Volume One, Chapter Two: Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

Jiang Zhinian’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Doing good deeds isn’t about seeking fame.”

“But this ends here.”

The Jiang family had once incessantly instilled in her the idea of owing Jiang Ruo Zhen, causing her to constantly ingratiate herself with the family, trying to make up for Jiang Ruo Zhen’s shortcomings.

Even the act of donating money to distribute porridge was deliberately aimed at gaining favor for Jiang Ruo Zhen.

But now, she refused to be controlled by such thoughts any longer and saw the true nature of the Jiang family with greater clarity.

The Jiang clan was somewhat related to the Empress, and in order to rise high and become a phoenix, Jiang Zhinian had been meticulously trained since childhood. The arts of a lady—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—were merely the basics; she was also instructed in strategies, military tactics, and the six classical arts that gentlemen were taught.

Jiang Zhinian had believed that only by excelling in all these could she earn the family’s approval. It wasn’t until Jiang Ruo Zhen appeared that she realized she didn’t have to stay up late perfecting her studies, that she could rest when ill, and that a simple act of coquettishness could win their smiles.

Stepping out of the inn where she had stayed, she saw a small makeshift shelter nearby.

Jiang Ruo Zhen, draped in a pale purple cloak, was directing the maidservants as they handed out porridge, her face bright with a smile. “Xiao Tao, make sure there’s plenty of porridge.”

Jiang Zhinian approached and glanced at the pot of porridge. “I’m leaving for the capital today. Will you be coming back with me?”

The steaming bowl of white porridge was filled to the brim, almost overflowing. With her generous way of distributing food, even mountains of gold and silver would eventually be spent.

Jiang Ruo Zhen turned to see Jiang Zhinian, surprised and somewhat unsettled. Today, Jiang Zhinian seemed different.

She was no longer as warm as before; now she had no mood to play the part of the affectionate sister. Her tone was noticeably colder.

“Sister, I was just about to tell you that the rice for the porridge is almost gone. We need to buy more. There are still many refugees here; we must continue feeding them for a few more days.”

Her voice and gaze were filled with concern for the refugees.

Jiang Ruo Zhen’s words were carefree, but the porridge distribution had already cost a great deal over the past few days. If it weren’t for the considerable profits from her shops, she wouldn’t have had so much money to donate.

The refugees, upon hearing this, joyfully knelt and shouted in unison, praising the Second Miss of the Jiang family as a great benefactor, a female Bodhisattva!

Jiang Ruo Zhen looked at Jiang Zhinian. “Sister, they are so pitiful.”

Jiang Zhinian hesitated briefly. If she refused Jiang Ruo Zhen now, all the refugees would see that Jiang Ruo Zhen remained a kind-hearted Bodhisattva, while she herself would become the villain.

Yet she no longer wished to make Jiang Ruo Zhen’s wedding clothes.

She could only furrow her brow slightly. “Second Sister, this visit was rushed, and I don’t have much money on me. How about this: you stay here to distribute porridge, and I will return to the mansion to fetch the money?”

Jiang Zhinian was putting it off, certain that Jiang Ruo Zhen would know to come back when funds ran low.

Ran out of money?

Impossible.

Jiang Ruo Zhen’s eyes flickered slightly, betraying no change in expression. She had been distributing porridge these past days, and word of her deeds had spread. She was praised daily, her spirits high.

Now Jiang Zhinian claimed they were out of money?

Jiang Ruo Zhen found it hard to believe. Jiang Zhinian had mastered countless skills within the Jiang household, including commerce. How could she say they had no money?

Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Zhinian was about to speak when the sound of hooves suddenly interrupted them, drawing everyone’s attention.

A convoy of heavily guarded carriages approached. At the front was a pale yellow curtain displaying a dragon emblem that shook everyone—it was the Crown Prince’s carriage!

Xiao Tao immediately put down what she was holding and hurried to Jiang Ruo Zhen’s side. “Miss, it’s His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Jiang Zhinian looked toward the procession. This year, Crown Prince Shen Huaian had returned south after quelling a rebellion. So Jiang Ruo Zhen had some connection with the Crown Prince here?

