In a corner of the palace, Jiang Dan had abandoned her usual leisurely demeanor and had become somewhat anxious, to the extent that even her personal maid noticed something was wrong. She forcefully settled back into her chair, slowly gripping the armrests tightly. The maid beside her finally couldn’t help but say: “Your Ladyship, are you troubled by Minister Jiang’s affairs? Please take care of your health—His Majesty would worry if he knew.”

Jiang Ruan’s expression changed slightly as she forced out a smile and sighed: “I just never expected elder sister to be so heartless. No matter what, he’s still her birth father—how can she be so cruel? Though this palace isn’t particularly close to father either, to watch him fall to such a state is still somewhat unbearable.” As she spoke, she pressed her forehead again as if troubled.

“Your Ladyship is too kind-hearted,” the maid couldn’t help but advise. “But right now, you should focus on taking care of yourself.”

Jiang Dan waved her hand and shook her head: “This palace understands. You may go first.”

Only then did the maid retreat with a worried glance at Jiang Dan. In the vast hall, only Jiang Dan remained. She absentmindedly scratched the chair’s armrest with her fingernails, her expression somewhat sinister.

Jiang Quan had already been sent to the imperial prison. She hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan to be so capable—after all these years, she could still produce evidence. Currently, only Jiang Quan was implicated, but Hu Die had also known about her working for Xia Yan back then. Why hadn’t she exposed this matter? Hu Die certainly wouldn’t keep secrets for Jiang Dan. In fact, Jiang Dan had already guessed the possibility—that Jiang Ruan had deliberately suppressed this fact. She already knew it was Jiang Dan who had poisoned her and Zhao Mei.

Just thinking about this made Jiang Dan’s heart race with guilt. She knew Jiang Ruan’s methods all too well. From the mountain girl nobody paid attention to, to becoming the Princess Jinying whom no one dared underestimate, Jiang Ruan had devoured the Minister’s mansion piece by piece like a silkworm, eliminating those who opposed her. Jiang Ruan was ruthless toward family and held grudges—how could she alone be spared? The reason there was no movement now must be because she was keeping something in reserve.

The more Jiang Dan thought about it, the more frightened she became, involuntarily biting her lower lip tightly. After a moment, she suddenly summoned her trusted maid Zhu’er, saying: “I have something to entrust to you.”

…

Meanwhile, in the carriage returning to the mansion, Jin San asked Jiang Ruan with confusion: “Young Mistress, since you know that Jiang Zhaoyi was also one of the culprits who harmed Madam, why didn’t you have Hu Die expose her as well? Even if she’s a consort, once involved in the death of an official’s wife, she would have to face trial—even His Majesty couldn’t interfere. Why did Young Mistress spare her?”

“I won’t spare her,” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. “I just don’t want to let her off so easily. Hu Die’s testimony has too many loopholes. Jiang Quan fell into the trap because Xiao Shao intervened, and Jiang Quan’s career already seemed to have reached its end with little influence in court—His Majesty wouldn’t object much to this. But involving Jiang Dan, who is currently favored—if someone with ulterior motives seriously examined this case, they wouldn’t find it difficult to discover the suspicious points. Don’t forget, both Hu Die and the so-called evidence were manufactured by us. In worldly affairs, it’s impossible to leave no traces whatsoever.”

Jin San thought about it and nodded: “That’s true, but it seems somewhat regrettable to waste this opportunity. Does Young Mistress already have a good plan?”

“Jiang Dan is suspicious by nature. Though ruthless in her actions, after all these years, she’s still fundamentally cowardly and timid. She fears exposure, and she’s probably already spinning anxiously in the palace. In her urgency, how could she think through the peculiarities of this case? She’s probably thinking only about how to avoid discovery. Jin San, after returning to the mansion, deploy some Embroidered Uniform Guards to secretly protect Jiang Quan well. Before Jiang Quan is sentenced, we can’t let him be silenced,” Jiang Ruan instructed.

