He had so many questions he wanted to ask Jiang Ruan, such as how she knew the palace examination questions back then, and why she helped him? Moreover, why did she disappear from his life after that, such that if not for the crown prince inadvertently producing that calligraphic treasure today, he may have forever remained oblivious, never having the chance to realize his kindred spirit was so intimately close all along.
Seeing he seemed at a loss for words, Jiang Ruan said, “If the Imperial Preceptor has no other matters, this princess shall take her leave.” As she turned to depart, to her surprise, she felt a tight grip on her arm – Liu Min had abandoned all propriety, firmly grasping her arm.
Luzhu was alarmed and anxiously looked around. Fortunately, there was no one else in this part of the imperial gardens. She urged, “How dare you be so rude! Release our young mistress at once.”
Yet Liu Min insistently refused to let go, meeting Jiang Ruan’s puzzled gaze, before finally rasping out, “It’s…you?”
The answer was patently obvious. Jiang Ruan replied, “It’s me.”
Something flickered in Liu Min’s eyes. He took a short, sharp breath and asked resolutely, “Why did you help me?”
Why did she help him? Should she cite the events of her previous life? Jiang Ruan frowned slightly, “I did not help you specifically, but the top scholar of the Great Jin Dynasty. If not you, it would have been someone else.”
If not him, it would have been someone else? Liu Min was somewhat dazed, a indescribable surge of emotions rising within – disappointment, anger, regret, grievance, all intermingling, causing his grip on Jiang Ruan’s arm to unconsciously tighten until she creased her brow in discomfort.
At that moment, a cool indifferent voice came from behind, seeming to contain an inexplicable undercurrent of anger.
“Release her.”
Xiao Shao had arrived to see Liu Min tightly gripping Jiang Ruan’s arm while she frowned in distress. A flash of displeasure shot through his heart.
The two turned to face the voice. Though surprised to see Xiao Shao, Liu Min did not release his hold. Seeing this, Xiao Shao’s gaze turned icy as he strode forward, seizing Liu Min’s hand and forcibly wrenching it from Jiang Ruan’s arm.
A practiced martial artist, Xiao Shao’s grip caused searing pain to the frail scholarly Liu Min, whose face turned pale.
“Are you alright?” Xiao Shao turned to ask Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“Prince Xiao, the princess and I were conversing!” Liu Min indignantly protested. Perhaps due to Xiao Shao’s notorious reputation in court as a “traitorous minister”, the upright official Liu Min instinctively disliked him. Seeing Jiang Ruan’s familiar manner with Xiao Shao, his brow furrowed deeply. How could she associate with this traitorous minister?
Xiao Shao was also sizing up Liu Min. This newly prominent official before the emperor had become the top scholar three years ago and rapidly risen through the ranks, finally achieving top ministerial position. Even veteran ministers now regarded Liu Min with a hint of trepidation. Xiao Shao naturally knew about Jiang Ruan’s correspondence with Liu Min three years prior, providing him the palace examination questions verbatim. Leaving aside how Jiang Ruan knew the exam questions, even the reason for helping Liu Min left the Imperial Guards utterly stumped after investigating extensively.
However, since Liu Min’s success, Jiang Ruan had not been associated with him whatsoever. Now, seeing their physical tussle in the imperial gardens, Liu Min’s gaze towards Jiang Ruan was filled with frenzied excitement, completely lacking his usual bookish aloofness. Xiao Shao’s displeasure grew as he coolly interjected, “That’s enough for now.”
The iciness in his eyes sent a chill through Liu Min’s heart.
Luzhu glanced between Liu Min and Xiao Shao, blinking. She mused that their young mistress was quite the desirable one – both Prince Xiao and Imperial Preceptor Liu would make fine matches. If she had to choose, Luzhu thought Prince Xiao was preferable – more handsome and imposing. The Imperial Preceptor was acceptable, but he was just a scholar after all. Didn’t the saying go – “The righteous are often butchers while the untrustworthy are scholars”? Of course, Prince Xiao was no butcher – he was the most esteemed young prince of the Great Jin Dynasty.
For now, Jiang Ruan did not wish to be entangled with Liu Min further, lest ill-intentioned people make something of it. Since Liu Min now knew she was the mysterious person from before, with his upright character as an imperial preceptor, he would unlikely stay uninvolved going forward. Considering this, Jiang Ruan smiled at Liu Min, “If the Imperial Preceptor has no other matters today, I have some things to discuss with Prince Xiao.”
Her familiar tone put Xiao Shao somewhat at ease, a hint of a smile in his eyes, while Liu Min’s face darkened. As a lofty minister, he had always disdained mundane entanglements. Though inwardly displeased, he still gave Jiang Ruan due respect. With a deep look at her, he cupped his hands, “Princess, we’ll meet again.”
Then nodding curtly at Xiao Shao, he departed.
He did not perform any subordinate courtesies to Xiao Shao, only a collegial greeting – it seemed Liu Min firmly regarded Xiao Shao as a traitorous minister unworthy of respect.
Xiao Shao watched Liu Min’s retreating figure coldly. Jiang Ruan looked up at him, “Why did you come?”
Xiao Shao’s gaze returned to her, “I heard you encountered Ye You?”
Clearly this was one of Tian Zhu’s “little reports” to Xiao Shao. Seeing no need to hide it, Jiang Ruan nodded, “Yes.”
Xiao Shao’s expression darkened slightly. He knew what sort of person Ye You was – leering at any woman of slight beauty in the palace. Though Jiang Ruan’s looks were “passable”, how could Ye You let her go?
Of course, Jiang Ruan was unaware that in Xiao Shao’s eyes, her celestially beautiful appearance only merited a “passable” description. If she knew, she would have surely scoffed – Xiao Shao himself was outrageously handsome, any ordinary beauty would naturally pale in his view.
Xiao Shao asked, “What are your plans now?”
“Plans?” Jiang Ruan looked at him puzzled.
“You have had your coming-of-age ceremony and the Imperial Ancestress requested your princess title. Given Minister Jiang’s outstanding merits, palace factions will inevitably speculate about your marriage prospects,” Xiao Shao reminded her.
Indeed, since returning to the capital, Jiang Ruan had encountered all sorts of people. She had now become a coveted delicacy.
“Does Prince Xiao think I would truly be tempted?” Jiang Ruan stated, “As you said, those people all have ulterior motives. I have not considered marriage.” Marrying a stranger to spend her life with? In this lifetime, she did not know if she had the confidence for that, fearing a tragic ending like her previous life.
Xiao Shao noticed the fleeting coldness in Jiang Ruan’s eyes and paused inwardly. She really had not considered marrying anyone, including himself… Suddenly, a strange sourness welled up within Xiao Shao, startling him. For so many years, he had avoided intimacy, his aloof and indifferent nature having never prompted feelings for anyone before. This was the first time he experienced such a complex, inexpressible sensation.
Seeing Xiao Shao’s silence, Jiang Ruan asked, “What’s wrong?”
(End of chapter)
