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Jiang Dan lifted the canopy curtain, but the interior was empty . . . Lu Zhu’s and Lian Qiao’s unusual behaviour had confirmed Jiang Dan’s guess that that man was still in the room. As such, she was unwilling to accept what she saw right now. She urgently scanned every inch of the room, but no matter where she looked, it was abundantly clear that there was no one else there. It all seemed to be a joke.

Jiang Dan forced herself to smile. Focusing on the copper deer figurine, from which incense rose in swirling spirals, she said, “Hasn’t Da Jiejie always disliked this incense? How is it that you are using it today?”

“True, I don’t really like it,” Jiang Ruan replied unhurriedly, “but I’m using it to cover up the smell in the room.”

Jiang Dan looked up abruptly, not quite understanding why Jiang Ruan would answer in this way. Wasn’t this an admission?

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and said, “My period has started and my body feels out of sorts. Why is Fourth Sister looking at me like that?”

Believing that Jiang Ruan was simply toying with her, Jiang Dan was so furious that she almost vomited blood. Her words were intolerable, but she could not figure out how to retort. Upon looking around the room again, one could see that Jiang Ruan had very few decorative elements, and apart from the bed, there was nowhere else a big, living person could be hidden. Today had been a fruitless endeavour. Although Jiang Dan’s hopes had not been achieved, she still had doubts, and so she stood where she was at a loss as to what to do next.

Jiang Ruan sat up on the bed. While she gathered up her long hair, she stated, “Fourth Sister will be entering the palace selection in a few days.”

“That’s right,” Jiang Dan said with her head lowered, slightly startled.

“I think Fourth Sister must be very happy these days,” Jiang Ruan said as she nonchalantly examined her nails. “Since this is the case, it would be a good idea to stay in your room everyday. If anything should happen at this critical juncture, it would be … such a pity.”

Her words held a tinge of ice, and Jiang Dan heard the warning behind them loud and clear – this was a cold war. She was familiar with Jiang Ruan’s methods, and if something really did happen, wouldn’t that mean that all her efforts would go to waste?

Even though she was deeply unwilling to yield, Jiang Dan schooled her expression so none of her true thoughts were revealed. Instead, she reverted to her usual delicate and timid expression, with some degree of cowardice. She nodded and said, “Da Jiejie has taught me an important lesson. Now Dan niang will return to her courtyard and read Lessons for Women[1] well.”

[1] 女戒 (nu jie) – often translated as ‘Lessons for Women’ (other translations include ‘Admonishments for Women’). This book was written by the Han dynasty female intellectual Ban Zhao (班昭), the first known Chinese female historian, for her daughters. The book outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, and describes the status and position of women in society. More here.

After Jiang Dan left, Lu Zhu angrily said, “Fourth Miss clearly had bad intentions. Seeing her like this, I’m really hoping that something happens to her.”

Lu Zhu knew all about the relationship between Jiang Dan and Jiang Ruan from the time she entered the fu with Jiang Ruan. It stood to reason that Jiang Dan should be close to Jiang Ruan since she had been raised by Zhao Mei, but in the end, she enjoyed laughing at others’ misfortune and adding fuel to the fire. She was truly sinister. Although Lu Zhu had lived in the marketplace earlier in her life, even she understood the principle of repaying a debt of gratitude. This was the first time she had encountered someone who bit the hand which had fed her.

Jiang Ruan remained silent. At present, Lu Zhu was only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Since Zhao Mei’s death and Jiang Dan were inextricably linked, she would not let Jiang Dan off lightly. What harm would there be in helping Jiang Dan enter the palace as she was so set on it? No one understood more clearly than Jiang Ruan what life in the palace was like. Slowly tormenting Jiang Dan there would be even more painful than devising a way to get rid of her sooner.

Lu Zhu noticed the hostility in her miss’ eyes and was somewhat taken aback. Then, as if she had remembered something, she said, “Since Fourth Miss has left, let’s release Xiao Wangye; it must be so stuffy in there.”

