There was no such thing as an impenetrable wall in the world, not to mention a young lady of a noble family who had been seen naked in public. That day, rumors and slanders quickly spread through the streets and alleys of the capital. However, when it rains, it pours. This piece of news was not enough. Heaven seemed to think that the Jiang fu was not troublesome enough, and at the same time, another piece of gossip was released.
In Jinying Wang fu, Jiang Ruan was sitting at the table drinking tea. The high quality Gu Zhu purple bamboo shoots paired with the exquisite peony tea bean paste was just the right amount of sweetness, and it was not greasy or annoying. The cooks in Jinying Wang fu were all first-rate. The food was simple and exquisite. Even the imperial kitchen in the palace might not be able to come up with such good things. The servants in the fu told Lu Zhu that the old Jinying Wang was a person who paid attention to how he lived his life. These cooks were carefully gathered from outside. However, since the old Jinying Wang couple left, Xiao Shao's temperament was cold and cheerless, and his food was even more simple. These cooks had always been heroes but had no place to display their skills. Now that a Young Madam had finally arrived, they naturally used all their skills to please her. They only hoped that they would be fated with Jiang Ruan and have more opportunities to display their culinary skills in the future.
Although this reason was somewhat laughable, Lu Zhu's heart gradually calmed down. This was because all of these people's words revealed one piece of information, and that was that the servants of Jinying Wang's fu sincerely wanted Jiang Ruan to be the Young Madam. Otherwise, why would they spend so much effort? Now, the few servant girls were most worried about Jiang Ruan. Jinying Wang fu could be considered a high-ranking marriage, and Xiao Shao naturally had nothing to say. However, they could not stand the servants bullying the master. Now, the servants in the fu treated Jiang Ruan with respect. Looking at Jinying Wang fu and Xiao Shao, from beginning to end, they could not find a single bad thing.
Jiang Ruan was drinking tea when she saw Lian Qiao walk in from outside. She smiled and greeted, "Miss."
Jiang Ruan responded. Lian Qiao placed the freshly picked flowers into a large vase with gold and phoenix embroidery. Although Jinying Wang fu's embroidery was outstanding, perhaps because Xiao Shao's temperament was too cold, he always felt that there was no embellishment and seemed a little bleak. Originally, Xiao Shao was not a big deal. In the future, Jiang Ruan would also live in Jinying Wang fu, so Lian Qiao thought that she should add some color. After all, men and women have different thoughts. Even if he plucked a few flowers and put them in a vase, wouldn't it still look a little more human?
"Miss," Lian Qiao said as she arranged the flowers, "I have heard of a major event outside today. Can you guess what it is?" Although she tried her best to maintain her composure, there was still a hint of joy on her face, and her eyes couldn't help smiling. Jiang Ruan glanced at her and asked, "Did something happen to Hong Ying?"
"Young Miss is really amazing," Lian Qiao was dazed for a moment, and then, like a wisp of smoke, she ran in front of Jiang Ruan. Blinking her eyes, she said, "Isn't that right? Today, when this servant went out, I heard that everyone on the streets and alleys were talking about this matter. They said that Master kicked Concubine Hong and caused her to miscarry! "
"Miscarriage?" Jiang Ruan's expression flickered.
"It's a long story." Hong Ying sat down on a small stool at the side and began to talk about this matter with great interest. Her manner was almost like that of a storyteller in a restaurant. She said, "I heard that yesterday, Fifth Concubine ran around the whole day, and Master invited the Imperial Physician from the palace to examine Fifth Concubine's body. At first, she was fine, but when the Imperial Physician was about to arrive, Fifth Concubine suddenly said that she was extremely unwell, and only wanted to quickly sleep. This Master is also an astute person, and immediately felt that something was wrong, so he argued with Fifth Concubine. Who knew … "Lian Qiao kept Jiang Ruan in suspense. She wanted to arouse Jiang Ruan's curiosity, but when she raised her head, she saw that Jiang Ruan's expression didn't change at all, as if she had already expected this matter. She angrily touched her nose and continued," Who knew that two big cotton pillows would fall out of Fifth Concubine's stomach! "
When Lian Qiao talked about this matter, her eyebrows were beaming with joy. She gestured and said, "At that time, Master found out that he had been deceived, and in the blink of an eye, he gave her a heavy kick, and then …" Lian Qiao coughed twice, "Here comes the most important part. Fifth Concubine let out a blood-curdling scream, and mournfully said, 'You heartless person, how dare you treat me like this?' Master said, 'Ying' er, I have treated you with absolute sincerity, but you have failed me! I … have broken my heart! '"
"Stop, stop, stop …" Jiang Ruan stroked her forehead. Lian Qiao's narration was like a storybook, and those who didn't know better would have thought that she had seen it with their own eyes. If she continued, the servants of Jinying Wang Fu would gather around to listen to the ready-made storytelling, and she wouldn't even have to pay. She said, "You don't have to say these things."
