Early the next morning, Xiao Shao left the mansion. Jiang Ruan then groomed herself and changed clothes. Seeing that she appeared to be preparing to go out, Lian Qiao asked curiously, “Is the Young Madam going out?” Yesterday Jiang Ruan hadn’t mentioned anything about going out today, and at such a critical juncture, she probably wouldn’t be in the mood to go out for a stroll either.
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “It’s nothing serious, just going next door to take a look.”
Next door? Lian Qiao was stunned for a moment, then understood. The residence next to the mansion housed Xia Qing and Qi Feng. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu assumed that Jiang Ruan wanted to ask Xia Qing about the Emperor’s condition. After all, the Emperor’s life now depended entirely on Xia Qing’s medicine—without Xia Qing, the Emperor probably wouldn’t have lasted even these few days. Jiang Ruan seeking out Xia Qing was probably for this reason.
Who would have known that when Lu Zhu and the others followed Jiang Ruan next door, Xia Qing wasn’t in the house. Qi Feng smiled and said, “Xia Wu has entered the palace. What does Third Sister-in-law need from him?”
Jiang Ruan shook her head: “I’m not here for him. I’m here for you.”
Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu exchanged glances. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao naturally knew about Qi Feng’s feelings for Jiang Ruan. Previously, this had made the atmosphere between Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan somewhat delicate, though it was later proven to be just a scheme Jiang Ruan had set up herself. Still, thinking about it made them feel somewhat uncomfortable. Tianzhu showed no particular expression. Hearing this, Qi Feng was startled, then said, “Alright. Come in and talk.”
Qi Feng wouldn’t think that Jiang Ruan had come to reminisce about old times. He wasn’t blind to recent events—regarding Jiang Ruan using him, he had simply gone along with the flow. Having been Xiao Shao’s martial brother for so many years, and being the strategist among the Brocade Guard, his mind had always been very clear. Even though he was attracted to Jiang Ruan, he wouldn’t completely lose his head. He could naturally see that Jiang Ruan was deliberately getting close to him. Being used willingly—Qi Feng couldn’t quite explain his own thoughts, but he harbored no resentment toward Jiang Ruan because of this, nor would he develop any estrangement with Xiao Shao.
This was perhaps what made Qi Feng different. No matter when, he could always soberly recognize his position and wouldn’t disrupt the existing situation.
Jiang Ruan sat down with him in the room. Qi Feng poured her tea. Xia Qing was a common-born divine physician, and Qi Feng wasn’t particular about etiquette either, so aside from a few servants and Xia Qing’s medicine boy, there wasn’t even a maid in the courtyard. He had to pour the tea himself, though he obviously did so skillfully, smiling as he said, “Newly delivered Junshan Silver Needle tea. Third Sister-in-law has tasted all kinds of fine teas, so please don’t disdain the tea in my humble abode. I’ve brought out the best I have.”
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, probably seeing that Qi Feng was deliberately keeping the atmosphere light. After following Xiao Shao for so long, she had become better at concealing her sharp edges, appearing more gentle on the surface, though her inherent keenness remained unchanged. But that sharpness was directed toward opponents. She lifted the tea cup before her and took a light sip, smiling: “Very fragrant.”
“Third Sister-in-law flattering me like this makes me feel even more uneasy.” Qi Feng smiled, then changed the subject: “But you didn’t come to see me today just to drink tea, did you? Has something happened?” By the end, Qi Feng’s words involuntarily revealed a trace of concern. As soon as he said this, he noticed it himself and couldn’t help feeling somewhat annoyed. Jiang Ruan had Xiao Shao by her side, and Qi Feng knew better than anyone what kind of person Xiao Shao was. If Jiang Ruan had any problems, Xiao Shao would certainly handle them for her—where would there be room for his concern?
While he was still pondering this, Jiang Ruan had already spoken: “I’d like to ask you to help me with something.”
Qi Feng was startled, staring at her intently. Jiang Ruan calmly met his scrutinizing gaze without avoiding it. After a long while, Qi Feng finally said, “Third Sister-in-law, Third Brother doesn’t know about you asking me for help, does he?”
