The servants of Prince Jinying’s mansion were all well-trained after all. With Jiang Ruan’s command, they immediately scattered like birds and beasts. The young servants and maids with poor martial arts all found places to hide, while the guards with martial skills laid in ambush in Xiao Shao’s study and bedroom.

Jiang Ruan sat in the main hall with a grave expression, surrounded by about ten guards protecting her. Steward Lin said anxiously: “Young Madam, if you truly refuse to leave, you should at least find a place to hide. Don’t stay here – what if those people come in?”

“If I hide somewhere, when those people come in looking for me, they’ll inevitably harm innocent people, wasting several lives for nothing. By staying here, I can also see clearly what exactly they want to do – whether they want my life or have other purposes for coming to Prince Jinying’s mansion.” Jiang Ruan shook her head.

“This is far too dangerous.” Steward Lin felt somewhat helpless. Jiang Ruan had the same temperament as Xiao Shao – once she decided on something, even nine oxen couldn’t pull her back. Moreover, this method of risking her own life wouldn’t be used by anyone who valued their life. Jiang Ruan was completely disregarding life and death. This wasn’t some great righteousness. Steward Lin had lived for so many years and was extremely accurate at reading people. Jiang Ruan clearly had never placed her own safety at heart. Her methods were sharp and her heart ruthless – if she had sufficient leverage to achieve her goals, even her life could be used as a bargaining chip. However, now that Jiang Ruan had made up her mind, it was impossible to change it. Steward Lin sighed and could only ask: “What did the Young Madam mean by her earlier words? Why have people burn the houses around Prince Jinying’s mansion?”

“The night is deep – where would there still be people about? If we don’t create some commotion, wouldn’t we be quietly accepting an ambush? These people seem bold, but they still only dare to act at night, presumably to avoid detection. Since they’re using the pretense of being government officials, I won’t be polite about exposing them. If all the houses on this street catch fire, it will inevitably alarm everyone. The more people there are, the better. As long as someone shouts about bandits coming, people will naturally become suspicious. Killing and arson at night is no small matter. One mansion may not have many guards, but when you add up the guards from every mansion on the street, it’s quite a number. Although they may not be able to deal with those people, it would be impossible to silence them all. When their hearts are in chaos, they’ll naturally have concerns, and as long as they have concerns, we can find an escape route.”

Steward Lin suddenly understood and said: “Young Madam’s idea is quite good, but if people ask about the fire tomorrow, how should we explain it? Burning people’s houses damages one’s virtue.”

“What does the fire have to do with us?” Jiang Ruan asked in return. Steward Lin was startled, then heard Jiang Ruan say casually: “In any case, it was those fake government officials who caused the disturbance – we’re also victims. As for virtue…” She smiled slightly: “This lifetime isn’t even finished yet, so why worry about what happens after death? The ones dying tonight won’t be us.” By the last sentence, her tone had turned cold, carrying an ominous feeling.

Steward Lin steadied his mind and asked again: “What about those signal flares? I’ve never heard the Young Madam mention signal flares before.”

“My cousin and I have always maintained private contact,” Jiang Ruan said. “When Xuan Li makes his move against Prince Jinying’s mansion in the future, he certainly won’t spare the Zhao family either. Since I’m marrying into Prince Jinying’s mansion, he’ll think the Zhao family should naturally be allied with the Xiao family. To prevent any accidents, my eldest cousin and I have always maintained secret signal contact. Tonight the Imperial Guards cannot conveniently show themselves, but the Zhao family people may not be so constrained. In any case, Xuan Li knows about the Zhao family’s troops. The General’s mansion isn’t far from here either. Since we have ready-made city garrison troops, using the city garrison to eliminate bandits disguised as government officials is also a good idea.” Jiang Ruan looked at the tea in front of her: “They want to ambush the entire Prince Jinying’s mansion and catch us like turtles in a jar, but I want to borrow the Zhao family’s troops to catch them all in one net. I want Xuan Li’s people sent to secretly observe to watch all this with their own eyes, to make them understand that even without Xiao Shao, Prince Jinying’s mansion is absolutely not a place where one can come and go as they please!”