Lian Qiao was very regretful that she couldn't display her talent as a storyteller, but she still honestly said, "Then Master kicked her, and Fifth Concubine saw red. Coincidentally, the Imperial Physician arrived at this time, and he took a look. Master's kick was very good, and the child in Fifth Concubine's stomach was gone. It was a real child, and it wasn't even three months yet. "
Jiang Ruan pondered for a moment, and then said, "So that's how it was."
It turned out that on that day, when the Imperial Physician was about to arrive, Hong Ying, no matter how calm she was, still panicked. When people panicked, it was easy for them to make stupid mistakes. If it was in the past, Hong Ying could be considered as a smart person, and she definitely wouldn't make such a mistake. Yesterday, she must have been so nervous that she had made up such a clumsy excuse. Although Jiang Quan doted on Hong Ying, it didn't mean that he was a fool who could be easily deceived. Moreover, after the incident with Xia Yan, Jiang Quan was sensitive about matters related to children. As soon as he suspected Hong Ying, he became aggressive, and Hong Ying exposed herself during the dispute. How could Jiang Quan not be angry? Being played by his own woman again and again, how could Jiang Quan swallow this insult? No matter how much he usually doted on Hong Ying, at present, in his eyes, Hong Ying's crime was unforgivable.
Who knew that by a freak combination of factors, Hong Ying herself didn't know when she was really pregnant. Thinking that she had been holding onto a fluke, she had used some tiger-wolf medicine when she was pretending to be pregnant, and this tiger-wolf medicine just happened to take effect at this time. Hong Ying was really pregnant, but it was gone with one kick from Jiang Quan.
The imperial physician who had been treating Hong Ying also didn't have any control over his mouth. Perhaps he felt that the Jiang family's matter was really something worth joking about, so he turned around and told his colleagues about it. There were so many imperial physicians in the palace. Some were related to the nobility, while some were born in poverty. Because of this, in a short period of time, the news that Jiang Quan had kicked his concubine and caused her to miscarry became known to everyone, from the noble families to the common people. It really did shake the capital. Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes.
Jiang Ruan's eyes drooped. In her previous life, Hong Ying had already been unable to put up a fight against Xia Yan at this time, not to mention having children. If she didn't have any other desires in this life, perhaps she would still be able to live a good life. Now, her hopes for the rest of her life had been destroyed. Jiang Quan would absolutely not show mercy to a woman who had turned him into a joke. One could well imagine Hong Ying's fate. However, at present, the one who was suffering the most should be Jiang Quan. Imperceptibly, there had already been a slight estrangement between him and Jiang Chao. The Jiang family had not prospered, and Jiang Quan had valued the child in Hong Ying's womb so much. Now that the child had died by his own hands, to a person like Jiang Quan, it was undoubtedly a huge blow.
Lian Qiao continued, "Miss, please listen. Fifth Yiniang is like this, Second Miss is still busy. Since noon yesterday, there have been many people surrounding the fu's entrance, asking to marry Second Miss, saying that Second Miss's body had been seen by them, and that they had to take responsibility. No matter what, these people could not be chased away, so they called for the imperial bodyguards to come and rescue them. They lay at the entrance, crying to the heavens and wiping the earth, saying that the Jiang fu treated human life like grass. Master was furious, so he apologized in front of everyone and said that Second Miss would be sent to the temple to become a sister-in-law. When Second Miss heard this, she fainted and quarreled with Master, but Master was determined to not care. Today, Master has already sent Second Miss to the family temple a hundred li away. It is said that she is going to cut her hair and become a sister-in-law. "
"Being a sister-in-law is really too good for her." Lian Qiao said indignantly, "She should really be married to those people. However, Master has always doted on Second Miss. This action has undoubtedly ruined Second Miss's life. It is shocking. "
"How could it be?" Jiang Ruan said indifferently. Lian Qiao heard something strange in her voice and raised her eyes to look. However, she was startled by the coldness in Jiang Ruan's eyes. She only heard Jiang Ruan say, "He has spent a lot of effort to pave the way for Second Younger Sister."
