Chapter 153 : Framed

Early in the morning of the next day, Jiang Ruan received a message from Princess He Yi inviting her to Mu Feng Pavilion. Bai Zhi was a little surprised when she handed the invitation over- she didnt know what Jiang Ruan had ordered Tian Zhu to do- but a.s.sumed that Princess He Yi must have been planning something again. Therefore, she couldnt help giving a reminder. Miss, for Princess He Yi to look for you now, she must have some hidden intentions[1]. You must not fall for it.

[1] (Zu wng zh y bzi ji) wine-lovers heart is not in the cup (idiom); a drinker not really interested in alcohol / having an ulterior motive / to have other things in mind / accomplis.h.i.+ng something besides what one set out to do.

Lian Qiao nodded along. Currently within the palace there are many eyes pinned on Miss; we mustnt have an accident at this juncture. Why dont I return the invitation and say its not convenient for Miss?

No need. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. You just need to help me pack my clothes.

Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at one another, and when they saw that Jiang Ruan seemed to have her own plans, they could only do as they were told. While they were busy, Lu Zhu quietly slipped over and asked, Miss, isnt Princess He Yi already Unless nothing happened to her?

Dead people couldnt send invitations, and there were no such things as ghosts. Unless Princess He Yi was still alive, there was no way that such an invitation would appear for no reason.

Impossible, Jiang Ruan replied. Tian Zhu had already inquired after Princess He Yi left last night, she didnt even visit Shu Fang Palace. Princess He Yi had witnessed such a big thing yesterday, yet didnt mention it? The palace maids also said that her behaviour was strange and she didnt seem to want to talk much.

In that case, the Princess He Yi who returned to the palace likely wasnt the real Princess He Yi. Then this message must have also come from the imposter of course, the one who wanted to invite her wasnt actually the fake Princess, but the person behind them.

Since the invitation was already sent to her hands, why wouldnt she go? It would save quite a bit of trouble. She raised her eyebrows, then reached into her sleeve and took out a letter which she handed to Tian Zhu. Its not suitable for you to show your face, so find an opportunity to send this letter to Great Master Hui Jue.

Tian Zhu nodded. Jiang Ruan changed her clothes, then let Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu accompany her to Mu Feng Pavilion.

Although Mu Feng Pavilion was beautiful, it was located quite close to the cold palace, so few people visited. The consorts rarely visited for fear of being contaminated by misfortune, the eunuchs and maids had too many tasks to do to spend time appreciating the scenery, and since their masters werent inclined to come there was naturally no reason for them to be there either. Only Princess He Yi enjoyed coming here regularly.

Once Jiang Ruan arrived at the corridors leading to Mu Feng Pavilion, from a distance she could see a figure resting against a table. From the adornments on their body, this could only be Princess He Yi; and indeed, the two maids next to her were Princess He Yis personal maidservants. Lu Zhu frowned when she saw this scene, wondering if Princess He Yi hadnt died after all. Was Bai Zhi right, and they were planning to do something nefarious to Jiang Ruan?

Bai Zhi, who was more attentive than Lu Zhu, found that Princess He Yis body looked a little strange, although she couldnt say how. Her posture was as stiff as a puppet stuffed with cotton, and even the lines of her shoulders were unnatural. For some reason, Bai Zhi felt a sense of unease. She couldnt help wanting to say something to Jiang Ruan, but then she saw Jiang Ruan walk towards Princess He Yi without a sideways glance.

Her pace wasnt hurried at all, as if this wasnt something worth being vigilant about but was actually just an ordinary meeting between friends.

As they approached, the two maids beside Princess He Yi uniformly lowered their heads and called out, Greetings to Hongan Junzhu.

Jiang Ruan glanced mildly at Princess He Yi. Since coming closer, it became clear that Princess He Yi had her head buried within her arms and her face wasnt visible; at the same time, she could detect a strong fragrance wafting from her body.

It was commonplace for n.o.ble ladies within the palace to use scented creams, but typically, the more luxurious the cream, the less discernible the scent, because it was considered more elegant. The current Princess He Yi more resembled a lady from a brothel.

