Chapter 194 : Catching A Culprit
The journey back to the capital was much more comfortable when compared to their departure. After Teacher Ba Qi detoxified Jiang Ruan, Xiao Shao had used flying pigeons to send a letter to the capital. On their way back, Jiang Ruan saw a certain snow pigeon that was a snow white jade colour and looked adorable and quick witted. It was also very affectionate towards her and its name was Hu Ba[1]– it was said that Steward Lin had given it this name. Indeed, in a place like the Jinying w.a.n.gfu where there were more men than women, it was almost an impossibility for it to have been given a more elegant name.
[1] 虎霸 (hǔ bà ) – 虎 (hu) means tiger and 霸 (bà) means tyrant / lord /to rule by force.
By the time they reached the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, Steward Lin had been waiting for their arrival for a long time. Then, upon seeing that Jiang Ruan had returned safe and sound, he was so happy that he burst into tears instantly and straight away he wanted to open the ancestral hall to report the good news to the Xiao family ancestors and thank them for their protection.
Lu Zhu and the others had stayed behind because at the time Xiao Shao had to quickly depart and bringing them along would have caused delays. After Jiang Ruan stepped down from the carriage, all of her servants in attendance surrounded her, asking about her well-being. Lu Zhu smiled and remarked, “It looks like Miss is well now, and since you have survived a catastrophe, there will be blessings in the future. This time Miss has evaded a great danger, so we must have a celebration to wash away the bad luck.”
Bai Zhi added, with much concern, “It would be great if there aren’t any residual aftereffects. After all, you have had this poison for many years now. This servant is rest a.s.sured seeing that Miss is all better.”
“Why are you saying such negative things?” Lian Qiao glared at Bai Zhi. “Miss has now returned to us recovered, so let’s leave the past in the past. From now on, we just have to be more careful, that’s all.”
Tian Zhu lowered her head and there was a hint of self reproach in her voice when she said, “This subordinate did not protect Furen well, so please punish this subordinate, Furen.” The Jinyi Guards had always adhered to their responsibilities very seriously. Now that she was Jiang Ruan’s personal secret guard, she had actually allowed Jiang Ruan to be poisoned right under her nose. No matter who argued the point, it was still her fault.
“What does this have to do with you? It was impossible for anyone to prevent such a thing from happening.” Jiang Ruan said, “It’s just that the other party is too cunning. You couldn’t possibly have prevented my being poisoned more than ten years ago, right?”
Tian Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan in surprise. Jiang Ruan had always been affable and warm on the outside but cold internally. Even though she usually wouldn’t make things difficult for her maidservants, it could not be said that she treated her as someone who was particularly close, especially as Tian Zhu had joined them halfway. Furthermore, she definitely wouldn’t take the initiative to comfort others who were outsiders. However, Jiang Ruan’s words had exonerated Tian Zhu, and when she once again looked into Jiang Ruan’s eyes, her usual hostility seemed to have dissipated a little, instead being replaced by a genuine sense of relief and magnanimity.
Tian Zhu didn’t know what had happened to Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao after they went to Mt. Jianan, but she felt a subtle difference. Although she could hazard a guess, she still cast a look at Xiao Shao. Jiang Ruan understood what she was thinking so she looked at Xiao Shao as well, and remarked, “Since you have given Tian Zhu to me then I have the right to deal with her, don’t I?”
Xiao Shao nodded, and Jiang Ruan smiled and said, “Well, as I said, it has nothing to do with you so there is no need to seek punishment.”
Tian Zhu still glanced at Xiao Shao cautiously and seeing that he didn’t have any particular reaction, her heart felt a measure of gratefulness. “This subordinate thanks Furen and Master’s leniency and mercy.
Qi Feng coughed twice. “Third Sister-in-Law should enter the w.a.n.gfu first, or else you might catch a wind chill standing outside. Since you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, your body is still weak.”
Everyone immediately agreed, and Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi helped Jiang Ruan into the w.a.n.gfu. As Xiao Shao still had some things to do in the palace, he left after making sure that Jiang Ruan was settled.
After he left, Jiang Ruan sat in the room and noted that it was somewhat a mess. Bai Zhi explained with embarra.s.sment, “The servants have been worried about Miss’ condition, and did not have the motivation nor inclination to clean the room. I’ll take care of it now.”
“Don’t be in a hurry to leave.” Jiang Ruan said lightly, “I still have some instructions for all of you.”
“What is it, Miss?” Lu Zhu asked inquiringly.
