Jiang Ruan straightened her body to meet the tip of the sword. Her actions were so decisive that even Xuan Li was stunned. The assassin did not expect a strange young girl to appear out of nowhere. His eyes narrowed and he did not show any mercy. The flexible sword in his hand went straight for Jiang Ruan's chest. At this critical moment, a dagger flew out from the side and knocked the flexible sword slightly off course. The sword's aura was obstructed and it did not pierce Jiang Ruan's chest. However, the sword's aura still managed to scratch Jiang Ruan's shoulder and chest. Blood immediately dyed her clothes red.
Jiang Ruan was pushed back by the sword energy and suddenly found that her body was light. Her body had fallen into a wide and cold embrace. The young man's breath blew into her ear, bringing with it the pleasant scent of green bamboo. Xiao Shao protected her in his arms and conveniently snatched the flexible sword from the assassin's hand to block in front of him. He said to the shocked Empress Dowager Yi De, "This place is not suitable to stay for long. Empress Dowager, please leave first."
Jin One and Jin Two suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao handed Jiang Ruan over to Jin One and two secret guards protected Jiang Ruan and Empress Dowager Yi De as they left. Everything that had happened just now fell into Xuan Li's eyes. He originally wanted to save the Empress Dowager but was startled by Jiang Ruan's sudden rush out. Seeing that she was injured, Xiao Shao saved her and left. His heart could not calm down for a long time. It was as if there was a voice in his heart reminding him that it was not like this. It should not have been like this.
Everything that happened tonight was so strange that Xuan Li could not figure out where the strange feeling in his heart came from. And what did the smile that Jiang Ruan showed him when she met the tip of the sword? It seemed to contain an infinite meaning that made one's heart palpitate, but it was impossible to fathom.
Xuan Li was not the only one who saw all this. There was another person in the hall. It was Princess He Yi. When the chaos happened, the guards around her were protecting her, so she was not entangled by the assassin. She wanted to search for the figure of that person in the hall, but when she looked up, she saw Xiao Shao protecting Jiang Ruan in his arms. Immediately, her beautiful little face became somewhat distorted.
What kind of person was Xiao Shao? His temperament was extremely cold. Normally, he did not get close to people, let alone strange women. No matter what, Jiang Ruan was just a female official. There were so many injured female officials here, yet Xiao Shao had saved Jiang Ruan. Moreover, He Yi had clearly seen the nervousness in Xiao Shao's eyes just now. He was truly worried about Jiang Ruan.
He Yi's small face was deathly pale, and she bit her lower lip. Xiao Shao was just a beautiful and aloof youth, and she had fallen in love with him the first time she saw him. Unfortunately, no matter how he expressed it, Xiao Shao remained unmoved like a stone man. Today, Jiang Ruan's appearance was too splendid, and she had also gained the favor of Empress Dowager Yi De, which had already made her unhappy. At this moment, seeing Xiao Shao so protective of her, her heart was driven mad with jealousy. She could not wait for Jiang Ruan to immediately die under a flurry of blades.
The guards outside the palace all rushed in, and most of the assassins were also taken care of. After all of them were subdued, Xiao Shao put away his dagger and coldly said, "Leave them alive and find out who the master is."
The hall was a mess of cups and plates, and the cries of the wounded were endless. There were also the cries of innocent family members who had died a violent death. No one had expected that such a sudden change would occur today. A palace banquet had suddenly become a slaughterhouse. People from the palace came to help clean up the corpses, and the nearest imperial physician hurried over to treat the patients.
Guan Liang Han breathed a sigh of relief and patted Jiang Xin Zhi's shoulder, saying, "Brat, you adapted well today. You didn't panic in the face of danger, and you somewhat resemble this general in the past."
However, Jiang Xin Zhi's mind was completely elsewhere. He frowned as he looked at the hall, but he did not see Jiang Ruan's figure. His heart was burning with anxiety. After thinking for a while, he walked up to Xiao Shao and said, "Xiao Wangye, have you seen my younger sister?"
…
Jiang Ruan was escorted by secret guards all the way back to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful with Empress Dowager Yi De. Although the knife wound was not deep, it was very long. Due to the excessive loss of blood, her originally snow-white face now had no trace of color, and her rosy lips had become extremely transparent. When Empress Dowager Yi De saw her appearance, she anxiously ordered someone to summon the best imperial physician in the palace, and ordered a palace maid to help Jiang Ruan onto her own bed.
