Jiang Xin Zhi leapt off his horse and strode quickly to Jiang Ruan. Calmly, he pulled her until she was behind him and therefore blocked from Xiao Shao’s view.
Xiao Shao watched his movements wordlessly.
Guan Liang Han had reached them by now, and asked, “Anything wrong?”
Xiao Shao shook his head. Then, Jiang Xin Zhi turned to assess Jiang Ruan. When he saw the sorry state she was in, including the blood from the shoulder wound that had seeped through her clothes, his face turned cold and he said, “Ah Ruan, you’re hurt?”
“It’s just a superficial wound,” Jiang Ruan said soothingly. She paused, then stepped forward to say, “Xiao Wangye, many thanks for your grace in saving my life.”
Hearing this, Guan Liang Han and Jiang Xin Zhi looked rather odd.
Guan Liang Han had personal experience, but Jiang Xin Zhi had only heard from other people. No matter which way one looked at it, there was no way there could be a relationship between Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan, so for Xiao Shao to personally jump off the cliff to rescue her seemed totally outrageous to him. Guan Liang Han had initially not believed Mo Cong’s drivel; Xiao Shao was both cold-hearted and cold-faced, so how could he possibly be interested in a young lady whom he had only met a few times? Moreover, Guan Liang Han ran a critical eye over Jiang Ruan – she was beautiful, but when all was said and done, she was still quite young, and there were plenty of women in the capital who piqued one’s interest more than she did. Moreover, she possessed no special charm. However, on thinking about the scene he had just witnessed, Guan Liang Han felt uncertain again.
Jiang Xin Zhi was different from Guan Liang Han. He had had very little interaction with Xiao Shao, and had been completely ignorant of matters in the capital when he left five years prior. Now, Jiang Ruan was his most beloved, precious little sister, so he glared at Xiao Shao as if he were Dengtu Zi*. He held on to Jiang Ruan tightly, not allowing her to step forward any further, and said stiffly, “Xin Zhi thanks Xiao Wangye on behalf of his meimei for your grace in saving her life.”
* 登徒子 (Dengtu Zi) – the main character (surname Dengtu) of a fable written by Song Yu of the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States period. It’s uncertain if the fable was based on a real person, but Dengtu Zi is commonly used to indicate a lecherous person.
He thought, Jiang Ruan was young, and naturally did not understand men. This Xiao Shao was not only a man through and through, he was also an important man with a high status. Jiang Ruan was still young and prone to only hearing what she wanted to hear; he could not allow her to be taken advantage of. Thinking of all this, he glared at Xiao Shao with even greater hostility.
Since Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi were siblings with a close bond, she naturally understood what he was thinking about, but was momentarily at a loss of what to do.
On the other hand, Ye Feng had to restrain his rising indignance. In his heart, he cried out against this injustice towards his master. He thought of his master’s brilliance in all aspects, and the numerous young ladies in the capital who were dying to align themselves with him. What kind of expression was that on Jiang Xin Zhi’s face? Clearly Jiang Ruan had taken advantage of his master! With these thoughts flashing through his mind, he glared at Jiang Xin Zhi. As it happened, Xiao Shao noticed him doing this and eyed him impassively. Ye Feng suddenly recalled the circumstances surrounding the jade pendant earring; he trembled and lowered his head hesitantly.
The atmosphere became highly peculiar. Jiang Xin Zhi pulled Jiang Ruan back a step and said, “Wangye, General, Jiang Ruan has had a shock, and is also injured, so Xin Zhi will bring her back to the fu for treatment. After Xin Zhi has escorted Meimei back to the fu, Xin Zhi will visit the General to discuss what happens next.”
Guan Liang Han was familiar with Jiang Xin Zhi’s deep, sacrificial love for his sister, so he merely waved his hand and said, “Go, go, you’re talking as if we are ravenous wolves.”
Jiang Xin Zhi blushed faintly, but he persisted in his attitude.
Jiang Ruan muttered to herself before breaking free from Jiang Xin Zhi’s hold. She said, “Dage, I wish to speak to Xiao Wangye alone about something.”
As soon as these words were uttered, silence descended on the scene, such that one could hear a pin drop. Everyone’s eyes were burning into those two people.
Ye Feng stood docilely where he was, but his ears were pricked up. His face reflected his emotions, part sorrow and part joy, and he thought to himself, this is no good, Master has indeed lost his innocence.
Guan Liang Han looked at Jiang Ruan meaningfully, then at Xiao Shao, and a mischievous smile lit up his face. Pretend, still pretending there’s no issue; there’s absolutely, definitely an issue!
Jiang Xin Zhi stared at Jiang Ruan, dumbfounded. For a split second, grief flashed across his features, and he glowered at Xiao Shao as if he were the enemy.