“Although the poison in my body is from an old issue, after all has been said and done, this relapse was caused by someone who poisoned me sometime recently. I know who that person is.” Jiang Ruan took the hot tea from Lian Qiao’s hand and took a sip.
Tian Zhu’s expression tightened. “Miss, you know who that person is?”
“Although I don’t know exactly who it was that actually poisoned me, I do know who was directing from behind the scene,” Jiang Ruan said as she smiled slightly. “Since they gave me this great gift, how can I not return their ‘kind intentions’.”
The maidservants looked at each other in blank dismay; none of them understood the meaning behind Jiang Ruan’s words. After a moment, Lu Zhu asked, “Is this person the same one who poisoned Miss over ten years ago? Why did they do this to Miss? If it was Jiang Furen…” Lu Zhu wrinkled her face and said, “Now that Jiang Furen is already dead, how can she order someone to poison Miss?”
“That person is not Xia Yan.” Jiang Ruan looked at the tea leaves which floated on the surface of the tea and unhurriedly continued, “This person came for my life many years ago and now she is doing it again just because she feels that I’m a threat to her. Of course I’ll get back at that person who resides in the palace, as well as for the debt she owes my mother.” She sneered and said, “Xiao Shao has already gone to make arrangements and tomorrow morning, I will serve them their comeuppance!”
Lian Qiao and the others looked at each other. Since Jiang Ruan didn’t explain the situation clearly, it could only mean that the person in the shadows must be difficult to deal with, and she had her own ideas about how to deal with them. The maids had been with her for many years, so they naturally understood her thoughts and would not keep asking. Tian Zhu asked, “What are your orders, Furen?”.
“I have made all the necessary preparations, and since that person is in the palace, I will naturally pay her a visit there. You will follow me into the palace tomorrow. There are some things that I really want to clarify.” She smiled lightly but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Her eyes were so cold that Lian Qiao couldn’t help shivering just looking at them.
* * *
In a corner of the palace, Jiang Dan ruthlessly threw the porcelain bottle in her hand to the ground, causing it to shatter with a crisp sound and crystal shards to be flung everywhere. All the palace maids present were so terror-stricken that they didn’t even dare to draw breath. Immediately, one of them knelt down to pick up the fragments but Jiang Dan angrily ordered, “Get out!”
The maids were startled and quickly retreated. Jiang Dan was the only one left in the huge palace and her expression was no longer as delicate and cute as usual, but rather hideous and terrifying. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth unconsciously.
Despite the fact that she had great forbearance, the longer one had been in a place like the palace, and the higher the position one held, the easier it was for one’s nature and characteristics to be exposed. Moreover, once a person had begun to forget, or neglect to maintain their facade, it would be very easy for others to spot the weakness that the person wanted to keep hidden. It’s just that Jiang Dan was still quite astute at present, so she had the forethought to send the palace maids out before anyone could discover any clues about her true nature. She had always been such a cautious person.
Jiang Ruan was not only alive and well, but had also been seen in a horse carriage outside the Jinying w.a.n.gfu. When this matter reached her ears, Jiang Dan’s hands were trembling. Recently, no matter what, no news about Jiang Ruan could be found. The Jinying w.a.n.gfu was so impenetrable that not even a fly could get out. Moreover, Jiang Ruan had just met with such an accident, and at such a critical juncture, Jiang Dan definitely did not dare to rush headlong into any action which could allow others to gain a hold over her. Originally she thought that hearing no news about Jiang Ruan for such a long time would be good news, but who knew that Jiang Ruan would return to the Jinying w.a.n.gfu in a carriage in such a swaggering manner; she didn’t even know when Jiang Ruan had left.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan was so lucky, but Jiang Dan felt more panicked. This matter was originally caused by poisoning and since Jiang Ruan had fully recovered, she must have discovered that the poison within her body had been there since childhood. Therefore, if she were to investigate further, sooner or later the trail would lead straight to Jiang Dan. With Jiang Ruan’s malefic character, one just needed to see the outcome of Xia Yan’s family to know that it was impossible to escape from her clutches. Once Jiang Ruan realised that she was involved in this matter, Jiang Ruan would never let her go.
Every time she thought about this, Jiang Dan felt a wave of panic in her heart. She could not help but complain inwardly when she thought of the man in grey. In the beginning they had determined that, no matter how brilliant and capable Jiang Ruan was, there was simply no way she could escape their machinations. Yet, who would have expected that their plans were not foolproof. And so, after thinking about it, she walked to the side table, picked up a brush from the jade holder and began to write a letter to someone.
