That morning, Jiang Ruan woke up early and ate the green stem porridge that Bai Zhi brought. She saw Shu Xiang standing at the door looking in. Lian Qiao saw her and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Nubi met Second Miss," Shu Xiang smiled and said, "She said that Second Miss has obtained a few bolts of satin and wants to invite Eldest Miss to her courtyard to choose two bolts of satin that you like."
Lian Qiao said, "Got it. You can go and do your work." After Shu Xiang left, Lian Qiao told Jiang Ruan exactly what she had said. In the end, she asked, "Second Young Lady is really strange. Now that Second Young Master is still in bed, he actually has the mood to invite Young Lady out."
"I'm afraid he came prepared." Jiang Ruan said lightly while fiddling with the embroidery in front of her, "Lu Zhu, go and ask if anyone is coming today."
Jiang Su Su would not invite her over for no reason, especially at this time. Since they clearly wanted to trick her, it was better to deal with it calmly.
Lu Zhu left for a while and returned, "Miss, nubi asked the others in the courtyard. It turns out that Prime Minister Li is coming today." She looked at Jiang Ruan's expression and said uneasily, "Nubi feels that this matter is a bit strange. Miss, do you want to decline?"
"No need," Jiang Ruan replied without waiting for Lu Zhu to finish. She looked at Jiang Ruan in astonishment, only to see Jiang Ruan's charming eyes slightly squint. She said with a smile, "I have long wanted to visit such an old friend." Her tone was cheerful. For some reason, Lu Zhu felt a chill all over her body. She looked at Jiang Ruan's eyes again and saw that they were bottomless.
After a pause, Lu Zhu said, "In that case, does Miss want to freshen up?"
"Naturally." Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "Lian Qiao, Bai Zhi, stay in the courtyard today and help me with the embroidery. Call Shu Xiang in."
In Yan Hua Yuan, Jiang Su Su was diligently washing up and dressing up. Last night, she had heard from Butterfly that Xia Yan was going to be a matchmaker for Jiang Ruan. In her heart, she really could not understand why Xia Yan would want to introduce such a good marriage to Jiang Ruan. Prime Minister Li was also an important minister of the court, and Li An was a young talent. As soon as she thought of how Jiang Ruan would be able to marry into the Li family in a grand and glorious manner, while her reputation would be completely ruined, and who knows what kind of family she would be betrothed to in the future, Jiang Su Su felt a burst of jealousy and hatred in her heart. Therefore, she was determined to dress up today. She had never seen the legendary Second Young Master of the Li family. If she could make Second Young Master of the Li family fall in love with her, even if she had to ruin Jiang Ruan's marriage, she would still be extremely happy.
While Butterfly was fixing her hair, she said: "Miss better not go out, Furen ordered Miss to stay in the house today, don't go anywhere, if something happens …"
"Who asked you to speak to Master like this?" Jiang Su Su was somewhat impatient. "I know my own affairs very well. If you talk too much, I will send you out."
Butterfly's hand paused for a moment and said nothing more.
Li Dong and his son had arrived at the Jiang fu and were currently in the main hall talking with Jiang Quan. Xia Yan also came out to welcome him. Li Dong's sticky gaze roamed over Xia Yan's body, his meaning unclear, as he said, "Official Jiang is truly blessed with women, to have such a lovely wife."
Xia Yan's body stiffened, and she forced a smile as she agreed. Jiang Quan, on the other hand, was burning with rage. However, Li Dong was originally a master of debauchery, so he was helpless against him. He could only endure his anger and said, "Today, I took the liberty to invite you because I feel that it is a pity that I have not interacted with Li Daren after so many years as colleagues."
"Enough," Li Dong leaned back, his small eyes squinting on his fierce-looking fat face. "Let's not beat around the bush. I am afraid that Official Jiang has something to discuss today. I wonder what it is? "
Jiang Quan had not expected that the other party would be so stubborn, and that he would speak without restraint. All his life, he had always maintained a high level of self-control, and had never met such a person. Unfortunately, he could not offend him. He felt a lump in his chest that he could not spit out, and for a moment, he was speechless.
Seeing this, Xia Yan hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, and said with a smile, "Actually, it is nothing special. It is just that I have heard that the son of Official Li's fu is a handsome and talented young man. Thinking that our fu's daughter is not young anymore, and has the intention of climbing up the social ladder, I have indeed thickened my face and come to take a look."
She spoke so bluntly that Jiang Quan could not help but glance at Xia Yan. He only felt that this woman, who had always been as noble and pure as a lotus, would now say such shameless words. He felt inexplicably uncomfortable in his heart.
