Chapter 203 : Xiao Shao’s Secret
In a corner of the palace, Jiang Dan was no longer in her usual leisurely state. Out of the blue, she had become so anxious that even the personal palace maid beside her could see that something was amiss. She tried her best to sit down once again, and slowly grasped the back of a chair. Finally, the maid couldn’t help but ask, “Is Noble Consort worried about Minister Jiang’s affairs? Noble Consort, please pay attention to your body. His Majesty would be worried if he knew about this.”
Jiang Dan’s complexion changed as she forced out a smile and sighed. “I just didn’t expect that Da Jiejie could be so merciless, after all, he is her biological father too. Therefore, how could she be so cruel. Although bengong is not very close to my father, how could bengong possibly watch with wide eyes as he falls into such a situation. At the very least, I am unable to bear to see him in such dire straits.” As she spoke, she pressed her forehead worriedly.
“Noble Consort is just too kind,” the palace maid couldn’t help persuading, “It’s just that you should take good care of yourself right now.”
Jiang Dan waved her hand while shaking her head and said, “Bengong is aware, you should go first.”
Looking worried, the palace maid glanced at Jiang Dan once more as she left, leaving only Jiang Dan behind in the huge hall. She slid her nails along the armrest of the chair repeatedly, and her face looked somewhat sinister.
Jiang Quan had already been sent to the imperial prison. She had not expected Jiang Ruan to be this capable- to be able to produce such evidence after so many years. Whilst it was only Jiang Quan who was pulled into this affair, back then, Hu Die knew that she (JD) had haplessly given her life for Xia Yan. The question was why had she not exposed this matter then? Of course, Hu Die would not have kept it a secret for Jiang Dan. In fact, Jiang Dan had already guessed the possibility – Jiang Ruan had deliberately suppressed the truth of this matter – because she (JR) knew that both she and Zhao Mei had been poisoned by her (JD).
As she thought about this incident, Jiang Dan felt more and more guilty. Nobody was clearer than she was about what means Jiang Ruan would use to go against her enemies. From her lowly position as a wild mountain-bred di daughter that no one would have bothered to take a second glance at to the position of Jinying Wangfei that no one dared to belittle, just like a silkworm, Jiang Ruan seemed to have almost devoured the entire Jiang fu bit by bit, rooting out everyone who had gone against her. To not even give face nor recognise her relatives, to even haggle over every cent, how could Jiang Ruan possibly ever let her go? For there to be not the slightest sign of activity from her thus far, surely, she (JD) was not the exception because she had something lying in wait for her?
The more Jiang Dan thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she couldn’t help tightly biting her lower lip. After a while, she suddenly ordered her trusted aide, Zhu’er, to come in, and said, “I have something for you to handle for me.”
* * *
At the same time, on the carriage ride back home, Jin San asked Jiang Ruan curiously, “Since Young Furen knows that Noble Consort Jiang is also one of the murderers of the late Jiang Furen, why not seize the opportunity to have Hu Die ferret her out? Even if she is an imperial consort, as long as it involves the life of a furen from an official family, she too would have to leave the palace to be tried in court. Even His Majesty cannot intervene in such matters, so why did Young Furen let this opportunity slip by?”
“I won’t let her go.” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. “It would be simply too convenient to dispose of her in such a light manner. There were too many loopholes contained in Hu Die’s words. The reason why Jiang Quan fell into the web and was arrested was because Xiao Shao intervened. Furthermore, Jiang Quan’s official career has seemingly reached its end as his power in the court is not very strong, thus His Majesty would not raise too many objections. But once Jiang Dan is implicated, with how favoured she is at present, if someone who is interested truly takes this case seriously, it wouldn’t be too difficult to raise doubts about this case. We mustn’t forget that everything from Hu Die’s appearance and the so-called evidence was fabricated by us. For there to be no loose ends in a spider’s thread or for one to leave no horse tracks at all in this world, such steps are truly impossible.”
Jin San thought for a moment, then nodded and said: “Although that’s the case, it seems a pity to give up this opportunity for nothing. Does Young Furen have a good solution?”
“Jiang Dan has a suspicious personality. Although she has acted fiercely, after so many years, deep down she is still cowardly and timid. She is afraid that her plot will come to light. Currently, she must be anxiously turning around in circles in the palace. Now, filled with impatience and anxiety, would she ponder over the odd details in this case when her head is filled with ways to avoid being exposed? Jin San, after you return to the Wangfu, send a few Jinyi Guards to secretly protect Jiang Quan. Before Jiang Quan is given his verdict, he can’t be killed and silenced,” Jiang Ruan ordered.
