The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort

Li unexpectedly stood out, smiling politely, “Bring him to the patrol station[3].”

[3] Xunbufang ( 巡捕房 ) – it refers to the police station in olden times.

Jiang Ruan took a quick glimpse at Xuan Li- he appeared coincidentally today, was it because he wanted her to be grateful to him?

Jiang Su Su immediately felt panic as she naturally understood what had happened with Zhou Da.
If he landed in the patrol guards’ hands, Zhou Da would expose the person behind the scenes.
At that time, what could she and Xia Yan do?

While she was thinking, Jiang Ruan had already walked in front of Zhou Da, who was being subdued.
She bent forward slightly so her eyes were level with Zhou Da’s, then gently said, “Young Master Zhou, I heard that the patrol station has one thousand ways of torture, every method making a person feel better off dying than living.
This incident is complicated.
Young Master Zhou must think this through, you must not make irresponsible remarks.” With that said, she smiled charmingly at Zhou Da, her smile more radiant than the lanterns in the river’s heart.

Xuan Li’s imperial bodyguards quickly dragged Zhou Da away.
Tonight’s Lantern Festival was basically already ruined, with the unforeseen twists and turns on the boat.
So, no one had an interest in continuing the festivities any longer.
Also, because something like this had happened to Jiang Su Su, Jiang Ruan could only bring her back as soon as possible.
The boat reached the shore and as Jiang Ruan was bidding farewell to everyone, Xuan Li walked over.
He put the coat in his hand over Jiang Su Su’s body and in a warm voice said, “The weather’s turing cold and windy, take care not to catch a cold.”

The lanterns reflection added an exceptional warmth to his originally handsome face.
Jiang Su Su raised her head and looked at him, then shyly bowed and in a small voice said, “Many thanks to Eighth Prince.”

Jiang Ruan raised her lips demurely.
In her previous life, Xuan Li was warm to her, yet in this life Jiang Su Su fell into the water, so had the recipient of his concern now changed to Jiang Su Su?

Although Xuan Li was talking to Jiang Su Su, his gaze kept following Jiang Ruan.
He felt that Jiang Ruan was not willing to look at him, that while her expression was clearly gentle, he could distinctly feel her indifference.
This type of feeling made Xuan Li inexplicably unhappy.

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, and coincidentally saw Xiao Shao walking over from the opposite side.
Suddenly, she said, “Regarding today’s matter, many thanks to Wangye for helping out and defending the innocent.”

Though her voice was neither high nor low, it was loud enough to let the surrounding people hear everything clearly.
The crowd recalled the words Xiao Shao had spoken earlier.
Though Jiang Su Su was innocent, the green jade bead was something Xiao Shao had purposely claimed to help her.
Yet, there was some mockery in Jiang Ruan’s words.

Xiao Shao looked at her coolly, his expression still indifferent.
Dressed in black, his figure was tall and sturdy.
His aloof and noble aura very quickly attracted the surrounding women.
Even if they were puzzled by his actions just now, at this moment, they couldn’t care less.

Jiang Ruan felt stuffiness in her heart.
She decided to give up and turned her back to him, no longer acknowledging him.
However, she saw a young master dressed in blue walking towards them from another direction.
Standing firmly at her side, he asked with hesitation, “Miss Jiang, the sky is already dark.
I’ll order a few imperial bodyguards to protect you on your way back to your fu, is that good?”

Though this young master looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, there was some probing in his words, and his gaze held a look of unconcealed anticipation.
Jiang Ruan recognised him, he was Young Master Gu from the Commander-in-chief’s fu.

She smiled slightly with joy, naturally and unrestrainedly saying, “Many thanks to noble sir for his goodwill, if Ruan niang refuses it would be impolite.”

Her action made Xuan Li and Xiao Shao, who both still stood there, seem dazed.
Jiang Ruan’s attitude towards Young Master Gu was extremely gentle; in contrast, her attitude towards them was really not friendly.

Xuan Li not knowing why, had a peculiar feeling.
It was as if something which originally belonged to him was being taken away by others.
Xiao Shao’s dark eyes only stared at Jiang Ruan, his expression pensive.

Among the three people, only Gu Yi was overjoyed- he did not expect the beauty to be as gentle as a flower.
For a moment, he only knew how to stand rooted to the ground and smile to himself.