Jin San was shocked: “She actually wants to silence him?” Her eyes flashed with disdain: “Such a woman would do anything to protect herself—no wonder she harmed the former mistress back then. But Young Mistress, though we’re protecting Jiang Quan, what happens after?”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “I don’t want to make the first move. Once I act first, any investigation would expose me first. What needs to be done now is to draw the snake from its hole. I want her to make more mistakes the more anxious she becomes. I’ll lure her into action, but the grave she digs will bury herself.” She spoke gently, but Jin San felt a cold chill, involuntarily shivering. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s charming smile again, she understood she must have everything planned and felt relieved.

Upon returning to the mansion, unexpectedly, there were several unfamiliar guards at the entrance. Though these guards were dressed as ordinary mansion guards, Jiang Ruan immediately noticed the difference. She had always been good at observing details—these guards had solemn expressions and neat appearances, not inferior even to Embroidered Uniform Guards. Jiang Ruan frowned. Having spent years in the palace in her previous life, these people looked somewhat like imperial guards.

Seeing her arrival, the guards all nodded: “This subordinate greets the Princess.”

Jin San’s and Tianzhu’s expressions changed slightly. Manager Lin came running over, and seeing Jiang Ruan, he seemed somewhat stunned, as if he hadn’t expected her to return so early. After a pause, he said: “Young Mistress, why are you back so early?”

Pretending not to notice these people’s abnormality, Jiang Ruan maintained her composure: “I’m somewhat tired. Manager Lin, I’ll sit in the study. Whatever matters there are can wait until Xiao Shao returns.”

At the mention of “study,” Manager Lin paused again. Among the surrounding unfamiliar guards, a lead guard suddenly spoke: “Princess, please refrain from going to the study.”

Jiang Ruan ignored him, as if she hadn’t heard his words at all, simply stepping toward the study. The guard leader’s expression changed, immediately blocking Jiang Ruan’s path, saying sternly: “Please move elsewhere, Princess.”

Jiang Ruan looked at him quietly. Her gaze was composed, as if she had no emotional fluctuation whatsoever, just looking at him indifferently. The man was finally made speechless by her gaze. Only then did Jiang Ruan say lightly: “Manager Lin, is this a new guard? So ill-mannered.”

“This subordinate is not a new guard,” the guard leader replied. Having traveled for years, he had seen all kinds of high officials and nobles, and most officials would show some consideration. This was the first time someone had so unhesitatingly slapped his face. Though somewhat embarrassed, his temper was good enough not to argue stubbornly with Jiang Ruan, maintaining a thoroughly humble attitude.

“How strange,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Since you’re a guard from another mansion, you’re an outsider. For an outsider to interfere in Prince Jinying’s mansion affairs—no matter how powerful your master is, as long as he doesn’t bear the surname Xiao, he has no authority here,” Jiang Ruan said lightly.

The guard was shocked, looking at Jiang Ruan with some scrutiny. Jiang Ruan calmly met his gaze, and the man’s heart skipped a beat. He understood that Jiang Ruan probably already knew the identity of the person inside, but even so, how dare she still…?

Jiang Ruan felt cold inside. She had indeed seemed to guess the identity of the person inside. Though puzzled, she felt more of a faint disgust. Normally, she would probably just avoid and leave, but now that it concerned Prince Jinying’s mansion, she felt displeased. In her previous life, though that person wasn’t the main culprit, from then on, she had always deeply disliked people from that lineage. In this life, she avoided them when possible—yet they still had to be entangled together? What right did he have to interfere in others’ lives?

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, but the smile wasn’t gentle, carrying a trace of unquestionable authority: “This guard from another mansion, can you move aside now?”

“This…” The guard had originally wanted to refuse directly, but meeting Jiang Ruan’s eyes, he suddenly couldn’t speak. He remembered that the woman before him could bring even her birth father to court—such a woman who disregarded worldly proprieties probably had an extremely arrogant nature.

