Early the next morning, Jiang Ruan woke up a little late. The servants in the General fu had received instructions from Madam Li to not disturb her from her sweet dreams. Therefore, by the time Jiang Ruan woke up, the sky was already bright and Xiao Shao was no longer by her side. The room was so clean that it was as if nothing had happened last night. She slowly propped herself up, only to feel that her whole body was extremely sore and painful, and a few faint red marks could be seen on her shoulders. Jiang Ruan was speechless as she looked at him for a while. Xiao Shao had not seen her for more than ten days, but he had become more and more of a beast, and his actions were also very domineering. It really was the so-called 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'.
Dewdrop carefully observed her expression. Although she was somewhat reproachful, there was no anger on her face. It seemed that Xiao Shao's arrival last night had changed her. At least the coldness on her face had disappeared a little. It was probably because the husband and wife had reconciled and the estrangement had been eliminated. This was naturally a good thing. Lu Zhu was also sincerely happy for Jiang Ruan. Unconsciously, she met Jiang Ruan's thoughtful gaze as she stared at her. Dewdrop was startled and asked hesitantly, "Young Madam, what do you want this servant to do?"
…
Xiao Shao stared fixedly at her for a long time, then sighed slightly and said somewhat helplessly: "That's right, the people of the southern border are naturally cunning, once you are involved, it will be hard to avoid danger."
Inside the carriage, Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao were somewhat puzzled. Since when did Jiang Ruan intend to embroider the Thousand-armed Guanyin? Yao Niannian had not expected that Jiang Ruan would ignore her words just now and suddenly ask for such a request. Governor-General Yao was the Governor-General of Binhai, and he would spend most of the year in the Southern Sea. When Yao Niannian was a child, she had also lived in the Southern Sea. It was only when she gradually grew up that she was sent back to the capital. Such a small matter was naturally not difficult for her. Yao Niannian smiled and said, "There's no need to thank me. Since I have a friendship with His Highness, I am naturally a friend of the princess. I will always want to help my friends. I'll talk to my father when I get home. "
Just as Jiang Ruan had said, at this moment, in the Yao fu, the housekeeper by Governor Yao's side looked at Yao Niannian with some astonishment and said, "Miss said that she wants Jia Lin's moonlight stone? Jialin … The South Sea had never heard of Jialin, and what was a Moonstone? Is it very famous? "
"He doesn't know any martial arts. Is there anything special about him?" Jiang Ruan asked.
"Naturally, I'm not afraid of any danger." Jiang Ruan glared at him. Suddenly, a trace of craftiness flashed across her eyes as she said, "I more or less know what your plan is, so I helped you start it in advance."
"Does she know any martial arts?" Jiang Ruan's expression was extremely grave. Tian Zhu was also slightly surprised, but after carefully recalling, she shook her head and said, "No, but the servant girl beside her has some martial arts, but not much. It should be for self-protection." This wasn't hard to explain. With Yao Niannian's status, she would always bring a few guards with her when she went out. Yao Niannian probably didn't want to bring any guards, so he brought a maid who knew some martial arts.
When they returned to the wang fu, Steward Lin saw that Jiang Ruan had returned, and once again, he gave a lively celebration. Then, he exclaimed in admiration at the generosity of the General fu. Indeed, it was Young Madam's maiden family. Jiang Ruan was not in the mood to talk to him. She only instructed Steward Lin to tidy up the pile of gifts before she returned to her courtyard. When he arrived at the courtyard, he only asked Tian Zhu to go to the study.
Jiang Ruan sat in the carriage as it stopped. Tian Zhu was the first to jump down. She looked at the people outside and asked, "Who is it?"
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan did not answer Yao Niannian's question. Her face was still smiling, but she asked, "Speaking of which, there is still a matter that I need Miss Yao's help with."
Jiang Ruan shook her head and said, "It's nothing." Last night's incident with Xiao Shao had confirmed her conjecture. Jin Er was really just putting on a show. However, Xiao Shao, she, and Jin Er also knew about this show. However, Lu Zhu was the one who didn't know. What kind of feelings did Lu Zhu have for Jin Er? Other people's lives and feelings could not be decided by her. Thus, how this matter was resolved would depend on Jin Er and Lu Zhu themselves. Jiang Ruan sighed softly and said to Tian Zhu, "Pack up your things. Today, we will return to the fu."
