Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

Ruan Yuanyan teased the little prince in her arms, then looked up at the heavy rain outside. "What a blessing! It rained so soon after his birth, which has alleviated the drought in the southwest."

Ruan Yuanyan looked at the maid and said, "It's said that the Holy Maiden looks exactly like my third sister, is that true?"

On New Year's Eve, she left the banquet early to take care of her child and thus did not see the saintess's true face.

The maid lowered her head and said, "This servant has never seen them either. It's just that people outside are saying they look exactly alike, and outsiders can't tell them apart at all."

Ruan Yuanyan smiled knowingly, "Then I really should find an opportunity to see her. My third sister was so virtuous; she even died for love. I miss her terribly."

The maid whispered, "This Holy Maiden has a very high and mighty attitude. She's been married into the royal family for almost a year, and only now has she gone to see the Princess. In the palace, only His Majesty allows her to leave the palace."

"Oh, so His Majesty can tolerate her arrogance?"

"I heard from the palace maids on duty on New Year's Eve that the Holy Maiden is indeed different from ordinary people and possesses some supernatural powers."

The little prince was babbling away, and Ruan Yuanyan immediately bent down to coax him. Once the little prince was engrossed in playing with his toys again, Ruan Yuanyan looked up and asked, "Has there been any news of my elder brother from Qingzhou recently?"

The maid replied, "No letters have been sent to the palace recently, but the old master did receive a letter from the eldest son."

Ruan Yuanyan sighed, looking at the sky outside the palace gates. "It's strange, why haven't any letters from home been sent in for so long this time?"

Inside the Yaotai courtyard, Xia Changfeng looked at Xiao Yuanyuan and couldn't stop smiling. "She's so beautiful. When will she open her eyes?"

Ruan Wan had recovered her spirits and, leaning against the headboard, smiled, "It's not like this is your first time being a father."

Xia Changfeng laughed and said, "When Mingyue was born, Linglong wouldn't let me into the delivery room. By the time I saw Mingyue, she had already opened her eyes."

After looking at Yuan Yuan for a while, Xia Changfeng finally looked away. "If only cousin could see Yuan Yuan in person, how wonderful that would be."

Ruan Wan's eyes darkened, and her smile disappeared. Although Lou Qianyuan could not see Yuanyuan, at least he knew that he had a daughter in this world.

Realizing he had said something wrong and upset Ruan Wan, Xia Changfeng quickly changed the subject, "Xiao Zhu, what should we do with Rong Yufen? Although you and Yuan Yuan are safe, she was still poisoned."

"You don't need to worry about her. Just keep her locked in your yard for now. I'll deal with her myself."

The rain lasted for six days, and the parched earth was completely revived. Little Yuanyuan really didn't suffer at all.

Born in the sweltering summer, it brought a downpour upon itself, making the weather cool down.

The baby can sleep a lot. He only wakes up to drink milk and sleeps all day. He never cries or fusses.

On the seventh day, the sky finally cleared up, and Ruan Wan was able to get out of bed and walk around. The air outside the courtyard was exceptionally fresh.

Rong Yufen sat in the courtyard, looking up at the sky outside. The sunlight was particularly dazzling. Someone as gloomy as her did not deserve to enjoy such sunlight.

Lianxin has not returned since she left that day, and Hengzhi Courtyard has been sealed off. Except for Lianyu, all the servants have been evacuated.

Lian Yu kept looking outside with a worried expression. With such conclusive evidence, His Highness would not let them off so easily.

Hearing footsteps outside, Lian Yu's heart leaped into her throat. She paced back and forth in the courtyard, unsure of what to do.

Rong Yufen didn't react at all until Ruan Wan walked up to her and blocked the sunlight in front of her. Only then did she look up and smile foolishly at Ruan Wan.

Ruan Wan smiled and looked at Lian Yu, "I have something I want to say to your young lady alone."

Lian Yu looked at Rong Yufen with a worried expression and reluctantly walked out. A Zi and A Qing also walked out, leaving only Ruan Wan and Rong Yufen behind.

Rong Yufen completely ignored Ruan Wan and continued to look up at the sun in the sky.

