A gentle, pattering rain fell throughout the night.

When morning arrived, the mansion was shrouded in misty rain, with dark clouds pressing low in the sky as if they might crush the entire city. Only the newly green branches, washed by the night’s rain, appeared even more vibrant and verdant.

The spring chill was sharp. A maid who had risen early couldn’t help but shiver, pushing open the window with a smile: “Miss, it’s about time.”

A hand emerged from beneath the bedding, revealing an arm of flawless white, slender and lovely. Following the arm upward, one could see an exceptionally beautiful face. She turned over, revealing the other side of her profile—a long scar, ugly and menacing, like a giant centipede crawling across her face.

The maid’s expression froze slightly. Jiang Susu had already spoken: “Is it morning already?” She laughed softly, and that half-disfigured face immediately revealed a sinister smile: “I can hardly wait to see this good show.”

Butterfly selected for Jiang Susu a white gold-threaded diamond-patterned jacket with a heart-shaped collar and subtle dark patterns, a trailing pale yellow skirt scattered with clustered flowers, and a silk robe with dark floral water-grass patterns. These plain, light colors made her appear particularly beautiful—except for that flawed face. A flash of hatred crossed Jiang Susu’s eyes. Dragonfly handed her a white veil, and after Jiang Susu put it on, she leisurely pushed open the door: “Let’s go.”

The Marquis Xia’s mansion was twice the size of the Jiang mansion, with gardens that were also exquisitely maintained, everywhere displaying the noble status of its master. The ancestral hall was located at the end of the garden corridor, in the last room. Its exterior was also quite refined—if one were in the garden, it would certainly catch one’s attention immediately. A few late plum blossoms still bloomed on the branches in early spring. Despite the continuous rain, the sight had its own charm.

Several figures appeared in the garden. The leader wore flowing white robes and stood tall and elegant, followed by someone of slightly plump build with a kindly smile on his face. Beside these people were two other figures—one in fine black silk, another in rich brocade. In the misty atmosphere, their faces couldn’t be clearly seen.

As Jiang Susu was walking toward the hall with Butterfly, passing through the garden, she happened to encounter the approaching group. She only saw Marquis Xia and called out from afar: “Grandfather.”

Marquis Xia’s expression stiffened, and the brocade-clad man beside him had already spoken: “So this is Second Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Susu was startled. As the group approached and she could see their faces clearly, she couldn’t help but be greatly shocked. Among the other three, one she didn’t recognize, but the other two were Xuan Li and Xiao Shao.

Xuan Li wore a gentle, refined smile at the corner of his lips, looking at her with amusement. Under the gaze of those warm eyes, Jiang Susu’s veiled face couldn’t help but flush slightly. When she met Xiao Shao’s cool gaze, her heart couldn’t help but pound wildly.

Marquis Xia had originally wanted to scold Jiang Susu, but seeing Xuan Li’s expression, his heart paused. Remembering the words in Xia Yan’s letter, his brow immediately smoothed as he smiled: “Su’er, come greet His Highness the Crown Prince, His Eighth Highness, and the Prince.”

Jiang Susu had been puzzled about the brocade-clad man’s identity, but hearing Marquis Xia’s words, she couldn’t help but be shocked again, not expecting him to be the Crown Prince. She looked up to examine the man in the middle more carefully. She saw that he was merely a young man in his twenties, inheriting the good looks of the imperial bloodline and appearing quite handsome, though compared to Xiao Shao and Xuan Li’s bearing, he fell short by more than a little, with a hint of restlessness in his eyes. Jiang Susu couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed. When she thought of the court matters that Jiang Quan occasionally discussed with her, her disappointment faded. She stepped forward and curtsied: “Su of the Jiang family greets His Highness the Crown Prince, His Eighth Highness, and Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily: “I’ve heard that Second Miss Jiang possesses beauty that could topple nations. Why are you wearing a veil? Are you afraid I might devour you?”

Jiang Susu was startled by these words. Marquis Xia smiled: “Your Highness, Su’er was scratched on the face by a cat a few days ago, leaving scars. She’s afraid of the wind, so she wears a veil. Please be understanding, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince frowned: “How unfortunate. I wonder which household’s cat was so bold as to scratch Second Miss Jiang’s face.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” Jiang Susu said softly: “That cat has already been caught and put to death.”