Lian Qiao didn't say anything more. The carriage moved slowly, but it moved very steadily. When they reached the streets of the city, they heard a clear and melodious female voice coming from outside the carriage, "May I ask if this is Hong 'an Junzhu's carriage?"
"Return to the fu?" Tian Zhu was somewhat startled. Although she knew that the two of them must have reconciled last night, why would they suddenly return to the fu? Jiang Ruan only said, "It's nothing, it's better to catch them off guard." She then got up and went out the door, "I will go explain to Grandfather and Grandmother."
"What?" Tian Zhu was shocked and whispered, "If she isn't Yao Niannian, who is she?"
Yao Niannian smiled and said, "No need to thank me. But looking at Junzhu's appearance, did you just come back from the General fu?"
"I met Yao Niannian today," Jiang Ruan said.
The person outside was just a young lady dressed like a servant girl. From the cloth that the girl was wearing, it could be seen that her family background was not ordinary. However, that servant girl did not expect that a woman with an icy expression would suddenly jump out from inside and impolitely ask who she was. She was startled. She composed herself and was about to speak when a gentle voice came from beside her, "It's me. My servant girl was rude and offended Junzhu. I hope that Junzhu will be magnanimous enough to forgive me. Just now, I saw the General fu's carriage and guessed that Junzhu was also in it, so I rashly went up to greet you. "
Jiang Ruan called Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu in to freshen up. When Lian Qiao was combing Jiang Ruan's hair, she looked a little embarrassed. Jiang Ruan saw her appearance and asked, "What's wrong?"
"This …" Tian Zhu was somewhat puzzled, "What is Young Furen asking?"
"Nothing, I will return to my room first." Yao Niannian suddenly said in a low voice. For the first time, there was no smile on her face, only coldness. When she returned to her room, Yao Niannian sat in front of the dressing mirror. She stared at the woman in the bronze mirror and muttered to herself, "A trap? She actually saw through it. " She sighed, and with a light flash in her sleeve, something floated out of the window, leaving behind a burst of orchid fragrance.
When Madam Li heard that Jiang Ruan suddenly wanted to leave, she was naturally shocked. For the past ten days, the Zhao family had been very happy because of Jiang Ruan's arrival. Although Jiang Ruan's character was not very warm, she was very good at making good relations with people. In her previous life, she had also learned a lot from Xuan Li in the palace. Now, with the Zhao family, who had always been kind to her, she had it at her fingertips. Therefore, the Zhao family had long regarded her as a member of the family. To leave so suddenly, there was no need to say anything about other people, but Madam Li was naturally reluctant. However, Jiang Ruan only said that Xiao Shao had come to urge her, so Madam Li naturally could not stop her. The young couple was doing well, how could they stay at their maiden home every day? There was no need to alienate the affection between husband and wife. Therefore, Mrs. Li smiled and said: "That being the case, it's not good for me to say anything. I will ask the housekeeper to bring the gift back and also bring some for that child Xiao Shao. A 'ruan, you should come to the General's Mansion in the future. This is your home, grandmother wants you to come."
Yao Niannian stood motionless, his gaze following the direction of the carriage's departure. A trace of darkness flashed in his eyes. What did the phrase "there are still many matters to be dealt with in the fu" represent? Was it the supreme authority of the master in Jinying Wang fu? Or was it a demonstration? Yao Niannian slowly lowered his head. On his face, there seemed to be no difference from the smile he had just had. Maintaining his indifferent appearance, he said, "Let's go."
"There is no need for me to expose her. She can no longer use this identity. And in such a short period of time, it is not so easy to find the identity of a family member of a high-ranking official who can be close to the center of the court. "
Jiang Ruan glared at him, but did not dwell on this issue. She had not been in the fu these past few days, so even if Xiao Shao wanted to tell her, he could not. Thus, she said, "Previously, I felt that it was a little strange. It was probably intuition. I always felt that she was very different from the first time I met her, so when I saw her on the street today, I deliberately tested her. " Jiang Ruan recounted the matter of asking Yao Niannian to help her find the moonlight stone on the street, and then said, "That Jia Lin was just a place that I randomly made up. There was no such thing as a moonlight stone, but she actually agreed. Obviously, she was very unfamiliar with the South Sea region. Yao Niannian had followed Governor-General Yao to work in Binhai since he was a child, how could he not be clear about such a small matter? There must be something wrong with her. "Jiang Ruan's gaze sank, and she slowly said," Let me guess, she is from the Southern Frontier? "
Jiang Ruan was stunned for a moment when she saw his worried expression, and then she immediately pulled him into the room and closed the door. Xiao Shao quietly let her do all this. When Jiang Ruan pulled him to the study table to sit down, he unhurriedly poured a cup of tea for Jiang Ruan, "Speak slowly."
