The days passed by peacefully, as if unaffected. In the blink of an eye, it was the end of summer, and the weather was slightly cooler than it had been previously. The complicated matters of the past slowly settled down, and the death of the Old Jiang Madame seemed to be gradually forgotten.
In Jinying Wang fu, the snow pigeon fluttered in through the window and landed on the boxwood desk in the room. Its wings accidentally stained the ink on the inkstone, and its snow-white feathers immediately emitted a faint scent of ink.
Xiao Shao lifted the snow pigeon from the edge of the inkstone and placed it in his palm. The snow pigeon's snow-white head tilted to look at him, its black bean-like eyes sensitive and intelligent. Xiao Shao patted the snow pigeon's head and untied the copper strip that was tied to its leg.
The note in the copper strip was not long, and there was only a small line of handwriting on it. After Xiao Shao finished reading the note, he slowly frowned.
After a while, he burned the note on an oil lamp and ordered, "Prepare the horse, I want to leave the capital."
"Master..." Jin Yi was somewhat hesitant.
"Call Ye Feng out. There is no need to go to Yi Bao Pavilion. Go to Hundred Zhang Tau and find Qi Si."
Jin Yi's expression turned cold as he said, "Yes."
...
In Ruan Ju, Tian Zhu lifted the curtain and said, "Miss, the carriage is ready."
Lu Zhu grabbed a small basket of snacks on the table and said with a smile, "It will be good to eat some on the way."
A few days ago, they had received an invitation from Dong Furen. It was signed by Dong Yinger, but the person who had invited Jiang Ruan was Dong Furen. Ever since the Old Jiang Madame had passed away, in order to observe mourning, Jiang Ruan had stayed in the courtyard for a long time and had not gone out. Speaking of Dong Yinger, they had not seen her for a long time. Suddenly receiving an invitation from the Dong family, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were somewhat surprised.
Thus, they had Tian Zhu prepare the carriage and went out to the Dong fu.
When they went out, they happened to run into Jiang Dan and Hong Ying talking. Hong Ying's belly was becoming more and more obvious, and it was likely that she would give birth in a few days. Now that Jiang Quan had handed over the fu's affairs to Hong Ying, Xia Yan had not been released, and the original Second Yiniang had long passed away, Hong Ying was the sole ruler of the Jiang fu. She had the air of the mistress of the household.
Dewdrop's eyes flashed. She did not know if Hong Ying was trying to please both sides. Other than Jiang Su Su, she was always amiable towards Jiang Dan, and the two of them had a very good relationship. On the surface, Jiang Dan did not seem to have done anything, but Lu Zhu had followed Jiang Ruan for so long that she could naturally see some tricks. That Jiang Dan was not as harmless as she appeared on the surface. By doing this, wasn't Hong Ying slapping Jiang Ruan's face? Or did Hong Ying think that by pleasing Jiang Dan, she would be able to curry favor with the imperial concubines in the palace in the future?
Although she still had a sweet smile on her face, her eyes could not hide her indignation. Jiang Dan saw them first and greeted them with a smile, "Big sister."
Jiang Ruan nodded, "Fourth Sister, Yiniang."
Hong Ying supported her stomach with one hand. Her face did not have the slightest trace of the haggard and sloppiness she had after becoming pregnant. On the contrary, she was even more radiant. Compared to before, she seemed to be even more amorous and charming. Her skin was even more smooth like jade, and the clothes and jewellery she wore were all of the best quality. It was obvious that she had gained Jiang Quan's favor. When she saw Jiang Ruan, she smiled and asked, "Where is Eldest Miss going?"
"Miss Dong invited me to her house for a small gathering."
Jiang Dan laughed, "Big sister, you are really enviable."
"In the future, you will also be able to have many sisters. What is there to be envious about?" Hong Ying joked.
"Yiniang is teasing me." Jiang Dan lowered her head somewhat shyly.
Jiang Ruan looked at the harmonious scene in front of her. The concubines and shu daughters in this fu got along very well. Presumably, Hong Ying's actions were related to Jiang Quan's instructions. A trace of coldness flashed in her eyes, but when she raised her head again, her smile was still like a flower, "Since this is the case, I will not disturb Yiniang and Fourth Sister's chat. I will take my leave first."
"Take care, Big sister." Jiang Dan smiled kindly. If one did not know better, they would probably think that these two were biological sisters.
When they left the fu and boarded the carriage, Lu Zhu finally could not help but say, "What does Fifth Yiniang mean? It seems that she is more intimate with Fourth Miss than with Young Miss."
