Сhарtеr 3: Peеrlеss Веаuty
Jiang Bingrоng’s fаce turnеd ashen with rаgе. With а furiоus fliсk оf his sleеvе, hе stоrmed towаrd the rear cоurtуard in lоng, swift stridеs. Веhind him, а crоwd оf sеrvants and mаids suрpоrting Old Madаm Jiang dаred not delаy, quiсkly fоllоwing suit.
Jiang Luowеi trailed behind. Неr rаdiаnt beautу аnd grасeful figure livеd up tо her reрutation аs the cаpital’s most сеlеbratеd bеauty. A hint оf schаdеnfreude fliсkered in hеr eуеs аs she еxchаnged a knоwing glаnсe with her mother.
Concubine Zhоu hаd never imagined thаt Jiаng Chuji could bе sо foolish, digging her own grave.
On such an auspicious day, not only had she sneaked out of her courtyard, but she had also caused such a commotion, even dragging down the eldest young master, whom Old Madam held in the highest regard.
What’s more, Jiang Chuji must now look as bloated as a pig. Even if she hadn’t drowned and was rescued, the Jiang family would surely be disgusted at the sight of her.
Jiang Chuji was already infamous for stealing the bracelet. After tonight, her future as the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s Manor was utterly ruined, and she would no longer pose any threat to Luo Wei’s position.
Thinking of her daughter’s glorious prospects in the Chancellor’s Manor in the days to come, Concubine Zhou’s heart swelled with excitement.
In the lake at the rear courtyard, Jiang Yanchuan swam vigorously toward the center.
He couldn’t understand how Jiang Chuji, who had accidentally fallen into the water, could have ended up so far out in the lake. When he jumped in, he had spotted the struggling figure in white and, without a second thought, swam toward it with all his might.
After grabbing hold of her, he mustered every ounce of strength to pull her toward the shore. The lake water was icy and biting, the cold seeping in from all sides. But gritting his teeth, Jiang Yanchuan finally dragged her onto the bank.
The night wind cut through the air like cold blades, sweeping over the two drenched figures. Once rescued, the young girl broke into uncontrollable, violent coughing.
The sound of her coughs seemed to lash at Jiang Yanchuan’s already taut nerves. His body, numbed by the frigid water, was instantly filled with fury.
He couldn’t help but scold her, “Jiang Chuji, what on earth were you thinking? You…”
But before he could finish, his words abruptly stopped.
Just then, the others hurriedly arrived at the lakeside.
Prime Minister Jiang and Old Madam Jiang had rushed over, breathless from their haste. Seeing Jiang Yanchuan safely ashore, they finally let out a sigh of relief.
But before they could catch their breath, the next moment, everyone seemed to be struck by a spell of paralysis.
Beside Jiang Yanchuan, the young girl, bathed in the cool, cascading moonlight and the shimmering reflection of the lake, looked like a celestial maiden who had stepped out of a painting and descended to the mortal world.
Like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned. Her waist-length ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, damp and clinging to her back, accentuating the fairness and delicacy of her skin, which resembled mutton-fat jade. Her face was as pale as paper.
Her clothes, thoroughly soaked by the lake water, clung tightly to her body, outlining the graceful curves of her youthful form. Her slender waist, so delicate it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand, was faintly visible beneath the wet fabric, with droplets of water gently sliding down.
Her face was nothing short of peerless, as if meticulously carved by the heavens. Her eyebrows were like distant mountain peaks, and her pure eyes, still clouded with the shock of the ordeal, glistened with unshed tears.
“I’m sorry, Eldest Brother…”
Trembling like a startled fawn, she lifted her head. Her red-rimmed eyes met Jiang Yanchuan’s, and her quivering lips were devoid of color. A choked, fearful apology spilled from her mouth.
Everyone was stunned.
Even among the countless noble ladies of the capital, none had ever seen such breathtaking beauty, so pitiable and captivating. Like a lotus rising from the water, ethereal yet bewitching.
Jiang Yanchuan was the first to regain his senses.His gaze instinctively swept over the girl’s soaked clothes, then flinched away as if scalded.
He took a deep breath, then stepped forward in one swift motion to block everyone’s view. Bending down, he picked up the black cloak he had taken off earlier from the ground and wrapped it around Jiang Chuji.