Qi Feng wasn’t stupid. If Jiang Ruan was specifically asking him for help, something must have happened. And whatever Qi Feng could do, Xiao Shao could certainly do as well. Since Xiao Shao could handle it, why would Jiang Ruan need Qi Feng’s help? There was only one possibility—Jiang Ruan hadn’t told Xiao Shao about what she wanted to do. Why wouldn’t she tell Xiao Shao? Qi Feng’s heart stirred, and he blurted out, “You want to hide this from Third Brother? Third Brother doesn’t agree?”
In certain aspects, Jiang Ruan was quite similar to Xiao Shao, especially in having very clear purposes when doing things. Since she hadn’t told Xiao Shao, and given their close relationship, if Jiang Ruan was seeking help from someone distant rather than someone near, there was only one possibility—Xiao Shao simply didn’t agree.
Hearing this, Jiang Ruan didn’t deny it, saying softly, “That’s right. Xiao Shao doesn’t know about this matter, and you don’t need to tell him either.”
“Third Sister-in-law,” Qi Feng felt somewhat restless. After thinking, he said seriously, “No matter what, Third Brother truly cares for you. Since you don’t want Third Brother to know about what you’re planning to do, I imagine you’re about to put yourself in danger again. I cannot help with this favor.” Though Qi Feng spoke as if putting everything on Xiao Shao, only he himself knew that wasn’t the real reason—he himself couldn’t bear to watch Jiang Ruan put herself in danger. From when he first met Jiang Ruan until now, what she did most often was challenge those above her station. Though this sounded admirable, each time involved enormous risks that made even bystanders feel their hearts racing. Qi Feng… he himself couldn’t bear to let Jiang Ruan take such risks.
Seeming to have anticipated Qi Feng’s reaction, Jiang Ruan only sighed softly: “Qi Feng, do you know what the current situation is?”
“His Majesty is seriously ill, there are internal troubles and external threats, succession struggles are imminent, and the Jin Dynasty is in crisis,” Qi Feng said. “But none of this concerns you, Third Sister-in-law.”
“No, this actually is related to me,” Jiang Ruan suddenly said. Qi Feng was startled, and heard Jiang Ruan’s calm voice continue: “From the day you met me, I imagine you’ve already seen that I have an irreconcilable hatred with Xuan Li. If this hatred isn’t avenged, I’m unworthy of being human. When Xiao Shao wasn’t here, you saw me constantly checking and balancing Xuan Li. This wasn’t entirely for Prince Jinying’s mansion—in fact, it was just because of personal grievances. This is a long story, so I won’t go into detail. You just need to know that Xuan Li and I are destined enemies in this life, and naturally it must be a fight to the death.”
This sounded somewhat strange, and Qi Feng found it strange to hear. For some reason, he felt that Jiang Ruan was completely serious saying this, as if in her life, taking revenge on Xuan Li was the ultimate task she had to complete. Actually, long ago, Qi Feng had sensed Jiang Ruan’s hatred toward Xuan Li. Toward Xuan Li, she was always ruthless, almost cruelly blocking Xuan Li’s path to the throne. In fact, for the Brocade Guard, it didn’t matter who became emperor, but now Qi Feng could clearly see that Jiang Ruan had used her abilities to influence Xiao Shao. The entire Prince Jinying’s mansion—or rather, the entire Brocade Guard—had already taken a position opposing Xuan Li. For Xuan Li, this was undoubtedly terrible news. Without the obstruction of Prince Jinying’s mansion, things would probably be much easier.
Jiang Ruan had repeatedly blocked Xuan Li’s grand plans. Qi Feng had always wondered why, and now hearing from her own mouth that she had a blood feud with Xuan Li, though he didn’t know what it was, Qi Feng felt that Jiang Ruan wasn’t lying. He looked at Jiang Ruan somewhat dazedly, hearing her calm words continue.
