Chapter 53 The Swordsmen Take Their Positions
The Prince of Jin was six years older than him and had watched him grow up. He could see right through him at a glance. For a moment, he didn't know what to say and simply pondered.
Just then, a guard outside announced, "Your Highness, Ruan Chi has arrived."
The Prince of Jin waved his hand and said, "Youde, take Xiaobai to the training ground. Keep it brief and don't do anything reckless."
Upon hearing this, Youde and Xiaobai were overjoyed. They exchanged a glance, determined to settle their differences, and answered in unison, "Yes."
The two had barely left when Ruan Chi entered, bowing respectfully. "What business does Your Highness have summoned me for?"
"Xiang Kuan (Ruan Chi's courtesy name), I saw your fifth daughter yesterday. She told me that when she was five years old, she threw a scorpion into your birth mother's medicine pot, causing your birth mother to die from the poison. Is that true?"
Fifth Sister finally mentioned her past grievances with Prince Jin, indicating that the two were closer than before. Ruan Chi felt as if a huge boulder was weighing on his heart, sinking steadily. "It's true."
Do you hate her?
Ruan Chi felt a bitter taste in his mouth, as if his tongue was tied in knots. But he knew that the Prince of Jin was speaking frankly, treating him as a comrade. If he were to be insincere, it would only provoke the prince's displeasure. So he nodded and said, "Your Highness, I do indeed hate her."
"Xiang Kuan, if someone stabbed you with a knife, would you hate the knife?"
"Your Highness, I do not hate that knife. But she is not a knife; she not only killed my biological mother, but also brought death to my father."
Prince Jin frowned. No wonder Ruan Bi had inexplicably shed tears last night. Bearing the stigma of causing Duke Wenxiao's death, her days in the Ruan household were unimaginable. He felt both pity and disgust—pity for her suffering and disgust for Ruan Chi's words. His tone became harsher: "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of life. The talk of 'cursing someone' is nothing but the ravings of a sorcerer. Duke Wenxiao was kind, benevolent, and exceptionally intelligent. Xiang Kuan, you inherited his intelligence but not his benevolence. It's truly a pity."
Ruan Chi had followed him for nearly a year and knew him well. He was mild-mannered, treated his subordinates well, and rarely spoke harshly. If he did speak harshly, it meant he was very dissatisfied. Ruan Chi felt uneasy and lowered his head, saying, "Your Highness, I am ashamed. I have disappointed you."
The Prince of Jin asked in a deep voice, "Since you feel ashamed, do you know what to do next?"
Ruan Chi originally served in the Northwest Army, where he was surrounded by General Zhao's close associates. Although he was a brave warrior, he only held the lowly position of Yuhou (a minor officer). It wasn't until the Prince of Jin transferred him to the Xingping Army and appointed him as a military commander that he distinguished himself. Later, the Prince of Jin brought him back to the capital and arranged for him to serve in the inner palace, becoming a close guard of the emperor. Without the Prince of Jin, he wouldn't be where he was today, and he had long ago vowed to repay him with his life. Besides, Ruan Bi had no chance of becoming the Prince of Jin's principal wife; it wouldn't be too late to take revenge after their feelings for each other had cooled down. Therefore, he said resolutely, "Your subordinate understands; I will not touch her."
"Just not touch her?" Prince Jin said sternly, dissatisfied. "Xiang Kuan, I don't care what you do to the other people in the Ruan family. But you not only can't touch her, you must also protect her. If you can't do that, tell me now."
Ruan Chi forced himself to say, "Your Highness, I obey."
The Prince of Jin stared at him for a moment and said, "Do you think I'm making things difficult for you?"
Ruan Chi felt uneasy under his gaze, knowing that he was perceptive and understood people's hearts well, making it difficult to deceive him. It was better to be honest with him. "Your Highness, I haven't figured it out yet. Please give me some time."
The Prince of Jin remained silent for a moment, then said, "Very well." He paused, then raised his voice and called out, "Yunying, come in."
The door opened, and a pretty maid of about seventeen or eighteen years old entered and curtsied.
The Prince of Jin said, "Xiang Kuan, from this day forward, Yunying will follow you."
Yunying was one of the Prince of Jin's personal maids. She usually served tea and water and organized books and documents in the study.
Ruan Chi dared not presume that the Prince of Jin would give her to him, and asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, what does this mean?"
"Fifth Miss is a woman, and although you are uncle and niece, it's not appropriate for me to always come to your courtyard. In the future, if I need anything, I'll have Yunying talk to her."
Ruan Chi breathed a slight sigh of relief when he thought that Yunying's visit to the Ruan residence wasn't to keep an eye on him. Then, remembering how Yunying had sent her personal maid to the Ruan residence for Ruan Bi's sake, he felt a heavy weight in his heart.
"Xiang Kuan, you can go down first. I want to say a few words to Yunying."
"Yes, Your Highness, I shall take my leave."
