Early the next morning, Jiang Ruan woke up later than usual. The servants at the General’s manor had been instructed by Li Shi not to disturb her peaceful sleep, so by the time Jiang Ruan awoke, the sky was already bright, and Xiao Shao’s presence beside her had long vanished. The room was clean as if nothing had happened the night before. She slowly propped herself up, feeling terribly sore all over, with faint red marks visible on her shoulders. Jiang Ruan looked at them speechlessly for a while. After not seeing him for several dozen days, Xiao Shao had become even more beastly, his actions quite forceful. This truly was the so-called “brief separation is better than a new marriage.”

Jiang Ruan called for Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu to help her wash and dress. While Lian Qiao was arranging her hair, her expression seemed somewhat awkward. Seeing her appearance, Jiang Ruan asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Miss should change her clothes,” Lian Qiao said with a red face, glancing at the back of Jiang Ruan’s neck. Seeing that Jiang Ruan was still somewhat confused, she lowered her head to fetch a bronze mirror, holding it behind Jiang Ruan to show her. On her fair neck was clearly a red mark, appearing quite intimate. Jiang Ruan was stunned, then immediately cursed Xiao Shao thoroughly in her heart, finally having Lu Zhu fetch clothing with a high collar that could cover the red marks on her neck.

Lu Zhu carefully observed her expression, seeing that although she seemed somewhat reproachful, she didn’t appear angry. It seemed that Xiao Shao’s arrival last night had indeed changed her – at least the coldness on her face had lessened somewhat. Probably the couple had reconciled as before, with their estrangement eliminated – this was naturally a wonderful thing. Lu Zhu was genuinely happy for Jiang Ruan, but inadvertently met Jiang Ruan’s thoughtful gaze fixed on her. Lu Zhu was startled and asked hesitantly, “Young Madam, is there something you need me to do?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “Nothing.” Last night, Xiao Shao’s words had confirmed her suspicions – Jin Er was indeed just playing a role. But while Xiao Shao knew this, she knew it, and Jin Er himself knew it, Lu Zhu was the one who didn’t know. What kind of feelings did Lu Zhu have for Jin Er? Others’ lives and emotions couldn’t all be decided by her, so how this matter would ultimately be resolved still depended on Jin Er and Lu Zhu themselves. Jiang Ruan sighed softly, saying to Tian Zhu: “Pack up the things. We’re returning to the manor today.”

“Returning to the manor?” Tian Zhu was somewhat stunned. Though she knew the two had certainly reconciled last night, why return to the manor so suddenly? Jiang Ruan only said: “It’s nothing. Catching them off guard is better.” After speaking, she rose and left first: “I’ll go explain to Grandfather and Grandmother.”

Li Shi was naturally shocked to hear that Jiang Ruan suddenly wanted to leave. For these dozen or so days, the Zhao family had been very happy because of Jiang Ruan’s presence. Though Jiang Ruan’s personality wasn’t particularly warm, she was very skilled at getting along with everyone. In her previous life in the palace, she had learned quite a bit about being tactful from Xuan Li, and now applying this to the Zhao family members who already held goodwill toward her came naturally. So the Zhao family had long considered her one of their own. Her sudden departure was naturally difficult for Li Shi to accept, aside from others’ feelings. But since Jiang Ruan said Xiao Shao had urged her return, Li Shi naturally couldn’t detain her. When a young couple was doing well, they couldn’t live at the maiden home every day, lest it damage the marital relationship. So Li Shi smiled: “Since that’s the case, I won’t say more. I’ll have the steward bring back gifts, and I’ve prepared something for that child Xiao Shao too. Ah Ruan, you must visit the General’s manor more often – this is your home, and Grandmother misses you.”

Jiang Ruan smiled again, but when she saw the carriage the General’s manor had prepared, she was astonished. The carriage was loaded with nearly a full cart of gifts – Li Shi had truly given her almost everything she could think of. One cannot refuse gifts from elders, and she couldn’t return everything, leaving Jiang Ruan somewhat amused and helpless. So many gifts weren’t typical return gifts for casual visits – it was more like moving house. Tian Zhu hesitated: “Young Madam, the carriage will probably travel very slowly.”

