Chapter 27: Shule Guli

After the case was resolved that day, Jiang Zhuo rarely ventured out.

Having her identity exposed in front of everyone was a troublesome affair. Jiang Zhuo disliked the hollow, sycophantic flattery, nor did she care for the scrutinizing gazes and whispers behind her back.

Tong Hua took over the task of changing the dressing on Jiang Zhuo’s neck, though since she lacked medical training, Bai Feijun still came by daily to examine the wound. Gradually, Jiang Zhuo began to keep to herself more and more.

In private, Jiang Zhuo had once tried to discuss traveling to Quzhou with Tao Zhengyue, but he remained indifferent.

"Where the County Princess chooses to go is her own affair and has nothing to do with me. Likewise, I shall handle the matters of my own post myself; there is no need for the County Princess to worry."

"His Majesty appointed you to go to Quzhou, likely to thoroughly investigate the bandits there. My father was murdered on his way back home, and as his only daughter, I am the aggrieved party in this matter," Jiang Zhuo explained patiently.

"Since you are the aggrieved party, we shall meet again at the Quzhou courthouse. I am traveling to assume my post, and there is no need for the County Princess to have private dealings with me," Tao Zhengyue replied with a cold refusal. "Furthermore, if my memory serves, the County Princess is returning home to visit ancestral graves, not to investigate a case in Quzhou, is she not?"

Having sought out a rebuff, a frustrated Jiang Zhuo spent her days sleeping in her room, contemplating the meaning of life.

During this time, Shule Guli paid a visit to Jiang Zhuo.

"Shu Yu was one of ours from the Shifang Pavilion. I never expected her to make such a mistake due to a momentary lapse in judgment; not only did she ruin herself, but she nearly wronged you, my Lady," Shule Guli said, pouring a cup of wine with a beaming smile. "I truly hope you can forgive us."

Shule Guli had deep-set eye sockets and a high bridge of the nose. When she smiled, her deep dimples made her look exceptionally gentle and sweet.

Taking the wine cup, Jiang Zhuo carefully observed Shule Guli’s palms; they were soft, delicate, and entirely free of scars. Naturally, since she had found a scapegoat, it was expected that Shule Guli would not have dirtied her own hands.

In her past life, Shule Guli had been very kind to Jiang Zhuo, teaching her how to dance and blend spices. What about this life?

Jiang Zhuo took the cup. The wine-red liquid looked bright and dangerous. She took a sip, the sweet yet bitter taste lingering in her throat.

"This Western Region grape wine truly lives up to its reputation. This is the first time I have tasted it," Jiang Zhuo smiled back. "I felt an instant kinship with you, Sister; there is no need to be so formal."

"What a coincidence; I am not a person who cares for such hollow etiquette either. Calling me 'County Princess' every other word is quite a bother. Since you’ve called me sister, how about I acknowledge you as my younger sister?"

Seeing Jiang Zhuo’s gentle tone, Shule Guli’s smile deepened.

"Naturally," Jiang Zhuo replied with a faint smile. "Speaking of which, where are you headed on this boat, Sister?"

"Business at the Shifang Pavilion in the capital is quite good, so I’ve been planning to open a flower house in Hangzhou. As it happens, I am acquainted with Young Master Song, and upon hearing he was heading to Jiangnan, I entrusted myself to his party. I thought the official boat would be faster, and that we could look out for one another along the way," Shule Guli’s eyes were earnest, seemingly sincere. "I never imagined such a disaster would happen on the road."

Jiang Zhuo remembered. The opportunity for her to meet Shule Guli in her past life was when she discovered that the Marquis of Wuwei, Ling Heng, frequently visited the Shifang Pavilion. Having heard that the foreign maidens there were graceful and beautiful, she had developed the idea to learn the arts there.

Was Shule Guli one of Ling Heng’s people?

If Shule Guli had befriended her in her past life because she was Ling Heng’s concubine, then in this life, as long as she planned to cooperate with Ling Heng and did not have a falling out with him, Shule Guli likely wouldn’t harm her.

Jiang Zhuo hypothesized.

"Although I am but a lonely girl, if there is anything I can do to help you, Sister, I will certainly give it my all."

After all, Shule Guli was one of the few friends in her tragic memories from her past life, and Jiang Zhuo made the promise without hesitation.

Shule Guli was amused by this.

"What are you saying? Since I’ve accepted the title of your sister, why would I need you to look after me? Actually, there is one thing I can help you with."

"What is it?" Jiang Zhuo was startled.

"I may not be much, but I have quite a bit of insight into the affairs of men and women. If there is anything you don't understand, you can come to me," Shule Guli leaned close to Jiang Zhuo’s ear and whispered, "For instance, how to make a man who refuses to show his true self fall in love with you."

Shule Guli carried the rich, sweet scent of the Western Regions, and the air she exhaled while speaking made Jiang Zhuo’s ear tickle.

Shule Guli was clever; she could see through a person’s heart at a glance. Regarding Bai Feijun, Jiang Zhuo did have a fondness for him, or perhaps more accurately, a desire for discovery and verification. But as for matters of love, she truly hadn't considered it.

Having been married to four husbands in her past life, she shouldn't be as shy or resistant as an ordinary unmarried girl. Yet, perhaps precisely because of that, she understood the subtext of Shule Guli’s words immediately.

Jiang Zhuo’s face turned bright red.

Seeing Jiang Zhuo’s shyness, Shule Guli merely smiled, sensing that she hadn't yet made any such plans, and took her leave.

As she stepped out, she happened to run into Bai Feijun, who was just leaving the Bamboo Room after checking on Jiang Zhuo’s injury.

Confirming once more that the relationship between the two was unusual, Shule Guli gave Bai Feijun a triumphant, knowing look, and with an ambiguous expression that suggested, "I understand everything," she turned and headed down the stairs.

Bai Feijun, having been signaled by Shule Guli for no apparent reason, was stunned. Sensing something was amiss, he hurriedly pushed open the door to the Orchid Room, which hadn't been fully closed. He immediately saw Jiang Zhuo sitting by the table with a flushed face, holding a wine cup and staring blankly into space.

"What is wrong with you?" Bai Feijun reached out to feel her forehead.

Facing the sudden intruder and his reaching hand, the already embarrassed Jiang Zhuo panicked and tried to pull back, only to tumble off her stool in a heap.

"Did she poison you?!"

Seeing Jiang Zhuo’s completely abnormal reaction, Bai Feijun frowned and asked in a cold voice.

"…No, no! You go out first."

Lying on the floor, Jiang Zhuo’s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson.

Jiang Zhuo’s state was clearly not right. As someone with a sense of responsibility, how could he leave at a time like this?

Bai Feijun immediately rose, intending to check the wine cup on the table to figure out what kind of drug Jiang Zhuo had been given.

Just then, the door opened again.

Jiang Lie had come to the Orchid Room after hearing the sound of the chair falling. He opened the door to see his sister sprawled on the ground, her face flushed with panic and resistance, while his friend stood nearby, holding a wine cup and looking as though he were leisurely enjoying a drink.

Without a word of explanation, Jiang Lie lunged forward, grabbed Bai Feijun by the collar, and threw a punch.

"Damn you! You dare to bully my sister right in front of me? You bastard, do you really think I, Jiang Lie, am a pushover!"