“Now there are only two princes left in the court—one is the Thirteenth Prince, and one is Xuan Li. Since I want to prevent Xuan Li from obtaining that position, I’m naturally allied with the Thirteenth Prince. We’ve already placed our pieces on the Thirteenth Prince in this game, so I must also do something. As you can see, Eunuch Li is already dead. You’re so clever, you shouldn’t have failed to see that Eunuch Li died at the hands of Xuan Li’s people. Xuan Li has already made the first move. What he wants to do now is either create a fake imperial edict while His Majesty hasn’t died yet, or immediately have the Emperor die and destroy the edict the Emperor originally intended to use to establish the Thirteenth Prince.”
“Wait,” Qi Feng’s eyes widened. “Third Sister-in-law, what you’re saying confuses me. What do you mean by ‘the edict the Emperor originally intended to use to establish the Thirteenth Prince’? How do you know the Emperor wants to make the Thirteenth Prince crown prince?”
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, only saying, “I told you before—since Xuan Li acted so hastily, he must have gotten news from Eunuch Li. If they were really going to make him crown prince, why would he be so eager to kill and silence witnesses? It’s only because that person isn’t him. As for the edict, that’s certain. Moreover, spies in the palace have confirmed that it is indeed an edict.”
Qi Feng looked at her somewhat doubtfully, seeming to still question her words. Jiang Ruan’s expression remained unchanged, but she pondered deeply. She naturally knew the Emperor would certainly leave an edict, because he had done so in her previous life. It’s just that the edict from her previous life was never found in the end, because by then Xuan Li had already ascended the throne. Perhaps the person who kept the Emperor’s final edict had also been hunted down by Xuan Li. In any case, Xuan Li sat in that position legitimately, because at that time, among the remaining princes in the palace, besides Xuan Pei, there was only him. And at that time, no one had ever thought of Xuan Pei as a potential future heir to the Great Jin Dynasty.
Jiang Ruan collected her thoughts and looked at Qi Feng: “This edict left by His Majesty must be in the hands of some minister, and Xuan Li will certainly use all means to hunt down that minister and destroy the edict.”
“But Third Sister-in-law,” Qi Feng still pursued the question, “Since His Majesty left an edict, why not leave it in Prince Jinying’s mansion? Looking at the entire Great Jin Dynasty, only the Brocade Guard currently has enough power to contend with the Eighth Prince. Placing it in Prince Jinying’s mansion would naturally be the safest plan. His Majesty couldn’t have failed to think of this, so why still place the edict in other ministers’ hands?”
Qi Feng spoke unhurriedly but with clear logic, having thought through the key points in the shortest time. Jiang Ruan was somewhat startled by the question. Why wouldn’t the Emperor give the edict to Prince Jinying’s mansion? Naturally because Xiao Shao simply didn’t want to sit in that position. If that edict were truly given to Xiao Shao, before Xuan Li could even act, Xiao Shao would probably destroy the edict himself. The Emperor’s edict wasn’t written for Xuan Pei at all—it was written for Xiao Shao. Qi Feng didn’t know about Xiao Shao’s background, so he didn’t understand the reason. Seeing the inconsistency in this matter, Jiang Ruan couldn’t tell him this reason, so she just smiled slightly: “You’ve forgotten what kind of reputation Prince Jinying’s mansion has.”
Qi Feng was startled. Jiang Ruan continued: “A traitorous subject—how could His Majesty possibly give something like an edict to Xiao Shao? Monarchs are inherently suspicious. Even if you announced it to the world and said the edict was real, the civil and military officials would certainly not believe it. They would only think the edict was fake.”
Hearing this, Qi Feng came to his senses and quickly said, “I actually forgot about this.” Over the years, Qi Feng had seen the Emperor’s care for Xiao Shao. Because of this, even though all his colleagues considered Xiao Shao a traitorous subject, it made no difference in Qi Feng’s eyes, and he wouldn’t connect this matter with the Emperor’s decisions. But now that Jiang Ruan reminded him, Qi Feng understood. Indeed, perhaps the Emperor trusted Xiao Shao, but that didn’t mean he trusted the entire Prince Jinying’s mansion. And the reputation of Prince Jinying’s mansion as traitorous subjects among civil and military officials was too entrenched to have any persuasive power. The Emperor not giving the edict to Xiao Shao was understandable.
