Author: Thousand Mountain Tea Guest

On the road back to the manor, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi didn’t say a word. Despite having many doubts in their hearts, they still didn’t voice their questions.

Jiang Ruan lightly rested her head against the carriage window, closing her eyes. The faint dark circles beneath her eyes couldn’t conceal her weary appearance.

Today’s deliberate guidance of Hui Jue—tomorrow when Hui Jue acts, it would all depend on his courage. The greater his courage, the more he could profit from this game of strategy.

In her previous life, Jiang Ruan remembered that it was three days later when the gradually diminishing rainfall suddenly intensified. Bochang Reservoir was originally the capital’s largest reservoir, and under Xuan Li’s management these past days, it had basically been rendered safe. But the heavens are unpredictable—Bochang Reservoir would collapse with a thunderous crash at dawn three days later. The overflowing waters would instantly become a torrent, and not a single commoner living around the reservoir area would survive. The entire reservoir vicinity would become a vast ocean.

Though the incident occurred under Xuan Li’s jurisdiction at the time, considering his previous contributions to flood control and that this was a natural disaster beyond human control, the Emperor hadn’t severely punished him then. It was only later, when Xuan Li mentioned this matter to her in the palace, that there was still a trace of regret in his tone. Jiang Ruan had thought at the time that he regretted those common people’s lives, but later realized that what Xuan Li regretted was likely that this flood had ultimately washed away all his previous flood control achievements. Truly, what makes one can also break one.

The wheel of fate thunderously turned, and in the blink of an eye, this day had arrived. In her previous life, Xuan Li had merely lost his merits because it was an unintentional mistake. In this life, as Hui Jue had said, the reservoir was about to collapse. Someone as suspicious as Xuan Li would inevitably think this was a conspiracy by his court enemies, aimed at seizing his achievements. Xuan Li was arrogant—the more sincere Hui Jue’s words, the more furious he would become. He would definitely not heed Hui Jue’s words, and might even deal with Hui Jue on charges of spreading false prophecies to confuse the masses.

And when the reservoir truly collapsed, Xuan Li’s actions would be deliberate—disregarding the lives of over a thousand common people downstream of the reservoir. Whether this Eighth Prince, who had always valued his perfect reputation outside, could bear such a charge remained to be seen.

It would be something even more regrettable than in her previous life.

Jiang Ruan’s eyes remained closed, but the corners of her mouth curved slightly upward. And this was merely the beginning.

The carriage rolled steadily toward the Jiang manor.

In the alley where Hui Jue lived, knocking sounds rang out again. The young servant who opened the door was somewhat puzzled upon seeing the visitor, but still led them into the hall. Hui Jue looked up to meet a pair of eyes cold as stars.

Those eyes were too cold, like the unmelted snow atop mountain peaks—without warmth, only pure coldness.

“What did she say to you?” The young man stood tall and upright, his black robe embroidered with gold like flowing light in the dark night, emanating gorgeous desolation.

“This old monk is one who has left the household—naturally we discussed Buddhism.” Hui Jue said softly, his face bearing its usual compassion.

With a “swoosh,” he felt a flash of silver light reach his eyes—beautiful and sharp, incredibly fast. Hui Jue only felt an icy coolness at his throat as the young man’s dagger pressed against his chin. From this angle, only his exquisitely beautiful profile was visible.

“Speak.” A single, curt word.

Large beads of sweat seeped from Hui Jue’s forehead.

In the Prime Minister’s manor, Li Yang, who had been unconscious for a long time, finally awakened.

These past days, his mind had been in a haze. Even when awake, it was only for moments before falling back into unconsciousness. Today he woke early. The attending physician checked his pulse, sighed with relief, then went to the outer room to prepare his prescription. Unexpectedly, just as he left the room, he heard a “crack” from inside—the crisp sound of something breaking.

The servant girls keeping watch outside changed expression and hurriedly rushed in. In the room, they saw Li Yang’s eyes blood-red, roaring in a low voice: “What happened? Why don’t I have…?”

The rest of his words were swallowed.

His crotch area was completely empty, with a chilly breeze blowing through. When he reached down to feel, there was still dull, throbbing pain at the base of his legs. As a man, he naturally understood what had happened. Shock, fury, despair, and hatred—all these emotions surged up together. Li Yang felt he couldn’t accept this reality. Seeing the knowing looks in the eyes of several servant girls who regarded him as a great enemy, his heart filled with rage. He immediately grabbed the nearest vase and hurled it at one of the girls.

