Xiao Shao stood silently in the night. After the time it took to burn half an incense stick, the door was slammed open and Jiang Ruan's cold voice sounded, "Still not coming in?"
"Ai ai ai ai, Young Madam is indeed an extraordinary woman with a broad mind and courage!" Jin San exclaimed in admiration, "Tolerant and magnanimous, it's really hard to find someone like you." She spoke so happily that she had long forgotten who had said "Young Madam will definitely not forgive you".
Xiao Shao, however, was not in the mood to listen to her random flattery. The moment the door opened, he decisively dashed in. When he entered the room, even Lu Zhu was startled and stammered, "Wang- Wangye."
"You can leave first." Jiang Ruan said to her. Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan with some hesitation, but still complied and left. After Lu Zhu left, there were only the two of them left in the room. Jiang Ruan sat down in front of the table and calmly waited for Xiao Shao to speak first.
Xiao Shao was silent for a moment before he sat opposite her. After thinking for a while, he finally asked, "You know?"
"What do you think?" Jiang Ruan asked in return.
Xiao Shao did not know how to respond. After a moment, he said, "I'm sorry, I didn't inform you beforehand."
Jiang Ruan glared at him, "If you had informed me beforehand, how could you have put on such an act? I'm afraid it would have been seen through long ago."
Xiao Shao was stunned when he heard this, then he looked at Jiang Ruan with some surprise, "Then you're not angry?"
"I'm angry." Jiang Ruan said coldly.
Xiao Shao was startled again, "Why?"
"You're asking me again?" Jiang Ruan was so angry that she laughed, "Xiao Shao, your subordinates are people, but is my maidservant not people? Since you're putting on an act, then Jin Er must also be putting on an act. It's only the two of you, master and servant, that won't be a problem. You must feel sorry for my Lu Zhu. I know that you usually only want to achieve your goal, and you don't need to show any mercy. If you did, then the Brocade Guard wouldn't need to continue working. But Xiao Shao, you shouldn't have used these methods on my maidservant. "
These words were spoken quickly and anxiously. It was obvious that she had hidden them in her heart for a long time. Jiang Ruan's resentment towards Xiao Shao was also quite deep. After she finished speaking, she waited for Xiao Shao's reply. Xiao Shao was slightly startled, and then said, "I didn't order it."
Jiang Ruan stared blankly, only to hear Xiao Shao's voice, "Jin 'er did not know about this beforehand and only felt suspicious. That day, he did not report to me and only investigated on his own. Later, after the matter was clarified, he told me. Before that, he had already begun acting with Lu Zhu."
"You're saying that Jin Er decided to do this on his own?" Jiang Ruan frowned.
Xiao Shao replied, "He suspects that there is someone behind Liao Meng, and that person might be related to the southern border. If he were to be forcefully exposed, I'm afraid that Lu Zhu would be in danger. Moreover, the people of the southern border are extremely cunning. If Jin Er had made even the slightest mistake, he might have killed Lu Zhu in order to achieve the same goal of keeping us at odds. "Although these words did not directly plead on Jin Er's behalf, they explained Jin Er's motive for doing so. Xiao Shao looked at Jiang Ruan, "How did you find out?"
Other than Xiao Shao and Jin Er, the other Embroidered Uniform Guards did not know about this matter. In order to ensure that nothing went wrong, and also in order not to beat the grass and alert the snake so that they could ascertain the mastermind, they had kept their mouths shut. Naturally, Jiang Ruan could not have been told by anyone, so she could only have pushed it out herself. Jiang Ruan rolled her eyes at him and said, "I'm not clear about Jin Er's temperament, but he is very particular about having tender and protective feelings for the fairer sex. As long as he treats women who have no ill intentions, he always leaves some leeway. Moreover, he is used to mingling in brothels, so he has seen all kinds of women's tricks. That Liao Meng is also not a stunning beauty. In my opinion, she is not even as beautiful as the top courtesan in the brothels, so how could Jin Er have a whole new level of respect for her? This, on the contrary, feels strange. "
The mastermind indeed had sinister intentions. Now that he thought about it, he had first used Liao Meng to cause discord between Jin Er and Lu Zhu. Moreover, Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan both had a protective temperament, and they had a kind of pride in their bones. Naturally, they would not be willing to admit defeat easily. Once such people became stubborn on the same issue, it would only result in a dispute that was difficult to reconcile. Of all the things in the world, the most difficult to control was the human heart. Once there was a flawed seed, the crack would only grow bigger and bigger. If at this time, some external factors were added at the right time, it was inevitable that there would be a split. Therefore, there was Yao Niannian and Qi Feng.
