At this hour, the pavilion was deserted. As the Crown Prince accompanied Jiang Ruan browsing the bookshelves, he asked, “What did you mean by those words earlier?”
Jiang Ruan scanned the shelves intently. “Does the Crown Prince truly not understand?”
The Crown Prince fell silent. If Jiang Ruan did not explain, a nagging doubt would take root in his mind, growing unchecked over time. Ye Lang would find it difficult to regain the Crown Prince’s full trust as before. With motivation to investigate, it would not be hard to uncover Ye Lang’s dealings with the Eighth Prince.
“Why do you dislike the Eighth Brother so much?” the Crown Prince asked. He truly did not understand – everyone in the palace adored the gentle and talented Ye Li, yet Jiang Ruan treated him like a venomous beast.
“The Eighth Prince is admirable, but he always reminds me of my second sister, and I detest people like her,” Jiang Ruan replied.
The Crown Prince looked at her with interest. “What is your second sister like?”
“Honeyed words conceal a deadly blade. Cruel and vicious. Deluding herself as clever when she is laughably stupid.” Her blunt description made the Crown Prince start in shock. He scrutinized her from head to toe and shook his head. “I had thought Prince Xiao favored you only for your beauty. But now I see you have quite the daring spirit.” He grinned roguishly. “Truth be told, I’m rather interested in taking you into my manor.”
“If Your Highness has that ability, I would have no complaints,” Jiang Ruan replied evenly, selecting her books and descending the pavilion.
In the main hall was a large rosewood desk adorned with brushes, ink, paper and an inkstone. Jiang Ruan paused to admire the superior peach blossom ink, recalling the previous life when Ye Li taught her calligraphy by hand. The past seemed another age ago – her former beloved now an enemy, yet this peach blossom ink remained as fragrant as before.
She slowly picked up a brush. The inquisitive Crown Prince watched as Jiang Ruan’s mysterious qualities piqued even the usually aloof Prince Xiao’s interest in her. Jiang Ruan dipped the brush in ink, tracing the strokes she had learned in her past life, writing unhurriedly. The brush moved soundlessly as a faint incense of ink wafted up, each stroke exuding an indescribable grace tinged with biting undertones.
“In benevolence like an unwavering pine, in malice like ephemeral blossoms; the unwavering pine withstands frost’s descent, where only it remains as blossoms fade away,” the Crown Prince read the words aloud. “Your calligraphy resembles the Eighth Brother’s style, yet with a distinctly different essence.” He smiled, glancing at the words. “I didn’t expect the Princess of Hongan to be such a virtuous person.”
A virtuous person? Jiang Ruan scoffed inwardly. In her previous life, she had thought so, sincerely aiming for benevolence – yet what had that brought her in the end? This lifetime, she would never repeat those mistakes. If the world deemed her an “evil seductress”, so be it – at least her eyes were wide open now to protect those she wished to safeguard.
The Crown Prince instinctively sensed a chill in Jiang Ruan’s gaze as he considered speaking further. But Jiang Ruan had already gathered her books to tell him, “If Your Highness still wishes to browse, feel free. I must return to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, so I’ll go ahead.”
After Jiang Ruan’s departure, the Crown Prince’s eyes fell upon the calligraphic piece on the desk. Though disinclined towards writing, even he could appreciate its vigorous spirit. Yet Jiang Ruan seemed to have no intention of taking it. After considering, he instructed his eunuch attendant to collect the work before also leaving the Jade Cloud Pavilion.
When Consort Chen heard that the Crown Prince and Jiang Ruan had gone to the Jade Cloud Pavilion, she found it rather odd. “Since when did the Crown Prince become so familiar with her?”
Her personal palace maid replied, “Reporting to Your Ladyship, it seemed they merely browsed books together briefly before parting ways.”
Consort Chen pondered silently. She no longer underestimated Jiang Ruan, having initially dismissed her as just a clever, lucky legitimate daughter. But now she realized Jiang Ruan’s profound craftiness. How else could she have so smoothly sabotaged Consort Chen’s arranged marriage, then instantly become the Empress Dowager’s ennobled Princess of Hongan? This was no ordinary feat for a master’s daughter. That Jiang Xin and Jiang Ruan defied her publicly before the imperial court officials was not forgotten.
“Jiang Ruan is no ordinary person,” Consort Chen drawled lazily, like a beautiful Persian cat. “Continue investigating her.”
“Yes,” the maid acknowledged before departing.
As for the calligraphy piece the Crown Prince obtained from Jiang Ruan, he first went to the Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility to discuss it with the Empress. Then he returned to the Crown Prince’s Palace, unrolling Jiang Ruan’s work. The more he studied it, the more impressed he became by its exquisite brushwork, struggling to decide where to mount it. Framing it for the wall seemed excessive, yet storing it away carelessly was regrettable.
At that moment, someone elegant in jade robes drifted in, an aloof pride hinted in his countenance. Upon seeing this person, the Crown Prince’s eyes lit up as he called, “Royal Tutor.”
This was Liu Min, nominally the Crown Prince’s tutor but also assisting the Emperor with state affairs. As the Crown Prince’s official instructor, Liu Min felt helpless towards this unruly pupil who instantly discarded any study materials. Yet the Crown Prince unexpectedly greeted him warmly today. Frowning slightly, Liu Min approached and responded, “Your Highness.”
Delighted to have acquired such a calligraphic treasure, the Crown Prince naturally wished to show the celebrated top scholar. “This prince has obtained a remarkable ink work today. I invite the Royal Tutor to appraise it.”
Liu Min sighed inwardly, assuming the Crown Prince was toying with him again. Last time the prince claimed to have marvelous calligraphy, only to unveil a lurid erotic painting that sent the upright scholar fleeing embarrassed.
As the artwork gradually unfurled, a deeply alluring fragrance wafted out – the finest peach blossom ink beloved by those professing lofty refinement. But upon seeing the brushwork, Liu Min froze as if struck by lightning.
The graceful, serpentine strokes revealed an understated brilliance. Liu Min was achingly familiar with this calligraphy style that he savored daily – the calligrapher who helped him attain the top scholar honor three years ago through a cryptic correspondence. Those strokes were indelibly etched into Liu Min’s memory, belonging to that enigmatic personage.
(End of Chapter)