In the end, Jiang Ruan had not lost consciousness. When she saw this in a daze, she tried to open her eyes and get down. With great effort, she said, "Your Highness, Empress Dowager, this official's daughter's status is lowly …"
"This matter is urgent," Empress Dowager Yi De quickly said, "You have done a meritorious deed by saving aijia, so aijia will let you sleep on my bed."
Jiang Ruan still wanted to speak, but her complexion became increasingly pale. Her voice was hoarse, and she seemed to be extremely exhausted. She slightly turned her face to the side, and she did not even have the strength to speak.
When Empress Dowager Yi De saw this, her face sank, and she angrily said, "Why is the imperial physician not here yet? If he doesn't come, aijia will chop off his head! "
When the Gu beside Empress Dowager Yi De saw this, she was also surprised. Empress Dowager Yi De's temperament had been very cold these years, but today, for this unfamiliar young girl, she repeatedly showed abnormal emotions. It was really somewhat strange.
The highly respected imperial physician in the palace quickly rushed over. When he heard that it was Empress Dowager Yi De's imperial decree, he was still very puzzled, but when he saw the unfamiliar young girl lying on the Empress Dowager's bed, he became even more suspicious. This young girl was very unfamiliar, and she was not related to Princess Yi, so why was Empress Dowager Yi De so nervous? Could it be that she had a close relationship with Empress Dowager Yi De?
Although he was puzzled, the imperial physician did not say much. He only took Jiang Ruan's pulse before he got up and said, "This young lady has just lost too much blood. Although she has been wounded, fortunately, the wound is not deep. If it had been deeper, or a little more to the side, I'm afraid it would have been dangerous."
Empress Dowager Yi De breathed a sigh of relief, and the imperial physician said again, "I will write two prescriptions, feed this young lady the medicine, and bandage her wound. For the next few days, pay attention to avoid food, otherwise, it will not be conducive to the recovery of the wound. "
"According to the imperial physician, will there be a scar in the future?" Empress Dowager Yi De frowned. The knife wound was from the shoulder to the chest. After all, she was an unmarried daughter. If there was a scar, it would more or less affect her marriage in the future. Jiang Ruan's skin was as white as snow, and for a scar to appear out of nowhere, it was a pity. In addition, her behavior today was similar to that of Princess Yuan Rong, so Empress Dowager Yi De's question was somewhat sincere.
The imperial physician wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Replying to Empress Dowager, if she recuperates well, perhaps there will not be a scar."
This meant that there might still be a scar. Empress Dowager Yi De's eyes darkened, and her tone suddenly became sharp, "I understand. Go out and bring someone to get the medicine."
Only then did the imperial physician carry his medicine box and leave the hall with the palace maids.
Empress Dowager Yi De looked at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan was lying on the bed, her beautiful eyes slightly closed, and her lips were as pale as her skin. It seemed that she was trying her best to endure the pain, but she did not frown. Instead, she still looked at her with a smile, as if she was comforting her. Compared to her calm charm in the main hall, at this moment, she had taken off her outer clothes and appeared young and immature, with an even more delicate and pitiful style. In particular, the smile on her lips was so sensible that it made one's heart ache. Empress Dowager Yi De suddenly thought of Princess Yuan Rong. Every time the precocious and sensible Princess Yuan Rong fell sick, in order to prevent her from worrying, she never frowned and only smiled at her.
Empress Dowager Yi De's heart softened, and her tone also softened, "Why did you block that knife for ai jia?"
Jiang Ruan smiled shyly and said softly, "I don't know why, but when I saw Empress Dowager, I felt a sense of familiarity in my heart, as if … as if I had seen you somewhere before. Just now, I didn't think too much about it, and I don't know what happened."
She did not say anything dignified and righteous, but the words "as if I had seen you somewhere before" caused Empress Dowager Yi De's expression to change again. The thought in her heart grew stronger and stronger. She slowly said, "You have performed a meritorious deed in saving the Emperor, ai jia will not let you suffer this knife in vain."
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and said, "Empress Dowager, can you send someone to inform Eldest Brother? If he can't find me, he will certainly be anxious."
"There is no need to be anxious, ai jia has already sent someone to inform him." Empress Dowager Yi De frowned slightly. Jiang Ruan only said to inform Jiang Xin Zhi, but did not mention Jiang Quan and Xia Yan. Whenever something like this happened, an ordinary girl would seek out her father. Why was she so single-mindedly looking for Jiang Xin Zhi, and did not even mention Jiang Quan? Previously, she knew that the two di siblings of the Jiang family had a very good relationship, but now it seemed that there was more to it than meets the eye. Just now, in the palace hall, when Jiang Ruan's marriage was discussed, Jiang Quan did not have much of a reaction. How was he like a father?