Sitting to one side, Li Yang, who was bored to death, heard these words and grinned. "From Madam's words, it seems that she wants to choose a husband for the young miss of the fu?
Ever since Xia Yan had said those words, Jiang Quan had admitted that the Jiang fu had lost all face in front of the Li father and son. He simply shut his mouth tightly and refused to speak again. Xia Yan glanced at him and said with a smile, "Exactly."
Li Yang also followed with a smile, "I wonder if Madam has taken a fancy to me or my second younger brother?"
"Second Young Master Li is a young and talented man, and Eldest Young Master Li is also dignified and dignified. Naturally, both are good." Xia Yan smiled as she tucked a lock of loose hair behind her ear. "But since Eldest Young Master Li has come, it is fate that we are together."
Li Dong stared closely at Xia Yan and said, "Madam has a clever mouth and knows how to speak. I wonder if the young miss of the fu is as beautiful as Madam? "
There was a hint of flirtation in these words. Xia Yan stiffened. Jiang Quan had already reached the end of his patience and was about to lash out angrily. Suddenly, he heard a crisp and clear female voice ring out, "Mother!"
Li Yang's eyes brightened and he turned his head to look at the door of the hall. He saw a beautiful young girl standing in front of the hall door. She had a rosy oval face and was dressed in a camellia-yellow embroidered silk blouse embroidered with gold twining branches. She wore a pale white floral moon skirt and a primrose colored brocade embroidered with plum, bamboo and chrysanthemum embroidered on her body. Her elegant black hair was coiled into an elegant and unique gourd bun. Her hair was lightly gathered and slowly pinched, and in the midst of her cloudy temples, there was a fine silver bat flower. Her skin was like cream and she wore a coral bracelet on her hand. Around her waist was a half-moon water waistband, on which hung a small embroidered pouch. She wore shoes on her feet. Her entire person was as elegant and beautiful as a fairy.
She seemed to have just noticed that there were outsiders in the hall and lowered her head somewhat shyly. After thinking for a moment, she still walked forward. Her fair little face was currently flushed red. As she walked closer, she saw a cinnabar-like red mole under her clear and pure eyes. She really was like a fairy who had descended to the earth.
"Father, Mother," she paused, "Su 'er didn't know that guests had arrived."
Ever since Xia Yan saw Jiang Su Su, her entire person had frozen in place. She somewhat sluggishly turned her head to look at the father and son of the Li family. Sure enough, she only saw the Li family's father and son's greedy gazes fall on Jiang Su Su. Their gazes were like those of hungry wolves, causing Xia Yan to involuntarily shiver. She made a prompt decision and immediately said, "Who taught you to behave like this? Go back to the house!"
Her tone was too harsh and Jiang Su Su seemed to be frightened. Her eyes immediately filled with tears and she looked at Li Yang, somewhat at a loss as to what to do. Being stared at by those eyes, Li Yang immediately felt as if half of his soul had left his body. He immediately said, "Miss Jiang did not do it on purpose, Furen does not need to punish her. Besides, Father and I are not outsiders. "
His words were impudent and Xia Yan was already extremely anxious. Jiang Su Su frowned, only to hear Li Dong also say, "It's just a child, Furen does not need to worry too much."
Jiang Su Su was sensitive enough to sense that something was amiss. When she looked at Jiang Quan and Xia Yan's gazes again, her heart became timid and she said, "If that's the case, Su 'er will withdraw first." After saying this, she did not care about the gazes behind her and hurriedly ran away.
When he could no longer see Jiang Su Su's back, Li Yang then retracted his gaze and asked, "That is the fu's Second Miss. Sure enough, hearing about her is not as good as seeing her in person."
"Su 'er is still young," Jiang Quan stopped him and said, "For the time being, I have not thought about the matter of engagement. I am talking about Ruan 'er. "
Xia Yan hurriedly chimed in, "That's right, Su 'er's temperament is mischievous. In fact, Ruan' er's temperament and appearance are first class."
Li Dong and his son looked at each other. Li Yang said, "There is no need to be impatient. I can see that the Second Jiang Miss is indeed a rare beauty."
Xia Yan was anxious and absent-mindedly exchanged a few words with the father and son of the Li family. After lunch, when they were intoxicated with wine, Jiang Quan and Li Dong discussed some matters of the court. Li Yang and Xia Yan then withdrew. Li Yang suggested that they go to the garden for a stroll. Although it was not in accordance with the rules, after all, his family's power was monstrous, so he agreed. Xia Yan called Lin Lang over, "You go find Shu Xiang immediately and bring Jiang Ruan out." A trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes, "For my Su 'er, you will suffer for the rest of your life."