Lu Zhu looked doubtfully at Princess He Yi then, as if thinking of something, she suddenly lowered her head for fear of the two palace maids discovering her shock. How was it possible for Princess He Yi to use such a strong fragrance? She usually wouldnt be able to think of anything, but Jiang Ruans words from yesterday gave her a revelation. A scent as strong as this wasnt like a perfume, but more like it was being used to cover something up.

What was it covering up? It must be covering up the smell of blood, the smell of rot!

Lu Zhus heart skipped a beat. The dead Princess He Yi was sitting here yet at the same time someone had sent an invitation to Jiang Ruan in her name. The goal was obviously to set a trap for Jiang Ruan!

Miss, Lu Zhu suddenly called out.

When Jiang Ruan turned and glanced at her, the calmness in her eyes surprised Lu Zhu. For some reason, this one look wiped away all her agitation. She slowly calmed down, thinking that her Miss had always been strategizing and more than likely had already expected this turn of events, so she might as well wait and see.

Bai Zhi also didnt know what was going on, only feeling that with her invitation Princess He Yi was acting strangely today. However, shed always had a calm temperament, so she only kept her eyes on Jiang Ruan without making any extraneous moves.

The two palace maids didnt move an inch. Jiang Ruan, smiling, raised an eyebrow. Princess He Yi is asleep?

One of Princess He Yis personal maidservants nodded. Yes, we servants dare not disturb Princess.

Then how about I wake her up? Jiang Ruan asked rhetorically with an insincere smile. Her inexplicable words seemed to shock the two palace maids who hadnt expected her to be so casual about it, but this also saved them quite a bit of trouble. However, Jiang Ruans tone also made them feel uncomfortable, as if someone was spying on them. The two looked at each other then lowered their heads.

Jiang Ruan slowly stretched out her hand and pressed it against Princess He Yis shoulder. As she expected, it was rock-solid. A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of her lips, then she suddenly pulled Princess He Yi backwards.

Princess He Yi fell from the stone stool with a thump, rolled, and finally lay on her back on the ground. Now, a delicate dagger with bright blood stains was revealed to have been stabbed into her abdomen- covering up the original crime. And Princess He Yi, with her eyes wide open and lips ash-pale, had obviously been dead for quite some time.

Lu Zhu was prepared and only flinched, while Bai Zhi cried out in fright. Princess He Yi happened to be facing Jiang Ruan, and seemed to have suffered great pain and shock just before her death. With her pair of wide eyes full of resentment and fear, she looked like an evil ghost out for revenge.

Junzhu! the two palace maids called out in unison. Their expressions changed, and one pointed at Jiang Ruan. You actually murdered our Princess!

Jiang Ruan was neither excited nor angry, only saying mildly, Oh, did you see it happen?

Up until now, even after seeing Princess He Yis corpse, Jiang Ruans expression hadnt s.h.i.+fted. She either had a deep mind or had already expected this outcome both options were equally terrifying, however her nonchalant att.i.tude was even more incomprehensible. The two palace maids, although frightened, could only follow the script and perform to the end.

Hongan Junzhu is so cruel, one of them said angrily. We two slaves personally witnessed Hongan Junzhu acting against Princess He Yi. Even if you go before His Majesty, Hongan Junzhu would still be declared the murderer!

Did you see it with your own eyes? Jiang Ruan smiled wryly. You have two people, but I also have two people. You saw me kill Princess He Yi, but Im afraid my two maids saw something a bit different.

After overcoming her initial fear, Bai Zhi understood the situation. But when she heard the palace maids speak nonsense without blinking an eye, she felt furious that they wanted to frame Jiang Ruan. She instantly followed Jiang Ruans words, saying, Exactly. Your words are very strange Princess He Yi had already pa.s.sed away when our Miss arrived.

Indeed, Lu Zhu added, You can say what you like, but our three pairs of eyes arent wrong either.

