Chapter 62 - To Accidentally Expose a Love Affair

Jiang Su Su extended her leg to trip Jiang Ruan. Seemingly not noticing anything, Jiang Ruan continued to get up, but inadvertently leaned to one side and managed to avoid Jiang Su Su’s leg in the process. However, with this movement, she ‘accidentally’ collided with Jiang Li who was standing to one side. Unable to avoid the impact, Jiang Li staggered forward a few steps and just happened to bump into Jiang Su Su. Jiang Su Su had no time to react, and immediately fell head first off the boat.

At the same time, Jiang Ruan let out a startled exclamation and swiftly grabbed hold of Jiang Li, who was on the verge of following Jiang Su Su into the river. There was the sound of a splash[1] and Jiang Su Su vanished from sight.

[1] T/N – The Chinese version of ‘splash’ is the onomatopoeic 咚 (dong). Just for interest’s sake, did you know that dogs don’t ‘woof’ in Chinese? They go 汪 (wang). And sheep go 咩 (mie).

Jiang Ruan asked Jiang Li, who was still in a state of shock, “Is Third Younger Sister all right?”

Jiang Li shook her head. “How did I lose my balance just now?” There were so many people on the boat and she had had her back towards Jiang Ruan. Naturally, she did not know who had bumped into her. A sudden realisation struck Jiang Ruan and she called out loudly, “Help, Second Younger Sister has fallen into the river!”

On hearing her, in rapid succession, the people turned to look at the river. There was a figure bobbing up and down in the midst of the undulating waves, and it was indeed Jiang Su Su. She was totally soaked, and water kept filling her nose and mouth. Throwing decorum to the winds, she yelled, “Save me!”

There was no shortage of young noblemen on board the Qing Song Boat who could swim. Upon witnessing a beautiful damsel in distress, they were all eager to take action. But, if they really did rescue Jiang Su Su from her watery predicament, it would be tantamount to sullying her innocence, and they would definitely have to marry her thereafter. However, Minister Jiang was currently at the peak of his career, and Xia Yan’s family was also on the rise. If the young man was not considered to be a good match, Minister Jiang would not be willing to marry off his daughter in this way, and so it was not certain that this would be a done deal.

It was perhaps with this in mind that some of the more thoughtful young noblemen simply stood back on the deck and watched.

But, what sort of person was Jiang Su Su? She was the capital’s most talented young lady, and had been acknowledged as the capital’s most beautiful lady for many years. Naturally, some di son of the upper class whose social status matched with Jiang Su Su’s and who treated her with adoring devotion would not be able to stand by idly and watch the failing strength of this belle; he would take on the mantle of the hero and jump in to rescue her.

Thus, it was at this time that a pu dong[2] was heard after someone from the opposite side jumped into the water out of the blue. He appeared to be an excellent swimmer and reached Jiang Su Su’s side in no time. With one arm holding her up, he pulled her along as he swam to the boat.

[2] Pu dong ( 扑通 ) – onomatopoeic sound for something jumping or falling into water. Louder than a splash (咚, dong).

Jiang Ruan first joined the others in helping to pull Jiang Su Su onto the boat. As she had struggled in the water for quite some time, she was rather dazed and only half conscious. After she was safely pulled onto the deck, everyone trained their sights on the young man who had rescued her.

He was 17 or 18 years old, with tanned skin and an upright demeanour. It was his eyes, however, that hinted at a hidden understanding.

Jiang Ruan stayed by Jiang Su Su’s side. In a mild tone, she said to him, “Noble sir[3], many thanks for saving Miss Jiang’s life. When we return tonight, the Jiang family will definitely show you our gratitude with gifts .”

[3] Gongzi ( 公子 ) – son of an official / son of nobility.

The young man replied, rather impetuously, “Why would I want your gifts? Quickly, check and see if she’s all right!” After saying this, he made as if to stride forward.

Of course, his actions gave rise to incessant speculation. For a moment, everyone looked at the young man with probing eyes. Someone on the Qing Song Boat could not hold back any longer and burst out with the question, “Who are you?”

Jiang Ruan frowned and once again blocked his way by staying in front of Jiang Su Su. Unflinchingly, she said, “Noble sir, your kindness in saving Miss Jiang will always be engraved in the Jiang family’s hearts. However, Miss Jiang is a young lady who is yet to be married. For you to come so close to her is a breach of propriety.”

Jiang Ruan was solely thinking about Jiang Su Su’s welfare. As she had the bigger picture in mind, and her words were appropriate and elegantly worded, all the onlookers nodded in approval.

