Green tiles, red walls, layers upon layers of curtains, the dazzling palace looked bright and beautiful, but who knew how many bones were buried inside.
The Hall of Dreams was located in the southeast corner of the palace. The environment was quiet and it was adjacent to a large peony garden. The peonies were specially sent from Luoyang on horseback by the Emperor. They were carefully tended by craftsmen and transplanted here. Every time the peonies bloomed, the peony garden would be the most beautiful.
The one who lived here was one of the four concubines, Imperial Concubine Chen, the mother of the Eighth Prince.
When the Emperor first ascended the throne, his foundation was not stable. Imperial Concubine Chen's father had the military power and sent Imperial Concubine Chen to the palace to show his support for the Emperor. For the Emperor, the stability of his throne was guaranteed. The Chen family had a certain debt of gratitude to him. Imperial Concubine Chen was a gentle and graceful person. She was born beautiful and talented. She had never been jealous of the other beauties. The Emperor loved her temperament of standing aloof from worldly affairs the most. Intentionally or unintentionally, he protected her. Later, Imperial Concubine Chen gave birth to the Eighth Prince, Xuan Li.
The Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince, Concubine Xian gave birth to the Fourth Prince, Concubine De gave birth to the Fifth Prince, and Concubine Shu gave birth to Princess Yi.
Everyone in the court knew that the Eighth Prince Xuan Li was intelligent and gentle, the Fifth Prince Xuan Hua was honest and courageous, the Fourth Prince Xuan Lang was average and Princess Yi was beautiful. The Crown Prince was mediocre and useless. The Fourth Prince Xuan Lang was kind but not scheming. Currently, the court was biased towards Xuan Li and Xuan Hua. The Emperor had always treated Imperial Concubine Chen well. Although Xuan Hua was also very powerful, his mother Concubine De was not as favored as Imperial Concubine Chen.
The Imperial Court was in turmoil, but the Hall of Dreams was warm and prosperous. It was as if this place was far away from the intrigues and jealousies, and there was only a long time to have a peaceful dream of longing for the misty rain of Jiangnan.
In the room, a thick Persian wool rug was laid on the white jade couch. The slender white fur covered the rug and was embedded with bright jewels. The four maids in thin white robes all had delicate features. They stood quietly with their heads lowered. A light breeze blew in from outside and lifted a corner of the curtain. They really looked like fairies from the Nine Heavens Palace.
The woman sitting on the seat was earnestly doing her meridian. Her slender and jade-like hands were not smeared with the slightest bit of nail polish. Her fingernails were emitting a faint pink luster, and her slender and jade-like fingers were nimbly moving up and down. Unlike the other women in the palace, this woman did not have the slightest air of superiority. She bit off a piece of silk thread, revealing a fair and pretty face. Her facial features were delicate and pretty, without the slightest bit of aggressiveness. Instead, there was a kind of gentleness that was like water. It was as if she was not some high and unattainable noble concubine in the palace, but a young girl in the boudoir of a family in a corner of Jiangnan. Clear, sweet, gentle, and graceful.
Although Jiang Su Su was born with incomparable elegance, there was still a trace of a deliberate element to it. However, this woman was not completely like that. Even in this Imperial Palace, there was a kind of gentleness and grace that was out of place. It was as soft as water that was engraved into his bones.
There was a faint smile on her lips. If someone were to pass by at this moment, they would definitely think that the scene in front of them was just like the name of this hall, just a romantic dream.
The curtain was heavily lifted, and a figure walked in. With a smile on her face, she said, "Imperial Mother."
Imperial Concubine Chen put down the silk thread in her hand and looked at the person who had come. Suddenly, she smiled and said, "Why didn't you send someone to inform me?"
Xuan Li looked at the woman in front of him, and his previously restless heart slowly calmed down. Imperial Concubine Chen had a special kind of magical power. It was as if, in her hands, even the most complicated matters in the world were like densely packed silk threads. She could always easily sort them out and turn them into colorful silk threads.
Xuan Li said, "Imperial Mother, do you know about the matter of the Prime Minister's fu?"
Imperial Concubine Chen's expression slightly froze, and she said, "I know."
The Imperial Palace was so big. Every day, there were so many palace people coming in and out. Even if they didn't want to know, they would still reach her ears. Imperial Concubine Chen knew about the matter of the Prime Minister's fu, but she was not worried about Xuan Li. Xuan Li was also not depressed because of this. He said, "Son wants to ask Imperial Mother for a favor."
"What favor?" Imperial Concubine Chen smiled slightly.
"I beg Imperial Mother to persuade Imperial Father to bestow a marriage between me and Eldest Miss Jiang." Xuan Li opened his mouth.
