The apricot trees were covered in spring blossoms. A limestone table was placed beneath their branches, and on it sat a cup of fragrant tea and delicate lotus cakes on a butterfly-shaped jade plate. It appeared very inviting. Then the breeze blew and petals fell like snowflakes onto a figure.
In the imperial ancestral temple, a person wore pitch black robes while gazing at the weiqi[1] game laid out. With one hand holding black stones and the other holding white, it was clear that they were playing against themselves. Because their head was lowered, one could only see, outlined by simple clothes, a slender figure showing the fullness of womanhood, a delicate waist, and long and slender legs. It was a pleasing sight to look at even from a distance.
[1] Weiqi (围棋): also known as Go (Japanese). A two-player strategy board game with the goal of capturing territory. More here.
A young girl dressed as a maid trotted over with a sweet smile, calling: “Miss, Miss.”
The girl in black moved her brows slightly, causing the two slightly older maids at her side to glare at the girl as she approached. “Lu Zhu, why are you acting impudent like this again? Lower your voice, otherwise you’ll disturb Miss.”
Lu Zhu poked out her tongue. Compared to her naive and innocent self of three years ago, she had now grown up and become even more lovable and smart. She slowed down and went to the girl in black. “This servant was too excited. Everything has been packed and the Empress Dowager has ordered us to depart early tomorrow morning.”
Once she had placed the last stone, the girl in black raised her head to reveal a face so beautiful it seemed otherworldly. Though she wore only simple clothing, it couldn’t obscure her gorgeous beauty. The slightly childish face of the past was now thinner and only the size of a hand. Her eyes were clear and moist like a flowing spring, resembling transparent amber. Crimson lips, white teeth, and loose hair in a simple bun gave off a lazy charm.
At her side, Lian Qiao fell into a daze. Her mistress was already born with good looks,and after growing up a bit, she had become so beautiful that even the maids who served by her side every day could not get used to it. She did not know what kind of furor it would cause when they arrived at the capital and thinking of this made her feel a little uneasy. Excessive beauty wasn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when they were unable to protect it. But on second thought, there was Empress Dowager Yi De protecting them, so things shouldn’t go too wrong.
Jiang Ruan softly smiled. “It’s already been three years.”
Time passed by like running water. For the past three years, she’d followed the Empress Dowager to recite sutras and practice meditation at the imperial ancestral temple. She accompanied the Empress Dowager every day. Because she had great patience, she did not become impatient like an ordinary girl when she listened to the monks chanting the scriptures, making Empress Dowager Yi De very satisfied. Over the past three years, she had made herself indispensable to Empress Dowager bit by bit. By tacitly pleasing her, she slowly gained Empress Dowager Yi De’s acceptance, and although she wasn’t Princess Yuan Rong, the Empress Dowager nonetheless treated her like a daughter.
Ultimately, her efforts had paid off. Ten days ago, Empress Dowager Yi De personally presided over her coming-of-age ceremony and sent a letter to the capital, requesting her to be granted the title of ‘Junzhu’. The Emperor agreed, and named her Hong’an Junzhu.
Tomorrow, they would set off for the capital, and once they arrived, everyone would know that the Great Jin’s newly promoted princess was much different from the past.
Over the past few years, she accompanied Empress Dowager Yi De steadily, and had never shown any obvious interest in outside news. The Jiang family never sent any letters, however, Empress Dowager Yi De sometimes got news regarding the war between the Tianjin kingdom and the Great Jin, and asked her to listen to it together. What was gratifying to learn was that Jiang Xin Zhi had broken through repeated stalemates throughout the war, made extraordinary achievements, and fought side by side with General Guan Liang Han, matching with him in his valiance. In addition, every time the enemy troops planned a surprise attack, he would always strike first and gain the upper hand. Thus, the moniker of being the other ‘God of War’ of the Great Jin dynasty fell upon Jiang Xin Zhi’s shoulders.
The army’s matters were taking a long time to settle, thus Jiang Xin Zhi could not return to the capital yet. In this way, his legend continued to grow.
Empress Dowager Yi De smiled faintly as she laid on the daybed. “Little Ruan, you have a very capable brother.”
Jiang Ruan nodded with a hint of pride.
For the past three years, she stayed in the ancestral temple listening to sutras, and had no idea what happened in the outside world. To Empress Dowager Yi De, she was only an ordinary girl. Only, Jiang Ruan knew that she had never once let go of her hatred. She knelt before the Buddha’s golden body with a pious expression but cursed in her heart. While smiling kindly at the novice monks who were maintaining the temple, her only thoughts were of how to destroy those people step by step. Every night as she laid on the bed, scenes of her past life flashed before her eyes. However, the more resentful she felt inside, the calmer her expression became.
So what if she was performing evil acts at the foot of the Buddha?
The hour of her return was near. She wondered if those people were ready to go to hell yet.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and looked at the weiqi board under the apricot tree. Black and white pieces covered the board, seemingly chaotic, however the result was already set. The white pieces already had no retreat and the black only needed to take that last step to kill.
