Chapter 144 : Xuan Lang’s Probing
The night pa.s.sed but nothing happened. Taking into account Xiao Shao’s personality, he wouldn’t do anything to overstep the bounds of what was proper, but their relationship should still be considered a bit closer. Unexpectedly, when the servants opened the door early the next morning, the two people’s expressions were both indifferent with none of the expected bashfulness .
Everyone knew that they had made a mistake, so the servants obediently went to receive punishment.
After Xiao Shao left, Jiang Ruan dismissed everyone then sat down with a stack of books in the study. Within one of them was a map of the area between the southern border and Tian Jin kingdom. At Great Jin’s southern border was a river, beyond which was Tian Jin. Last night, Xiao Shao had returned from outside the capital with severe injuries. Although he didn’t say anything, Jiang Ruan felt it had to be related to Tian Jin in the south, and on thinking deeper, it was plausible that something must have gone wrong on the battlefield.
However, she had no way of going to the battlefield herself to check. And ever since news spread of Tian Jin’s successful counterattack, Jiang Xin Zhi hadn’t sent any letters back home. Furthermore, with Jiang Xin Zhi’s temperament, he would definitely hide it from her to keep her from worrying, but if he hadn’t even sent letters to the main house, the state of affairs must be very worrisome.
Jiang Ruan faintly frowned. If Tian Jin was trying to make trouble, the imperial court could easily solve the urgent need by sending reinforcements.
However, the Zhao family could only raise 200,000 soldiers. Moreover, some people had to remain behind to guard the capital. The remaining warriors were either privately employed by the Eighth Prince or from the Fifth Prince, Xuan Hua’s faction. Thus, how could Xuan Li obediently send them as reinforcements? Even if the Emperor issued an imperial decree, it was inevitable that he’d try to manipulate the situation in his favour. Jiang Xin Zhi was now in high demand – with Xuan Li’s character, he’d definitely kill him if he couldn’t use him.
If Jiang Xin Zhi really landed in prison, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Xuan Li kicked him while he was down.
Jiang Ruan got up, thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll make a trip to the palace.”
* * *
In the imperial study, the Emperor put down the letter he held and knocked on his desk. Only after a long time did he raise his head to look at the young man in front of him. “Ah Shao, you want to lead troops?”
Xiao Shao was silent.
“Imperial Mother (Empress Dowager) won’t agree,” the Emperor commented. “Back then…”
“I have already forgotten it,” Xiao Shao interrupted. “Your Majesty needn’t mention it again.”
“That’s good.” The Emperor continued, “Let’s not speak of this for the time being. Zhen heard that you and Hong’an Junzhu are very close, and you even rested in her courtyard when you were injured last night?”
“Since Your Majesty knows everything, there is no need to ask this subject.”
The Emperor’s tone became stern. “She is from the Jiang family!”
“So what?”
“Could it be that you truly like her?” The Emperor became agitated, causing Eunuch Li, who was standing next to him, to come forward and pat his back to calm him down. The Emperor waved him away. “Zhen knows you have your own ideas, but it can’t be Jiang Ruan.”
“Why?” Xiao Shao asked.
“Why,” the Emperor repeated. “You are more clear than zhen what kind of person Jiang Quan is.”
“She is also Zhao Guang’s granddaughter,” Xiao Shao reminded.
“So what!” The Emperor said angrily, “Ah Shao, your life can’t be stained by any blemishes; Hong’an Junzhu isn’t worthy of you. Zhen is not blind. That girl has a deep mind and so how can the two of you have a good end? Moreover, although Zhao Guang holds military power, he is too frank, while Jiang Quan is too poisonous. If you a.s.sociate with her, not only will she not bring any help, she will also pull you into muddy waters! In zhen’s view, Governor Yao of Binhai has a daughter similar in age, who is both smart and good at martial arts. Also, the forces behind Miss Yao would be helpful for you. She is the best match for you.”
“Your Majesty worries too much,” Xiao Shao said coldly. “This subject will take care of his own marriage, and doesn’t wish to bother Your Majesty.”
“You–” The Emperor, seeming very insistent on this matter, responded in a frigid tone. “If zhen insists on you marrying Miss Yao, and grants you a marriage edict tomorrow, what would you do?”
Xiao Shao raised an eyebrow. “In that case, without any better option, this subject can only resist the decree and refuse the marriage. Then, heads will roll.”
