When Jiang Ruan awoke, the sky had already turned dark. This was a room that wasn’t particularly spacious, appearing rather old and seemingly uninhabited for long periods. A young woman dressed as a maid stood beside her, placing dishes of food on the table. Seeing that she had awakened, the woman merely quickened her movements in setting down the food, then hastily grabbed her things and ran out.

Jiang Ruan didn’t chase after her. Not knowing how long she had slept, things seemed to be progressing more smoothly than she had imagined. From that moment when chaos erupted and Tianzhu rescued Lu Zhu, several people had suddenly swarmed forward, snatching away the items bestowed by Empress Dowager Yide, while she too had been knocked unconscious and kidnapped. They had likely drugged her, which was why she was only now awakening.

Jiang Ruan lowered her gaze. She had witnessed Lian Qiao taking a blade wound during the kidnapping and wondered how her injury was faring now. The capital must surely be in complete turmoil at this moment.

She didn’t know where this place was, but no one had found her yet. Whether it was Xiao Shao’s Embroidered Uniform Guards, Jiang Xinzhi’s people, or the Capital Magistrate, the fact that none had arrived could only mean her current location was extremely well-hidden. Such a hidden place couldn’t possibly be found by the Saintess from Southern Border, and Xuan Li was too cunning to act personally, so this could only be the handiwork of the former Southern Border princess, Qi Man.

Jiang Ruan walked to the window, opening it to look outside. Beyond lay complete darkness, appearing extraordinarily quiet, as if she were already hundreds of li away from the capital in some wilderness. There was a peculiar sense of tranquility. Jiang Ruan didn’t attempt to leave – she believed that the moment she stepped outside, at least dozens of masters would certainly block her path. This was merely house arrest, arranged by Xuan Li and executed by Qi Man.

What should she do now? Nothing at all – merely wait.

Feeling hunger in her stomach, Jiang Ruan realized she hadn’t eaten anything since entering the palace that morning, and after sleeping for so long, she was quite exhausted. She walked to the table and sat down. The table held several dishes of simple porridge and side dishes, not particularly luxurious fare. Jiang Ruan picked up the bowl and slowly began to eat.

Since Xuan Li still wanted to use her as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Xiao Shao, he naturally wouldn’t make things too difficult for her before then, and there certainly wouldn’t be any poison in the food. After eating two mouthfuls, Jiang Ruan suddenly felt nausea rising from her stomach to her throat. The feeling came so suddenly that she was caught completely off guard, immediately dropping her chopsticks and beginning to dry heave.

Just as she started retching, the door was suddenly slammed open with a “bang” from outside. The maid-like woman from earlier rushed in, her face showing some tension – perhaps fearing she might attempt some trick. Now she stood to one side, watching Jiang Ruan with alert and hesitant eyes, saying nothing.

Understanding the situation, Jiang Ruan realized that before Xuan Li had sent someone to attend to her, he must have given detailed instructions about what a cunning person she was. So this behavior, in the maid’s eyes, must appear to be another scheme to escape. But Jiang Ruan had no such thoughts whatsoever – a vague suspicion was forming in her mind. However, she showed nothing on her face, deliberately extracting a handkerchief from her bosom with affected casualness to lightly dab at the corners of her lips, saying indifferently: “This food really doesn’t suit my taste.”

The maid startled but still said nothing. Jiang Ruan paused in surprise – had Xuan Li, to ensure absolute security, actually sent a mute? She said: “Go prepare a new table of food. Your master, knowing of this, wouldn’t refuse.”

The maid hesitated briefly before turning to leave. After the maid departed, Jiang Ruan forcibly suppressed the nauseous feeling in her heart, walking unhurriedly to sit on the bed, rubbing her forehead to appear somewhat weary. Spies were hidden everywhere in and around this room – the slightest carelessness would give them leverage. At this moment, Jiang Ruan leaned against the cushions on the soft couch, her heart filled with shock despite her outward calm.

The nausea in her stomach wasn’t without cause. Almost simultaneously, a thought flashed through her mind – could she possibly be… with child?

In recent days, her taste had become somewhat strange, developing a preference for sour foods, though she hadn’t experienced any nausea and had assumed it was merely poor appetite after spring’s arrival. Who would have thought today’s episode would make her heart tighten with realization? Even if she couldn’t be certain, the mere possibility was enough to make her feel deeply uneasy.