Qi Feng originally had some other thoughts about Jiang Ruan, but because of Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan's status, he had hidden those feelings deep in his heart. However, this did not mean that Xiao Shao was completely without a grudge. Deep down, Xiao Shao was an extremely strong man. If there was another man who coveted his woman, he would always be unhappy. Moreover, witnessing such a scene with his own eyes was so glaring to the eye. For a person who was prideful in his bones, it was undoubtedly a blow.
And Yao Niannian's letter and a piece of clothing made people even more fanciful. In this world, there was nothing more powerful than a woman's groundless delusion. Just by relying on the fantasies in one's mind, Yao Niannian's things were enough to destroy a woman's confidence in herself and her husband.
These things seemed unremarkable, but they were like tiny beads that were slowly strung together by an entire string. Finally, they formed a complete series of plans. And the ultimate goal of this plan was to cause Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao to fall out.
However, no matter how perfect a plan was, there would always be flaws. Moreover, Jiang Ruan herself was an expert in perceiving the human heart, and the human heart was the easiest thing to change. Although the other party's plan was good, he had already made a mistake in the first stage. He absolutely did not expect that Jin Er had already become a variable in this game.
Jin Er was a man who had experienced many hardships with women. Ever since he had joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he often had missions to lurk in brothels. Thus, he had already perfected the art of putting on a show. Liao Meng was undoubtedly a good opponent. Her background and relationship with the Huang family were genuine. Moreover, Liao Meng herself was also an intelligent and beautiful woman. All of this had been planned so flawlessly that it was almost difficult for people to doubt it. However, the first stage of the game's plan had been missed, and also the key to the mistake, was that others had overlooked Jin Er's identity.
Jin Er's identity was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he was the Second Young Master of the Huang family. Perhaps the other party had made a serious and detailed investigation to come to this conclusion, but this understanding was far from enough. Liao Meng was indeed intelligent, but for a man who had stayed in a brothel for so many years, her tricks were not enough.
Jin Er almost immediately realized that this woman had ulterior motives. However, the acuity of the Embroidered Uniform Guard allowed him to understand that this matter might not stop there. Liao Meng seemed to have an expert guiding her from behind. She seemed to be just a chess piece, and a person who could even move a chess piece like her had to have a meticulous mind. Since this was the case, it was better to go with the flow and see what the other party wanted to do.
As they continued to investigate, Jin Er discovered something unusual and suspected that this matter had something to do with the Southern Border. Thus, it was not good for him to act blindly without thinking. In order to protect Lu Zhu and also to confirm his suspicions, he followed Liao Meng's plan and put on a show. Then, he quietly found an opportunity to explain this matter to Xiao Shao. The pitiful Liao Meng really thought that her methods were brilliant, and that she could easily take down someone like Jin Er without much effort. However, she did not know that her every move had long been clearly seen by others.
Jiang Ruan frowned, but then she thought of another matter and asked, "Then that night, Jin Er and Liao Meng really …. This sacrifice is really too great. "
That night, Jin Er did not return to the fu, and when he returned, he wanted to cancel the engagement with Lu Zhu. The servants in the fu had discussed this possibility. Jiang Ruan had inadvertently overheard it and felt that it was absurd, but now that she thought about it, she still had to ask about it. At least, she could ask this question on behalf of Lu Zhu.
Xiao Shao did not expect that she would still remember this, and he was stunned for a moment before he shook his head and said, "No, Jin Er has a way to extricate himself."
Jiang Ruan breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and said, "Since his body is still clean, it's not like there's no chance."
Xiao Shao, "…."
However, Jiang Ruan did not let him off. She looked at him from the corner of her eye and said with a smile that was not a smile, "His innocence has been preserved, but what about yours?"
"Me?" Xiao Shao was puzzled by her words. However, he heard Jiang Ruan's unhurried words, "These days, haven't you and Yao Niannian put on a good show? Did she take advantage of you in any way, or did she beat you at her own game and lose weight?"
