Chapter 101 : Rejecting The Marriage
The first to voice out a refusal was actually Empress Dowager Yi De.
Xuan Li, who had yet to say anything, paused for a moment and the warm smile on his face stiffened. Everyone was puzzled, except for Jiang Xin Zhi, who secretly felt relieved. Even the Emperor would not easily refute the words of Empress Dowager Yi De. Even if Imperial Consort Chen was favoured, it wasn’t to the point where the Emperor would defy the Empress Dowager for her.
Imperial Consort Chen was usually like a fish in water at the palace, rarely having conflicts with Empress Dowager Yi De, and she was also popular with everyone. The Empress Dowager also wasn’t close with any consorts besides the Empress, so her life was peaceful. n.o.body would have expected that today, the Great Jin dynasty’s most respected woman would so ruthlessly go against her in front of hundreds of civil and military officials. If just Empress Dowager Yi De disagreed then forget it, but why would Jiang Ruan refuse?
With a smile on her lips, Imperial Consort Chen re-examined Jiang Ruan. At first glance, Jiang Ruan bore herself well, and didn’t seem like a daughter who was unfavoured while growing up. In accordance with Xuan Li’s evaluation, she merely appeared to be a person with some smarts. But now it seemed as though not only was she smart, but also very bold. Faced with Imperial Consort Chen’s smiling eyes, Jiang Ruan returned a warm smile back, courteous and calm. Her eyes contained such a mysterious emotion within that Imperial Consort Chen was stunned for a moment. She’d never seen such an emotion towards herself before.
This was… a provocation!
Not only was it a provocation, it was also full of ambition to win.
Empress Dowager Yi De’s sudden words had stopped Xiao Shao’s action just as he was about to stand.
Mo Cong wondered, “Huh, doesn’t Old Dowager usually never care about these trivial matters? Could it be that Eldest Jiang Miss is so lovable that it makes even the Empress Dowager treat her differently?”
Xiao Shao fell into thought, his pitch black eyes locked onto Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan never did things that were uncertain, thus she must have known that Empress Dowager Yi De would refuse. But how?
Everyone present was equally puzzled, but no one dared to ask. Jiang Ruan’s eyes were cold. She naturally knew why.
Imperial Consort Chen thought herself to be invulnerable, so she dared to brazenly invite her into the Eighth Prince fu in front of hundreds of civil and military officials. However, today, Jiang Ruan had dressed similarly to Princess Yuan Rong from head to toe. If it was any other topic it would be fine, but they had to bring up marriage. In this situation, how could Empress Dowager Yi De not remember how the princess was forced to marry into a foreign country that year?
She purposefully dragged things out by appearing unwilling yet embarra.s.sed to refuse, just to remind Empress Dowager Yi De of Princess Yuan Rong who sacrificed her happiness for Great Jin’s current stability. Therefore, it was impossible for Empress Dowager Yi De to feel indifferent to a forced marriage happening right in front of her.
The Empress Dowager would sympathize with her, and at the same time, she would hate Imperial Consort Chen in her heart!
In this way, no matter how much Imperial Consort Chen was favored, after offending such a n.o.ble lady in the palace, how could it be possible for her to continue to rise in the same way in the future.
Her (JR) life was so precious that she calculated every second. How could she ever be reconciled with this marriage proposed by Imperial Consort Chen?
Imperial Consort Chen didn’t speak a word, instead she just looked at the Emperor with a pair of beautiful eyes covered with a layer of mist, seeming aggrieved and sad. It would cause anyone to feel distressed for her with just a glance.
Indeed, the Emperor asked, “Imperial Mother, why would you say this?
“Today, aijia wanted to reward Jiang family’s eldest daughter. But what Imperial Consort Chen proposes isn’t a reward but a robbery,” Empress Dowager Yi De lightly replied. With some thorns in her words, she continued, “The Jiang family’s eldest daughter is Deputy General Jiang’s treasure, how could he bear to marry his sister out so early.”