Empress Dowager Yi De's armor lightly scraped the edge of the bed, and the ruby emitted a blood-red luster.
Jiang Ruan closed her eyes, and the corners of her lips slightly curled up. Some things did not need to be said too clearly, especially for smart people. Just give a few words of advice, and don't go too far. The rest, let Jiang Quan deal with it himself.
She had long known that there would be an assassination attempt today. In her previous life, the Emperor had also held a palace banquet after the flood. Halfway through the banquet, an assassin had sneaked in. It was Xuan Li who had saved Empress Dowager Yi De's life. Xuan Li had blocked the sword with his own body, and had been seriously injured. At that time, the assassin had not been identified, and all the princes of the Emperor were suspected by the Emperor. The palace had been purged overnight, and even the Crown Prince, who had not been present that day because he was unwell, had been implicated. Only the Eighth Prince, Xuan Li, had escaped unscathed. After all, he had to put on a show, and being seriously injured was too much.
Because of this, Xuan Li had gained the favor of Empress Dowager Yi De, and because of this, the Emperor had also trusted him. In her previous life, after entering the palace, Jiang Ruan had learned of this matter from the idle chatter of the people in the palace. At that time, she had been very worried about Xuan Li's description of the scene. Now that she thought about it, there was no lack of doubtful points. As for blocking the sword for Empress Dowager Yi De, that was nothing more than a joke. If Xuan Li was really a loyal and affectionate person like the rumors said, he would not have personally killed his own Imperial Father. Everyone thought that Xuan Li would not have been so ruthless towards her. In fact, Jiang Ruan knew better than anyone that Xuan Li was a person who kept a low profile and was especially ruthless towards her.
In this life, she had ruined his plan. Empress Dowager Yi De must be saved, but the one who saved her might not be Xuan Li! Just now, Jiang Ruan had staked everything on one throw. Today, she had been thinking of deliberately pretending to look like Princess Yuan Rong, and then thinking of a way to save Empress Dowager Yi De's life. Since she had performed a meritorious deed in saving the Emperor, the palace would certainly reward her, although she didn't know what it would be. However, it was enough to deter the Eighth Prince and the Xia Clan from acting rashly for the time being.
It was not until she entered the palace that she found out that Xuan Li planned to marry her. This was something she did not expect and had never happened in her previous life. Now that she had saved the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager's feelings towards her would inevitably rise to another level. At this time, even if Imperial Consort Chen still wanted to use some method to force the Empress Dowager to relent, the Emperor's bestowal of marriage would be impossible. As long as she showed a trace of unwillingness, Empress Dowager Yi De would not agree to the marriage. Because now, Empress Dowager Yi De must have already regarded her as half a Princess Yuan Rong.
Moreover, she had done a meritorious deed in saving the Emperor. Henceforth, Imperial Consort Chen couldn't say that this was a good thing for her.
However, this was not a matter of absolute profit. Thinking about the danger just now, there was still some lingering fear in her heart. Although she had cut off all means of retreat, she had not expected that the assassin's sword would be so menacing. It was no wonder that Xuan Li had been seriously injured in her previous life. Today, if Xiao Shao had not used his dagger to deflect the assassin's soft sword, she would not have been as relaxed as she was now. She was not afraid of death, but she could not die before her revenge was complete.
She owed him a favour.
Jiang Ruan slowly closed her eyes. In short, today's situation was much better than she had expected.
…
When Jiang Xin Zhi and the Zhao family received the news that Jiang Ruan had been sent to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful for treatment, they were stunned for a moment. Empress Dowager Yi De was usually condescending, and today was only the first time she had seen Jiang Ruan. Now that she had personally asked her to stay in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, it showed that in her heart, Jiang Ruan was not simply the di daughter of an ordinary official.
Jiang Quan and Xia Yan were waiting outside. In her heart, Jiang Su Su could not wait to hear the news of Jiang Ruan's death, but when she heard that Empress Dowager Yi De had summoned an imperial physician to treat Jiang Ruan, this honor could be seen at a glance. She could not help but clench her hands into fists, and a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.
