iang Ruan welcomed the sword’s tip with a straightened back. Her action was too decisive and righteous[1]; it caused even Xuan Li to remain rooted to the ground from shock. The assassin had also not expected that an unknown young girl would suddenly appear. She narrowed her eyes, her action not at all soft-hearted, as she plunged the flexible sword[2] directly into Jiang Ruan’s chest. Just that during the moment of imminent peril, a dagger flew past and deflected the sword away from its original target by just a few degrees. The sword’s power was hindered and did not plunge directly into Jiang Ruan’s chest, however, it made a gash from her shoulder to her chest and blood immediately stained her clothes red.
[1] 义无反顾 (yìwú fǎngù): honor does not allow one to glance back (idiom); to pursue justice with no second thoughts
Image Link
[2] 软剑 (ruǎn jiàn): a special type of sword used in the past which can bend.
Jiang Ruan fell backwards from the impact, but suddenly her body felt lighter and she fell into a wide and cold embrace. She felt the man’s breath on her ear, and smelled the fragrant green bamboo scent of his body. Xiao Shao protected her in his arms, then easily seized a sword from the hands of another assassin before blocking the pursuit of the current assassin. He told the surprised Empress Dowager Yi De, “It’s better not stay here any longer. Empress Dowager, please take your leave first.”
Jin Yi and Jin Er suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Shao and he entrusted Jiang Ruan to Jin Yi. Then, the two secret guards escorted Jiang Ruan and Empress Dowager Yi De away.
Xuan Li saw everything that had happened. He had intended to save Empress Dowager himself, but because Jiang Ruan rushed over all of a sudden, he was startled. Seeing her wounded and Xiao Shao helping her to escape, his heart could not settle as if there was a voice reminding him: No, it’s not like this, it shouldn’t be happening this way.
While everything that had happened was so bizarre, Xuan Li couldn’t figure out the source of his strange feelings. And, what exactly was the meaning behind the smile Jiang Ruan flashed at him when she faced the tip of the sword? It seemed to contain an incomprehensible feeling, making his heart palpitate, yet he had no way to guess at its true meaning.
Xuan Li wasn’t the only one to witness the whole thing, there was another spectator inside the great palace hall – Princess He Yi. Throughout the chaos, the imperial bodyguards at her side shielded her, so she was not targeted by an assassin. She was about to search for that person’s figure, but upon looking up, she found Xiao Shao with Jiang Ruan in his arms. Immediately, her gorgeous small face became distorted.
She knew what kind of person Xiao Shao was: extremely detached and usually not close to anyone, let alone an unfamiliar woman. Jiang Ruan was just a court official’s daughter. There were so many injured women here, but Xiao Shao only saved Jiang Ruan. Besides, Princess He Yi saw the concern in Xiao Shao’s eyes clearly; he was clearly worried about Jiang Ruan.
Princess He Yi’s face turned ghastly pale. She bit her lower lip firmly. At the beginning, Xiao Shao was just an incomparably elegant and sombre young man. Thus she fell in love with him at first sight. Unfortunately, no matter how she expressed her feelings, Xiao Shao always remained indifferent, as if he were made of stone. Today Jiang Ruan’s appearance was too magnificent and she even received Empress Dowager Yi De’s favour so she was already quite annoyed. Yet, now, when she saw Xiao Shao protecting her like that, she felt madly jealous and wished for Jiang Ruan’s death by the sword.
Eventually, all of the imperial guards from outside the palace rushed in and soon all of the assassins were dealt with. Once everything was under control, Xiao Shao finally put his dagger away and said coldly, “Keep those who can provide information alive and find out who is behind this.”
The palace hall was in a mess and filled with the ceaseless wailing of the wounded. There were many innocent women and children who lost their lives. No one anticipated this rebellion today; a nice palace banquet suddenly became a slaughterhouse. The palace servants came to help clean up the dead bodies, and the nearest imperial physician hurried over to treat the patients.
Guan Liang Han let out a sigh of relief and patted Jiang Xin Zhi on the shoulder and said, “Young man, you dealt with today’s crisis very well. You kept your calm in the face of danger, so like myself in those days.”
But, Jiang Xin Zhi’s mind was not here at all. He frowned and desperately looked around the hall. He couldn’t find Jiang Ruan’s figure anywhere and was very anxious. After giving it some thought, he went to find Xiao Shao. “Xiao Wangye, have you seen my younger sister?”