“That’s good then. I’ve always been tender toward beauties. If I had truly seen Second Miss’s face ruined by a cat, I would have been heartbroken too.”

Jiang Susu lowered her head, seemingly blushing deeply from these ridiculous words. While she was speaking with the Crown Prince, Xuan Li kept smiling as he watched them, his smile like a spring breeze—yet upon closer inspection, it never reached his eyes.

“Oh, Grandfather,” Jiang Susu suddenly seemed to remember something: “Elder Sister has been kneeling in the ancestral hall since last night, praying for blessings. I wonder how she is now? If the maids forgot to call her out, that would be terrible. With the rain still falling and the ancestral hall being so cold and damp, kneeling all night might damage her health. Why don’t we go check on her?”

Her expression was concerned, her words everywhere considerate of Jiang Ruan, truly like a kind and caring younger sister. Marquis Xia was startled, then seemed to think of something. After hesitating, he said: “With guests present, it would be better to have some maids go look.”

“Grandfather, Elder Sister is my sister, so naturally I care for her,” Jiang Susu said earnestly: “If you ask me to leave at this moment, I would be unable to rest easy. Besides, all Your Highnesses are benevolent people who surely wouldn’t mind such things. Moreover, when Your Highnesses see Elder Sister’s sincere devotion in kneeling all night in the ancestral hall to pray for the Xia family’s blessings, wouldn’t Elder Sister be the pride of our Xia mansion?”

Marquis Xia was about to decline when the Crown Prince said with interest: “Is your elder sister the eldest Miss Jiang? The one who danced so remarkably at Linglong Pavilion?”

“That’s correct.” Jiang Susu’s voice remained normal, though the corner of her mouth beneath the veil stiffened slightly.

“Perfect then. I’ve been wanting to see what that newly acclaimed talented woman looks like. From what you say, she’s been kneeling in the ancestral hall all night—such filial devotion is truly rare. I’d like to take a look too.” He turned to look at Xuan Li and Xiao Shao: “Eighth Brother, Ah Shao, you wouldn’t object, would you?” After speaking, he laughed heartily and looked toward Marquis Xia: “Marquis Xia, please lead the way.”

Marquis Xia felt helpless. This Crown Prince was known for his unruly behavior, and reasoning with him simply wouldn’t work. He could only glare at Jiang Susu once and force a smile: “Your Highness finds this amusing.”

Jiang Susu felt somewhat guilty under Marquis Xia’s glare, but thinking of what was about to happen, she couldn’t help feeling excited. She hadn’t expected to encounter Xuan Li and Xiao Shao at the Xia mansion today, and even the Crown Prince. Now that these three had arrived, they would witness Jiang Ruan’s shameful state perfectly. Once Jiang Ruan’s disgraceful condition was seen by outside men, given Jiang Quan’s temperament, he would have no choice but to drown Jiang Ruan. A glint of amusement flashed in Jiang Susu’s eyes. Jiang Ruan, take this shameful reputation with you to your death!

The ancestral hall was not far from the garden. They saw a young servant guarding by the door. Seeing Marquis Xia and the others approaching, his legs went weak with fright. Marquis Xia saw that the servant was one who usually followed Xia Jun, first startled, then understanding.

What kind of person was Marquis Xia? After rolling in officialdom for so many years, and with the questionable origins of his marquis title, seeing Xia Jun’s substitute servant, he almost guessed what would happen next. Looking at Jiang Susu’s expression again, what wasn’t clear? It wasn’t impossible for Jiang Susu to seek revenge on Jiang Ruan, but she couldn’t drag his only grandson into it. If something really happened today, Jiang Susu would be ruined, but if word spread that Xia Jun had done such things in the ancestral hall, wouldn’t that also ruin his reputation? If not for outsiders being present, he truly wanted to slap Jiang Susu twice. He had thought this granddaughter was clever, and with her talents and beauty could forge connections for the Xia family in the future. Now it seemed she was a short-sighted fool, incredibly stupid!