How could this be? Even with all her careful planning, Jiang Ruan had never anticipated the possibility of pregnancy at this time. Her entire plan was based on using herself as a bargaining chip – Xuan Li would certainly protect her to keep her temporarily safe. To incite discord between Xuan Li and Southern Border, the key to breaking this deadlock lay with the Southern Border Saintess. But if she learned of the pregnancy… any woman, seeing the man she loved having another’s child, wouldn’t remain unmoved. Especially when the Saintess’s possessiveness had reached a pathological degree. If she discovered this news, she would certainly lose all remaining restraint and rationality. Jiang Ruan didn’t fear death – having died once before, how could she easily feel afraid when facing danger again? But the tragic state of Pei’er before her death in her previous life remained a nightmare even now – how could she bear to see such tragedy repeated?

Jiang Ruan’s heart clenched, feeling regret about her decision for the first time. Had she discovered her condition earlier, she certainly wouldn’t have made such a rash decision. This child was coming into the world amid her and Xiao Shao’s expectations, but why at this particular moment, in these times of crisis and lurking dangers everywhere?

Closing her eyes briefly, when Jiang Ruan opened them again, her gaze had become resolute. Things had come to this point – self-pity would serve no purpose. Better to adapt to circumstances as they arose. Her hand slowly moved to rest on her lower abdomen, as if a new little life were truly already growing there. Looking at her hand, Jiang Ruan felt a warm sensation, and her expression gradually softened.

If there truly was a child here, she would protect them from harm at any cost. But what would the child be like? A boy or girl? Would they resemble Xiao Shao or take after her? Jiang Ruan’s heart felt complex – a mixture of anticipation and worry intertwined, though ultimately, anticipation conquered worry. She opened her mouth, silently speaking to that possibly existing little life: “You accompany Mother, and Mother will accompany you.”

…

Naturally, Jiang Ruan’s situation couldn’t reach the ears of those anxiously waiting in the capital’s heart. These past days, anyone with even the slightest connection to Prince Jinying’s manor had come to offer condolences. In the General’s manor, Li Shi had already fallen ill from worry, and Zhao Guang was nearly ready to turn the entire capital upside down. The General’s manor’s sons and young master were each using their abilities to search, but all returned empty-handed. Even the usually carefree Guan Lianghan had come to Prince Jinying’s manor for several days, wanting to console Xiao Shao.

“Third Brother, don’t be too heartbroken,” Guan Lianghan patted Xiao Shao’s shoulder. Being a rough man who didn’t know how to comfort others, he scratched his head and could only manage: “Look, your sister-in-law isn’t someone easily bullied. Back when anyone opposed her, which one ended well? Maybe this time is also part of her calculations, and whoever’s behind this is being played without even knowing it.”

Though Guan Lianghan spoke carelessly, Qi Feng listening nearby felt his heart jump. If not for knowing this matter was highly classified and that Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao couldn’t possibly have told Guan Lianghan, he would have almost thought Guan Lianghan also knew the truth. He glanced at the silent Xiao Shao and sighed inwardly. How could he not understand Xiao Shao’s thoughts? Knowing he should trust Jiang Ruan’s abilities was one thing, but doing so was another. No matter how much trust there was, worry was inevitable.

Mo Cong looked around curiously: “How come Fifth Brother isn’t here?”

“He’s examining Third Sister-in-law’s two maids’ injuries,” Qi Feng replied. “Those two maids were severely wounded and nearly couldn’t be saved. Xia Wu has been busy with this matter these past days.”

“To be so vicious even toward two maids…” Mo Cong abruptly stopped speaking, swallowing the rest of his words – “who knows what they’ll do to Third Sister-in-law” – after seeing Xiao Shao’s expression.

Speaking of which, Mo Cong had just finished examining Lu Zhu’s wounds and checking her pulse. Placing her hand back under the covers, he comforted Lu Zhu with a few words before stepping outside. Upon exiting, he saw Jin Er waiting anxiously at the door. Seeing Mo Cong emerge, Jin Er asked urgently: “How is her injury?”

