Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

Ruan Xiuzhu asked, "Now that you're back, don't think about running away anymore. In the year you were gone, your father couldn't sleep at night and sent people all over the country to look for you. Stay in the capital, and your father and elder brother will take care of the rest for you."

Ruan Wan nodded; there was nothing she could do about it.

Ruan Wan was already "notorious" in the capital. The incident of falling into the water made her stand out. She became famous overnight after the battle at the Third Prince's residence. Then, her marriage to the Seventh Prince was broken off, causing an uproar throughout the city.

She has also committed such an unconventional act as running away, and it is likely that news will spread that she is living unmarried in Lou Qianyuan's house and acting as the mistress of the house.

The phrase "beauty is a curse" perfectly describes Ruan Wan, a woman inextricably linked to men at the center of power; it would be difficult for her not to become famous.

Along the way, Ruan Wan pondered how to deal with the matter and recalled her entanglements with everyone.

What Ruan Wan called love at first sight was nothing more than love for physical appearance.

Just like the poem, "Last year on this day, in this very doorway, faces and peach blossoms reflected each other's redness; but where have those faces gone? The peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze."

I fell in love with your face at first sight, but I couldn't have you. I longed for you day and night, and in the end, we just passed each other by, leaving only a sigh. In the end, I still got married, had children, and lived my own peaceful life.

Looking back now, it's laughable. That's how it was with Xia Changfeng. He saw me in Hundred Flowers Valley from the very beginning.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be strange that he couldn't forget a "man" later on?

Ruan Wan is now unsure whether he loves her, this physical body, or is driven by unrequited desire.

Ruan Wan never had any expectations for the future; having lived once, she focused her life on the present.

Even if you're happy one second and die the next, it's still a perfect life—a pure existence.

If there has to be someone in her life to walk with her through life, Ruan Wan only wishes that he is someone who purely loves her and everything about her.

Ruan Wan doesn't need high position or great wealth; she only wishes that every inch of land she walks on has warmth and every view she sees is not lonely.

His world isn't his whole world, but it always includes himself. Yes, that's exactly the kind of person he is.

As she was thinking this, Lou Qianyuan's image suddenly flashed into Ruan Wan's mind, startling her. Why would she think of him?

Ruan Wan shook her head, rejecting her idea. Seeing this, her older brother asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Oh, oh, it's nothing, I'm just a little tired."

Perhaps it was because she had spent too much time with Lou Qianyuan, and had gone through life and death together for the past few months, that Ruan Wan had become somewhat accustomed to Lou Qianyuan's presence.

Back at the Ruan residence, Qiu Shuang felt quite awkward upon seeing her again. She simply said, "Miss, you're back again?"

Ruan Wan could only reply, "Yes, I'm back again."

With the Zhang family in ruins, Ruan Zhengqing had no more scruples and immediately came to Nanyuan.

Looking at Ruan Zhengqing, he did look much more haggard, and Ruan Wan felt very bad about it.

Ruan Zhengqing didn't say anything, but gently told Ruan Wan to rest well.

Most people in the Ruan family were unaware that Ruan Wan had escaped, and Ruan Zhengqing had given a strict order that no one in Nanyuan was allowed to leak any information.

It was publicly stated that Ruan Wan had only suffered a sudden, intractable illness and needed to be isolated and recuperated.

It just so happened that Ruan Wan was jilted by Xia Changfeng at that time. There was no need to find a reason. Even if she wasn't sick, everyone thought that Ruan Wan was hiding and not seeing anyone.

I stayed at home for five or six days, and everyone in the courtyard acted as if I had never left the courtyard at all, and everything remained the same.

Ruan Chenjun and Ruan Yuanyan are both married, and no one bothers Ruan Wan anymore. The courtyard is quiet, and Ruan Wan is getting a little bored with eating and sleeping every day.

That day, after having breakfast, Ruan Wan was still enjoying the cool air under the eaves. August was almost over, and the weather was still hot.

Ruan Wan heard footsteps and voices not far away. Granny Wang led a middle-aged woman in.

