Chapter Thirty-One: Scorching Heat

After sending away Prince Jiang, the eunuch Yu Yuan returned to the Hall of Morning Clouds.

At that moment, in the Hall of Morning Clouds, the palace maids were amusing the Empress Dowager with the latest little trinkets, painting her nails with fragrant polish. Seeing Yu Yuan approaching from a distance, Jiang Ke waved her hand, dismissing everyone else.

“Speak.”

Yu Yuan stepped forward and whispered into the Empress Dowager’s ear.

Her brows arched in surprise. “Truly so restrained?”

Yu Yuan nodded. “Even when the lead maidservant threw herself at him and tried every means, His Highness remained unmoved.”

At this, the Empress Dowager’s expression turned somewhat troubled.

“Could it really be as the rumors say, that he prefers the company of men?”

Seeing her concern, Yu Yuan hastened to reassure her. “Those are baseless rumors. In this old servant’s humble opinion, His Highness is a rare gentleman, upright and unshakable.”

Still, worry lingered on the Empress Dowager’s face. “My brother has only Lan’er left. If it’s truly as they say, how can I answer to my brother and sister-in-law after my time has passed? This won’t do. Yu Yuan, look further into this. Didn’t Mo’er come complaining a few days ago that Lan’er spent the night in a brothel? If it’s truly as they say, that might even be preferable. If there’s no other way, I’ll personally select a few trustworthy maids to serve in his household. Lan’er is no longer young; it’s time to place some well-trained chambermaids by his side.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

…

Seated in the carriage leaving the palace, with the palace servants already dismissed, Jiang Lan lay back, stretched out in the spacious carriage, when suddenly the mark on his left arm began to burn, and his skin seemed to catch fire.

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Lan rolled up her sleeve. Sure enough, the skin on her upper arm was beginning to fester, yet not a drop of blood stained her clothing.

To seize the reincarnation of the original soul—was this Heaven’s punishment? No matter how she tried to hide, she could not escape Heaven’s notice. Now, even Heaven itself had become a deadly threat.

Jiang Lan let out a quiet laugh. The world was unjust—how could someone burdened with such deep vengeance be so easily destroyed by Heaven’s petty retribution?

For now, it was only her arm. If the karmic fire spread throughout her body, even if her father returned from the grave, he could not save her. The most pressing task was to fulfill the original owner’s last wish and leave this body as soon as possible.

Yesterday’s dream was clearly the memory of the original owner. Therefore, the final secret that led to her death must be what she had painstakingly sought. But which princess was the one mentioned by the man in black?

Could it be the Liang princess whom Jiang Lan had encountered?

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Duke’s residence.”

Outside, a young servant respectfully placed the small ladder, waiting for the young master to alight.

Jiang Lan straightened her clothes and stepped down. The gatekeeper hurried forward to take the gifts bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

After bidding farewell to the palace attendant, Jiang Lan returned alone to her own quarters. Shutting the door, she lay on her bed, enduring wave after wave of searing pain as her flesh seemed to tear apart.

Only when night finally fell did the ordeal subside.

Jiang Lan ordered Xichi to prepare cold water. The icy bath in spring sent shivers through her entire body, but the burning pain in her arm eased. The clash of ice and fire took a heavy toll on her, and only after half an hour, when the scorching had lessened, did she emerge from the tub.

Changing into the everyday clothes Xichi had set out, Jiang Lan went to the study.

Xichi was waiting there. “Young master, here are the things you requested.”

Jiang Lan took the stack of papers and perused them carefully. Her brows knitted at first, then gradually relaxed.

“Bring the inn servant here.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Lan looked at the inn servant kneeling on the floor, sighed, and then instructed Xichi to untie the ropes binding him.