Wasn't that right? If Jiang Su Su really married one of these street thugs, her life would be ruined. However, if she cut her hair and went to the temple to become a sister-in-law, it would at least preserve the Jiang family's face. It would also give Jiang Su Su a way out, so that her face would not always be trampled on by others. Away from the secular world of the capital, Jiang Su Su would gradually fade out of people's sight until an opportunity for Jiang Su Su to return to the capital appeared. When Jiang Su Su could return to the capital again, it would naturally be when the battle for the throne had ended, the late Emperor had passed away, the new Emperor had ascended the throne, and the great cause of Xuanli had been completed.
At that time, Jiang Quan would probably be rewarded. With fame and power as a guarantee, who would care about Jiang Su Su's past? Jiang Quan had made a good move. In the previous life and this life, he had paved the way for this daughter of his step by step, ensuring that she would be safe and sound.
In her previous life, Jiang Su Su had once said that she could not tolerate sand in her eyes. Little did she know that in this life, Jiang Su Su was also a grain of sand in her eyes. In this life, she was vicious and merciless. What she could not stand the most was the scene of a benevolent father and a filial son. Jiang Quan had made a good move, but she did not want to fulfill it.
"Lian Qiao, go out and tell Jin Er," Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes, "I want to ask him to help me with something."
The secret guards in the fu, Jin Er and Jin San, could not be too far away from Jiang Ruan. Lian Qiao responded and asked, "What does Miss want to tell Jin Er?"
...
Lian Qiao searched outside for a long time but did not see Jin Er. Instead, she saw another person dressed as an imperial bodyguard from afar. This person was somewhat familiar, but Lian Qiao could not remember where she had seen him before. In any case, he was Xiao Shao's subordinate. She stepped forward and inquired, "This person, do you know where Jin Er is?"
That person turned around. His eyebrows were like swords and his eyes were bright. He could be considered handsome, and he stared at Lian Qiao for a long time without moving. Lian Qiao felt a little strange from his stare. Her shrewish temper flared up, and she frowned and said, "What are you looking at!"
"Just now, it was you who was telling a story inside." The man said. Although his expression was not inappropriate, there was a hint of ridicule in his words.
Lian Qiao was startled, and immediately said angrily, "What does it have to do with you! You actually dared to eavesdrop. Later, I will tell Miss. When His Highness finds out, let's see if he doesn't punish you! "
This man was none other than Ye Feng. These past few years, he had been given the cold shoulder by Xiao Shao to gather information in the Yi Bao Pavilion. His days could be considered dull and tedious. However, without his master's permission, he could not come out on his own. These past few days, Xiao Shao had summoned him back for the first time. It seemed that he was about to set out and wanted to instruct him to do some things. Just now, when he was outside, he heard Lian Qiao talking to Jiang Ruan about the matters in the Jiang fu. He was very surprised that this servant girl had such a sharp tongue. If he had such a clown by his side when he was on a mission, he would not have noticed the slightest bit of boredom.
Now that he heard Lian Qiao mention Jiang Ruan, his eyebrows twitched. Previously, it was because he had mistaken her for someone else. Because of Jiang Ruan, Xiao Shao had given him the cold shoulder for a few years. Now that Jiang Ruan's status was even higher, and she was about to become the Young Madam of Jinying Wang fu, if he were to offend her, no, even if he were to offend the Young Madam's servant girl, with Xiao Shao's wife-protecting temperament, he was afraid that he would not let him off lightly. Immediately, he said, "It was my fault. Why are you looking for Jiner?"
"Young Madam has something for him to do." Lian Qiao had a straightforward temperament and was not a person who fussed over minor matters. Since Ye Feng had already apologized, there was no need for her to keep harping on it.
"He has a mission, and is currently not in the fu." Ye Feng said.
Lian Qiao frowned, "Then when can he return to the fu?"
"Tomorrow night." Ye Feng said, "Why, is there an urgent matter?"
"Tomorrow night will be a little late..." Lian Qiao bit her lip, her expression somewhat anxious, "Why does he have to go out at this time?"
Ye Feng was curious, "If there's anything, it would be the same for me to do it."