Jin San was startled. “She would actually consider killing people to prevent them from divulging her secret?” A trace of disdain flashed in her eyes as she continued, “Such a woman can do anything in order to protect herself. It’s no wonder she put her hands on the former Jiang Furen back then. Rather Young Furen, although we plan to protect Jiang Quan, what should we do next?”
Jiang Ruan smiled: “I don’t want to move first. Once I take the initiative, if this matter is pursued, I will be the first to be exposed. What needs to be done now is to draw the snake out of the hole. The more impatient she is, the more likely she will make a mistake. I will lure her to take action. However, I fear that the grave that she will be digging and preparing will be her own.” She spoke softly, but Jin San felt that there seemed to be a chill of indifference. She couldn’t help but shudder, and seeing Jiang Ruan smiling, she understood that she must have a plan in mind which made Jin San feel at ease.
When they returned to the Jinying Wangfu, unexpectedly, there were some unfamiliar guards at the gate. Although they were dressed as ordinary guards, Jiang Ruan discerned the difference at a glance. She had always been good at observing details– these guards looked dignified, solemn and well-groomed, such that even Jinyi Guards could not outdo them. Jiang Ruan frowned. She had stayed in the palace for so many years in her previous life, and these people looked a bit like imperial guards.
Seeing her arrival, the guards all nodded and said, “This subordinate greets Wangfei.”
The complexions of Jin San and Tian Zhu changed slightly. Just then, Steward Lin who was making his way over was also slightly taken aback when he saw Jiang Ruan; it looked as though he had not expected her to come back early. He was stunned for a moment before he spoke, “Young Furen, I had not expected your presence so soon.”
Pretending not to notice the abnormal presence of these people, Jiang Ruan behaved calmly, and said, “I’m a little tired. Steward Lin, I’ll go sit in the study. Let us wait for Xiao Shao to come back to discuss matters.”
As soon as the “study” was mentioned, Steward Lin paused. Amongst the strange guards, the head guard suddenly spoke out, “Wangfei, please do not go to the study.”
Jiang Ruan did not take notice of his words as if she hadn’t heard him at all. She simply began to walk towards the direction of the study. The head guard’s complexion changed and he immediately stood in front of Jiang Ruan to block her. He said in a deep voice, “Wangfei, please do not go any further.”
Jiang Ruan looked at him quietly, her eyes calm, as if she didn’t have the slightest intention of fulfilling such a promise. She just glanced at him indifferently. The man was made speechless by her gaze, and Jiang Ruan asked lightly, “Steward Lin, is this a new guard? He seems to really not understand the rules.”
“This subordinate is not a new guard.” The leader of the guards had been around for many years, and which high official and noble person had he not seen before? Even if it was an official family, they would still give him some face. However, this was the first time that he had not been given any breathing room without the slightest hesitation from someone else. Although he was a little embarrassed, he had a good temper so he did not bother to engage in an argument with Jiang Ruan and his expression remained humble.
“This is quite strange.” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Since he isn’t a guard in the Wangfu, he is an outsider. For an outsider to interfere in the affairs of the Jinying Wangfu, no matter how powerful your master is, as long as he is not surnamed Xiao, you can’t intervene here,” Jiang Ruan said.
The guard was startled, and looked closely at Jiang Ruan. She met his gaze calmly, and suddenly he had a thought. Whilst realizing that Jiang Ruan probably knew the identity of the person inside, how could she still dare to continue?
Jiang Ruan felt cold, she had indeed seemed to have guessed the identity of the person inside. Although she was puzzled, what she felt more was a faint disgust. In the past, she would have probably just avoided the situation and left, but as it concerned the Jinying Wangfu, she could not help but feel upset. In her past life, although the mastermind was not that person, since then she hated the people from this clan. If she could, she would have avoided them in this life. To think that they would still want to annoy and mix themselves up in their affairs? What rights did they have to meddle in others’ lives?
Jiang Ruan smiled, and yet it was not soft but filled with an undeniable strength. “This foreign guard that is not from our Wangfu, can you step aside now?”
“This…” The guard originally wanted to refuse, but when he met Jiang Ruan’s eyes, he suddenly couldn’t say anything. He recalled that the woman in front of him could even sue her biological father in court. Such a woman who didn’t take worldly etiquette into her eyes, made one certain that she was extremely insolent.
“Young Furen, please go in.” It was Steward Lin who finally spoke. He continued, “The Jinying Wangfu is your home, you can go wherever you want– how can you not be allowed in your own home? Young Master is in the study; Young Furen has worked hard today. This servant will go back and ask the kitchen to send some sweet soup.” Steward Lin spoke with a smile, but the head guard looked at him incredulously, and started, “You…”
“I’ll take care of this.” Steward Lin was a little impatient. “Besides, what Young Furen said is correct, the affairs of the Xiao family have nothing to do with you, and outsiders should not interfere.” These words were so unyielding that they could be considered rude. Although Steward Lin was usually unreliable in regards to Xiao Shao’s affairs, as a housekeeper, he was very slick and sly. It was quite rare for him to speak so ruthlessly like this today without any sensitivity to what the other party felt, it was truly a special occasion.
