The days passed peacefully, seemingly unaffected by anything. In the blink of an eye, late summer arrived, and the weather became slightly cooler than the previous sweltering heat. Past complicated matters gradually settled, and Madam Jiang’s death seemed to slowly fade from everyone’s memory.
At Prince Jinying’s residence, a snow dove fluttered in through the window, landing on the boxwood desk in the room. Its wings accidentally touched the ink in the inkstone, immediately staining the snow-white feathers with a few drops of fragrant ink.
Xiao Shao lifted the snow dove from beside the inkstone and placed it in his palm. The dove’s small white head tilted as it looked at him, its black bean-like eyes alert and clever. Xiao Shao stroked the dove’s head and untied the copper tube bound to its leg.
The message in the copper tube wasn’t long, bearing a line of small handwriting. After reading the note, Xiao Shao slowly frowned.
After a moment, he placed the note over an oil lamp nearby to burn it, instructing his attendant: “Prepare horses. I’m leaving the capital.”
“Master…” Jin Yi hesitated.
“Summon Ye Feng. Yi Bao Pavilion doesn’t need manpower—go to Baizhang Tower and find Qi Si.”
Jin Yi’s expression became serious as he replied: “Yes.”
…
In Ruan Residence, Tianzhu lifted the curtain: “Miss, the carriage is ready.”
Lu Zhu casually grabbed a small basket of pastries from the table, smiling: “Good to take some for the road.”
A few days ago, they had received an invitation from Madam Dong, signed by Dong Ying’er but actually from Madam Dong herself, saying she wanted to invite Jiang Ruan for a small gathering at their residence. Since Madam Jiang’s death, and to observe mourning, Jiang Ruan had simply stayed in her courtyard for quite some time without going out. Speaking of Dong Ying’er, it had been a long while since they’d met. Suddenly receiving the Dong family’s invitation surprised both Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi.
So today they had Tianzhu prepare the carriage for a trip to the Dong residence.
When leaving, they happened to encounter Jiang Dan and Hong Ying talking. Hong Ying’s belly showed her pregnancy more prominently—she would probably give birth in a few more days. Now Jiang Quan had entrusted all household affairs to Hong Ying. Xia Yan hadn’t been released, and the former Second Concubine had long since perished. With Hong Ying dominating alone, she had the bearing of the household’s main wife in the Jiang residence.
Lu Zhu’s eyes flickered. She wondered if Hong Ying was trying to please all sides. Except for Jiang Susu, she was always pleasant toward Jiang Dan, and their relationship was excellent. On the surface, Jiang Dan seemed harmless, but Lu Zhu, having followed Jiang Ruan for so long, could naturally see some things. Jiang Dan wasn’t as harmless as she appeared. Wasn’t Hong Ying’s behavior slapping Jiang Ruan’s face? Or perhaps Hong Ying thought that by currying favor with Jiang Dan, she could someday connect with an empress in the palace?
Though her face still bore a sweet smile, her eyes couldn’t hide her indignation. Jiang Dan saw them first and smiled in greeting: “Elder Sister.”
Jiang Ruan nodded: “Fourth Sister, Aunt.”
Hong Ying supported her belly with one hand. Her face showed none of the haggard slovenliness that usually accompanied pregnancy, but instead radiated even more brilliance than before. Compared to earlier times, she seemed to have gained more charm and allure, her skin increasingly smooth as jade. Her clothing and jewelry were all of superior quality, clearly showing she was much favored by Jiang Quan. Seeing Jiang Ruan, she smiled: “Where is First Miss going?”
“Miss Dong invited me for a small gathering at her residence.”
Jiang Dan smiled: “Elder Sister is truly enviable.”
“You’ll also be able to make many sisters in the future—why speak of envy?” Hong Ying joked.
“Aunt is teasing me,” Jiang Dan said, lowering her head shyly.
Jiang Ruan looked at the harmonious scene before her. The concubine and concubine’s daughter in this residence got along extremely well. Hong Ying’s behavior was probably inseparable from Jiang Quan’s instructions. A flash of coldness passed through her eyes, but when she raised her head again, she still smiled like a flower: “In that case, I won’t disturb Aunt and Fourth Sister’s conversation. I’ll take my leave first.”
“Elder Sister, go slowly,” Jiang Dan smiled kindly. Anyone uninformed might think these two were biological sisters.