Jiang Ruan lightly shook her head, "Fifth Yiniang is an intelligent person. Naturally, she understands that she will not get any benefits from me." Her temperament was cold. Previously, because of Xia Yan and Second Yiniang, she was considered to be on the same side as Hong Ying. With Xia Yan and Second Yiniang gone, Hong Ying was no longer a threat in the fu. She only needed to curry favor with Jiang Quan. Secondly, Jiang Quan had never liked her. If Hong Ying was intimate with her, she would lose Jiang Quan's favor.
"This is too much of a case of changing the rudder according to the wind." Lu Zhu thought about it and finally shook her head.
"People's hearts are fickle. There is no need to look forward to it." Jiang Ruan closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage wall to rest.
Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue and no longer spoke. On the other hand, Tian Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan thoughtfully. The longer she followed this master, the deeper Tian Zhu's doubts about Jiang Ruan. She did not understand where Jiang Ruan's innate coldness came from. In some matters, she was even more ruthless than an assassin. In the Brocade Guard, Tian Zhu could be considered to have seen all kinds of people, but she had never seen such a virtuous and virtuous girl.
Moreover, the words that Jiang Ruan had said before Second Yiniang's death were deeply imprinted in Tian Zhu's heart.
Jiang Ruan had said that the Jiang fu owed her a life debt, and that she would collect it back one by one. However, from the beginning to the end, the only member of her family who had died in the Jiang fu was Zhao Mei. How could there be a life debt?
Tian Zhu felt that Jiang Ruan's heart was hiding a very deep secret, a secret that even the few servant girls who were very close to her were completely unaware of. She thought that perhaps she should find an opportunity to properly report these matters to the Young Master.
…
In the Governor's fu.
Dong Yinger was leaning on the soft couch. Rather than saying leaning, it would be better to say that she had no strength left. Her whole body was limp on the couch. Compared to the thin and sallow appearance of a few days ago, she seemed to have put on some weight these days. However, her face was filled with deep sorrow. She did not look like a carefree young girl at all.
The servant girl, Hong 'er, stepped forward and placed a bowl of brown sugar lotus seed porridge on the couch. She respectfully said, "Miss, have some porridge."
"I don't want to eat." Dong Yinger timidly turned her head away.
"Even if you don't want to eat, you still have to eat." A cold and hard voice sounded. It was the Governor of the Capital, Dong daren. However, his expression was very grave and stern as he stiffly said, "Put away your unrealistic thoughts. The portrait has already been sent to the palace. In a few days, when the people from the palace arrive, you will obediently enter the palace."
"Father," Dong Yinger's voice was soft, but her tone was firm. "Ying 'er will never enter the palace."
"Not enter the palace? Then you and your mother will go to the Chang family to apologize and enter the Chang family's door! "Dong daren said angrily.
"Ying 'er will only marry one person in this life, and that is Great General Jiang Xin Zhi!"
As soon as these words came out, Dong daren's anger was difficult to quell. He immediately raised a hand towards Dong Yinger. Dong Yinger fearlessly looked at him. In the end, he could not bear to do so, so Dong daren did not strike her. He only angrily said, "Foolish! I see that you are still not sober. Lock yourself up for a few more days! "
After he finished speaking, he angrily flicked his sleeves and left.
After Dong daren left, Dong Yinger seemed to have exhausted all the strength in her body. She collapsed on the soft couch and sobbed. Dong daren had always doted on her, but now, he had locked her up in her room and placed her under house arrest. Every day, he ordered people to take good care of her with good food and drinks. She had originally thought that she had a good father and sympathized with Jiang Ruan's misfortune. But now, it seemed that her father was no different from Jiang Ruan's father. They were both ruthless!
In the outer hall, Jiang Ruan got off the carriage and was welcomed in by the servants of the Dong fu. Jiang Ruan had been to the Capital Governor's fu a few times, so the servants were familiar with her. When they led her into the main hall, Dong furen was sitting on her seat in a daze. Seeing her enter, she hurriedly got up and greeted, "Junzhu."
"Furen can call me Ruan niang." Jiang Ruan smiled.
Dong furen smiled apologetically and said, "Ruan niang, actually, I sent that invitation in Ying 'er's name. You … don't blame me, right?"
"Furen must be joking," Jiang Ruan smiled, "But what happened to Ying 'er jiejie?"