The guards behind the head guard were furious, dissatisfied that their master had suffered such an insult, and they almost jumped in to intervene. Without sparing another thought, Jin San and Tian Zhu suddenly stood in front of Jiang Ruan, their expressions revealing a slight vigilance. They said, “Young Furen, let’s go inside first lest you catch a chill.”
It was well known that Jinying Wangfu protected their own people even if they were in the wrong, but no one expected them to be so protective of a Wangfei who had just married in. These imperial guards had never been treated like this in their life, and for a split second, they were quite angry. But doing something in the Jinying Wangfu would definitely not bring any benefits. There were countless Jinyi Guards and hidden guards around, so they could only look angrily at the departing figure that walked off without a second thought for the men left behind.
Steward Lin followed Jiang Ruan, with a grave and stern look on his face as he walked. For someone who had always been carefree and cheerful, this was the first time he was so nervous. He said, “Young Furen, since you have entered the Wangfu, you are a person of the Xiao family. Just like Young Master, you are also an integral existence to everyone; there are some things you ought to know about Young Master.”
He had something to say, and Jiang Ruan did not interrupt as she waited for Steward Lin to speak up. Sure enough, Steward Lin continued, “Young Master has had a very difficult time over the years, but outsiders can only see the well-regarded impression he portrays. Yet this old servant has watched over Young Master since he was baby. This old servant has seen how he has grown up, and knows that Young Master is not used to sharing anything about himself. Old Wangye and Wangfei met with a mishap not too long before Young Master took over the Jinyi Guards. Later, he left by himself to go to South Xinjiang. And while he returned alive, he survived with only half of his life remaining with wounds riddled all over his body. At that time we had to treat them for three days without stopping to sleep or have a rest.”
“In the capital, there are many who want Young Master’s life, as well as people from South Xinjiang. Consequently, for the sake of protecting the Jinyi Guards, who knows how much hardship Young Master has had to bear throughout the years. Yet, now that this old servant has finally been able to see him marry a wife, this old servant truly feels gratified. With this personality trait of his that values little, up until now his life has merely been him living just for the sake of living. But now that he has found something that he wants to hold onto, he appears a little more like a normal young person.” Steward Lin looked towards Jiang Ruan with a twitch of his mustache. “”Young Furen is a good young lady. At first, when this old servant heard Jin San and others mention how Young Master treats Young Furen rather differently, this old servant knew that only Young Furen would be able to help him. Our Jinying Wangfu, although invincible, has stood for many years through many trials and tribulations of the Great Jin dynasty. And although it appears as though nothing can knock it down, this also demands the Wangfu to be able to shoulder too much. Most well-bred young ladies would not be able to bear the burdens of such a family, yet Young Furen is able to.
As he finished speaking, the two arrived at the door of the study. Steward Lin stopped, and looked at Jiang Ruan somewhat seriously yet earnestly as he continued, “Young Furen, only you can stand alongside him in this world now.”
Jiang Ruan followed suit and stopped before the door that had not been entirely closed. There was no guard outside so this was obviously a deliberate attempt to send away anyone who stopped here.
The words that were being spoken by the people inside the room clearly traveled to the ears of the two outside. One voice was deep and resounding, yet strangely familiar. As the person’s voice carried, the haughtiness of one accustomed to loftily ordering others around emanated from within. Only, at this moment a sense of urgency mixed with exasperation made their voice sound somewhat unsteady, as if they had completely lost their usual poise. “You mustn’t single mindedly persist in doing things in the wrong way! What’s so good about that woman? Now, across all imperial civil and military departments, everyone is aware of the fact that she has taken her father to court. How will the populace of Great Jin regard her? How will others look at her? Zhen had initially thought that as long as you liked, as long as she knew her place whilst she lived her life, zhen would be able to bear it. But look at her, she has the audacity to make such big waves. She’s even pushed you towards the heart of the struggle, where the wind and waves are the fiercest. To no extent does she even have the slightest bearing of conducting herself as your wife!”
To hear such accusations against her the minute she arrived, Steward Lin was somewhat flushed with shame. He could not help but turn to sneak a peek at Jiang Ruan’s expression. However, her complexion was calm as if she was not ill at ease from hearing herself being scolded by another. She did not even show the slightest thread of surprise from hearing that voice, as if she had long since known who that person was.
