Part 1: A Dream Within A Dream / Rebirth of Ill Fated Concubine

Chapter 053 Conspiracy

Lu Zhu raised her head: "If she wants to harm the young lady, we don't have to worry about anything. If they really take action, the second young lady will suffer. This is called retribution."

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: "You did a good job." 

She had a new understanding of Lu Zhu. At first, she saw that this maid dared to come out to testify for her in the manor, and she was grateful. Later, she saw that she had travelled a lot and had a lot of experience, and could help a lot. Now, day by day, Lu Zhu's ability to inquire about information in the mansion is also very good. 

She dealt with this matter today smartly and decisively, and she really had a clear distinction between love and hate.

Lian Qiao breathed a sigh of relief: "No one in Yanhua garden is kind, Lu Zhu, we underestimated you on weekdays. It's really refreshing to see you take revenge like this."

"But how did you get the second young lady's handkerchief?" Zi Su asked.

"I passed by the garden a few days ago and sent some food to the young lady. I saw it accidentally dropped by the second young lady. I wanted to send it back when I had time, but it came in handy today. This is what we call heaven forgiving."

Lian Qiao laughed, and Zi Su also laughed. Seeing the two of them laughing, Lu Zhu also laughed. Jiang Ruan smiled, but she had her own thoughts in her heart. 

Xia Yan really wanted to ruin her reputation. Even the means were exactly the same as in the previous life. This life was brought forward by three years. Could it be that she wanted to ruin her reputation again? She really doesn't know what kind of expression she will have when she finds out that it is Jiang Susu who is ruined in the end?

In Yanhua Garden, Jiang Susu sat at the table, carefully drinking a cup of lotus seed and red date tea. She was dignified and elegant, with a pure and innocent smile on her face, as delicate and exquisite as a fairy.

Xia Yan looked at her biological daughter with satisfaction: "I see that you are a grown-up girl now, and you are becoming more and more charming. I wonder how many outstanding men are lucky enough to marry our Susu."

Jiang Susu said angrily: "Mother, what are you talking about? I am not yet of age, and I am not going to see people in Linglong Fang tonight. I have practiced my seven-stringed harp for a whole month, and it is time to give back tonight."

"You play so well. If it were me, I might not be as good as you," Xia Yan said proudly: "When the time comes, recite the poem I taught you, and the ladies on the boat will definitely not be able to compare with you."

Jiang Susu smiled: "That's great," and suddenly frowned: "Big sister looks like that. When she returns to Capital for the first time, she will definitely attract attention on Linglong Fang." Although she tried her best to hide it, she finally revealed a hint of jealousy. 

Xia Yan saw it and said seriously: "You don't have to care about her. She is just an ominous girl. Your father treats her like that. How can she surpass you in this Jiang Mansion? Let's not talk about it. You don't have to worry about her stealing your limelight tonight. I have already arranged it."

"Arranged?" Jiang Susu was stunned, and then laughed out loud: "I know that mother loves me."

Xia Yan tapped her forehead: "If she can't be a help to you in this mansion, there is absolutely no reason to keep her for nothing, otherwise something will go wrong in the future. Jiang Ruan looks too prosperous. I have observed her these days. If she is not stupid, she is too scheming. Seeing how she deals with Chen Zhao's family, she is definitely not someone who can be fooled. I don't know why, she always makes me feel uneasy. Keeping her is a disaster, so it is better to get rid of her early."

"Does mother want her life?" Jiang Susu asked.

"Why do I want to kill her? She just returned to the capital, so we can't do it too obviously. But after tonight, it's impossible for her to stir up any trouble in the capital." Xia Yan said. If someone passed by, they would be stunned by the viciousness on the face of this woman who was usually gentle and amiable.

"Mother, tell me your plan." Jiang Susu stood up: "I hope she can make a fool of herself." The fairy-like girl's eyes were full of jealousy.

Xia Yan looked at her daughter disapprovingly: "It's okay to talk to you, but you must remember that after today, she will be an ominous and unfaithful person who is hated by everyone in the capital. You don't have to care about everything with her, that would be a loss of your status."

Jiang Susu agreed coquettishly, and Xia Yan sent away the maids around, leaving only a few confidants, and talked to Jiang Susu in detail.

After the afternoon, when the sun was setting, it was time for the daughters of the Jiang family to go to the Lantern Festival.

The rest of the Jiang family will also go together, but they will not board the Linglong Boat, but will enjoy the lanterns of the whole capital at the restaurant on the shore.

The coachman was waiting in front of the mansion early. Jiang Susu got on the carriage first and asked Jiang Ruan and others to get on. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan also took the same carriage with Jiang Ruan and others. Several guards of the Jiang family followed and sent them to the Yongding River. Linglong Boat was already waiting there.

Although Linglong Boat was spontaneously held by noble women in Capital, the annual expenses were actually paid by the palace. The person who paid the money was not the queen, but the imperial concubine who everyone in the palace had to respect, that is, the biological mother of the eighth prince. 

The imperial concubine was favoured by the emperor, and her status in the palace was even feared by the queen. Her family was even more wealthy and did not take the money seriously. She generously booked the expenses of Linglong Boat and Qingsong Boat during the annual Lantern Festival, saying that it was just for the excitement, and the deep meaning was unknown.

The carriage was slowly driving on the road in the capital. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan were concubines born, and today was their first time to attend the Lantern Festival. Jiang Dan timidly lowered her head and said nothing, while Jiang Li looked a little anxious. If she hadn't been concerned about Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu, she would have already lifted the curtain and looked outside.

Jiang Ruan was resting with her eyes closed when Jiang Susu's voice suddenly came to her ears: "Does big sister have any talent?"

As expected, she came. Jiang Ruan sneered in her heart, but raised her eyes and said in surprise: "I don't have anything to do. Why do you ask this question, second sister?"

"Why is big sister so humble?" Jiang Susu pretended to be angry: "Are sisters still shy? Big sister, you don't know that every year on the Linglong Boat during the Lantern Festival, the young ladies of each family must show their talents to win the first prize. If they can win, they can get the most beautiful lantern on the boat."

Jiang Ruan lowered her head and pondered for a while: "It sounds interesting, but I really don't know anything at all."

"How could it be?" Jiang Susu said: "When the aunt was here, she was proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but I don't believe she didn't teach you." Her tone was innocent, as if she was really a frank and sincere little girl, but the meaning of her words made people feel blocked. 

At the beginning in Jiang's house, everyone knew that Zhao Mei was the daughter of a military commander. She was born in a military family, but she was willing to learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting for Jiang Quan, but she was not favoured. 

And those literary things she reluctantly learned for Jiang Quan were as childish as a child who had just learned to read in front of the most talented woman in the capital. Jiang Quan favoured Xia Yan and would bring Xia Yan with him to any occasion. 

Therefore, Xia Yan's talent made her rudeness more prominent, at least in the eyes of the world.

Now Jiang Susu mentioned Zhao Mei's learning of music, chess, calligraphy and painting again, and the irony can be imagined.

(End of this chapter)

*If you like the translation, please vote and share it with your friends. Thanks for your support!*