Chapter 1, Tears of Desperation

The night was as dark as ink, and a cold wind suddenly rose, making the dilapidated courtyard gate appear even more decayed and wretched

Li Dong exclaimed in exasperation: "What are you still dawdling for? Beat him to death with sticks!" In his panic, he had long since cast aside the empress's orders; after all, the courtyard was filled with his men, and there was no need to worry about leaks.

"Wang Gui's family, say a few less words." The Qingyi Mama was somewhat annoyed: "If others hear it, you won't be spared."

Although Jiang Ruan has already been abandoned, he still hesitates. After so many years in the palace, he has often relied on Jiang Ruan to navigate through perilous situations; she has indeed helped him a great deal. However, why did she choose to escape the dark prison before he made his decision?

He thought for a moment, yet still succumbed to the imperial authority, not daring to take any other action, and instead focused on teasing the boy who had been knocked unconscious.

At the first sight of that thing, she nearly vomited. During these days, although she came every day with the green-clad old woman to deliver meals, she had never clearly seen the appearance of the person inside.

A strange odor permeated the yard, and the slightly younger maid behind me whispered, "It really stinks. I don't know what the master called that thing over for; it's quite frightening." At this point, she couldn't help but exclaim, leaning closer to the head maid's ear, "Could it be that..."

When she stood on the steps and saw her father's indifferent gaze, she finally understood that she had become a discarded pawn! When the cunning rabbit dies, the hound is cooked!

The Emperor suspects the Jiang family of colluding with the Eighth Prince, and at this moment summons someone to the palace, with ulterior motives beyond mere drinking, but rather to exert control.

Following the instructions, Wang Gui's family placed the wooden basin in the master's bedroom, still pondering in her heart what the master meant by putting such a terrifying object in the room. Suddenly, the woman in the wooden basin opened her eyes, coincidentally making direct eye contact with Wang Gui's family.

Being imprisoned in a dark cell and then rescued, one might think they have escaped to freedom, but that is merely the beginning of a nightmare

The Jiang residence has only two legitimate daughters. Jiang Susu is in poor health, and her character is even more gentle and simple. The imperial decree cannot be disobeyed. With a command from Jiang Quan, Jiang Ruan enters the palace and becomes Ruan Meiren

The new emperor raised his gaze towards the woman opposite him, adorned in a phoenix crown and a flowing robe, her exquisite face further accentuated by her noble attire, making her appear as if she were a celestial being from the heavens. Jiang Quan's youngest daughter is indeed strikingly beautiful and extraordinary.

Only when the pain reaches the marrow does one truly understand what numbness is. Jiang Ruan cannot fathom the reason behind Jiang Susu's intense hatred for her

The housekeeper came to his senses, gripping the stick and rushing forward, striking down without further ado.

She is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of War, once known as the beauty Ruan, but now she has been turned into a human pig, with no hope of ever rising again

The woman in the wooden basin appeared dazed, with two streams of blood tears tracing down her cheeks, evoking a sense of tragic desolation. The house servant who burst through the door was momentarily frozen in place, feeling as though he had encountered a vengeful spirit from hell, his entire body turning cold

We do not need to know. "Qingyi Mama sighed and called to Wang Guijia: 'Come here, take the person over.'"

Jiang Ruan slowly opened her eyes

Meanwhile, inside the Yangping Hall

The thing in the wooden basin can no longer be referred to as a "person". Her limbs have all been severed, leaving only a shapeless torso slumped in the basin. Her hair is disheveled, with some filth splattered on it. It is faintly discernible that it resembles a woman.

Jiang Susu seemed to have guessed her thoughts and smiled, saying: "Isn't your mother a young lady from the General's residence? Aren't you looking down on me because of this status? What a pity, what a pity," she propped her chin and tilted her head, saying: "The General's residence was executed yesterday at noon for the crime of treason." She stared at Chang'an and pronounced each word clearly: "One hundred and three lives, the entire family was executed."