“Much improved,” Mo Cong replied. “The past few days were critical, but fortunately Miss Lu Zhu has a resilient character and good constitution. The wound is healing well, and there shouldn’t be any major problems now. In the coming days, as long as she takes her medicine on time and applies the topical treatments with careful nursing, her body will gradually recover. However, during this period, she must avoid any heavy work.”

Jin Er repeatedly acknowledged this. As Mo Cong was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something: “Oh, you should go in and apply her medicine. The two maids who usually help with her treatments have gone to give Miss Lian Qiao acupuncture and won’t be free for some time. Since you practice martial arts, you can gauge the proper pressure, and since you two are to become husband and wife anyway, there’s no need to worry about propriety.”

Mo Cong, who usually kept to himself and paid little attention to outside affairs, truly didn’t know about the rift between Lu Zhu and Jin Er over Liao Meng. Moreover, as someone versed in medical arts, he had always viewed such matters lightly – physical intimacy wasn’t something he particularly minded, as long as one’s heart remained pure.

After saying this, Mo Cong felt nothing was amiss and walked directly toward Lian Qiao’s room carrying his medicine box. Jin Er stood stunned for a long while before coming to his senses.

Inside the room, Lu Zhu lay facing inward with her back to the outside. These past days she had remained bedridden, not particularly worried about her own injuries but constantly troubled by Jiang Ruan’s disappearance. She kept remembering that if she hadn’t been injured at that time, requiring Tianzhu to protect her, perhaps Jiang Ruan wouldn’t have been kidnapped. Lu Zhu’s heart was full of self-reproach, sometimes thinking it would have been better if she had died instead. With Jiang Ruan kidnapped by those vicious people, Lu Zhu didn’t dare imagine the consequences. Xiao Shao hadn’t blamed her and had even arranged for Xia Qing to treat her injuries – the kinder he was, the more guilt Lu Zhu felt. Sometimes she thought that if something truly happened to Jiang Ruan, she would follow her in death, at least honoring the bond between mistress and servant.

Lost in such troubled thoughts, she suddenly heard someone pushing open the door behind her. Lu Zhu didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was time for medicine application and that the maids had come to tend to her wounds, so she didn’t turn around.

Hearing footsteps approach the bedside, Lu Zhu spoke up: “Thank you for your trouble today. No need for preparations – just apply the medicine directly.”

The footsteps paused, and Lu Zhu felt the bed dip as someone sat on its edge. She adjusted her prone position to make medicine application easier. Next, she felt coolness on her back as her clothing was lifted. Lu Zhu felt uncomfortable with the chill and found it strange that today’s maid wasn’t speaking – had something happened? Then she felt a hand touch her scar.

These hands were different from the soft hands of the usual medicine-applying maids – they were long and slightly rough, seeming to bear calluses from years of martial arts practice. These were a man’s hands. Lu Zhu startled and whipped her head around to stare at the person before her.

Jin Er sat facing her. Seeing her sudden movement, he anxiously pressed her shoulders and said in a low voice: “Don’t move! Be careful of your wound!”

“What are you doing here?” Lu Zhu was both embarrassed and angry – embarrassed that he had appeared so silently and seen her body, angry because… what was their relationship now?

“I’m here to apply your medicine,” Jin Er picked up the medicinal paste nearby and said gently: “Lian Qiao needs acupuncture, so the medicine-applying maids went there. I’m substituting. Don’t move – you’ll aggravate your wound and cause pain.”

So he was merely a substitute for applying medicine. Lu Zhu couldn’t tell if her heart felt disappointed or something else, becoming annoyed at her own thoughts. Disregarding her back injury, she sat up abruptly and pushed Jin Er toward the door: “I don’t want you applying my medicine! Get out!”

However, her movement was too forceful and truly aggravated her wound. Feeling a piercing pain, Lu Zhu hissed and gasped, nearly collapsing. Jin Er was frightened and quickly caught her arm, pressing her into his embrace. Though his movement was swift, he was extremely careful not to touch Lu Zhu’s wound, his voice carrying heartache: “Be careful! The wound hasn’t healed yet – don’t hurt yourself.”