Jiang Ruan was wearing a newly made camellia yellow brocade robe with ten different kinds of embroidered patterns. Lu Zhu draped a crimson patterned jade brocade cloak over her shoulders. Her hair was casually combed into a tassel bun and she even wore a thin silver hairpin inlaid with jasmine flowers. With just a little makeup, she was already bright and beautiful. Shu Xiang, who was at the side, smiled and said, "Miss is really beautiful, just like a fairy."
"Fairy?" Jiang Ruan laughed lightly, "I did not come from the heavens." She was an evil ghost, an evil ghost who had returned from hell. What she wanted to do was to destroy the fairy in everyone's eyes. How could she be a fairy?
Shu Xiang did not quite understand her words, but Lu Zhu said, "Miss is also dressed up too grandly. Could it be that there is an honored guest coming to the fu today? But it is only to rest in Second Miss's courtyard. "
Shu Xiang's heart jumped, and she secretly raised her eyes to look at Jiang Ruan's expression, but she saw that Jiang Ruan's expression was normal, "It's just that the weather today is not bad, so my mind is a little more active. There are no honored guests in the fu, and even if there are, it is not someone that a girl can meet. "
Shu Xiang lowered her head even more. She did not know why, but there was a faint sense of unease in her heart. Jiang Ruan looked at her and smiled, "Both Lu Zhu and I have never been to Su Xin Yuan. On the contrary, you usually run around outside, so you should know."
The Jiang fu was not big, but it was not small either. Since returning to the fu, Jiang Ruan had not gone to Jiang Su Su's courtyard even once. Shu Xiang did not understand the meaning behind Jiang Ruan's words, and even someone as calm as her could not help but feel a trace of doubt. She paused before saying, "This servant has been there once or twice, so I can roughly remember."
Jiang Ruan smiled, "Then I will have to trouble you to lead the way."
Shu Xiang suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, and curtsied, "Miss, please follow this servant."
Along the way, Shu Xiang led the way in front, while Jiang Ruan and Lu Zhu walked behind. Half of Lu Zhu's body blocked Jiang Ruan's side, and she stared at Shu Xiang's back with some vigilance. Jiang Ruan, on the other hand, was unperturbed, and the smile on her lips was serene and tranquil.
When they reached the entrance of Su Xin Yuan, Shu Xiang stopped and said, "This is Su Xin Yuan."
Jiang Ruan glanced at the entrance of the courtyard. Even though she was only at the entrance of the courtyard and had not entered the house, she could clearly feel that it was different from Ruan Ju. Not to mention that Su Xin Yuan was spacious, every part of the garden was meticulously arranged, and at a glance, one could see that it was infinitely romantic. Compared to Jiang Su Su's Su Xin Yuan, Ruan Ju was not even comparable to a servant's room.
Jiang Ruan followed Shu Xiang to a room in Jiang Su Su's courtyard. When she pushed the door open, it was actually a small guest room. On a small table, there was a teapot and teacups. Butterfly stood at the same spot and apologized, "Miss has just gone out and has not returned yet. I will have to trouble Eldest Miss to wait for a while, this servant will go and urge her. "
"No matter, you go." Jiang Ruan smiled politely, "Shu Xiang, Lu Zhu, you don't have to stay here. Follow Butterfly to find Second Sister."
Shu Xiang was startled and looked at Jiang Ruan with some suspicion. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Could it be that you are afraid that I will run away? Don't worry, I will be here."
Shu Xiang's heart trembled. She did not know why, but in front of this Second Miss, she always felt some inexplicable fear. With a glance from that pair of coquettish eyes, she felt as if all the thoughts in her heart had been exposed to the world, and it was extremely uncomfortable.
Lu Zhu glanced at Jiang Ruan worriedly, then bowed and retreated with Shu Xiang and Butterfly.
After the three of them had left, Jiang Ruan stood up, and the smile on her lips faded as she gently pushed the door open.
Su Xin Yuan was quiet, and unexpectedly, there was not a single person. She leaned on the vermilion pillar in front of the door and smiled faintly. Xia Yan had actually sent everyone away from Su Xin Yuan. Did she really want her to be in a state where she could neither live nor die?
Unfortunately, the taste of hopelessness and helplessness, once was enough.
She smiled coldly, turned around, and walked into another room.
Just a moment later, she heard the sound of messy footsteps coming from outside. The footsteps were faint and weak, and it sounded like a drunkard was stumbling along. Jiang Ruan pushed open the door and quietly stood in the same spot.
Li Yang was in the mood to drink, and when he was strolling in the garden, he happened to see a pretty good looking servant girl. He hugged her affectionately, but he did not expect that the servant girl would struggle free. He did not know whether it was intentional or not, but she led him all the way here. When he reached the front of the courtyard, the servant girl had disappeared.
