Chapter 19 - Marring One’s Reputation

The sudden arrival of this piece of news caused Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao to momentarily feel both indignant and stunned. However, contrary to their expectations, Jiang Ruan accepted the matter calmly to the extent that she was still in the mood to continue eating her porridge. Seeing this, Xiao Yuan could not help but speak up, “Miss, you should come up with a plan in advance. Those people seemed extremely assured, as if… as if they are absolutely certain that you have committed a murder.”

These words were phrased in such a clever way, showing that she meant to pass along a message on purpose. Jiang Ruan smiled softly, “It is alright. The world is divided into black and white. The truth and what is false cannot remain indistinguishable forever.. If I have done it, then I have done it. If I have not done it, then that means I have not done it. And since I have not done it, even if the officers come for me, there is nothing for me to fear.”

Xiao Yuan gritted her teeth, as if she had just made a difficult decision, “Let me not keep Miss in the dark any longer. I have worked for so many years in this residence that I have learned a bit about these matters. Miss, you are unaware of the gravity of the situation. This….. is really a dead end. If your crime has already been decided, even if you are really innocent, then you will also be considered as guilty. If Miss doesn’t devise a strategy to get out of this as early as you can, why don’t you inform Master instead?”

Bai Zhi also nodded, “She’s right. Miss, at the moment, these people are easily hostile. Why don’t we ask Master for help? He will not just watch silently without lifting a finger.”

Lian Qiao bobbed her head as well, “Miss, this matter is extremely urgent.”

Under the eyes of the group, Jiang Ruan shook her head softly, “There is no need. Xiao Yuan, thank you for your warning regarding this matter. It is just that the officers are already heading this way so it is inappropriate for you to linger here any longer. If you stay, you will also be implicated with us. You should leave first. If I need your help with anything in the future, I will ask Bai Zhi to find you.”

Xiao Yuan peered outside the window and nodded, “Miss, you do not need to be so polite with me. You are my mistress, and servants obeying the orders of a master is a proper thing to do. I will leave now. If you require me, I will perform the task to my utmost ability.”

After Xiao Yuan’s departure, Jiang Ruan knocked on the table and spoke without much emotion, “When the officials arrive later, no matter what transpires, the both of you are not allowed to divulge any hint of it to the minister’s manor. Not only that, I also do not permit you to seek my father’s help.”

“Why?” Bai Zhi asked uncomprehendingly, “After all, our Miss is Master’s Di[1] daughter. Blood is thicker than water. If our Master can lend a helping hand, Miss does not need to suffer these hardships. Miss, now is not the time to be prideful in front of Master. Grudges usually do not fester overnight between families.”

[1] Di ( 嫡 ) daughter – refers to legitimate daughter born from the official wife.

Jiang Ruan shook her head, “You have thought about it too simply. If something bad really happened to me and you approached my father for his aid, I am afraid that the help would not benefit us, but would become a burden instead.”

Lian Qiao knitted her brows, “Miss, what do you mean?”

“Think about it,” Jiang Ruan stared at her own fingertips, “If I am really being vilified as a murderer, after my father finds out about it, what would he do? I fear that he would not clear my name of the injustice, but would instead find someone to smooth things over and keep this matter under wraps. However, currently everyone from inside as well as outside the residence already knows that the officials have sent someone to arrest me, so clearly he won’t be able to keep it a secret. Later, even if on the surface it might seem like this matter has died down, there will continue to be gossip that I have killed someone and used my father’s authority to settle this matter. From then on, I will definitely have to bear this evil reputation.”

As Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao listened, they broke out in buckets of cold sweat. They equally felt trepidatious. Lian Qiao questioned, “Since it’s not possible for us to ask for Master’s help, then what should we do?”

“The current situation may seem like a dead end, but in reality, it is full of budding opportunities. This is not a hindrance. Being reborn after being cornered into death- it is not evident who is the last winner. But, I have an idea. You do not have to be worried.”

Upon hearing Jiang Ruan’s words, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi gradually collected themselves. Bai Zhi spoke, “I know, Miss. Then, for now let us pretend that nothing has happened.”

Jiang Ruan removed a piece of paper from a book that was beside her and passed it along to Lian Qiao, “Pass this to Qiu Yan the day after tomorrow.”

Lian Qiao nodded. After thinking for a moment, she poured a cup of tea for Jiang Ruan. Yet, Jiang Ruan was not in a hurry to drink it, only caressing the corner of her own sleeves gently.