She spoke with extreme coldness. The surrounding guards and Steward Lin, who were ordered to protect her, secretly felt shocked and couldn’t help but be convinced by her in their hearts. The servants of Prince Jinying’s mansion had once discussed which woman in the world could be worthy of matching with Xiao Shao, and after much discussion, only the Yao family’s daughter could barely qualify. The Yao family’s daughter was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, extremely intelligent, with top-tier appearance and family background. But if Xiao Shao had married her, what kind of situation would today be? At least it wouldn’t be better than now. That Yao family daughter might have wisdom comparable to Jiang Ruan and beauty rivaling hers, but she could never be a Princess Jinying like Jiang Ruan. Because young ladies raised in wealthy noble families learned graceful social skills, not deadly killing intent – they were accustomed to the subtle maneuvering within deep mansions, not the cruel fighting in dark nights.

Only those who had experienced extreme pain and danger could have the courage to face any killing intent without changing expression. Her inner core was extremely resilient, as if the past ten-plus years weren’t spent growing up in deep mansion courtyards, but facing countless blood-soaked, blade-edge paths that forged her current heart of stone.

Steward Lin said seriously: “This old servant understands. This old servant will fight to the death to protect the Young Madam’s safety.”

“You’re not protecting me,” Jiang Ruan said indifferently, “you’re protecting Prince Jinying’s mansion.”

Steward Lin’s heart stirred, and he said no more.

…

Flames shot up to the sky, burning fiercely in the night. The crackling sounds awakened people who were sleeping soundly. The wealthy households on the entire street began shouting and running out to fight the fire. At the same time, chaotic voices mixed in from somewhere: “Help! Bandits are killing people!”

The panicked emotions contained in these voices instantly infected everyone. All sleepiness faded away almost simultaneously. The mansion guards all ran out carrying swords, and for a time the entire street was extremely noisy and chaotic.

Xia Qing was groggily awakened from his sleep. Dragging his shoes and throwing on an outer coat, he walked out of his room and asked a hurrying servant: “What’s happening? Why is it so noisy outside?”

“Young Master, there’s a fire in the mansion,” the servant replied hastily.

“Ah?” Xia Qing’s sleepiness immediately cleared up significantly as he said urgently: “How could there be a fire? Is anyone hurt?”

“No.” The servant scratched his head: “The situation here isn’t too serious, but I don’t know what happened – all the mansions on this street suddenly caught fire. This servant just heard the commotion outside mentioning bandits. Young Master, you’d better not go out. Stay in your room while this servant goes to gather more information.”

“Bandits?” Xia Qing was stunned: “What kind of bandits are so arrogant as to burn houses on an entire street? This is going too far!” Just as he was speaking, he saw Qi Feng emerge from another room also wearing outer garments. Qi Feng was obviously much more alert than him. Xia Qing hurriedly said: “Fourth Brother, you were also awakened? How could there be bandits? Isn’t it supposed to be very peaceful at the emperor’s feet? This is too dangerous.”

Qi Feng was about to speak when he suddenly paused, staring unblinkingly at a certain spot in the sky. Xia Qing followed his gaze and saw clearly that a firework had bloomed in the southwestern sky at some unknown time. The firework wasn’t very large, but its sound was very clear, particularly crisp in the night. Xia Qing was stunned and said: “At a time like this, who still has the mood to play with fireworks? Fourth Brother, what do you think is really happening?” He turned back wanting to ask Qi Feng, but when he turned around, he was shocked by Qi Feng’s expression. Qi Feng’s face was somewhat pale, and there was actually a trace of panic in his usually calm and shrewd eyes. He said in a low voice: “Something’s happened. She must be in trouble. I have to go see.”

With that, no longer paying attention to Xia Qing, he turned to go out.

Xia Qing hurriedly called out to stop him: “Fourth Brother, where are you going? There are bandits outside!”

“Shut up.” Qi Feng shouted in a low voice: “You stay here and don’t go anywhere. Don’t cause me trouble!” With that, he rushed out of the courtyard, his figure disappearing into the night.

