Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Zhou Da never would have thought that in the middle of the journey, Jinying Wang would appear . Jinying Wang’s identity was such that he would never dare to offend . However with the current situation, it was difficult to continue on nor could he back out halfway[1], therefore he did not know what to do .

[1] Qíhǔnánxià ( 骑虎难下 ) – an idiom meaning if you ride a tiger, it’s hard to get off ; fig .  refers to doing something which is difficult to continue on and yet impossible to stop halfway .

Once Xiao Shao’s words left his mouth, joy was written across Jiang Su Su’s face, while Commandery Princess Rongya and Xu Ruoxi’s faces turned pale . Mo Cong looked at Xiao Shao with surprise, unable to decipher Xiao Shao’s words . Fifth Prince narrowed his eyes, “It is unusual that Xiao Shao would take the initiative to help the Jiang fu’s Second Young Miss out of her situation . ”

Xuan Li’s eyes shone with profound meaning, “Perhaps it really is Jinying Wang’s green jade bead . ”

Jiang Ruan retracted her gaze and suddenly said to the stupefied and distracted Zhou Da, “So it is you who is lying, that green jade bead is obviously Jinying Wang’s . Then, where did Miss Jiang’s handkerchief come from?”

Hearing Jiang Ruan’s words, Zhou Da thought of something- the green jade bead was indeed Jinying Wang’s, but the handkerchief that he had in his possession was also real . If he admitted to it, he would surely have to face severe consequences, however, if he chose to continue holding on and not admitting, he might get away without trouble . Zhou Da had no principles therefore he was good at playing dirty tricks . He laughed coldly, loudly saying “Everything I said is true . Even if it’s an influential and noble person, they cannot use power and influence to bully others . The handkerchief was something that Ruan’er gave to me; she personally gave it to me as a token of love!”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone was shocked . .

Jiang Ruan glared at him, “Who is the Ruan’er you speak of?”

Zhou Da spoke with certainty, “Who else can it be? Of course it is the Eldest Young Miss of Minister Jiang’s fu! ”

“Pu Chi”, Jiang Ruan looked like she had just heard something very funny, her eyes full of laughter, “You claim that Miss Jiang had long exchanged love tokens with you and just now you even sacrificed your life to save her . I am not sure if you are aware who she is exactly?”

“What do you mean?”, Zhou Da felt an uneasiness in his heart, feeling that something was not right . In response, Jiang Ruan’s cold voice said, “What you have said was indeed convincing, but I am Jiang fu’s Eldest Young Miss . The Jiang Ruan in your eyes is actually Jiang fu’s Second Young Miss, Jiang Su Su . ”

The moonlight shone on her alluring face, bringing about more resolute coldness, “Young Master Zhou, is it possible that your forgetfulness is so great that you can’t even recognise the one who had a romantic affair with you?”

As they watched this event unfold, the surrounding people were clear on the twists and turns . The people present were all from noble families, thus they understood the scheme very clearly . Obviously, this Zhou Da was full of lies, and he was acting on someone’s order, wanting to ruin Jiang fu’s Eldest Young Miss’s reputation . Yet somehow, Jiang fu’s Second Young Miss was implicated by accident .

Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were relieved, on the other hand, Jiang Ruan’s expression remained the same . Just now, she kept calling Jiang Su Su “Miss Jiang”, her intention being to mislead Zhou Da . Once Zhou Da opened his mouth, the surrounding people were all smart, they naturally understood the crucial point within .

Jiang Su Su’s expression was unreadable . Although Zhou Da had spoken truthfully, it still proved her innocence . However, because people would definitely speculate about the identity of the person who wanted to harm Jiang Ruan, she and Xia Yan would inevitably become the subjects of discussion among others .

Jiang Ruan looked at Zhou Da, her voice gentle, “This matter is confusing, it has really caused me a headache . However, because this concerns my reputation it cannot end just like this . Young Master Zhou, perhaps you should explain this matter clearly to the patrol guards[2] . ”

[2] Xunbu ( 巡捕 )- it refers to the police in olden times .

Zhou Da, seeing the situation turn unfavourable immediately wanted to jump into the lake, planning to escape, but imperial bodyguards appeared from all four corners, subduing him . Xuan Li unexpectedly stood out, smiling politely, “Bring him to the patrol station[3] . ”

[3] Xunbufang ( 巡捕房 ) – it refers to the police station in olden times .

