Lifting the curtain, it was empty. Just now, Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao's unusual behavior had already made Jiang Dan certain that the person was in the room. How could she be reconciled now? She could not wait to look inside and outside the curtain. However, no matter how she looked, it was only a small area. In the blink of an eye, she could see everything clearly. There was clearly no one else, as if it was all a joke.
Jiang Dan forced a smile and looked at the incense rising from the copper deer, "Da Jiejie has always disliked this incense, why did you use it today?"
"I don't really like it." Jiang Ruan said slowly, "It's just to cover up the fishy smell in the room."
Jiang Dan suddenly looked up, somewhat puzzled as to why Jiang Ruan would say this. Wouldn't this mean that she admitted it?
Jiang Ruan smiled, "My period is coming, and my body is not feeling well. How can Fourth Sister look at me like that?"
Jiang Dan was so angry that she almost vomited blood. She was certain that Jiang Ruan was simply playing with her. Such words would only embarrass her, but she could not find any words to refute. Looking around the room, Jiang Ruan's room did not have many decorations. Apart from the soft couch, it would be difficult to hide a living person. Jiang Dan was disappointed, but she also had some doubts. For a moment, she stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what to do.
Jiang Ruan sat up from the couch. As she combed her long hair, she said, "Fourth Sister will enter the palace to participate in the consort selection in a few days."
"Yes." Jiang Dan was shocked and replied with her head lowered.
"I see that Fourth Younger Sister has been very happy these past few days," Jiang Ruan looked at her fingernails as if nothing had happened, "Since this is the case, you should properly stay in the house every day. If something were to happen at this critical juncture, then … it would be such a pity."
There was a trace of coldness in her words, and Jiang Dan could naturally hear the warning in them. She could not help but shiver. She had seen Jiang Ruan's methods before. If something were to happen before this, wouldn't all of her efforts be wasted?
Even though she was extremely unwilling, Jiang Dan did not show the slightest bit of it on her face. Instead, her previous delicate and timid demeanor appeared again. Nodding, she said, "Da Jiejie is right. Dan niang will return to the courtyard and take a good look at the female precepts."
After Jiang Dan left, Lu Zhu said angrily, "Fourth Miss is obviously up to no good. Look at her, she really wants something bad to happen to Miss."
Ever since Lu Zhu had followed Jiang Ruan into the fu, she was also aware of the relationship between Jiang Dan and Jiang Ruan. Logically speaking, since Jiang Dan had been raised by Zhao Mei, she should naturally be close to Jiang Ruan. Yet, in the end, she kept adding insult to injury. Her intentions were truly sinister. Even though Dewdrop had mingled in the marketplace for many years and knew how to repay kindness, it was the first time she met someone who would bite the hand that fed her.
Jiang Ruan did not speak. At present, the dew drops had merely glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. Since Zhao Mei's death was inextricably linked to Jiang Dan, she would not let Jiang Dan off lightly. Since Jiang Dan wanted to enter the palace so badly, there was no harm in fulfilling her wish. No one knew better than Jiang Ruan what kind of place the palace was. Slowly torturing Jiang Dan in the Palace was more painful than thinking of a way to get rid of her now.
Lu Zhu noticed the hostility in her Miss's eyes and was slightly startled. Then, as if remembering something, she said, "Since Fourth Miss has left, let Xiao Wangye out so that he won't be stifled."
Xiao Shao could be considered as a son of a wealthy family born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Being stuffed in such a narrow space in the storeroom was really uncomfortable.
Tian Zhu and Bai Zhi went to stand guard outside the door. Jiang Ruan lifted the bed board and opened the storeroom door. Xiao Shao crawled out. When he crawled out and saw Jiang Ruan's appearance, Xiao Shao was slightly startled. His handsome face was a little red and he looked away uncomfortably.
Earlier, when she had been lying on the bed, Jiang Ruan had only worn a snow-white undergarment. After Jiang Dan had left, she had forgotten about this matter. Seeing that Xiao Shao's actions were somewhat strange, Lu Zhu let out a soft 'ah' sound and hurriedly found a cloak to drape over Jiang Ruan's head, covering her entire body from head to toe. But in her heart, she was vexed. Now that Xiao Shao had slept on Jiang Ruan's bed and seen her body, Jiang Ruan had suffered a big loss. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao were extremely sullen.
Jiang Ruan seemed to understand why Xiao Shao had acted so strangely just now. She couldn't help but raise her eyes to look at him. Coincidentally, she met Xiao Shao's gaze.
