Every day in the palace was leisurely. With Empress Dowager Yi De's support, the palace eunuchs and palace maids were very respectful when they saw Jiang Ruan.
Some of the concubines would occasionally try to get close to Jiang Ruan. Pleasing Jiang Ruan was equivalent to pleasing Empress Dowager Yi De. However, Jiang Ruan's attitude towards them was indifferent. Although gentle, it was not necessarily warm. As time went by, the concubines' hearts grew cold and they simply stopped interacting with Jiang Ruan.
Lu Zhu asked curiously, "Miss, that Beauty Wang seems to be a kind and amiable person. Why was Miss so cold yesterday?"
"It's just that I have a request. If I provoke her, I'm afraid there will be trouble in the future." Jiang Ruan replied.
Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue and no longer said anything. In fact, Jiang Ruan clearly remembered that in her previous life, this Beauty Wang had always stepped on the weak and flattered the strong. On the surface, they were close sisters, but behind her back, she mixed around with Xia Jiaojiao. Not only Beauty Wang, but the Emperor's Three Palaces and Six Courtyards, which one of them was pure? If they were, they would have long become a pile of dirt.
As she sat and drank tea, Empress Dowager Yi De walked in. Seeing Jiang Ruan, she said, "Your father sent an invitation. Ai jia asked about it, and it turns out that your third sister is going to get married."
Jiang Li was going to get married? Jiang Ruan lowered her head and muttered to herself. She finally understood. Her days in the palace had been too comfortable, and she had forgotten that Jiang Li was going to get married.
Seeing Jiang Ruan pondering, Empress Dowager Yi De said, "Jiang San is going to get married, so you naturally have to go back. Ai jia has kept you here for a long time, and I'm afraid that Jiang Quan has also understood. Today, ai jia will have someone send you back. Presumably, Jiang Quan will be able to settle down for a while. "
Empress Dowager Yi De was so powerful that she had naturally investigated the relationship between Jiang Quan and Jiang Ruan. Even if Jiang Ruan had not said anything, she would have supported Jiang Ruan. Now that Jiang Li was going to get married, Jiang Ruan, as the elder sister, had to go back. Jiang Quan would not dare to say anything now.
Jiang Ruan thought about it, then smiled and said, "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother."
Empress Dowager Yi De looked at Jiang Ruan and did not speak. After spending three years with Jiang Ruan, she could clearly see that Jiang Ruan was a transparent person, had a gentle temperament, did things properly, and was much more mature than her peers. But for some reason, he felt that there was a place in her heart that he could not touch. Empress Dowager Yi De knew that Jiang Ruan's birth mother had passed away when she was young, which complemented her feelings of losing a daughter when she was young. She thought that if Princess Yuan Rong had not died and had given birth to a child, he would most likely be as old as Jiang Ruan. Therefore, when facing Jiang Ruan, Empress Dowager Yi De often felt a rare warmth.
When she left the palace and returned to the mansion, she was accompanied by the Empress Dowager's personal maid, Yang Gugu. Yang GuGu was a female official in the palace, so even Jiang Quan had to give her some face. With Jiang Ruan returning to the fu in such a high-profile manner, unexpectedly, no one dared to say anything. The servants of the Jiang fu only quietly discussed in private that Eldest Young Miss's future prospects were becoming more and more promising.
Hong Ying had come to look for Jiang Ruan twice, but it was not as good as the rumors had said. Although Jiang Quan doted on Hong Ying, Hong Ying's birth was too low. Now that she was pregnant, the power to manage the household had fallen into the hands of Second Yiniang. Second Yiniang had never been a person who was easy to deal with. She always made things difficult for Hong Ying. In the long run, the rear courtyard of the Jiang fu became a battlefield for the two women, and Hong Ying did not gain any advantage.
Hong Ying and Jiang Ruan talked for a long time, but Jiang Ruan did not express anything. Hong Ying was displeased, but in the end, she did not say anything. She only smiled and left. After Hong Ying left, Lian Qiao said, "Could it be that Fifth Yiniang wants our Miss to be her backer?"
"What backer?" Bai Zhi frowned, "Miss, it's better not to get involved in these matters."
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Jiang Li's marriage.
Second Yiniang, as the shu daughter of the Minister of Appointments, was married to Jiang Quan as a concubine. The Minister of Appointments was considered a member of the official family in the capital. Jiang Li's marriage was personally managed by Second Yiniang, and it was surprisingly prosperous. The dowry was no less than fifty-five sets. For a shu daughter, it was already very generous, comparable to the di daughter of a small family.
Second Yiniang also truly doted on Jiang Li. Most of the betrothal gifts sent by Zuo Langzhong were given to Jiang Li to carry with her. This time, Jiang Li could be considered to be proud and elated. If she had a tail, it would definitely be raised to the sky.
