Chen Zhao had just returned from wandering outside today when he happened to see several people emerge from the courtyard. The girl in the middle looked delicate and refined, making his eyes light up. When he looked closer, he discovered it was Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan usually dressed less respectably than Chen Fang, so Chen Zhao rarely paid attention to her. A few days ago it was just a sudden whim to try the taste of an official family’s young lady. Who would have thought this young lady had such a fierce temperament, jumping into the water without a word? Even now thinking about it made him furious. But seeing her today, his eyes lit up—perhaps because it was New Year’s time and she had dressed up a little, it brought out her extremely delicate features. Most importantly, that calm, cold temperament made her seem like a completely different person.

Chen Zhao narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the girl before him. Jiang Ruan was only ten years old this year, her frame still somewhat childish, yet there was also a settled quality within, strangely somewhat mature. These two completely different temperaments appearing in one person made her particularly charming. Even though she was just a ten-year-old girl, Chen Zhao couldn’t help swallowing. He had seen some young masters in the pleasure quarters with special preferences, specifically fond of playing with young girls, but didn’t know what kind of pleasure that brought.

Lian Qiao couldn’t stand Chen Zhao’s lustful gaze falling on Jiang Ruan. Her expression turned stern as she spoke without thinking: “Insolent! Who gave you permission to be so improper, speaking to your master this way!”

Though her words had considerable force, they had no effect. Chen Zhao wasn’t afraid. He had heard about what status this fallen young lady actually held in her family in the capital. From Zhang Lan’s attitude, Jiang Ruan might have to stay on this estate for life. If that was the case, being able to play with her himself would be perfect.

Though he thought this in his heart, Chen Zhao still smiled and bowed: “It’s Zhao’s fault. Just now seeing several people approaching from afar, I wondered who that fairy-like sister in the middle could be—she looked unfamiliar. Only when I came closer did I see it was Miss. I couldn’t control my emotions for a moment. Please forgive me, Miss.”

At these words, not only Lian Qiao but even Bai Zhi changed expression, angrily saying: “What nonsense are you spouting! Is Miss’s reputation something you can ruin!”

Chen Zhao stepped back two paces in surprise: “Ruin Miss’s reputation? Zhao never thought such a thing. Miss is of noble birth—how would Zhao dare harbor such thoughts? I only hope Miss won’t drive Zhao away, letting Zhao gaze upon you from afar would satisfy me completely.” He had harmed many innocent women before and was naturally glib-tongued. If ordinary daughters heard this, they would either cry on the spot in anger or blush crimson with shame. But today was somewhat abnormal.

Jiang Ruan looked at him quietly, her clear eyes like a winter cold pool without a trace of warmth. Her gaze was cold, but her lips curved in a shallow arc, as if watching a clown perform. No shame or anger, no tears—just an expression of cool indifference, unmoved.

Chen Zhao was stunned, then heard Jiang Ruan speak unhurriedly: “I naturally won’t drive you away.”

Both Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were startled. Such a rogue should be driven away as quickly as possible—what did Jiang Ruan mean by this?

Chen Zhao was also somewhat puzzled, then secretly delighted, looking smugly at the two maids, thinking this young lady was quite sensible after all. But looking now, what did it matter if she was a great family’s daughter? Living long in a country estate, she had naturally lost her sense of propriety and shame, understanding such things at such a young age.

“The other day you accidentally pushed me into the pond. I caught cold and was bedridden. Aunt Lan called a doctor for me and personally apologized, asking me to forgive you. I have already forgiven you, so naturally I won’t drive you away.” Jiang Ruan’s voice was soft and gentle, with a kind of refreshing coolness, but Chen Zhao’s heart sank hearing it.

After Jiang Ruan fell into the pond, to cover up the truth, he had only said he accidentally caused Jiang Ruan to fall. Jiang Ruan speaking these words reminded Chen Zhao that recently, to avoid suspicion, he should meet with her less. But was Jiang Ruan saying this intentionally or unintentionally? Thinking this, Chen Zhao examined Jiang Ruan seriously again. He saw the girl standing in place, her old, faded clothing not making her look haggard but instead setting off her snow-white skin, eyes like dots of ink, eyebrows like slate. The expression flowing between her brows actually carried a kind of deadly allure.

Chen Zhao looked with shock in his heart, then his gaze became obsessed again. Since he’d discovered this Jiang family miss had flavor, naturally he wouldn’t let her go. The future was long—no need to rush for a moment. Thinking this, he smiled and bowed to Jiang Ruan again: “It’s all Zhao’s fault, causing Miss to become so thin. Since Miss is going out today, Zhao won’t presume to disturb you. I’ll come to apologize another day.”

“Who wants you coming to apologize?” Lian Qiao glared at him. Chen Zhao smiled and left.

After Chen Zhao left, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi finally breathed sighs of relief. Bai Zhi frowned: “Miss, why did you speak that way just now? He’s trouble—how could you…”

“Right, right,” Lian Qiao chimed in: “I really wish I could gouge out his eyeballs! Disgusting!”

“They will be gouged out,” Jiang Ruan said indifferently. “He wants to watch me silently from afar—let him watch his fill.”

Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao looked at each other, feeling their miss’s tone when saying this was somewhat chilling. After a pause, Bai Zhi said: “Never mind him. Let’s go for a walk. There’s nothing much happening on the estate these days, so East Street should be quite lively.”

East Street? Jiang Ruan thought for a moment and shook her head: “No, go to West Street.”

“West Street?” Bai Zhi hesitated: “Miss, why do you want to go to West Street? West Street is mostly beggars and commoners. With the New Year, it’s even more chaotic. Miss shouldn’t go that way. East Street has many cosmetics shops and taverns, and some novel things too. Why don’t we just stroll around East Street?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “Go to West Street.” Though her voice was soft, it brooked no argument—she had clearly made up her mind.

Bai Zhi was startled and immediately felt troubled.

“Oh well, let’s just listen to Miss and go to West Street.” Lian Qiao patted Bai Zhi’s shoulder: “With us here, what’s to fear? Moreover, it’s broad daylight—where are all these concerns? If there’s real trouble, we servants are here to protect Miss. Miss can rest assured.”

Bai Zhi could only nod, but became even more puzzled. East and West Streets had extreme wealth disparity. West Street was where the poor lived and traveled, naturally incomparable to East Street’s liveliness and prosperity. Her own miss had never shown interest in going to West Street before—why this sudden whim today? Bai Zhi felt she understood her miss’s thoughts less and less, as if overnight, Miss had grown nine more scheming minds. Being looked at by those ink-black eyes made her feel somewhat chilled.

Lian Qiao was extremely happy though. Jiang Ruan was clearly becoming enlightened. Compared to passive acceptance, having a proper master’s bearing now was much better. At least those people wouldn’t dare openly bully her anymore.

Jiang Ruan didn’t notice the complicated thoughts of the two maids beside her, only walking quietly forward. But if one looked carefully, one could still see her slightly trembling fingertips.

Some things should have been changed from the very beginning.