Jiang Xin Zhi was a little shocked, but also grateful to the Empress Dowager. Without caring about other things, he first stood and gave a deep salute to her. “Many thanks for Empress Dowager’s understanding, it is true that this General doesn’t wish to leave my sister’s side too soon.”
Sounds of sighing spread throughout the hall. No matter what Empress Dowager Yi De said, with her status, no one would dare protest. But Jiang Xin Zhi refuted the Emperor’s most beloved consort when he only recently gained some merit. The siblings were acting so foolishly, it was ridiculous.
Naturally, Xia Yan felt delighted. She only wished that the two would keep offending Imperial Consort Chen until they aroused the Emperor’s fury and would be punished to death. On the other hand, Jiang Su Su was slightly flushed. When she first heard that Imperial Consort Chen wanted to make Jiang Ruan Eighth Prince’s consort, she almost fainted. She just couldn’t figure out why such a gentle and elegant man would want someone like Jiang Ruan, who was vicious, cruel, and scheming, to be his princess consort. It was only when the Empress Dowager intervened that she slowly came back to herself.
Needless to say, Jiang Li was extremely jealous. She envied Jiang Ruan’s luck and hated that she didn’t have an elder brother who made great contributions to the state. Jiang Dan lowered her head and picked at her fingernails, seeming very nervous.
Zhao Guang had just lowered his heart from his throat when Jiang Xin Zhi’s words shocked him again.
Guan Liang Han frowned, muttering, “This foolish brother! Covering for her like this, others would think she was his daughter.”
Even the Emperor showed a hint of displeasure. It was true that Jiang Xin Zhi made achievements, and he also appreciated brave young men like him, but this didn’t mean he could tolerate Jiang Xin Zhi’s disrespect towards an imperial consort. If he didn’t respect imperial power, then he couldn’t stay in the imperial court no matter how great his talent.
It was in this tense atmosphere that Jiang Ruan watched Jiang Xin Zhi with a smile. No matter what happened, she would always have Jiang Xin Zhi by her side in this life. He would stay with her without reservations even if he had to turn against the entire world. He’d always protect her without hesitation.
When Jiang Xin Zhi saw that Jiang Ruan could still smile, he relaxed a bit.
Upon hearing Empress Dowager Yi De’s words, Imperial Consort Chen laughed. “That’s true, bengong actually forgot. It’s just that, Deputy General Jiang, no matter how much you dote on her, there will be a day in the future when Eldest Jiang Miss will marry out, right?” She smiled at Jiang Ruan with a gaze as soft as Jiangnan’s spring rain and as cold as the morning dew that slowly burrowed into people’s hearts. She said, “Eldest Jiang Miss, don’t you agree?”
“Ruan niang’s status is low, and cannot compare to His Highness. This one is ashamed.” Jiang Ruan lowered her head, and her tone was quite sincere.
Xuan Li didn’t believe this act for a moment. How could Jiang Ruan be someone with low self-esteem? He also wondered why such a young girl would always have a hint of hostility towards him. Xuan Li considered himself a warm and sociable person with countless young ladies who admired his gentle jade-like countenance. Jiang Ruan was still young and shouldn’t have understood matters between men and women, but then where else could the hostility have come from? He hadn’t done anything wrong in front of Jiang Ruan before. Could it be because of Jiang Su Su?
Thinking up to here, he slowly relaxed. If it was just because of Jiang Su Su, then it would be simple to get her trust.
Imperial Consort Chen sighed softly. “Child, how is this an arranged match? If it wasn’t for Little Eighth to personally request it, why would bengong suddenly bring it up?”
Everyone gave a start. It was actually Eighth Prince who brought it up!
Xuan Li restrained his smile, collected himself, and walked to the center of the hall. He was handsome and elegant, with a n.o.ble temperament unique to the royal family. With a solemn expression, he knelt before the throne high above. “Imperial Father, those truly are my thoughts.” When he glanced at Jiang Ruan, his visage softened like the coming of spring. “Ever since I saw Eldest Jiang Miss on the Ling Long boat, I was captivated by her splendour, thinking of her daily. I feared that Eldest Jiang Miss would reproach me for this impetuous action of mine, so I begged Consort Mother to request to bestow this marriage on my behalf. I am willing to take Eldest Jiang Miss as my wife, to protect and love her all our lives.”
