The journey back was much easier than the journey. After Teacher Ba Qi detoxified Jiang Ruan's poison, Xiao Shao sent a messenger pigeon to the capital to deliver the news. On the way back, Jiang Ruan saw the snow pigeon. It was very cute and lively, and it was very close to her. It had another name, Hu Ba, which was said to have been given by Housekeeper Lin. Indeed, in a place like Jinying Wang fu, where there were more men than women, it was impossible to find a more elegant name.
When they returned to Jinying Wang fu, Housekeeper Lin had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Jiang Ruan return safe and sound, he was so happy that tears streamed down his face. Zhi Jiao wanted to immediately return to the ancestral shrine to comfort the ancestors and thank the ancestors of the Xiao family for their blessing.
Lu Zhu and the others had stayed in the fu because Xiao Shao had to hurry on his journey. These days, they had lost a lot of weight. When Jiang Ruan got off the carriage, a few servant girls surrounded her and asked all sorts of questions. Lu Zhu smiled and said, "Now Miss can be considered well. One who survives a great disaster is bound to have good fortune later on. Now that you have escaped danger, we must properly celebrate."
Bai Zhi was deeply worried, "It is better not to leave behind any lingering illness. After all, it has been poisoned for so many years. This servant is relieved that Miss is fine. "
"Why are you saying these discouraging things?" Lian Qiao glared at Bai Zhi, "Now that Miss has returned safely, the past is in the past. In the future, just be more careful."
Tian Zhu lowered her head and said in a slightly annoyed tone, "This subordinate did not protect Young Madam well, please punish me." The Jinyi Guards had always taken their duties very seriously. Now that she was Jiang Ruan's personal guard, Jiang Ruan had been poisoned under her eyes. No matter how you looked at it, it was all her fault.
"What does this have to do with you? It is impossible to guard against." Jiang Ruan said gently, "It was just that the other party was too cunning. You can't possibly protect me from being poisoned more than ten years ago."
Tian Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan in surprise. Jiang Ruan's face was warm but her heart was cold. Normally, although she would not make things difficult for her servant girls, her attitude was not particularly close. Especially towards a servant girl who had followed along halfway, she would not take the initiative to comfort her. Now, these words were exonerating her. Looking at Jiang Ruan's eyes, the usual hostility seemed to have dissipated a little and was replaced by a special kind of relief and magnanimity.
She did not know what Jiang Ruan encountered on this trip to Jia Nan with Xiao Shao to show such a difference. Tian Zhu was still guessing, but she still looked at Xiao Shao. Jiang Ruan understood what she was thinking and looked at Xiao Shao, "Since you have given Tian Zhu to me, I have the right to punish her."
Xiao Shao nodded. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Alright, I've already said that it has nothing to do with you.
Tian Zhu carefully glanced at Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao did not have any special reaction. She felt somewhat grateful in her heart and said, "This subordinate thanks Young Madam and Young Master for his leniency."
Qi Feng coughed twice, "Third Sister-in-law, it is better for you to enter the house first. Be careful of catching a cold outside. Now that you have just recovered from your illness, your body is still slightly weak."
Everyone agreed, and Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi helped Jiang Ruan into the house. Xiao Shao still had some matters to attend to in the palace, so after comforting Jiang Ruan, he left first.
After Xiao Shao left, Jiang Ruan sat in the room. The room appeared to be a little messy. Jiang Ruan blushed and said, "These few maidservants have been worried about Miss' health these past few days and have not been in the mood to tidy up the room. We will go and sweep now."
"There's no hurry," Jiang Ruan said faintly, "I still have some matters to instruct you all on."
"What is it?" Dewdrop asked curiously.
"Although the poison in my body is an old illness, it was triggered by someone using poison a few days ago. I know who made it. "Jiang Ruan took the cup of hot tea from Lian Qiao's hands and took a sip.
Tian Zhu's expression tightened. "Do you know who that is?"
"Although I don't know who personally poisoned me, I know who the mastermind is." Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "Since he has given me such a big gift, how can I not respond?"
