The maidservants were chatting and laughing in the courtyard, but inside the room, it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
"Miaoshan said you burned someone to death."
Wen Jiao froze for a moment, then immediately shook her head in denial, her voice slightly urgent. "I didn't! Miaoshan is lying! Please don't believe her, Cousin!"
Miaoshan couldn't say who Wen Jiao had burned to death.
Besides, Wen Jiao was merely a girl of sixteen or seventeen. Even if she were bold, she had neither the motive nor the courage to kill.
Song Langyu hadn't believed Miaoshan's words anyway—he had only asked casually.
"You have a poisoned needle hidden in your ring?" Song Langyu's gaze fell on Wen Jiao's hand.
Her fingers were slender, and a plain silver ring adorned her index finger.
"Would you let me take a look at the ring, Cousin?"
Wen Jiao seemed somewhat hesitant, gently twisting the ring as her almond-shaped eyes brimmed with unease. After a long moment, she finally slipped the ring off and handed it to Song Langyu.
"This is a keepsake my mother left me…"
It was nothing more than an ordinary silver band, devoid of any ornamentation, covered in fine scratches from wear.
Song Langyu recalled that Wen Jiao had lost her mother at a young age, and that she must wear this ring often. A faint, subtle trace of pity stirred within him.
The band was very thin—too thin to conceal a silver needle, and there was no hidden mechanism. Song Langyu returned the ring to Wen Jiao and said, "Miaoshan refuses to reveal who's behind her, so she's lashing out with wild accusations. You needn't worry."
Knowing that Miaoshan had regained consciousness, Wen Jiao had already swapped out her ring. The silver band she wore today was one she'd bought casually off the street. She claimed it was her late mother's keepsake, and Song Langyu would most likely not take it.
And even if he did, she wasn't afraid—Miaoshan hadn't gotten a clear look at her ring that day anyway. This matter simply couldn't be verified.
"Miaoshan has harmed so many people—Cousin, you absolutely must not let her off!" Wen Jiao said through gritted teeth.
Song Langyu's brow relaxed somewhat as he instructed, "I'll handle the matter of Miaoshan. While you recover from your injuries, avoid excessive worry and refrain from spicy or cold foods."
After Song Langyu left, the smile on Wen Jiao's face faded somewhat. She traced the rim of her white porcelain cup, lost in thought.
Because she had taken a whip for Song Xiangyu, Song Langyu's attitude toward her had shifted considerably. It would be much more convenient for her to come and go from Changpu Courtyard now—but where was that secret letter hidden?
Today, Song Xiangyu had mentioned that with the weather warming up, Madam Wu wanted to make two new garments for Song Langyu and had sent Song Xiangyu to his room to fetch two old ones for measurements. But the maidservants at Changpu Courtyard had blocked her from entering the bedchamber. No matter how Song Xiangyu pleaded, they wouldn't let her in.
Was the secret letter hidden in Song Langyu's bedchamber?
Wen Jiao's injury took half a month to heal, leaving a faint pink scar on the skin of her forearm. The imperial physician had prescribed medicine to be applied twice daily to the wound, but her daily routine had already returned to normal.
That day, the old matriarch of the Right Vice Minister of Justice's household was celebrating her birthday. Madam Wu brought Song Xiangyu and Wen Jiao along to offer congratulations. The three sat in the carriage, and Madam Wu examined Wen Jiao's wound closely, saying, "You must apply the medicine on time every day. Don't be afraid of the trouble."
She added, "I mentioned Young Master Yang of the Yang family to you before—he'll be there today as well. Take a good look at him. If you find him satisfactory, I'll make the arrangements for you and settle the engagement."
With everything already weighing on her mind, now this Young Master Yang had to appear out of nowhere. Wen Jiao felt her scalp prickle. She was about to refuse when the carriage came to a stop. Fearing that outsiders might overhear, she swallowed her words, but inwardly she was determined to sabotage this marriage.
Minister Yang's official career was smooth, and he was well-liked. Today was also the eightieth birthday of Old Madam Yang. The entrance was bustling with people coming and going. Madam Wu and her party were led to the opera pavilion to pay respects to Old Madam Yang, and they had just taken their seats to watch the opera.