There were two carriages in total – one for Jiang Ruan to ride in, and one loaded with gifts. Following the gift carriage, Jiang Ruan’s carriage would also move slowly. The General’s manor and Prince Jinying’s manor weren’t far apart, but this would make the journey several times longer. Lian Qiao suggested: “Why doesn’t Young Madam go ahead first, and this rear carriage can follow slowly? In broad daylight, no one will rob the carriage.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “It’s fine, let’s return slowly.” These past days at the General’s manor, she hadn’t observed surrounding events and corresponded with Xuan Pei as she had at the prince’s manor, so her information was quite behind. Unlike Xiao Shao, who used the Embroidered Uniform Guard to gather intelligence, Jiang Ruan used her own eyes, deducing possible abnormalities from different details in ordinary life.

Lian Qiao couldn’t say more, so the carriage traveled slowly and steadily. When they reached the city streets, they heard a clear female voice from outside the carriage: “May I ask if this is Princess Hong’an’s carriage?”

Jiang Ruan sat inside as the carriage stopped. Tian Zhu immediately jumped down first, looking at the person outside and asking: “Who are you?”

The person outside was just a young girl dressed as a maid, though the fabric of her clothing showed her family’s circumstances were quite good. The maid hadn’t expected a cold-faced woman to suddenly jump out and ask who she was so rudely, which startled her. She steadied herself and was about to speak when a gentle voice came from beside her: “It’s me. My maid was rude and offended the Princess – please forgive her. I just saw the General’s manor’s carriage and guessed the Princess was inside, so I boldly came forward to greet you.”

These words were very warm and without airs, as if addressing an old acquaintance. After a moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ruan emerged. Tian Zhu stood beside Jiang Ruan as they both looked at the woman before them. This woman was none other than Miss Yao – Yao Niannian.

Jiang Ruan also smiled: “What a coincidence to meet Miss Yao here – truly fate.”

Yao Niannian also nodded with a smile: “Indeed. Niannian’s sudden approach was too presumptuous and lacking in consideration, but since I’ve had some acquaintance with His Highness, I thought we should at least greet each other.”

Lu Zhu inside frowned upon hearing this. Why was this Yao Niannian constantly mentioning Xiao Shao? Were her words deliberately trying to cause Jiang Ruan to misunderstand? Lu Zhu couldn’t help feeling nervous, thinking that Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao had finally reconciled last night, and now today this Yao Niannian was causing trouble again – her intentions were truly hateful. Lian Qiao held Lu Zhu back to prevent her from rushing out in anger. She was more composed, but even so, strongly disagreed with Yao Niannian’s words.

But Jiang Ruan didn’t respond to Yao Niannian’s words at all, still smiling as she asked: “Speaking of which, there’s something I’d like Miss Yao’s help with.”

Yao Niannian’s expression changed slightly, then she smiled: “If I can help the Princess, I’ll naturally do my utmost.”

“My maternal grandmother’s birthday is approaching, and I plan to embroider a raised thousand-hand Guanyin for her. But the Guanyin image requires pearls, and I’ve heard that the Nanhai Jialin area produces moonlight stones, which make the most brilliant pearls when polished. Recently, the shops in the capital don’t have such pearls. Knowing that Lord Yao is the Coastal Governor, could you perhaps bring some back next time you go to Nanhai? I would be most grateful.”

Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao in the carriage were confused – when had Jiang Ruan planned to embroider any thousand-hand Guanyin? Yao Niannian probably also hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan to ignore her previous words and suddenly make such a request. Governor Yao was indeed the Coastal Governor, spending most of the year stationed at Nanhai. Yao Niannian had also lived in the Nanhai area as a child, only being sent back to the capital as she grew older. Such a small matter naturally wouldn’t be difficult for her. Yao Niannian smiled: “No thanks necessary. Since I have friendship with His Highness, I’m naturally also friends with the Princess. Friends’ matters must be helped. I’ll speak with Father when I return home.”

