Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

After entering the mansion, Ah Jin Haiping withdrew, and Uncle Li burst into tears, kneeling before Ruan Wan and Lou Qianyuan, saying, "This old servant is guilty, for condoning Miss Biao's improper behavior, and for blaming his master for his own actions."

Lou Qianyuan stepped forward to help, but Ruan Wan stopped him. Ruan Wan said sternly, "According to the rules, Father should have returned to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with us today. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Father has been stationed on the Eastern Yi border. However, he will return to the manor sooner or later. Steward Li can use his status as an elder to manipulate my husband and me. When Father returns to the manor in the future, Steward Li, will you deal with Father in this way?"

Uncle Li stopped crying and lowered his head in silence.

Ruan Wan continued, "My husband respects and indulges you because of the kindness of Uncle Li who accompanied you since childhood. However, my husband's elders are only his father, the Empress in the palace, and the current Emperor. Should Steward Li be on par with these three?"

Uncle Li trembled like a leaf, hurriedly kowtowing and saying, "This old servant is terrified."

“Sun Shishi is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She actually tried to poison and murder her own cousin. Even if my husband really killed Sun Shishi, it was her own fault. My husband had no choice but to do it for the sake of the Lou family’s reputation. As the Lou family’s steward, you should have fully supported this matter. Instead, you resented my husband and me.”

Ruan Wan's tone suddenly softened. "Even so, my husband still risked being discovered to let you see Sun Shishi, just to put your mind at ease. As for Uncle Li, he moved to the estate, and my husband and I were turned away when we went to see him. People in the capital have seen all of this. Do you know what people in the capital are saying about my husband?"

Uncle Li looked up at Ruan Wan, his face filled with remorse and tears streaming down his face. This time, he truly regretted his actions and cried out, "This old servant has lost his mind!"

Lou Qianyuan stepped forward to help Uncle Li up. "My cousin's situation is beyond repair. I only hope she can sincerely repent at the Buddhist temple. Uncle Li, you've worked hard your whole life; it's time to let go and learn to enjoy your retirement."

Uncle Li wiped away his tears with his sleeve and carefully asked, "If Miss Biao truly knows she was wrong, could the young master and mistress allow her to return to the estate? This old servant will find someone there to marry her."

Lou Qianyuan said, "If she truly realizes her mistake and is willing to go to the estate, Wan'er and I are naturally willing."

Uncle Li looked up at Ruan Wan, who smiled and said, "Everything is up to my husband."

Uncle Li was finally relieved.

Inside the Seventh Prince's residence, Linglong was playing with the baby in her arms, while Yujie knelt on the ground, saying, "Princess, today Prince Lou and Ruan Wan went out."

Where did they go and what did they do?

The two went to Lingquan Temple outside the city to offer incense and pray for blessings.

Is there anything special about it?

"The two consulted the temple keeper's divination sticks, seeking their marriage prospects. They then stayed in the side room for a short while before leaving. Nothing else seemed out of the ordinary."

Linglong frowned and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Did they go straight back to the manor?"

"Yes, I went straight back to the manor and ran into Steward Li, who was returning from the estate, at the gate."

Linglong chuckled softly, "That stubborn old man has finally decided to come back?"

Yu Jie smiled and said, "It was the young master who sent servants to kidnap her and bring her back."

Linglong laughed too, "I'm curious, how could this old guy have changed his ways?"

"Sun Shishi, whom he raised since childhood, was poisoned to death by Ruan Wan. How could this old man possibly let this go?"

Linglong looked at Yujie and said, "You're so quick-witted, reminding me to check Sun Shishi's body. That Ruan Wan made everyone in the capital think she was kind, but I never expected her to be so vicious."

"The second-in-command of the gang of ten was murdered by Ruan Wan's scheme. How could someone like her be kind?"

Linglong smiled and glanced at Anle in her arms, asking, "Did the garrison commander's wife reveal the news to Lou Qianyuan?"

"I've already said that to Lou Qianyuan's face."

Linglong frowned slightly. "Then why is there no sign of anything happening? The two even went up the mountain to pray for a child."

Yu Jie replied, "The princess is aware of Ruan Wan's skill in deceiving men. Even if she knew that Ruan Wan had met with His Highness in private, she might still have been fooled by her."