At the same time, within the palace, someone else’s mood was completely different from Jiang Dan’s. In Nan Hua Yuan Palace, Xiao Shao entered the hall and a handsome young man stepped forward, grabbed his sleeve without any manners and demanded, “Is she back?”
“She is in the w.a.n.gfu,” Xiao Shao said as he calmly pulled his sleeve away. “Is Thirteenth Prince planning to visit my wife?”
For a courtier to refer directly to himself in the first person in front of a royal prince, Xiao Shao was really courageous. However, Thirteenth Prince didn’t seem to take offence, and a trace of obvious joy flashed across his face. “Okay, when are we leaving?”
For weeks, Xuan Pei had felt like his days in the palace were like years. What he thought about the most every day was Jiang Ruan’s well being. Even when the Emperor came to ask him about his homework, he was distracted and made many mistakes in answering the questions such that even Liu Min could see that he had something on his mind. Of course, naturally Xuan Pei would not tell outsiders the reason. With his heart laden with worries about Jiang Ruan bed-ridden with sickness, he had lost a lot of weight. Later, when he had received news from Xiao Shao saying that Jiang Ruan had been cured of poison, Xuan Pei finally felt as if a weight in his heart had been lifted. Xiao Shao hadn’t intended on coming back with Jiang Ruan for a long time, which made Xuan Pei extremely resentful. He scolded Xiao Shao many times in his heart for being blackhearted and taking Jiang Ruan away, but at long last, Xiao Shao had eventually brought Jiang Ruan back to the capital.
“No one can take a prince away at will. Since His Highness wants to visit my humble house, you can find a way to do so by yourself,” Xiao Shao lightly replied.
Xuan Pei was stunned by such blatant bullying, and immediately became indignant. “You are so unreasonable, you treat me like this, and if I tell her . . .”
“So what?” Xiao Shao looked at him without any obvious change in his expression, but his eyes were full of pressure.
Xuan Pei was momentarily stunned, and at a loss for words. When he recovered his wits, he felt embarra.s.sed that he lost his composure merely from being pinned down by a stare. Flying into a rage because he felt humiliated, he shouted, “She must make the decision for me!”
In the palace, Xuan Pei had always shown a calmness beyond his age. Sometimes it was not an exaggeration to say that he seemed more like an adult than an actual adult. Especially now that the Emperor valued him more and more, the servants had never really seen Xuan Pei display any of his childish side. Now that Xiao Shao had agitated him until he was hopping mad, it was indeed a rare glimpse of the vitality that should be possessed by someone of his age.
“She is my wife, why should she help you?” Xiao Shao continued.
“She’s still my . . .” Xuan Pei paused abruptly just as he was about to complete this sentence. He raised his head and looked at Xiao Shao vigilantly, but there seemed to be a slight tremor in his heart. This man was so scheming- with just a few words he had almost gotten him to divulge his secret. Xiao Shao might appear to be cold and indifferent to everything, but in actual fact he was observant. He knew that by mentioning Jiang Ruan to him, it could cause him to lose his composure. Furthermore, he knew what manner of speech would also unsettle and provoke Xuan Pei’s emotions. That was also why he had spoken those words. Xuan Pei’s heart, which had been provoked to jealousy and a desire for confrontation by Xiao Shao, gradually calmed down. Looking at Xiao Shao, he suddenly smiled and said, “Xiao w.a.n.gye, what you are doing is really using your strength to bully the weak.”
His words were heavy with sarcasm, but Xiao Shao didn’t even blink as he said calmly, “Thirteenth Highness is not weak.”
Xuan Pei swallowed his reb.u.t.tal. Who said Xiao w.a.n.gye was a cold and indifferent person who did not concern himself with worldly matters? Once this person turned bad, although he might look genuine, he was in fact cunningly devious. He knew how to jab at a person’s sore spots. Taking a deep breath, Xuan Pei said, “I know what you want to know, but I don’t need to tell you. The two of you are husband and wife, but…” Xuan Pei smiled maliciously, “Now that I think about it, you two aren’t truly a real married couple .”
“Thirteenth Highness is too compa.s.sionate,” Xiao Shao reminded, “That day will inevitably come.”
Xuan Pei was suddenly choked by Xiao Shao’s words again, and gave him a strange look, as if checking whether the person in front of him was the same person as others talked about. After a while, he shook his head and said, “No matter what, she and you are not at the point where you talk about everything with one another. What you want to know is a secret, and this secret concerns me and her. If you are really good for her, find a way to let me go out of the palace. I want to see her and I have to clarify some things with her face to face. After that, if she really trusts you, she will naturally tell you. But I have no obligation to tell you. “
Xiao Shao looked at him silently, nodded and said, “Okay.”