Ruan Wan smiled and said, "You don't need to be so indifferent to life and death. Your life has been saved by your old father."

Rong Yufen's eyes changed when she heard her father's name.

Ruan Wan continued, "It's just a pity for that old General Rong. To save your life, he knelt down in the pouring rain, one step at a time, all the way from Shuntian Gate in the east to before the Emperor. He used half a lifetime of military merits and his marquis title to exchange for your life."

Ruan Wan sincerely exclaimed, "Truly, the hearts of parents are full of love and worry for their children."

Rong Yufen then looked up at Ruan Wan and asked, "Did you come here on purpose to mock me?"

Ruan Wan sneered and shook her head helplessly. "Even so, don't you think you're wrong for poisoning people? Do you have even a moment's pity for your old father? He's spent half his life on the battlefield, riddled with injuries and illnesses. Can he endure kneeling every step in the rain?"

Hearing her father's name, Rong Yufen still had some conscience and lowered her head in shame. "This is a matter between my daughter and me, you don't need to worry about it."

"Then I'll tell you something that interests you."

Rong Yufen looked at Ruan Wan with suspicion, wondering what mischief this woman was up to now.

Ruan Wan looked at Rong Yufen and said, "You've gone to great lengths, all you want is to get pregnant with His Highness's child, so you can use the child to keep His Highness's heart."

That's right, she had no other way to go but this method.

Ruan Wan continued, "But what you don't know is that you've been unable to conceive for a long time, and you'll never have any children in this lifetime."

Rong Yufen stared wide-eyed at Ruan Wan in disbelief. "What nonsense are you spouting? The doctor said I'm healthy and can get pregnant anytime!"

"Did Dr. Su tell you that?"

Thinking of Doctor Su, Rong Yufen's heart pounded. She hadn't seen Doctor Su since she was brought back that day.

"That female physician is one of Linglong's people. The female physician your father sent in was replaced by Linglong's people long ago."

Rong Yufen didn't believe Ruan Wan's words at all and sneered, "You told such a lie to sow discord between me and the Princess. Do you think I would believe you?"

Ruan Wan laughed and said, "Believe it or not, it's up to you. Once you step out of this door, find any doctor outside to treat you, and you'll know whether I'm telling the truth or not."

Seeing Ruan Wan's unwavering conviction, Rong Yufen also began to have doubts. However, she still refused to believe, "Why would the Princess Consort want to harm me? He was the one who helped me marry into the Prince's mansion in the first place."

“Linglong used the Chu Kingdom’s military equipment maps to exchange for three wishes with the emperor, one of which was for you to marry into the royal family.” Ruan Wan looked down into Rong Yufen’s eyes. “Why would a princess from a foreign land be so kind to you, someone she’s never even met?”

Rong Yufen naturally knew the reason behind it. Xia Changfeng wanted the Rong family's support for military power, but her father disagreed. Linglong did this to curry favor with Xia Changfeng.

At that time, she was rejected by Xia Changfeng, so naturally she had to do everything she could to win back his heart.

Thinking of this, Rong Yufen laughed mockingly. She and Linglong were the same kind of people, willing to do anything humble in order to crave a little love from Xia Changfeng.

Ruan Wan straightened up and continued, "Just as you don't want me to give birth to this child, Linglong doesn't want me to have His Highness's child with you."

Rong Yufen then realized, "That's why she revealed the news that you were pregnant with a boy to me, and then had Physician Su give me advice, wanting to use someone else to do her dirty work, preferably to get rid of both of us."

It finally dawned on me.

Rong Yufen's face was filled with anger. "I treated her like an older sister, and she actually schemed against me like this!"

Judging from Rong Yufen's posture, she wished she could devour Linglong alive.

Ruan Wan laughed and said, "You'd better behave yourself. Your father has lost his military power, and all his disciples in the capital have been exposed because of you. Now you can't even keep your title. If Linglong wanted to kill your whole family, it would be as easy as turning her hand."

Rong Yufen said angrily, "Is there no law? How dare she kill someone so casually right under the emperor's nose?"