Ruan Wan quickly stood up. Granny Wang first bowed, then said to the middle-aged woman beside her, "Thank you, Auntie. This is our third young lady."

Aunt Xie smiled and bowed to Ruan Wan, saying, "Greetings, Third Miss."

Granny Wang said to Ruan Wan, "Aunt Li is the best tailor in the capital. Master has ordered two new outfits to be made for Miss."

There was a huge pile of clothes in the box, so what new clothes did she need? But since the person was already in front of her, Ruan Wan could only cooperate.

After Aunt Li left, Ruan Wan asked, "Does Father have any plans?"

Granny Wang said, "Miss has been ill for a year, and she should be fully recovered by now. Master wants her to go out and show her face in public."

"There's no need to make new clothes; I still have a lot of clothes from last year in the closet that I haven't even worn yet."

Granny Wang laughed and said, "In the capital, fashion changes every year. Wearing last year's clothes would be inappropriate."

If she were to make an appearance, it would definitely be to attend a banquet. As you can imagine, many people would be waiting to see her make a fool of herself. Just thinking about it made Ruan Wan feel exhausted.

On the third day, Miss Li from the family of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel sent an invitation along with newly made clothes.

This Miss Li is the same young lady who played "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" on the boat before. Ruan Wan has no connection with her at all, so it must have been arranged by Ruan Zhengqing in advance.

In the evening, Ruan Zhengqing came to Ruan Wan's room, and Wang Mama led the servants away.

Ruan Zhengqing stared at Ruan Wan for a while, then sighed deeply. "Father knows you grew up alone in the mountains and aren't used to life here, but now that you've returned to the capital, you should settle down and live a good life."

Ruan Wan lowered her head and didn't speak. At this moment, she really wanted to tell Ruan Zhengqing that she was not his daughter, and that his daughter had died the moment she jumped off the cliff.

But Ruan Wan couldn't bring herself to say it, and Ruan Zhengqing would only think he was crazy.

Ruan Zhengqing continued, "Sending you out tomorrow is only to quell the rumors circulating in the capital. Some things you can tolerate, so just bear with them for now; we'll deal with the rest another day."

Ruan Wan didn't say a word from beginning to end, and Ruan Zhengqing could only sigh and leave the courtyard.

Ruan Wan's feelings for Ruan Zhengqing were complicated. Although she had called him "father" for the past few years, Ruan Wan did not have any fatherly or daughterly feelings for him.

On the contrary, some disagreed with some of Ruan Zhengqing's actions, believing that he and his mother were not mutually in love, yet they insisted on being together despite family opposition.

But why are there Su Ying, Aunt Hua, Aunt Liu, and even maids who share rooms?

Ruan Wan was the third daughter in her family. Su Ying gave birth to Ruan Xiuzhu and her eldest sister Ruan Danchun, and Aunt Liu gave birth to Ruan Chenjun before her mother.

Ruan Wan could not understand this ancient love, and even less could she understand why Ruan Zhengqing allowed Su Ying to kill his mother, and then had children with her and grew old together.

In the past, Ruan Wan considered herself an outsider because she had taken over this body, and everything she had done before was to repay her mother's kindness.

However, after her trip to southern Xinjiang, Ruan Wan's mindset changed. In another time and space, Ruan Wan also had some blood ties with the Ruan family.

This gave Ruan Wan a headache. Her mindset had changed, and she couldn't stay out of it anymore.

In the evening, Qiu Shuang brought out a new set of jewelry from outside, which was clearly a top-quality item from the Treasure Pavilion.

Ruan Zhengqing sent over another set of fine jade ornaments. The banquet tomorrow is ostensibly for raising funds for disaster relief, and the young ladies will be auctioning off their items. All the noble ladies in the capital will be present.

Upon returning, Ruan Wan was immediately faced with such a grand scene, and she was genuinely a little apprehensive.

But the die was cast, and there was no turning back; all we could do was leave it to fate.

On the day of the banquet, Ruan Wan was picked up by Qiu Shuang early in the morning and given a thorough washing and dressing.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Ruan Wan saw no change from a year ago. After all the twists and turns, she was back to the same days as a year ago.