Seeing him agree so readily, Xuan Pei breathed a sigh of relief, looked at him solemnly and said, “You saved her life before so I should thank you on her behalf. No matter what happens, you and I share the same goal, and both of us will never hurt her.” This was the first time Xuan Pei sincerely conceded to Xiao Shao, or maybe it was because Xiao Shao had done all he could to rid of Jiang Ruan’s poison, and Xuan Pei felt grateful from the bottom of his heart.
Xiao Shao glanced at him. “Me saving my wife has nothing to do with you, no need to thank me.”
Xuan Pei: “. . . “
* * *
Not long after Jiang Ruan settled back into the Jinying w.a.n.gfu, Jiang Xin Zhi rushed over from the barracks after learning about their return, and then he immediately dragged Jiang Ruan off to talk about all the things that needed to be paid attention to while she was still sick. If she didn’t know that her elder brother was a martial artist, she would have wondered if he had changed his career to become a doctor. She had not told the General fu about her poisoning, and had been hiding the news from them. Because if Zhao Guang knew that someone had set about to harm his daughter and granddaughter in the past, he would have hastily charged over to the Jiang fu and demanded rest.i.tution and answers. However, now was not the time for this.
When Jiang Xin Zhi brought up this matter, he had some reservations, but was mostly furious. He said, “What’s going on? Xiao Shao didn’t tell me who poisoned you, but do you also intend to not tell me about it?”
Bai Zhi brought over some plum blossom honey water, and Jiang Ruan pushed a cup to Jiang Xin Zhi. Comforting him, she said, “I know who that person is, but I don’t want to startle the snake. Dage, don’t worry, I will solve this matter tomorrow morning. This matter is not difficult for me and with Xiao Shao’s help, nothing will happen. Dage also knows what kind of person I am, and there is no way I will let anyone scheme against me without any consequences.”
“Ah Ruan, I’m your elder brother,” Jiang Xin Zhi said, annoyed. “You would rather tell Xiao Shao than me. Do you feel that Dage is useless, so much so that you don’t want to tell me about this and let me handle it?” Jiang Xin Zhi felt a little wronged in his heart; it must be true that when a sister marries, she is no longer one’s sister. In the past, Jiang Ruan had been so close to him. He said, “When you were young and were bullied by others, it was Dage who helped you out, so why is it that you don’t remember it now . . .”
Jiang Ruan helplessly pressed her forehead. “Dage, what are you talking about? This has nothing to do with me thinking you are useless. I will tell you about this, just not now- can’t you wait one night? Besides, the reason for not letting you meddle in this is because of the position you’re in. You are a General and your interference in this matter would cause unnecessary slander and gossip. But Xiao Shao is different. The Jinyi Guards under him are different from the soldiers. They work in secrecy and darkness, making it easier to deploy them. Also, he is my husband, and his people are mine. Dage, you don’t like him. Is it because you are dissatisfied with me?”
Jiang Xin Zhi was at a loss for words, and replied, “How can I be dissatisfied with you? I have worked hard to earn myself a position and status so that you will not be bullied by others. But after all the effort to earn these things, only to fear what others might say about me to the point that I have to deliberate before I can lend you a hand, what has been the point of climbing higher?” Seeing Jiang Ruan looking slightly stupefied, Jiang Xin Zhi’s heart softened because he was afraid that her overthinking would aggravate and affect her recovering body. He hurriedly rea.s.sured, “It’s all right. We will do whatever you say and I won’t meddle. When tomorrow comes, you must ferret out that person for me, and if they dare to harm you, I will destroy them with my own hands!”
Jiang Ruan smiled. Jiang Xin Zhi looked at her and sighed, saying, “Although I don’t know what transpired after you went to Xiao Shao’s sect, you seem a lot more cheerful. I guess it’s all thanks to Xiao Shao.”
Jiang Ruan was stunned. “Why does Dage say that?”
“You are my meimei so I know you well.” Jiang Xin Zhi shook his head. “Even after marriage, I have felt that you have had something on your mind. But upon your return, I feel that your temperament has undergone a huge change. I didn’t like Xiao Shao at the beginning, and even thought he was too cold and indifferent, and as such unable to take good care of you.” Jiang Xin Zhi paused before continuing, “However now, it seems that he treats you very well. As I’ve said, Ah Ruan, you are so good, how can there be anyone in the world who doesn’t like you. Xiao Shao has good judgement, and right now, the way you treat him . . . It’s no longer the relationship of an ally which you previously mentioned, right? “
Was she that obvious? Jiang Ruan paused, then laughed. “Dage doesn’t like me like this?”