Upon reflection, Xiao Shao was indeed a precious child, born with a golden spoon in his mouth. It must have been really hard on him to be stuffed like an object into a small, stifling storage space.

Tian Zhu and Bai Zhi kept watch outside the door while Jiang Ruan lifted up the bed board and opened the metal door to allow Xiao Shao to squeeze his way out. Once out, he was slightly stunned as he took in Jiang Ruan’s appearance. His handsome face flushed, and he looked away uncomfortably.

Jiang Ruan was only wearing a snow-white inner garment[2] and had forgotten this fact after Jiang Dan left, so she found Xiao Shao’s movement a little strange. However, Lu Zhu uttered ‘ah’ softly and hurriedly found a cloak to serve as Jiang Ruan’s ‘armour’, encasing her torso tightly. Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao were both quite vexed. This Xiao Shao had not only slept on Jiang Ruan’s bed but had also seen her body; no matter which way one looked at this, it was Jiang Ruan who would bear the greater cost.

中衣_搜狗百科

[2] 中衣 (zhongyi) – Zhongyi also known as lining, is the shirt of Hanfu, which plays the role of matching and foiling. Mostly white, there are mainly middle clothes, middle skirts, middle trousers, and middle singles. The middle clothes can be matched with formal dresses or regular clothes, and can be used as home clothes at the same time. More here.

Now covered up, Jiang Ruan seemed to realise the reason for Xiao Shao’s peculiar movements, and could not help but raise her eyes to look at him. In doing so, she just so happened to meet Xiao Shao’s gaze.

This young lady’s appearance was matchless. The lack of cosmetics enhanced her beauty even more profoundly, a beauty as deep as her bones. It was as if the most beautiful, rose-tinged cloud from the farthest reaches of Great Jin graced a bleak autumn landscape. In the slanting sun beams, she was as brilliant as a spring flower. Her fierceness was gone, and with a slightly dazed look in her eyes, she was like a tantalising little cub, enticing people to place all their attention on her.

Jiang Ruan was also looking at him. This young man stood tall and upright, his flesh white as snow, his eyes like dots of lacquer, and his eyebrows like ink. Qilins striding through fire and riding the wind were embroidered with fine gold thread on the black material of his clothes. His thin lips were slightly pursed, enhancing his elegance and incomparable bearing. Moreover, on closer examination, while his heroic spirit was compelling, he was also extremely detached with a bone-deep elegance; in all he was truly innately distinguished. In this world, there was truly such a beautiful person mysteriously dressed in black, with jet-black hair- like an exceptional qilin, naturally honourable, with a splendid temperament.

The two of them looked at one another, each one displaying minute shifts in expression, seemingly in awe of the other, and also as if some kind of emotion was trying to break through. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu stood quietly to one side, and the sunlight was gentle and kind, as if unwilling to disturb this tranquil tableau. This moment was as serene as the green hills in the distance.

It was not as if Xiao Shao had never met a beauty. He himself had been born outstandingly handsome and elegant, yet he had always considered one’s appearance to be a mere matter of skin. All along, he had known that Jiang Ruan was not bad looking, but it was at this moment that this young lady’s beauty became profoundly clear to him. She was nothing like any of the beauties he had seen before. Obviously, she had a frigid heart, but her appearance was charming and ardent. Moreover, when she was gentle and refined, she seemed to be another person altogether- calm and good-natured- yet he knew well that this was an illusion.

This young lady was different from anyone he had ever met. She was undeniably full of evil tendencies, yet she was able to conceal this under a peaceful facade in an instant. What kind of fate had caused her to become the person she was now?

The cloak was wrapped tightly around her so that only Jiang Ruan’s small face, the size of his palm, was revealed. Abruptly, Xiao Shao thought of the young lady before him wearing plain snow-white clothes. He knew that she detested the colour white and was most unwilling to wear it. However, when she wore those inner garments, she seemed gentle and frail, like a newly bloomed lotus, trembling to stay upright amidst the branches. It was like a light wind carrying the promise of spring breezed past and blew the image of that flower into his heart. And now- who knows how or when- there was an impression of her on his rock-hard heart.