Lu Zhu’s heart ached. Even during their best times, this man had enjoyed teasing her and watching her get angry – when had he ever been so gentle? Yet this gentleness now seemed more like mockery. She laughed coldly: “Jin Er, what exactly do you mean? Is bullying me this way amusing to you?”

Lu Zhu hadn’t taken the Liao Meng incident to heart at all, as it was merely a tactic, and she wasn’t unreasonable. People in this world pursued flawless relationships, but where were there so many perfect relationships? If one dwelled on everything, wouldn’t life become exhausting? She might not have minded, but Jin Er had taken it to heart, never showing any intention of reconciliation. Lu Zhu had wanted to give him time – Embroidered Uniform Guards were probably all strict with themselves – but before that time came, this incident occurred.

“Lu Zhu,” Jin Er saw her sudden emotional agitation and could no longer concern himself with anything else. Holding her in his arms, pressing her hands against his chest, he said urgently: “I’m sorry, Lu Zhu. It’s my fault – I was too cowardly. I thought I was no longer worthy of you. I didn’t know how to face you. I thought if I waited a little longer, things would improve, but I never imagined that Heaven never gives people time to wait. When you returned covered in blood that day, I… I felt like I wasn’t myself anymore. I was so afraid of losing you. That day I thought, if you weren’t here anymore, my whole life would never be good again.” His lips pressed against Lu Zhu’s forehead with unfamiliar burning intensity: “Thank goodness you’re still here. Whatever state you’re in doesn’t matter. If you’re angry, I’ll keep waiting until you forgive me. Lu Zhu, I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry anymore. If you’re angry, just hit me or scold me – just don’t hurt yourself.”

Jin Er’s words were clumsy and cautious, lacking any of his usual glib eloquence. Perhaps he hadn’t been this tongue-tied even in his youth, yet now he displayed all his awkwardness before Lu Zhu. Jin Er knew that if his colleagues saw him in such a clumsy state, they’d probably laugh for three to five years, but he didn’t care at all. Because every word he spoke now came from his heart.

That day, seeing Lu Zhu carried back covered in blood, with Tianzhu only saying she’d been stabbed – the blood flow was shocking to witness, and Xia Qing’s grave expression made Jin Er’s hands and feet turn cold instantly. He stood outside Lu Zhu’s room, watching Xia Qing work busily inside for several hours. During those hours he thought of nothing else, only wondering: if something happened to Lu Zhu, what would he do?

In one’s lifetime, one likely encounters countless people. Among these, those we like are not few, but those who like us back when we like them are extremely rare. How many of those with mutual affection actually make it to the end? The phrase “growing old together” sounds easy but is incredibly difficult to achieve. With all the setbacks one might encounter in life, why not cherish the present?

Jin Er couldn’t describe his current feelings, only that Lu Zhu was still here, still alive and well – this was perhaps Heaven’s greatest fortune and mercy toward him. He suddenly felt he’d been foolish before. Those so-called external matters and pride, that groundless guilt and timidity – none of it truly mattered. What could be more important than two people being together?

Lu Zhu closed her eyes. If this were any other time, she would surely be moved by these words, but now… She slowly pushed away from Jin Er’s embrace, forcing back the tears in her eyes. She said: “What’s the use of saying this now? Between us, it’s already impossible.”

“Why?” Jin Er looked at her urgently: “If you’re angry, it’s fine. I don’t expect you to forgive me immediately. I…”

“It has nothing to do with you,” Lu Zhu steadied herself and said: “You’re a young master of the Huang family. Even following our master, you’re still free-born. But I’m a maid who hasn’t been released from bondage – our statuses don’t match. Moreover…” She felt somewhat sad: “I still have that terrible scar on my body. You can find a better girl. We’re ultimately unsuitable and perhaps destined to have no fate in this life.”

For an unmarried woman, having scars on her body was intolerable. Even for married women, scars could become reason for falling from favor. Even if the scar was on her back, it was equivalent to disfigurement. Who would want to see an ugly scar on what was once jade-smooth skin? Moreover, Lu Zhu’s wound had been extremely deep – after healing, it would certainly leave a scar, as Xia Qing had personally stated. When even the Golden Ling Divine Healer said so, it meant there was no room for change.