She always brought things back to Xiao Shao, but Jiang Ruan showed no anger, seeming not to hear the implications at all, smiling: “Then I thank Miss Yao.”

Yao Niannian smiled: “No need for thanks. But judging by the Princess’s appearance, you’re returning from the General’s manor?”

“Exactly,” Jiang Ruan answered.

Yao Niannian lowered her head as if remembering something, saying softly: “No wonder these past days he…” Halfway through, Yao Niannian suddenly looked up at Jiang Ruan as if suddenly realizing something inappropriate in her words, quickly stopping. Such half-spoken words were even more provocative. But this obviously fell flat with Jiang Ruan. She still seemed completely oblivious to Yao Niannian’s expression, only smiling: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go ahead. There are many matters at the manor waiting to be handled. If Miss Yao plans to continue shopping, I hope you can enjoy yourself.”

Like a punch hitting cotton, no amount of force could be applied. Any words that could anger others seemed to have no effect on Jiang Ruan. Watching the carriage depart, the maid beside Yao Niannian said indignantly: “Miss, she must be doing this deliberately! She must be furious inside but pretending to be calm and indifferent on the surface – it must be so!”

Yao Niannian stood motionless, her gaze following the direction of the departing carriage, a dark glint flashing in her eyes. What did that phrase “there are many matters at the manor to handle” represent? The supreme master’s authority in Prince Jinying’s manor, or perhaps a warning? Yao Niannian slowly lowered her head, her face showing the same smiling expression as before, still appearing calm: “Let’s go.”

…

In the carriage, Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao dared not make a sound, because Jiang Ruan’s expression had been very grave since boarding the carriage – quite rare for someone who habitually faced everything with a smile. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao didn’t know the reason, thinking Jiang Ruan was again angered by Yao Niannian. They wished they could immediately drive Yao Niannian out of the capital – what unmarried woman constantly stared at another’s husband? The Yao family’s status wouldn’t allow Yao Niannian to become a concubine at Prince Jinying’s manor, but Yao Niannian’s current attitude was obvious – she had intentions of entering the household properly. Did she want to be on equal footing with Jiang Ruan? While Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu were lost in thought, they saw Jiang Ruan’s expression become even more serious, not daring to ask questions.

Upon returning to the prince’s manor, Steward Lin was delighted to see Jiang Ruan’s return and celebrated enthusiastically. He then marveled at the General’s manor’s generosity – truly befitting Young Madam’s maiden family. But Jiang Ruan had no mind for extensive conversation, only instructing Steward Lin to organize the pile of gifts while she returned to her courtyard first. Upon reaching the courtyard, she called only Tian Zhu to the study.

Tian Zhu followed Jiang Ruan into the study. Jiang Ruan sat at the desk while Tian Zhu hesitated before asking: “What’s wrong, Young Madam?” Calling only her alone must mean something important. But Jiang Ruan only looked at her and asked: “That Yao Niannian just now – what do you think of her?”

“This…” Tian Zhu was somewhat confused: “What is Young Madam asking about?”

“Does she have any martial arts skills?” Jiang Ruan’s expression was very grave. Tian Zhu was also slightly surprised but carefully recalled, shaking her head: “No, though the maid beside her has some skills, but not high level – probably just for self-protection.” This wasn’t unusual – for a young lady of Yao Niannian’s status to go out alone, she would naturally bring several guards. Yao Niannian probably didn’t want to bring guards, so bringing a maid with some martial skills served the same purpose.

“No martial arts – anything else unusual about her?” Jiang Ruan asked.

Tian Zhu shook her head: “Nothing discovered. Why is Young Madam asking this? Miss Yao is just an ordinary young lady – why would she have martial arts or…?” The Embroidered Uniform Guard never lacked intelligence, and Yao Niannian was one of the capital’s top young ladies – her situation was well known. With such a Yao Niannian, why would Jiang Ruan suddenly ask if she knew martial arts? Tian Zhu was completely puzzled, but saw Jiang Ruan slowly lower her head: “She’s not Yao Niannian.”

“What?” Tian Zhu was shocked, asking quietly: “If she’s not Yao Niannian, who is she?”

