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Xiao Shao had just emerged from the palace and mounted his horse when he saw Jin Er tumble headfirst before him, his usually carefree face bearing rare seriousness: “This is bad, Master. Miss Jiang has been taken to the great prison.”
Xiao Shao’s eyes darkened: “What happened?”
“Fourth Prince and several palace maids personally witnessed Miss Jiang kill Princess He Yi. Then people came, the evidence was solid, Consort Shu was furious, and she’s now demanding His Majesty make a judgment. The Empress had no choice but to order the Ministry of Justice to imprison Miss Jiang first.”
“When did this happen?” Xiao Shao frowned.
“Around noon,” Jin Er replied. Xiao Shao had been handling other matters in the palace, and Jin Er had only just caught up after he left. Three hours had passed since Jiang Ruan’s arrest—who knew what the situation was now. This time was far more urgent than usual. Princess He Yi was the emperor’s most beloved youngest daughter. Though she was somewhat willful in daily life, the father-daughter bond was genuinely there. Jiang Ruan killing Princess He Yi was a crime serious enough to provoke the emperor’s rage and lead to Jiang Ruan’s execution.
Xiao Shao turned his horse around: “Let’s go to the Ministry of Justice.” Before he could raise his whip, another voice called: “Master!”
Jin San hurried over from outside, glanced around, and said quietly: “Tianzhu wants to see you.”
Tianzhu was Jiang Ruan’s personal maid. Jin Er and Jin San exchanged glances. They knew Jiang Ruan’s character well in daily life—she wasn’t one to suffer losses. Perhaps she had anticipated today’s situation, maybe even done this intentionally. Tianzhu’s visit now might be to deliver a message from Jiang Ruan.
After brief consideration, Xiao Shao said: “Have her come to Yibao Pavilion.”
With many eyes and ears outside, and Tianzhu being Jiang Ruan’s maid, if noticed by those with ulterior motives, it could be used against them. Going to Yibao Pavilion would also allow them to gather information.
Jin San departed with orders.
Within the time of one incense stick, Xiao Shao sat in the secret chamber of Yibao Pavilion as Tianzhu knelt before him: “Master.”
“What did she say?” Xiao Shao asked.
“Miss said nothing,” Tianzhu replied.
A strange light flashed in Xiao Shao’s dark eyes. He pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze without speaking. Jin Er and Jin San were greatly shocked. They had thought Jiang Ruan sent Tianzhu to deliver a message. What did “saying nothing” mean? Did Jiang Ruan have no words for Tianzhu to convey to Xiao Shao?
“Miss anticipated today’s events long ago,” Tianzhu continued without waiting for Xiao Shao’s questions. “Princess He Yi’s death was also arranged by Miss, though Princess He Yi wasn’t killed by Miss. Someone else killed Princess He Yi—today someone is slandering her. Miss has already made arrangements, having me deliver a letter to National Teacher Hui Jue earlier, likely keeping contingencies. Master need not worry excessively.”
After pondering for a while, Xiao Shao said: “Tell me everything that happened these past few days.”
“Does Master wish to help Miss?” Tianzhu raised her head to ask.
Xiao Shao glanced at her: “Yes.”
“Master must not,” Tianzhu spoke. “Miss has already made her decision. Master had better not interfere in this matter.”
Jin Er and Jin San both frowned. For a Brocade Guard, interfering with the master’s decisions was taboo. Tianzhu’s behavior was extremely presumptuous, even disrespectful to Xiao Shao. Tianzhu had been trained by Xiao Shao since childhood—her loyalty was unquestionable. This attitude now surprised even her colleagues.
“She is a person of Prince Jinying’s mansion. I won’t stand idly by, nor will I let anyone bully her,” Xiao Shao said indifferently, though his tone already carried coldness.
“Replying to Master,” Tianzhu heard Xiao Shao’s tone but hesitated briefly before continuing: “Does Master think Miss cannot resolve such matters? This subordinate dares to speak out of turn—Master’s departure from the capital is imminent. While Master can protect Miss in the capital, what happens after Master leaves? Will all these open attacks and hidden arrows disappear? Even if Master protects Miss in Prince Jinying’s mansion, it won’t necessarily go smoothly. Now those watching Prince Jinying’s mansion are numerous as fish crossing a river. How could Miss’s days be easy?”
