After returning from the training grounds, Ruan Jinyu left the palace the following morning after the court session was dismissed.
The news regarding Wen Zhong had spread throughout the palace, and though the Wen family had largely withdrawn from the political center, they were not entirely silenced. Such news would inevitably reach their ears.
The Wen residence sat at the very end of the main street. Few pedestrians frequented this area, and while the estate was modest, it was far from the clamor of the city, offering a peaceful life.
This time, Ruan Jinyu was not alone; Qian Qi naturally followed, and Eunuch Zhao also accompanied them to the Wen gates with Ruan Jinyu’s permission. The household had few servants—hardly anyone to even watch the front gate—so Ruan Jinyu had already entered the courtyard before anyone noticed his presence.
Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar surroundings, Ruan Jinyu realized it had been a long time since he had set foot in this home.
Grandfather Wen, having received word, hurried out of the house. Upon seeing Ruan Jinyu, a sense of weary desolation emanated from the old man. Usually tidy and composed, his white hair was now unkempt and stray locks hung messily by his temples. His gait was unsteady, relying heavily on a wooden cane for support.
The excitement and hope that flared in the old man’s eyes as he emerged died the moment, he saw Ruan Jinyu standing in the doorway. That excitement transformed into a sudden, awkward stillness, as if he were unsure whether to step forward or retreat.
In his hesitation, his grip on the cane faltered, and his knees began to buckle.
Ruan Jinyu gasped and rushed forward. Qian Qi, reacting even faster, lunged ahead to catch the old man’s elbow. Ruan Jinyu arrived a second later, grabbing his grandfather’s hands and lowering his own body. “Grandfather, you are overwhelming your grandson with such a gesture.”
Grandfather Wen said nothing, simply rising with Ruan Jinyu’s help. “Grandson will accompany you inside.”
The Wen family in the Capital was a small household. Aside from one daughter, it currently consisted only of the elderly patriarch and a beautiful stepmother. The one currently managing the household was Que-niang.
Que-niang was Wen Zhong’s stepmother. She had been out of the house and only hurried back upon hearing that Ruan Jinyu had arrived. By then, Ruan Jinyu had only managed to exchange a few words with his grandfather.
The grandfather was naturally consumed by worry. Living alone, the news from the palace had driven him to frantic anxiety. Yet, he was old and his movements were restricted; even visiting neighbors was difficult, let alone inquiring about palace affairs or pulling strings. He could only wait for Que-niang to bring back some scrap of news.
Que-niang entered the room. Though her pace was hurried, she retained the grace of a woman in her prime. Her skin was delicate, her makeup flawless, and her vibrant red lips stood out against her white teeth—a woman both charming and elegant.
“Que-niang greets the Imperial Preceptor.”
By generation, Que-niang was Ruan Jinyu’s aunt. But by age, she was only five years his senior. Given his title as National Strategist, he was entitled to receive her salute.
Ruan Jinyu did not look her way, continuing the conversation Que-niang had interrupted. “I am in the palace now. Though I cannot see Wen Zhong’s face, please rest easy, Grandfather. She will not be harmed.”
Grandfather Wen showed little reaction to the statement. Que-niang, however, gave a faint smile. “When all is said and done, the Imperial Preceptor has more authority than us nameless commoners. Zhong-er is now a Consort in the palace; those walls are high, and I imagine even seeing her is difficult. Regardless of anything else, Que-niang must thank the Preceptor for remembering his little sister.”
Ruan Jinyu rose, bowing his head slightly with his eyes lowered. In such a setting, no matter how much internal conflict he felt, his outward demeanor remained perfectly dignified and composed. “It is only right. There is no need for such thanks, Aunt.”
Ruan Jinyu spoke at length with his grandfather, but the old man remained emotionally flat, his thoughts unreadable. Aside from that initial moment of excitement, he stayed withdrawn. Ruan Jinyu felt a sense of melancholy but maintained his gentle, calm smile.
He suspected his grandfather still blamed him. He didn’t even know how to begin defending himself or how to comfort the old man. He could only state the reasons for his visit.