“Please enter, Young Mistress,” Manager Lin spoke up. “The mansion is your home. You can go wherever you wish—how could there be places in your own home you can’t go? The young master is in the study. Young Mistress has worked hard today—I’ll have the kitchen send some sweet soup later.” Manager Lin spoke with a smile, but the guard leader looked at him with some disbelief, saying: “You…”

“I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens,” Manager Lin said somewhat impatiently. “Besides, Young Mistress is right—Xiao family affairs have nothing to do with you all. Outsiders shouldn’t interfere.” These words were rather harsh and could even be called rude. Though Manager Lin was usually unreliable regarding Xiao Shao’s matters, as a manager, he was quite tactful at other times. Speaking so bluntly today was quite exceptional.

The guards behind the leader showed some anger, seeming dissatisfied that their master had been so insulted, almost ready to jump up and argue. But Jin San and Tianzhu suddenly blocked Jiang Ruan’s path, showing slight vigilance as they said to Jiang Ruan: “Young Mistress, please go ahead first, lest you catch cold standing here.”

Prince Jinying’s mansion was known for protecting their own, but they hadn’t expected such protection even for a princess who had married in not long ago. The guards had never received such treatment in their lives and were quite angry. However, taking action in Prince Jinying’s mansion would certainly bring no benefit—the Embroidered Uniform Guards and hidden guards here were countless. They could only watch Jiang Ruan’s departing figure with fury.

Manager Lin followed beside Jiang Ruan, walking with a stern expression. He was usually lively and cheerful—this was the first time he seemed so tense. He said: “Young Mistress, once you entered the mansion, you became a Xiao family member, one with the young master. You should know something about the young master’s affairs.”

He had something to say. Jiang Ruan said nothing, just waiting for Manager Lin to continue. Indeed, Manager Lin continued: “The young master has had a very difficult life these years. Outsiders only see his outward glory, but this old servant has watched him from infancy to now—I’ve watched him grow up. The young master just isn’t used to speaking about everything. Not long after the old Prince and Princess died, the young master took over the Embroidered Uniform Guards and later went alone to the southern frontier. He came back alive, but with barely half his life left. The scars on his body took Xia Wu three sleepless days and nights to treat.”

“Many people in this capital want the young master’s life—some are from the southern frontier, some are from Jin Dynasty people, all kinds of people. To protect the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the young master has suffered countless hardships these years. Now seeing him married, this old servant is very comforted. With his nature, he probably doesn’t care about anything, living his whole life for duty. Now that he rarely has something he wants to grasp, he looks a bit more like an ordinary young man.” Manager Lin looked at Jiang Ruan, the whiskers at the corners of his mouth twitching: “Young Mistress is a good girl. When Jin San and the others mentioned that the young master treated Young Mistress differently, this old servant knew that only Young Mistress could help him. Though our Prince Jinying’s mansion seems invincible, having stood through Great Jin’s storms for so many years with nothing able to topple it, we bear too much. Ordinary young ladies couldn’t withstand it, but Young Mistress can.”

As they spoke, they had reached the study door. Manager Lin stopped, looking at Jiang Ruan with some seriousness and solemnity: “Young Mistress, in this world, only you can stand shoulder to shoulder with him.”

Jiang Ruan also stopped. The study door wasn’t tightly closed, left slightly ajar with obviously no guards outside—clearly, everyone had been deliberately sent away to stop here.

The voices of people talking inside reached their ears clearly. One voice was deep and extremely familiar, carrying the arrogance of someone accustomed to giving orders from on high. But now, probably already enraged, the voice was somewhat unstable, completely losing its usual composure and gravity: “Don’t be obstinate! What’s so good about that woman? The matter of suing her birth father is now known to all civil and military officials. How do the people of Great Jin view her? How do others view you? I originally thought that as long as you liked her and she lived quietly, I would tolerate it. Look at her—stirring up such a storm? Pushing you to the forefront—where is there any appearance of being a wife!”

