Chapter 208: If Not Her, Then Whose?
Even though she was an Imperial Concubine in the Imperial Harem, she was ultimately just the Emperor’s concubine, powerless and without influence, so she was naturally polite to Jiang Ruanxi.
“Consort Yan.” Jiang Ruanxi called out, instinctively looking toward her waist.
It was a piece of translucent warm jade that looked extremely valuable.
The jade pendant collided with the tassel, producing a crisp and pleasing sound.
Consort Yan had no prior relationship with her and merely nodded slightly before leaving.
Yushui noticed her unusual behavior and asked, “Crown Princess, is there something wrong with Consort Yan?”
“It’s nothing, let’s go back first.”
Jiang Ruanxi always felt that the matter was not as simple as she thought.
Upon returning to the courtyard, Jiang Ruanxi sent someone to investigate the matter.
In the evening, when the investigator returned, Wei Chang happened to arrive at the courtyard.
“Crown Princess, Third Master Jiang once went to Mobei.”
Jiang Ruanxi understood; it seemed these two really did have a private relationship?
Jiang Ruanxi immediately became interested. “Oh, could it be that Third Master Jiang has some past with Consort Yan?”
The person said, “Yes, back when Third Master Jiang was not yet an Imperial Merchant, His Majesty sent him to Mobei to investigate local customs. There, Third Master Jiang met Consort Yan.”
Jiang Ruanxi frowned. Among the young masters of the Jiang Family, Jiang Kui never married in his life, while Jiang Changjun and Jiang Linlei married early.
Only Jiang Rui had yet to marry.
Over these years, there had been no shortage of marriage proposals for him, but none caught Jiang Rui’s eye.
She thought he had grown accustomed to a life of celibacy, but now it seemed he had someone in his heart.
Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes flickered. “In that case, we must inform Consort Yan of the matters in the Imperial Palace.”
If she truly liked Jiang Rui, she would surely make a move, and then they would catch them red-handed…
This time, even if Emperor Qin awoke, he could not save him.
After all, no one wanted to wear a cuckold’s hat on their head.
“This subordinate understands.”
After the guards left, Wei Chang frowned. “Are you sure it’s Consort Yan?”
“What’s wrong? Does Your Highness think someone else is involved?”
Wei Chang pursed his lips. “It’s not that there’s really something off. Logically speaking, it seems true, but I always feel something is wrong.”
Jiang Ruanxi smiled. “That bell sound is exactly what I heard at the time, and Consort Yan has it now. If it’s not hers, whose is it?”
Wei Chang knew this made sense, but he still felt something was off, though he couldn’t pinpoint it.
“Then we’ll do as you say.” Wei Chang could only set aside his doubts and not overlook any possibility.
The next evening.
The guards brought news. “Crown Princess, Consort Yan has gone to Tianming Pavilion.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes lit up. “You all follow me to Tianming Pavilion.”
Soon, they arrived at the brightly lit Tianming Pavilion.
Seeing her, Jiang Kui took a sip of tea, glanced at them coldly, and said indifferently, “Crown Princess, what brings you to my Tianming Pavilion so late at night?”
“Imperial Advisor, your Tianming Pavilion is harboring someone involved in disturbing the palace. We need to go in and arrest her.”
After speaking, Jiang Ruanxi headed inside, but after one step, she was blocked by several men in black.
“Imperial Advisor, what is the meaning of this?” Jiang Ruanxi said coldly.
“Tianming Pavilion is my place. Even if His Majesty came, he couldn’t enter freely. Crown Princess, you sure have some courage, thinking you can just barge in as if this were a marketplace?”
“Imperial Advisor, you misunderstand. We have urgent business and hope you can make an exception to let us handle it.”
“What if I say no?”
Jiang Ruanxi’s tone turned icy. “Then don’t blame me for being impolite.”
With that, she ordered the guards nearby, “Men, Tianming Pavilion is privately harboring an Imperial Concubine. Search inside.”
The guards received the order, pushed aside Tianming Pavilion’s eunuchs, and headed inside.
“Stop right there, how dare you?” Jiang Kui scolded coldly.
The guards halted and looked to Jiang Ruanxi.
“Imperial Advisor, are you trying to stop us? Could it be you’re their accomplice?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Jiang Kui slammed the teacup on the table, spilling quite a bit of tea.
“Then why won’t you let us search?”
Jiang Kui was speechless.
Jiang Ruanxi ignored his expression and signaled the guards with her eyes; they all went in.
Though Jiang Kui wanted to stop them, he lacked the ability and could only watch them enter, his face turning black with anger.
After so many years in the Imperial Palace, even Emperor Qin showed him deference, let alone others.
This embarrassment was a great humiliation for him.
Jiang Kui said coldly, “Crown Princess, you’ve barged into my Tianming Pavilion today. Have you considered the consequences?”
“Heh, consequences?” Jiang Ruanxi gave him a cold glance. “Imperial Advisor, instead of making me think about consequences, why don’t you think about what you’ll say to His Majesty if we find something in your place.”
Jiang Kui emanated a chilling aura, staring at her icily, but Jiang Ruanxi didn’t care at all.
Soon, the guards came out. “Crown Princess, we found Consort Yan and Third Young Master Jiang in the same room in Tianming Pavilion.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked at Jiang Kui and sneered, “Imperial Advisor, you’re quite something. Tianming Pavilion has become their trysting spot under your protection.”
Soon, the guards brought Jiang Rui and Consort Yan to the main hall.
Before she could speak, Consort Yan knelt first. “Crown Princess, this matter has nothing to do with Third Master. I came of my own accord. Please spare him.”
This was practically confessing.
Jiang Ruanxi ignored her and looked directly at Jiang Rui, sneering. “Third Young Master Jiang, you really have some courage to secretly meet His Majesty’s woman in the Imperial Palace.”
Jiang Rui pursed his lips in silence. Consort Yan slowly moved in front of her. “Crown Princess, this matter truly has nothing to do with Third Master. We were just…”
“Whether it does or not isn’t for Consort Yan to decide. With His Majesty gravely ill, not only do you fail to attend to the sick as an Imperial Concubine, but you also lack self-restraint. Come, take them away.”
Consort Yan’s heart turned to ashes. Looking at Jiang Rui, her eyes full of apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would turn out like this…”
After Consort Yan was dragged away, Jiang Ruanxi looked at the still calm Jiang Rui with a smile in her eyes. “Third Young Master Jiang, do you have anything to say?”
“The innocent are innocent, the guilty are guilty. I have nothing to say.”
“According to Third Young Master Jiang, I’ve wronged you, and you didn’t secretly meet with an Imperial Concubine?”
Jiang Ruanxi sneered. “Or does Third Young Master Jiang think we’re all blind? Wasn’t that just now Consort Yan?”
