lived before leaving the palace cleaned up for Jiang Ruan to move in. This was quite convenient, and the Empress Dowager’s action made those palace people watching the excitement think even more deeply, believing Princess Hong’an was truly favored before the Empress Dowager.
After Jiang Ruan moved in, she didn’t change a single thing inside. Whatever it had looked like before, it remained the same now. Though Empress Dowager Yide appeared cold, in her heart she had never let go of that daughter who died young. Even after many years, everything remained spotless and new.
Lu Zhu and Tianzhu personally served her. After Tianzhu’s injury healed, she practiced martial arts even more diligently each day, and always carried a large collection of hidden weapons to prevent emergencies. Lu Zhu had gone out early in the morning to pick flowers, but returned not long after going out.
Tianzhu found this strange: “Where are the flowers?”
Lu Zhu’s hands were empty. She scratched her head and stuttered: “The flowers… flowers, Miss, Prince Xiao has come.”
Jiang Ruan nearly spit out her tea. Indeed, behind Lu Zhu emerged a figure—black brocade robes, silver belt. Who else could it be but Xiao Shao?
Tianzhu was also stunned. Lu Zhu touched her nose, quite ashamed: “Miss, this servant couldn’t stop him.”
With Lu Zhu’s limited abilities, stopping someone like Xiao Shao was truly a fantasy. Jiang Ruan put down the book in her hands: “I understand.”
Lu Zhu squeezed her eyes at Tianzhu, who quickly said: “We servants will withdraw first.” Without waiting for Jiang Ruan to speak, she left together with Lu Zhu.
The door was closed. Jiang Ruan glared at the two maids’ unhesitating departure, annoyed in her heart. These two were increasingly disregarding her as their mistress. Her gaze fell on the handsome young man before her. Had this person gone mad? Just swaggering into the palace like this—what if someone saw? Moreover, now a man and woman were alone together in a room, yet he acted increasingly at ease coming and going.
Xiao Shao didn’t see Jiang Ruan’s expression. He walked to the small table and sat down, paused, then took out a package from his chest and placed it on the table.
“What is it?”
“Medicine for injuries.” Xiao Shao said: “The Jade Muscle Ointment is finished. Using this herbal medicine won’t leave scars either.”
Jiang Ruan was stunned, not having expected he had come specifically to deliver medicine. For a moment she didn’t know what to say.
Xiao Shao imperceptibly frowned. Actually, he hadn’t come to deliver medicine either, but after hearing Jin San’s words, somehow he had ended up here. Fortunately, he hadn’t seen Liu Min, which improved his mood somewhat. After a moment of silence, he said: “The selection of new palace ladies is about to begin. Jiang Quan has prepared Jiang Dan’s portrait.”
Remembering when the spy returned to report what Jiang Quan had said in his residence, Xiao Shao’s entire body had emanated cold air again. Jiang Quan had said that if Jiang Ruan weren’t already a princess now, entering the palace would definitely be best for her. The Emperor was selecting concubines and specifically wanted the Jiang family to provide one. Jiang Susu was his most beloved daughter, so naturally she couldn’t go suffer. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan were concubine-born daughters. Since Jiang Ruan held the legitimate daughter’s name, and the Jiang residence had raised her for so many years, she should repay them this way.
Who knew heaven’s will was unpredictable? Now Jiang Ruan was noble as a princess and naturally couldn’t enter the palace again. Jiang Susu’s reputation was ruined—even if he was willing, the imperial family wouldn’t allow such face-slapping. Jiang Li was already married. Calculating everything, only Jiang Dan could be of use. Reluctantly, he could only submit Jiang Dan’s portrait.
Xiao Shao frowned tightly. He knew Jiang Ruan’s days in the Jiang residence weren’t good—otherwise how could she be sent to the estate right after losing her mother? But he hadn’t expected Jiang Quan to be so heartless, hardly treating her like his own biological daughter.
Jiang Ruan said: “Fourth Sister is entering the palace—that’s good. I imagine with Fourth Sister’s abilities, she can also secure a good future in the palace.”
Jiang Dan was someone who habitually acted humble and submissive, yet was cruel and ruthless. She appeared to lack scheming but was actually most detestable. Such a person was most suited to survive in the imperial palace. A trace of smile appeared on Jiang Ruan’s face. Jiang Quan had personally released a wolf cub, not knowing that in the future there would be times when he’d be bitten to death by the evil wolf.