Because Jiang Li was the bride that day, she had to wear her dowry. It was not appropriate for Jiang Ruan to wear bright red clothes. In the end, she only chose a light pink one. Bai Zhi combed her hair for her, and then she went to see Jiang Li.
Jiang Li's face had been twisted by the bride, and she frowned in pain. When she saw Jiang Ruan enter, she could not help but straighten her spine, and a trace of pride flashed across her face.
Jiang Ruan ordered Tian Zhu to hand over the dowry to Jiang Li's maid. When the maid presented it to Jiang Li, Jiang Li opened it to take a look. Inside was a golden pearl bracelet. The pearls were large and round, and emitted a faint luster. It was a rare and exquisite item. A trace of happiness flashed across Jiang Li's face, but she quickly restrained it. Pretending to be unintentional, she said, "Da Jiejie's bracelet is really not bad. It looks even better than Second Jiejie's bracelet."
Jiang Su Su, who was standing at the side, heard this, and a trace of indignation flashed across her eyes. Today, she had given Jiang Li a jade bracelet. That bracelet was also a rare and exquisite item, but compared to Jiang Ruan's, it was not just a little bit inferior. However, this was already the best she could bring out. Ever since Xia Yan had lost power, whenever she went out, people would point fingers at her. In a fit of anger, Jiang Su Su simply did not go out of the courtyard anymore. However, Jiang Quan no longer sent over precious imported jewellery like he did in the past. The jewellery in the dressing box had not been changed for a long time. Now, looking at the jewellery that Jiang Ruan was wearing from head to toe, even though it was simple, it was obvious that it was not an ordinary item. She immediately cursed in her heart. First, she scolded Jiang Li for not knowing how to appreciate favors. A shu daughter had used shameful means to snatch someone else's marriage. Second, she scolded Jiang Ruan for being an orphan girl in the mountains. Now that she had climbed up the Empress Dowager's high branch, she thought that she had flown up the branch to become a phoenix.
Although the three sisters were sisters in name, in reality, they were not very familiar with each other. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Congratulations, Third Younger Sister."
Jiang Li was extremely proud of herself. Since she was young, she had always been jealous of Jiang Ruan and Jiang Su Su in the fu. Jiang Su Su was fine, because she had Jiang Quan and Jiang Chao to protect her. Now that Xia Yan had lost power, Jiang Li could not wait to see her make a fool of herself. Now, the person who was most displeasing to the eye was Jiang Ruan. Speaking of which, Jiang Ruan had an incompetent mother, yet she still occupied the position of the di daughter. Now, she did not know what kind of luck she had walked into, but she had managed to muddle her way into the position of a junzhu. Every time she thought of this, Jiang Li was extremely jealous. Becoming a doctor's wife or an official's wife was an extremely good thing, but because of Jiang Ruan, Jiang Li felt that she was still inferior to her.
"Da Jiejie is too polite." Jiang Li smiled.
Tian Zhu felt some disdain. This Second Jiang Young Miss was nothing more than a brainless person. Everything was written on her face. It really did not make one have a good impression of her. At this moment, Jiang Dan walked in. The Second Yiniang, who had gone outside to get something, had returned. When she saw Jiang Dan, she immediately became vigilant and stood in front of Jiang Li.
"Dan niang has yet to congratulate Third Jiejie on your wedding." Jiang Dan instructed a servant girl to bring in the additional dowry and smiled, "Congratulations Third Jiejie."
When Jiang Li saw Jiang Dan, she frowned. She naturally knew how this marriage had come about. Now that she saw Jiang Dan, it was as if she was reminding her of something. She sneered and ordered the servant girl to open the box. Clicking her tongue twice, she reached into the box and picked out a plain silver bracelet with nine curved lines. Shaking her head, she said, "Fourth Younger Sister. It's not that I want to criticize you, but this additional dowry of yours is really too shabby. Although we are shu daughters, we are still shu daughters of an official's family. This kind of small plaything, even a poor commoner would disdain to use it. "
In all fairness, the bracelet was indeed not outstanding, but it was also not as bad as Jiang Li had said. To Jiang Dan, it should be one of the better things in her dressing-box. Jiang Dan's words were harsh and malicious, but she herself was not aware of it. The Second Yiniang also followed suit, looking as if she did not care at all. Jiang Dan slightly lowered her head and shivered as she shrank her shoulders. She looked very pitiful.
If it was in the past, Jiang Su Su would have said a few words in order to maintain her fairy-like image. If it had been the Jiang Ruan of her previous life, she would definitely have stood on Jiang Dan's side. However, the situation now was not like it was yesterday. Unexpectedly, no one spoke. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Third Younger Sister, dress up well. I will go out first. Today, you must be the most beautiful bride."
Jiang Li smiled proudly, "Thanks to Da Jiejie's auspicious words, I will naturally be."