Hearing these words from Rong Yufen's mouth, Ruan Wan found it somewhat amusing and said with a mocking expression, "When you made that female doctor kneel on the broken porcelain shards, did you ever think about what the law was?"

Rong Yufen bit her lip, looking ashamed, and couldn't say a word.

Ruan Wan sighed. "Considering you haven't taken any lives, I'll spare your life. Your father is already outside the manor to welcome your family."

Seeing the reluctance in Rong Yufen's eyes, Ruan Wan said bluntly, "Xia Changfeng doesn't like you, and now he despises you even more. What if there's a next time? Are you going to use your father's life to protect yourself?"

Rong Yufen stood there stunned. Ruan Wan had said all she wanted to say, and then turned and left Hengzhi Courtyard.

As Ruan Wan reached the door, she turned back and saw Rong Yufen hurriedly running back into her room. It seemed she had come to her senses.

This emperor is truly brilliant; he used Rong Yufen to exchange for Linglong's wish and Rongda's entire fortune and secrets.

Inside Qingfang Courtyard, Linglong stood at the gate, gazing into the distance with a dark look in her eyes, as if she were staring at something.

Yu Jie looked in the direction of Linglong's eyes, but could only see pavilions and towers hidden behind artificial hills and trees, and could not see anything at all.

Linglong sighed, "The hearts of parents are all the same. Rongda has truly given everything for this daughter, unlike my parents, who sent me to my death."

Yu Jie asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, Rongda currently has neither an official position nor a title. Are we just going to let him return to Xijing so easily?"

Linglong smiled as she looked at Yujie, "That old scoundrel, he didn't use the deal he made with me back then to threaten me."

"If he uses this to threaten the princess in the future, wouldn't that cause endless trouble?"

Linglong smiled as she looked into the distance, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

Ruan Wan gave birth to a daughter, and Linglong had to take care of the young girl. The emperor was truly considerate of Xia Changfeng. Rong Yufen had just left the Prince's Mansion when the emperor's bestowal of marriage was issued.

He immediately bestowed two concubines upon them, both daughters of minor officials in the capital. They were merely concubines, and were carried into the mansion in two sedan chairs.

Liang Qiaoyi, the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, has just turned seventeen this year. She is beautiful and charming.

Yao Churong, the second daughter of a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, is fifteen years old this year. She is petite and cute, with a naturally charming and innocent demeanor.

Xia Changfeng arranged for them to stay in Rong Yufen's courtyard. It was a case of "the tea grows cold when people leave," as people immediately moved in.

Ruan Wan laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid of upsetting the two girls? Rong Yufen's affair has caused quite a stir in the city. You're arranging for them to stay in her courtyard? There's plenty of empty space in the Prince's mansion."

Xia Changfeng, however, disagreed. "I'm trying to warn them to take Rong Yufen as a warning and not do anything foolish in their quest for favor."

"They wouldn't dare. Rong Yufen has Rong Da behind her. They have no background or connections; they can't cause any trouble."

Xia Changfeng asked with a smile, "Neither of them has any special background. I've investigated them, and they're not particularly scheming. Would you like to befriend them?"

Ruan Wan gently patted Yuan Yuan's belly, looking at the sleeping baby with loving eyes. "I am the Holy Maiden, I don't even bother with the Princess Consort, how could I possibly befriend two newly married concubines? Wouldn't that be a slap in Linglong's face?"

Xia Changfeng hadn't expected this. "I was just worried you'd be bored, spending all day in the courtyard."

Ruan Wan laughed and said, "With Yuan Yuan around, how could I be bored?"

Ruan Wan looked up at the sky outside. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the window, making it appear long. "The new bride has just entered the manor, and you don't even go to see her properly. Don't neglect her."

Xia Changfeng's expression was somewhat unpleasant. So much time had passed, almost a year, and Ruan Wan still refused to let him in. "It's alright, let them adjust for a few days first."

"Don't neglect them too much; after all, they are the daughters of your students."

Speaking of this, Xia Changfeng frowned. It was too much of a coincidence that both of them were daughters of his students.

She was now a little confused about the emperor's intentions—whether he was supporting him or warning him.

"That's why I dare not favor them too early. I really can't understand my father's intentions right now."