Xiao Shao was startled, and a trace of helplessness flashed through his eyes. These days, in order to observe the movements of the Yao family, even he had indeed done some concealment. However, it was not as blatant as Jiang Ruan had said. The Yao family was also very clever. They probably understood that if they directly sent him an invitation, it would be too obvious, and he would definitely not go. Therefore, they only used a roundabout way to save the country, and always relied on the Mo fu or other colleagues' fu that had relations with Xiao Shao to approach him. Most of the time, Xiao Shao just watched coldly from the seat and did not say anything. He said, "No, I am clean and honest."
"Clean and honest?" Jiang Ruan played with these four words, and suddenly said, "What's the matter with the clothes?"
She finally asked the key point. Even though she knew that it was an act, the clothes were still an eyesore in her eyes, and she only wanted to cut them and throw them far away. Xiao Shao was startled. Thinking that Jiang Ruan had always been brooding over this matter, he did not know whether to laugh or cry. The matter of the clothes was an accident. That day, someone at the banquet had accidentally tipped over a wine cup and spilled wine on him. He had always liked cleanliness, so after changing his clothes, he had casually thrown it into the banquet. He had forgotten to throw it away, but he did not expect that it would be taken away by someone. Naturally, that person was Yao Niannian. When Yao Niannian's letter and clothes arrived, Xiao Shao himself was also confused. He called Mo Cong to ask about it. It turned out that on that day, Yao Niannian had somehow been splashed with water, and someone had conveniently used the clothes that Xiao Shao had tossed aside to drape them over her body. After Yao Niannian returned to the fu, she personally washed Xiao Shao's robes and sent the letter to the wang fu.
It had to be said that this move was extremely ingenious. Not saying anything was better than a thousand words. If it were some of the more powerful wives, they would have already started quarreling with their husbands. This kind of confrontation, where there was no trust between husband and wife, would naturally not bring any benefits. It was feared that the relationship between husband and wife would only worsen. Now that he thought about it, the person who had splashed wine on Xiao Shao at the banquet had also done it on purpose. They had long known about Xiao Shao's habit of liking cleanliness. Even if Xiao Shao himself did not forget to change his clothes, he would still have a way to get his hands on them.
Xiao Shao then explained the ins and outs of the matter to Jiang Ruan. When Jiang Ruan heard this, although she still had a dissatisfied expression on her face, her gaze softened. It had to be said that Xiao Shao's explanation was quite in line with her intentions. At least, the words' clean and honest 'were indeed worthy. However, this was also related to Xiao Shao's own temperament. Everyone knew that Xiao Shao was used to being cold and indifferent. Naturally, he would not do anything out of line at the banquet. If he had really spoken gently to Yao Niannian, that would have been very suspicious.
Jiang Ruan had only just understood when Xiao Shao began to ask, "You knew about Jin Er's matter. When did you know that I was acting?"
"I knew from the beginning." Jiang Ruan snorted, "You are a person who is protective of your own, but Jin Er and I, you probably also want to protect me. In any case, Jin Er is a man. If you did not have any other intentions towards him, why would you protect him and offend me? It's just that the matter was too abnormal from the beginning. I'm not a fool. "
Xiao Shao, "..."
Jiang Ruan's words were completely gilding her own face. However, when she thought about it carefully, she could hear the unusual meaning behind it. Xiao Shao was indeed a person who was protective of his own. If it had been someone else but Jiang Ruan, he would definitely have stood on Jin Er's side. This was a kind of equal trust that a leader had towards his subordinates. Moreover, this subordinate also had brotherly feelings. However, with Jiang Ruan, Xiao Shao was not the same. Perhaps this meant that he valued a lover over a friend, but how could it not be? The person who had set up this trap undoubtedly understood Xiao Shao very well. This trap had fully considered Xiao Shao's character and characteristics, and calculated his reaction to every matter. However, there was only one thing that they had overlooked, or perhaps they were unwilling to admit, and that was that times had changed. Now, the first person that Xiao Shao wanted to protect was naturally Jiang Ruan. Therefore, when Xiao Shao had misunderstood Jiang Ruan and become distant, Lu Zhu was suspicious, Lian Qiao was suspicious, and even Tian Zhu was somewhat suspicious. However, the person who had seen it the clearest was Jiang Ruan herself. She clearly understood Xiao Shao's feelings towards her, so she gave him the same kind of trust.
"From the beginning, you have been acting with me?" Xiao Shao was flabbergasted. Immediately after, he said somewhat awkwardly, "Qi Feng..."