The few servant girls looked at each other in dismay, not understanding the meaning behind Jiang Ruan's words. After a long time, Dewdrop said, "Is this person the same person who poisoned Miss more than ten years ago? Why would he do such a vicious thing to Miss? If it was First Furen … "Dewdrop frowned and said," Now that First Furen is already dead, how could she instruct someone to poison Miss? "
"That person is not Xia Yan," Jiang Ruan looked at the tea leaves floating in the cup, "This person came for my life many years ago. Now that he has suddenly used the same trick, it is only because he feels that I once again pose a threat to him. That person is in the palace, this debt, along with my mother's, I naturally want to get it back. "She sneered," Xiao Shao has already gone to make arrangements. Tomorrow morning, I will make them pay! "
Lian Qiao and the others looked at each other. Since Jiang Ruan did not make it clear, it was naturally because the person behind it was not simple, and she also had her own ideas. The few servant girls had followed her for so long, they naturally understood her intentions and would not continue to question her. Tian Zhu asked, "What does Miss want us to do?"
"I have already made a foolproof plan. Since that person is in the palace, I naturally have to return the favor in the palace. Tomorrow, you will follow me to the palace. There are some things that I also want to clarify. " She smiled faintly, but there was a biting chill in her eyes, causing Lian Qiao and the others to shiver uncontrollably.
…
In a corner of the palace, Jiang Dan fiercely threw the porcelain bottle in her hand to the ground. With a crisp "Hua la" sound, the sparkling and translucent fragments burst everywhere. The surrounding palace maids did not dare to breathe loudly, and one of them hurriedly knelt down to pick up the fragments. Jiang Dan angrily said, "Get out!"
The palace maids jumped in fright and hurriedly retreated. Only Jiang Dan was left in the huge palace. Her expression was no longer as charming and adorable as usual, but rather somewhat frightening. She forcefully clenched her fists and unconsciously gritted her teeth.
Even if one was more tolerant, the longer one stayed in a place like the palace, the higher one stood, the easier it was for one's true nature to be exposed. And once one lost one's composure, it was extremely easy for one to be caught. However, even now, Jiang Dan was still relatively clear-headed. Therefore, before anyone discovered any clues, she still remembered to drive all the palace maids out. She had always been a careful person.
Not only was Jiang Ruan safe and sound, but she had also appeared in the horse carriage outside Jinying Wang fu. When this matter reached her ears, Jiang Dan's hands trembled. In the past few days, no matter how hard she tried, she could not find any news of Jiang Ruan. Jinying Wang fu was so impregnable that even a fly could not fly out. Moreover, Jiang Ruan had just met with an accident, so she did not dare to go against the wind and commit a crime at this critical juncture. Originally, she thought that since there was no news of Jiang Ruan for so long, the odds were against her. Who knew that Jiang Ruan would swagger back to Jinying Wang fu in a horse carriage? She did not even know when Jiang Ruan had left.
She did not expect that Jiang Ruan would be so lucky, but Jiang Dan felt even more panicked. Since Jiang Ruan's body had completely recovered, she would certainly know that the poison from her youth was still present in her body. If she truly investigated, sooner or later, it would be traced back to her. With Jiang Ruan's sinister temperament, it was obvious from the fate of Xia Yan's family that she would not easily give up. Once she was discovered, Jiang Ruan would certainly not forgive her.
Every time she thought of this, Jiang Dan felt a burst of panic in her heart. She thought of that grey-clothed man and could not help but complain in her heart. At that time, they had agreed that even if Jiang Ruan had great abilities, it would be difficult for her to escape this calamity. Who would have thought that in the end, a mishap would still occur. After thinking for a while, she walked to the table at the side, took a pen from the jade tube, and pretended to write a letter to someone else.
It was also in the palace, but there was someone whose mood was completely different from Jiang Dan's. In the Southern Yuan, Xiao Shao had just walked into the hall when a delicate youth stepped forward. Without being polite, he grabbed his sleeve and said, "She's back?"
"She's in the fu." Xiao Shao pulled out his sleeve without batting an eyelid, "Thirteenth Prince, do you intend to visit my wife?"
For a subject to address himself as "I" in front of a prince, Xiao Shao was really bold. However, the Little Prince did not have the slightest awareness of being bullied. Immediately, a trace of obvious joy flashed across his face, "Alright, when are you leaving?"