He was faintly startled by the undulating currents of his heart. Although he had never experienced passion, he nevertheless understood what these tremors of emotion signified. Unlike the shallow and wavering inclinations of the past, from the time he subconsciously came to regard this courtyard as a place he could trust, Xiao Shao realised what the difference was.

Last night, she had been calm, and her actions gentle yet resolute as she bandaged his wound without the slightest hesitation. Time suddenly ran backwards, and he felt as if he had returned to Bao Guang Temple all those years ago. That young girl who did not seem to know the taste of anxiety opened a pair of limpid, clear eyes, looked at him, and smiled. And on that cold and lonely night, a cold and lonely young man found a sliver of warmth within the dense mass of murderous intent within his heart.

Now, that young girl had grown into this decisive, cold and detached young lady, capable of sophisticated and subtle shrewdness; when she took action, no blood would be shed, but the impact would be severe. Yet, it could also be seen that on that cold and lonely night, merely bringing a basin of clean water, while smiling and chatting, showed that everything could be easily resolved without a trace of panic.

He looked at Jiang Ruan intently and said, “I will take responsibility[3].”

[3] 我负责 (wo fu zi) – polite-speak for ‘I will marry you’.

Jiang Ruan was stunned for a split second. Within Xiao Shao’s dark eyes was a night sky sprinkled liberally with diamonds, and the brilliance of it seemed to draw one in irresistibly. After saying these words, Xiao Shao watched Jiang Ruan closely, and an almost unnoticeable tension was fleetingly seen in his eyes. In his lifetime, he had persevered through countless dangers, but facing a lethal threat head on was nothing compared to this nervousness.

Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao did not know whether to stay or leave, and perspiration beaded their foreheads. Lian Qiao was still hesitant, but Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan with hopeful eyes. What kind of person Xiao Shao was had duly been noted by the maidservants recently. To be by Xiao Shao’s side would grant their miss the greatest stability. Although their miss handled matters with great assertiveness on a daily basis, even they, as the maidservants closest to her, sometimes felt that the distance between them and Jiang Ruan was so large. If only one person could enter her heart and protect her, perhaps Jiang Ruan would not be so lonely.

After a moment of astonishment, Jiang Raun laughed lightly. Her laughter was gentle, yet held a hint of self-loathing. Xiao Shao’s keen ears caught this undercurrent of emotion as he heard her say, “Xiao Shao, you know I don’t care about such things.”

So, a diplomatic refusal. Xiao Shao felt a brief sense of loss, but it did not persist for long. If it were so easy to move the heart and mind of this person before him, then it would not be her. He nodded and said, “The door of Jinying Wangfu is always open for you.” After a pause, he added, “I will always stand by your side.”

Jiang Ruan nodded and said, “Many thanks.” She looked outside the window and said, “Since this is the case, you don’t have to be in a hurry to return. Anyway, there are people waiting for you outside. It might be better to delay.”

Xiao Shao initially wanted to decline, but he suddenly changed his mind and said, “Very well.”

Jin San, who had been listening outside the room with contentment in her heart, stared at the door with incredulity. They clearly had to visit Bai Zhang Lou today, but just because of Jiang Ruan’s words, Xiao Shao had changed his mind, and had even made it seem as if her words were highly rational. When an ordinarily honourable person tells a lie, it truly is hypocritical!

Xiao Shao was totally oblivious to his underling’s silent criticism; he simply felt that this situation had been arranged to his utter satisfaction, and he even felt that, this time, his being injured had been quite good. It was just that Jiang Ruan did not seem to be aware that a man had been added to the room, and merely carried on doing what she had to do without the smallest sign of unease. This caused Xiao Shao to feel a little depressed.

That day, one would have thought that enough had happened, but who could have imagined, come night time, something else would transpire.

* * *

In the outer courtyard of Ruan Ju, Lu Zhu was sitting with Jin Er, and they were not fighting for once. On the contrary, she asked, a little nervously, “Is this really possible?”

Jin Er nodded his head solemnly and replied, “It should be possible.”