Xiao Shao glanced at her: “Consort Chen now sees you as a thorn in her eye. I’ll leave Jin Er and Jin San both by your side.”
Jiang Ruan was stunned. Honestly, this was undoubtedly very tempting. After the last incident, she had already been thinking—though on the surface she seemed to have the upper hand, her status ultimately couldn’t rival Consort Chen’s. With no support around her and no ability to command troops, if it came to force, she might not necessarily gain advantage. Tianzhu alone was inevitably insufficient. If Jin Er and Jin San were there, at least if something happened they could find ways to relay messages, providing another layer of protection.
She owed Xiao Shao too many favors. Jiang Ruan hesitated: “I have a question I want to ask you.”
Xiao Shao looked at her with some confusion in his gaze.
“When you said you owed me a life, what exactly did you mean?” Jiang Ruan asked.
Xiao Shao was stunned, unnaturally pursing his lips. His face flushed slightly, and his usually cold expression rarely showed some embarrassment. Originally it was nothing, but now that Jiang Ruan mentioned it, he didn’t know how to speak.
“Never mind.” Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Ruan’s voice came: “Now isn’t the time to pursue this matter. Thank you, Xiao Shao.”
She had always called him “Prince Xiao” this and “Prince Xiao” that, but now she no longer used that distant and formal title, directly calling “Xiao Shao.” This should have been improper, even presumptuous. But Xiao Shao inexplicably felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if a tiny pebble had been thrown into what was originally a calm deep pond, creating slight ripples. He had never thought that hearing these two characters from her mouth would feel different from hearing them from others.
Seeing him silent, Jiang Ruan looked up and happened to see those starlike eyes flash with a trace of smile. She was stunned: “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Xiao Shao was in a very good mood. After thinking, he took out a bracelet from his chest and handed it to her. The bracelet emanated a faint blue glow—it was the blood moon bracelet from before. Xiao Shao explained: “I’ve reloaded it with needles, dipped in poison.”
He had thought so thoroughly. Jiang Ruan took it and carefully examined it. Saying thank you again would seem excessive, so she directly put it on her wrist.
Xiao Shao lowered his eyes. In fact, there wasn’t much he could do for Jiang Ruan. When the Imperial Guards acted, people inevitably died. He was unwilling to entangle himself in court power struggles. If he truly acted, it would definitely be a complete strike—the entire Chen family would lose their lives. He could kill people, but Jiang Ruan might not like it. There was too much darkness in her eyes. Only by personally killing her enemies could she wash away that darkness completely with blood.
Outside the door, Lu Zhu stared in shock with wide eyes: “Prince Xiao asked you to protect Miss?”
Jin Er crossed his arms, looking at Lu Zhu leisurely: “Yes, little girl. We’ll have fun in the future.” Heaven knows that ever since Lu Zhu unhesitatingly kicked and injured his privates last time, he had been holding a grudge. Xiao Shao had originally intended to send Jin Yi and Jin San to guard Jiang Ruan, but he stubbornly requested to switch assignments, precisely to get revenge for that kick.
Lu Zhu spat: “Shameless! How could Prince Xiao send a pretty boy like you to protect Miss? If you can protect your own privates well that would be good enough. Still protect Miss? Dream on!”
Jin Er nearly spat blood. He, a dignified Imperial Guard, graceful and elegant, was actually called a “pretty boy” by a little maid. This girl was so sharp-tongued, even more fierce than those female assassins in the Imperial Guards—like a little rogue from the marketplace! His expression changed, and he suddenly lowered his head close to Lu Zhu, smiling wickedly: “What’s wrong with being a pretty boy? It’s still better than you, this bean sprout.”
Jin Er was naturally quite handsome. Lu Zhu was ultimately just a teenage girl. Seeing Jin Er’s approaching smile, she was initially somewhat flushed, but unexpectedly hearing such words, she was so angry her nose nearly went crooked. Without hesitation, she kicked again. This time Jin Er was prepared and caught her foot with one hand: “Young ladies shouldn’t be so rough, or you won’t be able to marry in the future.”
“Get lost! Lecher!” Lu Zhu was furious and backhanded a slap. Jin Er had only caught Lu Zhu’s leg, not expecting women’s thoughts to be so unpredictable. This slap landed solidly.
The Imperial Guards’ minor leader was actually slapped by a maid who knew no martial arts? What a disgrace!
Jin Er was also furious: “Who’s the lecher? Even if I were lecherous, it wouldn’t be your turn. With your stick-like figure, I wouldn’t look twice!”
