Chapter 68 : To Reap What One Has Sown (Part I)
The next morning, Jiang Ruan rose up very early and ate the green rice[1] congee that Bai Zhi had brought. When Lian Qiao noticed Shu Xiang at the door peering inside the room, she asked, "What's the matter?"
[1] Bigeng ( 碧梗粥) – Bigeng rice is a kind of high-quality rice. Its origin is in Yutian County, Hebei Province. It is a tribute in the Qing Dynasty. It has the characteristics of slender grain, slightly greenish, and is fragrant when cooking aka Japonica rice, sometimes called sinica rice, is one of the two major domestic varieties of Asian rice.
"Just now, nubi came across Second Miss," Shu Xiang smiled. "She received several bolts of satin and invited Eldest Miss to come visit her courtyard and pick out two bolts."
"I see, go and return to your work now." Lian Qiao told her. After Shu Xiang left, Lian Qiao told Jiang Ruan the whole story. At last, she asked, “Second Miss is really strange. Now that Second Young Master is still laid up in bed, she has such a mind to invite Young Miss out.”
"Thus I'm afraid that we have to be prepared," Jiang Ruan said lightly, fiddling with the embroidery in front of her. “Lu Zhu, go ask around to see if anyone else is coming today.”
Jiang Su Su wouldn't invite her over without any reason, especially at this very moment. Since the pit was clearly meant for her, it was better to calmly deal with it.
Lu Zhu returned after a short time. "Miss, this maidservant asked others in the courtyard. Today, the capital's Grand Councillor Li is coming for a visit.” She watched Jiang Ruan's expression with unease. “This maidservant feels that it is strange. Do you want to decline it, Miss?”
"There is no need," Jiang Ruan replied before Lu Zhu could finish speaking. She looked at Jiang Ruan in astonishment, only to see Jiang Ruan smile with her alluring eyes narrowed slightly. “Such an old friend, I have long wanted to pay him a visit.”
She spoke in a cheerful tone, but somehow, Lu Zhu felt cold all over. She took another look at Jiang Ruan's bottomless eyes, but they were fuzzy like looking at flowers in the fog.
After a pause, Lu Zhu asked, “In that case, would you like to freshen up, Miss?”
"Naturally." Jiang Ruan smiled. "Lian Qiao, Bai Zhi, you two stay in the courtyard to embroider on my behalf. Call Shu Xiang in."
In Yan Hua Yuan, Jiang Su Su was dressing up meticulously. Last night, she learned from Hu Die about Xia Yan being a matchmaker for Jiang Ruan. She didn't understand why Xia Yan would introduce such a good marriage to Jiang Ruan. Grand Councillor Li was considered to be an important minister in the imperial court, while Li An was a young talent. She thought that if Jiang Ruan could marry into the Li family "with ease" while her own reputation was ruined, what kind of life she would have in her future husband's family. Jiang Su Su's heart was filled with resentment. Today, she was determined to wear her best attire. She had never met the legendary Second Young Master of the Li family. If she could make him fall for her instead, thus destroying Jiang Ruan's marriage, she would be extremely thrilled.
While tying Jiang Su Su's hair into a knot, Hu Die said, "Miss, you'd better not go out. Furen gave an order for you to stay in the house today. If something goes wrong…”
"Who let you speak like this to your mistress?" Jiang Su Su was impatient. “I know my own business. I will send you away if you speak out of turn again.”
Hu Die's hand stilled and she spoke no more.
Li Dong and his son had arrived at the Jiang fu and were currently inside the main hall talking to Jiang Quan. Xia Yan also came out to greet them. Li Dong’s eyes roamed all over Xia Yan in an intimate fashion while speaking in an ambiguous tone, “Minister Jiang is fortunate in his love affairs, having such a lovely wife.”
Xia Yan was startled and forced herself to smile in reply. Jiang Quan was furious, but Li Dong was known as a dissolute man. Unfortunately, he had no other alternative. While enduring his anger, he welcomed them, “I'm taking the liberty of inviting you today. It’s a pity that we have never gotten together after being colleagues for so many years.”
“Alright!” Li Dong leaned back. The small eyes on his meaty face narrowed ferociously. “An honest man does nothing underhanded. Perhaps Minister Jiang has something to discuss today. What is it about, I wonder? “
Jiang Quan didn't expect that the other party was truly obstinate and would speak in such an ill- manner. He had a high self-constraint, but he had never met such a person. As he must not offend him, he couldn’t spit out his frustration and was unable to speak for a moment.
Xia Yan saw this situation and promptly stepped forward to mediate with a smile. "It's not for a special thing, actually. We've heard that both the young masters in Minister Li's fu are handsome as well as talented. Our fu's daughter is no longer young. We'd like to arrange her marriage, and so felt it important to let them see each other.”
Jiang Quan couldn’t help but look at Xia Yan when she spoke so bluntly. It was uncomfortable for him to believe that this woman, who had always been as lofty as a lotus flower, would say such shameless words now. He was somewhat uneasy.
