The Zhao family father and sons remained silent.

For three generations, the Zhao family had been military generals. Madam Zhao Su Shi had given birth to three sons and one daughter. Zhao Mei ranked third, and being the only daughter, the entire Zhao family treasured her beyond measure. Though Zhao Guang was a military man with rough ways, he was infinitely patient with Zhao Mei. From a babbling infant to a delicate little girl to a graceful young lady, she had grown up in Zhao Guang’s palm. When Zhao Mei liked horseback riding, he sent people to spend heavily finding a group of gentle young horses. When Zhao Mei wanted to learn archery, he taught her hand by hand. The three Zhao Yuanjia sons were usually scolded bloody by Zhao Guang, but to Zhao Mei alone, he never spoke a harsh word.

With just this one daughter in the Zhao family, Zhao Guang already loved her so much. Su Shi and Old Madam Zhao doted on her even more, and the Zhao Yuanjia brothers also protected Zhao Mei in daily life. From childhood, no one in the capital’s noble circles dared bully Zhao Mei.

With such exceptionally favorable conditions, Zhao Mei naturally grew up with an innocent, romantic nature. She was passionate and generous, but then she encountered someone like Jiang Quan.

At that time, Jiang Quan was a rising star in court—young and handsome, from a scholarly family, possessing an elegant literary air that was fatally attractive to Zhao Mei, who was accustomed to seeing rough military men. She was quite bold, finding various ways to get close to him, which Zhao Guang noticed.

But Zhao Guang didn’t think well of Jiang Quan. Though he was a military man, he wasn’t someone with only brute strength and no brains. Having been immersed in officialdom for years, he could see at a glance that this court rising star had ambition in his eyes.

Having ambition was one thing, but after the Yellow Emperor’s attempt to change the crown prince was stopped by Xiao Shao, there was open and covert strife in court, with many officials secretly taking sides. The Zhao family at that time belonged to the neutral faction, insisting they couldn’t get involved in the muddy waters of succession struggles. And Jiang Quan at that time showed hints of wanting to align with the Eighth Prince.

Even if there truly came a day when they had to take sides, the Zhao family would never choose the Eighth Prince. Xuan Li was unfathomably deep—dealing with him was like seeking skin from a tiger. So Zhao Guang disliked Jiang Quan.

Though Su Shi felt sorry for her daughter, her views on this matter were identical to Zhao Guang’s, because as a woman, she could see that Jiang Quan’s gaze at Zhao Mei contained not a trace of romantic feeling. Instead, when facing the capital’s first talented lady Xia Yan, his eyes held affection. Su Shi was just an ordinary woman—if Jiang Quan truly liked Zhao Mei, that would be fine, but he clearly didn’t like Zhao Mei yet proposed marriage, meaning he had other calculations in mind.

But at that time, Zhao Mei was single-mindedly determined to marry Jiang Quan and wouldn’t listen to anything.

A rebellious young lady and a stubborn father.

Zhao Guang and Zhao Mei quarreled for the first time, and he locked Zhao Mei in her room. Who knew Zhao Mei would actually climb out the window and meet with Jiang Quan.

Zhao Guang was furious and declared he would sever relations with Zhao Mei.

Though Zhao Mei was heartbroken, she still thought that after all, they were blood relatives. Zhao Guang was just angry and would naturally say such things. Once she married Jiang Quan and Zhao Guang’s anger subsided, she could properly apologize at his door, and they would still be family. The Jiang family thought the same—the Zhao family was, after all, a meritorious family with noble status. Old Madam Jiang said nothing and privately arranged the marriage.

However, when the time came for the bride to return home, the Zhao family refused to acknowledge Zhao Mei. They were determined to sever relations with her.

Zhao Mei was naturally heartbroken. As time passed and the Zhao family showed no signs of reconciling with her, the Jiang family’s attitude toward Zhao Mei gradually cooled. Soon after, Jiang Quan took Xia Yan as a concubine and became even colder toward Zhao Mei.

With her husband so cold and the Jiang family so indifferent, Zhao Mei thought through many things alone. Feeling too ashamed to face her parents and brothers at home, and not wanting to drag the Zhao family into the Jiang family’s muddy waters, when the Zhao family later heard about Xia Yan and came calling, she sent the visitors away with extremely harsh words.

Back and forth like this, gradually the Zhao family and Jiang family became like strangers.

The atmosphere in the hall became very strange.

Zhao Guang looked at Jiang Ruan with complex emotions.