He turned to Jiang Ruan and slowly spoke, word by word: “Miss Jiang, are you willing to be my wife?”
Such a handsome young man showing off his affections bravely in front of so many officials was attractive enough, not to mention this was the gentle and well-regarded Eighth Prince. Countless young ladies watched on with both love and hate in their hearts. Love for the outstanding young man who wasn’t afraid to be affectionate, and hate that they weren’t lucky enough to be in Jiang Ruan’s place.
Jiang Su Su’s whole body swayed when she heard Eighth Prince’s words. Her previous joy was instantly replaced by a deep rooted hatred. There was never a moment where she was more jealous of Jiang Ruan than now, jealous to the point of madness! How dare Jiang Ruan steal her ident.i.ty as Jiang fu’s eldest di daughter, then steal her beloved? How dare she!
Jiang Ruan looked at Xuan Li indifferently. Since her rebirth, she’d avoided him at every turn – this was the closest to him she’d ever been. It was clear that he didn’t speak lightly, and his words were moving and sincere. She thought back to that time in the past, before she travelled against the stream of time, when Ning Shui Valley’s peach blossoms bloomed so brilliantly. At that time, she didn’t know what to do when Xuan Li stood under a peach tree with a gentle and compa.s.sionate smile and said: “Ruan’er, I truly like you.”
‘I truly like you’, how moving it is to hear. He said ‘like’, and yet didn’t propose marriage. He said he couldn’t give her an official status, and she believed him just like that and was even so considerate of his difficulties. In that life, how much did she wish to hear with her own ears for Xuan Li to say: “Would you be willing to be my wife?”
In order to be his wife, in order to be worthy of his love, she took the place of Jiang Su Su and entered the imperial palace’s murderous depths. She was abused, was wronged, was ridiculed, and was finally stomped into pieces in the dust.
How could he not have known? When she was no longer useful and he declared her a demoness who brought ruin, when her haggard self stood in the great hall, he should have remembered that day in Ning Shui Valley, below that peach tree, the words that he spoke: “Ruan’er, I truly like you.”
In this life, she finally heard those words: “Are you willing to be my wife?” But so what, she no longer wished for them.
Xuan Li quietly watched Jiang Ruan, confident that she would agree. Jiang Ruan’s mother died early and she’d received little favour since then from her father, plus she’d lived in a rural village for the past five years. This kind of person would be exceedingly grateful for even tiny fractions of kindness. To move her heart was too easy.
But as he held gazes with Jiang Ruan, his smile gradually faded.
What a pair of eyes. They were clear like a mountain spring, yet as cold as black poppies on a desolate land, the emotions within fierce yet calm. They didn’t contain any grat.i.tude nor admiration, or any joy at all. It wasn’t love, but hate.
Xuan Li froze. He didn’t see wrong, it was hate, the kind of hate that penetrated deep into the bones, the kind where she wanted no less than to devour his flesh and drink his blood. And there was also disgust, as if he was some rotten thing.
His expression slowly stiffened. Why?
Under such intense emotions and that complicated look, Xuan Li’s mind became blank and he didn’t know what to do next. He even felt a slight fear when facing such a Jiang Ruan.
Why is it like this?
He tried hard to figure it out, but saw the tender girl before him give a cold sneer and say with some sarcasm, “I. Am. Not. Willing.”
With her chin raised arrogantly, Jiang Ruan’s tone was courteous yet her expression was like the most n.o.ble princess. “This subject gives thanks to Your Highness’ kindness, but doesn’t dare accept. Your Highness’ words are too much for this lowly subject.” Saying so, she immediately bowed to the Emperor. “May Your Majesty’s wishes be fulfilled.”
No matter how moving Xuan Li’s words were, her heart remained like a stone, not budging an inch.