For the past ten days, Xuan Pei had been in the palace like a year. Every day, he thought about Jiang Ruan's illness the most. Even when the Emperor came to ask him about his homework, he was absent-minded and answered many questions wrongly. Even Liu Min could see that he had something on his mind, but Xuan Pei naturally would not tell outsiders the reason. With so many things on his mind, Jiang Ruan was bedridden, but he had lost a lot of weight. Later, when he received news from Xiao Shao that Jiang Ruan's poison had been cured, Xuan Pei's heart was finally relieved. However, Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao did not seem to have any intention of returning, which made Xuan Pei extremely angry. In his heart, he did not know how many times he had cursed Xiao Shao for being sinister and taking Jiang Ruan away. Finally, Jiang Ruan had returned to the capital.
"No one can take away a prince at will. If Your Highness wishes to visit my humble abode, you must find a way to come out yourself," Xiao Shao said lightly.
Xuan Pei was stunned for a moment by such a blatant bullying, and then he became angry, "You are so unreasonable, treating me like this, I will tell her …"
"How about it?" Xiao Shao looked at him. Although there was no special expression on his face, his gaze was full of pressure.
Xuan Pei was at a loss for words, and for a moment, he was stunned. When he reacted, he felt that he had been suppressed by the other party's gaze, and it was very shameful. In his anger, he shouted, "She will definitely seek justice for me!"
In the palace, Xuan Pei had always behaved calmly beyond his age. Sometimes, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was more like an adult than an adult. Especially now that he was increasingly valued by the Emperor, the servants had almost never seen Xuan Pei act childishly. Now that Xiao Shao had angered him to the point of stamping his feet, he had the rare vigor that someone of his age should have.
"She is my wife, why should she help you?" Xiao Shao continued.
"She is still my …" Xuan Pei was about to finish speaking when he suddenly paused. He raised his head and looked at Xiao Shao vigilantly, but his heart seemed to be in turmoil. This person's scheming was very deep. With just a few words, he had almost managed to fish out his secret. Xiao Shao appeared to be cold and indifferent to everything, but in fact, he had a very observant ability. He was well aware that Xuan Pei's emotions would become abnormal at the mention of Jiang Ruan, and he also knew what words to use to provoke Xuan Pei's emotions. Thus, he said it out loud. Xuan Pei's heart, which had just been provoked, slowly calmed down. Looking at Xiao Shao, he suddenly smiled and said, "Xiao Wangye, by doing this, you are really using your strength to bully the weak."
His words were full of sarcasm, but Xiao Shao did not even blink and said indifferently, "Thirteenth Highness is not weak."
Xuan Pei swallowed his saliva. Who said that Jinying Wang was a cold-faced saint who was above the common people? Once this person became bad, he was really bad. Everywhere he went, he could poke at a person's sore spot. After taking a deep breath, Xuan Pei said, "I know what you want to know, but there is no need for me to tell you. Although you and she are husband and wife, but … "Xuan Pei smiled maliciously," Come to think of it, you should not be a real husband and wife. "
"Thirteenth Highness is overstepping your boundaries," Xiao Shao reminded him, "That day will come."
Xuan Pei was caught off guard by his words. He looked at Xiao Shao strangely, as if trying to see whether the person in front of him was the same person that others were talking about. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "No matter what, she and you can't talk about everything. What you want to know is a secret, and this secret is related to me and her. If you really want her good, think of a way to get me out of the palace. I want to see her. There are some things that I want to explain to her face to face. After that, if she truly trusts you, she will naturally tell you. But I have no obligation to tell you. "
Xiao Shao looked at him silently and nodded, "Okay."
Seeing him agree so readily, Xuan Pei was relieved and looked at him solemnly, "You saved her life before. No matter what, I should thank you on her behalf. No matter what happens, my goal is the same as yours. You and I will not harm her. " This was the first time that Xuan Pei had sincerely admitted defeat to Xiao Shao. Perhaps it was because Xiao Shao had thought of a way to cure the poison in Jiang Ruan's body that Xuan Pei was grateful from the bottom of his heart.