Over the years, he hadn’t failed to send people to the Jiang residence. When Zhao Mei was alive, her attitude was always very harsh, as if facing enemies. Going back and forth like this, Zhao Guang’s heart grew cold, and he treated it as if he had no such daughter. Along with this, he ignored the entire Jiang family, and no news about the Jiang family reached the General’s residence.

Now this granddaughter had suddenly come, and not only that, the nanny who had served Zhao Mei brought such shocking news. The Zhao family was most protective of their own—hearing such words would naturally make them furious.

Zhao Yuanping, who had been silent, said: “So you’re my niece? What was your purpose in distributing porridge before?”

Jiang Ruan looked up at him—this man whom outsiders said was the smartest in the Zhao family, with the elegant bearing of a civil official. She smiled faintly: “The Eighth Prince wanted to use this opportunity to scatter the Zhao family’s wealth and weaken the Zhao family’s power. Since second uncle calls me niece, it was just a small effort.”

“Where did you get the silver?” Zhao Yuanping stared at her intently, not missing any expression on her face.

Jiang Ruan’s expression didn’t change: “Grain prices have increased more than tenfold now, but I bought mine more than a month ago.”

Zhao Yuanping said mockingly: “Could you predict the future?”

“Just a lucky coincidence,” Jiang Ruan nodded.

A flash of shrewdness crossed Zhao Yuanping’s eyes. Unlike Zhao Guang, who was overwhelmed by family affection, unlike the honest Zhao Yuanjia, and unlike Zhao Yuanfeng who was only focused on being surprised, as the calmest person in the Zhao family, after the brief shock, he had been observing Jiang Ruan. Though Jiang Ruan looked very much like his deceased third sister, Jiang Ruan and Zhao Mei were completely different people. For instance, now—her expression showed not a trace of flaw, and watching the Zhao family’s excitement from beginning to end, she showed not a bit of emotion.

She was even calmer and more composed than enemies he had encountered, yet she was merely a—niece.

“Absurd! How do you know the Eighth Prince’s plans?” Zhao Guang demanded sternly.

Jiang Ruan’s words shocked them greatly, but a boudoir young lady should by no means know such court matters. Her speaking so directly about it made it even more bizarre, making people suspect this was just a conspiracy by Jiang Quan.

“Wait,” the most impatient Zhao Yuanfeng focused entirely on the niece matter: “What exactly are you talking about? Didn’t you come today to return to your ancestral family?”

Jiang Ruan smiled at him—this youngest uncle whom Zhao Mei had said she got along with best. Now seeing him after so many years, his nature hadn’t changed at all. She said: “Returning to the ancestral family depends on the General and Madam’s intentions. My identity isn’t important. I came today only to request a trade.”

“What trade?” Zhao Guang’s expression turned cold. If it involved Jiang Quan, then Jiang Ruan’s purpose in coming today was suspicious.

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “I saved most of the Zhao residence’s family fortune and saved the City Garrison Commander’s life. The Commander counts as a Zhao family bloodline. I believe such a favor is sufficient. As for the trade, I hope the General can save my elder brother’s life. If we calculate by blood, after all, my elder brother also has half Zhao family blood.”

“Your elder brother?” Zhao Guang frowned: “What happened to your elder brother? And what do you mean you saved Yi’er’s life?”

Before Jiang Ruan could speak, Zhao Yi said: “Grandfather, the young lady I encountered on the way to Chongxin Village that day was this miss.”

Zhao Yuanjia was startled: “So that’s how it was.”

Jiang Ruan said: “Exactly. As for my elder brother, he’s currently safe, but the situation is critical. Xia Yan and Jiang Quan want to kill him.”

She didn’t even call him father, directly using Jiang Quan’s name, showing how much she detested Jiang Quan.

“Niece, you must explain this clearly. What exactly do the Jiang family want to do?” Zhao Yuanping said with a half-smile.

“My mother died five years ago, and I was sent to the estate while elder brother joined the military. I only returned to the capital during New Year and had a chance meeting with the son of General Gu’s residence, asking him to help me find news of elder brother. My elder brother has now risen to deputy general and will return to the capital soon. My maid overheard Jiang Quan and Xia Yan’s plan to murder him.”

“Niece, could you have misheard?” Zhao Yuanjia said in shock: “After all, it’s Jiang Quan’s own flesh and blood. How could he bring himself to harm him?”

