Chapter 86 - Upset (1/2)

On the way back to the fu, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi did not speak a single sentence. Even though they had numerous doubts in their hearts, they did not ask about them.

Jiang Ruan gently rested her head against the carriage’s window and closed her eyes. She was unable to conceal the blue-black colour of fatigue below her eyes.

Today, she had purposely guided Hui Jue. However, tomorrow if or when Hui Jue decided to carry out this plan, it would depend on his boldness. The more daring he was, the more benefits he would be able to reap from this game.

In her previous life, Jiang Ruan remembered that after three days, the rain which had gradually reduced suddenly started pouring again. Bo Chang reservoir was originally the capital’s largest reservoir. For those few days, under Xuan Li’s governance, it had generally been safe and well. However, storms may arise even in a clear sky[1], Bo Chang reservoir suddenly collapsed in the early morning three days later. The flood level that was rising became a mighty torrent in an instance. None of the residents living in the residential area close to the reservoir managed to survive, and the whole area surrounding the reservoir became a vast expanse of water.

[1] Tiān yǒu bùcè fēngyún ( 天有不测风云 ) : unexpected/ unpredictable circumstance.

At that time, although it had happened under Xuan Li’s management, the Emperor did not severely punish him as he factored in Xuan Li’s merits in curbing the water level previously. Furthermore, it was a natural disaster, not due to manpower. It was only after that, when Xuan Li mentioned this matter to her, his tone still held some regret. At that time, Jiang Ruan thought that he was feeling regret over the lost lives of the citizens. Only after, did she understand that Xuan Li’s real regret was actually regarding the flood burying his previous efforts of curbing the water level in the reservoir. It was truly as if success and failure both boiled down to the same factor[2].

[2] Chéngyě Xiāo Hé, bàiyě Xiāo Hé ( 成也萧何，败也萧何 ) – lit. raised up by Xiao He, cast down by Xiao He (idiom), alluding to Han Xin 韓信｜韩信 being made Grand General 大將軍｜大将军 / fig. a situation where one’s success and failure are both due to the same factor.

The wheel of fate rotated with a loud bang and in the blink of an eye, that day had arrived. In the past life, Xuan Li had merely had his previous merits erased- it was an unintentional failure. In this life, just like what Hui Jue had said, the reservoir would collapse and Xuan Li, being overly suspicious, would definitely think that it was one of his enemies’ schemes to steal his merit. Xuan Li was someone who took responsibility for his own actions, therefore the more sincere Hui Jue was, the more annoyed Xuan Li would be. He would definitely not listen to Hui Jue’s advice and even punish Hui Jue in the name of deceiving people.

On the day when the reservoir did actually collapse, Xuan Li’s actions would be seen as deliberate. Jiang Ruan wondered whether Eighth Prince, who had always cared about having a perfect reputation outside, could accept the crime of causing thousands of civilians’ lives to be lost.

Thinking of this, it was more regrettable than the last life.

Jiang Ruan’s eyes were still closed, but the corner of her lips lifted slightly. This was just the beginning.

The horse carriage drove towards the Jiang fu with a rumble.

* * *

In the alley where Hui Jue stayed, a knocking sound was heard again. The little boy who opened the door was a little confused after seeing the visitor, but he led them into the hall. Hui Jue raised his head and made eye contact with a pair of cold eyes.

The gleam from those eyes were too cold, like the unmelted snow at the peak of the mountain, without warmth. Only a patch of chilliness.

“What did she say to you?” The youth had a slender figure and his black robe with golden embroidery appeared to be shining in the dark, portraying an alluring melancholy.

“I am a monk, naturally she spoke to me about Buddhism.” Hui Jue spoke in a soft tone, and he appeared to be as benevolent as before.

“Shua.”

A sound rang out though he only saw a streak of silver light flash by his eyes, beautiful but cold, with an unimaginable speed. Hui Jue only felt that the area next to his throat was cold. The youth held a dagger to his chin and looking from that angle, he could only see the side of a face with unsurpassed elegance.

“Speak.” It was a short word.

Big drops of sweat dripped from Hui Jue’s forehead.

* * *

In the Grand Chancellor’s fu, Li Yang who had been in a coma for a long time finally woke up.

As the days passed, he had been in a dazed and unclear state of mind and would only wake up for a moment before entering a coma state again. Today he had woken up rather early, and the physician who was attending to him felt his pulse and heaved a breath of relief, before walking outside to write a prescription for him. However, he did not think that once he stepped out of the room, he would hear a “pa” sound from inside the room. A crisp sound of something being broken rang out.

The expression of the maidservant guarding outside, changed, and she ran inside alarmed. In the room, she only saw Li Yang with bloodshot eyes as he roared in a low voice, “What is happening? Why do I not have…..”

The latter words were swallowed down by him.

