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

Chapter 132 : The Li Family's Downfall

Happy Chinese New Year!

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Translated by : Shl

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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Du Juan trembled as she looked at Jin San who smiled sincerely and continued, "However, I really like beautiful women like you. If you listen obediently to what I say, I am happy to ensure the success of this fated marriage. If you don't obey me," Jin San continued, her tone turning glacial abruptly, "your little lover will be implicated because of you."

"I agree," Du Juan hurriedly pressed out. At the time, she had been extremely hesitant to help Cai Que frame Jiang Ruan. Cai Que was not born into a servant family, so the date for her to leave the fu naturally needed to be reckoned. Du Juan's family members were still employed in one of Jiang fu's rural residences, and for their sake, she ought not be involved in such matters. Later on, though Young Master Wang reluctantly agreed to this matter, her heart was still hesitant in the end. Thus, on that day, when Old Jiang Madam had tasked her to pack up the tea leaves, she took the opportunity to linger in the interior as long as possible. Afterwards, when questioned, she had simply said that she had not personally seen anything clearly, and kept up a misleading appearance.

Now, Du Juan felt herself relaxing slightly. It was fortunate that she had listened to her conscience had at that time, otherwise she too would end up like Cai Que. Looking at Cai Que in a heap on the floor of the mourning hall, Du Juan could not help but shudder.

Jin San and Jin Yi finished their work and left. At the same time, Tian Zhu leapt into Ruan Ju. Bai Zhi, Lian Qiao, and Lu Zhu had been waiting for an interminable period in a state of high anxiety, so all three of them heaved a sigh of relief upon her return. The past few days, several older servants had been keeping watch outside Ruan Ju, so it was a good thing that Tian Zhu knew martial arts and could avoid their notice.

Bai Zhi asked, "Has the matter been settled?"

Tian Zhu nodded. For her to plant arsenic powder in the fu was no challenge. She had also wanted to plant some in Jiang Dan's courtyard, but Jiang Ruan had made clear that no matter what happened next, Jiang Dan must still emerge as clean and innocent. That being the case, as they had no way to deal with all of their opponents in one fell swoop, there was no need to alert Jiang Dan prematurely. Although Tian Zhu was not entirely reconciled to this course of action, she still tolerated it.

Lian Qiao said, "So we just have to wait for Wangye's good news tomorrow."

* * *

The night passed, with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Early in the morning of the second day, a troop of officers and men arrived at the prison, and the officer in charge was a complete stranger. He was highly deferential on meeting Jiang Ruan, saying that there had been a mistake, and that he hoped she would not seek to punish them.

Xiao Shao certainly moved swiftly. Jiang Ruan did not make things difficult for the officer, and as she walked towards the prison gate, she saw Zhao Yuan Feng waiting for her there. When he saw her emerging, he rushed up to her and looked her over carefully. Once he had ascertained that she was safe and sound, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "He really thought of everything."

Jiang Ruan said softly, "Third Uncle."

Zhao Yuan Feng beamed at her, waved his hand, and said, "Ruan'er, since you have come out today, let me take you to watch a good show."

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and said, "All right."

* * *

Early in the morning, the servants of Jiang fu had risen to carry out the daily cleaning when they heard heavy knocking at the fu's main door. When the young manservant, who was on duty as the gatekeeper, opened the door, he saw a line of officers with swords at their belts, looking brutish. A longer-serving older servant rushed forward to say, "Officers, what is this, for no reason . . ."