Chapter 8 Qi Da Fei Ou
Ruan Bi's guess was not entirely correct, but it wasn't far off either.
Xiuping bringing her here was indeed arranged by Ruan Chi. But it wasn't to let her see the Prince of Jin, but rather to see Youde.
After their parting at the City God Temple, Ruan Bi instantly became a lay disciple of the immortal Ziying. Even the Empress Dowager and the Empress sent people to congratulate her, making her famous overnight. Unbeknownst to Ruan Bi within the confines of her mansion, in the teahouses and taverns outside, her story had become the subject of storytellers' tales: "Erlang had eyes but didn't recognize the fairy maiden, the immortal's wisdom discerned the secrets of Kunlun." These stories were embellished to the extreme, claiming Ruan Bi was originally a flower fairy from the Jade Pool in heaven, descending to the mortal world to undergo tribulations; the Erlang and the immortal were merely predestined connections from past lives.
However, most people believe that Ruan Bi must be ugly, otherwise how could Xie Erlang bear to refuse such a beautiful woman?
After their encounter at Wanmiao Residence, Prince Jin sent another spies to investigate Ruan Bi's situation. Knowing that Youde was a blabbermouth, he didn't tell him. Therefore, Luo Youde remained unaware that the little Taoist nun who almost became his victim was the fifth daughter of the Ruan family. Having heard many rumors, he became increasingly curious about Ruan Bi's appearance, constantly asking Ruan Chi, "What does your fifth daughter look like?" He also repeatedly expressed his desire to come to the Ruan residence to steal a peek.
Ruan Chi was on good terms with him, and thinking it wasn't a big deal, he readily agreed.
Unexpectedly, Youde asked for leave tonight, saying he wanted to visit Ruan Chi's house. Prince Jin was also suddenly intrigued, saying that when he was a child, he had accompanied his father to visit Duke Wenxiao at Ruan's residence. So many years had passed, and he wondered what Ruan's residence looked like now. Since he had some free time today, they could go together to search for traces of the past.
Youde was afraid that he would be accused of neglecting his duties, so he dared not say that he came to see the Fifth Sister's appearance.
Ruan Chi naturally didn't mention it either.
They rode swiftly to the alley behind the Ruan residence, where the gatekeeper opened the back gate. Without disturbing anyone, they went directly to Xiangmu Xiaozhu. Reaching the door of the east wing study, Ruan Biying turned around gracefully…
While the Prince of Jin was surprised, another thought flashed through his mind: she had grown taller.
At thirteen, Ruan Bi was at the age of rapid growth, and having been eating and sleeping well lately, she had grown taller, swaying gracefully like a newly sprouted willow branch.
However, to Youde, who had a penchant for voluptuous figures, this Fifth Sister was pitifully thin; a strong gust of wind would probably break her. He strode in, looked Ruan Bi up and down, and laughed heartily, saying, "So the little Taoist nun is the Fifth Sister, and the Fifth Sister is the little Taoist nun!" As he spoke, he made a beheading gesture with his hand, thoroughly amused.
Ruan Bi was truly speechless that someone in their mid-twenties would still act this way.
The Prince of Jin also frowned.
Ruan Chi asked curiously, "What little Taoist nun?"
Youde then realized that he had let something slip again. The Prince of Jin knew he couldn't speak carelessly about the late emperor's concubine, so he straightened his face and said, "She took Master Ziying as her master, so isn't she just a little Taoist nun?"
It was a rather far-fetched connection, but since he didn't want to say, Ruan Chi didn't press him for details.
Ruan Bi didn't want Luo Da Zui to spout any more bizarre remarks, so she quickly stepped forward and bowed to Ruan Chi, saying, "Greetings, Third Uncle." She hesitated whether to bow to Prince Jin as well. Logically, the two hadn't formally met yet, and Ruan Chi should introduce them. Of course, since Prince Jin was a man and a guest from outside, Ruan Chi could also choose not to introduce him and have her excuse herself.
But then Ruan Chi said, "This is Prince Jin."