Ruan Wan sighed and led Qiu Shuang out. Ruan Zhengqing and Ruan Xiuzhu had gone to the morning court early, so only Ruan Wan was attending the banquet at the mansion.

The carriage traveled through streets and alleys, from the hustle and bustle of the morning market to its quietude. The Li residence was located in the south of the city, and it took half an hour to reach it.

Qiu Shuang lifted the carriage curtain, and there were already many carriages parked at the entrance. As soon as Ruan Wan got off the carriage, everyone's eyes turned to her.

Many people were seeing Ruan Wan for the first time; some were amazed by her beauty, while most were simply there to watch the spectacle.

Many people were already whispering and looking at Ruan Wan, and some even laughed out loud.

Ruan Wan naturally ignored them and strode into the Li residence, with Qiu Shuang following behind carrying the jade ornaments to be auctioned that day.

Seeing that Ruan Wan didn't seem to care at all, everyone lost interest and went into the Li residence.

The servants led Ruan Wan to the back garden, and Qiu Shuang followed the servant to the registration desk to register the items to be auctioned that day.

The garden of the Li family mansion was quite large; I never expected that the garden of a second-rank official could be so magnificent.

Ruan Zhengqing also lived in a second-rank official's mansion, but his garden looked much more shabby.

The garden is complete with pavilions, terraces, artificial hills, and water features. The landscaping layout is more like a garden in the Jiangnan region, with the scenery hidden behind the artificial hills and pavilions. It is not the kind of garden where everything is visible at a glance, which makes it quite interesting.

In the middle of the garden, a stage was set up, where a traditional opera was being performed. Below it were two round-backed chairs and a tea table, on which dozens of fruits and snacks were laid out.

Ruan Wan found an empty seat and sat down. Ever since she entered the garden, she had been constantly under countless gazes.

Some people whispered, while others deliberately spoke loudly so that Ruan Wan could hear them.

Ruan Wan's purpose today was simply to make an appearance, nothing more, to fulfill Ruan Zhengqing's lie, and that would be considered her mission accomplished.

After a while, the murmurs grew louder. Ruan Wan turned around and saw that it was Lou Qianyuan who had come over. Everyone's eyes followed him.

Lou Qianyuan smiled and walked over to Ruan Wan, sitting down directly next to her. Everyone started whispering among themselves.

Lou Qianyuan seemed completely unconcerned, smiling as he said to Ruan Wan, "I'm so glad to finally see you. I've been to your house several times, but your older brother wouldn't let me in."

Ruan Wan also laughed and said, "My elder brother and my father are troubled by the rumors about us, how could we dare to let you in?"

"You've heard the rumors circulating in the capital too?"

How could anyone not know? It was all over the news, even Qiu Shuang, who didn't care about anything, knew about it.

Seeing that Ruan Wan smiled without speaking, Lou Qianyuan continued, "I found out that it was Linglong's maid who spread the rumors."

It was obvious it was her. She was the one in the capital who feared Ruan Wan the most. She wanted to kill Ruan Wan outside the city, but I didn't expect her to have a backup plan.

However, Ruan Zhengqing had put on a complete act, and as long as the Ruan family denies it and insists that Ruan Wan has been recuperating in the capital, the rumors will remain just rumors.

"What are you two chatting about that makes you so happy?"

Ruan Wan looked up and saw that Xia Ziru had somehow ended up sitting to her left.

This man looked cunning and chauvinistic, and Ruan Wan disliked being around him, but after all, he was a prince.

Ruan Wan replied with a smile, "Isn't the Third Prince dealing with the disaster in Jiangnan? What brings you here today?"

Xia Ziru glanced at Lou Qianyuan beside him, but spoke to Ruan Wan, "Changfeng's strategy is far-sighted; the disaster has been brought under control, and a miraculous cure has been delivered, thwarting the epidemic. Now that I have nothing to do, I can naturally relax."

Judging from his appearance, he probably doesn't know that the prescription and the plan were both written by Ruan Wan.

Lou Qianyuan first stood up and bowed to Xia Ziru, then said, "The Third Prince acted decisively, minimizing the losses."