In the previous life, she had no real feelings for the Crown Prince, only a desire to become his consort. So now, apart from hatred for these people, she harbored no other complex emotions.

Jiang Zhinian’s gaze shifted to the black carriage behind the Crown Prince’s, much more understated. Yet the emblem on its curtain struck her like a blow—her pupils constricted!

That emblem was the same as the jade pendant worn by the man who had shared a room with her at the Little Banquet hosted by the Princess.

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine, her legs weakened, nearly causing her to lose balance. Nightmarish memories from her past flooded in like a tidal wave. She just wanted to leave this troublesome place as quickly as possible. Her tone grew hurried. “In that case, I shall return to the mansion first.”

Without waiting for Jiang Ruo Zhen’s reply, she turned and left.

At that moment, Jiang Ruo Zhen had no mind to concern herself with Jiang Zhinian. She watched as the Crown Prince’s carriage came to a stop and respectfully bowed.

—

Shen Huaian was informed that someone was distributing porridge to refugees along the route, blocking the way.

He had not intended to appear but then heard it was a young lady of the Jiang family dispensing food—the very Jiang Zhinian who had vowed to marry him since childhood.

Despite his mother’s lavish praise, to him, Jiang Zhinian was no different from the countless noble ladies in the capital scrambling to become his consort. Every noble daughter in the city aspired to be Crown Princess.

Jiang Zhinian’s methods were ruthless; she had fought fiercely against them all and feigned obedience to please his mother. A woman whose ambition was written plainly on her face was the most disdainful to Shen Huaian.

—

Yet disdain aside, Shen Huaian couldn’t help but be curious why Jiang Zhinian was distributing porridge here. Surely she knew he would pass through today and was doing it just to catch his attention?

With this thought, his dislike for her only deepened. But as the sound of formal greetings arose outside, he had no choice but to draw back the curtain and step out.

A young attendant hurried to support him. Shen Huaian looked up and saw a slender woman in purple robes. She was delicate and frail; the cold wind stirred her hair, brushing lightly against her chin. But it was not Jiang Zhinian.

Shen Huaian was surprised.

Behind this woman was a graceful figure who turned and hurried away. He recognized her immediately.

“Your Highness, this is the Second Miss of the Jiang family,” the attendant reminded him.

“Why does Jiang Zhinian not come to pay respects to me?”

Was she trying to attract his attention in this way?

“My elder sister had urgent matters and returned to the mansion,” Jiang Ruo Zhen replied. She added, “I have been distributing porridge here for several days. My elder sister decided to return first; it was not her intention to avoid paying respects to Your Highness.”

This explanation seemed to explain nothing. The refugees began praising Jiang Ruo Zhen’s kindness, each recounting how well she had treated them these days.

Jiang Ruo Zhen’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Uncles, please don’t say such things. Everyone here is suffering as refugees; it’s not easy for any of us.”

This scene caught Shen Huaian’s attention, and he immediately understood the situation. It was Jiang Ruo Zhen who was truly doing good deeds, while Jiang Zhinian was merely a mercenary who never did anything that didn’t benefit herself.

When no one else was around, she didn’t even bother to pretend.

Shen Huaian’s preconceptions took root, and he saw Jiang Zhinian in the worst light at every turn.

In contrast, the Second Miss of the Jiang family before him was fair and gentle, kind at heart. His tone softened as he exchanged a few words with Jiang Ruo Zhen.

Elsewhere, within the black carriage, the person inside listened to whispered remarks and paused while stroking a jade pendant. “Jiang Zhinian?”

Blue smoke curled from the intricately carved incense burner inside. Lu Junyan raised his slender hand and slightly lifted the curtain as if wanting to see clearly outside. Yet following his hand revealed that his handsome face was bound with a plain silk band, completely covering his eyes.

The cold wind swept in, unraveling the silk band. A strong light struck his eyes, and it seemed he caught sight of a pale moon-colored silhouette.