To which he replied that Jiang Ruan, along with Empress Dowager Yi De, had been escorted by the secret guards to the Ci Ning Palace.
* * *
Although Jiang Ruan’s sword wound was not deep, it was very long. She had also lost so much blood. Her snow-white complexion was pallid and her rosy lips had become almost transparent. Seeing her appearance, Empress Dowager Yi De summoned the best imperial physician in the palace, and at the same time, she ordered the palace maid to put Jiang Ruan on her couch bed.
Couch bed (chuang ta) Image Link
Jiang Ruan hadn’t lost her consciousness. While in a daze, she opened her eyes and got up from the couch bed, speaking with great effort, “Empress Dowager, you shouldn’t. This subject’s status is too low…”
“Things are urgent.” Empress Dowager Yi De replied quickly. “You’ve done a meritorious deed by saving aijia. Aijia is telling you to lie down on the bed, what of it?”
Jiang Ruan still tried to speak, but her face became paler and her voice turned hoarse. She seemed to be completely exhausted. She tilted her face slightly, without even having the strength to speak.
Upon seeing this, Empress Dowager Yi De’s face sank and she said angrily, “Why hasn’t the imperial physician arrived yet? If he’s not coming, aijia will have his head chopped off!”
The old maidservant serving at Empress Dowager Yi De’s side was shocked. Over the years the Empress Dowager’ temper had been very cold, but today she repeatedly showed abnormal emotions towards this unfamiliar girl. It was really strange.
The palace’s highly respected imperial physician rushed over quickly. He was confused to hear that it was Empress Dowager Yi De’s imperial decree. He was even more amazed once he saw an unfamiliar girl lying down on the Empress Dowager’s couch bed. He had never seen this girl before, and she was not Princess He Yi. Therefore, why was Empress Dowager Yi De so nervous? Did she have some close relationship with her?
Although he was puzzled, the imperial physician didn’t say much. After checking Jiang Ruan’s pulse, he got up and said, “This young lady just lost too much blood. Although she was stabbed, luckily, the wound isn’t deep. If it had been any deeper or more slanted, I’m afraid her life would have been really in danger.”
Empress Dowager Yi De breathed a sigh of relief. The imperial physician spoke again, “I’ll write two prescriptions. One is for the young lady to drink and the other to bandage the wound. She needs to pay attention to avoid certain foods over the next few days, otherwise, it will be harmful to the wound recovery.”
“Will it leave a scar?” Empress Dowager Yi De frowned. The wound extended from the shoulder to the chest. After all, she was an unmarried girl. If it left a scar, her future marriage would be affected. Jiang Ruan’s skin was as white as snow and if it was marred by scars, it would be really pitiful. Her behaviour was just like Princess Yuan Rong today, so Empress Dowager Yi De’s question was really sincere.
The imperial physician wiped the sweat on his forehead. “In reply to Empress Dowager’s question, if the wound is well-cared for, it shouldn’t leave a scar.”
This meant that there was still a chance of scarring. Empress Dowager Yi De’s eyes were gloomy and her tone was sharp. “I see, you can leave. Take someone along to get the medicine.”
And so, the imperial physician picked up the medicine chest and left the room with a palace maid.
Empress Dowager Yi De looked at Jiang Ruan who was lying on the couch bed with her beautiful eyes slightly closed. Her lip colour and complexion had the same pallor. She seemed to be enduring great pain but still did not reveal even a frown on her face. It was quite the contrary- Jiang Ruan was still smiling, as if consoling her. Compared with her unflustered charm in the great hall earlier, she looked young and tender with her outer clothing removed. Now, she looked delicate and pitiful. Her smile, in particular, looked so sensible, making people feel distressed. Empress Dowager Yi De suddenly thought of Princess Yuan Rong. The precocious and sensible Princess Yuan Rong never frowned and only smiled at her whenever she got sick so that she (Empress Dowager Yi De) wouldn’t be worried.
Seeing her like this, Empress Dowager Yi De’s heart softened, her tone gentle. “Why did you block the sword for me?”
Jiang Ruan gave her a shy smile and answered softly. “I don’t know why; I can’t say exactly, but when I saw Empress Dowager, I felt a sort of affinity, as if…as if I’d met you somewhere before. And then, I didn’t think much and just acted.”