Ruan Chi left the study and stood under the corridor, looking at the magnificent palace of the Prince of Jin, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
After waiting for a while, Yunying came out carrying a bag, indicating she had prepared it in advance. Ruan Chi suddenly realized that the Prince of Jin had summoned him to the Ruan residence to bring her along and, incidentally, to clarify the power dynamics between them. He felt a pang of resentment, thinking that he had fought alongside her on the battlefield, sharing life and death, yet now her place in his heart was less than that of Fifth Sister. The thought of having to defer to Fifth Sister from now on filled him with utter frustration.
He led Yunying into the carriage with a blank expression. He was not a talkative person to begin with, and feeling annoyed, he didn't want to speak even more. Halfway through the journey, Yunying coughed lightly and spoke first: "Third Master Ruan, the Prince has instructed me to pretend to be your concubine."
Ruan Chi was taken aback, then remembered that Prince Jin had only said that Yunying should follow him, but had not said that he would give her to him, nor had he even given her a contract of indenture. It seemed that he only intended for her to stay in the Ruan residence for a while. Yunying was only of average appearance, not even comparable to Xiuping, and was Prince Jin's personal maid. He had no interest in her and said politely, "Then I will have to trouble Miss Yunying."
Yunying shook her head and said, "What grievance is there? It is my blessing to be able to serve the prince."
Her words came naturally, without the slightest hesitation, which made Ruan Chi sigh. Although he had long known that the guards and maids around Prince Jin were all meticulously trained, with the first rule being to be loyal to their duties and act according to orders, even if they were asked to commit suicide, they would not ask a question or hesitate for a second.
Upon returning to the Ruan residence, Ruan Chi naturally took Yunying to see the old lady.
The old lady was displeased to hear that it was a gift from the Prince of Jin, but outwardly she remained friendly and amiable, rewarding Yunying with a gold bracelet. She also instructed the head housekeeper to arrange for people to go to Xiangmu Xiaozhu to hang red lanterns and paste up the character for "double happiness," and to arrange a banquet that evening, which would be shared with all the servants of Xiangmu Xiaozhu.
Xiuping drank wine and ate meat, looking at the red "double happiness" character pasted on the main room, which seemed glaringly irritating.
Although she had long understood that Ruan Chi would have other concubines in the future, and that even if he didn't, he wouldn't love her because she was a gift from the old lady, she felt incredibly wronged. She had betrayed the old lady and hadn't received Ruan Chi's affection; she was caught between two sides, utterly alone and helpless. Now, another formidable rival had appeared, a gift from the Prince of Jin. How was she supposed to live from now on? The more she thought about it, the bleaker her future seemed, and with no other options, she could only drown her sorrows in alcohol.
Fortunately, Yunying seemed very sensible. The next day, she even offered her a cup of tea and then said, "Sister Xiuping, could you please introduce me to the ladies and young women here?"
Xiuping was pleased with her humble demeanor and didn't want to make things difficult for her. She led her through each courtyard, introducing them to each other, a process that took a full hour, leaving her dizzy and exhausted.
After leaving the main house of Liaoyuan, Yunying looked at the east wing and said, "Isn't there still a Fifth Sister living there? Aren't we going to see her?"
"The Fifth Sister was taken to the Jade Void Temple by her master, Master Ziying, and has not returned yet."
Yunying was greatly disappointed. She had thought she would soon meet the girl the prince liked. She asked curiously, "Sister Xiuping, what is this girl like?"
Xiuping pursed her lips, wanting to say "eccentric temperament," but thinking that such words might reach the ears of Prince Jin, she said instead, "The Fifth Miss's temperament is naturally first-rate." First-rately difficult to serve.
Yunying, however, thought it was top-notch and became even more curious. The next day, upon hearing that she had returned, she didn't ask Xiuping to take her, but instead went to the east wing of Liaoyuan Garden herself. Upon entering the inner room, she first saw the precious potted plant, Spring Water Green Wave, on the desk, and then she saw Ruan Bi in a light green floral dress. Comparing the two, the woman was like a beautiful flower.
She sized up Ruan Bi, and Ruan Bi sized her up too. Upon her return, Granny Liu told her that the Prince of Jin had sent a concubine to Ruan Chi. Before she could even finish her tea, this new concubine arrived. She appeared to be of average appearance, but the upbringing in the Prince's residence gave her an air of refinement and poise.
"Yunying greets Fifth Sister."
"Sister Yunying, please don't be so polite, please sit down." Ruan Bi helped her up.
Yunying sat down and looked around.
Ruan Biwei was taken aback, then waved her hand, dismissing Liu Mama and Xiuzhi from the room.
Yunying rose from her seat, knelt before Ruanbi, and said, "The Prince sent me to serve you, Miss."
In fact, Ruan Bi had already vaguely guessed it, but she was still very surprised when she actually said it, and she was extremely moved.
Yunying took out a letter from her bosom and handed it over, saying, "A letter from the Prince to the young lady."
Ruan Bi took it, opened it, and saw that it read: "The Big Swordsmen are in position." She immediately burst out laughing.
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