Jin San and Tianzhu stood to the side. Tianzhu remained calm as always, but Jin San was thoroughly enjoying the show. She tossed her long hair, her alluring eyes full of entertainment: “Tsk tsk, the young madam’s maid is truly extraordinary. Seeing Jin Er suffer like this is quite rare. Jin Si should come see this too.”
She rolled her eyes, thinking that the young madam’s arrival seemed to bring spring to the entire Imperial Guards.
Unlike the relaxed joy in this corner of the palace, some places were gloomy and dark. For instance… the Vice Minister’s residence.
In a room in the courtyard, Jiang Li sat quietly in a chair. A maid beside her placed the medicine in her hands on the table, twisting her small waist: “Madam, time for medicine.”
The maid wore a peach-colored jacket, her waist slender enough to be grasped in one hand, her makeup exquisite, making her appear tender as a scallion. Her attitude wasn’t very respectful either. Her ten fingers were painted with red nail polish. Setting down the medicine bowl, she glanced at the person on the bed and said coquettishly: “Madam should take the medicine quickly, lest Master see it later and become upset again.”
Jiang Li looked at her with difficulty, her voice hoarse: “Get out.”
The maid rolled her eyes, curtsied disrespectfully, and left. As she departed, she said quietly: “What a thing, still thinking she’s the mistress of the Vice Minister’s residence. Just a broken shoe…”
The voice drifted faintly to Jiang Li’s ears. Jiang Li was furious and smashed the medicine bowl in her hands to the ground!
“Slut!”
This maid was one she had brought from the Jiang residence as part of her dowry. Who knew that within days of the wedding such events would occur? Zuo Jiang detested her, and this personal maid took the opportunity to climb into Zuo Jiang’s bed. If not for her pregnancy, Zuo Jiang would probably immediately elevate her to concubine status!
Pregnant. Jiang Li smiled bitterly, her gaze falling on the fertility-preserving medicine bowl shattered on the ground. Getting pregnant not long after entering the residence should have been wonderful news, but it happened to be after such events. The child in her belly—she didn’t know if it was Zuo Jiang’s or that Third Prince Xuan You’s.
Whether it was Zuo Jiang’s or Xuan You’s, she didn’t dare abort it and had to carefully protect this seed in her belly. Imperial family members were most untouchable. Everyone in the Zuo residence understood this principle. They fed her fertility-preserving medicine while wantonly humiliating her. Old Madam Zuo wished she would die immediately, having ruined Zuo Jiang’s future and reputation. Zuo Jiang needn’t be mentioned—he looked at her daily like an enemy. That man was a devil, appearing gentle and refined but tormenting her in various ways.
Jiang Li smiled miserably. How had it become like this? It shouldn’t be this way. She struggled to take out a bronze mirror from beside her pillow. The person in the mirror was haggard and worn. Clearly a young girl in her prime, she looked like a thirty-year-old woman. Her skin was sallow and dull, extremely thin and deformed. Her lifeless eyes were set in a skeletal face that immediately disgusted people. Where was her former spirited and beautiful appearance? She disgustedly smashed the bronze mirror to the ground and began crying and wailing.
She had thought marrying into the Vice Minister’s residence would make her an official’s wife, able to step on everyone else and completely escape her concubine-born status. Who knew that now even a maid could bully her!
It shouldn’t be this way. This should have been Jiang Dan’s life. Jiang Li curled into a ball. If she hadn’t stolen Jiang Dan’s marriage, the person who should be marrying into the Vice Minister’s residence now would be Jiang Dan, and the one being tormented like this should be Jiang Dan. She thought she had stolen a perfect marriage, but it turned out to be the road to hell!
She hated Jiang Dan, hated Zuo Jiang, hated Xuan You, hated her personal maid, and also hated Jiang Ruan who had caused today’s situation. Giving birth to the child would also mean death. Moreover, she didn’t want to give birth to this bastard that represented humiliation.
Jiang Li’s eyes flashed with a trace of fanatical light. If she died and the child in her belly also died, the imperial family definitely wouldn’t spare the Vice Minister’s residence. Zuo Jiang would also never be able to hold his head up again. If it were like this, if it were like this, it would be much better than now. At least it would make the Vice Minister’s residence unhappy and Zuo Jiang unhappy, which would give her some satisfaction.
She rolled off the bed and tremblingly picked up the broken porcelain shards, murmuring: “If there’s a next life, I definitely won’t spare any of you…”