She didn’t say anything profound or awe-inspiring. However, the sentence “as if I’ve met you somewhere” made Empress Dowager Yi De’s facial expression change greatly. The idea that she was somehow related to Princess Yuan Rong grew stronger and stronger in her mind. She said slowly, “You have done a meritorious deed in saving aijia. Aijia won’t let you suffer this blade in vain.”
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. “May I request Empress Dowager to let someone inform my eldest brother. He must be anxious if he can’t find me.”
“Don’t worry. Aijia has already sent someone to let him know.” Empress Dowager Yi De frowned slightly. Jiang Ruan only spoke of informing Jiang Xin Zhi, without mentioning Jiang Quan and Xia Yan. After something like this happens, shouldn’t a daughter seek out her father? However, she was more anxious to look for Jiang Xin Zhi and didn’t even mention Jiang Quan. The siblings born of Jiang family’s di wife had been known to have a good relationship but there was something odd about the situation. It was like that earlier in the palace. When talking about Jiang Ruan’s marriage, Jiang Quan’s facial expression didn’t change much. He didn’t act like a father at all.
Empress Dowager Yi De scraped the edge of the bed gently with her nail guard. The ruby emitted a bright red glow.
Jiang Ruan closed her eyes and raised the corner of her lips slightly. Some things didn’t need clear explanations, especially for the wise ones. After a brief mention, she left it at that. Let Jiang Quan handle the rest by himself.
She had known that there would be an assassination attempt today. In her last life, the Emperor also held a palace banquet after the flood. Assassins infiltrated while the palace banquet was underway but that time it was Xuan Li who saved Empress Dowager Yi De’s life. Xuan Li blocked the sword with his body and was seriously injured. At that time, the assassins’ mastermind was unknown and the Emperor suspected all the princes. The imperial palace was purged overnight. Even the prince who was not present that day because he felt unwell was also affected. Only Xuan Li, Eighth Prince, had been declared clean. After all, it was too excessive to be an act since he was so seriously wounded.
As a result, Xuan Li won Empress Dowager Yi De’s favour as well as the Emperor’s trust. He also gained a good reputation for loyalty and filial piety. After entering the palace in her last life, Jiang Ruan learned about this during an idle chat. She felt very anxious to hear the description of Xuan Li’s situation. Now, when she recalled it, there was no lack of doubtful points. As for blocking the sword for Empress Dowager Yi De, it was nothing more than a joke. If Xuan Li had truly been a sentimental and righteous man as rumoured, he wouldn’t have killed. People thought that Xuan Li would not use himself so ruthlessly. But in fact, Jiang Ruan knew better than anyone that Xuan Li was a person who concealed his strengths and bided his time. He was very ruthlessly demanding towards himself.
In this life, she made sure to make his plan come to naught. Empress Dowager Yi De must be saved but her saviour didn’t need to be Xuan Li. Jiang Ruan staked everything on one bet. Today, she was thinking that if she deliberately pretended to be like Princess Yuan Rong and saved Empress Dowager Yi De’s life in the same manner, she would help someone out of trouble as well as do a meritorious deed. There might even be a reward from the palace, although she did not know what it was. But it would be enough to make Eighth Prince and the Xia family dare not act rashly for the time being.
Who would have thought that Xuan Li intended to marry her after she entered the palace? It was something she did not expect and had never happened in her previous life. Now that she had saved the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager’s affection for her must have risen up a level. At this time, even if Imperial Consort Chen used a method to compel the Empress Dowager to acquiesce later on, it was impossible for the Emperor to grant a marriage for her. As long as she showed the slightest reluctance, Empress Dowager Yi De wouldn’t agree with it because Empress Dowager Yi De had already regarded her as almost like Princess Yuan Rong.
Besides, she had saved one’s life and done a meritorious deed. From now on, Imperial Consort Chen wouldn’t be able to say anything. This was definitely a wonderful thing.
However, it was not a sure win without any losses. It was so dangerous just now. Now that she thought about it, some lingering fears remained. Even though she was ready to throw caution to the wind and boldly act in that moment, she hadn’t anticipated the assassin’s sword’s sharp thrust. No wonder Xuan Li was seriously injured back then. Today, if Xiao Shao hadn’t deflected the assassin’s sword with his dagger, she wouldn’t be so relaxed now. She wasn’t afraid of death, but she mustn’t die until her revenge was complete.
She owed him a favour.
Jiang Ruan slowly closed her eyes. To sum it up, today’s success was much better than she expected.
