Chapter 74.2

Lu Zhu said, Its all thanks to Fifth Yiniang for raising this topic . That this Yan Hua Yuans pair of mother and daughter could think of such a despicable scheme is really too evil!

Previously, on the evening they returned to the fu, Hong Ying hurriedly made a trip to Ruan Ju, saying Jiang Quan wanted to invite a Taoist priest to Old Madames longevity birthday celebration in order to expel all the evil spirits and negative energy in the fu . Though she didnt explain everything explicitly, she casually mentioned that the Taoist priest was the same wandering priest who divined Jiang Ruans future five years ago .

Finally, Hong Ying said, Old Madames longevity birthday celebration is a big event, nothing can go wrong, Eldest Miss should also prepare in advance .

Jiang Ruan thanked her with a smile, and repaid her kindness by accidentally mentioning the crack in the relationship between the Xia fu and the Jiang fu . Jiang Quan wasnt completely satisfied with Xia Yan, and there was Hong Ying waiting to provide comfort .

Jiang Ruan only spoke a little but Hong Ying was a smart person, and with a thin smile, she easily thought of ways to take advantage of the situation . Five years ago actually, it should be said to be in her last life because she(JR) was stupid, she was like putty in Xia Yans hands, but if Xia Yan wanted to repeat the events of that time it wouldnt be so simple anymore .

Lu Zhu looked ahead, Miss Lins carriage has arrived .

Jiang Ruan turned around and indeed saw a carriage stopped at the gates . Lin Zi Xiang hopped down from the carriage, saw Jiang Ruan and sternly said, Why are you so slow, making me wait .

Jiang Ruan laughingly replied, I wasted some time on the way over, lets go in to take a look .

Old Jiang Madames longevity birthday celebration was imminent, but Jiang Ruan had no desire to personally make a gift . After greeting Xia Yan, she left again with Lin Familys Lin Zi Xiang . Xia Yan naturally had no way of rejecting Lin Zi Xiangs invitation on behalf of Jiang Ruan, and when she thought of how Jiang Su Sus face was scarred and couldnt leave the house, her heart was filled with resentment yet had no way to vent it .

As soon as they stepped inside the rouge shop, they heard a crisp voice ring out, Hey, Zi Xiang, Ruan meimei, Ive waited for a long time for you to arrive . Dong Yinger greeted them warmly, whereas Zhao Jin on the side was a bit helpless, The smell of perfume is so strong I almost puked, lets get out of here .

Dong Yinger pulled on Zhao Jins hand . Didnt you just arrive . I say Jiner, youre almost an adult, but you still dont know how to dress yourself up . Acting like a child, Im worried your future husband wont like it .

Zhao Jin was born into a military family, so naturally she looked down on the ladies with makeup caked on, but Dong Yinger was being annoying again . Jiang Ruan smiled, Weve already shopped at so many cosmetic stores, but I heard a new jewelry store that opened in the city has a lot of exotic treasures . In addition to gold and silver jewelry, they have a collection of high grade swords and weapons . Does Zhao jiejie want to take a look?

Zhao Jin hurriedly replied, Ruan meimei, is that true? You better not be messing with me .

Jiang Ruan smiled in reply . How would I dare?

Dong Yinger was curious, and upon hearing the news she said, Then, Ruan meimei, lets go take a look . I want to buy a pair of pretty bracelets .

Lin Zi Xiang also thought it was a good idea, so the group boarded a carriage and went into town .

When the carriage stopped, Dong Yinger was the first to jump down, followed by Jiang Ruan and the others . They saw a pagoda of stone, with a plaque reading Yi Bao Pavilion in large characters .

As the group entered the building, a pretty maidservant led them in, explaining, The first floor has precious jewelry, and the second floor has precious weapons . I wonder what these misses are looking for .

Jewelry!

Weapons!

Dong Yinger and Zhao Jin shouted at the same time, making Dong Yinger pin Zhao Jin with her stare . You have to go against me, huh?

You know I normally dont look at that stuff . Why dont we split up and meet up later, Zhao Jin suggested .