He was somewhat muddle-headed from drinking, and could vaguely see the scenery in front of him. Seeing that the small courtyard was decorated in a fresh and elegant manner, with the words "Su Xin Yuan" written on it, his heart skipped a beat, and he actually forgot where he had been born. He only knew that this must be the boudoir of some young lady. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth rose into a smile, and he staggered forward.
But at this moment, Li Yang saw a young lady dressed in red standing at the door. This young lady had a graceful figure, and she stood ramrod straight. Although he could not see her face clearly, his intuition told him that she was a stunning beauty. Li Yang did not care about anything else, and he shouted, "Little beauty …" The young lady dressed in red turned around and entered the room. Li Yang's lust was aroused, and he immediately followed her inside, calling out, "Beauty, don't run!"
When he entered the room, he felt a lingering fragrance at the tip of his nose. He stared blankly for a moment, and then looked around. There was smoke everywhere, and he could not see anything clearly. He anxiously asked, "Beauty, where are you?"
"Second Young Master Li, you've really scared Su 'er." A gentle and beautiful voice sounded in his ear.
Li Yang's heart skipped a beat, and Jiang Su Su's clear and beautiful face appeared in front of him. He was so happy that he hurriedly turned around and hugged her, "Su 'er is so proactive, it really moves me."
The young lady dressed in red looked at him quietly. Li Yang tried his best to open his eyes, but still felt that her face was blurry. At this moment, he did not care, and was about to fiercely kiss this person. Unexpectedly, the young lady suddenly smiled, "Second Young Master Li, Su 'er has a gift for you."
Li Yang had seen countless people, but he had never met such an interesting woman. She clearly had the appearance of a fairy, but she had taken the initiative to make such a lewd and slutty move. At this moment, his interest was aroused, and he asked, "What gift?"
The young lady softly said, "The gift is — — go die." After saying this, the hand that was hidden behind her raised the vase and ruthlessly smashed it towards him. Li Yang did not expect that the beautiful woman would suddenly become a deadly Shura. Caught off guard, he suffered a heavy blow, and blood immediately flowed from his head. His body swayed, and he collapsed.
Jiang Ruan looked at Li Yang's weary appearance on the ground, and the smile on her lips was indifferent. She squatted down and played with the broken pieces of the vase in her hand. Suddenly, she smiled lightly.
The father and son, Li Dong and Li Yang, were the most disgusting. The two of them kept catamites in the Prime Minister's fu, and played with young boys and girls. Everyone in the court knew about this. To deal with such shameless people, reputation was not the most important thing.
In her previous life, before she died, she only knew that Li Dong played with Pei 'er, but she did not know whether this Li Yang had a share. Even if he hadn't, it was not too much for a son to repay his father's debts.
She patted the broken pieces of porcelain on Li Yang's face, "Young Master Li, I gave you a gift, shouldn't you return one?"
After a while, Jiang Ruan walked out of the room. Just as she walked to the entrance of Su Xin Yuan, she heard the voice of a manservant, "Young Master, Young Master, where are you?"
It was Li Yang's manservant. Jiang Ruan paused, but it was already too late to hide. Her mind was racing, but she still could not think of a solution. Suddenly, she heard the manservant cry out in alarm, and then there was no more movement. After muttering to herself for a while, Jiang Ruan walked out of the courtyard. She saw a manservant lying on the ground a few steps away from the entrance. He seemed to have fallen and fainted.
Jiang Ruan frowned and raised her head to look at her surroundings. She did not see anything, so she walked past the fainted manservant and calmly left.
On the tree, the black-clothed youth played with the stone in his hand. His long eyelashes were lowered, covering his thoughtful gaze. He had only come to the Jiang fu to investigate Xuan Li's matter, but he had seen an unexpected scene. The eldest di daughter of the Jiang family seemed to have some old grudge with the Li family's Second Young Master. Her actions were ruthless, but there was not a trace of hesitation. It was really shocking.
Shu Xiang waited in the garden for a while before she lifted her feet and walked in the direction of Su Xin Yuan. She had only walked halfway when she saw Lu Zhu running over in a panic. Shu Xiang hurriedly asked, "What's the matter? You look so anxious, did something happen?"
"No, nothing." Lu Zhu's expression was evasive. "You should return to Ruan Ju first, I still have something to do." She then hurriedly ran away. Seeing Lu Zhu's appearance, Shu Xiang's heart calmed. After thinking for a while, she walked in another direction.