Before Marquis Xia could think of how to lead these people away, Jiang Susu was already crying out in alarm: “Aren’t you Cousin’s servant? How are you here?”

Xuan Li and Xiao Shao’s gazes flickered slightly, both looking toward the servant simultaneously. The servant had been trembling at the sight of Marquis Xia, and with his young master still not emerging while the master had arrived, he stammered incoherently: “This servant… this servant…”

Jiang Susu frowned, and without waiting for him to finish, she stepped forward and pushed open the door: “How strange you are. Has something happened to Elder Sister?”

As soon as the ancestral hall door opened, an intriguing fragrance wafted out, containing some inexplicable sweet scent that, when inhaled, gave one a dry, parched feeling. Besides this, there was also a nauseating fishy smell. Jiang Susu walked forward several steps, suddenly cried “Ah!” and fled out the door in panic.

She seemed to have received a tremendous shock, her whole body shaking. As she ran out, she happened to collide with Xuan Li. Xuan Li reached out to steady her, and Jiang Susu collapsed into his arms.

“Miss Jiang?” Xuan Li said gently.

Jiang Susu looked up at him from his embrace, her eyes brimming with tears, her whole body trembling slightly: “Elder Sister… Elder Sister she…”

Marquis Xia’s heart sank. The Crown Prince, already aroused by curiosity from Jiang Susu’s behavior, stepped directly into the ancestral hall. He pushed the door open wider, so the scene inside the ancestral hall immediately fell before everyone’s eyes.

It was an extremely lewd scene.

On the ground, a man and woman were entangled, still maintaining their intimate position, completely naked from head to toe. The woman’s long hair was disheveled, and the man held her against his chest. The woman’s body was covered with white stains and red marks, her back to the crowd, showing traces of the previous night’s madness.

Jiang Susu seemed extremely shocked and ashamed, burying her head into Xuan Li’s embrace without regard for anything else. Xuan Li’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he reached out and gently patted her shoulder.

In front of so many people, Marquis Xia could no longer cover up the situation. He immediately roared angrily: “Outrageous!”

To engage in such filthy acts in his family’s ancestral hall, and to be seen by these most distinguished figures in the capital—even someone as shameless as he couldn’t help but feel his face burning with humiliation.

“Elder Sister, how could you be with Cousin…?” Jiang Susu hid in Xuan Li’s embrace, still shaken: “This is the ancestral hall!”

Marquis Xia glared fiercely at Jiang Susu. Now the plan was completely ruined—this granddaughter was more hindrance than help!

“Unfilial! Unfilial!” Marquis Xia pointed at the man and woman in the ancestral hall, trembling with rage: “I’ve raised you for over ten years in the Xia mansion, yet you’re so shameless! To engage in such filthy acts right in the ancestral hall—where did your sense of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame go? Was there no one to teach you? How can the Xia mansion ever rely on you to bring glory to our family in the future!”

Though he spoke as if reproaching Xia Jun, his words implied throughout that Jiang Ruan didn’t know how to conduct herself properly and lacked a mother’s guidance, which led to such moral corruption. He pushed all the blame onto Jiang Ruan alone. Society was always particularly harsh toward women. Marquis Xia looked up to observe the expressions of those present. Xuan Li would help the Xia family, but Xiao Shao and the Crown Prince were uncertain.

The Crown Prince seemed somewhat curious and rather mockingly said: “This is the first time I’ve seen such spring colors in an ancestral hall. Interesting—Marquis Xia’s mansion is truly fascinating.”

While they were speaking, the man and woman on the ground still hadn’t awakened, lying there brazenly, completely naked for all to see. Jiang Susu couldn’t help saying: “Elder Sister seems to have lost consciousness. Why isn’t she awake yet? Butterfly, go find some clothes for Elder Sister and help her back to her room.”

Butterfly left to carry out the order. Ignoring Marquis Xia’s dagger-like glare, Jiang Susu said quietly: “I hope Your Highnesses won’t spread word of this matter. My elder sister is, after all, a lady from a distinguished family. She hasn’t yet come of age, and if people knew of this, her whole life would be ruined.”

These words seemed to show concern for Jiang Ruan, yet they also reminded everyone that Jiang Ruan was still an underage girl. For someone so young to be so shameless was truly disgusting.