The patriarch remained silent until he finally pushed himself up with his cane, calling for a servant to help him return to his room. Ruan Jinyu’s hands felt empty. He stood in place, eventually only giving a few instructions to the house steward to look after his grandfather.
Que-niang remained. Now that the patriarch had left, only the two of them were in the hall.
“My Lord, please stay.”
Ruan Jinyu stopped his departure and sat back down. Opposite him, Que-niang also remained seated. She pursed her lips, starting with a pleasantry. “It has been a long time since I saw… A-Qiu.”
“Can I call you that?” she asked. “After all…”
Ruan Jinyu didn’t need to hear the rest; he knew what she was implying about their past and their current status. He simply shook his head. “My name is Ruan Qiu. There is nothing improper about it. Call me as you wish, Aunt.”
Que-niang smiled again, though this time it was tinged with bitterness. “I was only afraid that our difference in status… A-Qiu, do not mind it.”
She kept him there for a while with small talk, and Ruan Jinyu patiently answered her, sentence by sentence. Eventually, she realized the time and stood up. “I shall not disturb the Preceptor any longer. I imagine you have many affairs to attend to.”
Ruan Jinyu finally emerged from the Wen residence. Eunuch Zhao had been waiting at the gate and fell into step behind him. As for Qian Qi, he had disappeared shortly after they entered the hall; Zhao hadn’t mentioned it.
“Where is Qian Qi?” Ruan Jinyu asked.
“This servant does not know where he went, but I imagine he will return soon,” Zhao replied.
Ruan Jinyu didn’t wait. He and Eunuch Zhao began walking back toward the palace. The streets were crowded with commoners. The sun was out, and the foot traffic was heavy. Zhao, concerned for Ruan Jinyu’s safety in the crowd, suggested, “My Lord, there are many people. Shall I call for a carriage?”
Ruan Jinyu shook his head. “Let’s walk for a bit.”
He was never one to shun a bit of trouble. Rather than rushing back in a carriage, he preferred to spend this spare time walking the streets outside the palace walls.
There were many vendors. In recent years, due to political instability, taxes had increased by 20%. The people suffered but had no choice but to find ways to meet the burden. Long ago, there were strict rules against street vendors cluttering the main roads, but as people grew desperate for a livelihood, the rules were ignored. Now, the stalls were so numerous they sometimes outnumbered the pedestrians.
Eunuch Zhao’s concern wasn’t just about speed; it was about the lack of security. Since the late Emperor’s death, the main streets were no longer strictly governed. To put it bluntly, it was a den of mixed characters.
Ruan Jinyu didn’t care. He rarely had leisure time to walk the streets; usually, when he left the palace, it was for an urgent task. Having half a day to browse was a rare treat. Though he disliked noise, he found no irritation in the bustle today.
He walked slowly, looking left and right but never stopping to buy anything or lingering too long on any one sight. Zhao, who had served in the palace for years as a quiet, dutiful servant, stood a bit straighter now that they were outside.
“My Lord, what is that up ahead? There is an extraordinary crowd,” Zhao noted.
The crowd ahead was packed tightly around a shop. It was impossible to see inside, but the number of people standing outside trying to get a glimpse suggested the interior was even more crowded. The shop itself looked incredibly wealthy—decked out in “gold and jade.”
“The Gold and Silver Tower”
Ruan Jinyu identified it with a glance. “I’ve never been. Let’s take a look.”
Zhao shook his head. “No, no. I was only curious. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
“It’s no trouble,” Ruan Jinyu said, heading toward the crowd. “I want to see.”
They didn’t push into the center but stayed on the edge. A portion of the entrance had been cordoned off. As he drew closer, he heard the whispers from the crowd.
“The Gold and Silver Tower is truly honored today.”
“A noble from the palace… it’s a rare sight to see one in person.”
“Not necessarily. We might have seen her before. She’s a daughter of the Ruan family—charming and spirited. My brother once had the luck to see her.”
Ruan Jinyu froze. It was clear who was inside the shop.
How did Ruan Lianjie get out of the palace?