…

Jiang Ruan had just walked into the main hall when she continuously heard guards reporting on the situation outside. Indeed, that fire had taken effect. Perhaps they hadn’t expected to suddenly alarm so many people, the people outside were obviously somewhat desperate and crazy, simply no longer pretending to be government soldiers and directly forcing their way in. The guards of Prince Jinying’s mansion were all highly skilled in martial arts after all, so for the moment they hadn’t let those people gain the upper hand. However, they were outnumbered, and the opponents came with fierce momentum – they probably couldn’t hold out for long.

Steward Lin had originally been very anxious, but after so many years, Prince Jinying’s mansion had stood in the capital like an impregnable fortress. But at this moment he suddenly realized that previously people didn’t dare move against Prince Jinying’s mansion only because Xiao Shao was there. Now that Xiao Shao wasn’t here, this Prince Jinying’s mansion was like a shabby house stripped of its roof tiles. The glory built by ancestors was gradually fading. What people feared were the Imperial Guards, was Xiao Shao, but not Prince Jinying’s mansion itself. However, the future mistress of this mansion was striving to protect it with a fierce and brave attitude. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s cold and calm appearance, Steward Lin’s uneasy heart gradually settled down.

“Young Madam, they’ve broken into the mansion!” a guard came to report.

“Block them with full force, kill directly. Kill one to break even, kill two to gain one.” Jiang Ruan said slowly: “I’m still sitting in this place. Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

She always had a tone that could calm people’s hearts, as if she could accurately grasp the places where human hearts were most likely to waver. For instance, at this moment, these words immediately stirred up the guards’ protective instincts. If even a woman could be so ready to die, how could they, as people of the royal mansion, retreat before hungry wolves? Unknowingly, she had actually become the backbone of the entire Prince Jinying’s mansion. It seemed that as long as she was there, there was nothing worth panicking or fearing.

However, at this moment, Jiang Ruan’s heart wasn’t as composed as she appeared on the surface. Even though the General’s mansion wasn’t far from here, those people were certainly Xuan Li’s death warriors who would show no mercy when striking. If they entered this courtyard before Zhao Yi led troops to arrive, everything would be unknown. However, no matter what she thought in her heart, she couldn’t reveal even a fraction on her face. The most feared thing in worldly affairs was showing one’s hand – if her expression showed even a trace of wavering, it would affect the servants of Prince Jinying’s mansion.

Time slowly passed amid everyone’s tense emotions, each moment seeming extremely long and difficult to endure. When the tea on the table hadn’t yet cooled, they heard the guards outside let out angry roars – the opponents’ people had charged into the courtyard.

Jiang Ruan smiled softly.

In the bright lamplight, in just an instant, people carrying torches could be seen rapidly surrounding them, encircling the entire courtyard so tightly that not even water could leak through. These people were all wearing official government uniforms. At first glance, they truly looked like government soldiers on duty, but the killing intent in their eyes revealed their true purpose.

This was already a one-sided situation.

After those people surrounded the courtyard, they didn’t act rashly for a moment. The leader stepped forward. Today’s events probably hadn’t gone according to plan either. When receiving the mission, his master had said that if they encountered Jiang Ruan, there would probably be some complications. Initially he hadn’t taken it to heart – she was just a woman who at most could wield some power through men’s influence. But only after reaching the outside of Prince Jinying’s mansion did he discover this wasn’t the case. The sudden circumstances had nearly left them in a complete mess.

The houses on this street suddenly catching fire probably had some connection to the people in the mansion. Otherwise, why would fires break out early or late, but precisely at this time? Everyone on the street had awakened. Their identities were exposed. If this mission couldn’t be completed, returning would also be a dead end. Moreover, the sudden fire had indeed disrupted their plans somewhat. However, they had indeed seen the signal flare in the sky, which should be the Imperial Guards’ signal. The leading man’s heart trembled. Thinking of that elusive team, he couldn’t help but feel filled with fear. However, his master’s orders couldn’t be disobeyed. As a death warrior, one must have the consciousness of a death warrior.