Imperial Concubine Chen's expression was gentle and calm. Hearing his words, she could not help but be startled. She frowned and asked, "What?"
"Regarding the matter of the Prime Minister's fu, Imperial Father has already begun to suspect Son." Xuan Li said, "In this matter, Imperial Mother is unable to help."
Imperial Concubine Chen was currently favored in the Imperial Palace. Aside from Official Chen and Imperial Concubine Chen being gentle and graceful, more importantly, she was smarter than the other three concubines. She always had a gentle and considerate appearance. She did not rashly discuss matters of the court, nor did she influence the Emperor's decisions. When the Emperor came to the Palace of Dreams, he would always have a wonderful dream. What the Emperor liked about her was that she did not fight for anything. If she rashly interceded for Xuan Li or expressed even the slightest bit of such intentions, since ancient times, the Emperor would be suspicious. He would no longer be as gracious as he was in the past.
Imperial Concubine Chen knew this, and Xuan Li also knew this. Thus, he would not easily ask Imperial Concubine Chen to help plead for leniency. He knew that even if the Emperor had doubts about him, as long as Imperial Concubine Chen continued to favor him, the Emperor would not truly give up on him.
"The Jiang fu and Xia fu are involved. Something happened to the Prime Minister's fu, and the direction of the court has changed. Son must stabilize my own power, and must also make my relationship with the Xia family clear to the public. If I act rashly, Imperial Father will also suspect that Eldest Jiang Young Lady is not favored in the Jiang family. Using her name and reputation, I can make Imperial Father relax his vigilance, but not to the extent of cutting off all ties with the Xia fu. "
Imperial Concubine Chen quietly looked at Xuan Li, "Your Imperial Highness, you did not tell ben gong the truth."
Xuan Li's gaze was sluggish. He knew that this Imperial Mother had always been intelligent. Otherwise, how could she be so stable as the head of the four concubines in the man-eating harem? The Emperor knew that she was not completely without schemes, but was still willing to favor her. This was her grasp of the human heart.
In fact, on his path to the throne, Imperial Concubine Chen had also given him many ideas. Even the quiet disappearance of the Seventh and Ninth Princes in the palace could not escape Imperial Concubine Chen's involvement.
But what of it? Now, those people had long become a pile of fertilizer for the peony flower. Imperial Concubine Chen's seat was even more stable.
He pondered for a moment, "Eldest Jiang Young Lady is not an ordinary person. The sudden collapse of the Prime Minister's fu is largely related to her. Li An once reminded me that Jiang Ruan's wisdom is not ordinary. If she can be of help, she can be of great use. Son thinks that since she has a talent that can transcend the heavens, perhaps she can be of use. "
"A talent that can transcend the heavens?" Imperial Concubine Chen shook her head, "Li An is obstinate and self-opinionated. He does not know that there is always someone better out there. It is not strange that he fell into the hands of others. Ben gong had long known that this day would come. It is just that he fell into the hands of a woman, which is really shocking. "
Xuan Li said, "Exactly, so Son thinks that if we can become in-laws, I will take that woman for my own use."
Imperial Concubine Chen laughed in spite of herself, "Your Highness is still young and overly reliant on Li An. Thus, you believe his words without a doubt. Ben gong feels that the woman's talent is too great an exaggeration. However, since Your Highness has said so, presumably, in Your Highness's eyes, that woman is also different from ordinary women. Your Highness and Ben gong are mother and son. In a few days, during the palace banquet, Ben gong will personally bring up this matter. This consort will only give her one year. If she is unable to display her exceptional talent, then she will not be worthy of the title of Your Highness's fiancée. The fiancée can be changed, but the Eldest Young Miss of the Jiang family will probably perish. What does Your Highness think? "
She lightly spoke of the matter of plotting to kill someone, yet her eyes were as gentle as a lotus, as if she was a kind and gentle fairy. Xuan Li pondered for a long time before raising his head. A trace of ruthlessness flashed across his face, which was very similar to Imperial Concubine Chen's, as he said, "Good. If she cannot be of use to me, then she must be eliminated, lest she becomes a major trouble in the future."
Imperial Concubine Chen smiled in satisfaction, "Your Highness is wise."
She picked up a few knots from the basket at the side, "Yesterday, Gong Xin made a few knots. Come and see if they are suitable."
...
The day before the palace banquet, the Old Jiang Madame specially ordered Ruyi Lou to deliver the new clothes that had been made. The clothes were all materials that the young lady of the Jiang fu had personally picked out. When Liu Ruyi delivered the clothes, she looked at Jiang Ruan and said with some regret, "Miss Jiang's complexion is naturally fair. That bolt of Fire Cloud Satin from the other day was actually excellent. Although this bolt of peach pink is slightly better, it is not as bright as that bolt of bright red."