Xuan Li’s expression moved slightly. Before he could speak, he heard a calm voice say: “Second Miss Jiang hasn’t clearly seen that woman’s face yet. How can you be so certain she’s the eldest Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Susu looked up in shock. Xiao Shao’s beautiful, cool profile was right before her, his tone revealing no emotion.

That day at Linglong Pavilion he had helped her, and she had thought Xiao Shao was on her side. But later, when Jiang Susu went to Prince Jinying’s mansion, she was repeatedly turned away, making her unable to figure out what this Prince Jinying was truly thinking. Now these words sounded like he was speaking for Jiang Ruan, making Jiang Susu even more suspicious.

Just then, a gentle voice came from behind: “What are you all looking for?”

The moment she heard this voice, Jiang Susu’s mind was struck as if by thunder, her entire body freezing in place. Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze following the voice.

There stood a dark-haired girl in red robes, draped in morning dew, standing among the flowers a few steps away, smiling as she looked toward them. She carried no umbrella, and the falling raindrops landed on her. Those upturned, enchanting eyes now held only coldness, and the smile at the corner of her lips was chilling to behold.

“E-Elder Sister?” Jiang Susu took two steps back.

Jiang Ruan slowly approached: “So it’s Second Sister. I wonder what brings you to the ancestral hall so early?”

She advanced step by step while Jiang Susu retreated step by step, her eyes filled only with terror. Swallowing the questions about to spill out, she said: “How can Elder Sister be here? Then… who is that in the room?”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Oh, the one in the room? She’s one of my loyal maids. Last night at the third watch, seeing that I was exhausted, she volunteered to kneel for the rest of the night in my place. Grandmother said someone born in the fourth lunar month should pray for blessings, and coincidentally, this loyal maid of mine was also born in the fourth lunar month.” She lied without changing expression, then looked puzzled: “Why, has something happened?”

Marquis Xia knew Jiang Ruan was certainly lying through her teeth. It seemed she had already seen through Jiang Susu’s plan. He stared at her darkly and said slowly: “Someone has engaged in illicit acts in the ancestral hall. I believe your maid was involved.”

Jiang Ruan opened her mouth and shook her head: “This maid of mine is certainly a pure, innocent girl. She’s always been virtuous in her daily conduct and would never do such filthy things. She must have been coerced by someone. Even though she’s just a maid, I must seek justice for her.”

“How can Elder Sister say such things? It’s clearly your own maid who behaved improperly. How can you blame others?” Jiang Susu said. When a master’s maid behaved badly, people inevitably had some suspicions about the master.

“How can Second Sister speak thus?” Jiang Ruan smiled: “This maid was personally chosen by Mother for me. How can you doubt Mother’s judgment? Could Mother have intentionally found someone of poor character to serve at my side?”

“You…” Jiang Susu was speechless, hating Jiang Ruan to her core. Marquis Xia narrowed his eyes slightly. Before he could speak, he saw Jiang Ruan suddenly kneel before the Crown Prince: “Though this matter appears to be my maid’s misfortune, upon careful thought, she has suffered undeserved disaster in my place. If it had been me last night instead, I could only have proven my innocence through death. These vile villains are truly detestable. Your Highness has discerning judgment—I beg Your Highness to thoroughly investigate this matter and severely punish these evil people who destroy others’ reputations!”

With this kneeling, Marquis Xia’s temple began throbbing, thinking this was bad. When Jiang Ruan arrived, she didn’t know who the man inside was, yet the Crown Prince was capricious and unpredictable. He might impulsively decide to punish Xia Jun.

Watching Jiang Ruan’s actions, a gleam flashed in Xuan Li’s eyes. Xiao Shao observed quietly, his gaze unreadable.

The Crown Prince looked at her with interest: “You are the eldest Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Ruan smiled at him: “I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Indeed beautiful and charming.” The Crown Prince also smiled: “You want me to seek justice for you?”

Hearing this, Marquis Xia was naturally very anxious and looked to Xuan Li for help. Just then, he suddenly saw a maid running over frantically: “Something terrible, Master! Madam has fainted!”