The Emperor coughed again. However, before he could say anything else, Xiao Shao opened his mouth and said, “Things at the southern border are urgent. Your Majesty does not need to spend effort on this subject’s private matters. As for Miss Yao…” His dark eyes were deep and cold, his voice completely flat. “If Your Majesty bestows marriage, that would merely waste a life.”
Saying so, he immediately left without a backwards glance.
Eunuch Li supported the tottering Emperor who was on the verge of collapse, and hurriedly dug out a small porcelain bottle from his robe to pour out two pills for the Emperor. Only then did his pallor improve a bit. The Emperor sighed, his expression desolate. “He disobeyed zhen for that girl.”
“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Li gently persuaded, “You have known Xiao w.a.n.gye’s temper since he was a child. Once he’s made a decision, not even nine bulls can pull him back. When he heard Your Majesty’s words, Xiao w.a.n.gye must have been unhappy in his heart, so his words were a little impulsive. However, his feelings have never changed.”
“Of course zhen knows he remains true to zhen.” The Emperor pressed his temples in exhaustion. “Zhen did all this for him. Miss Yao is learned and sensible, and zhen has seen with his own eyes that she is beautiful. If Governor Yao can support Ah Shao, his days will be much easier in the future. Zhen has paved his way for him, yet he refuses to walk it.”
“Xiao w.a.n.gye is a young man, after all.” Eunuch Li advised, “Perhaps he and Hong’an Junzhu have a special relationship. Moreover, Xiao w.a.n.gye places great importance on righteousness and loyalty, and would never establish a connection to elevate his status.”
“There’s an easy way but he insists on taking the most difficult path.” The Emperor snorted coldly. “That girl Jiang Ruan seems easy-going, but zhen has seen it clearly – she has a deep mind and like Ah Shao, has an extremely cold personality. How can they live well together? And her brother Jiang Xin Zhi. Those two have their own ideas and aren’t easy to control, especially Jiang Xin Zhi. If he ever gives rise to rebellious thoughts, the world will fall into chaos.”
Eunuch Li was at a loss as to how to comfort him because he knew that Xiao Shao was the biggest knot in the Emperor’s heart. The Emperor was wise and decisive in all things, but as soon as Xiao Shao was involved, he lost the ability to clearly see the situation. Xiao Shao wasn’t a person who was easily moved by others. Since he made himself clear today, if the Emperor disregarded him and bestowed him a marriage, the daughter of the Yao family might just disappear from the world the next day. Eunuch Li had seen what Xiao Shao was capable of. If that happened, the Yao family and the imperial family would turn against each other, causing a big disaster.
The Emperor let out a long sigh. “Forget it, we will discuss this matter later.” He’d instinctively disliked Jiang Ruan from the very beginning. Although it sounded strange, people in high positions tended to develop a hypersensitive sense about certain matters. For example, every time Jiang Ruan talked to him, he could detect traces of resentment even though nothing was wrong on the surface. Although the feeling was faint, the Emperor just didn’t like Jiang Ruan. As he saw it, Princess Yuan Rong had been gentle, considerate of the big picture, and was the n.o.blest princess in the world. Empress Dowager Yi De said that Jiang Ruan resembled Princess Yuan Rong by a few points, but in truth, it could be seen from Imperial Consort Chen’s incident that Jiang Ruan wasn’t nearly as gentle and generous as she appeared on the surface. No, she was an exceedingly small-minded person, it was just that she hid it very deeply. Ever since he came to know that Xiao Shao had an unusual relationship with her, he had sent people to investigate. And the more he looked into her, the more he realized that she embodied the phrase ‘still waters run deep.’
The Emperor could never allow a dangerous person to stay by Xiao Shao’s side. He himself didn’t know why he disliked her – maybe it was a hatred inherited from a past life. There were many things in this world that couldn’t be explained clearly.
* * *
The conversation between Xiao Shao and the Emperor, like the ambergris incense lit within the imperial study, faded away in the blink of an eye.
Now Jiang Ruan, who’d already met and talked with Empress Dowager Yi De, returned to the Princess’ residence with Tian Zhu and the others.
Unexpectedly, just as they arrived at the front door, she b.u.mped into an acquaintance: Fourth Prince, Xuan Lang.
