Chapter 5

Today, Chen Zhao was just returning from outside, after goofing off, when he coincidentally met the few people leaving the residence. The girl in the middle had a delicate and graceful appearance, seeing this his eyes couldn’t help but brighten. It was only after he has looked closely, did he realize that she was Jiang Ruan.

Ordinarily, Jiang Ruan did not dress as presentably as Chen Fang, so Chen Zhao seldom paid any attention to her. However, a few days ago, he suddenly developed a curiosity to experience ladies from an official’s family. Who could have guessed that this lady had such an upright personality, going so far as to jump into the water without another word. Now when he thought about it, he had to suppress a belly full of resentment. Who knew, when he saw her today, his eyes would brighten? Perhaps, it was because New Year was around the corner that although she was dressed lightly, the garment that complemented her skin made her face extremely elegant. The most important feature was her calm and quiet aura, as if she had become another person.

Chen Zhao squinted, carefully scrutinizing the girl in front of his eyes. Jiang Ruan was merely a young lady who had yet to reach her prime. Her figure exuded a slight naivety, yet embodied a certain feeling of composure, strangely making her seem a bit mature. These contrasting auras surfacing in a single person were extremely mesmerizing to others. Although she was a young lady, Chen Zhao could not help but to swallow his saliva. He had seen the unusual and horrible habits of a few officials’ sons at the brothel, especially when they loved to fool around with younger-aged girls. Yet, he had never experienced that kind of feeling before.

Lian Qiao could not bear the lecherous gaze Chen Zhao laid upon Jiang Ruan’s body. The look in her eyes turned stern. Without thinking, she opened her mouth and spoke, “Presumptuous! Who allowed you to misbehave? How dare you speak to a master like this!”

Although these words were rather formidable, they had fallen on deaf ears. Chen Zhao was not fearful at all. He had heard about how this lady had fallen into dire straits with her family from the capital and was well aware of her current status. Referring to Zhang Lan’s opinion, Jiang Ruan might have to stay in this residence for the rest of her life. Thus, given the situation, it would be great if he could fool around with her.

Although he had this thought in his heart, Chen Zhao was still all smiles as he clasped his hands, “It is my fault. Just now as I watched a few people heading here from afar, I was wondering who the fairy-like younger girl was in the middle as she looked very unfamiliar. After walking closer, I only saw now that she is our lady. I couldn’t control my sudden feelings- please forgive me just this once.”

As soon as these words escaped his mouth, not only Lian Qiao’s expression changed, but Bai Zhi’s as well. She spoke angrily, “What nonsense are you blathering about? Our lady’s pure reputation is not something that you can ruin!”

Chen Zhao took two steps backwards in astonishment, “Ruin our lady’s pure reputation? I have never thought about something like this. Our lady is a daughter from a noble family. I wouldn’t dare to think about it. I just hope that Miss will not chase me away, and let me look at you from afar. With this, I will be satisfied.” In the past, he had harassed many ladies from decent families. As soon as he opened his mouth, he possessed a silver tongue. If a lady heard it, she would either be angered to the point of crying loudly on the spot, or turning completely red with embarrassment. Jiang Ruan’s reaction was a bit unusual today.

Jiang Ruan stared at him quietly. Her clear eyes were akin to a cold lake in the winter, without a hint of warmth. Although her gaze was cold, her lips curved slightly, as if watching a prancing clown. There was no indignance, merely impenetrably cold indifference.

Chen Zhao was startled. Yet, he saw Jiang Ruan opening her mouth slowly, “Of course, I will not chase you away.”

Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were also stumped. They were in a hurry to get rid of an immoral scoundrel like him, so what did Jiang Ruan’s words mean?

Initially, Chen Zhao was slightly suspicious. However, his misgivings soon transformed into secret delight. Eyeing the two maids gleefully, he thought inwardly that this lady was still someone who knew how to have fun. Looking at the present situation, so what if she was a noble family’s daughter? After residing in the village for a long time, she still lost her sense of propriety, justice, integrity and honor by indulging in these matters at a young age.