Linglong nodded. "Continue the investigation. Don't miss any information."

She refused to believe that Ruan Wan wouldn't reveal even the slightest flaw.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, Lou Qianyuan personally escorted Uncle Li back to the village. When they passed the market, Uncle Li wanted to take two bolts of cloth back to Li Yuan's two daughters-in-law.

Lou Qianyuan personally selected the clothes and even made two new outfits for Uncle Li. Many people in the bustling city saw them.

On the third day of the ninth month, the Chu envoy arrived at the border of the Eastern Yi. The Great Xia sent the military governor of Qingzhou to cross the sea with him to discuss peace talks.

Lou Qianyuan has been increasingly busy lately, spending his days in the Imperial Study with several princes and important officials, waiting for Fei Ge from the border to deliver a letter.

At the end of September, an autumn rain fell all night, leaving the grapevines covered in wet, tattered leaves, and the weather began to cool.

The Dongyi people demanded that the real culprit who killed Duomuhe be found and handed over to the Dongyi for punishment.

"We haven't even found out how Domuhe died, so where are we supposed to find the murderer for him!"

Ruan Wan lay on the bed looking at Lou Qianyuan. "Didn't you say that Xia Ziru has a secret letter from the Eastern Yi emperor to Zhang Lucheng? How about using that as a bargaining chip? After all, the Eastern Yi took the initiative first."

Lou Qianyuan sighed, his face contorted in a grimace. "His Majesty does not agree to make the Eastern Barbarians' imperial edict public."

"His Majesty still wants to protect Zhang Lucheng. At this critical juncture, we can't afford to go to war with the Eastern Barbarians for the sake of a traitorous minister."

"I don't understand either. What is His Majesty thinking? Originally, no one knew. It was Xia Ziru who proposed to use the imperial edict of the Eastern Barbarians for peace talks."

Ruan Wan was shocked. "It was actually Xia Ziru who brought it up himself. Is he giving up on seizing the throne?"

Lou Qianyuan shook his head. "He's trying to save himself. His whereabouts were kept secret this time; even His Majesty didn't know, except for himself. Now that something has happened, he can't escape blame. If war breaks out because of this, he really will have no chance of succeeding to the throne."

Ruan Wan lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Could we find a powerful force to admit to this, and then find a death row inmate or something to take the blame, so we can get through this ordeal first?"

Lou Qianyuan pinched Ruan Wan's cheek. "You, you! There are ministers in the court who have made such suggestions, and His Majesty has taken them as an alternative."

Ruan Wan also hoped that this matter could end as soon as possible. The cause of Duo Muhe's death could be investigated slowly. We cannot let this scumbag provoke a conflict between the two countries, which would only lead to bloodshed.

By mid-October, the grapevines had become bare, and the maple leaves on the western hills had turned red.

When Lou Qianyuan went hiking in the mountains at the beginning of the year, he said that this maple forest would turn as red as the clouds on the horizon in autumn.

He will take Ruan Wan up the mountain to see it then.

On the 14th, Ruan Wan sat at the dining table, surrounded by cold food, and looked out the door, resting her chin on her hand.

The chrysanthemums that had faded yesterday, hanging in the flowerpot like tattered rags after a rain, were replaced with golden osmanthus this morning, their fragrance filling the entire room.

It was so strong that Ruan Wan found it somewhat nauseating.

Qiu Shuang advised, "Miss, it's already this late, the young master definitely won't be back for dinner. Let me have my sisters-in-law heat it up, let's eat first."

Ruan Wan sighed, "In the past, if he couldn't come back, Qian Yuan would definitely have sent A Jin back to report."

"Perhaps he's discussing state affairs with His Majesty in the Imperial Study and can't find a moment to spare. As long as he's in the palace, the son-in-law will certainly be fine."

Ruan Wan still felt nauseous. "Qiushuang, tell them to remove these osmanthus flowers; the fragrance is just too strong."

As soon as Qiu Shuang stepped outside, she saw A Jin running over anxiously.

Ajin stumbled and fell to the ground, rolling around on the ground, completely disoriented.

Qiu Shuang hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, "Why did you run into the inner courtyard? What's the matter that's so urgent? You don't even care about the rules."

Ah Jin ignored Qiu Shuang and rushed to the door, kneeling down. "Madam, something terrible has happened!"