With a “bang,” the servant girl was struck and bled profusely, but still didn’t dare move, gritting her teeth and standing rigidly in place. Seeing this, Li Yang was about to throw another item when he heard a deep voice from outside: “What’s wrong with elder brother?”

The door curtain was lifted as Li An strode in. Upon seeing Li An, Li Yang’s face immediately showed complex emotions. Li An looked at him with gloomy eyes: “Why didn’t you continue smashing things?”

Li Yang said nothing.

Toward this younger brother who had been superior to him since childhood yet had such a strange temperament, Li Yang felt conflicted. On one hand, he was extremely jealous because Li An’s excellence made his own incompetence even more apparent. On the other hand, he felt dependent on Li An because Li An was exceptionally intelligent—as long as he was there, no problem couldn’t be solved.

Li Yang said angrily: “Are you happy seeing me like this? There’s no one left in the Prime Minister’s manor to compete with you! Are you satisfied now!” His tone became increasingly agitated toward the end.

Li An sat down in a chair nearby, watching him as if observing a clown. Under such mocking gaze, Li Yang’s earlier excitement gradually subsided.

“The person who hurt you is in the Jiang manor. If you want revenge, tell me exactly what happened at the time, not missing a single word.” Li An said.

Though Li Yang was angry at Li An’s callous attitude, he didn’t dare openly oppose Li An. Moreover, he still needed Li An’s help with his revenge. He carefully recalled what had happened then and slowly told Li An everything.

After he finished, Li An asked: “Did you see clearly what that person looked like?”

Li Yang thought again and shook his head: “I was too drunk at the time and didn’t see clearly. However, that person seemed to be wearing red clothes.”

Red clothes? Li An narrowed his eyes. The person in the Jiang manor who most loved wearing red was none other than Jiang Ruan. Though he was already seventy percent certain that the person who framed others was Jiang Ruan, when Li Yang actually said it, Li An couldn’t help but feel surprised.

She actually dared to—in broad daylight, just separated by a wall—castrate Li Yang and then brazenly frame Jiang Susu.

On the surface it seemed like an impulsive act with no method to the madness, but thinking carefully, this easily stirred up discord between the Li and Jiang families, and even silently damaged the Eighth Prince’s power. It was truly a brilliant scheme that killed two birds with one stone.

No, it should be three birds with one stone—it also conveniently caused trouble for Jiang Susu.

Li An smiled. Truly interesting.

“You know who she is?” Seeing Li An’s expression, Li Yang asked urgently. These days lying in bed in a hazy state, having just awakened, he didn’t know what had actually happened. He only wanted to catch the bitch who had made him into his current state and torture her properly, making her pay for her actions!

“The eldest Miss Jiang framed the second Miss Jiang.” Li An didn’t intend to hide it from him and directly told him the culprit’s name.

The eldest Miss Jiang? Li Yang frowned. When he went to the Jiang manor, he had wanted to see these twin beauties of the Jiang family. That day he had only seen the pure and unparalleled Jiang Susu but hadn’t been able to see what Jiang Ruan looked like. Hearing Li An’s words, Li Yang instinctively said: “This bitch! Why would she do this?”

“She naturally has her calculations. Elder brother just happened to be unlucky, becoming a sacrificial piece in this scheme.” Li An showed no sorrow for his brother’s plight, instead speaking in a completely indifferent tone, making Li Yang feel even more stifled.

“I must kill her!” Li Yang said through gritted teeth: “This bitch, I want her to suffer a fate worse than death!”

“She’s mine.” Li An cut off his words: “You’d better behave yourself.” How could he let Li Yang waste such an interesting prey, such an intelligent woman? He would torment her like toying with a caged beast, gradually pulling out her claws and making her watch helplessly as her loved ones died before her eyes. That face that always smiled gently would surely look beautiful when showing expressions of terror and grief. She would beg for mercy under his hand, tears and snot flowing, and he would bit by bit shatter her straight backbone, making her moan in misery and kiss his feet.

She would be the most exquisite pet, the finest prisoner.

A twisted fanaticism burned in Li An’s eyes. Li Yang, seeing this, couldn’t help but shiver. Li An gave him a contemptuous glance and turned to leave.

Li Yang sat on the bed for a moment. After Li An left, he slowly clenched his fists, showing a trace of resentment on his face. He suddenly thought of something and his expression changed abruptly, then he began laughing.

The servant girl, still bleeding profusely, stood trembling in place, finding Li Yang’s laughter particularly terrifying.