The incident for which the two maids initially suggested requesting Jiang Quan’s help was overruled by Jiang Ruan. Other than her given explanation, she still had another reason. In the end, the truth was that there was no need for her to write a letter. The minister’s manor would also learn of this news immediately as the Zhang Lan family would undoubtedly report this matter to their superior. Xia Yan and Jiang Su Su were eagerly awaiting for her to be struck with some kind of misfortune. Naturally, they would not give up this chance and would rather add fuel to the fire in order to strike down someone like her who was in a difficult position. They were capable of many things, and Jiang Quan would be unlikely to take the initiative to get her out of this predicament. From her past life until now, when she remembered her own father’s indifferent gaze that declared that his own daughter was a temptress, who not only brought havoc to the country during the shift in the throne position, but had also plotted to murder the emperor. She knew then that Jiang Quan had never deemed her his own flesh and blood; his only daughter was Jiang Su Su.

Even if she had to die, she would not ask help from Jiang Quan. Furthermore, after this matter passed, she had a huge gift for Xia Yan and Jiang Su Su, that mother and daughter pair. She would consider the present as a repayment for their decision to send her to this residence, to live a cruel and inhumane life for the past five years .

The show had to go on. It was just that the main character of the play had already been replaced in advance.

While Jiang Ruan was lost in thought, a racket could be heard outside in her courtyard. Before Lian Qiao had the chance to react, the door burst open with a bang and a few officers, with swords girdled to their waist, walked in. One of them asked in a gruff voice, “Where is Jiang Ruan?”

Jiang Ruan stood up, and curtseyed slightly.

The officers’ leader sized her up. He was a bit surprised that she was a healthy-looking young lady. Regardless, he continued in a formal tone, “Miss Jiang, I am sorry to intrude. But someone has claimed that you have murdered someone.”

Jiang Ruan looked at him in faint surprise, “Oh? May I know who that person is?”

Her voice was gentle, like the willows of spring that softly brushed over someone’s heart. There was a certain kind of charm to it that could cause a person’s heart to move unintentionally. The head officer could not help but soften his voice, as if he was afraid that he would terrify her, a person who seemed as fragile as a piece of crystal, “He is the son of the person who manages this residence, Chen Zhao.”

In the end, Lian Qiao could not stop herself from exclaiming, “My lady is someone who is extremely sweet-tempered. How could she commit murder? Clearly, it is that vile person who is causing trouble and just wants to smear my lady’s reputation!”

The head officer hesitated for a while. He looked at how Jiang Ruan was smiling at him, with the edges of her brows exuding an indescribable grace. She was obviously a naive and inexperienced girl, but somehow, she had the elegant bearing of a mature lady. However, there was also a peculiar sense of cold detachment and indifference. This contradiction that existed within her body led her to appear as if she was a spirit being that had accidentally descended into the mortal realm. Furthermore, her allure was so captivating that a person could not help but direct his gaze at her.

Jiang Ruan spoke, “Lian Qiao, you do not need to say more. Whether it is true or false, his honor will make a sound judgement himself. We only need to wait and see.”

Hearing these words, the head officer’s impression of Jiang Ruan improved considerably. He cupped one of his fists in the palm of the other hand, in a salute, “It is our recklessness that has agitated Miss. There is currently a search being conducted outside. Can you please step out of this residence so that it’s more convenient for us to conduct our investigation?”

Jiang Ruan smiled, and walked out with Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao.

As soon as they walked out of the door, they saw that there were officers everywhere. Very quickly the small courtyard had become extremely cramped, with little space for movement. Chen Zhao stood beside Zhang Lan. When he saw Jiang Ruan, his eyes flashed.

Without waiting for Chen Zhao to open his mouth, Lian Qiao leapt forward, and went on a tirade as she pointed at Chen Zhao’s nose, “Clearly, you are the one who killed someone and now you want to push the blame on our lady. You are really selfish and heartless in matters that do not concern you! Bah, you are such a two-faced lowlife!”

Zhang Lan laughed coldly, “What are you talking about? Lian Qiao, you can carelessly eat meals, but the same can’t be said for words . You want to falsely accuse my Zhao’er? Be careful or else you will have to face the consequences!”

Chen Zhao looked at Jiang Ruan in grief as he lamented, “Miss, I did not want to expose you. It is just that I cannot go against my own conscience. I had hoped that you would not harbor a grudge against me.”

Jiang Ruan chuckled, “Your conscience? Of course, I would not resent you. After death, a person’s spirit may linger, especially of those who have died wrongfully. They would definitely seek out those who have hurt them to enact their revenge. I am not scared of them coming for me, but I wonder if you are.”