The palace maids didnt expect Jiang Ruan to be so calm even now, to the point that she had the heart to verbally spar with them. Just as they were confused on how to proceed, a voice came from behind them. Junzhu is very brave, even daring to laugh, it really makes this prince admire you.

Jiang Ruan turned around and saw a man wearing simple brown robes walk out from the corridor. If not Fourth Prince, Xuan Lang, who else would it be?

Although they couldnt catch the mastermind, at least this trip wasnt a total waste. Fourth Prince, Jiang Ruan smiled.

Princess, now there are more than two people. Xuan Langs smile looked very kind, yet revealed some hints of the joy in his heart. This prince also witnessed Junzhus murderous actions with my own eyes. If the two maids are not enough, then I wonder if this princes words would count?

Lu Zhu and Bai Zhi both stared hatefully at Xuan Lang. Even if he was unfavoured within the palace, his ident.i.ty was still that of a royal prince. Jiang Ruan had no hope of winning if he testified against her. It was especially true now, when Jiang Xin Zhis whereabouts were unknown. Many people in the court were watching Jiang Ruan, waiting for her to make a mistake. If she really was charged with this crime, everyone would take the chance to trample on her then, it would be very hard for her to stand up again.

Fourth Prince can get straight to the point, Jiang Ruan sighed. Its very tiring to talk in circles like this.

Xuan Lang nodded. I think the same way. I believe Junzhu did it in a moment of impulsiveness, it wasnt intentional. In truth, my Eighth Brother has admired Junzhu for a long time. Since this is the case, I will not trouble you too much.

Jiang Ruan merely looked at Xuan Lang in silence with a faint smile. Her lack of response made Xuan Lang seem a little awkward, but he wasnt really as fragile as he looked. In some matters, he was even more shamelessly persistent than Jiang Dan. He continued talking, regardless of her indifference. Although this matter has progressed so far, it is not a complete dead end. There is only one person in this palace who can protect you: Eighth Brother. If Junzhu can get his protection, a solution would naturally appear.

What solution? Jiang Ruan looked at her own fingertips without a single fluctuation in her expression. Xuan Langs brows couldnt help but furrow when this fell into his eyes.

After a pause, he answered, Eighth Brother can at least cover it up, so that Junzhu wont be humiliated.

Jiang Ruan seemed to finally become impatient. Eighth Prince and I are only acquaintances, how could I obtain his protection?

Junzhu should not say so, Xuan Lang happily replied, and instantly added, You are the person Eighth Brother likes. Now that Deputy General Jiang is missing, your situation in the palace is rather dire there are countless eyes on you, waiting for you to make a mistake. If you want to justifiably go under Eighth Brothers protection, you must join his household.

After saying this, Xuan Lang clenched his fists, feeling a little nervous.

It wasnt without reason that Xuan Lang proposed this plan to Xuan Li. He knew that Xuan Li liked Jiang Ruan, but didnt know why Jiang Ruan treated him like a viper. Xiao Shaos recent request for marriage from the Emperor was like a thorn in Xuan Lis heart. Xuan Lang, having followed him for so long, knew well what he was thinking.

For example, if they could manipulate Jiang Ruan into marrying him, hed be much happier than if they just found a scapegoat to take the fall for Princess He Yis death. And if this matter succeeded, then Xuan Li would definitely remember his credit in the coming days, making his life easier when the great cause was complete.

However, Xuan Lang was able to predict everything except how Jiang Ruan responded. It was impossible to succeed through ordinary methods, so they could only take advantage of Princess He Yis ident.i.ty and threaten Jiang Xin Zhis safety. In Xuan Langs view, the only reason why Jiang Ruan refused Xuan Li was because she had a better option: Xiao Shao. But she couldnt do anything when her own interests were at stake, because women were all the same. No matter how strong they were, when pushed to the edge, they would all become useless and beg for mercy. Just like Princess He Yi did.

Eighth Prince arranged such a play, just to force a marriage? Jiang Ruan responded indifferently. He really thinks too highly of me.

Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu had long been unhappy in their hearts, but even they didnt expect that Xuan Li would pour this dirty water on Jiang Ruan for the sake of his own selfish desires. The death of a princess wasnt a trivial matter.