“You mean this prince lacks the ability to protect her?” Xiao Shao narrowed his eyes. This time he spoke much more slowly, but carried much heavier coldness than before. Jin Er and Jin San quickly signaled to Tianzhu—Xiao Shao was already in a bad mood, and Tianzhu’s words were like throwing herself into gunfire.
Tianzhu ignored Jin Er and Jin San’s hints, continuing: “Does Master hope the person standing beside him is a delicate lady who can’t even tie up a chicken, who needs Master’s protection in everything? If that’s truly the case, Prince Jinying’s mansion cannot raise such a delicate flower. The mansion needs a woman who stands firm in storms of swords and spears, not an embroidered pillow!”
Jin Er and Jin San opened their mouths. Jin San helplessly closed his eyes. Though Tianzhu had been loyal in the Brocade Guard, she was actually stubborn—once she decided on something, nothing could change her mind. Today she seemed determined to anger Xiao Shao. She might feel good now, but who knew what punishment she’d face later. Had staying with the young mistress too long made her completely fearless?
“These days following Miss, this subordinate has seen clearly—Miss is absolutely not a delicate woman needing protection. She’s stronger than any woman this subordinate has seen. Master knows in his heart that Miss dislikes having others solve everything for her, especially… when dealing with enemies, Miss prefers handling them personally.”
Xiao Shao lowered his gaze, thoughtfully looking at his sleeve. He deeply understood Jiang Ruan’s character—her almost manic obsession with revenge. He also knew clearly that Jiang Ruan disliked others interfering in such matters. Tianzhu wasn’t lying.
“Miss has already made arrangements and plans. The one suffering this time will definitely not be Miss but the opposition. If Master truly likes Miss, he shouldn’t control everything for her. Miss isn’t someone who wants to be controlled. Miss wants to personally deal with Princess He Yi and those behind her. If Master wants Miss to be Prince Jinying’s mansion’s future young mistress, he should learn to support her.”
Tianzhu said: “This subordinate boldly guesses Miss’s thoughts and begs Master not to interfere in this matter. I request Master’s punishment.”
Xiao Shao looked at the kneeling figure, raised his eyebrows, and after long silence said: “Stand up.”
Jin Er and Jin San were stunned for the third time today. Despite Tianzhu’s transgression, Xiao Shao showed no anger whatsoever. Compared to his earlier bad mood, he now seemed much calmer. Did Master actually like being yelled at?
Tianzhu paused, stood up, still with lowered head, only to hear Xiao Shao say: “Return your badge to Ye Feng.”
“Master!” Tianzhu cried out. Returning the Brocade Guard badge to Ye Feng meant being permanently expelled from the Brocade Guard, never able to return.
Jin Er and Jin San also froze. They had thought Xiao Shao wasn’t angry, but were they wrong? Not only was Xiao Shao angry, he was very angry.
Xiao Shao looked at the dejected and surprised Tianzhu, saying indifferently: “Your loyalty is no longer here. According to convention, you must surrender your badge.” After a pause, he said: “From now on, you have only one master—Jiang Ruan. Protect her well.”
Tianzhu was stunned, looking up at Xiao Shao, but found his expression wasn’t anger, nor his usual distant coldness, but rather entrustment—another kind of trust and equal respect.
He had placed the person he valued in her hands. This wasn’t a master’s instruction to a subordinate, but an exchange made as equals, a trust between comrades.
Tianzhu’s eyes heated up, nearly bringing tears. Since childhood in the Brocade Guard, Xiao Shao had been the person she respected in her heart, her master. The Brocade Guard had given her a second life. She thought she would remain loyal to the Brocade Guard her entire life, bleeding every last drop for them, but never expected Xiao Shao would one day reclaim her badge.
She was leaving the Brocade Guard, leaving the master she most respected, to protect the woman her master liked—a woman with the same resilient character and iron-blooded methods as her master. So while Tianzhu felt sad, she wouldn’t grieve too long. Because she was worth it.