In Liu Ruyi's opinion, Jiang Ruan was actually very suitable for bright red clothes. Her appearance was originally bright and beautiful, and wearing bright red clothes made her appear even more tender and beautiful. Moreover, her temperament was also somewhat calm. When she wore that fiery color, it actually had a kind of coldness like ice. Fire and ice were originally two extremes, but when worn on her body, they were exceptionally compatible. That incomparable beauty caused people to be unable to take their eyes off her.
Jiang Ruan herself was also well aware of this point, so she usually wore mostly red clothes. However, this time, when she rushed to the palace banquet, she had unexpectedly chosen a peach-pink dress. Although Liu Ruyi had tactfully hinted, Jiang Ruan had already made up her mind. Helplessly, Liu Ruyi could only do the same.
"Many thanks for Shopkeeper Liu's good intentions." Jiang Ruan smiled, "However, I still prefer this bolt."
Although she did not understand why Jiang Ruan was so insistent, Liu Ruyi understood from the few times that this young lady of the Jiang family was a very opinionated person. At present, there must be a reason, but she just did not want to share it with her. As she thought about it, she smiled and said, "Da Jie's beauty is unparalleled, and you look good in anything you wear. It is just that the other young ladies in the fu are extremely concerned about this matter at the palace banquet, and have ordered me to redo their clothes several times. "
She tactfully reminded Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "The palace banquet is of great importance, and the younger sisters do not want to lose face for the Jiang fu, so naturally, this is how it should be."
What kind of place was the palace banquet? If it were not for this year's major flood in the Great Jin dynasty, perhaps these daughters of official families would never have such an opportunity in their entire lives. Not only that, there would naturally be young masters of noble families at the palace banquet. Everyone wanted to leave a good impression, and if they were fated to marry in the future, it would naturally be a great thing. Therefore, for the young ladies of official families, especially those born of concubines, the palace banquet was an opportunity that was more important than their lives.
After Liu Ruyi delivered the clothes, she stood up and took her leave. Jiang Ruan ordered Lu Zhu to go out and send her off, but unexpectedly, Jiang Xin Zhi entered the courtyard. As soon as he saw her, he asked, "Ah Ruan, is the palace banquet ready for tomorrow?" Seeing the new clothes placed to the side, he said, "Since the new clothes have been made, Ah Ruan will definitely amaze everyone tomorrow."
In Jiang Xin Zhi's eyes, Jiang Ruan was certainly excellent. She was beautiful, gentle, sensible, and strong. He did not understand what red or pink clothes meant, and only felt that Jiang Ruan looked good in anything.
Jiang Ruan was too lazy to pay attention to his nonsense. Unexpectedly, Jiang Xin Zhi sat down opposite her and said seriously, "The palace cannot be compared to the fu. Everything must be followed. The people in the Jiang fu have probably never taught you the etiquette of entering the palace. Even now, they have not sent anyone to remind you. They must want you to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone tomorrow. You must remember …"
"Eldest Brother," not waiting for Jiang Xin Zhi to finish, Jiang Ruan interrupted him, "Since Eldest Brother returned, do you think there is anything wrong with me?"
Jiang Xin Zhi was stunned and shook his head, "No." This was the truth. Ever since he had returned to the capital, he felt that Jiang Ruan had grown up quite a bit. Even her temperament was like a different person from before, and her every movement was extremely elegant. These few days, he had followed Guan Liang Han everywhere and had met many young ladies of high officials and noble families, but he felt that none of them could compare to Jiang Ruan's elegance. Jiang Ruan was still young, and Jiang Quan had left her at the rural residence for a whole five years without caring about her. Who knew that not only had she not been brought up to have the temperament of a village woman, but she had also grown up to be like a noble lady in the palace, not even inferior to a princess.
Jiang Ruan smiled, "Since there is nothing wrong, why does Eldest Brother need to worry? I can handle the Jiang fu, so naturally, I can also handle the palace. There is no difference between the palace and the Jiang fu, it's just that the conditions are a bit harsher. "
Jiang Xin Zhi frowned, "But you have never been to the palace …"
"Eldest Brother," Jiang Ruan interrupted him, "I know the ranks of the palace maids, the rewards given by eunuchs and eunuchs, the etiquette to perform when meeting a noble, and I also know which side palace halls cannot be entered." She said indifferently, "How much does Eldest Brother know? After entering the palace, do you know who is the most trusted eunuch by His Majesty's side? Which little eunuch is the most unremarkable little eunuch by His Majesty's side, his adopted son? Two of the four palace maids by the Empress Dowager's side know martial arts? Which beauty has the fiercest temper and is best avoided if there is nothing important? "
She spoke slowly and firmly, but Jiang Xin Zhi listened with fear and trepidation. In his heart, he felt that it was absurd and inconceivable, but he had never doubted Jiang Ruan's words. Jiang Ruan's tone made it seem as if she knew these palace secrets by heart, even as if … she had seen them with her own eyes. Naturally, Jiang Ruan could not have seen them with her own eyes, but these were the most private matters of the palace. How could she, a young lady of a large family, know about them? Every single one of these matters was a huge matter. A strange feeling arose in his heart, and he looked at Jiang Ruan, "Ah Ruan, how do you know all this?"