Although Xuan Lang was Fourth Prince, he wore a somewhat old dark brown robe which was only accompanied by a single jade ornament at his waist, looking extraordinarily plain. In the eyes of people who liked to think too much, he undoubtedly gave the impression of an unfavoured prince. Upon seeing Jiang Ruan, Fourth Prince approached her and gave a bow. “Junzhu.”
It seemed like Xuan Lang was used to always pleasing others, so there was a hint of humility in his tone. But when his voice fell into Jiang Ruan’s ears, she only felt that he could compete with Jiang Dan. She smiled and replied, “Fourth Highness.”
A flash of hurt flew past Xuan Lang’s eyes at her indifferent att.i.tude, but he soon collected himself and smiled back. “I heard the military situation at Tian Jin is tense, so I thought that Junzhu must be very worried. Since Junzhu is in a good mood, I can be relieved.”
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t afraid of him asking, rather she only feared that he wouldn’t ask. As expected, Xuan Li had connections to Tian Jin. Now that Xuan Lang ‘coincidentally’ ran into her, wasn’t it just to test her att.i.tude? Perfect. She also wanted to see what ideas they had, and why they needed to test her.
“How can I be in a good mood?” she sighed. Her eyes dimmed, and her tone involuntarily became melancholic. “My elder brother is fighting enemies at the border, yet I can still enjoy a peaceful life. The war is hanging by a knife-edge, and he hasn’t sent letters home in a long time. I feel sick with worry every time I think of it.”
Xuan Lang’s eyes flashed as he intently observed Jiang Ruan. Seeing that she didn’t seem to be pretending, he comforted, “Deputy General Jiang has heaven’s blessing, and he is a natural G.o.d of war. How could he fall to a tiny Tian Jin? Junzhu doesn’t need to worry, your brother will definitely return triumphantly.”
Jiang Ruan smiled. “Thank you Fourth Highness for your well wishes.” It’s just that her smile was a little forced.
Shaking his head, Xuan Lang said, “Speaking of which, I heard from Imperial Father that the situation over there is really rather tense. Although Tian Jin is a small nation, their smelting technology is superb, their swords and shields are extraordinarily sharp and sophisticated, and they are cunning on the battlefield. It’s really…” He sighed.
As soon as she heard his words, Jiang Ruan’s face changed again, and she reluctantly said, “What Fourth Highness is implying is….”
Once he saw her uneasy expression, Xuan Lang became even more confident in himself. Seemingly unintentionally, he continued, “It would be good if General Wu could send troops.”
“General Wu?” Jiang Ruan wondered.
“Junzhu probably doesn’t understand the imperial court’s situation very well,” Xuan Lang said. He explained considerately, “General Wu is a military general with good soldiers under his command, and the Wu family army is also very skilled. He used to guard Xirong, but ever since they surrendered a few years ago, the Wu family army retreated and haven’t set out since then, causing General Wu to worry that his army’s heroic skills will rust. If the Wu family army and General Wu can come out of obscurity to take charge, we need to only wait for the day that Tian Jin is broken.”
Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes. General Wu, of course she knew of this General Wu. In her previous life, Xuan Li slowly nibbled away at his enemies after he ascended the throne. Just as he took every opportunity to suppress the Zhao family, he likewise kept promoting the Wu family. The Wu and Zhao families were both old heroes who conquered the country under the command of the previous Emperor, but after the old General Wu died, the current General Wu was a stubborn and self-aggrandizing man who thought very highly of himself. He was so ambitious that he dreamed of occupying Great Jin’s seat of power and spared no effort to snuff out the Zhao family.
When she was imprisoned in her past life, she vaguely heard that the one who led people to arrest everyone in the Zhao fu was General Wu himself.
She lowered her head, seemingly in thought, as Xuan Lang stared at her. Jiang Ruan looked up. “If it is as Fourth Highness says, then why don’t my grandfather and uncles go as reinforcements? Would that not be more convenient?”
“General Zhao’s soldiers are guarding the capital’s vital points, how can they simply leave?” Xuan Lang shook his head. “Besides, with the relationship between Deputy General Jiang and General Zhao… Imperial Father probably wouldn’t let the Zhao family send troops.”
This was to sow discord? Did he want to chill the relationship between the Emperor and her brothers? A smile flickered past Jiang Ruan’s lips but her expression soon changed to an ignorant one. “Then… what should we do?”