Jiang Ruan then took Tian Zhu with her and left.
When they arrived at the outer hall, it was indeed lively and harmonious. The guests and hosts were all in a good mood. Hong Ying, with her big belly protruding, was outside greeting the guests. Even the eldest yiniang, who had not appeared for a long time, came out to help because there was a lack of manpower. The guests said polite words, but it was difficult to conceal the ridicule in their eyes.
Currently, Jiang Quan was the biggest joke in the capital. The guests came to show their support, but behind his back, no one knew what they were talking about. The official wife had been cuckolded by the master, but she could not divorce her wife. The yiniang had come out to greet the guests. This was probably the first time that an official's family in the Great Jin dynasty had such a thing happen.
Jiang Ruan's gaze lightly swept across the crowd, but it stopped on one person.
That person was dressed in silk and satin, which could not conceal his debauchee aura. His eyes shone brightly as he wandered among the women in the guest area, as if he was searching for prey.
Jiang Ruan abruptly turned around, and her voice was a little cold, "Tian Zhu."
"Yes." Tian Zhu was sensitive to Jiang Ruan's mood and asked, "Master?"
"How are your killing skills?" she asked.
"Although I dare not boast, within ten people are enough." Tian Zhu replied.
"Be more vigilant today." Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes. Xuan Xin had also arrived? Very good. She wanted to know who had invited Xuan Xin. Jiang Su Su? Second yiniang? Or was it Jiang Li?
...
The wedding was held at Zuo Langzhong's fu. Jiang Li did not have any brothers, so it was Jiang Chao who carried her onto the bridal sedan. The entire journey was joyous, and everyone in the capital stopped to watch. This wedding could be considered to be a grand one.
After the ceremony, Zuo Langzhong toasted outside, and Jiang Li was sent to the bridal chamber. After the disturbance in the bridal chamber, it was time to toast. Jiang Li's veil had not been removed, but for the first time, her voice had become gentle and soft. After toasting Second yiniang and Jiang Quan's birth father and mother, she toasted her siblings. Jiang Li delicately picked up the wine cup on the tray, "This cup of wine is a toast to my eldest sister. Now that I have married and followed my husband, eldest sister and I are both daughters of the Jiang fu. In the past, we were separated more than we were together. It is truly regrettable. Today, this cup of wine will fulfill our sisterly affection."
As she finished speaking, she placed the wine cup in front of Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan looked at her and smiled faintly, but did not accept the wine she offered.
Jiang Quan's expression changed, but he suppressed the anger in his heart. Jiang Ruan did not even accept her own shu sister's wine. If word got out, how would it look!
Jiang Li's head was covered, and she could not see outside. She could only feel that the wine she had offered had not been accepted, and could not help but feel anxious. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a slightly greasy male voice say, "Why doesn't Hong 'an Junzhu accept her own sister's wine? Is she unwilling? "
That voice was so hedonistic, and there was an ambiguous and unclear meaning in his eyes. Everyone looked towards Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan was dressed in a light pink brocade gown. Today, in order to distinguish herself from the bride, she did not dress as brightly as she usually did. She looked much gentler. At this moment, she was smiling faintly. Her skin was whiter than snow, and it made people feel that she was beautiful and graceful.
Seeing that everyone's gaze was focused on Jiang Ruan, Jiang Su Su clenched her fists. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and reached out to take Jiang Li's wine cup. There was such a rule at wedding banquets in the Great Jin dynasty. The bride's toast had to be accepted, otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the host's family. Only by drinking the toast until there was not a drop left, would it be considered a blessing to the host's family. Therefore, many people who did not touch a drop of wine could not refuse the bride's toast at the wedding banquet.
Especially when it was her shu sister's toast. If she did not accept it, it would be hard to avoid people saying that she was using her status as a Junzhu to bully her shu sister in the fu.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and said, "Second Sister's words have really moved this Junzhu greatly."
Jiang Li's hand trembled slightly. Jiang Dan saw it and lowered her head, pretending not to notice. In the crowd, however, there was a pair of eyes that shone with joy.
Jiang Ruan took the cup, covered her face with her sleeve, and drank the wine in the cup cleanly for everyone to see. After that, she approached Jiang Li and said in a low voice, "Second Sister, everyone can testify that I drank it until there was not a drop left."
Jiang Li also hurriedly drank all the wine. Her voice was tender and sweet, "Da Jiejie really dotes on your younger sister."
"Good! Hong 'an Junzhu really has a great capacity for drinking! " The greasy voice from before appeared again. Xuan Xin walked out from behind the crowd, his eyes fixed on Jiang Ruan, "Hong 'an Junzhu, a heroine." His pair of lustful eyes looked up and down at Jiang Ruan, his gaze making one feel nauseous.