Jin Er hadn’t expected Lu Zhu to be dwelling on this matter. He paused, as if suddenly understanding, then burst into laughter. Lu Zhu stared slightly, looking at him with some annoyance. Jin Er coughed and touched her hair: “Silly girl, I don’t care about such things at all.”

Lu Zhu shook her head: “Though you don’t mind now, someday you will. I don’t want you to regret it later – then both of us would lose face…” Even the strongest-appearing girls became timid and insecure before the men they loved, hoping to be at their best, even better, to meet their beloved in the most wonderful and beautiful way. This was perfectly natural – the closer one’s feelings, the more fearful one becomes.

“I won’t regret it,” Jin Er put away the smile on his face and looked at Lu Zhu seriously: “I know I seem unreliable, always making you angry and bullying you. But Lu Zhu, from childhood to now, you’re the first girl I’ve ever liked. I don’t know how to explain it, but every day watching you get angry and teasing you was the only way I felt you’d notice me and speak to me.” The famous playboy of pleasure quarters, upon meeting a girl who disdained him one day, and worse yet discovering he’d fallen for this girl, naturally could only use childish methods to attract her attention. He continued: “But what I like is you as a person, not your appearance. Appearance will age someday – no matter how beautiful, none can withstand time’s passage. Not to mention this scar is on your back – even if it were on your face, you’d still be the most beautiful girl in my heart. As for the social matching you mentioned, we’re indeed not quite suitable now – how about I also ask our master for the grace of making me a servant of the manor?”

Lu Zhu had been deeply moved by the earlier part, but hearing the last sentence, she couldn’t help but be shocked, immediately looking up at Jin Er: “Are you crazy?” What met her eyes was Jin Er’s mischievous smile, and she instantly realized he was fooling her again, angrily saying: “You’re lying to me again!”

“Careful!” Jin Er supported her shoulders: “Don’t pull your wound. I’m here to apply your medicine. If you want to hit me, come hit me later. Once the medicine is applied and you’re healed, I’ll come to your room daily to let you beat me to your heart’s content.”

This man was being glib again, but this time Lu Zhu didn’t argue with him. She simply turned around quietly, her face still slightly red, muttering softly: “Lecher.” Only she could no longer voice any refusal.

Jin Er felt fear at the thought of losing her, and didn’t she feel the same? In that moment of life and death, all past events flashed before her eyes, and those grudges and calculations suddenly didn’t seem so important anymore. Because only through loss does one understand cherishing, and life itself is something worth treasuring. As for those trivial matters – let nature take its course.

…

In the palace, everyone went about their duties with solemn faces. Even the usually cheerful little eunuchs were secretly grimacing, not daring to breathe too loudly lest they provoke some master’s displeasure.

Since the Emperor’s illness, nothing in the palace had gone smoothly, with troubles arising one after another. First Eunuch Li died, and now Princess Jinying had disappeared. Though Princess Jinying was from the Xiao family, she had been recorded in the imperial genealogy and enfeoffed as a county princess before marriage, and was especially favored by Empress Dowager Yide. This time with Jiang Ruan’s disappearance, people from the General’s manor came to the palace every few days to discuss the matter with Empress Dowager Yide, who was also furious and had dispatched people to investigate Jiang Ruan’s whereabouts, though all returned empty-handed. Thinking of this, the little eunuch felt another headache coming.

Walking forward a few steps, he happened to see Eunuch Chen ahead, swishing his whisk while instructing several eunuchs. Seeing him, Chen asked: “Where are you going?”

“Taking medicinal soup prepared by the imperial kitchen to Consort Xiu,” the little eunuch put on a smile, somewhat flatteringly addressing the Eunuch Chen before him. People’s circumstances were truly unpredictable – half a month ago, this Eunuch Chen was just another ordinary little eunuch like himself, with the lowest status in the palace. Clumsy of speech and dull of eye, always making mistakes, he would have died countless times if not for Eunuch Li as his patron. Yet when Eunuch Li died, little Chen soared to power. Due to his loyalty to Eunuch Li being noticed, he was directly promoted to Chief Eunuch by the current managing Consort Dong Xiu. Empress Dowager Yide raised no objections either. Saying he wasn’t envious would be false, but the little eunuch knew this person couldn’t be offended now – only placated. Thinking these thoughts made him sigh again inwardly. They said each emperor brought his own officials – with His Majesty critically ill and Eunuch Li dead, replaced by Eunuch Chen, who knew if even this Great Jin Dynasty’s heir apparent might also be changed…

Lost in thought, he heard Eunuch Chen’s slightly high-pitched voice: “Go on then.”