Not long after they sat down, Madam Wu was invited by Lady Yang to have tea and chat. As soon as Madam Wu left, a maidservant of the household came over and invited Wen Jiao to take a stroll in the garden.
Song Xiangyu winked at her. "Be careful, and see if those flowers catch your eye."
Passing through the corridor and entering the garden, the path the maidservant led them on grew increasingly secluded. Wen Jiao sensed something amiss and stopped, asking in a crisp voice, "May I ask which noble person has invited me here?"
The maidservant did not answer, only telling her to follow. Wen Jiao knew something was wrong and turned to run back, but her forehead bumped into a "wall of flesh."
"I don't eat people, little cousin, why are you running?"
Wen Jiao recognized who it was, took two steps back, and raised a smile. "Commander, why are you here?"
The maidservant who had been leading the way had long since disappeared, and the place was secluded with no one around. Shen Xiao hooked the jade bracelet on his fingertip, swaying it lightly as he approached step by step, his tone lazy. "Naturally, I've come to settle accounts with you."
"What accounts?" Wen Jiao had already been backed into a corner, and the ring hiding the silver needles was not on her, making her heart flutter with panic.
"Earlier you asked me to keep it secret, but then you went and told Song Langyu yourself. I gave you the bracelet, and then you had Song Langyu return it to me. Where does that leave my dignity?"
Shen Xiao was naturally tall and sturdy, carrying the sharp aura of a military officer, which made Wen Jiao's scalp tingle with fear. Yet she could only steel herself and speak up. "Commander, you… you still dare to come and accuse me? That day, although the coachman didn't hear what we said, as soon as my cousin returned, the coachman told him about what happened on the road. My eldest cousin came to interrogate me, and I had no choice but to tell him."
She stepped forward in a huff, poking Shen Xiao's chest with her finger. "Clearly, it was Commander who was careless in his dealings. How can you be so unreasonable as to blame me!"
The two were close, and Shen Xiao could smell the fragrance on Wen Jiao, could see her trembling lashes. His thoughts began to wander, and he reached out to grasp Wen Jiao's wrist, slipping the bracelet onto her hand. "Since I gave you this bracelet, it is yours. This time, hide it well and don't let Song Langyu find out."
Because her wrist was held by him, her wide sleeve slid down, revealing a fair, jade-like section of her forearm, where a faint pink scar was especially striking.
Shen Xiao's fingertip gently touched the edge of the scar, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"Lewd scoundrel!" Wen Jiao raised her foot to kick him, and Shen Xiao did not dodge. The kick landed solidly on his shin.
It was like kicking an iron plate, and Wen Jiao's foot hurt.
"Let go of me, or I'll call for help!"
"Even if you shout, no one will hear." Shen Xiao released her hand and pulled a porcelain box from his bosom. "This is a secret scar-removing medicine from the palace. It's for you."
The porcelain box was painted with lotus patterns in gold powder, clearly a fine item. Such a precious medicine…
Why not take it since it's offered!
Wen Jiao naturally did not want to be left with a scar, and as for the favor owed, she had no intention of repaying it.
Taking the porcelain box, Wen Jiao performed a graceful bow and resumed her guise of a refined young lady. "Thank you, Commander, for the gift of medicine. I fear my aunt may be anxious from waiting too long, so I shall take my leave."
The scar-removing medicine was precious, a reward from the emperor for his merits. Wen Jiao took the medicine and left, and Shen Xiao had the feeling of throwing a meat bun at a dog—gone for good.
His heart was unsettled, and he sneered, "Suit yourself."
Wen Jiao did not stand on ceremony with him, turning and heading toward the front courtyard.
Shen Xiao had deliberately arranged for someone to lead her here, gifting her a jade bracelet and medicine—not out of kindness. Wen Jiao knew exactly what he was after, but she had no intention of provoking him for now.
He was highly skilled in martial arts, sharp and perceptive, yet his usefulness was limited—not worth the risk for Wen Jiao.
As she rounded the rockery, a maidservant approached and asked, "Are you Miss Wen of the Duke of Zhenguo's estate? Please follow me."