The smile on Imperial Consort Chen’s face deepened, and a light flashed in her eyes. Unexpectedly, she wasn’t angry at all.
Although the Emperor was furious at Jiang Ruan’s impudence, he couldn’t force her to agree in front of all the officials. He waved his hand irritably. “In that case, just take it as you not having fate together.”
Xuan Li’s expression was a little unsightly. He didn’t expect that today’s perfect plan would fall through just because of a few words from Jiang Ruan. As he looked at her curiously, he really couldn’t understand why she would refuse him without even thinking, with such a cold face at that. This kind of deep hate, was it really just because of Jiang Su Su?
Jiang Ruan looked at Xuan Li’s expression and sneered silently in her heart. In this life, he still used the same methods as her past life, hoping to buy her heart and use her. Nothing in life was so cheap. Did Xuan Li think that if he condescended to deceive others, they should be grateful?
Mo Cong shook his head, saying regretfully, “Eighth Prince is romantic, but it’s a pity he met the Jiang family’s cruel… Miss. He’s probably going to get ignored, hey.”
Xiao Shao glanced lightly at Jiang Ruan. As a martial artist, his observational abilities had always been good, and he clearly saw that Jiang Ruan looked at Xuan Li not with love but with hate. She despised him. For a moment there it seemed as though she had disappeared for an instant, as if she didn’t belong to this world.
Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Xiao Shao suddenly frowned. Many years of trusting his intuition told him something in the air wasn’t right. He lightly pressed the dagger at his waist – court officials weren’t usually allowed to carry weapons to court, but the Emperor personally exempted him from this rule.
Xuan Li gave Jiang Ruan a bow, then retreated to his seat with regret. That dejected appearance made the women present feel profoundly distressed. On the one hand they rejoiced that Jiang Ruan didn’t accept Xuan Li, but on the other, they hated her for not being able to distinguish between good or bad, making such a gracious person sad.
Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi just smiled softly. After such a show, the Emperor’s mood was also quite disturbed, so he waved his hand and ordered, “Start the feast.”
The serving maids filed in, each holding a tray. The lead palace maid was particularly beautiful and slender, dressed differently from the other maids, and was followed by two more palace maids dressed similarly. The three approached the Emperor. One stood in place, while the other two began to serve wine for the Empress and Empress Dowager.
A maidservant by the Empress took out a silver needle, preparing to dip it in the wine to test for poison. The head palace maid reached over to pour wine, and just as her hand lifted the jug, she suddenly drew a dagger from beneath the white cloth and thrust it towards the Emperor’s chest.
With a ‘pu’ sound, there came a strong wind with something mixed in that struck the palace maid’s dagger aside, preventing the wound from becoming fatal. It turned out to be a golden b.u.t.ton.
At practically the same time, Xiao Shao flew up and rushed to the Emperor’s side. Guan Liang Han froze for a moment then slammed the table as he stood. How could the womenfolk see such a scene? Piercing screams rose one after another. Among the palace maids dressed in pink, several flew up together pulling out soft swords from their waist, and charged towards the Emperor.
“d.a.m.ned Emperor, accept your fate!” the women shouted.
They were disguised among the serving maids!
Today’s banquet had hundreds of serving maids present. As soon as such a ruckus occurred, things instantly became chaotic. The Emperor received a terrible shock, desperately yelling, “Guards! Guards!”
Security around the Emperor was so tight that not even a fly could escape, but it was a different story elsewhere. The a.s.sa.s.sins didn’t limit themselves to only aiming for the Emperor’s life, they slaughtered anyone they could get their hands on. The women and girls had no way to defend themselves, as the a.s.sa.s.sins target them as well. Endless screams and cries filled the hall, accompanied by the sickening smell of blood. Their cruelty was clear to all.
Jiang Su Su, who had immediately hidden underneath the table, saw a delicate young lady be cut in half right in front of her. Though she was so scared her face turned chalk-white, she was still calmer than Jiang Li who was screaming her head off. Also terrified for her life, Xia Yan, who was also hiding beneath the table, tightly held Jiang Su Su in her arms. The table over them was soon piled up with corpses.