The young girl's appearance was peerless. She had not put on any makeup, but her eyebrows were deep and beautiful. She was like the most beautiful cloud that had flown over from the horizon of the Great Jin Dynasty. She shone lightly on the desolate autumn scenery. The sunlight shone down, making her appear even more radiant like a spring flower. Her fierceness had faded and her gaze was slightly vacant. She was like a young beast with a provocative posture, attracting everyone's attention to her.
Jiang Ruan also looked at him. The young man's figure was tall and straight like jade. His skin was like snow, his eyes were like dots of paint, and his eyebrows were like an ink painting. Fine golden thread embroidered the image of a qilin treading on fire and burning wind. His thin lips were lightly pursed, making his entire person appear even more elegant and peerless. However, upon closer inspection, his heroic spirit was pressing, extremely cold, and elegant to the bone. Naturally, he was a romantic that flowed like clouds and flowing water. In this world, there were beautiful people with black clothes and black hair. They were like qilin auspicious beasts, born noble and dignified.
The two of them looked at each other, and their expressions fluctuated slightly. It was as if they were awed by the other, but it was also as if some kind of emotion had broken through the soil. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu stood quietly to one side. The sunlight was gentle and kind, as if it could not bear to break this tranquil scene. This moment of tranquility was as distant as the mountains.
It was not that Xiao Shao had never seen a beautiful woman before. He himself was born beautiful beyond compare, but he felt that appearance was nothing more than a bag of skin. He had always known that Jiang Ruan did not look bad, but at this moment, he deeply understood this young girl's beauty. She was different from any beauty he had seen before. She clearly had the coldest heart, but she was born with a charming and warm appearance. However, when she was demure, she seemed to have changed into another person, calm and kind. Even though he knew very well that it was just a facade.
This young girl was different from any other person he had ever seen. She was clearly filled with hostility, but in an instant, she was able to hide it under a peaceful appearance. What kind of fate had she encountered to be able to create the person she was today?
That cloak was tightly wrapped around her, revealing only Jiang Ruan's small face, which was the size of a palm. Xiao Shao suddenly thought of the young girl who was wrapped in snow-white clothes. He knew that she had always hated the color white and was unwilling to wear it. However, when she was wearing undergarments, she was quiet and frail, like a newly bloomed lotus, standing shakily among the branches. A gentle breeze blew, carrying with it the feeling of spring, causing the shadows of the flowers to sway into his heart. He did not know when, but his heart, which was like a boulder, had gained an additional shadow.
He was slightly startled by the sudden rise and fall of his emotions. Although he did not know what it meant, he understood what it meant. It was different from the shallow fluctuations of his thoughts in the past. Since last night, he had subconsciously regarded this courtyard as a place that he could trust. Xiao Shao understood what was different there.
Last night, her expression was calm, and her movements were gentle and resolute as she bandaged his wounds. There was not a trace of hesitation in her actions. Time suddenly reversed, as if he had returned to Bao Guang Temple many years ago. That girl, who did not seem to know the taste of sorrow, had looked at him with a pair of clear eyes and smiled. In such a lonely and cold moonlit night, it had caused the cold and lonely youth to feel a trace of warmth amidst the layers of murderous intentions.
Today, that girl had long since grown into a cold and indifferent young girl who killed decisively. Her heart was extremely shrewd, and her actions were bloodless but deep. Yet, in the lonely and cold night, she still brought a basin of clear water, and as they chatted and laughed, everything was easily resolved. Naturally, there was not a trace of panic on her face.
He looked deeply at Jiang Ruan and said, "I will take responsibility."
For a moment, Jiang Ruan was stunned. Xiao Shao's dark eyes were like the night sky sprinkled with broken diamonds. There was a bright splendor in them, as if they wanted to drown in them. After Xiao Shao said this, he stared closely at Jiang Ruan, and a trace of imperceptible nervousness flashed through his eyes. In his life, he had survived countless dangerous situations, and even when danger was right in front of him, he was not as nervous as this moment.
Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao did not know whether to leave or stay, and some beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads. Lian Qiao still had some hesitation in her heart, but Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan with hope. What kind of person was Xiao Shao? These days, they, the servant girls, had all seen it with their own eyes. If Jiang Ruan could follow by Xiao Shao's side, it would be the safest. Although their family's Miss was usually very assertive in her actions, even they, the personal maidservants, sometimes felt that they were very close to Jiang Ruan. If there was someone who could walk into her heart and protect her, perhaps Jiang Ruan would not be so lonely.