She lowered her head, knelt again, and respectfully kowtowed three times to Xiao Shao, saying resolutely: “This subordinate thanks Young Master for his cultivation.”
Xiao Shao’s expression seemed slightly moved as he said quietly: “Thank you.”
Thank you for choosing to follow her.
…
News of Jiang Ruan’s imprisonment naturally didn’t reach only Xiao Shao’s ears. When it reached Xuan Li’s ears, his expression was even uglier than Xiao Shao’s.
“Disgusting?” He quietly chewed these two words, suddenly feeling wordless fury rise in his chest. He slammed the table, causing the teapot to crash to the floor and shatter into countless pieces. The guards hidden in the room dared not make a sound—Xuan Li’s expression was too terrifying.
The usually gentle and elegant Eighth Prince no longer wore his lotus-like gentle smile. The muscles on his cheeks twitched slightly from anger, showing strange distortion.
She actually dared! She actually dared do this!
Like this, even being imprisoned, she was unwilling to marry him, even saying the word “disgusting.” Xuan Li believed he had never done anything to wrong Jiang Ruan. The reason for Jiang Ruan’s harsh treatment of him could only be one thing—Xiao Shao.
In matters between men and women, Xuan Li had always been invincible, never encountering any rival. To him, women were merely foolish creatures. Jiang Ruan originally had little connection to him, but every time he saw her, he felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if this woman naturally belonged to him. This possessiveness was fully triggered when Jiang Ruan chose Xiao Shao and was even willing to go this far for Xiao Shao, reminding Xuan Li of events from many years ago.
Long ago on Jianan Mountain, Master Baqi had taken ten disciples. Xiao Shao was the third disciple Master Baqi accepted, ranking third as Third Senior Brother, while he ranked eighth and had to address Xiao Shao as Senior Brother. Xuan Li had been intelligent since childhood, and among the emperor’s sons, he excelled in achievements. Young as he was, he already had an excellent reputation in court, popular support, and everything going well. Someone accustomed to being first in everything hit a wall on Jianan Mountain.
Master Baqi didn’t restrict what disciples chose to study. When Xiao Shao entered the school, Prince Jinying’s mansion hadn’t yet fallen into trouble. His nature was indifferent, with no particular interests, so Master Baqi taught him a little of everything, depending on his fortune. But even with just a little teaching, Xiao Shao’s comprehension was remarkable, mastering everything perfectly. All the senior and junior brothers on Jianan Mountain admired Xiao Shao, yet Xiao Shao was extremely proud at heart, seeming to look down on worldly matters.
Xuan Li had never been willing to fall behind others since childhood. Despite daily diligent practice, he couldn’t match Xiao Shao’s casual glance. Young people were always competitive, and Xiao Shao always seemed cold toward everyone. Over time, this finally made Xuan Li resentful. He didn’t understand why things he had to work hard for came effortlessly to Xiao Shao.
Later, when Prince Jinying’s mansion fell into trouble, Xuan Li had felt quite pleased inwardly. But after Prince Jinying’s mansion’s troubles, even with Xiao Shao branded as a traitor’s descendant, the emperor showed increasing regard for him. Xiao Shao could speak bluntly before the emperor, not needing to guess imperial thoughts like he did. Xiao Shao commanded 300,000 Brocade Guards. Xuan Li was wary of him and dared not express his feelings. For all these years, the surface calm he maintained with Xiao Shao seemed shattered overnight by Jiang Ruan. Only then did Xuan Li discover that his inner resentment and jealousy toward Xiao Shao had never changed after all these years.
“What movement is there from Xiao Shao’s side?” Taking a deep breath, Xuan Li calmed his emotions and asked.
“Replying to Your Highness, Prince Xiao hasn’t acted,” his subordinate replied.