“But what exactly does Third Sister-in-law want to do?” Qi Feng grew serious as he asked.
Jiang Ruan looked at him: “Xuan Li wants to seize the edict. His forces are not to be underestimated. Xuan Li himself might not be fearsome, but he’s been planning for this for many years, having cultivated various networks of relationships that form a web whose vastness you and I cannot imagine. I’m afraid there might be some slip-up, so I want to do something—make Xuan Li think he’s found the edict. From then on, we can buy some time for the Thirteenth Prince. During this time, we can arrange and plan to take down Xuan Li in one fell swoop.”
Qi Feng listened in astonishment, remaining silent for a long time before speaking: “You mean you want to create a fake edict to deceive Xuan Li, then let him think he’s destroyed the real edict when actually the real edict is with someone else?”
“Exactly, but Xuan Li is extremely cunning, and a fake edict probably can’t fool him. So we can only use a real edict to exchange. However, this edict is not that edict—what he destroys won’t be the edict establishing the crown prince.” After finishing, Jiang Ruan slowly put down her teacup and looked at Qi Feng: “I know you also have people placed in the court. You’re the Brocade Guard’s strategist. What I want your help with is letting people know that the edict is now in my hands.”
“You want to use yourself as bait!” Before Jiang Ruan could continue, Qi Feng couldn’t help but stand up. He seemed to realize his reaction was too extreme, but after trying to restrain himself, he still couldn’t hold back and cried out, “This won’t work! It’s too dangerous! An innocent man is guilty of possessing a treasure—do you know what this will lead to? They’ll kill you.”
Jiang Ruan frowned: “They won’t kill me.”
“How can you be certain…”
“Because the Saintess hates me,” Jiang Ruan interrupted him. “The Southern Border Saintess hates me to the bone and has feelings for Xiao Shao. This way, due to a woman’s jealousy, she certainly won’t let me die easily. And precisely because she hates me, spreading news that the edict is in my hands will be more convincing. Now Southern Border and Xuan Li are allies. Southern Border’s certain decisions will definitely influence Xuan Li, including suspicion.” Seeing Qi Feng gradually calm down, she continued: “I told you before that Prince Jinying’s mansion and the Thirteenth Prince share glory and loss together. When the nest falls, no eggs remain intact. To ensure the Thirteenth Prince ascends the throne smoothly, this is the only way. Xiao Shao’s focus is on Southern Border. Though he can intervene in court affairs, he’s not as skillful as Xuan Li. Only this plan, using me as bait, can achieve the best results.”
“What you call the best results—what do they entail…” Qi Feng said these words with difficulty.
“Xuan Li will think what I have must be the edict and will personally destroy this edict, thus not continuing to pursue the real edict. The time and opportunity gained from this will need to be grasped by Xiao Shao and you. And while I’m in the Southern Border Saintess’s hands, she’ll want to torture me, but Xuan Li must treat me well, because with his scheming mind, he must use me to gain greater benefits. He wants to use me to make deals with Xiao Shao, ideally gaining Prince Jinying’s mansion’s support.” Jiang Ruan’s gaze was deep, her tone calm, as if these matters concerning her life weren’t happening to her at all. She said, “This way, Xuan Li and the Southern Border people will have disagreements. I’ve met the Southern Border Saintess—she has a fierce temperament and certainly won’t give up easily. The alliance between Xuan Li and Southern Border wasn’t very stable to begin with. Once conflicts arise, he’ll have his hands full dealing with them. Sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight—we’ll always be the ones who benefit.”
Qi Feng listened silently to Jiang Ruan’s words. His expression gradually calmed, seeming to return to his former strategist self, but only he knew that his hands in his sleeves had long been clenched into fists. He slowly said, “Then what about you? What price will you need to pay?”
These words almost nakedly revealed his feelings. Qi Feng’s gaze showed pain, heartache, shock, sorrow—various complex emotions intertwined, startling Jiang Ruan slightly. All along, Qi Feng had concealed his feelings well, not wanting to disrupt the current situation, but faced with the woman before him, he truly couldn’t suppress his emotions anymore.