All the way into Prince Jinying’s mansion, his subordinates clashed with the guards, deliberately putting on fierce attitudes, originally intending to throw the entire mansion into chaos for easy action. But along the way, they hadn’t seen even a single young servant or maid. Apart from well-trained guards, they couldn’t see a single panicked person. The silent fighting couldn’t achieve any intimidating or shocking effect, and they couldn’t even find someone to interrogate for secrets. Everyone was very strange. At this moment, reaching this place, they could see guards protecting someone outside the main hall, so they knew it must be the mistress.

In fact, their people had already stationed people outside. If Jiang Ruan had fled Prince Jinying’s mansion, she would inevitably face their pursuit. Before the Imperial Guards arrived, Jiang Ruan might not necessarily escape. They naturally had foolproof plans, but they had miscalculated one thing – that Jiang Ruan simply hadn’t left Prince Jinying’s mansion. She had no intention of fleeing at all.

This was really too stupid. The leader felt incredulous, because in such circumstances, protecting the mansion’s most important person was the correct approach. He’d heard that Xiao Shao was extremely concerned about this Princess Hong’an, so all the more should her safety be placed first. But Jiang Ruan simply wouldn’t leave Prince Jinying’s mansion – this was already an unexpected situation.

At this moment, the guards protecting Jiang Ruan all stood quietly outside the main hall. The maids in the main hall stood properly on both sides tending to the silver charcoal in the brazier. The bearded steward stood to one side gently flipping through what looked like account books. No one glanced in their direction, no one spoke, as if all sound had been completely swallowed. And these people also seemed not to have seen the scene of them leading troops into the courtyard.

Everything was unbelievably calm. What should have been an extremely ordinary, common, and warm scene seemed somewhat strange here, even becoming eerie.

The leader walked forward a few steps. In the main seat of the hall sat a woman in red robes – a light red embroidered plum brocade long qin jacket and skirt, with a fire-red fox fur cloak over it. That fox fur cloak was smooth and lustrous, its fur bright and shining, dazzling as a flame in the night. But more dazzling than that fox fur was the woman’s appearance. She held a small hand warmer, her head slightly lowered, long curled eyelashes gently trembling, her eyes moving like an autumn pond, her skin fairer than snow, red lips and white teeth. Though he hadn’t yet seen her full face, he already felt that her every movement was indescribably wonderful, truly bewitching to the heart.

This scene was too beautiful, so beautiful that one almost couldn’t bear to disturb it. However, the leader steadied his mind, gestured with his hand, and his subordinates slowly approached the main hall: “Are you Princess Hong’an?”

The red-robed young woman slowly raised her head, revealing a charming and radiant face. She seemed to have just noticed the firelight in this courtyard, her expression moving slightly, then fading again, revealing an extremely faint smile: “Indeed.”

“My apologies, Princess,” that person let out a cold laugh: “On the road to the underworld, this humble one will also burn paper money for you!” His expression was gloomy, but there was some doubt in his eyes.

Whether it was coincidence or not, the people Xuan Li used always had temperaments somewhat similar to his, especially in the matter of suspicion. The calmer Jiang Ruan appeared, the more nervous they became, fearing there was some conspiracy involved. They hesitated to act precisely for this reason – probably fearing she was playing some trick, or perhaps Xuan Li had warned them before leaving.

A trace of disdain flashed through Jiang Ruan’s eyes. If she were in this person’s position, she would never be so hesitant. In matters of life and death, what mattered was ruthlessness – looking ahead and behind would only cost one’s own life. She sighed softly but said nothing.

“What does the Princess mean by this?” That person became even more suspicious. Then he heard Jiang Ruan’s smiling voice: “Too late.”

“What’s too late?” That person was startled, then sneered: “Are the Imperial Guards coming to rescue?”

“Too late.” Jiang Ruan said calmly: “The Imperial Guards won’t come. Your master won’t be able to probe anything.”

That person’s heart was shocked, almost taking two steps back, feeling that Jiang Ruan’s gaze was startlingly bright, actually carrying intimidating power. He steadied his mind and said coldly: “Princess, why deceive yourself? Still being stubborn when death is at hand.”