At the age of five, her biological mother passed away, her elder brother died in battle, and her stepmother was taken in. A wandering Taoist who passed by calculated that her birth chart indicated she would bring misfortune to her father and mother, leading to Jiang Yuan being sent to a rural village. When she turned fourteen and reached the age of maturity, Jiang Quan, recognizing her as his own flesh and blood, brought her back to the family estate. Soon, news arrived from the palace that Jiang family's young lady was on the newly announced list of candidates for selection as a consort.

He does not like this feeling of being out of control

She called out loudly, but could only produce a hoarse and indistinct sound of "ah ah"

She recalled her father's words when she was sixteen, before entering the palace: "Ruan'er, now that you have entered the palace as a consort, you have the entire Zhao family behind you, so there is no need to worry"

She smiled and added, "Eighth Prince, you are going to make me your consort. The glory that my sister did not enjoy, I shall take on your behalf."

Vaguely, it appeared to be the figure of a young boy, who was struggling with all his might. When Chang'an saw the boy's face, he was immediately taken aback in shock

"Your Majesty appears particularly spirited today," Jiang Susu said with a light laugh

Her sister held her hand and wiped her tears: "Ruan'er, you are Su Su's benefactor. Even in death, I find it difficult to repay this kindness."

Despite her enduring hardships, she could not bear to submit to the emperor, entering the inner palace at a flower-like age only to begin withering away. It was not because the Eighth Prince had been consistently comforting her; she would have long since taken her own life with a white silk ribbon in the depths of the palace. From childhood to adulthood, apart from her deceased brother and mother, no one had ever shown her such care and consideration. She entrusted her heart, found peace, and willingly became a pawn of the Jiang family and him, conveying messages within the palace. Who could have anticipated that, during a coup, the emperor would meet a tragic end, and they would imprison her, slandering her as the one who killed the emperor, branding her with the title of a national calamity and a seductress!

The green-clad old woman looked on, a trace of sympathy flashing in her eyes. Although she did not know who this woman truly was, it was indeed lamentable to find oneself in such a predicament. Moreover, today the master suddenly ordered that the person be taken out, and the outcome was likely to be more ominous than fortunate.

The Wang family's busy chatter fell silent

Her ethereal younger sister, while smiling gently, watched in horror as she had her limbs severed, turning her into a human puppet

The lights were turned on in the room, making it a bit brighter. Wang Gui's family pinched their noses and after a long time finally saw something sitting in a wooden basin.

Li Dong cast a disdainful glance at her: "I do not know why, but the Empress insists on having this thing watch me carry out my duties, which is truly repulsive."

And he, holding her hand, said: "Wait a little longer, just a few more days, and I will grant you a legitimate status as my wife."

Jiang Susu gently shook her head and placed her hand in the palm of the man's hand

Jiang Ruan felt a chill all over her body. She had long known that the favored companion of Prince Li Dong was fond of toying with young boys since her entry into the palace. However, now she could only watch helplessly as her son was tormented by such a demon

The women in the palace are often unfortunate; many are unable to give birth to a dragon son, and many who do give birth to a dragon son die. Pei'er’s biological mother was merely a lowly palace maid, who died after giving birth to Pei'er. The Emperor did not regard this son of humble origin with much importance, yet one day, for reasons unknown, he entrusted the child to her care.

Over the course of six years, she and Pei'er had developed a bond akin to that of a mother and child. As early as the time of the palace coup, she had ordered her personal maid to carry Pei'er and escape, yet they were still unable to flee.

The door creaked open with a sound of "creak"

No one hears the deepest curse in the heart of the person in the wooden basin: even if they never attain rebirth, turning to ashes and smoke, they only wish to become a vengeful spirit through life and death! Let those who harmed her pay with their blood for their debts!