“I think so too,” Lu Zhu said in agreement. “That’s how it happened in the play I saw.”

“What kind of play?” Jin Er exclaimed. “Something performed by one of those risque entertainment troupes?” Having said this, he gave a beastly laugh and continued, “Never would I have imagined that one as young as you would like this kind of thing.”

Lu Zhu’s small face flushed angrily as she kicked him and yelled, “That’s nothing on you, you crazed nutjob. Not afraid that one day you’ll injure the root of your progeny and become useless trash!” And with that, she left in a huff leaving Jing Er with his mind in a whirl.

He absolutely detested people who doubted his capability. Very well, this wench had pushed his buttons one too many times!

Meanwhile, no matter what was transpiring outside, everyday affairs were proceeding as usual.

After dinner, Jiang Ruan went in search of some books to bring back. Although Xiao Shao was in the room, he scrupulously abided by etiquette, and their interactions were fairly easy. She was about to enter the room when she realised that there was no one outside, and found that somewhat peculiar. Then, she saw Lu Zhu scurrying inside to take away the tea from that morning. Jiang Ruan asked, “Where’s Lian Qiao and the others?”

“Lian Qiao Jiejie and Bai Zhi Jiejie have gone to prepare brown sugar water for Xiao Wangye,” Lu Zhu lied without batting an eyelid. “Tian Zhu Jiejie and Jin San Jiejie have something to discuss.”

Jiang Ruan felt this was rather strange, but did not give it further thought. She nodded and said, “All right, you go ahead.”

Lu Zhu left carrying the tea pot.

Jiang Ruan walked into the room. She had just entered when she heard a ‘kacha’ sound, and looked back to see that the locks to both the inner and outer rooms had been dropped. In order to secure the rooms against possible disturbances at night, Jiang Ruan had added a door to both the inner and outer rooms, and had intentionally made the doors lockable. However, she never thought that she would be locked in by Lu Zhu today.

Structural analysis of ancient Chinese wooden locks - ScienceDirect

Wooden bar door lock

Jiang Ruan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Since it was her own maidservant doing this, there was no way that any harm was intended to befall her. Although she could not discern Lu Zhu’s intention, Jiang Ruan was not worried in the least. She looked thoughtfully at the locked door, then turned to face the curtain of the inner room.

It was not the pearl crystal curtain normally favoured by ladies, but an ordinary rain silk brocade curtain, light green in colour due to the period of mourning. She peered through the gauzy curtain, but could not detect any figures beyond.

Jiang Ruan paused, then drew aside the curtain and walked in boldly.

However, the second she stepped in she discovered that she was wrong, but there was no chance to retreat.

Indeed, there had been no one visible in the room, but at some unknown time, a screen had been erected next to the soft couch, and presently a tall and thin figure with a slender waist and narrow hips, and a lean and slender silhouette could now be seen. And every movement conveyed the sense of beauty with great power. The next moment, from behind the screen, Xiao Shao stepped out before her wearing a jade-coloured robe.

This beauty was like a spring flower.

Jiang Ruan was totally lost as to how to react. She could talk easily about collapses and turning plans upside down, but at this present moment, she could only stare blankly.

Xiao Shao had foregone his usual black clothes for this jade-coloured gown which was draped loosely about him, exposing much of his magnificently fair skin. His flesh was the colour of the purest white jade, and he seemed to glow with the lustre of moonlight under the light. With his red lips and white teeth, eyes like stars and elegant eyebrows, he looked like he had stepped leisurely out of a painting of an immortal who had been banished to live on earth. Gone was his cold elegance, and in its place was a gentle beauty. He had a bewitching charm which was out of the ordinary for him.

Jiang Ruan stood where she was. Stunned. Xiao Shao was also startled, probably because he had not expected that he would see Jiang Ruan as soon as he came forth. The shock of their encounter was such that both of them stared at each other, unable to move.

After a while, Xiao Shao lightly coughed and walked over to sit by the side of the soft couch as if nothing had happened, casually arranging his robes. His jet-black hair, worn loose, hung past his shoulders, enhancing even more his jade-like appearance.