The dark-skinned youth said, impatiently, “She and I are in perfect harmony with each other. What nonsense is this about being too close? In future, I will definitely marry her.”

Jiang Ruan smiled sweetly, but her voice was entirely frosty. “What is noble sir saying? I respect noble sir’s ability to act heroically for a just cause, but your actions are giving me cause for unease. Miss Jiang has always shunned immoral and evil influences and her talent is outstanding. Moreover, she has never uttered an unpleasant word. I fear that noble sir will find it difficult to match her. You must know that not just anyone can marry the Jiang fu’s daughters!”

She was not in the least cowed by this robust young man. In truth, from the time this dark-skinned young man had spoken such words, no one on the boat believed him. Jiang Su Su was in a class by herself, above even the creme de la creme. Whether in public or in private, there was no way she would take a second look at such a boorish fellow.

During this time, Jiang Su Su was lying flat on the deck, listening groggily to the words of the people around her, with no idea about what was happening.

The dark-skinned youth showed his annoyance. In a fury, he grasped an embroidered handkerchief hanging from his waist and shook it out in the face of the onlookers. “If you don’t believe me, then see for yourself! This is the handkerchief she gave me. I, Zhou Da, have been in the capital for so many years, how can I possibly be lying?”

The handkerchief fluttered in front of everyone. The upper corner was embroidered with orchids, which seemed to exude a faint fragrance. In the lower left corner, the character for ‘Su’ was embroidered delicately in silver silk thread.

Jiang Su Su’s personal maid, Hu Die, stood in shocked silence, with her mouth agape. She exchanged a glance with Qing Ting, and they saw the alarm in each other’s eyes.

Everyone had gone quiet. Although there was no way Jiang Su Su and this Zhou Da could be together, it was inevitable that such a beauty could make occasional mistakes. In addition, at the present time, Jiang Su Su was still young, and it was possible that she had been deliberately seduced. In the face of such evidence, the crowd started to waver.

Jiang Ruan intoned furiously, “How much weight can you place on one handkerchief? It’s not possible to ascertain what method you used to steal Miss Jiang’s handkerchief.”

Hu Die never imagined that Jiang Ruan would speak on behalf of Jiang Su Su. At that point in time, uncaring of the consequences, she immediately added on to Jiang Ruan’s words and said, “It’s true, our young lady’s handkerchief went missing a few days ago, and we have not been able to find it. So, it was you who stole it!”

Zhou Da was only human. On seeing this scene unfold before him, he flushed and said angrily, “She is a young lady from the house of a government official, and I am but a commoner. How on earth would I be able to steal her handkerchief? Is it possible that a young lady from an official’s household would be mingling with the crowds like a commoner, waiting for her handkerchief, such a personal item, to be stolen by me?”

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. This Zhou Da really did not disappoint her. His ability to adapt and respond was superb. What a pity for Xia Yan that this young man whom she had taken so much trouble to find was now dealing with her own daughter. She could not imagine the expression on Xia Yan’s face when this news got back to the Jiang fu.

Zhou Da continued, “If you don’t believe me, look at her waist. You will find a green jade piece; that’s my family heirloom which I’ve given to her as a token.”

Green jade piece

On hearing this, Qing Ting gave a sigh of relief. “Our young miss has no such jade piece, what nonsense are you spouting.”

Princess Rongya, who had been standing by the sidelines watching the situation unfold, rolled her eyes and walked to Jiang Su Su’s side. With an expression of grave concern, she said, “Why don’t I check? Since Miss Jiang is innocent, let’s prove it, so this foul thief who is attempting to besmirch Miss Jiang’s reputation has nothing to say.”

Hu Die was about to stretch out a hand to stop her, but Princess Rongya had already reached for Jiang Su Su’s waist. Jiang Ruan’s eyebrows were slightly raised and her eyes momentarily gleamed as she pondered the situation. She had not expected that Princess Rongya would take action, but it certainly simplified matters for her.

The onlookers were looking with curiosity at Princess Rongya, while Hu Die nervously squeezed her hands together. After quite a while, Princess Rongya looked up with a strange expression on her face.

She lifted her hand. Swinging from the tips of her exquisitely white fingertips was a string of green jade beads.

Everyone was silent. The eyes looking at Jiang Su Su had, in an instant, become pregnant with meaning.

Jiang Ruan lowered her head slightly. See, no matter how much time passed, the ways of this world and that of the past were exactly the same: rumour and suspicion, malice and slander. It’s just that, this time, the person experiencing it is Jiang Su Su herself.