After a short moment of shock, Jiang Ruan smiled lightly. That smile was gentle, but it contained a trace of disgust towards herself. Xiao Shao keenly captured this expression, only to hear Jiang Ruan say, "Xiao Shao, you know that I do not care."
This was a tactful refusal. Xiao Shao felt a moment of disappointment in his heart, but it did not last long. If the heart of the person in front of him could be so easily moved, then it would not be her. He nodded, "The doors of Jinying Wang fu will always be open for you." He paused, and then added, "I will always stand on your side."
Jiang Ruan nodded, "Many thanks." She looked out the window and said, "Since this is the case, you do not need to rush back. In any case, there are people waiting outside, it would be better to wait a little longer."
Xiao Shao originally wanted to refuse, but he suddenly changed his mind and said, "Alright."
Outside, Jin San, who was listening to the conversation to his heart's content, stared at the room, his face full of disbelief. Clearly, they were going to make a trip to Hundred Zhang Lou today, but in the end, Xiao Shao had agreed to Jiang Ruan's words just like that, and even put on an appearance as if Jiang Ruan's words were very reasonable. Normally, when a serious person started to lie, it was really bad!
Xiao Shao was completely unaware of his own subordinate's unspoken criticism. He only felt that this arrangement was very satisfactory, and he felt that the injury he had received this time was rather appropriate. However, Jiang Ruan did not seem to notice that there was another man in the room, and continued to do what she was supposed to do, without the slightest bit of discomfort. This caused Xiao Shao to feel a little depressed.
Originally, he had thought that the day would pass just like that, but who knew that when night came, something else would happen.
…
In the outer courtyard of the Ruan Ju, Lu Zhu and Jin Er were sitting together, which was a rare occurrence. Instead of fooling around, she asked somewhat nervously, "Will this really work?"
Jin Er nodded solemnly, "It should work."
"I think so too," agreed the dewdrop. "I have seen it done in the plays."
"Where is this play from?" Jin Er was surprised, "Could it be some wild troupe?" After saying this, he smiled somewhat nastily, "I could not tell that at such a young age, you have such a taste."
Lu Zhu's little face flushed red with anger, and she kicked him again, angrily saying, "That can't be compared to your Hundred Zhang Lou. You are really not afraid that one day, you will hurt the root of your offspring and become a cripple." After saying this, she left valiantly and energetically, leaving Jin Er in a state of confusion.
What he hated the most was when people doubted his ability. Very good, this girl had already stepped on his mine several times!
No matter what happened outside, the matters inside had to be carried out according to procedure.
After Jiang Ruan ate dinner, she went out to look for some books. Although Xiao Shao was in the room, he scrupulously abided by etiquette, and their interaction was rather comfortable. Just as she was about to enter the room, she saw that there was no one in the outer room. She could not help but feel somewhat puzzled. Just then, she saw Lu Zhu hurriedly walk in to change the afternoon tea. Jiang Ruan asked, "Where are Lian Qiao and the others?"
"Lian Qiao Jiejie and Bai Zhi Jiejie went outside to help Xiao Wangye boil brown sugar water," Lu Zhu lied without changing her expression, "Tian Zhu Jiejie and Jin San Jiejie have some matters to discuss."
Jiang Ruan felt that it was a little strange, but she did not think too deeply about it. She nodded and said, "En, you go."
Lu Zhu then took the tea and went out.
Jiang Ruan walked into the inner room. Just as she entered, she heard a 'kacha' sound. When she turned around, she saw that the iron locks on both the inner and outer rooms had been locked. Usually, in order to prevent danger at night, Jiang Ruan had added a door to the inner and outer rooms, and she had even specially locked it. She did not expect that today, it would be locked by Lu Zhu.
Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows slightly. Since her own maidservant had done this, it was naturally impossible for her to do anything to harm her. Although she did not understand Lu Zhu's intentions, Jiang Ruan was not worried. She only looked thoughtfully at the locked door, then turned to face the curtain of the inner room in front of her.
It was not the pearl and crystal curtain that ordinary girls liked to use, it was just an ordinary silk curtain made from rain. Because of the mourning period, it was only light green. Looking through the hazy gauze curtain, there was no one in sight.
Jiang Ruan thought for a while, then lifted the curtain and walked in boldly with confidence.
However, as soon as she walked in, she discovered that she was wrong, and there was no chance to retreat.
Indeed, there was no one in the room. She did not know when, but the screen next to the soft couch had been erected, and there was a slender figure reflected on it. The figure had a wiry waist, narrow hips, and a slender waist. Every movement of the figure contained a hidden beauty of strength. The next moment, the figure broke through the screen and came out. Xiao Shao appeared in front of Jiang Ruan, wearing only a jade-colored robe.