After leaving the residence and boarding the carriage, Lu Zhu finally couldn’t help saying: “What does Fifth Aunt mean? She seems more enthusiastic toward Fourth Miss than toward Miss.”
Jiang Ruan shook her head lightly: “Fifth Aunt is a clever person. She naturally understands she can’t gain any benefits from me.” Her temperament was cold. Previously, because of Xia Yan and Second Concubine, she had stood on the same side as Hong Ying. With Xia Yan and Second Concubine gone, Hong Ying had no threats in the residence—she only needed to please Jiang Quan. Since Jiang Quan had never favored her, if Hong Ying became close with her, she would lose Jiang Quan’s affection.
“This is too opportunistic,” Lu Zhu thought for a moment and finally shook her head.
“Human hearts change easily. Why expect too much?” Jiang Ruan closed her eyes and rested against the carriage wall.
Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue and said no more. Tianzhu looked at Jiang Ruan thoughtfully. The longer she followed this master, the deeper Tianzhu’s puzzlement about Jiang Ruan became. She didn’t understand where that almost innate coldness in Jiang Ruan came from. In certain matters, she acted more ruthlessly than a killer. In the Jinyiwei, Tianzhu had seen all kinds of people, but had never encountered such a sheltered lady who was so terrifyingly intelligent.
The words Jiang Ruan spoke before Second Concubine’s death were deeply branded in Tianzhu’s heart.
Jiang Ruan said the Jiang residence owed her life debts, and she would collect them one by one. But from beginning to end, only Zhao Mei among her family members in the Jiang residence had died. Where did these “one by one life debts” come from?
Tianzhu felt Jiang Ruan harbored a very deep secret in her heart—one that even the maids closest to her knew nothing about. She thought perhaps she should find an opportunity to report these matters to the young master properly.
…
At the Capital Magistrate’s residence.
Dong Ying’er reclined on a soft couch—rather than reclining, it was more accurate to say she had collapsed powerlessly onto the couch. Compared to her previous thinness and haggardness, she seemed to have gained some weight recently, though her face bore heavy sorrow. Where was the carefree appearance of a young lady?
The maid Hong’er approached with a bowl of cooked red bean and lotus seed porridge, placing it on the couch and respectfully saying: “Miss, please have some porridge.”
“I don’t want to eat,” Dong Ying’er turned her head away listlessly.
“Even if you don’t want to, you must eat.” A cold, hard voice came as Capital Magistrate Dong entered. His expression was very stern as he said harshly: “Put away those unrealistic thoughts. The portrait has already been sent to the palace. In a few days, when palace people come, you’ll obediently enter the palace.”
“Father,” Dong Ying’er’s voice was soft, but her tone remained firm: “Ying’er absolutely will not enter the palace.”
“Won’t enter the palace? Then go with your mother to apologize to the Chang family and enter their door!” Magistrate Dong said angrily.
“Ying’er will only marry one person in this life—General Jiang Xinzhi!”
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Dong was furious beyond measure and immediately raised his hand toward Dong Ying’er. Though Dong Ying’er met his gaze fearlessly, his heart ultimately couldn’t bear it, and he didn’t strike. He only said angrily: “Foolish! I see you’re still not clear-headed. Stay confined a few more days!”
With that, he stormed off in anger.
After Magistrate Dong left, Dong Ying’er seemed to have exhausted all her strength, collapsing onto the soft couch and weeping pitifully. Magistrate Dong had always loved her dearly, yet now he confined her to her room, ordering people to carefully tend to her meals daily—all just to send her to the palace. She had thought she had a good father and pitied Jiang Ruan’s circumstances. But now it seemed her father was no different from Jiang Ruan’s father—equally heartless!
In the outer hall, Jiang Ruan alighted from her carriage and was welcomed in by the Dong residence’s servants. Having visited the Capital Magistrate’s residence several times, the servants were familiar with her. They led her to the main hall where Madam Dong sat lost in thought. Seeing her enter, she quickly rose to greet her: “Princess.”
“Madam, just call me Ruan Niang,” Jiang Ruan smiled.
Madam Dong smiled apologetically: “Ruan Niang, actually I sent that invitation in Ying’er’s name. You… won’t blame me, will you?”
“Madam is joking,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Has something happened to Sister Ying’er?”