Hearing accusations against Jiang Ruan from the start, Manager Lin looked somewhat embarrassed, involuntarily turning to secretly glance at Jiang Ruan’s expression. Jiang Ruan’s expression was calm, showing no discomfort at being criticized. She didn’t even show any surprise at hearing that voice, as if she had already known who was inside.

Jiang Ruan listened silently. The person inside was indeed as she had imagined—the current Emperor. When she first met Xiao Shao before their marriage, she had sensed the Emperor’s different attitude toward him, including Empress Dowager Yide. She could be certain that both treated Xiao Shao with extreme tolerance. This was why even though the former Prince Jinying and his wife were accused of rebellion, Xiao Shao remained safe and was even highly trusted by the Emperor. Though unclear about the exact reason, Jiang Ruan could vaguely guess that this wasn’t because the Emperor was an enlightened ruler who valued talent regardless of background. The principle that “no one else should sleep beside the ruler’s couch” meant no emperor could tolerate the descendants of rebels living and serving in court. There must be some reason for this.

Following the Emperor’s furious voice came Xiao Shao’s cold tone: “Your Majesty, this is this subject’s family affair.”

“Shut up!” The Emperor seemed to be struck at something sensitive: “Don’t forget your surname. You don’t bear the surname Xiao—the blood flowing in your veins is of the Xuan family. What family affair? Your family affairs are my family affairs!”

Jiang Ruan’s eyes widened in shock. Despite her usual emotional control, hearing this made her involuntarily lose composure. The person inside spoke clearly with no possibility of mishearing. She had considered thousands of possibilities but never expected this. Xiao Shao—Xuan Shao?

“Your Majesty need not be so insistent,” Xiao Shao’s tone was indifferent. “This subject has no relationship with the imperial family. Your Majesty should speak carefully.”

His words were also quite cold, almost quite provocative.

“This is not up to you!” The Emperor snorted coldly: “I have done so much for you, hiding you in Prince Jinying’s mansion all these years without restoring your identity and secret, to pave the way. The Great Jin Dynasty will one day be handed to you—you are imperial family, the future crown prince of Great Jin! How dare you say there’s no relationship?”

Manager Lin lowered his head, not daring to look at Jiang Ruan’s expression. Jiang Ruan clenched her fists, slowly calming down. Yes, in her previous life, Xiao Shao had ultimately killed Xuan Li and ascended the throne. So that’s how it was—he was originally imperial family, and the Emperor had always planned to pass the position to him?

“There is a distinction between ruler and subject,” Xiao Shao remained unmoved. “Your Majesty’s empire should be handed to someone more capable. I will not accept Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

“You… stubborn fool!” The Emperor was furious, but suddenly thought of something and changed tone: “Are you persisting in refusing the throne because of that girl? I heard you favor her alone—how can this be? I originally thought you were young and didn’t understand the stakes. Since you truly like that girl, marrying her was acceptable. Now you favor her alone—how will you command respect in the future? The people of Jin don’t need an emperor who’s only infatuated with romance!”

“I’ve said before,” perhaps mentioning Jiang Ruan made Xiao Shao somewhat displeased, his tone suddenly intensifying: “I disagree with your arrangements. Your Majesty should choose someone more worthy.”

Not only was Xiao Shao somewhat displeased, but Manager Lin’s face also showed some displeasure. What kind of existence was Jiang Ruan in Prince Jinying’s mansion now? She was the young mistress everyone unanimously admired. What did the Emperor mean by dismissing her so completely? Even the Emperor couldn’t randomly deny someone’s merits, especially their unanimously recognized perfect young mistress.

Three people inside and outside the room were all displeased, only Jiang Ruan remained the calmest. She wasn’t hurt by this—she had always been disliked by the Emperor, in both lives, and didn’t care.

“Ashao,” the Emperor suddenly softened his tone, seeming to admit defeat with helpless exhaustion: “Have you forgotten your father? I promised him…”

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Shao interrupted him, his tone suddenly sharp: “You also made promises to my mother.”

The Emperor suddenly fell silent.