“The situation is somewhat troublesome,” Jiang Ruan suddenly said. “Find a way to locate Xiao Shao and have him return to the manor early. There’s an urgent matter to discuss.”

Tian Zhu was efficient – within an hour, Xiao Shao had returned to the manor. He appeared to have rushed back from outside, travel-worn and not having time to change clothes. Upon seeing Jiang Ruan, he immediately asked: “What happened?”

Seeing his worried appearance, Jiang Ruan was briefly stunned, then pulled him into the room and closed the door. Xiao Shao quietly allowed her to do this. After Jiang Ruan had him sit at the desk, she unhurriedly poured him tea: “Speak slowly.”

“I encountered Yao Niannian today,” Jiang Ruan said.

“Hmm?” Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow, hearing Jiang Ruan continue: “I suspect she’s not Yao Niannian.” Seeing no reaction from Xiao Shao, Jiang Ruan was confused, then understood, asking angrily: “You already knew?”

“Don’t be angry,” Xiao Shao saw her about to get angry again and quickly nipped her fury in the bud, soothing: “I had suspicions before, and it’s only now been mostly confirmed. How did you find out?” He changed the subject.

Jiang Ruan glared at him but didn’t dwell on the issue. She hadn’t been at the manor these past days, so even if Xiao Shao wanted to tell her, he couldn’t have. She said: “I felt something was strange before – probably intuition. She seemed very different from when I first met her, so when I saw her on the street today, I deliberately tested her.” Jiang Ruan recounted asking Yao Niannian to help find moonlight stones, then continued: “That Jialin was just a place I made up, and there’s no such thing as moonlight stones. Yet she agreed. She’s clearly very unfamiliar with the Nanhai area. Yao Niannian grew up following Governor Yao in coastal duties – how could she not distinguish such simple matters? She definitely has problems.” Jiang Ruan’s gaze darkened as she slowly said: “I guess she’s from Southern Border?”

Xiao Shao stared at her for a long while, then sighed slightly with some helplessness: “Correct. Southern Border people are cunning by nature. Once you’re involved, there’s inevitably danger.”

“I naturally don’t fear any danger,” Jiang Ruan glared at him, then a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes: “I roughly understand your plan, so I’ve helped you get started early.”

Xiao Shao was slightly stunned, seeming to ponder the meaning in Jiang Ruan’s words, then said: “You…”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, interrupting what he was about to say: “No need to speak. I’ve already decided. If Southern Border wants to collude with Xuan Li, it will eventually affect Xuan Pei too. I can’t let this happen.”

“You want to expose her?” Xiao Shao asked.

“Why should I expose her? She can no longer use this identity. And finding another identity in a short time that can approach the families of important court officials isn’t easy.”

As Jiang Ruan predicted, at this moment in the Yao residence, Governor Yao’s steward looked at Yao Niannian with some confusion, saying in surprise: “Miss wants moonlight stones from Jialin? Jialin… I don’t think I’ve heard of any Jialin in Nanhai. What are moonlight stones? Are they famous?”

The teacup in Yao Niannian’s hand fell with a crash, and her expression momentarily stiffened. The maid beside her was startled and quickly crouched down to pick up the broken pieces scattered on the ground. Seeing Yao Niannian’s wrong expression, the steward nervously asked: “What’s wrong, Miss? Should this old servant ask someone else – perhaps this old servant is just ignorant about moonlight stones’ reputation?”

The little maid on the ground, knowing the situation, said angrily: “Making Miss look for something that doesn’t exist at all – that Princess Jinying is truly black-hearted. If Miss can’t find it, she’ll have grounds to criticize, won’t she?” She didn’t notice anything wrong with this.

“It’s nothing. I’ll return to my room first,” Yao Niannian suddenly said quietly. For the first time, her face lost its smile, appearing somewhat cold. After returning to her room and sitting alone before the dressing mirror, Yao Niannian stared intently at the woman in the bronze mirror, murmuring to herself: “A trap? To think I was discovered.” She sighed, and something flashed from her sleeve – unknown what it was – flying straight out the window, leaving behind a trace of orchid fragrance.