Xiao Shao glanced at him, "I saved my wife. What does that have to do with you? There is no need to thank me."
Xuan Pei, "..."
…
Jiang Ruan had only returned to Jinying Prince's fu for a short while when Jiang Xin Zhi, who had received the news, rushed back from the barracks. He pulled Jiang Ruan along and nagged her about a bunch of things that she needed to pay attention to when she was sick. If she did not know that this eldest brother of hers had a martial background, Jiang Ruan would have suspected that Jiang Xin Zhi was going to change his profession to become a doctor. She had not told the General fu about the matter of her being poisoned. If Zhao Guang knew that someone had made a move against her and her son more than ten years ago, she feared that he would immediately go to the Minister's fu and turn it upside down. It was just that now was not the right time.
When Jiang Xin Zhi brought up this matter, his heart was filled with lingering fear and anger. He only said, "What exactly happened? Xiao Shao did not tell me who poisoned you. Are you not going to tell me either? "
Bai Zhi brought over some plum blossom honey water. Jiang Ruan pushed a cup in front of Jiang Xin Zhi and comforted him, "I know who that person is. I just don't want to beat the grass and alert the enemy. Eldest Brother, don't worry. I will resolve this matter tomorrow morning. This matter is not difficult for me. With Xiao Shao's help, nothing will happen. Eldest Brother also knows what kind of person I am. There is no reason for me to be schemed against. "
"Ah Ruan, I am your eldest brother." Jiang Xin Zhi was annoyed. "You would rather tell Xiao Shao than tell me. Is this because you think that Eldest Brother is useless, so you don't want to tell Eldest Brother about this matter and let him handle it?" Jiang Xin Zhi felt a little wronged. Once this sister got married, she would no longer be his sister. He said, "When you were young, when you were bullied by others, it was Eldest Brother who stood up for you. How come you don't remember now …"
Jiang Ruan helplessly held her forehead. "Eldest Brother, what are you saying? What does this have to do with me thinking that you are useless? I will naturally tell you about this matter, but not now. Can't you even wait for one more night? Besides, I am not letting you interfere because your position is not right. You are a General. If you interfere in these matters, you will inevitably attract gossip. Xiao Shao is different. The Embroidered Uniform Guards under him are different from ordinary soldiers. They work in secret and are easy to use. He is my husband, his people are my people. Eldest Brother, you don't like him. Is it because you are dissatisfied with me? "
Jiang Xin Zhi was at a loss for words. "Why would I be dissatisfied with you? Now that I have obtained this scholarly title, I do not want you to be bullied by others. If I still have to be afraid of others talking about me after I have obtained this scholarly title, and I even have to think about how to stand up for you, what is the point of climbing higher? " Seeing Jiang Ruan's slightly stunned expression, Jiang Xin Zhi's heart softened. After all, he was afraid that she would think too much and cause trouble for her body that had just recovered from a serious illness. He hurriedly said, "Alright, whatever you say, I don't care. Wait until tomorrow, you must find that person for me. If he dares to lay his hands on you, I will personally cripple him! "
Jiang Ruan smiled. Jiang Xin Zhi looked at her and suddenly sighed. "Although I do not know why, this time when you went to Xiao Shao's school, you seemed to be much more cheerful. I think it is all thanks to Xiao Shao. "
Jiang Ruan was startled. "Why does Eldest Brother say that?"
"You are my younger sister, I understand you." Jiang Xin Zhi shook his head. "In the past, I always felt that there was something on your heart, even after you got married. But now that you have returned, I feel that your temperament has changed a lot. Originally, I did not like Xiao Shao. I felt that his temperament was too cold, and that he could not take good care of you. "Jiang Xin Zhi paused." But now, it seems that he treats you well. Ah Ruan, you are so good, how could there be anyone in this world who does not like you? Xiao Shao's foresight is not bad, and now that you treat him … it is no longer the relationship of an ally that you previously spoke of. "
Was she actually so obvious? Jiang Ruan's heart skipped a beat, and then she laughed. "Does Eldest Brother not like me like this?"
"No, I am very happy." Jiang Xin Zhi smiled slightly. "If there is someone in this world who makes you happy, no matter who it is, I will be happy for you." Jiang Xin Zhi reached out and patted her head. "As long as he treats you well, that is enough."