Jiang Quan's expression was complicated. Today, Jiang Ruan had done a meritorious service in rescuing the emperor, and this credit would eventually be given to the Jiang fu. Unfortunately, it was Jiang Ruan. In recent days, Jiang Ruan had repeatedly shone with extraordinary splendor, unexpectedly overshadowing Jiang Su Su's brilliance. In his heart, he did not regard Jiang Ruan as his own flesh and blood. Jiang Ruan was indeed outstanding, and the more she blocked Jiang Su Su's path, the more dissatisfied he became. Now that Jiang Ruan had done this, it was inevitable that she would be a head above Jiang Su Su. He wholeheartedly wanted to pave the way for Jiang Su Su, and Jiang Ruan's way of doing things was really — intolerable!
As he thought this, there was not the slightest trace of worry on Jiang Quan's face. There was only calmness and a trace of disgust. He only said to the young eunuch who had come to report, "This official sincerely thanks the Empress Dowager for her good intentions, but my daughter is impulsive and cannot bear this kindness. I would like to trouble eunuch to return and report to the Empress Dowager to allow this official to bring my daughter back to the fu."
When Xia Yan heard Jiang Quan's words, a trace of pride flashed in her eyes. At first, the young eunuch was also astonished. It was true that his daughter was injured. If it was an ordinary father, he would at least ask about the injury. Yet, this person had opened his mouth and wanted to bring her back. The young eunuch was also a shrewd person who had gone through many trials and tribulations in the palace. With one glance, he could tell that there was only disgust and no warmth in Jiang Quan's eyes. Thinking of Empress Dowager Yi De's special treatment of Eldest Jiang Miss, the young eunuch waved his horsetail whisk and said, "This zajia does not dare to accept this. Eldest Jiang Miss is treated by an imperial physician in the palace. Even if she were to be brought back to the Jiang fu, I'm afraid she would not be able to find such a brilliant physician. Moreover, this is the Empress Dowager's imperial decree. This zajia is only a servant who conveys the message. If Jiang daren has anything to say, it would be better for him to personally go to the Empress Dowager and say it. "
This kind of savage attitude, whether intentionally or unintentionally, was a form of suppression. Unfortunately, the servants in the palace could not be offended. In the palace, Jiang Quan had always been known as a noble and virtuous person. How could he be ridiculed like this? Immediately, his face flushed red and he could not say a word. The young eunuch looked at Xia Yan contemptuously and snorted disdainfully in his heart. He really did not know how these two people in the Jiang family had given birth to such a penetrating young miss like Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Xin Zhi could not see Jiang Ruan's injury with his own eyes. Although he knew that there was an imperial physician treating her, his heart was still anxious and fearful. He did not know why Jiang Ruan would block the sword for Empress Dowager Yi De, and he somewhat blamed her in his heart. Although it was disgraceful, even if the Emperor's life was hanging by a thread, he still did not want Jiang Ruan to take this risk.
The young eunuch was about to leave after replying, but just as he reached the door, he bumped into Xiao Shao. He hurriedly bowed to Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao waved his hand, took out a small blue porcelain bottle from his bosom, and threw it at him. He simply said, "Jade facial ointment."
Jade facial ointment was a good thing that even the imperial concubines in the palace rarely had access to. This small bottle was worth a thousand taels of gold, and it could remove scars on a woman's body. Although Xiao Shao did not say for whom, the young eunuch understood that the target should be Jiang Ruan, who was lying in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Although he was suspicious of the relationship between Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan, he still smiled fawningly and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness, zajia will definitely bring it."
Xiao Shao glanced at him indifferently, turned around, and left the palace hall.
…
That night in the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, Jiang Ruan slept surprisingly well.
When she woke up, two beautiful palace maids were busily helping her change her clothes. Jiang Ruan moved her body, and surprisingly, the wound on her chest did not hurt. One of the palace maids smiled and said, "Miss has woken up. The wound is not deep, it will be fine after a good bandage." She then explained in a low voice, "Previously, the imperial physician wanted to leave a scar. Fortunately, Xiao Wangye sent the Jade facial ointment, so there is no need to worry, there will not be a scar left." There was a trace of envy in her tone.
Jiang Ruan looked at her appearance and was startled. Xiao Shao sent the Jade facial ointment? She pressed the center of her forehead. The favor she owed him was getting bigger and bigger.
