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

Chapter 101 Shocking Change

After that, she said to the maid who was leading the way: "There are palace nurses in the imperial garden. This princess left in a hurry and didn't bring them. Go find a few. These two servants were disrespectful to this princess. They are extremely hateful. They will be rewarded with thirty boards."

"You, you dare!" One of the maids immediately said to the maid who led the way: "This, the matter is not clear yet. Princess, you have to be reasonable..."

"She dares not, but I dare." A cold voice suddenly interrupted the maid's words. A man in black clothes came out from the dark, with a cold tone: "The servant dares to be presumptuous to the master. The rules in the palace are too loose. Jinyi."

The guards around him immediately understood and clasped their fists: "Yes, master." After that, he flashed and picked up the two maids and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Shao turned around and said coldly to the frightened maid: "Go down."

The maid ran away in a hurry.

Jiang Ruan turned to look at Xiao Shao. After a moment of shock, she calmed down and asked as if they were meeting an old friend: "Why is Prince Xiao here?"

Xiao Shao motioned her to go forward, and walked all the way to the plum forest next to a rockery in the Imperial Garden, then turned around and said: "I just returned to Capital."

Jiang Ruan was stunned for a moment and asked tentatively: "When did you come back from Dongyi?"

"Just a few days ago." Xiao Shao said: "Just caught up." He glanced at Jiang Ruan and raised his mouth, "You have grown up."

Jiang Ruan was stunned for a moment, then raised her eyes to look at the young man in front of her.

The phrase "grown up" feels a bit strange when used to describe her who has lived two lives. But the traces left by time on the man in front of her, compared to three years ago, only made him more fascinating.

Jiang Ruan looked away and said, "Prince Xiao, you are too kind."

Xiao Shao's lips curled up, and there was a little smile in his eyes. He didn't know whether he was relieved or really happy for her. He said, "Now you are a princess. Have you got what you want?"

When this matter was mentioned, Jiang Ruan frowned and said lightly, "I am not asking for the position of princess."

Xiao Shao raised his eyebrows. He had seen Jiang Ruan's cautious moves before. Although it was a bit mysterious, the Jinyiwei could not find anything. He could only infer that Jiang Ruan's life in the Jiang Mansion was not easy, so he fought against his legitimate sister and stepmother, all for self-protection. 

Now that she has been protected by Empress Dowager Yide, Jiang Xinzhi has been promoted step by step and recognized the Zhao family. She should be able to be worry-free. Looking at her now, the heavy colour in her eyes has not diminished at all, as if it will never be removed in her lifetime.

Jiang Ruan turned around and avoided Xiao Shao's probing eyes: "What I want, Prince Xiao will know one day in the future." But at that time, he was probably a stranger to her. 

Fate is scattered in the world, and no one can guarantee that they can walk with anyone for a lifetime. During the days of getting along with Xiao Shao, Jiang Ruan saw clearly that although Xiao Shao looked indifferent, his heart was not cold. He just didn't like to get close to people, but his blood was boiling. He valued love and righteousness, and one day he would see clearly how vicious and hideous the woman standing in front of him was. Thinking of this, Jiang Ruan felt a little lost and melancholy.