Seeing Xia Changfeng's distress, Ruan Wan smiled and said, "Just treat them as concubines, and don't treat their family members as your own."

Xia Changfeng suddenly understood, and looked at Ruan Wan with a smile, "Xiao Zhu, perhaps you are more suited to be a monarch than I am."

Ruan Wan scoffed, staring wide-eyed at Xia Changfeng. He hadn't expected Xia Changfeng to say such a thing. "I'm just thinking from the emperor's perspective. If you think about it simply, you'll understand. The emperor has three palaces and six courtyards, and the families of all the concubines are the emperor's subjects. Would the emperor treat the families of those ministers as his own family?"

"That's right. From now on, I will consider every decision my father makes from his perspective."

Ruan Wan nodded and smiled, "This child is teachable."

Three days after Rong Yufen left, Azi brought back shocking news: "Holy Maiden, the bodies of Rong Yufen and her family of three were discovered on their way to Xijing."

Ruan Wan showed no surprise whatsoever, as if she had already known this outcome. "Has the Emperor made his decision?"

Azi replied, "The Kyoto Prefectural Government's initial assessment is that they were ambushed by roving mountain bandits; all the three of them had all their belongings and jewelry stolen."

Ruan Wan sighed, "The couple came to pick up their daughter in person. If the old lady had stayed at home, at least one of them could have stayed."

Azi asked, "Holy Maiden, was it the Princess Consort who did it, or did the Emperor send someone to do it?"

"Since the person is already dead, what does it matter who did it? Besides, the Kyoto government has already concluded that it was the work of bandits."

Azi laughed and said, "Where would mountain bandits come from at the foot of the Emperor's capital?"

Ruan Wan looked at A Zi and said, "When Qian Yuan and I returned to the capital, we were ambushed and killed by bandits along the way. On New Year's Eve, thanks to Liang Feng's words, everyone already knew about it."

Azi couldn't help but sigh, "It's truly a series of interconnected events. Why is the emperor so determined to exterminate them all?"

Ruan Wan shook her head. "It's not necessarily the emperor; there are quite a few people who want Rongda dead."

It's ridiculous that the person Rong Yufen went to so much trouble to capture and bring into the palace to deal with her has now become evidence to kill her.

The existence of Liang Feng was actually a clue provided by Linglong. Moreover, Rongda initially disagreed with Rong Yufen marrying Xia Changfeng, but after Linglong visited the mansion, he agreed.

It's unknown what kind of deal the two made, or perhaps it was this deal that made Linglong decide to kill.

However, Linglong probably wouldn't dare to make any move at this moment, as there are countless former Chu people in the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty who want to kill her.

Ruan Wan didn't need to worry too much about such matters. Although she had let Rong Yufen go, she had no obligation to save her life.

All Ruan Wan needs to do now is wait, wait for Xiao Yuanyuan to grow up little by little, and wait for Xia Changfeng to unify this continent.

The next day, Liang Qiaoyi and Yao Churong were very well-behaved. They went to Qingfang Courtyard to pay their respects early in the morning, and even personally served Linglong in washing up.

Linglong was quite satisfied with the performance of the two newcomers. They were neither overly beautiful nor from good families. There always needs to be people in the backyard of the Prince's mansion. If they were these kinds of people, Linglong would not need to be too wary.

After the two paid their respects to Linglong, they went to Yaotai Courtyard to pay their respects as well. After all, Ruan Wan was a concubine. Although they were both concubines, there were still differences among concubines in this royal residence.

Moreover, knowing Xia Changfeng's favor towards this Holy Maiden's concubine, the two naturally dared not underestimate her.

The two were stopped outside the courtyard gate, but surprisingly, they weren't angry. Liang Qiaoyi even smiled and called inside, "Sister, please pay your respects here today to acknowledge the Holy Maiden."

Liang Qiaoyi and Yao Churong were about to bow to the two guards when they were startled and quickly stepped aside.

At this moment, Azi appeared at the door and said to the two women, "No need for formalities, ladies. The Holy Maiden and you two are all concubines. The Holy Maiden prefers quiet, so there's no need for you to pay your respects from now on."