Li Yang suddenly threw off the covers: “Help me up. I need to see father.”

When Jiang Ruan returned to the Jiang manor, she was preparing to return to her own courtyard. Just as she walked to the garden beside the long corridor, she unexpectedly encountered Jiang Susu and Jiang Chao. Jiang Susu was talking with Jiang Chao when she saw Jiang Ruan and smiled: “Elder sister.”

Still pretending! Jiang Ruan looked at her coldly. Her body was already somewhat weary, and she was too lazy to perform the sisterly affection act with her. She didn’t even glance at her and was about to walk forward.

Jiang Susu was stunned, and a trace of grievance immediately flashed in her eyes: “Elder sister, has Susu done something wrong?”

Both Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao showed disdain in their eyes. Jiang Ruan still paid no attention. Because of the flooding in the capital, Jiang Susu had also benefited from this disaster—the trip to the family temple was postponed. These days she had also been extremely well-behaved, acting even more carefully than usual, constantly serving Old Madam Jiang and being cautious before Jiang Quan. Jiang Quan had always doted on this daughter, and seeing Jiang Susu’s appearance, his heart ached even more. His previously firm decision was beginning to waver.

Her indifferent demeanor fell particularly harshly in Jiang Susu’s eyes. She didn’t know why, but though Jiang Ruan had clearly grown up as a village girl in the wilderness, she appeared more noble than her, a young lady of a great family who had been clothed in silk and fed delicacies and taught by the finest teachers. Every time she was before Jiang Ruan, she felt inferior. For Jiang Susu, who had always pursued the highest status, this was the most unbearable thing.

Jiang Chao blocked Jiang Ruan’s path and said grimly: “Is this how you speak to your legitimate younger sister?”

“What kind of speaking is ‘this kind’? What does second brother want to hear?” Jiang Ruan smiled as she looked at him: “Honey-tongued words? Ruanruan has heard plenty of those, but she’s not a chattering parrot and can’t learn to mimic them vividly.”

“You!” Jiang Chao was choked by her sharp words: “Simply arrogant beyond measure!”

Jiang Ruan looked at him, the corners of her mouth still slightly curved with faint mockery. The matter of tearing off facades would happen sooner or later. Moreover, it wasn’t as if maintaining false peace would ensure harmony. Now that the two siblings were no longer as glorious as before, what made them think she was willing to accompany them in tediously performing this act of brotherly friendship and respectful siblings?

“Elder sister, where did brother speak wrongly? If you have any dissatisfaction, take it out on Susu. Don’t be angry with brother.” Jiang Susu came out to mediate, but her words were all provocative.

“Disgusting.” Jiang Ruan said, looking at her.

Previously, Jiang Ruan had always maintained a gentle appearance before them. Even when they privately clashed, she had never spoken so directly. Today she had actually said it outright. Jiang Susu looked up in shock, seeing Jiang Ruan’s undisguised look of loathing—that gaze was like looking at a stinking bug in a putrid ditch.

Jiang Chao could bear no more. Jiang Ruan had repeatedly challenged his bottom line. Jiang Chao suddenly raised his hand to slap down viciously.

However, before he could strike, his entire person flew out like a kite, crashing into a door pillar with a “bang.”

Jiang Xinzhi strode over with an extremely cold expression. He was handsome, but his every movement exuded the iron-blooded temperament of a soldier. As he walked step by step, the surrounding servants didn’t dare say a word, and no one dared help up Jiang Chao, who had been sent flying by Jiang Xinzhi.

Jiang Susu covered her mouth, looking at Jiang Xinzhi in terror.

Jiang Xinzhi walked to Jiang Ruan’s side, and his previously harsh temperament instantly vanished. He gently touched Jiang Ruan’s forehead and said: “Are you alright?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “Elder brother, does your hand hurt?”

This exchange between the two siblings, acting as if no one else existed, nearly made Jiang Chao and the other cough up blood in anger. Jiang Xinzhi walked before Jiang Chao. His steps were very steady. No matter how imposing Jiang Chao was, he was only a scholar and couldn’t compare to Jiang Xinzhi’s strength. A trace of panic appeared on his face, and his body unconsciously tried to retreat.

Seeing Jiang Chao’s appearance, a flash of annoyance crossed Jiang Susu’s eyes. Jiang Chao glared at Jiang Xinzhi: “You actually struck someone!”

“I did hit you. So what?” Jiang Xinzhi’s words were shocking: “Do you want to tattle to father? Jiang Chao, are you a three-year-old child? Quickly have father come save you.”