Jiang Ruan looked at him coolly: “Jiang Quan dotes on the pair of children Xia Yan bore. Without my elder brother, Jiang Chao, whom Xia Yan bore, could inherit the entire Jiang family. If elder brother returns, Jiang Chao’s position becomes precarious. Moreover, now that elder brother has become a deputy general, he poses a great threat to Jiang Chao, who is still a commoner. We siblings have long been thorns in Xia Yan’s side. As for the flesh and blood affection you mention…” Jiang Ruan smiled: “Eldest uncle has perhaps lived comfortable days too long and doesn’t know the hardships of those of us who must survive under stepmothers. If Jiang Quan cherished flesh and blood affection, the incident where Xia Yan bribed a Daoist to slander me as a jinx star and placed me on the estate, repeatedly trying to harm me, wouldn’t have happened. If not for my good fortune, there would probably already be an extra coffin beside mother’s grave.”

“What jinx star?” Zhao Guang said coldly.

“The General dislikes Jiang residence affairs and naturally doesn’t know. I think the Daoist Xukong affair that caused such an uproar in the capital recently—the City Garrison Commander couldn’t have failed to hear about it.”

Zhao Yi looked at Jiang Ruan in surprise. He was out and about daily, and when drinking with colleagues, he had heard about the Jiang family’s Daoist Xukong affair. At the time, he had deeply sympathized with that innocent Miss Jiang, never knowing Miss Jiang was his aunt’s daughter, his legitimate cousin.

“Going too far!” Zhao Guang slammed his fist on the table, his heart seemingly bleeding. He was wrong. As Jiang Ruan said, Mei’er hadn’t lived well at all. Why didn’t she seek help from family? Why did she drive away the people he sent with harsh words? She was afraid of implicating the Zhao family! He was wrong. When Zhao Mei returned home as a bride, he should have acknowledged her. So what if the Jiang family wanted to borrow the Zhao family’s power? At least Jiang Quan wouldn’t dare bully Mei’er as he did now, forcing her children!

“My mother was killed by the Jiang family. Though I haven’t found evidence yet, someday I will,” Jiang Ruan said. “My mother never hated the Zhao family. When I was very young, she often told me about the Zhao family.”

Jiang Ruan looked at Zhao Guang: “I have a blood debt to settle with the Jiang family, but right now, I only hope the General can make this trade with me and save my elder brother.”

She wasn’t certain how deep the Zhao family’s feelings for Zhao Mei were. Saying all this was just to make Zhao Guang feel guilty. This trade seemed quite profitable, but the Zhao family had always been stubborn. If Zhao Guang felt regret, he would agree to help her. She swept a glance around the hall—the Zhao family father and sons all showed anger in their eyes, clearly she had aroused their fury toward Jiang Quan. Except for one… Jiang Ruan met Zhao Yuanping’s probing gaze and smiled faintly.

Yes, exactly like this. No matter how much the Zhao family loved Zhao Mei, she had been dead for many years—a person who died years ago after defying her parents and severing relations. Would feelings fade?

Jiang Ruan didn’t know.

She could only rely on Zhao Mei’s words about the Zhao family in her memory to gradually win hearts.

Except for the somewhat calm Zhao Yuanping, the Zhao family father and sons all had red-rimmed eyes. They were all emotional people, and Jiang Ruan spoke of the Zhao family’s most beloved youngest daughter, so naturally they were filled with indignation. Looking at what Jiang Ruan said, though she passed over it lightly, life at the estate and being framed by a stepmother—how could such things be easy? The Jiang Quan couple dared harm even Zhao Mei and dared kill even Jiang Xinzhi. For Jiang Ruan to survive until now, who knows how many dangers she experienced?

Zhao Guang’s eyes were bloodshot.

Jiang Ruan looked at him quietly: “General, this trade—will you do it or not?”

“What if I don’t?” Zhao Guang asked.

“I’ll stop distributing porridge. Since the General gained His Majesty’s praise but doesn’t want to pay any compensation to me, he can’t get benefits for nothing. As for the Garrison Commander’s life, saving one life surpasses building a seven-story pagoda, but the Commander isn’t so lucky every day.”

Zhao Guang looked at her for a while, then suddenly laughed loudly: “Good!”

Initially, he felt this little girl had a cold aura all over and was unfathomable despite her young age, making him quite suspicious. Now knowing about Zhao Mei’s situation, his heart was filled with regret and hatred. His suspicions of Jiang Ruan dissipated—he only saw her as his legitimate granddaughter. How could he not like her? Advancing and retreating with grace, acting generously, and with exceptional intelligence and talent—their Zhao family’s daughter should have such bearing!

