The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 118 : A Trap

As each year comes to a close, it suddenly feels like the whole world gets a fresh start. New Year's Eve and the days surrounding it have an air of excitement and new possibilities. Here's to more laughs and good times in 2022. May this year come with good vibes and an abundance of blessings. Thank you for the endless love, we hope you have a sparkling & fabulous New Year!

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Translated by : Shl

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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Trigger Warnings: the use of a date rape drug.  

Also, the next few chapters contain the intention to commit sexual harassment/assault.

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Within the palace, the days passed in a leisurely manner. With Empress Dowager Yi De backing her, the palace eunuchs and palace maids were extremely respectful whenever they met Jiang Ruan. There were even some imperial concubines who sought every opportunity to get close to Jiang Ruan and win her favour, as they figured this would be the same as currying the favour of Empress Dowager Yi De. However, Jiang Ruan treated each one of them with equal indifference. Although she was gentle, she did not display any warmth. Little by little, these imperial concubines grew cold and plainly stopped interacting with Jiang Ruan.

Lu Zhu wondered aloud, "Miss, that Wang Meiren[1] seemed so good-natured and amiable, why was Miss so cold to her yesterday?"

[1] 美人 (meiren): lit. "beauty, beautiful person"; a lower-ranked imperial concubine.

"It's simply that she had some request. Now that she has been provoked, I'm afraid there may be trouble in future," replied Jiang Ruan.

Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue but did not speak further. In truth, Jiang Ruan remembered very clearly, in her previous life, this Wang Meiren was one who would happily flatter those of higher status and step on those of the lower class. On the surface, she was an affectionate sister, but behind Jiang Ruan's back, she was as thick as thieves with Xia Jiao Jiao. It was not only Wang Meiren. In the palace, among all the ladies of the Emperor's harem, who was pure? If any person was pure, they would have long departed for the grave.

While Jiang Ruan was drinking tea, Empress Dowager Yi De walked in, looked at her, and said, "Your father has sent an invitation. Aijia has made inquiries, and it is because your Third Sister is about to be married."

Jiang Li getting married? Jiang Ruan looked down and muttered to herself, realising that life in the palace had become too comfortable, such that she had forgotten all about Jiang Li's marriage.

Empress Dowager Yi De noticed Jiang Ruan was deep in thought, and said, "Third Jiang Miss is getting married, so naturally you must go home. Aijia has retained you for a long time, and Jiang Quan has perhaps realised this. Today, aijia will assign people to take you home, so that Jiang Quan will know his place and be content for a few days."

With her considerable power and influence, Empress Dowager Yi De had asked around and determined the exact nature of the relationship between Jiang Quan and Jiang Ruan long ago. Even if Jiang Ruan did not want to speak of it, Empress Dowager Yi De had intentions to support her. Now that Jiang Li was getting married, Jiang Ruan, as the elder sister, would have to return to the fu, and Jiang Quan would not dare to say anything about it.

Jiang Ruan thought for a while before smiling and saying, "Many thanks, Imperial Grandmother."

Empress Dowager Yi De observed Jiang Ruan silently. In the three years that they had been in close association, she had divined very clearly that Jiang Ruan was a transparent person with a gentle and moderate temperament. She handled matters in an appropriate manner, and her wisdom was far more mature than that of her peers. However, for some unknown reason, she had always felt that there was a place, deep within Jiang Ruan, that no one could access. Empress Dowager Yi De knew that Jiang Ruan's birth mother had suffered an untimely death, and this perfectly complemented her own feelings when she had lost her daughter early on. She thought, if Princess Yuan Rong had not died but instead had lived and had children, those children would now be around Jiang Ruan's age. Thus, often when she looked at Jiang Ruan, Empress Dowager Yi De felt a rare sense of tender-heartedness.