"You?" Lian Qiao gave him a sidelong glance and shook her head, "I really can't trust you."
As she looked at him from the corner of her eye, her eyes unconsciously emitted the charm of a young girl. The few servant girls by Jiang Ruan's side all had relatively outstanding appearances. Bai Zhi was dignified, Lian Qiao was shrewd, Lu Zhu was clever, and Tian Zhu was cold and cheerful. Each had their own unique flavor. Among these few, Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu were the most popular among men. They had not been in Jinying Wang fu for a long time, but Xiao Shao's subordinates were very attentive to Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu.
The women that Ye Feng usually met were either as cold and cheerless as those in the Jinyi Guards, or as flirtatious as those in the brothel. It was rare to see a woman with such a straightforward and shrewd temperament, whose every move was true to her nature. At present, she had almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks, and because she was slightly sullen, her lips were slightly red, making her face even more flushed. Immediately, his heart stirred, and without waiting for Lian Qiao to speak, he grabbed Lian Qiao's wrist, "You can't trust me? But I will make you trust me this time! " After saying this, he grabbed Lian Qiao and leaped out of the courtyard, ignoring Lian Qiao's panic-stricken screams.
On the roof, Jin San spat out a blade of grass that he was chewing and only said one word, "Silly."
Jin Si pursed his lips and patted her sleeve, "Let's go and get to work!"
...
The area around Mount Yun Ding was overgrown with weeds and trees. The entire journey was a muddy path, and as the carriage rumbled along, it splashed muddy water from time to time. At this moment, the sky was gradually darkening, and they were still quite a distance away from their destination. There was not even a place to rest, and there was not a single family that they could stay in for the night. Tonight, the carriage was destined to spend the night in the wilderness.
Even so, the carriage's decoration could be considered magnificent, and at least from the outside, it looked very comfortable. The coachman was also very experienced, and he did his best to minimize the bumps and potholes along the way. It could be said that he had taken great care of the carriage.
The head guard said, "Let's rest here."
In the carriage, Jiang Su Su's face was pale, and her expression was full of indifference. Seeing this, Dragonfly comforted her softly, "Miss, it's getting late. Have some soup and rest."
Ever since Butterfly had been sold to a brothel by Jiang Su Su because of the zihe chariot incident, Jiang Su Su had never promoted the second-rank servant girls. The first-rank servant girl had always been lacking a position, and it had always been Dragonfly who served by her side. Dragonfly could be considered Jiang Su Su's confidant, and she was very loyal to Jiang Su Su. Usually, she would help out with some ideas, but she did not expect that Jiang Su Su would fall to such a state. She was a servant girl, so naturally, she had to share the joys and sorrows with her Miss, even if she had to go to the family temple to be a nun.
However, Dragonfly also understood in her heart that Jiang Quan's love for Jiang Su Su for so many years was not fake. Going to the temple to be a nun was only a temporary measure. After all, Jiang Su Su's reputation had been ruined, and there was no benefit in staying in the capital. In the future, when these rumors gradually subsided, they would find an opportunity to bring Jiang Su Su back to the fu, and everything could be restarted. Dragonfly had tried to persuade Jiang Su Su with these words, but Jiang Su Su would not listen. Last night, Jiang Quan had drugged Jiang Su Su's food. Early this morning, when Jiang Su Su woke up in the carriage, she was already powerless. After beating and scolding her, at first, she was on the verge of collapse. Later, she thought of something and gradually calmed down, but her expression was strangely cold.
Dragonfly did not think much of it, only thinking that Jiang Su Su had probably thought it through and understood the pros and cons. In short, it would be fine as long as she did not make a fuss.
Jiang Su Su glanced at the soup that Dragonfly had handed over and said, "I know. Tell those guards to stay away, I don't want to stay with these servants."
Dragonfly thought for a while, then got down from the carriage and ordered those guards to stay away. After all, there would not be too much danger outside, and if anything did happen, these guards would be able to make it in time.
By the time Dragonfly returned to the carriage, Jiang Su Su had already finished drinking the soup in her bowl. She said to her, "It's a little coarse, you should drink some too."
Dragonfly glanced at Jiang Su Su, overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. Although she was Jiang Su Su's confidant and Jiang Su Su usually treated her generously, Jiang Su Su was a person who was born to be a cut above others. Even Jiang Ruan did not fancy her, let alone a servant. Speaking to Dragonfly so calmly, Dragonfly was still very surprised.