“No, I’m very happy.” Jiang Xin Zhi smiled slightly. “If someone in the world makes you happy, no matter who it is, I will be happy for you.” Jiang Xin Zhi reached out and touched her head. “As long as he treats you well, that’s enough.”
The siblings conversed some more, but Jiang Xin Zhi did not want to talk too much longer and prevent Jiang Ruan from resting, so he took his leave a little while later. Before leaving, he gave Lian Qiao and the others a few more detailed instructions, before telling her that he would visit her again tomorrow. After Jiang Xin Zhi left, Jiang Ruan rested for a while. As the sky gradually turned dark, after drinking the medicine Jiang Ruan perused the accounts book in the room. She had not had the time to look through them so since there was nothing much else she could do, Jiang Ruan decided to take a look.
Bai Zhi came over and persuaded, “It’s getting late so it is better for Miss to retire to bed early. You can always look at the accounts later.”
“That’s right,” Lu Zhu blinked mischievously. “Guye is already waiting in the bedroom, while Miss has been in the study. Be careful not to catch a cold, otherwise Guye will give all of us grief.”
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that since Jiang Ruan’s return, there had been a significant change between her and Xiao Shao. The relationship between the two had improved, and the servants were happy to see it, hence Lu Zhu put more effort into thinking of different ways to bring the two of them even closer.
Lian Qiao flicked Lu Zhu on her forehead. “Little wench, you dare to make fun of Miss. It seems that Miss has been treating you too well, making you more and more lawless.” She looked at Jiang Ruan with a smile. “But it’s true, Miss’s body can’t withstand too much stress, so it’s better to rest early so that Guye won’t worry.”
Jiang Ruan watched her maids bantering, and suddenly remembered the scene when she was in a coma after being poisoned – these maids had not been able to meet in her previous life. Unexpectedly, she sighed and said, “How long have you all been with me ?”
Lian Qiao was taken aback for a moment- no one expected Jiang Ruan to bring this up out of the blue. Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at each other, and Lian Qiao said, “This servant and Bai Zhi have been with Miss since childhood, and it has already been more than fifteen years now.”
Lu Zhu blinked. “This servant followed Miss from the rural residence, so it should be about six years.”
“This subordinate has been with Furen for two years.” Tian Zhu said softly.
“It’s been so many years.” Jiang Ruan whispered.
“Miss . . .” Bai Zhi said, worriedly.
Jiang Ruan waved her hand and said with a smile, “I’m just feeling a little nostalgic. You all have been with me for so long, but it seems that your life is not very good. On the surface, you look bright, when in fact you are surrounded by danger everywhere. When one considers this, it is I, your master, who is at fault. “
What she said was inexplicable, and Lu Zhu hurriedly said, “Miss must not say it like that. It’s a blessing for us servants to follow such a considerate person as Miss. Miss treats us servants very well, and we have never felt any regret.”
Lian Qiao and the others hurriedly followed suit in reply, and Jiang Ruan smiled. “It’s nothing. I’ll rest first and you all should go to bed early as we have to enter the palace early tomorrow morning.” After speaking, she stood up and Tian Zhu hurriedly a.s.sisted her to put on her coat. Then Jiang Ruan exited the study and entered the bedroom.
It was already dark, and the Jinying w.a.n.gfu fell into silence. There was not a sound to be heard this night, and all seemed to be peaceful. After midnight, light snow began to flutter down continuously. The ground was wet and cold, and one could easily slip and fall should one be somewhat inattentive when walking.
On such a dark night, an unremarkable figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard, as if they had gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom, but when they pa.s.sed the outermost wall, they squatted down as if by accident, and brushed across a specific spot at the foot of the wall.
At this moment, suddenly there was light before their eyes, as several torches appeared out of nowhere, dispelling the darkness of the night and illuminating the person. The person was startled, and squatted down quickly to cover their face with their hands, while also lowering their head to prevent others from seeing their face.
A voice resounded very clearly in the night, “Furen, the person has been apprehended! There really is a thief!”
Another person said, “Hey, look up, who is this person?”
The person trembled and buried their head lower. In the end, it was like catching a turtle in an urn[2]. Jiang Ruan slowly came out from behind the guards, holding a torch in her hand. The light of the fire illuminated her cold and beautiful face, but there was also a touch of compa.s.sion in her eyes, as well an imperceptible disappointment.
[2] 瓮中捉鳖 (wèngzhōngzhuōbiē) – lit. to catch a turtle in a jar (idiom); fig. to catch something that has no way to escape.