Chapter 16: Black Jade Thumb Ring

A concubine in the Xiao household was still a servant—how could she have the qualifications to attend a banquet of the capital’s elite?

Madam Jiang thought of her hometown, Lixian.

In Lixian, she had been the most esteemed young lady, always appearing in splendor at the banquets of wealthy merchants and officials, basking in endless glory.

Yet, in the end, even the most respected woman of Lixian could not compare to a random young phoenix in the capital.

Now she had nothing. She was merely a concubine, unfit to be seen in high society. She sighed quietly, smoothing her flat belly, hoping she could conceive a child soon.

…

By the time Jiang Chuyue arrived at the Marquis of Zhennan’s residence, many guests were already present.

The moment she appeared, countless gazes fell upon her from all directions—some surprised, some admiring, and some filled with envy.

Jiang Chuyue disliked lively crowds.

She made her way to a quiet seat, sitting down without fuss. On the table before her were several plates of delicate pastries, including her favorite mung bean cakes. She picked one up and took a bite.

As she swallowed the piece, a voice, completely unrestrained, drifted over:

“So that’s Jiang Chuyue? I heard she seduced the young master of the Liu family, causing the entire Liu clan to be executed.”

“She’s been of marriageable age for three years but still hasn’t had a proposal. I bet her character is questionable, and no matchmaker dares approach.”

“An orphan without parents, living off the Xiao family’s charity, and she actually thinks she’s a proper young lady?”

“That poor young master of the Liu family—what an undeserved death, all for a faithless woman.”

Three gossiping noblewomen huddled together, deliberately speaking loudly.

Jiang Chuyue’s identity was indeed awkward. She didn’t carry the Xiao surname, yet she had the title of a general’s daughter. On top of that, she had striking beauty—naturally, she became an easy target for malicious tongues.

Baozhu’s face flushed red with anger. “These women are spouting nonsense! My lady had nothing to do with Liu Qingshu!”

The angrier Baozhu became, the more outrageous the noblewomen’s words grew.

“I say, there must be something wrong with the Feng Shui of the Xiao household.”

“General Xiao took ten concubines and still has no heir; Jiang Chuyue has been of age for three years and still isn’t married. Is the Xiao family doomed to die out?”

“Hahaha, the childless Xiao family.”

Jiang Chuyue set down her mung bean cake.

She rose slowly and walked toward the three women. Among them, the one with the highest status was none other than the current empress’s younger sister.

Upon seeing her, the empress’s sister feigned surprise. “Oh my, isn’t this Miss Jiang of the Xiao household? You rarely step out in a year—what wind has blown you here today?”

Jiang Chuyue’s lips curved slightly. She looked at them calmly and instructed, “Baozhu, go report this to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Baozhu caught on immediately and said loudly, “Miss, what charge should I report?”

Jiang Chuyue replied, “The Liu family’s case was personally judged by the Regent, and the Emperor himself wrote the decree. Yet these three ladies openly speak in defense of a criminal, questioning the Regent and the Emperor’s authority—tell me, should this not be reported?”

Baozhu nodded at once, making as if to leave. “Understood, I’ll go at once.”

The three noblewomen turned pale.

What a terrifying accusation!

They had only been gossiping idly—how had it suddenly escalated to offending both the Regent and the Emperor?

The empress’s sister was especially shaken. The empress herself was already out of favor; if word of this reached the Emperor, it could spell disaster.

“Miss Jiang, we were only joking just now. Please don’t take it seriously,” she said, swallowing her pride.

Jiang Chuyue’s smile did not reach her eyes. “To joke about the Regent and the Emperor—you ladies are bold indeed.”

The noblewomen: “…”

Just then, a deep, commanding voice rang out: “The Regent has arrived.”

The room instantly fell silent as all guests lowered their heads in salute.

Jiang Chuyue was surprised. Why was Xie Linyuan here?

She had heard from Xiao Ji that Xie Linyuan disliked attending banquets in the capital—he didn’t even celebrate his own birthday.

The crowd parted to make way. Xie Linyuan, dressed in a dark gold python robe, walked in with steady steps, a black jade thumb ring turning between his fingers.

His gaze swept the room before finally landing on Jiang Chuyue.

“I came to the Marquis of Zhennan’s residence today to retrieve a red-tasseled spear,” he said.

The guests listened in silence.

Then his tone shifted. “But it seems I overheard someone questioning my judgment?”

Jiang Chuyue thought to herself—so his ears really were sharp.

The three gossiping noblewomen trembled like leaves in the wind, their faces white as paper.

The empress’s sister stammered, “Your Highness, please understand—we were merely speaking nonsense, we meant no offense.”

Xie Linyuan’s fingers stroked the black jade ring. “If you enjoy speaking nonsense, then losing your tongue should cure the habit.”

Panic seized the three women.

They all remembered the Regent’s infamous cruelty—the prime minister’s daughter had once offended him, and he had her arms cut off on the spot.

If he said he’d cut out their tongues, he might truly do it.

Two of them fainted outright. Only the empress’s sister remained conscious, forcing herself to say, “Your Highness, I will be careful with my words from now on and never offend you again.”

Xie Linyuan gave a faint smile and turned his gaze to Jiang Chuyue.

She stood with her head slightly bowed, a stray lock of hair falling across her cheek. She looked meek and obedient, as though she hadn’t been the one to start the trouble.

“Your Highness, the spear is here,” said the steward, presenting the weapon.

Xie Linyuan, still stroking the black jade ring, said, “To the training grounds.”

With that, he left as calmly as he had come.

The oppressive air over the Marquis’s residence lifted. The empress’s sister fled in embarrassment, unlikely to show her face for some time.

Jiang Chuyue quietly watched his retreating back. She had thought he was here for the old marchioness’s 50th birthday banquet, yet he had come only to take a spear?

If the Regent wanted the Zhennan Marquis’s prized spear, he could have simply sent someone—why come in person?

Was he really that idle?

She couldn’t fathom his convoluted thoughts.

…

Outside the residence, an ebony carriage stood silently.

Inside, Xie Linyuan sat, his fingertips tapping the table, eyes deep as night.

He suddenly asked his steward, “Have you noticed this black jade thumb ring I wear?”

The steward bowed. “Your Highness wears it daily—of course I remember.”

Lowering his gaze, Xie Linyuan slowly rubbed the ring. It was cool to the touch, like deep, still water, gleaming faintly in the light.

Earlier, he had deliberately worn it and lingered before Jiang Chuyue for some time.

Yet she hadn’t spared it even a glance.

This was the first gift she had ever given him.

“Steward Xie, wait a moment,” came Jiang Chuyue’s clear voice.

The steward turned to see her approaching with quick steps, holding a pair of black wrist guards. “Your Highness came to take the spear—surely you’re going to train at the Ministry of War’s grounds. My brother is there too. Could you please pass these to him?”

The steward smiled. “A small favor.”

Just as he was about to agree—

Swish!

The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing Xie Linyuan’s cold, chiseled features. His long fingers gripped the fabric tightly, the black jade ring glinting coldly in the sunlight.

“My steward,” he said icily, “when did he become a runner for others?”

Jiang Chuyue’s fingers trembled, almost dropping the wrist guards.

Despite herself, she still feared him.

She quickly pulled the wrist guards back, her ears tinged pink. “I overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Her tone was sincerely contrite.

Xie Linyuan studied her in silence for a long time. From his angle, he could see her lowered head and the curve of her slender, pale neck.

His gaze darkened. Then he spoke abruptly. “Look at me.”

Startled, she slowly raised her eyes.

He lifted his thumb slightly, revealing the black jade ring, and asked, “This ring—what do you think of it?”