The Wen family assumed she was going to meet that young Master Yang, so she followed the maidservant toward the pavilion in the middle of the lake. Several people were already inside, one of whom Wen Jiao recognized.
Zhong Hui.
Trouble had come knocking. Wen Jiao turned to leave, but two stern-faced maidservants blocked her path.
When trouble comes to your door, there's no avoiding it.
Wen Jiao entered the pavilion and smiled at Zhong Hui. "I haven't seen you since we parted at the teahouse, Sister Zhong. How have you been?"
After the assassination attempt at the teahouse that day, Zhong Hui had been taken to the Court of Judicial Review, where she had implicated the Grand Princess. Afterwards, she was both frightened and regretful, and she harbored a grudge against Wen Jiao.
Though Zhong Hui was not a beauty, she had delicate features and an air of quiet elegance. Now, with resentment in her eyes and a twisted expression, she was truly frightening.
"Don't you know how I've been?" Zhong Hui started to say more but remembered her purpose today and turned to the richly dressed young woman beside her. "Your Highness, she is Song Shizi's cousin, Wen Jiao."
First the Grand Princess, and now a commandery princess? The nobles of the capital were more numerous than rats in a sewer.
Wen Jiao looked at the young woman, who wore a luxurious brocade dress and had fair skin and decent looks, though her brows and eyes carried an air of arrogance.
"So you're the one pestering Young Master Song? No wonder you have such a seductive look about you." Princess Yongjia furrowed her brows. "You see a princess and don't even bow? Someone, slap her!"
Princess Yongjia's father was Prince Ning, whose power was at its peak. She was his only daughter, spoiled to the point of lawlessness.
Wen Jiao was merely an orphan girl lodging at the Duke of Zhenguo's estate, so naturally the princess could strike her whenever she pleased.
A maidservant stepped out from behind Princess Yongjia and raised her hand, delivering a hard slap to Wen Jiao's face.
The blow was fierce—the pearl hairpin flew from Wen Jiao's hair, and her cheek immediately swelled.
Seeing Wen Jiao's disheveled state, Zhong Hui secretly gloated and fanned the flames further. "She relies on her looks to constantly cling to Young Master Song. She probably harbors thoughts of becoming his concubine. Your Highness should discipline her well today and put an end to her foolish fantasies."
Wen Jiao let out a light laugh. She raised her swollen face to look at Zhong Hui, her eyes full of mockery, and asked, "If I want to be my cousin's concubine, then Sister Zhong must be hoping to be his principal wife!"
The word "concubine" was vulgar street talk that Zhong Hui had used to demean Wen Jiao. Now hearing Wen Jiao say she wanted to be the "principal wife," Zhong Hui flew into a rage and rushed forward to slap her.
"Smack!"
Wen Jiao raised her hand and delivered a solid slap across Zhong Hui's face, the impact stinging her own palm and drawing blood from the corner of Zhong Hui's mouth!
Zhong Hui was stunned, clutching her face in shock.
Wen Jiao's skin was porcelain-white, and though her cheek was now swollen, her eyes still held a smile. "Sister Zhong, you sent poems and arranged chance encounters—weren't you trying to win my cousin's favor? And now you slander me instead?"
Struck where it hurt, Zhong Hui dared not rush forward again for another beating. She could only whisper venom to Princess Yongjia: "Your Highness, don't believe her! She's slandering me! I never had such intentions. Don't fall for her divisive tricks—you must teach her a proper lesson today!"
"Slap!" Princess Yongjia struck Zhong Hui across the face, grinding her teeth as she spoke. "Neither of you are any good! I'll deal with you later—there's plenty in store for you!"
Zhong Hui's father held a low-ranking official post. Having first offended the Grand Princess and now Princess Yongjia, fear gripped her heart. Though she wished to give Wen Jiao a piece of her mind, she lacked the courage. She merely covered her cheeks and stood there, not daring to speak again.
Princess Yongjia stepped forward and seized Wen Jiao's chin, her slender nails digging into the skin. She let out a cold snort. "You're nothing but a pretty face with no sense of decency. Today I'll ruin that face of yours and see how you go about seducing anyone then!"