“Don’t call me General,” Zhao Guang said coldly: “Call me grandfather.”

Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows and complied readily: “Grandfather.”

With Zhao Guang taking this stance, Zhao Yuanfeng was the first to jump up, walking to Jiang Ruan’s side: “You really are my niece.” After looking her over, he shook his head: “Sigh, you’re more outstanding than Mei’er in looks, but not as lovely in temperament.”

Zhao Mei was gentle—she definitely wasn’t gentle.

Zhao Yuanjia and Zhao Yi were naturally also happy, only Zhao Yuanping remained seated unmoved, giving Jiang Ruan another appraising look.

Just then, several voices came from behind the main hall.

“Yulong, stop running.”

“Even father can’t guess who today’s distinguished guest is, so naturally I want to see. Mother, grandmother, don’t follow me.”

“Second brother, wait for me, I’m coming too.”

“You two stop right there.”

Then a curtain to the side lifted, and two young men came out.

Both appeared fourteen or fifteen years old. The taller one was refined and elegant, somewhat resembling Zhao Yuanping. The shorter one was spirited and lively. Seeing a beautiful young lady standing in the hall, both were stunned.

“Yulong, Feizhou.” Two beautiful women also emerged from the hall, calling gently. Seeing Jiang Ruan, they too were slightly startled. The last to emerge was the gentle, virtuous Su Shi. She smiled: “These two boys can’t be stopped.”

Zhao Yi pulled Jiang Ruan to Su Shi’s side: “Grandmother, look who this is.”

Su Shi was past forty but her eyes were still remarkably good. Seeing Jiang Ruan from afar, her body trembled. When Zhao Yi brought Jiang Ruan over, she could see even more clearly and immediately tears flowed like rain: “My Mei’er!”

She embraced Jiang Ruan tightly.

Jiang Ruan gently let her hold her. Since Zhao Mei’s death, no one had embraced her so tenderly. Su Shi’s embrace made her feel somewhat dazed.

Zhao Yulong walked to Zhao Yuanping: “Father, who is she?”

Zhao Yuanping forced a smile: “She’s your aunt’s daughter, your cousin.”

Hearing this, Su Shi, who was holding Jiang Ruan, trembled and slowly released her, looking at her through tearful eyes. The initial joy gradually faded—she had thought heaven granted her a chance to see her daughter from the underworld once more. Then another joy filled her heart: “You’re Ruan’er?” When Zhao Mei had just given birth to Jiang Ruan, she had also learned about it through intermediaries.

Jiang Ruan nodded.

Su Shi looked at her, momentarily not knowing what to say, just stroking her hand: “So good, you’ve grown as beautiful as your mother and are already a big girl.”

Zhao Feizhou stood beside his mother, curiously studying Jiang Ruan.

Su Shi said: “After so many years, I thought I’d never have a chance to see you. Ruan’er, coming out like this—does your father know?”

Just as the Zhao family disliked the Jiang residence, the Jiang residence also looked down on the General’s residence. Su Shi feared Jiang Ruan’s sudden visit would result in punishment from Jiang Quan.

Jiang Ruan looked at this gentle woman. Grandmother? She bore no grudge at all. She smiled: “I’ll handle it myself.”

Seeing her composed bearing and movements as proper as an adult’s, Su Shi was both excited and gratified: “Your mother taught you very well, very well.”

Hearing this, the Zhao family father and sons all dimmed in expression.

“Ruan’er, why did you suddenly come? Have you forgiven grandmother’s mistakes? In the past, it was all grandmother’s fault for not caring for you and your mother. I don’t know if you’ve suffered any grievances?”

Su Shi appeared to be cherished and protected by the Zhao family, so she didn’t know the outside dangers. Jiang Ruan pondered for a moment and smiled: “Grandmother, why do you say this? It’s my fault for not fulfilling filial duties, not visiting grandmother once in all these years. I’ve lived very well—the Jiang residence lacks nothing in food and clothing, and no one has wronged me.”

Wronged? She would slowly take revenge for that herself.

Seeing Jiang Ruan conceal the Jiang residence affairs, the Zhao family father and sons were all moved. Su Shi had been melancholy ever since Zhao Mei’s death. If she knew the suffering Jiang Ruan and her brother endured, she would certainly be extremely pained. But Jiang Ruan didn’t mention it at all, clearly considering Su Shi’s feelings.

She smiled slightly: “I came this time specifically to see grandfather’s family.”