A few rough servant women hurriedly walked through the courtyard, the leader being slightly broader in build, wearing a blue cloth jacket with her sleeves rolled up halfway, holding a food basket in her hand as she headed towards the innermost room

Strangely enough, this extremely terrifying woman possesses only a pair of exceptionally beautiful eyes, alluring and captivating, yet utterly untainted, as clear and translucent as the stream flowing through the valleys of Jade Bone Mountain, cold yet enchanting

That is—Pei'er

Jiang Ruan felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her mind in turmoil. The General's residence was her maternal grandfather's home. Although her mother had insisted on marrying Jiang Quan back then, angering General Zhao and severing their ties, blood is thicker than water; how could she not feel a heart-wrenching pain!

But now, her father has been promoted to the position of Prime Minister, holding the highest rank, her stepmother has long since become the Prime Minister's wife, and her younger sister is revered by all as a motherly figure, while that person has ascended to the throne as emperor! They have completely cast her aside, even to the point of abandoning and wanting to eliminate her!

Jiang Ruan sat in the wooden basin, and at that moment, she finally understood why Jiang Susu had left her with only a pair of eyes; it was so that she could witness the last of her kin die before her eyes

She glared fiercely at Jiang Susu, who merely smiled mockingly and said: "Sister, are you angry now? No need to rush, I have a great gift to present to you, which you will receive when we meet again."

Mother! Mother!" Pei'er cried out in struggle, yet could not escape the hands that were groping her body.

Jiang Susu's expression darkened: "No, my sister must have escaped with Pei'er. She has had a hard time over the years, but no matter what, she should not distrust the Emperor..."

Wang Gui was horrified and disgusted to the extreme, yet he did not dare to disobey the order, so he steeled himself and carried the wooden basin outside.

As they reached the front of the house, a young girl with a round face came out from inside, took the food basket from the elderly woman in green, and walked back inside

Wang Gui's family was stunned for a moment before turning and fleeing the room as if in panic

She sat in the basin like a puppet, dazed, as scenes from the past flashed before her eyes: her mother's pale face before her death, her father's indifferent smile, the Eighth Prince's promise, Jiang Susu thanking her while holding her hand, the Emperor's cold gaze, the suffering of the harem, and finally transforming into the struggling and crying Pei'er before her.

She was filled with despair, unwillingness, and anger, yet she heard a voice like that of a fairy say: "Sister knows that the younger sister has always been the most particular about cleanliness, not even allowing a single grain of sand. Sister, this grain of sand, the younger sister has tolerated for over ten years, and now, it is time to remove it."

In the eighteenth year of the Xuande reign, the new emperor ascended the throne, establishing the Jiang family as empress, personally crowning her, symbolizing a lasting union of hearts

The new emperor thought of Jiang Ruan, but found that no matter how he recalled, Jiang Ruan was merely a vague shadow in his impression. She had a bad reputation, and at most, she was just a woman of beauty; he married into the power behind the Jiang family, and there was no difference between Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu. Since Zhao Changan was already the woman of the late emperor, he would never marry her.

Li Dong inadvertently turned his head and unexpectedly saw the person in the wooden basin, which startled him so much that he fell off the bed and shouted: "Someone! Someone!"

Thus, Jiang Ruan was sent to a dimly lit room, struggling through several days, until today, when he finally saw the light again

Has there been no news from Jiang Ruan? he asked in a low voice, unexpectedly

Is it necessary to ... '' The round-faced girl was also taken aback

The woman was also docile, not struggling or crying out. It was as if she had already fallen asleep

Having stayed in a dark space for a long time, she felt somewhat at a loss in the face of the brightness before her. Once she had clarified her situation, she could not help but smile wryly.

After a while, she came out carrying the empty food basket. The maid in green took it over and said to the round-faced girl, "The master has instructed to take the person to the room."

With a cold snort, the new emperor said: "You do not know what is good for you. The time has come, let us go"

The portly man, reeking of alcohol, grabbed the person in front of him and threw them onto the bed, preparing to press down.