Since her rebirth, when she used people, she would certainly give them an equivalent reward. For example, supporting Liu Min was also for the sake of being useful in the future. Asking Gu Yi for help was also to take advantage of Gu Yi's love for beauty. Yet, Xiao Shao had helped her time and time again. Even if it was to repay a debt of gratitude, what he was giving now was likely to have already been repaid in full. Xiao Shao had helped her so frankly, but she did not know how to repay him.
After thinking for a while, she simply put this matter aside. She asked the palace maid, "Who was injured last night?"
The palace maid reported a long list of names. Hearing this, Jiang Ruan breathed a sigh of relief. She did not recognize anyone. If she had to say who was injured, it would be that Jiang Dan had fallen into the arms of the current court's Zuo Lang Zhong in a panic last night. Zuo Lang Zhong was young and promising, but in the chaos last night, Jiang Dan's clothes had been torn. At that time, Zuo Lang Zhong saw that Jiang Dan was a delicate and weak girl, and her crying made his heart soften. Thus, he promised to take responsibility for her after this incident.
The palace maid said, "I'm afraid that Fourth Miss's wedding will also be decided soon."
Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows. This seemingly weak and timid Fourth Sister made her have a whole new level of respect for her. In such a chaotic situation last night, it was hard for her to still have the mind to think about this. If she was not careful, she would lose her life, yet she still dared to do so. However, Jiang Dan's luck was good. She had won the gamble, hadn't she?
Seeing that Jiang Ruan was lost in thought, the palace maid said, "Deputy General Jiang saw you, then left in a hurry due to some matters. The Empress Dowager should be back soon. When Miss was unconscious, the Deputy General and the Empress Dowager were very worried. "
Jiang Ruan thought for a while, "What about my father, mother, and younger sister?"
"The Empress Dowager has already ordered them to return to the fu." The palace maid replied.
Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes. The Empress Dowager had ordered Jiang Quan and the others to return to the palace. Didn't that mean that she already disliked Jiang Quan? Looking at it this way, it was very good. She smiled slightly and looked at the palace maid apologetically, "I'm a little hungry."
"The meal has already been laid out. This servant will serve Miss your meal now." The palace maid smiled.
… …
In the Imperial Study, the Emperor fiercely smashed the paperweight on the table onto the floor, "So, it was the people of Tian Jin last night?"
Guan Liang Han and Xiao Shao tacitly agreed.
Tian Jin was located to the north of the Great Jin Dynasty. Its territory was not vast, but because it was near the sea, its business across the sea was excellent. It had always maintained a non-aggression relationship with the Great Jin Dynasty. It wasn't that the Jin Dynasty had never thought of annexing Tian Jin, but although Tian Jin's territory was small, its steel smelting was outstanding, and the weapons its soldiers wore were of much better quality than those of the Great Jin Dynasty. The late Emperor had once tried to attack Tian Jin, but Tian Jin had resisted the Jin Dynasty's 400,000 troops. The war dragged on for a whole year until the Jin Dynasty was short of troops and the common people had no way of making a living because of the excessive taxes. The late Emperor realized that this was a lose-lose situation and ordered the withdrawal of his troops. From then on, they only guarded against invasions and lived in harmony.
However, last night, Xiao Shao and Guan Liang Han had interrogated them overnight. Although these suicide soldiers had been very firm, their words had revealed that something was wrong. Xiao Shao had ordered the Brocade Guards to investigate, and they had discovered that these assassins were all people of Tian Jin.
"A tiny place like this dares to be so impudent!" The Emperor was furious.
Last night, the assassins' every move had been aimed at the Emperor, but in the end, they had carried out a massacre in the palace hall, causing panic among the officials. Disrupting the court like this was a provocation. What did Tian Jin mean? Did they want to declare war on the Jin Dynasty?
"Tian Jin has been stirring up trouble at the border for the past few years." Xiao Shao reminded him, "This assassination could very well be a signal."
"A signal to declare war?" Guan Liang Han asked.
"Do you think I'm afraid of them?" No Emperor could tolerate such an impudent provocation. The dignity of an Emperor could not be trampled on, not to mention this was a matter of national security. He frowned, "General Guan, are you willing to lead the troops to attack Tian Jin?"
Guan Liang Han smiled, "I'd be delighted."
He had never wanted to stay in this nuisance of the capital, facing these genteel people every day. This year, after winning the war and returning to the capital, the Emperor had told him to stay in the capital for the rest of his life. He was already very unhappy. Soldiers were born for the battlefield, especially Guan Liang Han. Only on the battlefield could he display his full potential.