“I originally wondered what exactly you intended to do. Now I understand.” She smiled like a flower, stunning in the firelight, but her voice carried a shocking coldness: “Tonight you can neither take my life nor probe the Imperial Guards’ depth. Of course, you also can’t leave the mansion gates and have no chance of surviving. So I say,” she shrugged: “too late.”

The more she spoke this way, the more nervous that person became, as if someone had grasped his vital point. He couldn’t help but be affected by her words, no longer as confident as before. He immediately gestured for his subordinates to act, but just as his hand was raised halfway, he heard a whooshing sound through the air. Before he could turn around, he saw an arrow shaft protruding from his chest. An arrow from some unknown source had passed straight through his chest from front to back.

Outside the courtyard of Prince Jinying’s mansion, on the rooftops, black shadows had appeared at some unknown time. These shadows silently hid in the darkness. Someone outside shouted loudly: “Bandits are rampant and lawless! City garrison commander Zhao Yi is here – surrender immediately!”

Everyone was shocked. That leader slowly fell down. Jiang Ruan’s voice reached his ears, seeming far and near, carrying inexplicable mockery: “On the road to the underworld, please go well.”

With the leader’s death, his subordinates immediately fell into chaos. They could no longer care about anything else. For a time, they fought in a confused melee with the city garrison troops Zhao Yi had brought. Jiang Ruan suddenly stood up from her seat. Those on the rooftops were all hidden guards familiar to Jin Er. Speaking so many words with the leading man earlier was merely to buy some time. The hidden guards concealed in the darkness would give these people the illusion of the Imperial Guards’ mysterious appearances, dampening their fighting spirit. At this moment she could see clearly – these people were indeed all death warriors. Now thinking that their leader was dead and they couldn’t complete tonight’s mission, returning would also mean death, they could only fight desperately. Zhao Yi was fighting with those people in a confused battle, not necessarily having victory in hand. For the moment, distant water couldn’t quench immediate thirst – who else could help here?

She racked her brains thinking of countermeasures but didn’t notice that several death warriors had already approached her. Steward Lin had just finished discussing matters with the hidden guards. Jiang Ruan had walked alone to the courtyard entrance. Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao cried out in alarm. Tianzhu leaped up and kicked away the blade blocking Jiang Ruan’s path. Jiang Ruan turned around as Tianzhu grasped her hand urgently: “Miss, please go into the house to avoid this. It’s too chaotic here.”

Jiang Ruan nodded. Now that Zhao Yi had arrived, staying here would only be a burden. She followed Tianzhu with the maids running toward the house. But when they were only halfway there, Tianzhu was again entangled by approaching death warriors. More and more death warriors surrounded them – she was like a sitting duck. The hidden guards were entangled with the crazed death warriors, and no one could break free to save her. Jiang Ruan glanced at Lian Qiao and the others, then turned and ran in another direction. Staying together with them would only implicate Lian Qiao and the others.

She had just run to a corridor in the courtyard when suddenly her ankle was grasped by someone. Looking down, Jiang Ruan saw that a severely wounded death warrior had awakened at this moment, using all his remaining strength to grab her foot. This person’s grip was extremely strong – she couldn’t break free no matter what. Another death warrior seeing this situation raised his blade without thinking and chopped down at Jiang Ruan’s head. Unable to move, Jiang Ruan was like a sitting duck standing in place watching the blade light fall on her head, about to lose her life on the spot.

Qi Feng, who had just run into the Jiang mansion looking for Jiang Ruan, saw this heart-rending scene the moment he entered. He immediately let out a heart-wrenching cry: “Jiang Ruan!”

The heartache and enormous grief in that voice could almost drown a person in an instant. Before Jiang Ruan could react, the next moment, a black shadow leaped over, grasped her and protected her in his embrace, narrowly avoiding that dangerous blade light.

The cold embrace still carried a familiar crisp fragrance. Jiang Ruan was momentarily stunned. Under the moonlight, that person was cold as frost, spitting out two words: “Seeking death.”