Lin Zi Xiang said, Lets do that, Ill stay and look at the jewelry as well, its not like I understand weaponry . Ruan meimei, what about you?

Of course Ruan meimei will stay with us, Dong Yinger interrupted .

However, Jiang Ruan shook her head, I want to take a look at the weapons .

The weapons? Not to mention Dong Yinger and Lin Zi Xiang, even Zhao Jin was shocked . With a disbelieving tone, she said, You dont practice martial arts, why are you interested in weapons?

Jiang Ruan smiled sadly . Ever since my eldest brother went missing after joining the military, and with no further news about his return, I thought that if he could come back, he would be a valiant and strong young man and it would be appropriate to match him with a good weapon . Carelessly she continued, But its only taking a look .

The others were all moved when they heard her words . Zhao Jin said, I know a bit about weapons, thus, once we go up I may be able to give some advice .

Jiang Ruan smiled back . The two arrived on the second floor, and as the maidservant had said, there were many high grade weapons . Some were polished to the point that they shined radiantly while some showcased many years of history, that as soon as one entered they would be blinded by the magnificence . Zhao Jin soon exclaimed, There are actually so many treasures!

Jiang Ruan glanced at her . Zhao Jin touched a sword placed on a pedestal and instantly felt shock . She hurriedly stepped back and said excitedly, It really is special!

Though Jiang Ruan wasnt nearly as excited as Zhao Jin, she looked around, spotting a Fire Cloud Moon Shield that looked particularly suited to Jiang Xin Zhi . If he had such armour, he would be much safer on the battlefield . However, when she looked at the price marked below, she instantly had a headache . Dont mention how all her money was used to buy up the capitals grain, even if she had the funds on hand it still wouldnt be enough .

She continued onwards, and her eye was drawn towards a blue thing that turned out to be an exquisitely made bracelet . The blue light emitted was beautiful . When Jiang Ruan placed it on her wrist, the bracelet made her white hands look even more delicate . Zhao Jin walked over and said in a confused tone, How come this floor also has jewelry?

The maidservant of the jewelry shop who followed them explained, This is the Blood Moon Bracelet, its used for Before she could get her words out, she saw Jiang Ruan skillfully press on the protruding flower pattern while aiming at her .

Young miss? The servant girl exclaimed, her face white .

I wont press on it . Jiang Ruan took off the bracelet . How many needles are inside?

Nine needles, the maidservant stiffly explained, but they are all coated in deadly poison .

Zhao Jin was a bit shocked when she saw Jiang Ruans actions, only when the maidservant explained did she understand . So it has hidden mechanisms! She turned to Jiang Ruan . Ruan meimei normally doesnt see these things, even I didnt know how to use it . How did you know? Judging by how precise Jiang Ruans actions were, it didnt seem like her first time seeing it .

Jiang Ruan smiled thinly . This sort of bracelet was mentioned in one of the books that belonged to my mothers collection .

Zhao Jin nodded her head . So its like this . But these things can only be counted as hidden weapons, Im still more interested in that sword .

Jiang Ruan stretched out a finger to stroke the tables polished surface, her eyes suddenly deep . In her past life, Jiang Quan sourced a similar bracelet for Jiang Su Su, and at the time Jiang Su Su wore it day in day out . Jiang Ruan was so envious, but she could never pluck up the courage to ask Jiang Quan for another one . She could only pretend that the silver bracelet on her wrist had the same function, touch it occasionally, and lie to herself that it also had a hidden mechanism .

Today seemed like a dream . The Blood Moon Bracelet in her hands was even more beautiful than the one Jiang Su Su had and could also hold more needles . The maidservant further explained that the needles could be pulled back with thin silk thread after being shot, and when adding on the poison, it would be very suitable to keep by her side . However, Jiang Ruan shook her head and put the bracelet back .

Miss doesnt like it? The maidservant had observed that Jiang Ruan liked the bracelet a lot, so it was surprising that she had put it back .

I dont have that much silver . Jiang Ruan smiled reluctantly . She could only endure this pain .

Me too . Zhao Jin couldnt tear her eyes away from the sword . Hopefully I can convince my father .

The two shared a smile . After looking around for a while more, they headed downstairs to find the others .