The Emperor thought for a moment, "Take your deputy general with you. If he is a natural born general and returns victorious, I will reward him handsomely! "
Guan Liang Han's expression turned solemn. The Emperor's words had really given Jiang Xin Zhi space to display his abilities. He had originally thought that since Jiang Xin Zhi had rejected Imperial Consort Chen's request, the Emperor would more or less have a prejudice against him. Now that Jiang Xin Zhi and his sister had just reunited, he had given Jiang Xin Zhi another opportunity to go to war. If he shone brilliantly in this campaign, then the Great Jin Dynasty would have another young hero, and Jiang Xin Zhi would be able to truly establish a firm foothold in the court.
It was just that he did not know whether that maniac who loved his sister would be willing to leave Jiang Ruan.
The Emperor continued, "Last night, there were so many assassins in the palace. Could it be that the guards were all dead?" He looked at Xiao Shao, "Ah Shao, bring out your Embroidered Uniform Guards."
This meant that a great purge was about to be carried out. The assassins of Tian Jin had entered the palace as if there was no one there. This meant that there was already a mole in the palace. Although the identity of the mole was not known, as long as the mole was not removed, it would be like a malignant tumor growing on the Emperor's heart.
Xiao Shao nodded slightly, "Yes."
Guan Liang Han sighed in his heart. In this palace, there was bound to be another reign of terror.
After the two of them had finished discussing other matters with the Emperor, they left the Imperial Study and saw a beautiful young girl standing outside. She was dressed in a golden muslin skirt, her clothing was gorgeous and exquisite. Her meticulously made-up face was extremely beautiful and had a faint exotic aura. She leisurely walked over and smiled at Xiao Shao, "Xiao Wangye." It was Princess He Yi.
Guan Liang Han winked at Xiao Shao and left with large strides.
Xiao Shao looked down at He Yi indifferently, his gaze unexpectedly without the slightest bit of warmth. Princess He Yi's heart skipped a beat when she saw his cold gaze, and she unexpectedly felt a little timid. However, when she thought of last night's events, her gaze revealed traces of resentment. She raised her head and looked straight at Xiao Shao's handsome and cold face, "What relationship does Xiao Wangye have with Eldest Jiang Miss?"
This question was baffling, and Xiao Shao did not know what she meant. He frowned and coldly said, "What does this have to do with Princess?"
Princess He Yi's eyes reddened as she felt a chill run down her spine at his cold words. Aggrieved, she said, "You clearly know that I like you."
"Princess, be careful with your words." Xiao Shao's gaze suddenly turned cold. "I, Xiao, have no other intentions towards Princess."
"What about Jiang Ruan?" Princess He Yi could not help but ask sharply, "Do you like her?"
Xiao Shao's frown deepened, as if he could not understand her words. However, there were more important matters at hand, so he only glanced coldly at Princess He Yi and turned to leave. In Princess He Yi's eyes, this action was a tacit agreement. She was startled for a moment, then suddenly covered her face and burst into tears.
…
After Jiang Ruan had her breakfast, Empress Dowager Yi De returned to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Seeing her like this, she asked, "Is your body better?"
Jiang Ruan smiled. "Replying to Empress Dowager, I am much better."
Empress Dowager Yi De looked her up and down and saw that her spirit was indeed much better than yesterday. Feeling relieved, she sat down on the soft couch. Next to her, her personal palace maid brought her a cup of tea. Empress Dowager Yi De took the tea and took a sip, quietly sizing Jiang Ruan up.
The young girl in front of her was obedient and clean. Although her appearance was charming, her eyes were clear and free of impurities. The rarest thing was her unperturbed composure, which made her beauty lose its frivolity and become steady and noble.
She asked in a seemingly careless manner, "Did Jiang Quan not treat you well?"
Jiang Ruan seemed to be taken aback by this question. After thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "Not really. It's just that this official's daughter was raised in the rural residence. Since childhood, I have not been very close to father."
She did not complain, nor did she lie and say that Jiang Quan treated her very well. What she stated was the truth, but her words were to absolve Jiang Quan. What she said was very appropriate.
Empress Dowager Yi De's lips curled into a faint smile. "Since you are not close, then presumably you will not be sad to part."
This time, Jiang Ruan was really stunned and looked at her doubtfully.
Empress Dowager Yi De looked at the ruby on her armor and said, "Jiang family's girl, aijia is going to the imperial ancestral temple next to the Imperial mausoleum to stay for three years. Are you willing to go with me?"
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