His mocking tone and the sarcasm in his words immediately made Jiang Chao flush red with shame. The surrounding servants and maids all struggled to suppress their laughter. Jiang Chao stammered: “You’re being disrespectful to your elder…”

“Don’t talk to me with your mouth full of righteousness and morality,” Jiang Xinzhi said: “Just tell me if you’re a man or not. Jiang Chao, today I’m telling you clearly—I hit you. So what? From now on, if you dare lay a hand on A-Ruan again, I’ll beat you every time I see it happen. It’s just that I’m a rough person, unlike you refined people raised in the manor. I don’t know my own strength, and if I’m not careful, someone might die.”

Jiang Xinzhi’s thuggish appearance left the surrounding servants and maids dumbstruck, and Jiang Chao was also incredulous. Jiang Xinzhi had once been the gentle and refined eldest young master of the Jiang family, but where was even a trace of his former self in his current manner? This naked threat was nothing like the former Jiang Xinzhi.

Just like Guan Lianghan. Jiang Ruan smiled as she watched the scene unfold. It seemed that five years of military life had taught Jiang Xinzhi more than just warfare.

Lian Qiao couldn’t help herself and burst out laughing. Jiang Chao’s face turned red and white with embarrassment. But just then, they suddenly heard Jiang Susu cry out: “Father!”

They saw Jiang Quan walking over from the other side of the garden. Seeing Jiang Chao fallen on the ground, his expression darkened: “What happened?”

Jiang Susu stood up, her eyes brimming with tears: “Susu doesn’t know where she angered elder sister. When Susu greeted elder sister, elder sister not only ignored her but spoke rudely. Second brother couldn’t stand it and said a few words to elder sister, but when elder brother returned… he knocked second brother to the ground without a word.”

Jiang Susu looked at Jiang Ruan pitifully: “Elder sister, what did Susu do wrong? Susu will apologize to you, but second brother did nothing wrong. Please don’t let elder brother hurt second brother like this anymore.”

What perfect submission while striking at every vital point!

Jiang Xinzhi stared coldly at the tearful Jiang Susu. Jiang Susu’s skill at distorting facts was truly not mere boasting. With a few words, she had highlighted the key points, painting a vivid picture of the two siblings bullying others with their power.

Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi couldn’t hide the disdain in their eyes. Indeed, as Jiang Xinzhi had said, this pair of siblings only knew how to tattle! Tattle! Tattle! This was truly something only three-year-old children would do!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Quan immediately shouted at Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xinzhi without question: “Unfilial son! Unfilial daughter! Kneel!”

A flash of disappointment crossed Jiang Xinzhi’s eyes. He knew Jiang Quan had never liked the two of them since childhood, but he had thought that since he was a son, perhaps Jiang Quan would be wary because he might block Jiang Chao’s path. Jiang Ruan was just a completely unthreatening girl, yet Jiang Quan still allowed Jiang Chao’s siblings to bully her like this!

So this was how Jiang Ruan had lived all these years!

A flame of anger ignited in Jiang Xinzhi’s eyes as he pulled Jiang Ruan behind him protectively, staring coldly at Jiang Quan.

Seeing this, Jiang Quan raged: “Rebellious! Rebellious!”

Jiang Ruan stepped out from behind Jiang Xinzhi and said: “Father only listens to second sister’s one-sided account. Isn’t this too biased? If it were an ordinary day with only Ruanruan present, such words would be acceptable. But today elder brother is also here. We two siblings and they two siblings—the numbers are equal, and we’re all children of the Jiang family. Why should we have no right to speak?”

She smiled: “Just now it was clearly second sister who spoke rudely to me, and second brother even wanted to slap me. Elder brother acted urgently to stop him, but we didn’t expect that second brother, being a grown man, would have such a delicate constitution and fly out with one touch.” She spoke lightly and cheerfully: “I know second sister was possessed by evil spirits, so perhaps her rude words were the demon’s doing, which is why she was so unreasonable. After all, though Ruanruan is bold, she fears being contaminated by such filthy aura.” Jiang Susu’s body stiffened, and Jiang Ruan looked at Jiang Chao again: “Second brother too—in the future, you must properly exercise your body. After all, you’re the future of the Jiang manor. Being so fragile that you fly away at the slightest touch is truly worrying. But fortunately, you didn’t hurt your little finger—what great luck.”

She stood beside her tall, valiant brother with a gentle smile, making the three people opposite turn pale with anger.