As soon as Li Yang, sitting on one side bored stiff, heard this, he grinned. “Furen, so you want to pick a match for your fu's young lady?"
Since Xia Yan had already spoken out, Jiang Quan was resigned to the fact that the Jiang fu had no face in front of the Li family. He simply clammed up and refused to talk. Xia Yan shot a glance at him and smiled. “Exactly.”
Li Yang followed with a smile. “I wonder which one of us Furen prefers, me or my second brother?”
"Second Young Master Li is a young talent, while Eldest Young Master Li has a stately look. Of course, both are a good choice." Xia Yan smiled and pulled a lock of loose hair behind her ears. “But now that Eldest Young Master Li is here, it's predestined to be with Eldest Young Master.”
Li Dong stared at Xia Yan closely. “Furen, you were born with a gilded tongue, you can speak so well. I wonder if the young lady looks as beautiful as a flower, like you? “
Xia Yan turned stiff upon hearing the flirting underlying his speech. It was the last straw for Jiang Quan. Just when he was about to lash out in anger, suddenly a delicate female voice rang out. "Mother!"
Li Yang’s eyes immediately brightened. He turned to see a beautiful girl standing at the door. Her goose egg-shaped face was rosy. She wore a V-neck silk sleeve shirt with yellow Camellia pattern interwoven with golden branches, a floor-length pale white moonlight pleated skirt, with different colours on each pleat, draped in primrose jacquard, and jade brocade with patterns of plums, bamboos, and chrysanthemums. Her black hair was elegantly styled in a loose bottle gourd bun. A delicate silk bat flower ornament was inserted into her beautiful cloud-like hair. Her lily-white wrist was adorned with a coral bracelet, while a wavy half-moon sash was tied on her waist with a pouch of scattered flowers motif hanging upon it. She looked like a fairy, unrivalled in her beauty.Camellia patternBat flower (Tacca chantrieri)
She lowered her head shyly as if having just seen a stranger in the hall. After mulling over it a bit, she stepped inside. Her fair-complexioned little face was suffused with a red glow at the moment. Walking closer, a cinnabar-like red mole was visible below those limpid eyes. She truly looked like a goddess descending into the world.
"Father, Mother," she paused, "Su'er didn't know that we have guests."
Since the moment Xia Yan saw Jiang Su Su, her body was rooted in place. She turned to look at the Li father and son lifelessly. As expected, their mercenary gazes fell on Jiang Su Su. Seeing those hungry wolf-like eyes- Xia Yan couldn’t help but shiver. She decided on the spot to rebuke her, “Who taught you such manners? Go back to your room!"
Her tone was too harsh, making Jiang Su Su frightened. Her eyes were brimming with tears while looking at Li Yang in a daze. When he was stared at by those eyes, he felt that half of his soul was lost. He immediately spoke out. "Miss Jiang didn’t mean it, so why should Furen punish her. My father and I are not strangers. “
He spoke in a presumptuous manner. Therefore, on hearing his words, Xia Yan became very anxious. Jiang Su Su frowned, only to hear Li Dong say, “She's just a child. Don't worry too much, Furen.”
Jiang Su Su sensed perceptively that something was wrong. She took another look at Jiang Quan and Xia Yan's expressions and felt timid. “Alright, Su‘er will leave first.” As soon as she finished speaking, she ran away in a hurry, ignoring those people's expressions.
Only when Jiang Su Su's figure left their view, did Li Yang withdraw his gaze. “That must be the Jiang fu's Second Young Lady. Sure enough, she looks more beautiful than the rumours.”
"Su'er is still young." Jiang Quan blocked him. "We haven’t thought about her betrothal for the time being. I am talking about Ruan‘er.”
Xia Yan quickly chimed in. "Exactly. Su'er is naughty. In fact, Ruan‘er has the best temperament and looks.”
Li Dong and his son looked at each other. Li Yang then remarked, "There is no hurry. I see that Second Jiang Miss is indeed a rare beauty."
Xia Yan was extremely anxious. After saying a few words absent-mindedly to the Li father and son, they had lunch. Warmed with the wine, Jiang Quan and Li Dong talked about some imperial court matters. Li Yang and Xia Yan both withdrew from the room. Li Yang proposed to stroll around in the garden. Although it was not in line with the rules, it was their family who had the most power, so she acquiesced. Xia Yan called Lin Lang, “Go find Shu Xiang and bring Jiang Ruan out. A trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. “For my Su'er, I'll let you suffer this lifetime grievance.”
Jiang Ruan was dressed in a brand-new long one-piece brocade robe etched with yellow Camellia flowers with pipa lapels. Lu Zhu covered her with a scarlet floral jade brocade cloak. Her hair was casually arranged in a tassel bun, even a thin silver hairpin with inlaid jasmine flowers was worn. A little powder was applied, making her skin look bright. Shu Xiang told her with a smile, “Miss is really beautiful, just like a fairy.”