In front of a beauty, he was like a spring flower.
For a moment, Jiang Ruan did not know how to react. If it was some kind of breakthrough, it would have been fine, but at this moment, she was stunned.
Xiao Shao had removed his usual black clothes, and the jade-colored robe was loosely wrapped around his body, revealing a large expanse of radiant and fair skin. His skin was also jade-colored, and the halo of the lamp made it seem as if his entire person was plated with a layer of moonlight. With red lips, white teeth, starry eyes, and slender eyebrows, his entire person was like an exiled immortal leisurely descending from a painting. The cold elegance had faded away, and there was an additional warmth and beauty. In the eyes of others, there was actually a bewitching charm that was not usually present.
Jiang Ruan stood blankly in place, and Xiao Shao was also stunned. Perhaps he did not expect to see Jiang Ruan as soon as he came out. The impact was too great, and the two looked at each other in dismay, not moving an inch.
After a moment, Xiao Shao coughed lightly, and as if nothing had happened, he walked to the side of the soft couch and sat down. His long robe was casually spread on the ground, and his jet-black hair hung down from his shoulders, making him appear even more jade-like.
In her previous life, Jiang Ruan had thought that Xuan Li was the most gentle and jade-like man she had ever seen. Even though she had now seen through Xuan Li, she had to admit that Xuan Li's outer appearance was not bad. At least, in the eyes of outsiders, he was worthy of the title of 'modest gentleman, gentle and jade-like'. But now, with just a casual movement, this person was able to compare Xuan Li to the highest heavens. Unlike that deliberately created image, Xiao Shao's entire person exuded a kind of beauty. Everyone said that she was a demoness who brought calamity to the country, but in her opinion, she was afraid that only Xiao Shao was worthy of the two words' calamity to the country '.
Xiao Shao seemed to finally be unable to bear her gaze. He turned his head, and unexpectedly, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. Curling his lips, he raised his eyebrows and said, "You admire me so much?"
Once a cold person smiled, the deep light in his eyes seemed to become even more brilliant. His smile was full of elegance, and it was actually a different kind of temptation. Jiang Ruan stared blankly. She did not expect to hear such words from Xiao Shao's mouth. Immediately, she also looked over, and after sizing him up, she commented, "Elegant bones, extremely beautiful appearance, picturesque features, strong physique, truly … a beauty."
The corner of Beauty Xiao's mouth twitched, and she cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Ruan. Withdrawing her previous seductive posture, she took out a snow-white porcelain bottle from her bosom and said, "I am going to apply the medicine, turn around."
He pulled open his clothes, and the scar on his chest was revealed; it was truly a ghastly sight. It was somewhat inconvenient for Xiao Shao to do it himself. Seeing this, Jiang Ruan walked over to take the porcelain bottle from his hand and said, "You're too polite, let me do it."
"Men and women should not touch each other." Xiao Shao reminded her.
Jiang Ruan's voice was flat, "I've seen what I should see, and I've also seen what I shouldn't see. I've even touched you. You might as well treat me as a man."
Originally, when she heard the first half of Jiang Ruan's words, Beauty Xiao was still quite satisfied. However, when she heard the second half, she felt that something was wrong. Lowering her head to look at the top of the young girl's head that was nearing her, she endured it, but still said, "I can take responsibility."
"…." Jiang Ruan's hand was ruthless, and she deliberately pressed down on the wound. Sure enough, she heard a muffled groan from Xiao Shao. Only then did she loosen her grip, and leisurely said, "You should first take care of your body. You're so weak, how can you take responsibility?"
Xiao Shao's face darkened again. Housekeeper Lin and a few subordinates secretly talked about how unromantic he was, like a stone. Xiao Shao felt that this group of people should take a look at Jiang Ruan, and see what it truly meant to be unromantic.
Jiang Ruan was also puzzled. Why did Xiao Shao suddenly become somewhat roguish? Why hadn't she felt that he was so annoying before?
Outside the room, the imperial bodyguards lined up in a row and stuck their ears to the door, hoping that they could hear some movement from inside. However, they did not dare to be too obvious. Moreover, separated by two doors, it was really too difficult to hear. They could only vaguely make out the sound. One of them said, "Hey, I think I heard the Young Master call out."
"Young Madam is truly a hero." Another person praised.
"Teach us to be convinced!" They became increasingly excited.
Inside the room, the two people were too ambiguous, but not intimate enough. If Butler Lin were to see this, he would definitely sigh and say, "This child is unteachable!"
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