Chapter 106: What Exactly Happened?
But apart from this one point, nothing else could be discerned.
Wei Chang held it in his hand and examined it carefully. His fingers were slender and long, his fair skin almost blending into one with the white jade.
Jiang Xuerou had seen good-looking people, like Lin Ningkun before his face was disfigured.
In Jiang Xuerou’s eyes in her previous life, Lin Ningkun was the most handsome man under heaven, but after seeing Wei Chang’s elegant and graceful demeanor, she realized she had been like a frog at the bottom of a well.
In front of Wei Chang’s noble and outstanding appearance, Lin Ningkun’s handsomeness was like that dazzling wild grass in the field.
“Madam Lin, where did you get this jade pendant from?”
Wei Chang’s words interrupted Jiang Ruanxi’s thoughts. She met his cold and aloof gaze, chilling to the bone, but with a trace of excitement hidden within, very subtle. If she hadn’t spoken with him several times, she probably wouldn’t have discerned it at all.
But Jiang Ruanxi asked strangely, “Crown Prince, do you know the origin of this jade pendant?”
“Has Madam Lin ever heard of Nameless Island?” Wei Chang did not answer her question directly, but instead asked her rhetorically.
Jiang Ruanxi did not know what he meant, but still asked honestly, “I’ve heard of Nameless Valley, but I don’t know if it’s the same as the Nameless Island Your Highness is referring to.”
“Nameless Island and Nameless Valley are not the same place, but they are related.” Wei Chang explained directly to her.
“Madam Lin resides deep in the inner residence, so it’s normal not to know some matters from the martial world. This Nameless Valley is a martial sect with many disciples. Most of them dress like ordinary folk. But this Nameless Island is above Nameless Valley.”
He then turned his gaze to the jade pendant in his hand and said faintly, “This jade pendant is the identity symbol of people from Nameless Island.”
Jiang Ruanxi had not expected that this unremarkable-looking jade pendant had such a great origin.
Did this mean that the Jiang Family or Jiang Changjun was from Nameless Island? Even if not, they should have close ties to people from Nameless Island.
Wei Chang’s fingers gently caressed the jade pendant, his tone deep, “Madam Lin, for so many years, the court has been greatly wary of the power of Nameless Island. I have always been inquiring about information on Nameless Island.”
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned, not knowing why Wei Chang suddenly told her these things, and immediately became vigilant.
In her previous life, she had always been confined to the inner residence, and knew little about matters outside the Marquis Manor. If not for the chance encounter with Bian Du, she would never have known about Nameless Valley, let alone Nameless Island.
She had thought that showing it to Wei Chang, with his broad knowledge, he might recognize this jade pendant, and then she could find out its origin and discover who had exchanged fate with her.
But unexpectedly, she had lifted a stone only to drop it on her own foot, and now Wei Chang suspected her.
She composed her emotions and pretended to be calm.
“Your Highness, this humble woman resides deep in the inner residence year-round, how could I know anything about Nameless Island? This jade pendant was forcibly stuffed into my hand by Jiang Changjun before his death. I thought it might be useful for Your Highness in investigating the Jiang Family, so I brought it to you.”
Nameless Valley had many disciples who usually hid their identities and moved among the folk, which was undoubtedly a huge hidden danger for the court.
Moreover, Nameless Daoist and Master Bian Du were also from Nameless Valley. Although she didn’t know their roles there, she could not let Wei Chang know of her connection to them.
Otherwise, if Wei Chang suspected her and branded her as someone from Nameless Valley, she would be finished.
“Does Madam Lin think the Jiang Family is related to Nameless Island?” Wei Chang asked with a half-smile.
Jiang Ruanxi’s heart tightened, and she put on an innocent face, “This humble woman does not know. Your Highness also knows that my relationship with the Jiang Family is not close, and this jade pendant was given to me by Jiang Changjun. I do not know what connection there is between them.”
She saw it clearly. Wei Chang’s eyes darkened, “The person is dead, does Madam Lin have any evidence for what she says?”
Wei Chang did not believe her, but Jiang Ruanxi was not angry and said unhurriedly, “Your Highness, if this humble woman were related to Nameless Island, I certainly would not be so foolish as to bring the jade pendant to show you.”
Wei Chang stared at her for several seconds before returning the jade pendant to her, “Of course I believe you. But since this jade pendant was given to Madam by Jiang Changjun, you should keep it well.”
The crystal-clear jade pendant should have been something one could not bear to part with, but now it was like a hot potato.
Jiang Ruanxi did not take it, “This humble woman is just a woman of the folk and does not know Nameless Island. Your Highness is currently seeking Nameless Island, so why not take this jade pendant? If it can help Your Highness, it would be this humble woman’s honor.”
“Madam Lin is too polite. This is just a token, and it is not of much help to me. If I need it in the future, Madam Lin can lend it to me then.”
With the conversation at this point, Jiang Ruanxi could not refuse further and had to take back the jade pendant.
After leaving Wei Chang’s manor, Jiang Ruanxi’s mood became exceptionally heavy.
In her previous life, she resided deep in the inner residence until her death, her heart still on Lin Ningkun. How could she have any relation to Nameless Island?
But now, could the person who exchanged fate with her be related to Nameless Island?
Thinking of Bian Du and Nameless Daoist, Jiang Ruanxi’s mood grew heavier. Were they deceiving her?
No, Bian Du would not deceive her, but he was definitely concealing something from her.
“Madam…” After coming out, Hong Ye, who had been waiting outside the door, hurried up to her.
“Let’s go back first.”
Jiang Ruanxi got into the carriage and rubbed the jade pendant back and forth in her hand, falling into contemplation.
After a while, she lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and said to Hong Ye outside, “Go now and have Shugen contact Master Bian Du. Say I want to see him.”
Bian Du had said at their last meeting that after his master passed away, he no longer lived in her courtyard.
“Yes, Madam.”
Although Hong Ye was doubtful, she still did as Jiang Ruanxi instructed.
When Jiang Ruanxi returned to the Lin Family, she had thought things would be calm, but unexpectedly, a servant came up with a face full of anxiety, “Madam, something bad has happened. A major matter has arisen.”
“What is it to make you so flustered? Speak slowly.” Jiang Ruanxi frowned tightly.
“Lin Shu brought officers to the door, wanting to take away Old Aunt. The Old Madam is blocking them, and now they are in a stalemate inside.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s face froze, and thinking of something, she said gravely, “Where are First Madam and Master?”
The servant’s face showed hesitation, as if there was some unspeakable difficulty.
“What exactly is going on?” Jiang Ruanxi scolded.
Seeing the usually mild Jiang Ruanxi suddenly change face, the servant was a bit puzzled, but with her face full of solemnity, she did not dare conceal any longer and said directly, “First Madam and First Master seem to have quarreled over Cousin Miss.”
