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

Chapter 147 : Angst

Translated by : Mazu

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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Jiang Ruan was slightly startled, then she walked toward Xiao Shao. "Why are you here?"

"Would you really agree to marry him if you were on equal footing?" Rather than responding, Xiao Shao asked an irrelevant question.

"Yes." Jiang Ruan responded, "Why not marry into the Gu family if you can get protection while still carrying out your plan? It's just that the Gu family is powerless to defend themselves at present, and it's not the best option."

Xiao Shao looked down at her, and a certain emotion flashed in his eyes. "Would you marry if there is someone worthy of you?"

"Why not?" Jiang Ruan asked in reply.

Xiao Shao gave her a long look. Just as Jiang Ruan thought that he would remain silent, he asked, "Then, what do you think of me?"

Jiang Ruan was stunned.

Xiao Shao said, "Jinying Wangfu is directly under the Emperor, so there is no need to be concerned about established factions. Its power is strong enough to keep you safe. There are no in-laws at the top and there are no obnoxious servants at the bottom. No one will dare to bully you once you enter the wangfu as its mistress; instead, everyone will respect you. Can this family be regarded as satisfactory?"

He was serious when he spoke. He was dressed in black, and as cold and silent as the black gold auspicious beast qilin standing at Jinying Wangfu's gate in autumn. When he looked at people, his eyes were as deep as the stars that glittered brightly. His eyes were like the Milky Way in the Ninth Heaven, drowning people in the vast starry sky. Such a young man asked, "Is it satisfactory?"

At that moment, the man who was the boudoir spring dream of the Great Jin's countless daughters questioned her in a serious tone. How could she not be distracted?

Jiang Ruan was silent for a time before continuing, "So you're interested in marrying me. Why?"

"You know the situation in the palace," Xiao Shao replied nonchalantly. "Staying in Jinying Wangfu will certainly protect you."

"I'm not looking for protection," Jiang Ruan interrupted. "Welcoming me into your wangfu will provoke disaster."

Xiao Shao remained silent and inquired, "What is your demand?"

"What is my demand?" Jiang Ruan repeated quietly. She raised her head abruptly and smiled. Her smile was seductive yet brimming with the kind of irony that could be etched deep into the bone marrow. He was plainly dressed entirely in umber-black, yet it appeared as if he had stepped out of a sea of fire, his entire body seared in heat, as if willing to perish together with her.

She pronounced each syllable clearly, "I want those who owe me their lives to deliver their entire being to me. I want those who have looked down on me to always look up to me. When they see me, I want them to quiver. I want this beautiful land- all of its rivers and mountains- beneath me!"

Xiao Shao fixed his gaze on the girl in front of him. It appeared to be the first time she had openly expressed her disdain and hostility. He had always suspected that Jiang Ruan harboured a secret, but now he realized that the secret was not as simple as he had imagined. Each word in her statement resounded like a sledgehammer, resounding with strength and vigour. What kind of fate could cause her to say such blatantly rebellious words? Yet it sounded so natural and matter of fact from her.

"Now you know who I am: the temptress who causes national calamity. I'll cause disaster wherever I go."

"You are the temptress who brings calamity to the nation, and I am a thief." His robe was as dark as the night sky, and his eyes were as cold as a star, but the words from his thin lips were scorching enough to burn people. "We are made for each other."