Junzhu must not belittle yourself, Xuan Lang smiled. To Eighth Brother, no one is as precious as you.

Jiang Ruan subtly froze, because this was something Xuan Li often said in her previous life. At the time, when she lived deep within the palace and rarely saw the light of day, she would sometimes feel inferior when faced with Xuan Lis overwhelming care. Xuan Li always said: You dont need to look down on yourself like this, because to me, no one is as precious as you.

Now that these words came out of Xuan Langs mouth, Jiang Ruan only felt that it was ironic. In this life, she didnt look down on herself, but Xuan Li had grandiose misconceptions of his place in her heart. She only saw him as a maggot crawling in the dirt, therefore how could he evoke anything other than disgust?

Fourth Prince is skilled at flattery. A soft smile emerged on Jiang Ruans face. Although, I dont know if youve been a lapdog for so long that you only know how to say nice things.

You Xuan Langs pallor changed. He really didnt understand why Jiang Ruan, whod been so receptive earlier, suddenly changed her att.i.tude. Her words directly pierced his soft underbelly. If it werent for her status, he would have already acted against her. Maybe it was because he thought Xuan Li had a bright future at hand that he was also self-confident in his own ident.i.ty, otherwise he would have simply responded perfunctorily with a cowardly smile as he did in the past. But now things were different, perhaps because he successfully murdered Princess He Yi. Once the darker side of human nature was stimulated, it was exceedingly difficult to suppress it.

Xuan Langs face was ashen as he said to Jiang Ruan, This prince had good intentions, but its a pity that Junzhu is ungrateful, making such harsh comments in return.

I dont think its a pity. Jiang Ruan gave the corpse a casual glance. It doesnt matter if you tell people that I killed her, at any rate, I will not marry Xuan Li.

What did you say? Xuan Lang looked at her in disbelief. Do you know what youre talking about?

I would like to hear the details. Jiang Ruan made a gesture of listening intently, but no matter how he looked at it, Xuan Lang felt that her smile was a sarcastic one.

In the eyes of the public, you have committed a serious crime by killing Princess He Yi. Princess He Yi was Imperial Fathers most favoured daughter, and youre just a ministers daughter who was conferred a Junzhus t.i.tle there is no way Imperial Father will help you. Even Imperial Grandmother wont be able to protect you this time. And with Deputy General Jiangs accident at the border, what do you think the courtiers will say? Xuan Langs tone was a bit aggressive as he said this. You and Jiang Xin Zhi have long held rebellious hearts and cooperated to trample on the royal familys dignity, to betray our Great Jin! You can walk into prison on your feet but can only come out on your back!

Lu Zhu and Bai Zhis faces twisted as soon as they heard these words. Although they hated Xuan Langs shamelessness, they also had to admit that he was right. It would be very difficult for Jiang Ruan to escape the stain of this matter if the crime of murdering Princess He Yi were ever pinned on her head.

Many thanks to Fourth Prince for your suggestion, Jiang Ruan said, as if she hadnt heard what Xuan Lang said at all. She nodded lightly. It has really broadened my horizons.

Do you still refuse to change your mind even now? Xuan Lang changed from feeling disbelief to derision, and now only thought that Jiang Ruan was a lunatic. In his opinion, choosing any other road was to choose the road to h.e.l.l. As to the fact that Jiang Ruan would rather die than marry Xuan Li it could only be that her brain was damaged.

Fourth Prince, you can do whatever you want, whether that be sending me to jail or suing the imperial court. In short, its impossible for me to marry Xuan Li, she stated. I said it before. Why would you think that Id change my mind?

Xuan Lang looked at Jiang Ruan for a long time. Finally, he asked, Tell me one thing. Why do you refuse to marry Eighth Brother? Why do you harbour grievances against him?

Perhaps it is due to a hatred from a previous life, Jiang Ruan said lightly. More importantly, its too disgusting.

Disgusting? Xuan Lang was stunned.

Yes. Disgusting.