After Jiang Quan and Li Dong finished discussing official matters, they casually strolled around the Jiang fu, casually talking about the marriage alliance between the two fu. Although Li Dong was lecherous, he was also an old fox. His words were always full of Tai Chi. Xia Yan, who was accompanying him, occasionally chimed in, but Li Dong's attitude was gloomy and unclear. He only said that it was still up to Li Yang.
As the three of them walked, they got closer and closer to Su Xin Yuan. At this moment, a delicate and pretty maid suddenly rushed out. Her expression was full of panic. When she saw Xia Yan, it was as if she had seen her savior. She knelt on the ground and cried, "I beg Furen to save my family's Eldest Miss!" When she finished speaking, she raised her head and stared blankly, as if she had just realized that Li Dong was still there.
Xia Yan looked at the maid in astonishment and frowned. "What do you mean? What happened to Ruan 'er? "
The maidservant seemed to be frightened and didn't dare to speak. Xia Yan became even more anxious. "What exactly happened?"
Just as she finished speaking, they heard a woman's cry of alarm come from the room in Su Xin Yuan. That voice was extremely mournful, causing everyone present to shiver involuntarily. Xia Yan stared blankly and did not say anything more. She immediately walked quickly towards Su Xin Yuan.
Lin Lang followed by her side. It was quiet outside Su Xin Yuan, and there was not a single person in the courtyard. Xia Yan first went to the small guest room, which was quiet. The teapot and teacups on the table had not been touched. It was still the same as before.
Lin Lang stared blankly, and Xia Yan also stared blankly. They only heard another woman's cry of alarm come from outside. This time, they could hear it clearly. It was coming from Jiang Su Su's room.
For a moment, Xia Yan did not have time to wonder why the location had become Jiang Su Su's room. She did not know why she had a bad premonition in her heart. She pushed Lin Lang away and immediately rushed into Jiang Su Su's room.
As soon as she entered the room, she smelled a thick and nauseating stench of blood. Xia Yan's eyes twitched. The meandering bloodstains on the floor were a ghastly sight. The sound of a broken down sobbing could be heard. When it reached Xia Yan's ears, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She took a few steps forward. Wasn't the one crying in the room Jiang Su Su?
At Jiang Su Su's feet, Li Yang's head was full of blood. His original appearance could not be seen. His eyes were tightly shut. At this moment, it was likely that the odds were against him.
"No — —" Xia Yan's eyes widened. The sound of footsteps came from behind the door. Before she could stop them, she heard Jiang Quan's voice. "What happened?"
The voice stopped abruptly, followed by a blood-curdling scream. "My son!"
Li Dong's eyes widened in disbelief. In a few steps, he rushed over to Li Yang's side and shook his body. "My son, wake up!"
However, Li Yang did not seem to feel anything. Li Dong lowered his head and his gaze fell on the lower half of Li Dong's body. From the waist down, the fine silk robe was already stained with blood. His gaze moved downwards and fixed on a badly mutilated thing at the side. Then, he let out a low, pained howl.
Anyone who saw their own son being castrated would not remain indifferent.
Li Dong raised his head again, his eyes bloodshot. "Jiang Quan, I want you to pay with your life!"
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me." Jiang Su Su had long been trembling in fear. Her face was full of tears. "He became like this the moment I entered the room. It wasn't me, it really wasn't me."
However, no one could believe her words. Judging from the scene before them, if one were to say that Li Yang's lust had attacked Jiang Su Su's heart, then in a fit of rage, Jiang Su Su had smashed his head with a vase and then angrily castrated him. This was the most convincing explanation.
Xia Yan argued, "No, it couldn't have been Su 'er. Su 'er is timid and would not treat Second Young Master Li like this. Official Li, don't panic. The murderer must still be hiding in the room. Where's Ruan' er? Su 'er, aren't you with Ruan' er? Where did Ruan 'er go? "She thought that this matter was definitely Jiang Ruan's fault, and that Jiang Ruan had most likely not left the room.
Li Dong raised his head. Before he could speak, he heard a gentle female voice coming from outside. "Father, Mother, what happened? Why are they all in Second Sister's room? "
Xia Yan's body stiffened. She saw Jiang Ruan standing at the entrance of the courtyard, dressed in a fiery red dress. Today, she had even put on some makeup, making her look extremely beautiful. In comparison, Jiang Su Su, who was a complete mess of crying, cut an incomparably sorry figure.
"Ruan 'er, weren't you and Su' er in the room choosing satin? Why did you go out?" Xia Yan asked anxiously.
"I waited for Second Sister for a long time, but she didn't come. I thought that I might as well take the initiative to look for her. Who knew that I wouldn't be able to find her. " Jiang Ruan said, "So I let Lu Zhu follow me to the garden to pick a few red plums. I thought that they would look good in a vase later." She waved her hand. Sure enough, there were a few red plums.