Ruan Bi had no choice but to curtsy and say, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Fifth Miss, there's no need for such formalities." Prince Jin's voice was as clear and pleasant as ever, neither too loud nor too soft, neither too fast nor too slow, with an elegant and clear pronunciation.
The two had met several times, but this was the closest they had ever been.
They were only a few steps apart, close enough to smell each other's scents. She carried a faint, elusive fragrance of jasmine, fleeting and ephemeral, like a wisp of cloud that would vanish in the blink of an eye. He wore no sachet, nor were his clothes scented, yet he exuded a strong masculine aura, a powerful, domineering presence, like a whirlpool with the force to engulf everything.
"This Prince Jin is very manly," a thought suddenly flashed through Ruan Bi's mind.
Her heart skipped a beat, and her ears felt slightly hot. She quickly took a step back, lowered her eyes, and said, "Third Uncle, Sister Xiuping asked me to help her find a book. The book has been found, so I'll go back now."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Xiuping came in from outside, carrying a lacquer tray with four cups of tea on it. She said, "You haven't even had a sip of tea. Why are you leaving?"
Ruan Bi glanced up at her, her expression slightly displeased.
Xiuping smiled guiltily and said, "Miss, you should have some tea before you go back, otherwise I will be the one who has been negligent."
"Thank you, Sister Xiuping. I'll come for tea again next time. It's getting late, so I'll head back now."
Just as he was about to step out, Ruan Chi suddenly said, "Have some tea before you go back. You and the Prince of Jin are already acquainted, and there are no outsiders here."
Ruan Bi looked at him in surprise, thinking to herself, "Third Uncle, what exactly are you trying to do?"
However, since he had spoken, as a junior, there was no reason to embarrass him in front of outsiders, so he could only reply in a low voice, "Yes, Third Uncle," and sit down on a chair by the wall.
Xiuping placed the tea on the coffee table next to her and gave her a rather apologetic look.
Ruan Bi avoided her gaze, picked up the tea, lifted the lid, and stirred the tea leaves.
Ruan Chi and You De sat down, but the Prince of Jin remained standing, looking around the study and saying, "When my father brought me here, it was in this study that I met Duke Wenxiao. I never imagined that more than ten years have passed and the furnishings of this study would still be exactly the same as before..." He lightly tapped the ebony desk with his fingers, looking at the "Zhou Xing Tong" and said, "I remember that the book on the desk back then was also this 'Xingping Xing Tong'."
Ruan Bi was moved and looked at Ruan Chi.
A dark red glint flashed in Ruan Chi's eyes as he said, "Father..." He started to speak, but his voice trailed off, and he couldn't continue. For so many years, he had stubbornly maintained his father's habits, but he couldn't tell who the people in the Ruan family were, but rather the Prince of Jin.
Ruan Biwei was lost in thought. She hadn't expected it, she really hadn't expected it, that Ruan Chi's feelings for the old master were so deep. No wonder his hatred was so twisted and stubborn.
The Prince of Jin pressed his shoulder, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly laughed and said, "At that time, Duke Wenxiao told me that ebony was as hard as iron, and I was not convinced, so I took the gold knife that my father had just given me and cut it a few times."
Ruan Chi had regained his composure. He chuckled and said, "So you were the one who made the knife marks on the table leg? I even argued with my father about it, saying I was going to find someone to settle the score. Turns out it was right under my nose."
The Prince of Jin smiled slightly and asked, "Even if it is me, how do you intend to settle the score?"
Ruan Chi said, "Next time I go to the Prince's mansion, I'll inevitably take a knife and slash you a few times in your study."
The Prince of Jin laughed heartily and said, "Very well, as long as you can get past Youde who guards the gate, come on over."
Youde fiddled with the steel knife in his hand and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will protect your desk to the death and keep it intact."
Hearing this, Ruan Bi couldn't help but smile. Comrades forged in the crucible of life and death on the battlefield were indeed different. Despite his high position, the Prince of Jin was remarkably approachable and approachable with his subordinates. She had previously heard that he was only twenty-two years old and yet already the commander of the Xingping Army, assuming it was due to his background. Now, it seemed he was truly a man of great wisdom and courage.
Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Prince Jin ask, "Fifth Miss, are you bored listening to this?"
Ruan Bi looked up in surprise and said, "It's not boring, Your Highness. Why do you ask that?"
"I saw the girl staring blankly at the teacup and thought she was bored."
Ruan Chi, who was standing next to him, had a sudden thought and looked at the Prince of Jin thoughtfully.
Ruan Bi smiled and said, "I was listening intently."
Youde noticed something amiss. When had the prince ever talked so much nonsense about a woman's background? He blinked at Ruan Bi, then dismissed the thought that had just crossed his mind. How could the prince possibly like this skinny little girl? The two beautiful concubines the emperor had recently given to the prince were much better looking and had better figures than her, yet the prince barely paid them any attention, let alone a little girl.
The Prince of Jin thought for a moment and finally found another topic. "The dumplings that the young lady made that day were very delicious, and I haven't thanked her in person yet."
Youde was so shocked his jaw almost dropped. "Your Highness, you don't mean to remember a bowl of noodles for so long, and you even have to thank me in person?"
Ruan Chi was secretly alarmed. What kind of dough balls were they? What was the story behind them? He would have to find out another day.
"It's a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. If it weren't for the prince's guards accompanying me, that family might not have been willing to let me stay overnight. Speaking of which, I haven't even thanked the prince yet." Ruan Bi saw Ruan Chi's eyes gleaming and thought to herself, "Your Highness, Prince Jin, don't be like Luo Youde with your big mouth."
Youde glared at him, thinking to himself, "What an impolite little girl! The prince thanked her, and she actually said, 'It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning.' She should have been trembling with fear and saying, 'This humble woman is overwhelmed with gratitude.'"
"How did you make these dumplings, young lady? Even the chefs in my palace can't make them."
Everyone present was astonished.
Youde felt like he was about to vomit blood and die. The Prince of Jin, whom he regarded as a great god, actually cared about how dough balls were made.
Ruan Chi looked at Ruan Bi, then at the Prince of Jin, his gaze intense.
Ruan Bi suppressed her surprise and said cautiously, "I was just being reckless that day. Perhaps the prince was so hungry that he thought it tasted delicious."
Looking at her cautious expression, the Prince of Jin found it rather uninteresting. After a moment of silence, he said, "That's also possible." His interest waned, and his voice became cold.
The room was silent; Youde and Ruan Chi had not yet recovered from their shock.
The setting sun dyed the window paper a bright red. Ruan Bi stood up decisively, bowed and said, "Your Highness, Third Uncle, it's getting late, I'll take my leave now."
Ruan Chi looked at the Prince of Jin and, seeing that he remained silent, waved his hand and said, "Alright, you may go."
Ruan Bi quickly walked out of Xiangmu Xiaozhu, and only after she had walked a distance away did she exhale a breath.
I wasn't mistaken just now; the Prince of Jin is interested in her, which is definitely not a good thing.
In ordinary families, marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. Moreover, given his status as the emperor's younger brother and the empress dowager's second son, these two supreme rulers would naturally choose a noblewoman of impeccable character for him—not only for the sake of Prince Jin's reputation, but also for the sake of the imperial family's reputation.
Given her awkward background and involvement with the current Left Chancellor, she was far from having a clean family history and could never become his primary wife. Even if the Prince of Jin liked her and spoke to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, she might only be granted the title of concubine.
The so-called concubine was actually just a mistress, which was the last thing Ruan Bi wanted to see.
The Great Zhou Dynasty strictly adhered to the rites and regulations, with a significant disparity in status between wives and concubines. Wives were the heads of concubines, maids, and children, and concubines served wives as wives served their parents-in-law. If a wife beat a concubine, her crime was reduced by two degrees; if a concubine injured a wife, her crime was increased by one degree. Moreover, once a woman became a concubine, she could no longer be a wife. To treat a concubine as a wife was a violation of the law, punishable not only by beatings but also by a divorce decree from the government.
Therefore, although the Prince of Jin was a good man, he was too dangerous for Ruan Bi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