The area around his crotch felt empty and there was even a light breeze passing through it. He stretched his hand to check and there was still a faint pain. He was a man- naturally he understood what had happened. Panic, anger, despair, hate, all sorts of emotions swelled up in his heart. Li Yang felt that he couldn’t accept the fact, seeing the maidservants’ knowing gaze was as if he was looking at his enemy. Seething with rage, he took the nearest flower vase and threw it at that maid.

“Peng!”

The maidservant’s head was bleeding profusely, yet she did not dare to move. She gritted her teeth and stood in her original position. Li Yang, seeing the situation, still wanted to throw when he heard a low voice from outside, “Elder Brother, what happened?”

The door curtains were drawn and Li An took large strides into the room. Seeing Li An, a flash of hatred immediately appeared on Li Yang’s face. Li An looked at him with a gloomy gaze, “Why do you not continue smashing?”

Li Yang did not speak.

On one hand, Li Yang was really envious of this younger brother who had always been more talented than him since they were younger, yet had a strange temperament, because Li An’s talent showcased his own uselessness. On the other hand, he felt a type of reliance towards Li An, because Li An was a highly intelligent person. As long as there was him, there was nothing that could not be solved.

Li Yang shouted in fury, “Seeing me like this don’t you feel extremely happy inside? There will no longer be anyone fighting with you in the Grand Chancellor fu anymore! This time you should be satisfied!” When he said the last few words, his tone was more and more agitated.

Li An took a seat at the chair beside him and looked at him as if he was seeing a clown. Under that mocking gaze, Li Yang who had originally been agitated gradually calmed down.

“The person who hurt you is in the Jiang fu. If you want revenge, then you must tell me without missing out a word, the situation at that time.” Li An said.

Although Li Yang felt anger in his heart due to the way Li An treated him with a cold and belittling attitude, he did not dare to openly defy Li An. Furthermore, he needed Li An to help him get revenge[3]. He carefully recalled that time’s events and slowly told Li An about it.

[3] Bao chóu xuě hèn ( 报仇雪恨 ) – to take revenge and wipe out a grudge.

After he finished speaking, Li An asked, “Did you see clearly what that person looked like?”

Li Yang thought carefully again and shook his head, “At that time I was too drunk and did not see clearly. However, that person seemed to have worn red clothes.

Red clothes? Li An narrowed his eyes, the person who loved wearing red clothes the most in the Jiang fu was Jiang Ruan. Although he had already been almost certain in his heart that the one who had shifted the blame onto someone else was Jiang Ruan, when Li Yang said it out loud, Li An could not help but feel shock inside.

She had actually dared, in broad daylight, in a place just separated by a partition wall, to castrate Li Yang and then push the blame onto Jiang Su Su.

On the surface it seemed like an impulsive action, doing things without order. However, after careful thought, in this way, she had easily invoked enmity between the Li and Jiang family, and even harmed Eighth Prince’s power without batting an eyelid. It was really a good scheme which killed two birds with one stone.

No, it should be killing three birds with one stone, as it could also make Jiang Su Su unlucky.

Li An laughed, she was truly interesting.

“Do you know who she is?” Li Yang saw Li An’s expression and hurriedly asked. Over the days that he laid in a dazed state, even when he was sober he didn’t know what exactly had happened. He only had his mind set on torturing the person who had harmed him to this extent, determined to make her pay for her actions!

“Eldest Jiang Miss pushed the blame onto Second Jiang Miss.” Li An didn’t intend to hide it from him and directly told him the perpetrator’s name.

Eldest Jiang Miss? Li Yang frowned, when he went to the Jiang fu, he had wanted to see both the Jiang sisters. However, he had only seen the Jiang Su Su of unrivalled beauty and elegance, yet did not manage to see Jiang Ruan’s appearance. Hearing Li An’s words, Li Yang spoke with determination, “This cheap person! Why did she want to do this?”

“Naturally she has her own plans, Elder Brother was only unlucky by coincidence and thus became the victim in this situation.” Li An did not feel any heartache for his elder brother’s situation, instead, he spoke with a tone of nonchalance. This made Li Yang feel even more depressed inside.

“I must kill her!” Li Yang gritted his teeth and opened his mouth, “This cheap person, I must make her life a living hell!”

“She is mine.” Li An interrupted his words, “You better behave yourself.” Such an interesting prey, such a clever young woman, how could he allow Li Yang to recklessly ruin[4] her. He would, as if playing with a beast trapped in a cage, slowly extract her talons and fangs, and let her witness her family dying tragically in front of her. . The expression of horror and indignation on the face that always smiles gently would surely be very touching. She would beg for mercy, cry all her tears, and he would little by little crack her straightened backbone, making her moan bitterly and kiss the tip of his toes.

[4] Bào tiǎn tiān wù ( 暴殄天物 ) – to waste natural resources recklessly.