Ruan Wan's heart skipped a beat, then began to pound wildly, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Qiu Shuang followed her in. "What's the big deal? Let's talk this out. Don't frighten Madam."

Ah Jin kowtowed, "Madam, please forgive me, this is truly a matter of utmost urgency."

Qiu Shuang frowned. "Just say what you mean directly. Why are you beating around the bush?"

Ajin swallowed hard and said, "War is about to break out. The Dongyi have killed the envoys from Chu and Daxia. The heads of the two lords are hanging on the banks of the Wudu River. And suddenly, Chu is pressing in with a large army."

Ruan Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought something had happened to Lou Qianyuan. When she came to her senses, Ruan Wan stood up and asked, "What did you say?"

"War is about to break out, madam."

Ruan Wan ran over and pulled A Jin up, asking, "Why is the Chu Kingdom sending troops to invade our borders?"

"I don't know that."

"Is the young master still in the palace?"

Ah Jin, with a mournful face, said, "Young Master is trapped in the palace. His Majesty has sent men to surround the Seventh Prince's residence."

Ruan Wan's mind raced. "Why is that?"

"I don't know either. I was waiting outside the palace when I saw the head eunuch, Eunuch Zhang, rushing out beside the Emperor. Immediately afterward, the Imperial Guards left the palace. I sensed something was wrong and followed them, only to find out they were going to the Seventh Prince's residence. That's why I rushed back to report to you, Madam. Madam, please think of something quickly! The Seventh Prince is in trouble; the Young Master will definitely be implicated."

Ruan Wan sat down, her mind blank. Everything had happened so suddenly.

Wasn't it the State of Chu that allied with the Great Xia? Why is the Great Xia now facing attacks from both sides?

Was the marriage alliance just a sham?

Xia Changfeng is unlikely to risk betrayal. Given the current situation, he is the most likely candidate to succeed to the throne. Even if he were to join the State of Chu, he would only end up as a vassal state.

This is not a worthwhile approach, and the emperor should be able to understand that.

Could it be that the emperor went to capture Linglong? If so, what is the current situation of Princess Chang Le, who is in an enemy country?

My aunt is in the palace right now, and she must be so anxious that she doesn't know what to do.

Ruan Wan asked, "Are there any Imperial Guards coming to our house?"

Ah Jin shook his head. "On my way back, I didn't see any soldiers coming towards our house."

Ruan An felt slightly relieved and instructed, "A Jin, you continue to wait outside the palace gates for the young master to come out. Have Hai Ping keep watch outside the Seventh Prince's residence and report back immediately if there is any news. Also, have Chao Sheng guard the front gate and Sha Bai guard the back gate and report back promptly if there is any news."

After Ah Jin left, Qiu Shuang asked, "Miss, should we go back and ask the master for help?"

Ruan Wan shook her head. "Father is still observing mourning and cannot go out, so there shouldn't be any problems for the time being. If it were really the case again, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion would have been surrounded long ago."

There's no way anything will happen. The Duke of Zhenguo is still stationed on the Eastern Yi border, so at least the Lou family won't have any problems for the time being.

But no matter how Ruan Wan thought about it, she couldn't figure out the key point. The death of Duomuhe, the invasion of the Eastern Yi, the mediation of the Chu state, the killing of the two envoys, and the invasion of the Chu army—how were these fragments connected?

"Miss, the young master is back."

Ruan Wan looked up and saw that Lou Qianyuan had indeed returned. Ruan Wan hurriedly went to greet him, "What happened? Why did the State of Chu betray us?"

Lou Qianyuan glanced at Qiu Shuang. "Is there any food? I'm starving."

"I'll have the kitchen prepare it right away," Qiu Shuang said hurriedly as she ran off.

Lou Qianyuan led Ruan Wan back into the room, and after sitting down, he looked at her with a puzzled expression. "How did you know? This news only recently reached the palace."

"It was Ah Jin who ran back to tell me," Ruan Wan suddenly realized. How did Ah Jin know such top-secret information?

Ruan Wan looked towards the door. "Where's A Jin? Why didn't A Jin come back with us?"

"Ah Jin is at the outer gate, this is the inner courtyard, what happened to Ah Jin?"

Ruan Wan cautiously tugged at Lou Qianyuan's collar, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "How did A Jin know about this? He's waiting outside the palace gates. Could A Jin possibly..."