“No need to worry.” Xuan Lang thought for a bit, then said, seemingly hesitant, “My Eighth Brother has a good relationship with General Wu. If he could say a few words…”
“Eighth Prince?” Jiang Ruan, stunned, anxiously asked him, “Should we ask Eighth Prince to persuade General Wu?”
“Doesn’t this still depend on Imperial Father’s intentions in the end?” Xuan Lang shook his head helplessly. “Besides, the thing Imperial Father hates most is his sons getting too close to a minister. If Eighth Brother asks recklessly like that, it might provoke Imperial Father to have misgivings.”
“Then, what should we do?” Jiang Ruan’s tone carried some disappointment.
Xuan Lang glanced at her, then suddenly shuffled closer. “Junzhu, there is something I am unsure if I should say.”
“You speak.” Jiang Ruan looked at him.
“Actually, there is a way,” Xuan Lang said.
“What way?” Jiang Ruan, with her eyes lit up, couldn’t wait to ask.
“The time has come for Eighth Brother to choose a consort, but Imperial Father holds some prejudices against him because of Imperial Consort Chen. When I asked him about it a few days ago, Eighth Brother said that he already had someone in his heart.” He looked at Jiang Ruan, and only continued when he confirmed that she didn’t show a sullen expression. “It’s not like there isn’t any precedent if Eighth Brother and Junzhu get married. And if Junzhu mentions sending reinforcements later, it would be natural for Eighth Brother, as your husband, to help by recommending General Wu to our Imperial Father.”
“Me… and Eighth Prince?” Jiang Ruan asked.
Xuan Lang nodded, then hesitantly continued, “This isn’t an ideal solution, but we don’t have any other way. If Junzhu wants to save Deputy General Jiang, this is the fastest way. Eighth Brother is infatuated with Junzhu so I think you should be able to get along well.”
“Marriage has always been dictated by our parents, how can I decide it so arbitrarily?” Jiang Ruan asked.
“That’s easy,” Xuan Lang said. “Eighth Brother only needs to ask Imperial Father for a marriage edict.”
Jiang Ruan internally sneered. It was easy to talk about asking for a marriage edict, but in the end, it still depended on Empress Dowager Yi De. If she truly wasn’t willing, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t force her to marry. This was why Xuan Li would make Xuan Lang confirm with her first that she wouldn’t refuse.
She had been trying to figure out the motive behind Xuan Lang’s long-winded rambling, but hadn’t antic.i.p.ated that their plans included her. Their calculated move was truly impressive.
Marry her, then take the Zhao family under his wing; with the Jiang family already under his command, wouldn’t Jiang Xin Zhi then be just a fish on his chopping board? Even the matter of sending General Wu as reinforcements would take advantage of her situation. If they were victorious, wouldn’t all the credit land on Xuan Li’s head? There was no way for him to lose!
Only… she still couldn’t believe that Xuan Li truly wanted to send General Wu to help Jiang Xin Zhi. It was likely that if Jiang Xin Zhi showed even a hint that he wasn’t willing to submit to Xuan Li, General Wu would not hesitate to stab him in the back. And even if Jiang Xin Zhi didn’t show anything, with General Wu’s narrow-minded and jealous temperament, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn’t have wayward thoughts anyway when he met Jiang Xin Zhi, who already had such outstanding military merits at such a young age.
Xuan Lang thought his words were flawless, because Jiang Xin Zhi was Jiang Ruan’s weakness. This brother and sister pair had a good relationship, not to mention that Jiang Ruan was a woman, so it was easy for her to be affected by her emotions – as soon as Jiang Xin Zhi was involved, she would become muddle-headed. It was just that he didn’t hear Jiang Ruan’s answer for a long time, so he felt a little anxious. When Jiang Ruan lifted her head she didn’t look nearly as fl.u.s.tered as Xuan Lang had expected. Instead, her expression was placid and cold to the extreme, and even revealed some ridicule; under that gaze, there was no one who wouldn’t flee in embarra.s.sment.
“Junzhu…” he began.
“Fourth Highness is very knowledgeable of current affairs,” Jiang Ruan said with a shallow smile, instantly making Xuan Lang’s expression transform. She looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite one. “You are very suited to the court – His Majesty should really see this eloquence of Fourth Highness’.”