“Recently, you accidentally pushed me into the lake. I suffered a cold and was bedridden. Auntie Lan sent a medical practitioner to see me, and personally apologized, with the request that I forgive you. I have already forgiven you. Then, of course I will not chase you away.” Jiang Ruan’s voice was soft and gentle, with a soothing coolness that comforted people. Yet, Chen Zhao’s heart sank when he heard it.

After Jiang Ruan fell into the lake, in order to prevent people from discovering the truth, he lied that he accidentally caused Jiang Ruan to slip. These words that were spoken by Jiang Ruan made Chen Zhao remember that because he wanted to avoid arousing suspicion, he rarely met her. Now that Jiang Ruan mentioned it, was the incident unintentional or on purpose? Thinking about this, Chen Zhao seriously scrutinized Jiang Ruan . Under his observation, the girl simply stood on her spot. The old-fashioned, drab clothing on her did not make her look haggard. Instead, it accentuated her pale, snowy skin, dark eyes and black eyebrows. Furthermore, the expression that moved between her eyebrows unexpectedly had an austere charm.

Staring at her, Chen Zhao’s alarmed gaze turned into infatuation. Since he discovered how interesting this lady from the Jiang family was, naturally, he would not let her go. The days were still long; there was no need to be anxious at the moment. Thinking of this, he smiled and clasped his hands again at Jiang Ruan, “I am the one to blame for your thinness. Today, it is inconvenient for me to bother you as you want to go out. I will visit you and apologize another day.”

“Who wants you to visit us and apologize?” Lian Qiao glared at him, but Chen Zhao left with a smile.

After Chen Zhao walked away, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Zhi knitted her eyebrows together, “Miss, why did you phrase it that way? He is trouble, how can-”

“That’s right, that’s right,” Lian Qiao assented, “I am really itching to gouge both of his eyeballs out! Disgusting!”

“They will be gouged out,” Jiang Ruan spoke calmly, “He wants to silently watch me from afar, then let him look to his heart’s content.”

Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao exchanged stares as they felt the slight chill in her tone. Pausing for a while, Bai Zhi said, “Who cares about him? Let us go out for a walk. For these past few days, the residence has been uneventful. The East Street should be quite lively.”

East Street? Jiang Ruan thought about it and shook her head, “No, let’s go to West Street.”

“West Street?” Bai Zhi hesitated slightly, “Why does Miss want to go to West Street? There are mostly beggars and poor commoners on West Street. Coinciding with the New Year, it is even more chaotic. Miss, I think it would be best to not head there. East Street has many cosmetic stores and restaurants, and there will be some new and odd trinkets. Why don’t we walk around East Street?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head, “To West Street.” Although the voice was soft, it could definitely not tolerate any objections. It was clear that she had made her decision.

Bai Zhi stared blankly, momentarily put into a tight spot.

“Aiya, let’s listen to our lady and go to West Street.” Lian Qiao clapped Bai Zhi’s shoulders, “With us around, what are you afraid of? Especially now that it is a clear, sunny day, why are you putting so much thought into it? If there is really a problem, there are still us maids protecting her so our lady can be rest assured.”

Bai Zhi could only nod her head, though she had become more wary. There was a disparity between the wealthy and the poor between the East and West Streets. Poor commoners had been living on West Street for ages so naturally, it couldn’t be compared with the flourishing and lively East Street. Their lady did not usually have any desire to come to West Street so why did she have this impulse today? Bai Zhi felt that she could not understand her lady’s thoughts more and more, as if their lady had grown nine levels of astuteness overnight. Being looked at by those dark eyes, she felt a slight chill.

Yet, Lian Qiao was extremely happy. It was obvious that Jiang Ruan had been enlightened. Compared to being submissive, having a master like this was so much better- at least those people would not dare to bully her openly.

Jiang Ruan did not notice that the two maids by her side were lost in their alternating thoughts. She just quietly walked forward. However, if someone observed her attentively, they would see slight trembling of her fingertips.

There were certain matters that should have been changed from the beginning.