Jiang Dan was also terrified but she neither hid nor screamed like Jiang Li. Amid the chaos, she showed a surprising calmness. After a moment of thought, she picked up her skirt and ran towards the men’s section.
No one had expected such a twist. Everyone thought that the a.s.sa.s.sins would stop after the Emperor was whisked away, but who knew they would go on a rampage and keep killing haphazardly. It was easy for there to be accidents in such a chaotic situation. Jiang Xin Zhi could no longer see Jiang Ruan’s figure, but as a military officer, he couldn’t abandon all the women and children. He could only fight the a.s.sa.s.sins while desperately searching for her.
The Zhao family’s sons also joined the battle. However, the a.s.sa.s.sins, who were evidently well prepared for the situation, chased after the women and children instead of confronting the men. In addition, the guards and officers present had to take care to not accidentally hurt their families but the a.s.sa.s.sins had no such qualms, allowing them to behave even more unscrupulously.
Zhao Jin and Wen Fei Fei, coming from military families, faced the situation with a rare calmness. Zhao Jin said, “Fei Fei, you take a few sisters out first, I’ll go look for Ruan Meimei and Yinger.”
Wen Fei Fei hesitated. “Can you do it by yourself?”
“It’s fine, I’ll be careful.” Zhao Jin settled a few girls, then picked up a sword from a slain a.s.sa.s.sin’s body. She coincidentally caught sight of Dong Yinger being forced into a corner by an a.s.sailant whose sword pointed towards her chest. Zhao Jin’s heart tightened. She hurriedly threw her sword into that a.s.sa.s.sin’s back. The sword was thrown with so much force that the a.s.sa.s.sin had no chance to dodge and their sword slipped from their grasp. Dong Yinger had long been scared to tears. Seeing Zhao Jin now was like seeing her life’s saviour. “Jin’er.”
Zhao Jin rushed over to help her up. “Are you okay?”
However, before she could reply, Dong Yinger’s eyes widened when she looked behind her, causing Zhao Jin to feel strange. She turned to see a fierce face staring at her.
“Die!”
A silver light flashed. Zhao Jin closed her eyes in despair.
Unexpectedly, her body became light, then she heard the sound of something heavy hitting the floor. When she opened her eyes, her sight was filled with a young man who was holding both her and Dong Yinger. With a longsword in hand, his movements appeared as graceful and smooth like those of a dancer. Zhao Jin had watched her father and elder brothers practice swordplay all her life, but this young man had the most beautiful moves she’d ever seen. His features weren’t as rough as her father or brothers’, rather they seemed to belong to an elegant and handsome scholar while carrying a trace of boldness.
Dong Yinger also became dumbfounded, and a blush arose on her cheeks.
Jiang Xin Zhi lowered the two and stationed them in a corner. “Stay here, don’t move.” He waded into battle again without turning back.
Dong Yinger whispered, “Who’s that?”
Zhao Jin shook her head. “Don’t know.” Seeing his silhouette disappear into the hall, a hint of anxiety for him arose in her heart.
In the midst of all of this, Jiang Ruan’s previous actions were greatly surpa.s.sed by the arrival of the a.s.sa.s.sins. The Emperor was already evacuated but the Empress was still there in the hall, however she had many guards by her side so there was no need to worry. With a turn of her head, Jiang Ruan saw several a.s.sa.s.sins approaching Empress Dowager Yi De. For some reason, there were quite a few of them working together to attack the Empress Dowager.
Xuan Li had just checked on Imperial Consort Chen when he saw this scene and wanted to run over to help.
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. Without a pause, when an a.s.sa.s.sin was about to stab Empress Dowager Yi De, she exclaimed, “Empress Dowager!” Her actions were faster than her words. She leapt towards the Empress Dowager and pushed her away, replacing her to face the sword.
Then, she turned to give the stunned Xuan Li a sneer.
See, the show has just begun.