Her manner of speech seemed to contain traces of smile, and yet at the same time she showed a sign of admiration- both of which caused Xuan Lang to break out into a cold sweat.
Who was he? The most incompetent prince of Great Jin. Anyone could despise him because he was so incompetent, but in the end his position was also the safest. When several princes died in succession, he alone lived not because he was lucky, but because he was stupid!
And even if he wasn’t actually stupid, he had to pretend to be!
In truth, although he was mediocre and not particularly outstanding, he wasn’t actually as dumb or cowardly as everyone thought. However, unlike him, his other brothers who were so intelligent still fell to terrible outcomes; they all died the same in the end.
The Emperor knew he couldn’t bear any great responsibilities, and the courtiers also knew that he didn’t have the ability to. Therefore, he had never been involved in the whirling struggle for power. Yet despite being lowly, of all his brothers, he took a liking to Xuan Li.
On the surface, he was close to the Crown Prince, but he was actually Xuan Li’s person. No matter how mediocre he was, no matter how many years he spent pretending to be an idiot, as someone from the imperial family, he still yearned for power as they all did. Although he knew he didn’t have the qualifications to fight for the highest throne, it was also good to improve his position a bit.
Xuan Li wore the mask of a gentleman, so how could Xuan Lang miss out? It’s just that his mask wasn’t as good as Xuan Li’s – he was insignificant, weak, and as cowardly as a mouse. But like a snake hidden in the dark, he could give a fatal blow at the most critical time.
He was the concealed sword Xuan Li wielded within the palace.
But what did Jiang Ruan’s words mean? If the Emperor knew that he cared so much about affairs of the state, he would have to be an idiot not to realize that he’d been pretending to be stupid all along – that’d be bad. If anything happened, not even Xuan Li would let him go easily.
Xuan Lang forced out a smile. “Junzhu, I am not so knowledgeable…”
“You’re too humble,” Jiang Ruan said in a relaxed tone, “Fourth Highness is clearly wise and magnanimous. If the Crown Prince were to know that there is such a smart person by his side, then even the Grand Tutor would be superfluous.” She watched the panicking Xuan Lang with a smile. “Perhaps Fifth Highness will also be pleased to know that his brother is so talented.”
Just listen to her relaxed tone with barely a trace of the previous panic. Xuan Lang would be a true idiot if he still didn’t realize that Jiang Ruan had played him like a fiddle. This woman not only lied to him, but she wasn’t worrying about Jiang Xin Zhi at all!
Jiang Ruan looked at him, all smiles, as a soft breeze slightly lifted her skirts. Her eyes were as l.u.s.trous as a clear spring, yet they also held something else within their depths. A chill swept through his body and left ice in his veins until not a trace of warmth was left.
Xuan Lang asked, with some difficulty, “Junzhu… Are you unwilling to marry Eighth Brother because you already have someone in your heart?”
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. “What on earth are you talking about?”
Xuan Lang was dumbfounded.
Tian Zhu didn’t move, Lu Zhu looked serious, and Jiang Ruan simply gazed at him. She knew that every word spoken today would inevitably reach that person’s ears. Since he (Xuan Li) had personally directed and put on such a show for her, she might as well let him enjoy it for a little while longer.
This subterfuge, who couldn’t do it?
“My elder brother is fighting so bravely on the front lines so how can I bear to marry at this time? And even if I must marry, it should be to an upright man. Great Jin hasn’t fallen to the point that it needs to be protected by its daughters. How can your Eighth Brother not know this, when even I know? Then, say I ask His Majesty to send reinforcements. If not even the many ministers of the court dare to speak on this matter, then what guarantee do I have that I am not just handing over my life? Someone who doesn’t have the courage to protect the country – will the day come that they also don’t dare to protect me?
“I want to marry a man, not a coward.” Jiang Ruan smiled.
Her words pressed Xuan Lang into speechlessness and made him drip more cold sweat. It was impossible for Xuan Li to not be angry when he heard about this conversation. Who else would this anger be vented on if not Xuan Lang himself?
“Junzhu’s words are too heavy,” Xuan Lang said. “Eighth Brother is also helpless.”
“It looks like the relationship between Fourth Highness and Eighth Highness is very good.” Then Jiang Ruan said in a light tone, “Go back and tell your master – those wishful thoughts of his can only happen in his dreams!”