Chapter 8: The Timid Little Cat

Xiao Ji once again gifted her a small dagger inlaid with gemstones.

The dagger was exquisite and razor-sharp—meant for self-defense.

After a few words of courtesy, and seeing that Jiang Chuyue was unharmed, Xiao Ji left to deal with internal affairs of the Xuanwu Army.

Knowing she had been frightened, the always-busy Xiao Ji had specially taken a day off to stay at home and keep her and the old madam company.

Breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together—such a short day, yet it felt like a dream.

Jiang Chuyue felt as if she had fallen into a jar of honey. She treasured every moment, wishing the day could last forever.

But time would not stop. The next day, Xiao Ji returned to the Ministry of War, and the spacious Xiao manor became empty again.

For the time being, Jiang Chuyue dared not go out. She curled up in her boudoir, reading storybooks.

Flipping through the pages, her thoughts began to drift. Suddenly, she thought of the Regent, Xie Linyuan.

He had saved her twice, yet she had only thanked him verbally—never visiting to express her gratitude.

Perhaps… she should go in person?

But when she pictured that chilling, ghostly face, a shiver ran down her spine. The Regent was undeniably handsome, but his aura was downright terrifying.

Truth be told, she was afraid of him.

In the capital, no one wasn’t afraid of the Regent.

After thinking half the day, she ordered Baozhu:
“Find that black jade thumb ring in the storeroom and deliver it to the Regent’s residence. Tell them it’s a small token of my thanks for his kindness.”

Ranked among the highest ministers in the land, the Regent wanted for nothing. Jiang Chuyue had no idea what to send him, so she simply chose the thumb ring.

Originally, she had bought the black jade ring as a birthday gift for Xiao Ji, but since he spent his days wielding weapons, he found rings impractical. So it had been left gathering dust in storage.

Better to give it away than leave it unused.

Baozhu was quick with her errands and soon delivered the gift to the Regent’s manor.

The steward who received the box asked with concern,
“Many thanks, miss. May I ask—how is Miss Jiang’s health?”

Baozhu replied,
“My lady is well. She is deeply grateful for His Highness’s life-saving grace, but, mindful of propriety between men and women, she sent me to deliver this gift on her behalf.”

After she left, the steward brought the box to the study.

The Regent hadn’t attended court for several days.

He had been waiting for Jiang Chuyue to come thank him in person.

Instead, all he got was a somewhat modest black jade thumb ring.

He turned the old ring over in his fingers, a faint smile on his lips.
“A timid little cat.”

With a flick of his wrist, he slipped the ring onto his left thumb.

Neither too loose nor too tight—just right.

…

Jiang Chuyue had no idea the Regent would remember her at all.

After all, he had countless affairs of state to manage every day. Saving her was no different from saving a stray cat in passing.

That afternoon, she was reclining on her chaise, reading, when Baozhu came to announce that Madam Zhao, wife of the Marquis of Zhen’nan, had come to visit.

Madam Zhao’s name was Zhao Qinghuan. Once the daughter of a wealthy merchant family, she had married the marquis five years ago. On their wedding night, the marquis had left under imperial orders for the frontlines and had not returned since.

Coming from a humble background, Zhao Qinghuan had been treated poorly by her in-laws and looked down upon by relatives. But she was not one to submit—she kept the entire household under her thumb and earned the title “The Fiercest Woman in the Capital.”

Jiang Chuyue had heard of her but had never met her.

“Invite her in,” Jiang Chuyue told Baozhu.

Before long, the famous Madam Zhao entered. Barely in her twenties, she was strikingly beautiful, dressed in a peony-red gown, carrying herself with no hint of the reserved air expected of noblewomen—her every move was bold and confident.

“Miss Jiang! I’m here today to apologize.” Zhao Qinghuan clapped her hands, and a stream of gifts flowed into the room.

Pearls, agate, silks, brocades—enough to dazzle the eyes.

Jiang Chuyue was puzzled. “Madam, why are you sending me so many gifts without reason?”

Zhao Qinghuan plopped herself down, took a sip of tea, and said,
“A few days ago, one of the waiters at my Fán Pavilion was bribed by Young Master Liu to slip something into your drink. I failed in my oversight and feel deeply guilty, so I came to apologize in person.”

Jiang Chuyue hadn’t expected such a thing.

She hurried to refuse the lavish gifts.

But Zhao waved her off. “You’re a regular at my restaurant. If you suffer under my roof, it’s my duty to make it right. Don’t worry—last night I sent people to sneak into the Liu residence, break Liu Qingshu’s other leg, and cut off his manhood. That dog won’t be harming anyone again.”

Jiang Chuyue: …

Truly worthy of the title “Fiercest Woman in the Capital.”

Zhao Qinghuan came quickly and left just as quickly. After finishing half a pot of tea, she stood to go.
“I need to get back to business. Oh, and next month is my mother-in-law’s fiftieth birthday—don’t forget to come to the banquet.”

With that, she swept away, leaving the room full of gifts.

Jiang Chuyue could only laugh helplessly. She went through the items and told Baozhu,
“Send that box of medicinal herbs to Grandmother’s quarters, and those three pieces of leather to my brother’s room. The rest—store them in the warehouse.”

Baozhu, sorting through the jewels, sighed,
“Madam Zhao is so straightforward. It’s a pity, though—once the marquis returns from the frontier, he’ll surely divorce her. Such a shame.”

After all, the lofty marquisate could hardly tolerate such a “fierce” main wife.

Jiang Chuyue, however, liked Zhao Qinghuan’s character. She smiled and said,
“With Madam Zhao’s bold spirit, even if she divorces, she’ll live just as freely.”

Two days later—

Seeing the fine spring weather, the old madam ordered a carriage prepared to take Jiang Chuyue to Shijing Temple to burn incense.

Lately, Jiang Chuyue had been falling ill often. The old madam suspected she had been touched by evil influences and wanted to drive away bad luck at the temple—perhaps even pray for a good marriage.

Shijing Temple was outside the city, a half-day’s journey.

As the carriage rolled past a secluded grove, it suddenly jolted violently.

Jiang Chuyue shielded the old madam and lifted the curtain to ask the guard,
“What’s wrong?”

“Second Miss! It seems there are bandits chasing us—ten or so men! They’ll be on us within a stick of incense!”

“Can we hold them off?” she asked.

The guard drew his blade. “I’m afraid not!”

Panic tightened in Jiang Chuyue’s chest. Today, they had only four guards with them. This close to the capital, under the emperor’s very nose, roving bandits had long since been wiped out by the Xuanwu Army.

How could there be bandits?

She suspected it was one of the Xiao family’s enemies.

Steeling herself, she told the driver,
“Push the horses—head for the fork in the road ahead!”

The whip cracked, the carriage swaying violently as it sped forward.

The old madam, seasoned by years of hardship, gripped her hand.
“What will you do at the fork?”

“They outnumber us,” Jiang Chuyue said calmly. “Today, we likely can’t escape together. At the fork, Baozhu will take you down the left road to an abandoned temple. I’ll take the carriage down the right to draw them away.”

The old madam was aghast. Her voice trembled.
“Nonsense! I’m just an old woman—if I die, so be it! You’re still young—I’ll be the one to draw them off!”

The carriage reached the fork.

Jiang Chuyue quickly helped the old madam down and ordered,
“Baozhu, take Grandmother to the temple and hide—hurry!”