"It just so happens that maternal grandmother's birthday is approaching, and I intend to embroider a figurine with a thousand hands for rent. However, that figurine must be made with beads. I heard that the Jia Lin area of the South Sea is rich in moonlight stones, which are used to polish the beads. However, recently, there have been no such beads in the shops in the capital. I know that Yao daren is the Governor of Binhai, so the next time you go to the South Sea, can you bring some for me? I will be very grateful. "
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and interrupted what he was about to say, "No need to say more, I have already decided. If the Southern Frontier colludes with Xuan Li, sooner or later, Xuan Pei will also be affected. I can't let this happen. "
Xiao Shao was slightly startled, as if he was trying to figure out the meaning of Jiang Ruan's words, and then said, "You …"
"You want to expose her?" Xiao Shao asked.
Tian Zhu shook her head, "I didn't discover anything. Why does Young Madam ask this? Miss Yao is just an ordinary young lady, how could she know martial arts? " There had always been a lot of intelligence in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Yao Niannian was also one of the top young ladies in the capital. Everything about her was naturally known by everyone. With such a Yao Niannian, why would Jiang Ruan suddenly ask if she knew martial arts? Tian Zhu was puzzled, but she saw Jiang Ruan slowly lower her head and say, "She is not Yao Niannian."
It was like punching cotton, and no amount of strength could be exerted. Any words that could anger others, when it came to Jiang Ruan, did not seem to care at all. Watching the carriage go far away, the servant girl beside Yao Niannian indignantly said, "Miss, she must have done it on purpose! In her heart, she must have been very angry, but on the surface, she pretended to be calm and indifferent. It must be so! "
"Miss, it would be better if you changed your clothes." Lian Qiao's face was red as she looked at the back of Jiang Ruan's neck. Seeing that Jiang Ruan was still somewhat at a loss, she lowered her head and fetched a bronze mirror to look at Jiang Ruan's back. She saw a dark red mark on her fair neck, which appeared extremely ambiguous. Jiang Ruan was stunned, and immediately, she rained down a torrent of curses on Xiao Shao in her heart. Only then did she let Lu Zhu fetch a piece of clothing with a vertical collar that could cover up the red mark on the neck.
There were two carriages in total, one for Jiang Ruan, and the other for the ceremonial carriage. To follow the ceremonial carriage, Jiang Ruan's carriage also moved slowly. Originally, the General fu and Jinying Wang fu were not too far apart, so the distance was several times longer than the original. Lian Qiao suggested, "Why don't Young Madam go first, and the carriage behind will slowly catch up. In broad daylight, no one will be able to snatch the carriage away."
Lu Zhu frowned as she listened. This Yao Niannian kept talking about clinging to Xiao Shao, what was going on? These words deliberately caused Jiang Ruan to misunderstand. Lu Zhu could not help but feel a little nervous. She thought that Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao had finally buried the hatchet with great difficulty last night, and today, this Yao Niannian had come to make trouble again. Lian Qiao held onto Lu Zhu, lest she lose her rationality and rush out. After all, she needed to be more calm, but even so, she did not dare to agree with Yao Niannian's words.
Yao Niannian hung his head, as if he had thought of something, and said in a low voice, "No wonder those days, he …" Halfway through his words, Yao Niannian suddenly raised his head to look at Jiang Ruan, as if he had suddenly realized that there was something wrong with his words, and hurriedly shut his mouth. Halfway through his words, it made people's hearts itch. However, this obviously fell through for Jiang Ruan. She still did not seem to see Yao Niannian's expression, and only smiled, "If there is nothing else, I will leave first. There are still many things to do in the fu, and when I return, I will have to deal with them. If Miss Yao wishes to continue strolling, I hope that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest. "
Tian Zhu followed Jiang Ruan into the study, and Jiang Ruan walked to the table and sat down. Tian Zhu hesitated for a moment before asking, "What happened to Young Furen?" For her to go in alone, there must be something important. In the end, Jiang Ruan just looked at her and said, "Just now, that Yao Niannian, what do you think?"