The little eunuch hurriedly wiped his sweat and headed toward Consort Dong Xiu’s sleeping quarters carrying his basket. Upon reaching Consort Dong Xiu’s chambers, he didn’t see her – only several palace maids. The little eunuch smiled and approached them asking: “Sister, is Her Ladyship not in?”

“Her Ladyship went out,” the palace maid noticed the food basket in the little eunuch’s hands and took it over: “This is medicinal soup, right? I’ll mention it to Her Ladyship when she returns. You may go.”

Hearing this, the little eunuch felt rather dejected. He’d fought hard to get this assignment from others, even spending one of his silver hairpins, hoping to show his face before Consort Dong Xiu. After all, Consort Dong Xiu was currently the only one managing affairs in the rear palace – if he could gain her favorable attention, he might have opportunities for advancement. But now that was impossible. Though disappointed, the little eunuch maintained his enthusiastic smile, chatted a bit more with the palace maid, then departed.

At this moment, Dong Ying’er was in a palace corridor with only one personal maid beside her. Her status was incomparable to before – having full authority over the Emperor’s affairs while Mu Xiurou managed nothing, she could nearly control everything in the rear palace if not for Empress Dowager Yide. Currently dressed luxuriously with exquisite makeup, her mind wasn’t on palace intrigues at all – her goal had never changed from the beginning. She came here only to wait for someone.

Soon, she saw someone hurrying from the other end of the corridor. That person looked urgent, and when he drew near, Dong Ying’er smiled slightly before approaching him, saying: “It’s been a long time, General Jiang.”

The person paused, stopping to look at her with some confusion, seemingly trying to recall who she was. This glance immediately pierced Dong Ying’er’s heart – so in this person’s heart, she was nothing, had left no trace at all?

She bit her lip as Jiang Xinzhi seemed to remember, nodding: “Consort Dong Xiu.”

His tone was restrained and polite, yet this wounded Dong Ying’er’s heart even more deeply. She looked at this man before her, this man she had long yearned for. Compared to before, he appeared more mature and handsome, with refinement and strength perfectly blended to create a unique charm. This was completely different from the Emperor – that man old enough to be her father – representing a distinct kind of youthful vigor. Dong Ying’er discovered that even after so long, meeting this man again made her heart, still as dead water, beat for him once more.

“Do you still remember me?” she smiled with restraint: “I was quite close with Sister Ruan back then.”

Jiang Xinzhi felt confused. He wasn’t some naive youth and naturally noticed something strange in Dong Ying’er’s gaze, and her current words inexplicably made him feel disgusted. Jiang Xinzhi knew perfectly well what kind of person Jiang Ruan was – though appearing aloof on the surface, she was genuinely kind to those she favored. Both Lin Zixiang and Zhao Jin were Jiang Ruan’s friends, whom she would mention and sometimes help guide behind the scenes, but she had never mentioned this Dong Ying’er. Jiang Xinzhi never doubted his sister’s judgment, so Dong Ying’er’s claim immediately displeased him. Moreover, he truly had no impression of Dong Ying’er. Therefore, hearing this, Jiang Xinzhi merely said indifferently: “Ah, my memory must be poor.”

Dong Ying’er’s heart ached. How could Jiang Xinzhi so casually say such things? To her, wasn’t this admitting he couldn’t remember her at all? Why must he embarrass her this way? Complex emotions surged in Dong Ying’er’s heart. She knew Jiang Xinzhi had entered the palace today to discuss Jiang Ruan’s kidnapping with Empress Dowager Yide, so she had deliberately waited on this path. She wanted Jiang Xinzhi to see her, to not ignore her as he had years ago.

But though she was now an exalted consort whom everyone in the palace feared and respected, why did this man still ignore her? Why? Was it because of… that woman?

Dong Ying’er forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart, struggling not to let her expression become twisted and fierce. She said: “I heard General Jiang… is to marry Miss Zhao?”