“What?” Marquis Xia was shocked, turning back to glance at the ancestral hall: “Get those people out of there, quickly call a physician.” Then he bowed to the Crown Prince and the others: “My wife has suddenly fainted. The ancestral hall matter can wait. Please grant us time, Your Highness.”

“No matter,” the Crown Prince laughed: “Today’s drama was quite exciting. We’ll accompany Marquis Xia to take a look.” He then walked to Marquis Xia’s side.

Marquis Xia stiffened and headed toward the main hall. Jiang Susu hurried to follow, Xuan Li smiled slightly and also followed.

Only Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao remained at the back.

Jiang Ruan glanced expressionlessly at Xiao Shao once, then stepped aside to walk forward. She heard Xiao Shao’s voice from above her head: “How did you know he was the Crown Prince?”

When Jiang Ruan had arrived, no one had told her who the Crown Prince was, yet when she knelt, she had called out clearly, “Your Highness the Crown Prince”—which was truly suspicious.

Jiang Ruan was startled, silently cursing her carelessness for letting this person catch her weakness. Her thoughts racing, she looked directly at Xiao Shao’s beautiful, heroic face and said coldly: “Dragons and insects naturally have different bearings. For example, the Crown Prince has the bearing of a Crown Prince.” She suddenly smiled broadly, her tone sincere: “And scum also has the radiance of scum.” Having said this, she lifted her feet lightly and, without looking at Xiao Shao’s expression, walked away.

Upon reaching the main hall, she indeed saw maids and old women crowded all around. The eldest and second daughters-in-law of the Xia family stood to one side. On the small couch in the center, Madam Xia lay with her eyes tightly closed, her face deathly pale, with a line of dark blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

Seeing this, Marquis Xia immediately rushed forward, crying out in anguish: “Madam!”

Shen Rou and Yu Ya also stood on either side, looking anxiously at Madam Xia, constantly murmuring: “Mother!”

“Grandmother, what has happened to you?” Jiang Susu pushed through the crowd to Madam Xia’s side, immediately tears flowing from her eyes, truly appearing extremely worried. Jiang Chao stood to one side, his tone gloomy: “Grandmother became like this only after eating that box of pastries.”

Jiang Susu looked at the pastries in surprise, then at Jiang Ruan: “Weren’t those the ones Elder Sister gave to Grandmother?”

At these words, everyone in the hall looked toward Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan still smiled faintly, offering no defense whatsoever.

Jiang Li, fearing the world wasn’t chaotic enough, cried out: “How is it that Grandmother became like this after eating Elder Sister’s pastries? Could there be something wrong with the pastries?”

Xia Jiaojiao had been standing beside Shen Rou, her gaze somewhat bewildered. Hearing Jiang Li and Jiang Susu’s words, she seemed to remember something and said: “You wicked Jiang Ruan! My Xia family has treated you with sincerity, yet you would poison and harm my grandmother!”

“Cousin has spoken incorrectly,” Jiang Ruan said calmly: “This box of pastries wasn’t prepared by me—it was prepared by Mother on my behalf.”

“Ruan’er, what are you saying?” Xia Yan looked at her, her gaze full of disappointment: “Could I possibly poison my own mother? Ruan’er, you didn’t know the mansion’s rules and forgot to prepare a gift for your grandparents’ visit, so I kindly prepared it for you. Now you’re trying to frame me like this—what have I done wrong?”

These words made it sound as if Jiang Ruan was deliberately framing Xia Yan.

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “But those pastries were indeed prepared by Mother for me, weren’t they?”

“Cousin, you’re wrong to say that,” Xia Jiaojiao said: “Even if that gift box was prepared by Aunt for you, you could have poisoned the box yourself, harmed Grandmother, then tried to frame Aunt. This is your true nature!”

Yu Ya frowned: “Is this really so?”

Jiang Ruan sighed: “Since everyone has explained the reasoning so clearly, what more need I say?”

Just then, a physician carrying a medicine box hurried in. Without regard for anything else, after taking Madam Xia’s pulse, he let out a long breath: “I’ll write a prescription first. Quickly go get the medicine and brew it for Madam to drink—hurry!”