She always brought the matter to Xiao Shao, but Jiang Ruan was not the slightest bit angry. Instead, as if she did not hear the hidden meaning in Tian Zhu's words, she smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Miss Yao."
Tian Zhu was also very efficient, and in less than two hours, Xiao Shao returned to the fu. He must have rushed back from outside, and he did not even have time to change his clothes. When he saw Jiang Ruan, he asked, "What happened?"
Jiang Ruan shook her head and said, "It's nothing, you can slowly return." These past few days in the General fu, she did not observe the surroundings like she did in the Wang fu. Instead, she sent letters to Xuan Pei, so the news had lagged quite a bit. Unlike Xiao Shao, who used the Embroidered Uniform Guards to gather information, Jiang Ruan used her own eyes to deduce the possible abnormalities based on the bits and pieces of her daily life.
Jiang Ruan laughed again, but when she saw the horse carriage that the General fu had prepared, she was stunned. That horse carriage seemed to be pulling an entire carriage full of gifts. Indeed, Li shi had given her almost everything that she could think of. She did not dare to refuse the gifts of an elder, but she could not return them all. Jiang Ruan did not know whether to laugh or cry. So many gifts, how was this the usual return gift for a visit? It was more like a move. Tian Zhu was somewhat hesitant, "Young Furen, I'm afraid the carriage will move very slowly."
"Exactly." Jiang Ruan also answered.
The teacup in Yao Niannian's hand fell, and her expression suddenly stiffened for a moment. The servant girl beside her jumped in fright, and hurriedly squatted down to pick up the broken pieces of the teacup. The housekeeper saw that Yao Niannian's expression was not right, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong with Miss? Why don't this old servant send someone to ask again? Perhaps it's just that this old servant's talent is shallow, and I don't know the reputation of the moonlight stone. "
Yao Niannian's expression changed slightly, and she immediately smiled, "If I can help Junzhu, I will naturally do my best."
The servant girl on the ground, however, knew the cause of the matter, and angrily said, "Taking an item that is simply impossible for Miss to find, that Jin Ying Wangfei is really black-hearted. If Miss can't find it, won't she have something to criticize? "She did not notice that something was wrong.
"The matter is somewhat thorny," Jiang Ruan suddenly said, "Think of a way to find Xiao Shao, and let him return to the fu earlier, there is something important to discuss."
These words were spoken very amiably, without any airs, as if she was talking to an old acquaintance. After a moment, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Jiang Ruan walked out. Tian Zhu stood beside Jiang Ruan, and together, they looked at the woman in front of them. This woman was none other than the Yao family's Young Miss, Yao Niannian.
Jiang Ruan also smiled, "What a coincidence, I did not expect to meet Young Miss Yao here, it can be seen that we are really fated."
Yao Niannian also nodded and smiled, "Yes. Niannian suddenly came forward to disturb, and did not want to be too rash and impolite, it was really thoughtless. It's just that we have met a few times, and thought that we should at least greet each other. "
"En?" Xiao Shao raised his eyebrows, only to hear Jiang Ruan speak again, "I suspect that she is not Yao Niannian." Seeing that Xiao Shao did not respond, Jiang Ruan was a little puzzled, but immediately understood, and angrily said, "You already knew?"
In the carriage, Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao indeed did not dare to make a sound, because Jiang Ruan's expression was very solemn since she had boarded the carriage. This was somewhat rare for her, who usually faced everything with a smile. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao did not know the reason, and only thought that Jiang Ruan had been angered by Yao Niannian again. In their hearts, they could not wait to immediately drive Yao Niannian out of the capital. How could there be an unmarried woman who stared at someone else's husband all day long? The Yao family's status would never allow Yao Niannian to come to the Jinyi Wang fu as a concubine, but Yao Niannian's current attitude was clear as day. She basically had the goal of entering the household, could it be that she still wanted to be on equal footing with Jiang Ruan? Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu were still thinking, only to see that Jiang Ruan's expression had become even more solemn, and they did not even dare to ask.
"Don't be angry," seeing that she was about to get angry again, Xiao Shao hurriedly strangled Jiang Ruan's anger in the bud, and comforted her, "Previously I had my suspicions, but now it is almost confirmed. How do you know? "He changed the topic.
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