Dong furen's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Jiang Ruan and met her gentle and smiling eyes. Those eyes seemed to have a magical power that made people feel at ease and trust. She felt slightly relieved and sighed, "I'm not afraid that Junzhu will laugh at me. Ying 'er, this girl, has never made me worry before. She's also sensible at an early age. Perhaps Ruan niang has heard that Ying 'er was engaged to the Third Young Master of the Chang family in her early years, but … Alas, at this critical juncture, she had someone she liked. She went to talk to the Third Young Master of the Chang family and broke off the engagement with the Chang family. "
Seeing that Jiang Ruan did not reveal a look of disdain, she boldly continued, "Even if such a thing happened in our fu, it would not be tolerated. The Chang family is the same. After the engagement was broken off, this matter spread. At Ying 'er's age, she was already at the age of marriage. With such a ruckus, even some families who wanted to marry Ying' er gave up on the idea. Seeing that Ying 'er would be at the mercy of others in the fu, Master, in a fit of anger, had someone draw a portrait of Ying' er and send it to the consort selection. "
"Ying 'er jiejie was unwilling?" Jiang Ruan asked.
"Of course not." Dong furen's expression became even more worried, "When Ying 'er found out about this, she had a big fight with Master. Master has always been stubborn, and he also got mixed up with his own daughter. He locked Ying' er in her room and ordered the maidservants to watch her eat every day. He said that if she used her body as a threat, he would kill all the maidservants in her room. Ying 'er had no choice. She did eat every day, but she looked more and more worried. " She said to Jiang Ruan, "Good child, I know that you and Ying 'er have a good relationship. Ying' er will always listen to some of your words. You should let her dispel those unrealistic thoughts and stop her from being so obsessed. "
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "Naturally. Ruan niang, may I ask, who is Ying 'er jiejie's sweetheart?"
As soon as these words came out, Dong furen's expression changed. She lowered her head as if she could not bear it. She did not dare to look at Jiang Ruan's expression for a long time. After a moment, she squeezed out a few words with difficulty, "It's Junzhu's eldest brother … Deputy General Jiang."
…
The maidservant opened the curtain and Dong Ying 'er impatiently said, "Go out, I want to be alone."
"Miss, Hong 'an Junzhu has come to see you." The maidservant whispered and nodded to Jiang Ruan behind her. Jiang Ruan motioned for the maidservant to leave. The maidservant closed the door and left.
Dong Ying 'er was originally lying on the soft couch. When she heard the maidservant's words, she was also stunned. It seemed that she could not understand the' Hong 'an Junzhu' that the maidservant had mentioned. After a moment, she reacted and hurriedly looked over. Sure enough, she saw Jiang Ruan walking towards her.
"Ruan meimei." Dong Ying 'er stood up in shock. Ever since the Old Jiang Madame passed away, she should have followed the fu to the Jiang family to offer her condolences. However, Dong daren had locked her in the room and did not allow her to go out. Thus, she had not been able to see Jiang Ruan. Speaking of which, the two of them had not seen each other for many days. These days, Dong Ying 'er had not seen any outsiders. Suddenly seeing Jiang Ruan made her somewhat happy.
She carefully sized up Jiang Ruan. Because she was still in mourning, Jiang Ruan could not wear red clothes. She only wore a thin green robe. It was extremely simple and plain, but it added a bit of refined elegance to her that she usually did not have. She also looked very spirited and had not sunk into sorrow because of the Old Jiang Madame's death.
"Ruan meimei, how are you? I can't leave the fu. That day, I heard that you were arrested and thrown into prison. Did you suffer any grievances? "Dong Ying 'er asked with concern.
Jiang Ruan shook her head and her gaze paused on Dong Ying 'er's face. Dong Ying 'er had always appeared lively and cheerful. Dong daren had protected her well and had always had a carefree appearance. Now, it seemed that the cheerfulness that often hung on her face had disappeared, leaving behind only a thick sorrow.
Dong Ying 'er noticed Jiang Ruan's gaze on her and lowered her head uncomfortably. She asked, "Ruan meimei, why have you come to see me?"
It was not that Zhao Jinlin, Xiang Wen, Fei Fei and the others had not come to see her, but they had all been blocked by Dong daren on the grounds that she was ill. For Jiang Ruan to be able to obtain Dong daren's permission to come to the fu, there must be a reason.
"Dong Furen invited me."
"My mother?" Dong Ying 'er was somewhat puzzled. "Why did she invite you over?"
Jiang Ruan looked at her and did not speak. Dong Ying 'er was silent for a moment before she said, "You already know, don't you?"
"Yes." Jiang Ruan said faintly, "You are going to enter the palace."
"I don't want to enter the palace." Dong Ying 'er shook her head desperately. "I don't want to be sent to the palace. Ruan meimei, save me."
"Then, will you marry into the Chang family?" Jiang Ruan asked.