Xia Yan collapsed to the ground. Li Dong's forehead was in pain. Looking at Li Yang lying unconscious on the ground, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across Li Dong's face. He shouted, "Slut, I want you to pay with your life for my son's!" Before anyone could see his movements clearly, they could only see the sharp broken pieces of the vase in his hand. Jiang Su Su jumped back in fright. Li Dong's body was fat and not very agile. Jiang Su Su dodged by a hair's breadth. She felt a burning pain on the right side of her face. Reaching out to touch it, she found that her hand was covered in blood.
Jiang Quan shouted, "Impudent!" The guards in the courtyard desperately pulled Li Dong away. Jiang Su Su was already covering her face and crying loudly. Looking at Jiang Su Su's bloody face, Xia Yan's heart ached and she fainted.
"Quickly call the physician!" Jiang Quan said anxiously.
Li Dong also ordered someone to lift Li Yang up. "Return to the fu immediately." Before leaving, he fiercely glared at Jiang Quan. "I will not let this matter rest. Jiang Quan, I will make you pay the price!"
After watching Li Dong and his entourage leave, Jiang Quan rubbed his forehead. Because he was worried about Jiang Su Su and Xia Yan, he hurriedly left for Yan Hua Yuan. For a moment, Su Xin Yuan returned to its previous emptiness.
Lu Zhu stood by Jiang Ruan's side in silence. Amidst the bloodstains on the ground, Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and said softly, "Shu Xiang, are you not coming in?"
Shu Xiang's face was deathly pale. She looked at Jiang Ruan as if she was looking at a demon. Seeing Lu Zhu's expression just now, she thought that the matter had been settled, so she hurriedly reported it to Xia Yan. Who knew that the one who had fallen into the trap was Jiang Su Su? It was too much of a stretch to say that all of this was a coincidence.
"You must remember the road to Su Xin Yuan well. Don't forget it for the rest of your life." Jiang Ruan smiled at her. "Right?"
Lu Zhu could not hide her disdainful gaze, but Shu Xiang's back was drenched in cold sweat. She knew that this time, Xia Yan would not let her off lightly. That young lady dressed in red seemed to blend harmoniously with the bloodstains on the ground. There was not the slightest trace of panic on her face. She smiled faintly and turned to leave.
For the Jiang family in the capital, this day was bound to be an extremely eventful one. In just a few short days, Jiang Chao had lost a finger, Jiang Su Su had been disfigured, Xia Yan had fainted from anger, and the Old Jiang Madame was bedridden.
It was unknown when, but the huge Jiang fu had begun to show signs of collapsing. This was too subtle and could not be taken seriously. However, those rotten things were slowly taking root, waiting for the day when they would break through the soil and completely nibble away at this splendid and magnificent fu.
Jiang Ruan sat in front of the table and drank tea. The newly brewed Hundred Flowers Honey from the zhuangzi was distributed to every courtyard. Together with a few freshly picked red plums in the courtyard, the simple flower tea had a special taste.
Despite the incident that had happened in the afternoon, Jiang Dan made a trip over at night. Seeing Jiang Ruan's appearance, she anxiously asked, "Da Jiejie, today I stayed in the courtyard and did not go out. I heard that you were also present. Was it really Second Younger Sister who smashed Second Young Master Li's head?"
Jiang Ruan looked at her and smiled. "Oh, Second Younger Sister's information is quite flexible, but it seems that you do not believe it?"
"No, no," Jiang Dan hurriedly waved her hands. "It's just that Second Older Sister has always been gentle. I did not expect that you would have the guts to injure Second Young Master Li." As she spoke, she probed Jiang Ruan's expression.
"When a rabbit is anxious, it will also bite." Jiang Ruan unhurriedly said, "People who usually look docile can also have a fierce side. It's just that we cannot see it."
Jiang Dan paused and smiled. "Da Jiejie is right." After talking for a while, Jiang Dan timidly said goodbye and left. Lian Qiao sent Jiang Dan to the courtyard gate. When she returned, she said, "This Fourth Young Lady is really strange. It seems that Furen does not treat her well, but she eagerly inquires about Second Young Lady." She shook her head. "Isn't she too kind?"
Jiang Ruan smiled but did not say anything. Her feelings towards Jiang Dan were already very vague. She only knew that ever since Third Yiniang died, Jiang Dan had been raised by Zhao Mei's side. At that time, Jiang Dan was not as weak as she was now. Although she was still very timid, she was extremely obedient. Zhao Mei also liked her very much. Although there were times when Jiang Ruan felt displeased by Jiang Dan's struggle for favor, it was understandable that Jiang Dan was so pitiful after losing her mother. However, Jiang Xin Zhi, who had always been gentle, did not like Jiang Dan. Although he did not show it, there was always a faintly discernible politeness and alienation.
