The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 114 : The Pure-Hearted Xiao Shao

Xiao Shao raised his brows as he walked towards her, "What's the matter with you?"

Upon his return, Tian Zhu had updated him on what had happened over the past few days, and so he had been quietly observing Jiang Ruan by the courtyard wall looking frustrated and disappointed. It was a desolate and melancholic posture that caused the observer to feel aggrieved and while he wasn't sure what she had been thinking about, he felt that she was very lonely.

Jiang Ruan looked as Xiao Shao made his way to her with his hand outstretched towards her as if to caress her face. However, just as his hand was about to touch her, it stopped, "How come it's still not recovered?"

It had already been quite a few days yet the handprint from the slap could still be seen distinctly on her face. The swelling redness was glaringly obvious against her pale fair face.

Jiang Ruan was taken aback and instantly averted her face, "Tomorrow I'll be going into the palace."

Xiao Shao paused, then understood her intention and after some thought, took out a porcelain bottle from inside his clothes and gave it to her, "Use it after you've entered the palace."

Jiang Ruan accepted the jar and softly said, "Many thanks."

Today, her mood had been so downcast that even an ordinary person would be able to see. Not to mention a perceptive person like Xiao Shao. As he gazed at Jiang Ruan, suddenly his hands grasped hold of her shoulders, lifting her up. Jiang Ruan did not have a chance to react before finding herself up in the huge pear tree that was in the middle of the courtyard.

"What are you trying to do?" While sitting unsteadily on a branch, to steady herself all she could do was grab hold of Xiao Shao's hand. However, she was still unable to settle, and her heart unexpectedly reacted simply by her reaching both arms around Xiao Shao's waist.

Xiao Shao had taken Jiang Ruan up into the tree because from experience, the Jin Yi guards- Jin Yi and Jin Er- would usually climb up a tree when they weren't happy and indulge in some wine. Since there wasn't any wine available, Xiao Shao had thought maybe Jiang Ruan would enjoy gazing at the moon and it would soothe her mood. What he had not expected was for Jiang Ruan to reach out and embrace his waist. Immediately his body froze and his heart began to race with a peculiar emotion. The young lady's unique fragrance penetrated his nose, the moon shone down on her jade-like fair hands that were resting upon his black clothes, and Xiao Shao's heart welled up with an unfamiliar impulse that made him want to envelop and set fire to that gentleness.

Meanwhile Jiang Ruan also realised that she had wrapped herself around Xiao Shao's waist and upon recovering her wits, she could not help being annoyed at her impulsive action and hastily released her hands. Subconsciously, she raised her head to observe Xiao Shao's reaction, only to find him sitting stupefied. His beautiful and galant features, and his usual graceful cool detachment was arrested in a foolish look, with a hint of witlessness, which actually appeared rather adorable.

"Hey," She strived hard to modulate her voice to sound calm, "take me down."

Xiao Shao collected himself, pursing his lips, "So are you feeling better now?"

"Not at all," Jiang Ruan hurriedly stated, "not even a little bit better."

Xiao Shao looked at her baffled, as Jiang Ruan was usually calm and easy going, so he felt it was rather interesting to see her exasperated and flustered. So he simply stretched out his long legs and pillowed his head with his hands as he leaned back onto a branch as if taking a breather.

From afar, Jin Yi and Tian Zhu widened their eyes at the same time. When did those two who were usually calm and cold, and sinister and cunning suddenly become so juvenile? One could even say they were like toddlers.