The girl’s figure was now completely covered, revealing only that pitiful, breathtakingly beautiful face.
Old Madam Jiang was incredulous: “Chuan’er, this is…”
“…Grandmother, Father.” The girl still had tear stains on her face as she struggled to steady herself.
Despite having just experienced such a perilous moment, upon seeing the newcomers, she forced her weakened body to perform a proper curtsy. Her manners were impeccable, fully displaying the grace expected of a young lady from a noble family.
This was Jiang Chuji?
Everyone’s impression of Jiang Chuji still lingered from three months ago. Back then, she had just been brought back from the temple to the Chancellor’s Manor. Her skin was rough, her face sallow and thin, and she always kept her head down, afraid to meet anyone’s eyes. Her gaze was filled with timidity and insecurity, every movement hesitant and submissive, utterly lacking the bearing befitting the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s Manor.
But now, after merely three months of confinement, she seemed completely transformed. Before them stood a girl of stunning beauty. In comparison, Jiang Luowei, who was known as the capital’s number one beauty, appeared dull and faded beside her.
Concubine Zhou and Jiang Luowei widened their eyes.
How could this possibly be Jiang Chuji!
Leaving aside whether Jiang Chuji had ever been a beauty to begin with, they had specifically given her a Western Region Gu Insect that caused ravenous appetite and made one grow as fat as a pig. How could Jiang Chuji have turned into this?
Yet now, Jiang Chuji’s exquisite features and graceful figure were like a resounding slap across their faces.
“Sister, you’ve changed so much in three months.”
“I often hear the servants say that Mother took special care of you during your confinement. I never imagined she would take such good care of you—I’m almost envious.”
Jiang Luowei spoke up, clutching her handkerchief tightly, breaking the silence first. Her voice was gentle, but it subtly implied that Jiang Chuji’s transformation was due to Concubine Zhou’s efforts.
After all, Concubine Zhou had always managed the household with impeccable order, and in everyone’s eyes, her “attentiveness” toward Jiang Chuji was evident.
Jiang Chuji gave a slight curtsy: “Chuer remembers Auntie’s kindness in her heart.”
Concubine Zhou suppressed her shock, maintaining a concerned expression: “It was only what I should do. But Chuer, I recall your father confined you for three months. Hasn’t it been less than three months yet? How did you sneak out and end up falling into this lake, forcing Yanchuan to jump in and rescue you?”
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Bingrong and Old Madam Jiang, who had just begun to soften their expressions, instantly darkened again.
Jiang Bingrong stared at Jiang Chuji, frowning: “Are you so fond of playing around that you couldn’t even endure the last few days, sneaking out on your grandmother’s birthday?”
Old Madam Jiang also spoke coldly: “Sneaking out on your own is one thing, but then carelessly falling into the water and dragging your elder brother down to rescue you. If anything had happened to your brother because of you, you…”
Jiang Yanchuan took a deep breath: “Grandmother, your grandson is fine.”
Old Madam Jiang snorted coldly: “It’s only because you’re fine that I won’t hold it against this girl!”
Jiang Chuji lightly bit her lip. Lowering her head, she whispered softly: “I’m sorry, Grandmother. It was all Chuer’s fault for being thoughtless. It won’t happen again.””How did you manage to get out of the courtyard?” Jiang Bingrong asked.
Jiang Chuji did not hide the truth: “…Father, I climbed over the wall.”
“A dignified daughter of the Chancellor’s Manor, capable of such a crude act as climbing over a wall!” Jiang Bingrong wore an expression of utter disappointment, as if she were beyond teaching.
His eyes filled with disdain, he declared directly, “Since you show no remorse, your confinement will be extended by another month. Go back and continue reflecting.”
His voice was stern and icy, like a verdict, leaving no room for doubt.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuji’s eyes reddened instantly. A mist seemed to gather in her gaze, tinged with a trace of desolation.
Her lips trembled slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words and merely whispered, “Chuer understands.”
Just then, Fuling suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud, sobbing, “Master, Old Madam, I beg you, please do not punish the young lady any further. The young lady fell into the water today—all for the sake of Old Madam!”