"It was also on purpose." Jiang Ruan calmly said, "Although this matter is very unfair to him, if we are to put on an act, we have to do it properly. If I act like this, they will only feel that their plan is progressing so smoothly. Complacent, they will inevitably give themselves away. As the saying goes, complacent will give themselves away. I am speeding up the exposure of their flaws."
Xiao Shao was slightly startled and did not speak for a long time. Seeing him like this, Jiang Ruan frowned and said, "Why aren't you speaking? Do you think that my actions are somewhat inappropriate?" Speaking of this, Jiang Ruan also sighed in her heart. She had unscrupulously used every person and thing around her that she could use. This had become a long-standing habit in this lifetime, and it could not be changed in a short period of time. She understood the feelings that Qi Feng had for her. It was not that she did not feel guilty for using such feelings, but no matter how deep the guilt was, it could not compare to her determination to protect her own people.
"I just feel," Xiao Shao shook his head, looked at her and said, "There is also a tacit understanding between you and me."
Jiang Ruan did not expect him to say this. She was slightly startled and met Xiao Shao's serious gaze. She did not know why, but her face turned red and she looked away somewhat uncomfortably. Although they were already husband and wife, sometimes the words that Xiao Shao said could always make people blush and their hearts beat faster. When a serious person said sweet words, it always made people particularly happy. She had to admit that at this moment, Jiang Ruan's mood was like the moon radish flowers blooming in the dark night outside, slowly filled with a sweet fragrance.
But what did Xiao Shao say just now? Tacit understanding? Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes and her gaze fell on the youth in black opposite her. Indeed, the arrangement of this elimination was indeed ingenious. Even if Jiang Ruan saw it herself, she had to admit that the other party had put in a lot of effort. It seemed to be an extremely inconspicuous matter, and there was nothing special about it, but the turning point was inevitable, causing people to be led by the nose and walk into the trap. Jiang Ruan was also an expert in guessing people's minds. This elimination took advantage of the weakness of human nature and the distrust in their interactions to expand infinitely. However, this ingenious plan was seen through from the beginning, and now it was just a joke. Why was this so? Naturally, it was because of the tacit understanding between them.
Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao actually did not inform each other in advance. Both sides did not know each other's plans, but by relying on absolute trust and tacit understanding, they completed a flawless performance. Because there was no prior discussion, one could not see any flaws, and only felt that it was incomparably real. This was tacit understanding.
While she was contemplating, Xiao Shao suddenly walked in front of her. Jiang Ruan was startled, but Xiao Shao reached out and pressed her shoulder. He moved closer to her ear and whispered, "Since you are not angry, then follow me back to the fu."
"What fu?" Jiang Ruan said snappily, "Grandfather and the others are all asleep, there is no need to disturb them."
"Then go back quietly." Xiao Shao was unforgiving, "I will carry you and climb over the wall."
The dignified Jinying Wang was so fond of climbing over the wall, liked to carry out night raids before marriage, and still liked to do so after marriage. If word got out, people would really laugh their heads off. Jiang Ruan said, "Are you not afraid that Grandfather and the others will see that I am not here tomorrow morning and report to the authorities?"
Xiao Shao pursed his lips. He could not bring his own wife home. What kind of logic was this? Even if there was such a logic, it would still have to be changed. However, Xiao Shao could do nothing about this logic, but he could not do anything about Jiang Ruan. He knew that Jiang Ruan had always been a person of her word, so naturally, there was no room for negotiation. Immediately, he said, "That's good, then I will not leave tonight."
Jiang Ruan looked at him in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"Oh, I miss you." Xiao Shao said lightly, but he buried his face in Jiang Ruan's neck. Jiang Ruan felt a little ticklish and uncomfortable, so she lifted his head. Unfortunately, Xiao Shao did not move an inch. Jiang Ruan was both angry and amused, so she simply ignored him. She had never felt that Xiao Shao was so clingy. Was it really true that absence makes the heart grow fonder? Thinking of these words, Jiang Ruan's face suddenly turned red again, and she hurriedly interrupted her wandering thoughts, "Are you here to cause trouble for me? Quickly go back and leave before anyone notices. I also want to take a bath, don't laze around without moving. "
When Xiao Shao heard this, he immediately let go of Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan thought that he had understood her words and wanted to leave, but she did not hear any movement for a long time. Somewhat puzzled, she looked back at him and almost fainted from anger. She saw that Xiao Shao was unbuckling his belt, and when he saw her look over, the corners of his mouth twitched, "Just right, let's go together."
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