Xuan Xin was extremely happy today. He had coveted this beauty for a long time, but he did not expect that the heavens would help him, giving him the opportunity to take advantage of today. His gaze fell on the two empty wine cups on the tray, and then on Jiang Ruan's body. The skin wrapped under the clothes was definitely as delicious as it looked. Thinking of that wonderful body lying under him, Xuan Xin could not help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, and the gaze he looked at Jiang Ruan became more and more unscrupulous.
Jiang Ruan only needed to look at this person to know the dirty tricks in his heart. She laughed coldly in her heart and said, "I feel a little dizzy, I'm going out to get some fresh air." She then turned around and left the bridal chamber.
Jiang Dan looked thoughtfully at the wine cups on the tray. Suddenly, her lips curled up into a smile, and her eyes flashed with some unknown meaning. Jiang Su Su was left on the spot, but she had always been good at putting on airs. With just a few words, she attracted everyone's gaze towards her.
Jiang Ruan left the bridal chamber and walked outside. Zuo Langzhong's fu could be said to be very big. Moreover, she had never been here in either her previous or current life, but her throat was somewhat tight. Just now, with that cup of wine, she had inadvertently ordered Tian Zhu to drop Jiang Li's wine, but she did not expect that she would still fall for it. Only a little of it had stained her lips, but at this moment, she already felt somewhat powerless.
After thinking about it, there was only one explanation. The two cups of wine on the tray had both been drugged. Even if she had dropped one, the result would still be the same. With such preparations, besides Xuan Xin, who else could it be? And the one who had conspired with Xuan Xin was undoubtedly Jiang Li. Jiang Li had always been stupid and ignorant, but she also fancied herself clever. She thought that everyone in the world was as stupid as she was. What she had done today was really not right, but she had also been used by Xuan Xin. However, Xuan Xin's lust had reached the heavens, and he had actually dared to be so daring in broad daylight!
However, there was still something fishy about today's matter. She did not dare to stay in the bridal chamber for too long, because her head was already starting to feel a little dizzy. However, in this huge Langzhong fu, why was there not a single servant? Just now, it was as if the guests at the banquet had dispersed in an instant, and nothing could be found.
The Langzhong fu was also involved in this matter? Why? Jiang Ruan walked faster and faster, and her sensitive senses told her that there was something different behind her. Tian Zhu vigilantly followed behind her. As an assassin, she was always more sensitive than others. Tian Zhu said, "Master, there is someone in front." She paused, and her expression was rarely serious. "We have been ambushed."
Jiang Ruan sneered. An ambush in the Langzhong fu, and it was aimed at her. Was it necessary for Zuo Langzhong to sacrifice his official career for a lecherous prince? One had to know that if something had really happened, her reputation would have been ruined, but the Empress Dowager would certainly be furious. The people involved would also not be able to escape responsibility. However, it seemed that the Langzhong fu might have been involved in today's matter.
Tian Zhu abruptly pulled open her belt, and underneath it was a silver flexible sword. At the same time, people who looked like imperial bodyguards sprang out from all directions. These imperial bodyguards looked very strange, and did not seem like the imperial bodyguards of Zuo Langzhong's fu.
The leader said, "Kill this servant girl, but do not harm the Junzhu." Before he finished speaking, Tian Zhu had already leaped high into the air. Her body was very light, and in an instant, only a silver light could be seen in the air. The person closest to Tian Zhu leaned to the side, and a bloody wound appeared on his neck. With a bang, he fell to the ground.
Those imperial bodyguards were stunned. They had originally thought that it was just a servant girl who knew some martial arts, and they did not expect that she would be so savage. They had lost one of their brothers the moment they arrived. Naturally, these people did not know that Tian Zhu was originally an assassin. Immediately, a trace of viciousness appeared in their eyes, and without another word, they swarmed towards Tian Zhu.
At this moment, Jiang Ruan was blocked by Tian Zhu, but she could not escape on her own, because the medicine was too overbearing. She frowned slightly. Something was wrong, she must have overlooked something. Today's wedding banquet was clearly a trap set up for her. How could Xuan Xin be so daring, and what did he use to bribe such a powerful official like Zuo Langzhong?
Was this full of guests really something that Xuan Xin could command?
When one of the imperial bodyguards saw that the others were entangled with Tian Zhu, he quietly approached Jiang Ruan. When he was in front of Jiang Ruan, he said in a low voice, "Junzhu, I have offended you." As he finished speaking, he reached out to grab Jiang Ruan's arm.
Jiang Ruan did not dodge, and her expression was surprisingly calm. She looked at the imperial bodyguard and asked, "Are you one of Imperial Consort Chen's people?"
The imperial bodyguard's body stiffened, and a trace of disbelief flashed through his eyes. Before he could speak, in the next second, his body slowly fell to the ground.
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