Jiang Ruan smiled faintly and took in the surroundings. The streets of the capital were full of hustle and bustle, and thronged with crowds. The scene coincided with what she remembered of the capital. She recalled the time when she had left the capital; it had also been in a horse carriage; however, at that time it was draped with mourning, with several people alongside, walking in a solitary group. In this manner, she had left the capital. In the time between her departure and return, she had already passed an entire lifetime. Now, the person returning was not the same as the person before.
She tilted her head back, and felt the capital’s cold winter wind slowly brush her face. Lian Qiao was just about to advise that Jiang Ruan let the curtain fall back in place for fear of catching a cold when she caught a glimpse of the expression on Jiang Ruan’s face, and could not help being shocked. Her mistress’s eyes were coldly indifferent. Although there was no visible emotion on her face, she gave off the aura of utter chilliness, as if she were a demon who had returned from hell. Looking at her made one shudder.
Not far from the Jiang residence, Jiang Ruan and Imperial Censor Wang parted ways. Now that he had filed an official complaint against Jiang Quan, Imperial Censor Wang viewed him with utmost disdain, and was reluctant to even see him. He sent Jiang Ruan off with the horse carriage, and left them.
The closer they got to the Jiang fu, the more tense Bai Zhi and the other occupants of the horse carriage became. Returning to the Jiang fu indicated a change of fortune for them, a better life, but it also indicated the beginning of a war. Jiang Ruan looked the most calm of them all, for only she was privy to the violent hatred that surged in her heart.
The Jiang fu was located on the most prosperous and bustling street in the capital. Because a messenger boy had gone ahead with the news, the entire Jiang household had to come out to receive the Jiang family’s di daughter. Jiang Quan was not at home, so Xia Yan personally came out to welcome them. Adding to the emperor’s anger was the people’s gossip. It was only by showing that they regarded the Jiang family’s di daughter as someone of importance that they could hope to gradually calm the storm.
When the people saw Xia Yan coming outside with all the household servants, from the lowest to the highest ranked, they understood what was going on[1]. Some went so far as to stand obstinately at the gate of the residence, waiting to see the fun. In a course of time, a whole crowd of people had gathered at the Jiang fu’s entrance. Xia Yan did not order the servants to shoo the crowd away. The more people, the more witnesses.
[1] Lai long qu mai ( 来龙去脉 ) – fig. the rise and fall of the terrain, the whole sequence of events.
The horse carriage jolted on its way, and finally came to a halt at the Jiang residence gate.
“Da Xiaojie[2] has returned!” An old servant next to Xia Yan called out loudly. Immediately, a warm smile surfaced on Xia Yan’s face.
[2] Da xiao jie (大小姐 ) – the eldest (大) daughter of an affluent family (小姐).
The bystanders all eyed the horse carriage curiously. News of Jiang Ruan’s conduct at court had spread throughout the capital, and everyone wanted to see what the righteous yet ill-destined di daughter of the Jiang family looked like. Two servant girls speedily descended from the carriage. One lifted up the curtains, and the other extended a hand to help the passenger.
“Jiejie!” Someone exclaimed with pleasant surprise. A young girl emerged from behind the residence gate, all in white. Despite her young age, she was already a stunning beauty, like an elegant lady in an ink-wash painting. Her beautiful eyes seemed to contain depths of clouds and mist, while her crimson skirt and jacket, richly embroidered with white lilies and lined with white brocade, set off her pale skin perfectly and made it glow like pure jade. Her pink lips were like cherries. Her most beautiful feature was a tear-shaped birthmark under her eye. It was neat and lovely, and stirred up people’s emotions, elevating her beauty to that of a mystical fairy. She wore no ornaments, only two green ribbons, so that those looking at her felt their hearts softening towards this exquisite and refined girl.
As some people had discerned, the Jiang family’s di daughter was not favoured. Thus, Jiang Ruan’s name was known to very few people. However, Jiang Su Su’s name was well known throughout the capital. She was the pearl of the Jiang family, an outstanding beauty who moved people with her looks, and was considered the prettiest woman in the capital.
With the appearance of this stunning beauty, fewer people looked towards the carriage.
“Slow down, guniang [3],” A delicate voice was suddenly heard from within the carriage.
[3] Gūniang ( 姑娘 ) – girl / young lady.
In the next moment, a beautifully slender lily-white hand emerged. The hand was so pale that it was almost like translucent jade. Just looking at it, one would hardly dare to grasp it, as it seemed so soft and delicate that it would shatter at any moment. It was only a hand, but, somehow, it caused the onlookers to be shaken to the core. Those who had been enticed to look at Jiang Su Su found themselves once again looking towards the carriage.