"You don't need to look at me like that," Jiang Su Su lowered her head and said, "Now, I am just a young lady in the temple, not some official's family's Miss. There is no difference between our statuses."
Hearing Jiang Su Su say this, Dragonfly thought that she was still angry about this matter, and said, "Miss, please do not say this. Today's bitterness is only temporary. Miss, after all, is the Minister's fu's Miss, and this servant will always be Miss's servant."
Jiang Su Su smiled slightly, "What you said is very good. Drink some soup, you have worked hard with me today."
She had said this several times, so Dragonfly could not refuse again. She picked up the bowl and drank the soup. After she finished drinking, she saw that Jiang Su Su was staring at her without blinking. Dragonfly felt a chill run down her spine from Jiang Su Su's stare, and whispered, "Miss, do you have any instructions?"
Jiang Su Su sighed, "Dragonfly, do you think I am beautiful?"
"Miss is naturally beautiful, and in the whole capital, there is no other beauty like Miss." Dragonfly said. These words were not flattery. Jiang Su Su was originally beautiful, and after practicing the art of charm, she became even more beautiful.
"I am so beautiful, how can I be a young lady?" Jiang Su Su suddenly asked.
"Miss..." Dragonfly was stunned.
"I won't become a sister-in-law." A strange smile appeared on Jiang Su Su's lips. "I'm so beautiful. Naturally, I'll be able to find a place to stay and obtain the highest position. How can my appearance be wasted?"
Dragonfly was somewhat uneasy by Jiang Su Su's strange expression. She wanted to speak, but suddenly felt dizzy. Unable to support herself, she fell onto the small table in the carriage. "Miss... You... You drugged me? "
"I will not be a young lady." Jiang Su Su laughed.
Dragonfly understood what she wanted to do and said with all her strength, "Not good —"
Her voice stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened and she stared at Jiang Su Su in disbelief. The dagger in Jiang Su Su's hand was dripping with blood. She pulled hard, and Dragonfly's body softened and collapsed. Her mouth was open, like a beached fish. She could only helplessly make a rustling sound, but she could not form a sentence.
Jiang Su Su did not even look at her, "Miss, I was thinking of sparing your life for so many years of service, but you don't know how to appreciate kindness! You are really a dog that is blocking the way. "
After saying this, she started to take off Jiang Su Su's outer clothes.
The guards outside heard the commotion from afar and wanted to come over to ask, but they heard Jiang Su Su say loudly, "Go, throw these out!"
Then, under the dim moonlight, Dragonfly came out with a tray. Seeing this, the guards returned to their original positions, laughing and drinking, and no longer looked over.
Jiang Su Su ran for the time it took to burn a stick of incense. When she saw the entrance to the forest in front of her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She took off her outer clothes, which were still stained with Dragonfly's blood, and threw them on the ground. She clenched the letter in her sleeve.
When she woke up today, she did not know who had nailed a letter to the carriage. The letter only said that he had longed for her for a long time and did not want to see her sent to the temple. He was willing to become her shelter and arrange for her to be under his wing.
The letter had a faint smell of peach blossom ink. It should have been written by a wealthy family. Looking at the handwriting, it was also romantic. Although Jiang Su Su did not know who this person was, she guessed that he should be the son of a noble family. Presumably, he was one of the people who had longed for her in the past. In the past, Jiang Su Su would have disdained him. But now that even Jiang Quan had given up on her, this person was like a life-saving straw. She firmly believed that she could use her beauty to capture this person's heart. In the future, she would naturally be able to climb up step by step. It was better than being a sister-in-law. This person had also attached a knockout drug, which was why she had used this method.
This person wanted her to wait in the forest, but she did not know when he would come. At this moment, the moon was dark and the wind was strong. It was somewhat gloomy, and Jiang Su Su could not help but feel a little afraid.
Just as she was panicking, she heard footsteps behind her. Jiang Su Su was delighted and hurriedly turned around, saying, "Is it the young master who wants to save Su Su who has come?"
The person's footsteps paused. At this moment, the moonlight shone down and Jiang Su Su's body stiffened. This was because she could clearly see that the person who had come was only a middle-aged man with a terrible scar from his forehead to the corner of his eye. When he saw her, the corner of his mouth snorted and suddenly revealed a lewd smile.
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