"Eldest Brother thinks?" Jiang Ruan looked at him and asked.
Jiang Xin Zhi choked, and could not help but think of Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan's relationship did not seem ordinary, and Xiao Shao was deeply favored by the Emperor. This person's power was monstrous, and he could almost walk sideways in the palace. If Xiao Shao told Jiang Ruan all this … On one hand, he felt gratified by Xiao Shao's trust in Jiang Ruan, but on the other hand, he was somewhat angry. Jiang Ruan had nothing to do with the matters of the palace, so why did Xiao Shao talk about them without rhyme or reason? Jiang Xin Zhi only hoped that Jiang Ruan did not know the sufferings of the world, and lived happily and simply. The more Xiao Shao told Jiang Ruan, the more complicated Jiang Ruan's life became.
He looked at Jiang Ruan cautiously and said, "Ah Ruan, do not mention these matters to others."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "Naturally, I will not mention it to others. I only want to tell Eldest Brother that I am not unfamiliar with the matters of the palace. Eldest Brother does not need to worry about me. On the contrary, during this trip to the palace, it is inevitable that there will be people secretly plotting against us. Eldest Brother must be careful, and do not be impulsive. "
Jiang Xin Zhi nodded, "I understand." Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Xin Zhi took out an object from his bosom, "I have not given it to you before, and now it is returned to its rightful owner."
In Jiang Xin Zhi's hand, a half-moon shaped piece of amber lay quietly. The amber was lustrous, and inside was half a butterfly wing, vivid and lifelike. Previously, on Wulin Road, those people had tried to use this amber to lure Jiang Xin Zhi into a trap. Jiang Xin Zhi had kept this amber, and had not returned it to Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan said, "Five years ago, before I entered the manor, this amber had already disappeared. I did not expect that it would actually remain here until now." Her heart turned cold. This amber had been lost five years ago, and it had only reappeared when Jiang Xin Zhi returned. Could it be that as early as five years ago, Xia Yan had already had the intention of using her to harm Jiang Xin Zhi's life? It was really a good plan.
Jiang Xin Zhi handed the amber to her, "Those who secretly plotted against me, I will not let them off lightly."
Jiang Ruan looked at the faint hostility emanating from his body, and shook her head, "Do not act blindly without thinking."
Jiang Xin Zhi raised his eyes, but his gaze fell on Jiang Ruan's wrist, and he asked curiously, "When did you have this bracelet?"
Jiang Xin Zhi did not know that this was a blood moon bracelet, but the bracelet did not seem to be made of ordinary materials. It emitted a faint glow, and with one look, he knew that it was a rare treasure. Jiang Ruan had never seen this thing at Zhao Mei's place, and it was even more impossible for it to have been a gift from the Jiang family. For a moment, he was somewhat suspicious.
Jiang Ruan followed his gaze, and pulled down her sleeve to cover the bracelet. She said, "It was a gift from a friend."
Jiang Xin Zhi still wanted to ask, but Jiang Ruan changed the subject.
After Jiang Xin Zhi left, Liu Ruyi, who was accompanied by Lu Zhu, also returned. Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were somewhat nervous about tomorrow's palace banquet, and early in the morning, they were choosing jewellery from the box on the dressing table. Lian Qiao chose a gold cat's eye bracelet, but Bai Zhi shook her head and said, "It looks a little frivolous. Tomorrow, the palace will be full of nobles, it's better to be a little more dignified." As she spoke, she took out a green jade flower from the box, "How about this one?"
However, Lian Qiao waved her hand again and said, "No, this one is a little too solemn, and it doesn't match Miss's clothes. It doesn't look good this way."
Jiang Ruan put down the book in her hand, and said, "There's no need to choose. Tomorrow, just do your hair in a single spiral bun, and that rose hair ornament will do."
Jiang Ruan had never paid much attention to dressing up, and had always let the two servant girls do it, but this time, it was so clear. Lu Zhu said, "Miss, dressing like this is really too simple."
"Naturally, I have my reasons." Jiang Ruan said, "Let's do it this way."
Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at each other. They did not understand what was going on, but they did not ask much. Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue, and hurriedly went to help tidy up the box. Jiang Ruan looked at the book in front of her, and in an instant, her gaze became distant.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