"A fairy?" Jiang Ruan smiled gently. "I’m definitely not from the heavens.” She was an evil spirit coming back from Hell. All she had to do was destroy the fairy in front of everyone's eyes. How could she be a fairy?
Shu Xiang didn’t understand her words, but Lu Zhu spoke, “Miss is dressed too grandly. Are there any distinguished guests coming today? Because Second Miss is just resting in her courtyard. “
Shug Xiang's heart beat faster. She looked up furtively at Jiang Ruan's expression. However, Jiang Ruan looked normal. "It’s just that the weather is very good today and the mood is lively. There are no distinguished guests in the fu. Even if there are guests, they wouldn't be in a young lady's courtyard.”
Shu Xiang lowered her head a bit deeper. However, she felt some uneasiness in her heart. Jiang Ruan looked at her and continued with a smile, “Neither I nor Lu Zhu has ever been to Su Xin Yuan (Jiang Su Su's courtyard). You should know it well since you are usually running errands outside. “
Jiang fu was neither too big nor too small. Since returning to the fu, Jiang Ruan had never been to Jiang Su Su’s courtyard. However, Shu Xiang didn’t know what Jiang Ruan's words meant. She was trying to remain calm so that Jiang Ruan wouldn't have any doubt. After a pause, Shu Xiang replied, “This maidservant has been there once or twice and will likely remember the way.”
Jian Ruan smiled. "Then I'd like you to lead the way."
Shu Xiang suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and made a curtsy. "Please follow me, Miss."
Shu Xiang led the way while Jiang Ruan and Lu Zhu followed behind. Lu Zhu stayed close to Jiang Ruan's side while staring vigilantly at Shu Xiang's back. On the other hand, Jiang Ruan's demeanor was perfectly calm and her smile was tranquil.
When they arrived at the gate of Su Xin Yuan, Shu Xiang stopped. "This is Su Xin Yuan.”
Jiang Ruan's gaze swept across the courtyard's gate. Even without entering the room, she could feel the difference from her own residence. Not only was Su Xin Yuan spacious, but the stones were also meticulously arranged in all parts of the garden. At a glance, it was very refined and tasteful. Jiang Quan was really favouring one and discriminating against another. Compared with Jiang Su Su’s Su Xin Yuan, Ruan Ju was not even as good as a servant’s room.
Jiang Ruan followed Shu Xiang to a room in Jiang Su Su Su’s courtyard. She pushed the door and saw that it was a small room. There was a teapot and several teacups on the small table. Hu Die stood in place and apologized. “Miss just went out and hasn’t come back. Please wait a moment, Eldest Young Lady. Maidservants will go to rush her back. “
“There's no harm, you can go.” Jiang Ruan smiled politely. ” Shu Xiang, Lu Zhu, you don’t have to stay here. Go follow Hu Die to find Second Younger Sister.”
Shu Xiang was stunned. She looked doubtfully at Jiang Ruan who spoke with a smile, “Are you afraid that I’ll run away? Don’t worry. I'll stay here.”
Shu Xiang's heart quivered. For some reason, she always had some inexplicable fear in front of Eldest Young Lady. A mere glance from those beautiful eyes made her feel as if all her thoughts were as plain as daylight. It was extremely uncomfortable.
Lu Zhu cast a worried look at Jiang Ruan, then the two of them withdrew.
After the three maidservants left, Jiang Ruan stood up. Her smile disappeared and she gently pushed the door open.
Su Xin Yuan was extremely quiet. There was no one inside. She held the vermillion pillar in front of the room door with a faint smile. Unexpectedly, Xia Yan had sent all the people in Su Xin Yuan away. Did she truly want her to be in an extremely painful situation and unable to survive?
Unfortunately, it was enough for her to taste despair and helplessness once.
With a cold smile, she turned and walked into another room.
A moment later, she heard disordered footsteps outside. The footsteps were feeble, the sound of a drunkard staggering in. Jiang Ruan opened the door and stood still.
Li Yang had drunk some strong wine. He happened to see a good-looking maidservant while strolling in the garden. He wanted to get closer and cuddle up. He didn't expect the girl to break free and lead him all the way here. When he was in front of the courtyard, the maidservant disappeared again.
He drank until he was a little drowsy and could only vaguely see the scenery in front of him. He saw the refined and elegant layout of the small courtyard with “Su Xin Yuan” written on the top. His heart swayed, forgetting where he was. He only knew that it was a young lady’s bedroom. Suddenly, his lips curved into a smile and he staggered forward.
But at this time, Li Yang saw a young girl in red standing at the door. Her slim stature stood ramrod straight. Her face was not clearly visible, but he could tell instinctively that she was an unrivalled beauty. At present, Li Yang could not care about anything. He shouted, “Little beauty…” The girl in red turned around and went into the room. Li Yang’s heart was fluttering. He immediately followed her, calling out, “Don’t run away, Beauty!”
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Translated by : Mazu
Edited by : Anks & Ely