In her previous life, Jiang Dan seemed to have married a son of a noble family as a concubine. She was a concubine's daughter, so there was no need to think about the position of a proper wife in a better family. She was not very clear about what happened after that. She did not know whether Jiang Dan had contributed in the matter of her becoming a demoness who brought calamity to the country.
As she spoke, she heard someone talking outside. Lu Zhu pushed the door open and came in. She pouted angrily towards the outside. "Shu Xiang just came back. Look at her face, it's full of palm prints. She can't even walk steadily. Her complexion looks terrible."
Jiang Ruan smiled. Shu Xiang had messed up such a matter today. Xia Yan would not let her off easily. However, she was, after all, a chess piece placed in Ruan Ju. For the time being, she could not bear to kill her, so she spared Shu Xiang's life.
"Young Lady," Bai Zhi asked, "this servant does not understand one thing. At that time, Furen sent over four servant girls. Why did Young Lady give special treatment to this Shu Xiang? You did not pay as much attention to the others. "
"Perhaps it's an old grudge." Jiang Ruan said in a low voice, "Lu Zhu, other than the Li family's father and son, no one else came to the fu today?"
"This servant has asked many people. Indeed, there was no one else." Lu Zhu said, "Could Young Lady have seen wrongly?"
Jiang Ruan shook her head. Li Yang's manservant would definitely not have fainted on purpose. If it was not an outsider, then it could only be that someone in the fu was secretly helping her. But that also meant that everything she had done today had fallen into the eyes of others. That person had helped her, but it was not necessarily a friend or an enemy.
Who could it be? Jiang Ruan muttered to herself.
In Yan Hua Yuan, Xia Yan smashed the last celadon teacup on the table. The surrounding servant girls did not dare to breathe too loudly. Lin Lang stepped forward to persuade her, "Furen, don't get angry and harm your health."
With a 'pa' sound, Xia Yan gave her a backhand slap. Immediately, five distinct palm prints appeared on Lin Lang's face. She did not dare to move. When the surrounding servant girls saw that even the most respected Lin Lang had suffered a slap, they were even more motionless and stood rooted to the ground.
Xia Yan's heart was almost bursting with anger. Thinking of the doctor's last words, her heart ached even more. "Your daughter's wound is quite deep, and she has lost a lot of blood. She is fine now, but I'm afraid that there will be scars in the future."
Jiang Su Su's plain face was devastatingly beautiful, but now that it had been disfigured, how could she marry into a noble family in the future? She hated Li Yang, who had died in Jiang Su Su's boudoir. She also hated Li Dong, who had disfigured Jiang Su Su's face. But the one she hated the most was Jiang Ruan. She did not believe that everything that had happened today had nothing to do with Jiang Ruan!
It was obviously a foolproof setup. As long as Jiang Ruan entered the small guest room and drank the tea on the table, Li Yang entered the courtyard and did that with Jiang Ruan. Then, Jiang Quan and Li Dong would have seen through it. Jiang Ruan's reputation would have been ruined, and she could only enter the Li family as a lowly concubine. But she had never expected that Jiang Ruan would not even enter the guest room and drink the tea. For some unknown reason, Li Yang had collapsed in Jiang Su Su's room, and Jiang Su Su had returned to her room!
Now, Li Dong's heart most likely hated Jiang Su Su to the core. No matter how much he hated Li Dong, Li Yang had been injured to such an extent and had been castrated in the Jiang fu. Who knew what methods Li Dong would use to take revenge? As she thought of this, Xia Yan felt a burst of lingering fear.
"This won't do, I have to think of a way." Xia Yan paced around the room a few times and made up her mind. She walked to the desk and ordered Lin Lang to grind the ink. "I want to write a letter to Father and let him give me some ideas."
At this moment, Jiang Quan was in the study, rubbing his forehead. In just a few days, a few strands of white hair had sprouted from his temples. His most beloved son and daughter had met with such a disaster, and he was extremely angry. Moreover, the other party was Li Dong, the Eighth Prince's man.
Hong Ying stood behind him and gently massaged his scalp with her jade-like hands. In a warm voice, she said, "Master, don't worry. Second Miss and Second Young Master will get better."
Jiang Quan dejectedly lowered his eyes. That pair of usually high-spirited face was full of depression. The pair of children that he was most proud of were now bedridden, and it was feared that they would be left with disabilities. He remembered Xia Yan's words. The only di son and di daughter in the fu were now in such a state. Who else would be left in the Jiang fu in the future?
"I, Jiang Quan, have actually fallen to this point, unable to even protect my children."