Such a major incident had probably spread throughout the capital by now. Xiao Shao’s lack of movement suggested his feelings for Jiang Ruan weren’t that deep. Xuan Li sneered inwardly. Xiao Shao was arrogant and had been very cold even on Jianan Mountain. Ordinary women were infatuated with him, not knowing Xiao Shao was heartless. That foolish woman Jiang Ruan—since she rejected him for Xiao Shao, let her see clearly how cold and cruel Xiao Shao was. Moreover… Xuan Li suddenly smiled lightly. Xiao Shao’s request to the emperor for marriage was probably known to civil and military officials. One moment requesting marriage from the emperor, the next moment ignoring his beloved’s imprisonment—Xiao Shao was already seen as a traitor’s descendant by court officials, and now his reputation would fall even further.
Perhaps this would also displease Empress Dowager Yide. Though Empress Dowager Yide didn’t manage court affairs, that didn’t mean she had no influence in court. Sometimes, Empress Dowager Yide’s attitude could determine a minister’s future career.
Thinking of how much Xiao Shao would suffer from this incident, how could Xuan Li not feel pleased? In an instant, his earlier displeasure was swept away completely. He said loudly: “Send people to continue watching Prince Jinying’s mansion. See what movements Xiao Shao makes.”
“Yes.” His subordinate departed with orders. Xuan Li leaned back in his chair, playing with his thumb ring, slowly beginning to smile.
…
Adapting to changing winds had always been human nature, particularly evident in the Minister’s mansion.
The servants and old women in Ruan Residence were all uneasy. As soon as news of Jiang Ruan’s imprisonment arrived, those with nimble minds had already switched sides, abandoning their old master for a new one.
In just half a year, this was already Jiang Ruan’s second imprisonment. Previously it was Madam Jiang’s death, but that hadn’t been transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and there were many suspicious points then. Now the dead person was Princess He Yi, involving imperial family matters, with the case directly submitted to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Most importantly, this case had a crucial witness—Fourth Prince Xuan Lang.
If murder was witnessed, having testimony meant the crime was almost certain. Especially with a prince as witness, almost everyone believed Jiang Ruan wouldn’t be as fortunate as last time. The bright future of the Jiang Xinzhi siblings would end here. The Jiang mansion ultimately couldn’t tolerate them.
In the courtyard, Hong Ying was resting in a soft chair, supporting her belly as she enjoyed the autumn afternoon sun. The temperature was perfect—neither too hot nor cold. Exquisite pastries were arranged on the table, and even the tea was specially prepared tonic tea ordered by Jiang Quan. With her delivery date approaching, everyone in the mansion treated Hong Ying with utmost respect.
Sitting across the table was Jiang Dan. She delicately picked up a piece of pastry, took a gentle bite, and smiled: “This pastry is quite good.”
“Master hired a chef from outside,” Hong Ying said carelessly. “Fourth Miss will enter the palace in a few days. The mansion’s pastries are crude—please don’t mind them.”
“How could I, Aunt?” Jiang Dan smiled humbly. “The palace isn’t as easy to live in as it appears on the surface. Look at how Elder Sister had troubles in the palace.” Her expression darkened: “I was hoping to receive Elder Sister’s care in the palace, but such events occurred.”
“Life is unpredictable,” Hong Ying sighed along, looking at Jiang Dan. “But Fourth Miss appears blessed. This palace entry should bring imperial favor. The Jiang mansion’s future glory will rest on you. Perhaps you’ll have more splendor than First Miss in the future.”
“Please don’t tease me, Aunt.” Jiang Dan lowered her head, but her eyes quickly flashed with shrewd light. She asked with apparent casualness: “But with Elder Sister now imprisoned, has Father thought of any good method to rescue her?”
“Method? What good method could there be?” Hong Ying leisurely picked up her teacup and took a sip before saying: “Such a major incident could easily implicate the mansion. First Miss committed such a grave error this time—it’s an enormous disaster. Your father is already furious beyond measure. After long discussions with your second brother, no solution emerged. Now Consort Shu in the palace is enraged, and His Majesty has lost Princess He Yi. First Miss cannot escape this time. If your father pleads for her, wouldn’t that make things worse?”
Jiang Dan’s fingers holding the pastry paused slightly as she changed to a worried expression: “So Father means to abandon her completely?”
“Master is powerless too,” Hong Ying looked at her kohl-painted fingertips. “First Miss is part of the Jiang mansion and naturally understands when to make sacrifices. She can’t risk everyone’s lives for herself alone.”