Lou Qianyuan laughed and said, "It must have been Eunuch Zhang who told him. Ajin and Amu are both Eunuch Zhang's godsons."

Ruan Wan breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that A Jin was some kind of spy who had been hiding around Lou Qianyuan for so many years.

Ruan Wan looked at Lou Qianyuan and said, "Tell me quickly, what exactly happened? Why did the Chu Kingdom rebel, and why was the Seventh Prince's residence surrounded by the Imperial Guards?"

To everyone's surprise, Lou Qianyuan shook his head. "I don't know. It all happened so suddenly. The entire court is in shock."

Lou Qianyuan suddenly frowned. "But our Emperor doesn't seem too shocked. He only ordered Changfeng to stay in the palace for the time being and sent the Imperial Guards to seal off Changfeng's residence."

"Then why did you come back so late? Weren't you discussing this matter in the Imperial Study?"

Just then, Qiu Shuang brought in the food. Lou Qianyuan dismissed Qiu Shuang and shoveled down several mouthfuls of rice. "I was summoned to my aunt's palace, and I was only just released from the palace."

Seeing how he was wolfing down his food, Ruan Wan ladled out a bowl of soup and handed it to Lou Qianyuan, saying, "Eat slowly. Why didn't your aunt prepare dinner for you in the palace?"

Lou Qianyuan took a sip of soup and swallowed the food in his mouth with difficulty. "Aunt didn't say a word all night, and her face was ashen. She must have been devastated."

Still, she knew nothing. Ruan Wan looked at Lou Qianyuan with a worried expression, "Is war really going to break out?"

Lou Qianyuan stopped what he was doing and sighed, "It's almost certain, but my father has been transferred away from the Chu-Xia border, and I'm afraid that others won't be able to handle the Chu army."

Ruan Wan suddenly realized something and excitedly grabbed Lou Qianyuan's arm, "The Chu Kingdom's alliance was a sham from the beginning, just to lure Father away, then take the opportunity to kill Duomuhe, provoke a conflict between the Dongyi and Daxia, and then take the opportunity to send a large army to invade the border."

Lou Qianyuan remained calm, looking at Ruan Wan and saying, "The ministers also suspect this, but now that the army is already pressing in, knowing this is of no use."

Ruan Wan immediately deflated. Indeed, she knew this was a scheme by the State of Chu, and there was nothing she could do to change the situation.

That night, Lou Qianyuan tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. He vaguely felt that His Majesty had always known.

Then why did Your Majesty send Father to the border of the Eastern Barbarians? Father has been stationed on the border of Xia and Chu for many years and is not good at naval warfare.

Lou Qianyuan turned to the side and looked at Ruan Wan, who was fast asleep beside him. He prayed in his heart that nothing else would happen. He and Ruan Wan had finally managed to get married.

Suddenly, Ruan Wan, who was beside him, frowned and muttered to herself, her hands grasping at something in the air.

It seems she had too much trauma and was having nightmares. Lou Qianyuan held Ruan Wan's hand and gently stroked her forehead with his other hand. It seemed she had a terrible nightmare, as he couldn't smooth her forehead.

In my dream, corpses littered the fields, smoke filled the air, and snow began to fall on the desolate plains.

The scene was filled with stark white bones, broken limbs and mutilated legs piled together, and cries of agony and screams echoed incessantly in my ears.

Countless arrows flew towards her from the sky, and countless soldiers fell around her, but Ruan Wan could not see their faces clearly.

Ruan Wan wanted to save them, but no matter how much she shouted, the war seemed unlikely to stop.

In the end, she was left all alone, walking amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Suddenly a hand reached out from the pile of corpses, followed by countless other hands, all seemingly pleading with Ruan Wan to lend them a hand.

Or perhaps they wanted to drag Ruan Wan into the endless abyss of hell as well.

When Ruan Wan woke up from her dream, Lou Qianyuan was no longer by her side, and the bed was already cold.

Ruan Wan sat on the edge of the bed, unable to calm down for a long time. The dream from last night was still vivid in her mind and she had not forgotten it.

Ruan Wan was vaguely worried. Could this not be a dream, but some kind of dangerous prophecy?

Ruan Wan suddenly felt a pang of panic, and her chest ached in waves.