Jiang Ruan listened in silence. The person inside was truly as she had imagined; it was the Emperor. Before she had yet to marry Xiao Shao, even when she had first gotten acquainted with him, she had already noticed that the Emperor, as well as Empress Dowager Yi De, treated Xiao Shao differently. Furthermore, their attitude towards him was of extreme tolerance. This was also why, even though Old Jinying Wang and Wangfei held the criminal charge of rebelling against the Emperor, Xiao Shao still came out unscathed from his relation with them. On the contrary, he was extremely trusted by the Emperor. Although she had been unclear as to the rationale behind this, Jiang Ruan could faintly guess that this was definitely not because the Emperor was a wise monarch who clearly appointed capable individuals of talent. On one’s own bed, how could one possibly permit another to snore and fall asleep on it? To do so would be to permit another to squeeze and exert power within their territory, the truth was- no monarch would put up with the offspring of a rebellious state official to remain alive and enter the imperial court as an official. For him to have done so, there must have been some reason behind it.
What soon followed suit after the Emperor’s voice flew into a violent rage was Xiao Shao’s indifferent voice, “Your Majesty, this is your humble servant’s family affairs.”
“Shut up!” As if he was pierced by something, the Emperor retorted, “Do not forget what family name you belong to. Your name isn’t Xiao, the blood that flows within your body is that of the Xuan family, what family affairs do you speak of. Your family affairs are zhen’s family affairs!”
Jiang Ruan’s eyes widened in shock. Although she would have never revealed her emotions outwardly, once she heard this, she could not help but lose focus. The conversation inside the room was exceptionally clear and there was not the possibility that she misheard. She had thought of countless possibilities but she absolutely would not have thought of this one. Xiao Shao is actually Xuan Shao?
“Your Majesty, there is no need for you to obstinately cling to your own dogmatism.” Xiao Shao’s tone remained indifferent, “This small official does not have anything to do with the royal family at all, Your Majesty, please speak cautiously.” His words were extremely cold, almost provocative.
“This is beyond your control!” The Emperor coldly snorted, “Zhen has done so much for you; to have hidden you in the Jinying Wangfu for so many years and to not have reinstated your status nor revealed your secret to lay the groundwork for your success. Finally, Great Jin can be delivered to your hands. You are of the royal household, the future heir apparent to the throne of Great Jin! How dare you say that this has absolutely nothing to do with you?”
Steward Lin buried his head down as he dared not look at Jiang Ruan’s expression. Jiang Ruan clenched her fists as she slowly calmed herself down. That’s right, in her past life, after Xiao Shao eventually killed Xuan Li, did he not ascend to the title of the Emperor as well? So this was why. Who would have thought that he was actually part of the royal family and that the Emperor was prepared to pass the position to him?
“There are differences between a ruler and his ministers,” Xiao Shao remained unmoved, “Your Majesty’s state power and country ought to be handed over to someone that is more capable. I will not be able to accept Your Majesty’s arrangements.”
“You… Such pigheadedness!” The Emperor was so furious that he was stomping with anger. He abruptly thought of something as he swiftly changed topics, “Do you insist on not wanting the throne because of that girl? At the time, Zhen heard that you particularly favored her alone but now this won’t do. Zhen only assumed that you were young and unaware of the harms of doing so. And so, since you truly liked that little girl, it was fine for you to marry her. However, now that you spoil her alone, how will you be able to convince the masses in the future? The populace of Great Jin does not need an emperor that is only enthralled by passions between men and women!”
“I said it a long time ago.” It seemed that even the slightest mention of Jiang Ruan by him made Xiao Shao unhappy, and his tone suddenly became more serious. “I don’t agree with your arrangement, Your Majesty should choose another brilliant successor.”
Not only was Xiao Shao unhappy, Steward Lin also showed a little unhappiness on his face. What kind of existence did Jiang Ruan have in the Jinying Wangfu now? She was the Young Furen whom everyone admired and recognized greatly. What did it mean for the Emperor to beat someone to death like this? Even the Emperor could not blatantly ignore one’s strengths at will, moreover, this was the perfect Young Furen whom everyone unanimously agreed with.
The three people inside and outside the room were unhappy, but Jiang Ruan was the calmest. She was not upset because of this at all, as she had long since been on the receiving end of the Emperor’s dislike. Moreover, whether it was in her past or present life, she did not care about it.
“Ah Shao,” the Emperor suddenly softened his tone, and said helplessly as if admitting defeat. “Could it be that you have forgotten your father? Zhen promised him…”
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Shao interrupted him with a sharp tone. “You also promised my mother.”
The Emperor suddenly stopped talking.