In her previous life, Jiang Ruan had considered Xuan Li to be the gentlest man she had ever met. Even though she now saw through his facade, she could not help but concede that Xuan Li did look good, such that outsiders who saw him would call him a ‘first-class gentleman’[4]. However, the person before her currently, with a mere casual movement, had set himself so much higher than Xuan Li, as high as the heavens are from the earth. Completely different from that person who meticulously constructed his image and appearance in the eyes of the world, Xiao Shao’s entire being exuded a special beauty. Everyone called her a demoness of national calamity, but in her opinion, the phrase ‘national calamity’ could only refer to Xiao Shao.

[4] 谦谦君子，温润如玉 (qian qian jun zi, wen run ru yu) – lit. ‘modest nobleman, as gentle as jade’. This is one of the highest praises one can give a man, and describes his moral character, temperament and influence on others, among other things. The Chinese have always loved jade and imbued it with many qualities. As a result, jade is used in many metaphors as the highest possible standard of something.

Xiao Shao finally seemed unable to tolerate her gaze. He turned his head and gave her a teasing smile. With his lips curling upwards and arched brows, he said, “Do you admire me that much?”

When a cold and detached person smiles, his profoundly deep eyes seem to shine with even greater brilliance, and that one smile enhances his exceptional qualities; it is a different kind of allurement. Jiang Ruan was stupefied, never imagining that she would ever hear such words from Xiao Shao’s mouth. She immediately looked at him and assessed him from top to toe before giving her critical evaluation, “Bone structure is elegant, beauty is shown to the best advantage, features are picturesque, physique is sturdy. Truly . . . a beauty.”

The corners of ‘beauty’ Xiao’s mouth twitched as he glanced obliquely at her. Putting away his alluring attitude, he retrieved a white porcelain bottle from within his robes and said, “I have to apply medicine; you turn around.”

He opened his robes to expose the scar on his chest, a shocking sight. When Jiang Ruan saw Xiao Shao struggling a little to deal with his injury, she walked over and took the bottle from his hand, saying, “Don’t stand on ceremony, let me do this.”

“There should be no direct physical contact between men and women[5],” Xiao Shao reminded her.

[5] 男女授受不亲 (nan nu shou shou bu qin) – attributed to Mencius, this is a Confucian principle of propriety between unmarried men and women, to be more precise, unmarried men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things.

Jiang Ruan said, expressionlessly, “I have seen everything that should be seen, as well as everything that shouldn’t be, and I’ve touched everything. You might as well consider me a man.”

Initially, when Xiao Shao heard the first half of Jiang Ruan’s words, he felt rather satisfied, but once he heard the latter half, he felt that something was a little off. Looking down at the crown of the young lady who had drawn closer to him, he restrained himself and said again, “I can take responsibility.”

“. . . . .” With deliberate intent, Jiang Ruan pressed down hard on the wound. Sure enough, she heard Xiao Shao’s stifled groan, and it was only then that she let up on the pressure and casually said, “It would be a much better idea to build up your body first. You’re so weak, how can you take responsibility?”

Xiao Shao’s face blackened once again. Steward Lin and several other subordinates secretly discussed how he was as romantic as a stone on a daily basis. He felt that this group of people should be made to observe Jiang Ruan because only then they would understand who was truly unromantic.

Jiang Ruan was also rather puzzled. Out of the blue Xiao Shao had become a little rascal, and why had she never realised that he was so annoying?

The people who were standing guard outside were all lined up with their ears glued to the door, hoping to be able to detect any kind of activity. However, they did not dare to make it too obvious, and with two doors between them, they could hardly hear anything, only indistinct sounds. One person said, “Ai, I think I heard Young Master cry out.”

“Young Furen is indeed a hero,” someone else said in praise.

“She has completely won us over!” said another voice excitedly.

Unfortunately, the two people inside the room were ambiguous in their interactions, with hardly any intimacy, tragically wasting the golden opportunity which their subordinates had painstakingly created for them. If Steward Lin could see the situation now, he would undoubtedly sigh once again: this child cannot be taught!