"No, I also don't want to marry into the Chang family. I … Third Young Master Chang is a good person, I cannot lie to him. "Dong Ying 'er muttered," I already have someone in my heart, I cannot marry someone else. " She tightly pinched the silk cloth under her body. "Father wants to send me to the palace, completely disregarding my wishes. He won't listen to anything I say."
"Dong daren did the right thing." Jiang Ruan's expression was calm. She was not moved by Dong Ying 'er's words.
Hearing this, Dong Ying 'er looked at Jiang Ruan in disbelief and said, "You actually think that he is right? No, father only wants to use me to exchange for the fu's glory, splendor, wealth, and rank. He just doesn't want me to ruin the reputation of the capital governor. Father has never thought about me. Ruan meimei, don't you resent Minister Jiang for treating you like that? How can you say that father is right? What difference is there between what father is doing and what Minister Jiang is doing to you? Ruan meimei, how can you say that? "Her tone was full of resentment and stubbornness. There was no trace of her original cheerful appearance.
Jiang Ruan quietly looked at the woman in front of her. Time flew by. Love was a poison that made Dong Yinger seem like a completely different person. Even her own father could treat her in such a manner. The capital governor, Dong daren, and Jiang Quan were two different people. What Jiang Quan wanted was riches and honor. Even if he had to pay with his and Jiang Xin Zhi's lives, he would not hesitate. The Capital Governor only wanted to make his crazy daughter sober up a little. Unfortunately, his painstaking efforts were in vain. Not only did Dong Yinger not sober up, but she also hated him.
Dong Yinger abruptly raised her head and stared fixedly at Jiang Ruan. Suddenly, she got up from the couch and threw herself at Jiang Ruan's feet. Two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks as she said, "Ruan meimei, please help me, please help me, I only have Deputy General Jiang in my heart. In this lifetime, I will never marry anyone else. Please help me persuade father. Ruan meimei, you are so intelligent, you will certainly have a way."
Her hair was disheveled and her tone was humble. She lay at Jiang Ruan's feet like a blade of grass. Both her hands tightly hugged Jiang Ruan's legs. Her tearful appearance made it seem as if she really had no way out.
Jiang Ruan sighed softly and bent down to pry Dong Yinger's fingers away one by one. She looked at her with pity and asked, "Why should I help you?"
Dong Yinger stared blankly. She did not understand what she meant.
Jiang Ruan's expression was gentle and her tone was also gentle. However, the words she said were completely callous, "My eldest brother has no interest in you. Whether you like him or not, what does it have to do with him?"
"I …." Dong Yinger was speechless. That's right, she and Jiang Xin Zhi had only met a few times in a hurry. Moreover, Jiang Xin Zhi had not revealed any special intentions towards her. She had wholeheartedly fallen in love with Jiang Xin Zhi. She did not know Jiang Xin Zhi's attitude towards her. However, because Jiang Xin Zhi had led troops to battle, she could deceive herself. Now that Jiang Ruan had spoken the truth without concealing anything, Dong Yinger suddenly felt embarrassed.
"You are not willing to enter the palace, nor are you willing to marry into the Chang family. However, you will never be able to marry Eldest Brother." Jiang Ruan said softly.
"Why?" Dong Yinger's voice carried a sobbing tone. She looked at Jiang Ruan as if she was looking at a stranger.
Why? Jiang Xin Zhi had a meteoric rise in the imperial court. In the future, he would definitely not be able to join the Eighth Prince's faction. However, the Capital Magistrate maintained a neutral attitude in the imperial court. He would neither offend the Eighth Prince nor the Fifth Prince. In the future, if Jiang Xin Zhi really married Dong Yinger, Xuan Li would use the title of Capital Magistrate to threaten Jiang Xin Zhi. Jiang Xin Zhi would then have one more weakness and would forever be manipulated by others.
If Jiang Xin Zhi really liked Dong Yinger, then all of this would naturally be nothing. Unfortunately, Jiang Xin Zhi had never shown any affection towards Dong Yinger.
"Because Eldest Brother does not like you." Jiang Ruan's words crushed Dong Yinger's last bit of delusion. She opened her mouth and said to Jiang Ruan, "Why did you …. Why are you treating me like this? "
"In this world, the only thing that cannot be forced is love." Jiang Ruan nodded. "Ying 'er jiejie liking Eldest Brother is Ying' er jiejie's business. Ying 'er jiejie's temperament is naturally firm. " She said indifferently, "It's just that I don't know when Eldest Brother gets married, will Ying 'er jiejie still have no regrets like today?"
"Ruan meimei, are you really so heartless?" Dong Yinger said with difficulty.
Jiang Ruan's eyes were gorgeous and her expression was calm. She said, "Yes."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