The brother and sister talked for a while. Jiang Xin Zhi did not dare to speak with Jiang Ruan for too long, for fear of disturbing her rest. Not long after, he got up and left. Before he left, he carefully reminded Lian Qiao and the others that he would visit her in the wang fu the next day. After Jiang Xin Zhi left, Jiang Ruan rested for a while. The sky gradually turned dark. After drinking her medicine, Jiang Ruan looked at the account book in her room. She did not have time to look at the account book when she went to Jia Nan Shan fu. Since there was nothing else to do, Jiang Ruan flipped through it.
Bai Zhi came over and advised, "It is getting late, Miss should go to bed early and rest. It is not too late to look at the account book later."
"Yes," Dewzhu winked mischievously. "Son-in-law is still waiting in the bedroom, Miss has been in the study. Be careful not to catch a cold, or else, Son-in-law will find trouble with us."
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that after Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao returned, there seemed to be some changes between them. The servants were all happy to see that the relationship between the two had improved. Dewzhu even tried to think of ways to make the two of them into a pile.
Lian Qiao flicked Dewzhu's forehead. "Little wench, how can you casually make fun of Miss's words? It seems that Miss has treated you too well, so you are becoming more and more lawless." She looked at Jiang Ruan with a grin. "But what you said is also pertinent. Miss's body cannot withstand any more torment. It is better for you to rest early, lest Son-in-law's heart aches."
Jiang Ruan looked at her group of servant girls fooling around and suddenly remembered the scene in her dream when she was poisoned. In her previous life, she had not met these servant girls. She suddenly let out a long sigh. "How many years have you all been following me?"
Lian Qiao and the others were stunned. No one had expected that Jiang Ruan would suddenly say such a thing. Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at each other and said, "Bai Zhi and we have been following Miss since we were young. It has been about sixteen years."
Dewzhu blinked. "Servant has been following Miss since we were in the rural residence. It has been about six years."
"Subordinate has been following Young Furen for two years," Tian Zhu said softly.
"So it has been so many years," Jiang Ruan said softly.
"Miss …" Bai Zhi said worriedly.
Jiang Ruan waved her hand and said with a smile, "I'm just feeling a little sentimental. You all have been following me for so many years, but it seems that your lives have not been very good. On the surface, it looks bright, but in reality, there are dangers everywhere. Speaking of which, it is my fault as your master."
Her words were inexplicable, so Dewdrop hurriedly said, "Miss, please don't say that. It's our good fortune to be able to follow such a considerate person like Miss. Miss treats us very well, and we've never felt guilty."
Lian Qiao and the others also hurriedly said. Jiang Ruan smiled. "It's nothing, I will rest first. You all should also sleep early, you still have to enter the palace early tomorrow morning." As she said this, she stood up. Tian Zhu hurriedly draped a coat over her, and Jiang Ruan left the study and entered the bedchamber.
The sky had already darkened, and Jinying Wang's fu had sunk into silence. There was no sound in the night, and it seemed to be very peaceful. In the middle of the night, light snow began to fall. The ground was wet and cold, and if one were to step on it carelessly, it would be slippery.
In such a dark night, an inconspicuous figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard, as if it had woken up in the middle of the night to go to the latrine. However, when it passed by the outermost wall, it seemed as if it had inadvertently squatted down and brushed at a certain spot at the base of the wall.
At this moment, the eyes suddenly brightened. In the pitch-black night, several torches suddenly appeared, shining brightly on that person. That person was startled, and hurriedly squatted down to cover his face with his hands. He lowered his head, refusing to let others see his face.
A voice sounded extremely clear in the night, "Young Madam, he's caught! There's really a thief! "
Another person said, "Hey, lift up your face. Who is this person?"
That person's body trembled, and he buried his head even lower. It turned out to be a turtle in a jar. Behind the group of imperial bodyguards, Jiang Ruan slowly walked out from the back. She held a torch in her hand, and the light from the fire illuminated her face, making it appear cold and beautiful. However, there was a faint sorrow in her eyes, as well as a trace of imperceptible disappointment.
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