Hong Ying's gentle voice rang in his ears. "Master, you are wrong. Isn't there still Eldest Young Master and Eldest Miss?"
Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan. Jiang Quan was slightly startled. Jiang Xin Zhi had left the fu for many years, and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive. On the other hand, Jiang Ruan reminded him of the Jiang Ruan he had seen in Su Xin Yuan today. The young girl with light makeup was slender and elegant, and she already had a slightly blossoming elegance. That fiery red dress reminded him of Zhao Mei when she was young.
However, compared to Zhao Mei, Jiang Ruan was less reckless and impulsive, and more gentle and bright. At first, he had loathed Zhao Mei. Because of Zhao Mei's devotion, and because Zhao Mei was a daughter of a noble family, he had no choice but to marry her, but he had never loved her. He knew that Zhao Mei was the daughter of a military general, and that she was learning the four arts for him.
He did not love Zhao Mei, so even Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan could not share his love. Now that Jiang Chao and Jiang Su Su had met with an accident, was this heaven's punishment for him?
"Li Dong will not leave the matter at that." Jiang Quan sighed deeply. "With Li Yang's current appearance, I am afraid that he will ask to marry Su 'er."
Hong Ying's hand paused. "Ask to marry?"
"If Li Yang dies, then so be it. If he doesn't die, with that appearance, I am afraid that in the future, no good family will be willing to marry their daughter to him." Jiang Quan said, "He hates Su 'er to the bone. If he asks to marry her, he will certainly torture her in every possible way. Su' er will beg to die, and will not be happy for the rest of her life."
"Master, are you willing to break off relations with Prime Minister Li for the sake of Second Miss?" Hong Ying asked.
"No," Jiang Quan said, "If the Jiang fu wants to climb the Eighth Prince's coattails and break off relations with the Li family, this matter will most likely fail."
"Then, Master, are you willing to marry Second Miss into the Li family?" Hong Ying probed.
"Su 'er is my most beloved daughter. I am absolutely unwilling to send her into that kind of pit of fire." Jiang Quan said, "Even if Li Yang is in good health, I will not marry Su 'er to him, not to mention that he is now a cripple."
"Master, do you have any ideas?" Hong Ying had a faint guess in her heart, and her voice became increasingly gentle.
"I am not willing to send Su 'er over. If we can compensate them with Ruan' er, perhaps we can quell the anger of Li Dong and his son." Jiang Quan said, "Ruan 'er is already beautiful. As she grows older, I am afraid that her appearance will become even more outstanding. If we compensate them with my Jiang fu's innocent di daughter, perhaps they will feel the Jiang fu's sincerity. "
Even though she had already guessed a little, Hong Ying was still shocked speechless. Jiang Quan could actually think of using Jiang Ruan's lifetime of pain in exchange for Jiang Su 'er's release. How could there be such a father in this world? How could he treat his own flesh and blood in such a different manner! If she had not heard it with her own ears, Hong Ying would not have believed that these words had come from Jiang Quan's mouth.
She could not help but ask, "Master, do you know what it means for Eldest Miss to marry over?" It meant that Jiang Ruan would become a tool for the Li family's father and son to vent their anger. Li Yang and Li Dong would transfer their hatred of Jiang Su Su onto Jiang Ruan, and Jiang Ruan would live a life of humiliation.
Jiang Quan averted his eyes, "I also have no choice. As the eldest sister, it is only right and proper for Ruan 'er to love her younger sister."
He spoke so matter-of-factly that Hong Ying felt a chill in her heart. She forced a smile and said, "Master, it is better to wait for Second Miss to wake up before making any plans. We do not know how Second Young Master Li is doing."
Jiang Quan was startled and said, "You are right, we will discuss this matter in the future. For now, let's wait for Su 'er to wake up. You may leave. "
Hong Ying hurriedly retreated, and when she walked out of the room, she still felt a lingering fear. Thinking of Jiang Quan's words just now, she still shuddered. Everyone in the capital had heard of the disgusting methods of the Li family's father and son, yet Jiang Quan was able to propose marrying Jiang Ruan over without batting an eyelid. It was truly chilling.
Jiang Ruan had once extended an olive branch to her, but Hong Ying herself had always been cautious and did not easily form alliances with others. However, she could also sensitively feel that ever since Jiang Ruan had returned to the fu, there had been a quiet change in the direction of the Jiang fu. Eldest Jiang Miss looked gentle and pleasant, but with all the things that had happened in the past few days, in the end, she was safe and sound, while Xia Yan and her mother had suffered. Hong Ying had come from a brothel, so she would not be so naïve as to believe that all of this was due to Jiang Ruan's luck.
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