She lightly waved her arm. As the wide sleeve passed by, the pieces rolled over one another until the victor became unclear.
The board was set.
* * *
In the eleventh year of Xuan De’s reign, Empress Dowager Yi De returned to the capital.
On this day the capital was unprecedentedly lively, and there was no shortage of people discussing this in teahouses and restaurants. Empress Dowager Yi De had left the capital three years ago and was due to return today. The Emperor, accompanied by the civil and military officials, had gone out to welcome her back in a grand style. Even if the common people could not join such a spectacular event, imagining the scene, they felt like they’d seen it with their own eyes.
The weather happened to be good that day; spring seemed to have arrived early. It was as if even the sun knew it was a big day, and shone much brighter than the day before.
In the Jiang fu, Xia Yan gently neatened Jiang Quan’s official clothing. She smiled and said, “I’ve already ordered the kitchen to make Master’s favourite osmanthus chicken.”
Jiang Quan frowned slightly. “You don’t need to do these trivial things, just leave them to the servants.” His gaze fell on Xia Yan’s belly. “You should take care of your body instead.”
A hint of joy flashed in Xia Yan’s eyes. “Speaking of which, I still haven’t arranged a bed servant for Master for the coming days. I have a well-behaved girl by my side, called Lin Lang…”
“No need.” Jiang Quan waved his hand. “There’s still Hong Ying. What would taking in a bed servant look like to outsiders? I’ll go first, His Majesty has an announcement today, I can’t be late.” Saying so, he closed the top two buttons on his collar by himself then hurried out the door.
After Jiang Quan left, Xia Yan’s smile instantly disappeared. Originally she had thought becoming pregnant was a good thing, but it had only given that vixen Hong Ying an opportunity to take advantage of the situation instead. Jiang Quan hadn’t visited her courtyard in a long time, and had even handed things over for Hong Ying to manage. Now she could not even stuff Lin Lang in.
When Li momo saw her collapse onto a seat in despair, she hurriedly handed over a cup of red date and honey water. “Furen don’t be angry with Master, be careful not to harm the Young Master.”
“Momo, it’s not me being willful.” Xia Yan’s eyes flashed with distress. “He only knows that the Empress Dowager is returning to the palace today, but doesn’t know that Su’er is also coming home today. Su’er stayed at the family ancestral temple for three years, and I haven’t seen her at all. But look at him, he hasn’t asked about her at all. Does he still remember Su’er?”
Xia Yan’s tone was filled with such grief that Li momo hastily replied, “Furen, please don’t say those words again. I’m afraid that if that person hears of it, they will try to sow discord between you and Master.”
‘That person’ was naturally Fifth Yiniang, Hong Ying. In the past few years Hong Ying’s position in the Jiang fu had become more and more stable, almost to the point of being able to fight Xia Yan on an equal footing. Although Li momo said so, at the moment Xia Yan was so angry that she did not care. She angrily retorted, “Bah, she’s just a prostitute. No matter how high and mighty she acts, isn’t it just relying on petty tricks to seduce men; she can’t even be brought outside to be seen in public!”
If anyone passed by at this moment, they would be shocked that Xia Yan, who had always been famed in the capital as a talented lady, could spit out such vulgar words like a shrew from the countryside.
Seeing Xia Yan like this, Li momo rushed to comfort her: “Furen doesn’t need to care about her. No matter how much favour she receives, whether she can give birth or not is Furen’s choice. Men always like new things, and Master is just momentarily enchanted by that vixen. Just wait until she’s old and white with no child beside her, she won’t have a good ending. When Furen gives Master a young master, he will naturally realize that Furen is the only one who treats him sincerely. Furen has nothing to fear with a young master beside you.”
Xia Yan slowly calmed, sighing. “You’re right, that bi*ch is merely a chicken that can’t lay eggs, there’s no need to fear her. Chao’er has also recovered now, in the future, he can help support the one in my belly.”
Jiang Chao currently worked under Xuan Li to supervise the capital’s business matters. This job could not be said to be critical, but it was not unimportant either. He appeared to have worked hard for the last few years, and did a fairly good job, leading to Xuan Li’s appreciation. Jiang Quan, who had previously been very disappointed in his son, had also come to see Jiang Chao differently over time.
The one Xia Yan was most worried about though was Jiang Su Su. The letters she sent to Jiang Su Su never received proper replies, only short messages reporting her well-being. She wasn’t even willing to see Xia Yan in person. Jiang Su Su was finally returning after three years! Xia Yan was so happy but Jiang Quan poured cold water over her in such a way that she forgot herself.
She slowly stroked her lower abdomen. At three months, the fetus was stable. When the physician came, he said that it was likely to be a male fetus. If it really was male, it meant that she could gain the upper hand in her confrontation with Hong Ying. Xia Yan lowered her head to gaze at her slightly protruding belly. “My son, you must remain safe.”