In one accord, with identical ‘there’s definitely an issue’ expressions on their faces, everyone gaped at the two people in question. These two people, however, were calm and at ease. Xiao Shao nodded and said, “Fine.”
Jiang Ruan surveyed the curious, gossip-hungry expressions around her, and sighed inwardly. She actually did not intend to be involved with this person in any way. The best option would be estranged from him, but, there were some matters where she had no choice but to make use of him or the means at his disposal. Unfortunately, this would cause people to misunderstand the situation.
Both of them walked into the forest. Xiao Shao took the lead, and when they had walked quite a distance, he stopped, turned, and said to her, “This is far enough, they can’t hear us.”
Guan Liang Han and the others possessed excellent martial arts skills, and their ears were almost abnormally acute. Since she had not wanted to be surrounded by people when speaking to him, she had clearly not wanted anyone to eavesdrop. That Xiao Shao had thought of this proved that he was highly considerate.
Jiang Ruan looked up at him just as the rising sun cast its light over the mountains and forests. The warm, golden rays illuminated his face, rendering it even more handsome. His pitch-black eyes were like twinkling gems, elegant and aristocratic.
She was almost dazzled by this sight, but she recovered in a flash and smiled slightly to say, “Xiao Wangye, last night, you said that you owed me your life.”
At that time, she had been exceedingly weary, and had been unable to properly consider the meaning of his words before she had fallen into a deep sleep. This morning, Jiang Xin Zhi had come upon them before she had had the opportunity to ask him what he had meant.
“Yes,” replied Xiao Shao.
Jiang Ruan fixed her eyes upon him and said, “Does Xiao Wangye wish to return the favour?”
She had changed her mind. She no longer wanted to inquire into the sequence of events that had led to that statement, for what good would that do. If she had a useful tool in her hands, then she should make use of it, such as the Xiao Shao standing before her.
“Yes,” Xiao Shao replied.
“Did Xiao Wangye help Second Younger Sister because you thought she was me?” Jiang Ruan asked.
Xiao Shao coming to Jiang Su Su’s aid without reason was already baffling, but, thereafter, all the signs indicated that he was emphatically not on Jiang Su Su’s side. The situation on Ling Long Boat had been odd in many ways. From the time he helped Jiang Su Su on that occasion, Xiao Shao had repeatedly helped her(JR). Jiang Ruan had just come to realise that Xiao Shao might well have acted that way towards Jiang Su Su if he had thought Jiang Su Su was her.
She watched Xiao Shao closely as he nodded and said, “Yes.”
Three short, sharp ‘yeses’, but they were decidedly resolute. Abruptly, Jiang Ruan smiled, and said, “I now understand. Since Xiao Wangye wishes to return the favour, there is an opportunity at present.”
She said this quickly, but steadily, almost as if she had spoken without thinking about it. This just showed how long these words had been hidden in her heart.
Xiao Shao observed her attentively, having noted the business-like manner with which she had spoken. He asked, “What are you thinking of doing?”
“The Grand Councillor fu secretly conspired to rebel. In this lifetime, their crime is unforgivable, and they are undoubtedly on the road to ruin. I want Xiao Wangye to protect their lives, and hand Li Dong and his two sons over to me.”
Xiao Shao studied her seriously but did not ask for her reasons, only nodding as he replied, “All right.”
This time, it was Jiang Ruan’s turn to be astonished. Rumour had it that Jinying Wang was cold and merciless, but from all that she had presently seen, he was actually amazingly good at heart. She frowned minutely, did he really take his commitment to returning the favour of saving his life so seriously?
However, she had to do this. She had originally thought of handing the matter over to Jiang Xin Zhi to take care of, but Jiang Xin Zhi had recently been promoted to Deputy General, and he would definitely face some difficulties in breaking Li Dong and his sons out of prison. Even if they somehow succeeded, if, in future, someone were to investigate and a mishap occurred, Jiang Xin Zhi would be in trouble. There was no need to even consider the Zhao family. With Zhao Guang’s stubbornly neutral stand, he would probably not agree to take this risk. In fact, he might even be suspicious of her methods.
She was absolutely unwilling to let the matter lapse like this, especially since such a rare opportunity had presented itself. Although she did not fully understand Xiao Shao or know much about him, she knew that, in her previous life, this man had been steadfast by nature and would always keep his word. In many aspects, he was truly a rare specimen – a real man. Moreover, Xiao Shao had a vast network of connections and great authority. If he stepped in to take care of this matter, there would be a much higher possibility of success.
She smiled at Xiao Shao and said, “Many thanks, Wangye.”
