The grand drama had its ups and downs, finally ending amidst people’s sighs. Chen Zhao and Zhang Lan’s family were escorted to prison to await trial, while Jiang Ruan obtained the right to return to the Jiang residence. Before the court had even been dismissed, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi had already rushed to her side, both so excited they could barely speak.

Lian Qiao said: “This servant knew that Miss would have heaven’s protection for good people, and Madam’s spirit in heaven would also bless Miss. We must offer several incense sticks to Madam when we return.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “Speaking of it, I should thank the two magistrates for upholding justice for me, and also Lu Zhu and the others who were willing to step forward and speak for me. Especially Qiu Yan—I really should thank her properly.” After speaking, she walked to Qiu Yan and smiled: “Thank you, Qiu Yan.”

Qiu Yan stared blankly at Jiang Ruan before her, revealing a trace of fear in her eyes. In today’s events, from outsiders’ perspective, Jiang Ruan did nothing—it was all the maids who stepped forward. But who could know that everything she said was all instructed by Jiang Ruan. From the very beginning, Jiang Ruan had laid such a trap. She dug a beautifully decorated pit, sat smiling on the side watching Chen Zhao jump in. Poor Chen Zhao, when she jumped in, still thought the trap she had dug was getting bigger.

Zhang Lan’s family had deep-rooted status on the estate. It could be said that as long as the Jiang residence didn’t fall, and Xia Yan remained Jiang Quan’s wife, they could cover the sky with one hand on the estate. This intricate web of power was definitely not something Jiang Ruan could topple in a short time, which was why Zhang Lan was so fearless. But unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan never intended to clean up these complex relationships completely. Her target from the beginning was aimed directly at Zhang Lan and her son. Her methods were clean, decisive, and ruthless. Finally, she pulled the rug out from under them, turned around and went back to the Jiang residence, with no one able to do anything to her. This was truly a masterful move.

But such scheming came from a ten-year-old girl, and for the past five years Jiang Ruan had appeared slow-witted and cowardly. Such forbearance was truly frightening from the bottom of one’s heart. Qiu Yan felt a chill of fear, never expecting that the one hiding deepest on this estate was this seemingly unremarkable eldest miss. If she returned to the Jiang residence, Xia Yan and her daughter probably wouldn’t fare well either. Jiang Ruan had endured for years in silence, and now that she was striking back like this, the Jiang residence would likely see a change of weather.

Qiu Yan respectfully lowered her head and replied: “Miss is the master. For this servant to work for the master is natural and right. For Miss to say such things makes this servant feel very uneasy.”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Not everyone is like you. In any case, thank you.” She personally grasped Qiu Yan’s hand, feeling the other person’s hand trembling slightly, a meaningful light smile flashing in her eyes.

Just as Qiu Yan had thought, she had finally achieved the first step she wanted to take. In her previous life, Zhang Lan and her son had played an important role in destroying her life. At that time, she had no ability and could only be slaughtered by others. Now she would not hand over her life with both hands as before. On the contrary, no one could do anything to her. Returning to the residence was the beginning of revenge, but more importantly, after today’s great upheaval, Jiang Quan would inevitably be disgraced. If the people’s criticisms would make him lose face, then the censor’s impeachment would certainly make his official career difficult.

Creating obstacles for Jiang Quan’s official career was the first thing she wanted to do.

As the court dispersed, Jiang Ruan’s gaze fell on the person slowly walking toward her. When he approached, she gently curtsied: “Magistrate Wang.”

Wang Yushi stroked the white beard on his chin and said meaningfully: “Girl, we meet again.”

Jiang Ruan also smiled lightly: “I wonder how your lordship’s red plum blossoms are faring now?”

“Not self-deprecating, not flattering, proudly upright with lifelong integrity—blooming very well.” Wang Yushi stared intently at her eyes: “Just a bit stubborn.”

Jiang Quan smiled lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The reason she was so certain that this Wang Yushi would uphold justice for her was entirely due to memories from her previous life. In her previous life, while she was on the estate, when Bai Zhi went out, she heard people in the streets talking about an incident. They said an old man was cheated of money on West Street. Angry, he went to the yamen for justice, but the yamen didn’t take him seriously at all and without a word had the officers drive him out. The old man was furious, and not long after, an imperial edict came from the capital stripping Qian Wanli of his official position, because that old man was actually a high official from the capital, Wang Yushi, a favorite before the Emperor.

Wang Yushi was stubborn and inflexible, someone who dared to remonstrate directly with the Emperor. In daily life, he especially liked to meddle in affairs, willing to stick his nose into anything he considered unjust. That’s why that day Jiang Ruan suddenly suggested going to West Street and resolved Wang Yushi’s urgent problem. With Wang Yushi still here, he would naturally want to examine Chen Zhao’s case, and seeing Jiang Ruan, who had the merit of that red plum blossom, he naturally wouldn’t ignore her grievances.

That red plum blossom was the stone that knocked on Wang Yushi’s heart door. Wang Yushi prided himself on absolute fairness, but everyone in the world has scales in their hearts. Unless one is a saint without feelings or desires, these scales will always lean toward the side they favor. Wang Yushi already had a preconceived impression of her. When Qiu Yan said she was wronged, Wang Yushi would instinctively believe it and would spare no effort to help Jiang Ruan find evidence favorable to her.

Wang Yushi was a good chess move, but the most exquisite part of this move lay in its power afterward. With Wang Yushi being such an upright and stubborn person, seeing Jiang Ruan’s current situation would inevitably cause him to feel much dissatisfaction toward Jiang Quan, his colleague in office. When he returned to the capital, he would severely impeach him, and the impact such weighty words would have on Jiang Quan was imaginable.

Jiang Ruan smiled: “Jiang Ruan has no way to repay your lordship’s kindness.”

Wang Yushi showed a strange expression: “Are you thanking me for clearing your name, or thanking me for sending you back to the residence, or thanking me for my cooperation in court today?”

Someone who could remain so upright in officialdom yet stand firm for many years was naturally not incompetent. Jiang Ruan wasn’t surprised to be seen through, and calmly said: “All of them.”

Wang Yushi looked at her deeply: “Little girl, don’t let your thoughts become too heavy. Today’s small favor can be considered repayment for those few red plum branches. You said ‘plum blossoms’ fragrance comes from bitter cold,’ but I think this phrase applies even more to you.” He shook his head: “I’ll have a few officers follow you back to retrieve your things. Everything should be returned to its rightful owner.”

Jiang Ruan nodded in thanks.

Wang Yushi walked forward a few more steps, then suddenly stopped. Without turning around, he said with his back to Jiang Ruan: “By the way, your father’s lax household management, allowing his legitimate daughter to be bullied by others—cultivating oneself, managing the family, governing the country, bringing peace to the world—if Jiang Quan’s inner quarters are so muddled, his performance in officialdom must also be quite biased. After returning to the capital, I will submit an impeachment memorial to serve as a warning to others.”