Before him was this beautiful woman who was skilled at grasping people’s psychological weaknesses, seeing through human desires, excelling at calculation and succeeding through strategy, yet always putting herself in danger. She was like a chess player very skilled at the game, holding everyone in her palm as chess pieces. When she laid out the board, she calculated even herself into it. She had already set up the chess game and was about to become that pawn crossing the river, standing alone on the other side of the Chu River and Han Border, fighting alone.
Qi Feng suddenly felt somewhat annoyed, hating himself for being so clever, for becoming the Brocade Guard’s strategist, because he knew deeply that what Jiang Ruan said was absolutely correct. This was indeed the simplest and most direct method, and there was temporarily no better plan than this. Because of this, from a strategic perspective, Qi Feng had no reason to refuse. In his heart, he had already agreed to Jiang Ruan’s plan, but that person… why did that person have to be her?
In this world, the person he least wanted to see in danger was her.
Jiang Ruan ignored the deep meaning in Qi Feng’s eyes, saying calmly, “What I need to pay is just acting in a play. It has no real impact on me. Qi Feng, your task is more arduous. Compared to me, the burden of this matter actually falls on you. I know you and Xiao Shao are martial brothers—he certainly won’t agree to this. But I trust you both. No matter how much the Southern Border Saintess hates me, with Xuan Li there, she temporarily can’t harm me. You just need to find me before I get hurt. I trust the Brocade Guard, and I trust you both.”
She had once acted recklessly and pushed forward regardless, so after rebirth she especially cherished her own life. Though she often put herself in danger, in fact, those were all after countless demonstrations and planning, able to clearly understand the eventual outcome. But this time was different. Though she spoke with such certainty to Qi Feng, in fact, human hearts always change, and in matters of life and death, no one could predict what would happen next.
But she still had to do this, for no other reason than for Pei’er and for Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao was unwilling to be the master of this Great Jin Dynasty, but the Emperor still left backup plans. Rather than saying this time was a confrontation with Xuan Li, it was more like a game with the Emperor. Her charging forward like this seemed incredibly brave, but in fact, it was also because Xiao Shao was behind her to shield her. Because that person was there, she could depend on and trust him wholeheartedly. Thinking of this, Jiang Ruan’s face involuntarily showed a trace of smile. That smile was extremely faint, quickly disappearing from her face.
This smile fell into Qi Feng’s eyes, and he also smiled, though that smile was particularly bitter. He knew why Jiang Ruan smiled—speaking of Xiao Shao, that person was truly fortunate.
Qi Feng took a deep breath: “Third Sister-in-law, I agree to help you with this favor.” He smiled, slowly saying word by word, “Rest assured, we will definitely find you, very quickly.”
Jiang Ruan also smiled, raising her teacup to gently clink with Qi Feng’s: “Thank you.”
…
That evening, after Xiao Shao returned to the mansion, he naturally heard from Butler Lin that Jiang Ruan had gone to Qi Feng’s place. Butler Lin wasn’t deliberately causing trouble—he was just worried that his master was too dense and afraid that his mansion’s daughter-in-law might run off with someone else. This was to remind Xiao Shao not to always think about official business and to pay more attention to his own wife.
Xiao Shao lived up to expectations. When he returned, he brought up this matter with Jiang Ruan. After bathing, he sat beside Jiang Ruan wearing an outer robe, saying casually, “I heard you went to see Qi Feng today?”
“I wanted to find Xia Qing, but he had entered the palace, so I talked with Qi Feng for a while.” Jiang Ruan was flipping through a book in her hands. Suddenly, the book was snatched away. Looking up, she saw Xiao Shao’s handsome face close before her, though he looked somewhat… awkward and displeased?
“…What could you possibly have to talk to him about?” The beautiful Xiao Shao said in a low voice, his displeasure so evident that even Tianzhu outside the curtain could sense it.
Jiang Ruan put down her book and looked at him helplessly: “What do you want to say?”
“…” Xiao Shao expressed what he wanted to say through his physical actions.