Madam Dong’s heart jumped as she looked at Jiang Ruan, meeting those gentle, smiling eyes that seemed to possess a magical power to bring peace and trust. Her heart eased slightly as she sighed: “I’m not afraid of the Princess laughing at me. Ying’er, this girl, had never given me cause for worry before—always sensible and mature beyond her years. Ruan Niang may have heard that Ying’er was betrothed to the Chang family’s third young master in her early years, but… alas, at this crucial time, she developed feelings for someone and went to speak with Young Master Chang herself, breaking off the engagement with the Chang family.”
Seeing Jiang Ruan showed no contemptuous expression, she boldly continued: “Such an affair, even happening in our residence, cannot be tolerated. The Chang family naturally feels the same. After the broken engagement, word spread. Ying’er is already at marriageable age, but after this incident, even families who had considered marrying Ying’er gave up the idea. Seeing Ying’er staying in the residence only invited gossip, Master angrily had someone paint Ying’er’s portrait and send it for the imperial selection.”
“Does Sister Ying’er not wish this?” Jiang Ruan asked.
“Naturally she’s unwilling,” Madam Dong’s worried expression grew heavier. “When Ying’er learned of this, she had a big fight with Master. Master has always been stubborn and got angry with his own daughter, locking Ying’er in her room and ordering maids to watch her eat daily. He said if she threatened with her health, he’d have all the maids in her room beaten to death. Ying’er had no choice—she eats daily but looks increasingly sorrowful.” She said to Jiang Ruan: “Good child, I know you and Ying’er have a good relationship. Ying’er can always listen to your words somewhat. Please make her abandon those unrealistic thoughts and stop being so obsessed.”
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Naturally. May Ruan Niang ask who Sister Ying’er’s beloved is?”
Upon hearing this, Madam Dong’s expression changed. She seemed unable to bear it and lowered her head, not daring to look at Jiang Ruan’s face. After a moment, she struggled to squeeze out a few words: “It’s… the Princess’s elder brother… Deputy General Jiang.”
…
The maid opened the curtain as Dong Ying’er said impatiently: “Go away. I want to be alone.”
“Miss, Princess Hong’an has come to see you,” the maid said softly, nodding toward Jiang Ruan behind her. Jiang Ruan gestured for the maid to leave, and she closed the door and departed.
Dong Ying’er had been lying on the soft couch. Hearing the maid’s words, she was stunned, seeming not to understand the “Princess Hong’an” mentioned. After a moment, she realized and hurriedly looked up to see Jiang Ruan walking toward her.
“Sister Ruan,” Dong Ying’er stood up in surprise. Since Madam Jiang’s death, she should have gone with her household to offer condolences at the Jiang residence, but Magistrate Dong had confined her and wouldn’t let her out. The two hadn’t seen each other for many days. Having not seen outsiders these past days, Dong Ying’er felt genuinely happy to suddenly see Jiang Ruan.
She examined Jiang Ruan carefully. Still in mourning, Jiang Ruan couldn’t wear red and only wore an azure thin silk robe, simple and plain to the extreme, which added a transcendent elegance she didn’t usually possess. She looked quite spirited and hadn’t fallen into sorrow over Madam Jiang’s death.
“Sister Ruan, how are you? I couldn’t leave the residence. When I heard you were arrested and imprisoned, I worried you suffered some injustice,” Dong Ying’er asked with concern.
Jiang Ruan shook her head, her gaze pausing on Dong Ying’er’s face. Dong Ying’er had always appeared lively and cheerful. Magistrate Dong protected her well—she always seemed carefree. Now the cheerfulness that usually graced her face had vanished, leaving only deep sorrow.
Noticing Jiang Ruan’s examining gaze, Dong Ying’er lowered her head uncomfortably and asked: “Sister Ruan, how did you come to see me?”
Zhao Jin, Lin Zixiang, Wen Feifei and others had tried to visit her, but Magistrate Dong had turned them away saying she was ill. For Jiang Ruan to gain Magistrate Dong’s permission to visit the residence, there must be some reason.
“Madam Dong invited me.”
“My mother?” Dong Ying’er looked puzzled. “Why did she ask you to come?”
Jiang Ruan looked at her without speaking. Dong Ying’er was silent for a moment before saying: “You know everything, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Jiang Ruan said flatly. “You’re entering the palace.”
“I don’t want to enter the palace,” Dong Ying’er shook her head desperately. “I don’t want to be sent to the palace. Sister Ruan, save me.”
“Then you’ll marry into the Chang family?” Jiang Ruan asked.