After showing them out, the maidservant who followed them walked to the rear wall of the room and pressed on a porcelain lions head . A small hidden door opened, leading to an elegant side room . Being so close, it was easy to hear the conversations from the other room clearly .

Young Master, the maidservant respectfully greeted, Eldest Jiang Miss picked out this Blood Moon Bracelet . Saying so, she presented the tray .

The young man sitting in the side room grunted in reply . Without even turning his head, he ordered, Pack it away .

Yes . The servant girl silently withdrew .

The young man sat before the window . Soft rain caught the capital in a haze, yet it couldnt obstruct peoples sight . A moment later, Jiang Ruans group boarded a carriage and slowly left .

Coming out with Dong Yinger and others was to choose a present for Old Madames longevity birthday celebration, but in the end Jiang Ruan didnt buy anything . Dong Yinger curiously asked, Youre going back empty-handed?

I dont have the silver . Jiang Ruan smiled gently .

Dong Yinger never thought the daughter of a minister would suffer like this . The three girls sympathised with her and wanted to lend some money but worried it would hurt her self-esteem, so they could only comfort her with words . But looking at Jiang Ruan, remembering how her mother died young and her father treated her coldly, the pity in their hearts deepened .

Jiang Ruan didnt care how the three looked at her, calmly returning to the fu with Lu Zhu . On the road back, Lu Zhu asked, Miss, youre really not going to buy anything?

Where would I find the silver? Jiang Ruan added, Were penniless . Rather, buying something cheap would only make people laugh their heads off .

Miss shouldnt have bought that much grain, it was way too much, Lu Zhu complained, lifting the carriages curtain to look outside . Its strange, the rain hasnt stopped for over ten days . She thought for a while and said, This servant thinks it would be good if the rain doesnt stop because then we can get a good price if we sell the grain Miss bought . But on the other hand the capital will have a lot of refugees . Lu Zhu lamented, It really makes people worry .

Jiang Ruan silently laughed . As there were no plans to sell the grain, she was afraid Lu Zhus hope for a windfall would fall to pieces . However, she wouldnt inform Lu Zhu of this just yet . She said, I have no gifts to give for zumus longevity birthday celebration . Hui Jue is the best present .

Lu Zhu rolled her eyes, chuckling . Miss is right . This gift is bigger than any other, this servant cant wait for that day .

When the two returned to the fu, the fus servants saw Jiang Ruan returning empty-handed, and some chatterboxes soon reported the matter to Yan Hua Yuan . Jiang Su Su was talking with Xia Yan, when she heard the news she said, What a pauper, she went to buy things without any silver .

Xia Yan frowned . No matter what, you have to finish writing a hundred longevity scripts . When you make your zumu happy, your fathers heart will also be more comfortable .

I know, Jiang Su Su said impatiently . We just dont know what Jiang Ruan is going to give . If nothing is prepared then well have a good show to watch .

Xia Yan smiled slightly . It doesnt matter what gifts she prepares . Expending all her effort, its impossible for her to receive Old Madames favour .

Why? Jiang Su Su asked .

Who would like a person bearing the cursed star? A flash of hatred revealed itself in Xia Yans eyes . Furthermore, Old Jiang Madame had always believed in spirits and ghosts; every year she would fork out a huge sum of money just to burn offerings . This sort of person considered all things spiritual to be sacred .

Especially now that the Jiang fu had recently experienced so many strange events one after another, even if Jiang Quan wasnt Old Jiang Madames blood-related son, they still had some affection for each other after so many years, and as Old Madame of the Jiang family she couldnt just sit back without doing anything . This time, Jiang Ruan wouldnt be able to escape so easily .

Jiang Su Su observed Xia Yan and felt a little excited . She couldnt help but ask, Mother already has an idea?

Xia Yan lovingly embraced her daughter, stroking her head . You only need to know that everything your mother does is for you and Chaoer, so dont disappoint me .

Jiang Su Su snuggled up to Xia Yan and her beautiful eyes widened, the hate in them was enough to make people shudder in fear . I know, Mother, I really cant wait for the day of zumus longevity birthday celebration .