Jiang Ruan took a quick glimpse at Xuan Li- he appeared coincidentally today, was it because he wanted her to be grateful to him?

Jiang Su Su immediately felt panic as she naturally understood what had happened with Zhou Da . If he landed in the patrol guards’ hands, Zhou Da would expose the person behind the scenes . At that time, what could she and Xia Yan do?

While she was thinking, Jiang Ruan had already walked in front of Zhou Da, who was being subdued . She bent forward slightly so her eyes were level with Zhou Da’s, then gently said, “Young Master Zhou, I heard that the patrol station has one thousand ways of torture, every method making a person feel better off dying than living . This incident is complicated . Young Master Zhou must think this through, you must not make irresponsible remarks . ” With that said, she smiled charmingly at Zhou Da, her smile more radiant than the lanterns in the river’s heart .

Xuan Li’s imperial bodyguards quickly dragged Zhou Da away . Tonight’s Lantern Festival was basically already ruined, with the unforeseen twists and turns on the boat . So, no one had an interest in continuing the festivities any longer . Also, because something like this had happened to Jiang Su Su, Jiang Ruan could only bring her back as soon as possible . The boat reached the shore and as Jiang Ruan was bidding farewell to everyone, Xuan Li walked over . He put the coat in his hand over Jiang Su Su’s body and in a warm voice said, “The weather’s turing cold and windy, take care not to catch a cold . ”

The lanterns reflection added an exceptional warmth to his originally handsome face . Jiang Su Su raised her head and looked at him, then shyly bowed and in a small voice said, “Many thanks to Eighth Prince . ”

Jiang Ruan raised her lips demurely . In her previous life, Xuan Li was warm to her, yet in this life Jiang Su Su fell into the water, so had the recipient of his concern now changed to Jiang Su Su?

Although Xuan Li was talking to Jiang Su Su, his gaze kept following Jiang Ruan . He felt that Jiang Ruan was not willing to look at him, that while her expression was clearly gentle, he could distinctly feel her indifference . This type of feeling made Xuan Li inexplicably unhappy .

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, and coincidentally saw Xiao Shao walking over from the opposite side . Suddenly, she said, “Regarding today’s matter, many thanks to Wangye for helping out and defending the innocent . ”

Though her voice was neither high nor low, it was loud enough to let the surrounding people hear everything clearly . The crowd recalled the words Xiao Shao had spoken earlier . Though Jiang Su Su was innocent, the green jade bead was something Xiao Shao had purposely claimed to help her . Yet, there was some mockery in Jiang Ruan’s words .

Xiao Shao looked at her coolly, his expression still indifferent . Dressed in black, his figure was tall and sturdy . His aloof and noble aura very quickly attracted the surrounding women . Even if they were puzzled by his actions just now, at this moment, they couldn’t care less .

Jiang Ruan felt stuffiness in her heart . She decided to give up and turned her back to him, no longer acknowledging him . However, she saw a young master dressed in blue walking towards them from another direction . Standing firmly at her side, he asked with hesitation, “Miss Jiang, the sky is already dark . I’ll order a few imperial bodyguards to protect you on your way back to your fu, is that good?”

Though this young master looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, there was some probing in his words, and his gaze held a look of unconcealed anticipation . Jiang Ruan recognised him, he was Young Master Gu from the Commander-in-chief’s fu .

She smiled slightly with joy, naturally and unrestrainedly saying, “Many thanks to noble sir for his goodwill, if Ruan niang refuses it would be impolite . ”

Her action made Xuan Li and Xiao Shao, who both still stood there, seem dazed . Jiang Ruan’s attitude towards Young Master Gu was extremely gentle; in contrast, her attitude towards them was really not friendly .

Xuan Li not knowing why, had a peculiar feeling . It was as if something which originally belonged to him was being taken away by others . Xiao Shao’s dark eyes only stared at Jiang Ruan, his expression pensive .

Among the three people, only Gu Yi was overjoyed- he did not expect the beauty to be as gentle as a flower . For a moment, he only knew how to stand rooted to the ground and smile to himself .