“No, I don’t want to marry the Chang family either. I… Young Master Chang is a good person. I can’t deceive him,” Dong Ying’er murmured. “I already have someone in my heart. I can’t marry someone else.” She gripped the silk beneath her tightly: “Father wants to send me to the palace without considering my wishes at all. He won’t listen to anything I say.”
“Magistrate Dong did nothing wrong,” Jiang Ruan said calmly, unmoved by Dong Ying’er’s words.
Hearing this, Dong Ying’er looked at Jiang Ruan in disbelief: “You actually think he’s right? No, Father just wants to use me to gain glory and wealth for our residence. He just doesn’t want me to ruin the Capital Magistrate’s reputation. Father has never thought about me at all. Sister Ruan, don’t you resent how Minister Jiang treats you? How can you say Father is right? What Father is doing now—how is it different from what Minister Jiang does to you? Sister Ruan, how can you say such things?” Her tone was full of resentment and obsession, showing none of her former cheerful disposition.
Jiang Ruan quietly looked at the woman before her. Time flew by—love was poison, making Dong Ying’er seem like a completely different person, even able to treat her own father this way. Capital Magistrate Dong and Jiang Quan were certainly two different people. Jiang Quan wanted overwhelming wealth and glory, willing to sacrifice even her and Jiang Xinzhi’s lives. The Capital Magistrate only wanted his mad daughter to become clearheaded. Unfortunately, his good intentions were wasted—Dong Ying’er not only failed to become clearheaded but came to hate him as well.
Dong Ying’er suddenly raised her head, staring fixedly at Jiang Ruan, then got down from the couch and collapsed at Jiang Ruan’s feet. Two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks as she said: “Sister Ruan, help me, help me. I only have Deputy General Jiang in my heart and will never marry anyone else in this life. Help me persuade Father. Sister Ruan, you’re so clever—you must have a way.”
Her hair was disheveled, her tone humble as she prostrated like grass at Jiang Ruan’s feet, her hands tightly gripping Jiang Ruan’s legs, her tear-filled eyes truly appearing desperate.
Jiang Ruan sighed softly, bent down, and pried Dong Ying’er’s fingers away one by one, looking at her with pity: “Why should I help you?”
Dong Ying’er was stunned, not understanding what she meant.
Jiang Ruan’s expression was gentle, her tone soft, yet the words she spoke carried utter coldness: “My elder brother has no interest in you. Whether you like him or not—what does it matter to him?”
“I…” Dong Ying’er was speechless. Indeed, Jiang Xinzhi had only met her briefly a few times, and he had never shown any special feelings toward her. She had single-mindedly fallen in love with Jiang Xinzhi without knowing his attitude. Because Jiang Xinzhi was leading troops on campaign, she could deceive herself. Now Jiang Ruan had revealed the truth so bluntly, leaving Dong Ying’er feeling nothing but shame.
“You’re unwilling to enter the palace and unwilling to marry into the Chang family, but you can never marry Elder Brother either,” Jiang Ruan said gently.
“Why?” Dong Ying’er’s voice carried a sob as she looked at Jiang Ruan like a stranger.
Why? Jiang Xinzhi was rising rapidly in court and could never join the Eighth Prince’s faction in the future. The Capital Magistrate maintained neutrality in court, offending neither the Eighth Prince nor the Fifth Prince. If Jiang Xinzhi truly married Dong Ying’er in the future, Xuan Li could use the Capital Magistrate to threaten Jiang Xinzhi, giving him an additional weakness to be exploited forever.
If Jiang Xinzhi truly liked Dong Ying’er, all this would be irrelevant. Unfortunately, Jiang Xinzhi had never shown any fondness for Dong Ying’er.
“Because Elder Brother doesn’t like you,” Jiang Ruan’s words shattered Dong Ying’er’s last delusion. She opened her mouth and said to Jiang Ruan: “Why… why are you treating me this way?”
“In worldly affairs, only love cannot be forced,” Jiang Ruan nodded. “Sister Ying’er’s feelings for Elder Brother are Sister Ying’er’s own matter. Sister Ying’er is naturally steadfast in heart.” She said flatly: “I just wonder if, on the day Elder Brother marries and starts a family, Sister Ying’er will remain as without regret as today.”
“Sister Ruan, are you truly so heartless?” Dong Ying’er asked with difficulty.
Jiang Ruan’s features were beautiful, her expression unperturbed as she said: “Yes.”