Several old women carried Madam Xia back to her room. After Marquis Xia ordered servants to quickly fetch the medicine, he approached: “May I ask, physician, what is my wife’s condition?”

“From the looks of it, she’s most likely consumed arsenic.” The physician stroked his beard: “Fortunately, the amount wasn’t large, so it’s not life-threatening.”

At these words, the room fell silent again. After a moment, a shrill voice rang out: “It was you! It must have been you trying to harm my grandmother! You gave her arsenic! I beg Your Highness to seek justice for my Xia family!” Xia Jiaojiao prostrated herself, truly appearing righteous and justified.

Jiang Susu was stunned, then looked toward Xuan Li without speaking. Veiled as she was, only revealing a pair of pitifully appealing eyes, when she looked at people like this, it truly melted their hearts—even a heart of iron would soften.

Xuan Li looked at her gently, then toward the red-robed girl in the hall who remained composed. Even when accused by everyone, she still stood straight, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, as if she hadn’t heard Xia Jiaojiao’s words at all.

Xiao Shao stood behind everyone, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Ruan. Seeing the situation, Marquis Xia also said: “So young yet so vicious! Jiang Ruan, today you harmed my wife. Even though you’re a daughter of the Jiang family, you still can’t escape responsibility. I beg Your Highness to seek justice for my Xia family!”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and, under everyone’s angry gazes, slowly stepped forward. She stood before the box of pastries, reached out to pick up a piece, and brought it before the physician: “Physician, has Madam Xia truly consumed arsenic?”

“Certainly.” The physician answered without hesitation.

Jiang Ruan sighed gently: “How strange. Why is it that if Madam Xia was poisoned with arsenic, it must have been me who poisoned her? Could it be that Madam Xia poisoned herself?”

“Nonsense!” Marquis Xia said angrily: “Why would my wife consume arsenic when she was perfectly fine!”

“Big Sister, you still want to argue. Grandmother fainted only after eating the pastries you sent. The evidence and witnesses are all here.” Jiang Chao said angrily.

“In that case,” Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, holding the pastry in her hand: “Physician, are these pastries poisoned?”

The physician was startled, then understood and lowered his head to smell the pastry in Jiang Ruan’s hand, nodding: “Indeed, arsenic!”

“What more do you have to say!” Marquis Xia said, once again looking toward the Crown Prince who remained a bystander: “I beg Your Highness to seek justice for my wife!”

The Crown Prince remained silent, staring at Jiang Ruan as if wanting to see what she would do. Then he saw Jiang Ruan holding the pastry in her hand, shaking her head: “In that case, I truly have nothing to say. What can be done? It seems only a life for a life.” Having said this, she gently bit into the pastry and slowly swallowed.

Everyone watched her in shock. A gleam flashed in Jiang Chao’s eyes. A surge of satisfaction rose in Jiang Susu’s heart. Seeing the girl’s swallowing motion, Xiao Shao, for some unknown reason, felt his heart clench with worry for her.

The physician hadn’t expected Jiang Ruan to be so bold. But after a moment passed, Jiang Ruan had finished eating the entire pastry, and nothing had happened.

She blinked her eyes. Jiang Chao looked at her in disbelief. Xiao Shao’s heart relaxed. Xuan Li frowned slightly. The Crown Prince burst into hearty laughter, clapping his hands: “Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating!”

Jiang Susu and Xia Jiaojiao were struck speechless. Marquis Xia stood there stunned, suddenly looking at the pastries on the table, then at Jiang Ruan.

Shen Rou and Yu Ya’s gazes held various thoughts. Jiang Ruan clapped her hands, brushing away all the crumbs. Only then did she say gently: “It seems this arsenic also discriminates between people. Grandmother and I ate the same pastry, which should contain the same arsenic. Grandmother fainted after eating just a little, while I ate an entire piece and remain perfectly fine. Indeed, people’s lives also differ in value. Someone of my status could eat several doses of arsenic and be perfectly fine.”

Her words were playful and charming, containing a certain self-mocking tone, yet every sentence cut to the heart, leaving Marquis Xia speechless.

Jiang Ruan then turned to look at the Crown Prince, suddenly smiling, her voice gentle: “Your Highness, you must seek justice for me.”