Chapter 48- A Rare Connection – Transcendental Translations

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Chapter 48

“It must be,” Jiang Ruohua nodded. “I’ve trained in martial arts with my father since I was a child, so moving around more makes me hungrier than most. With all those years, my appetite has naturally grown along with me.”

At home, she would eat her fill. Only when she went to dine at Third Madam’s quarters or when a guest elsewhere did she keep more closely to dining proprieties, suppressing her appetite.

“How wonderful,” Princess Shangyang sighed, a hint of envy in her voice. “You’re still so slender, yet your appetite is similar to mine. I’d never have expected us to be so like-minded when it comes to dining.”

Jiang Ruohua smiled, leaning closer to the princess. “It’s partly from martial arts, Your Highness. You might not know, but I spent some time in the barracks with my father when I was little. The soldiers there ate a great deal more than the average person, yet they were all fit, strong, and never seemed to gain extra weight—thanks to their training.”

“Is that so? How envious,” the princess said thoughtfully. “As girls, we’re rarely allowed outside the house, let alone to practice martial arts. When I was young, I wanted to train with my brothers, but Mother and Father wouldn’t allow it, always afraid I’d get hurt. Now I’m older, and it’s far too late to start learning.”

“That’s not an issue at all,” Jiang Ruohua assured her, pondering a moment before continuing. “I know a set of exercises that my father had specially designed for my mother. It’s perfect for young ladies. It’s not powerful, but it helps build strength and keep fit. If you practice it daily, you can keep a slim figure without needing to limit what you eat.”

Seeing the princess’s keen interest, she offered, “I can sketch it out for you later if Your Highness would like to give it a try.”

“Oh, thank you so much!” The princess’s face lit up, her fondness for her lifesaver growing all the more. The two fell into easy conversation, discussing things far beyond what young noblewomen typically covered.

Raised in the palace, Princess Shangyang’s knowledge and interests exceeded that of many girls her age, and she often lost interest in mundane topics. Jiang Ruohua was quick to notice this and recounted her own experience as a child in the military camp. “When Father first introduced this exercise set, the other soldiers teased him about it. But within a few days, they were all begging him for copies, each one wanting it for their own wives!”

“That’s so charming,” Princess Shangyang laughed, cheeks a little flushed. “They say even the toughest men soften for the women in their lives. I suppose it’s true for everyone.”

Jiang Ruohua recounted stories from her childhood in the camp, where camaraderie and humor often balanced the harsh discipline of training. Despite their rugged exteriors, the soldiers had a gentle side, especially around the small girl in their midst. Everyday moments could quickly turn into funny mishaps, given the fierce protectiveness of the soldiers.

“Oh, and there were even famous martial heroes among them—some who had retired from the jianghu,” she said, to the princess’s delight.

With her background, Princess Shangyang found these stories fascinating. Living her life in the palace, she harbored some yearning for the world beyond the walls—something few would understand. After all, the palace was the world’s most opulent place; the princess was one of its most honored inhabitants. What could be more fortunate than to be born into the royal family?

But that was the nature of human curiosity: an interest in the unknown.

In the princess’s quarters, laughter rose as the two spoke of the past and present, each tale adding to the tapestry of conversation. Princess Shangyang’s insights amazed Jiang Ruohua, whose own stories engaged the princess just as much. Their enthusiasm built on one another until, after a while, the princess suggested they take a stroll.

Jiang Ruohua had rarely walked around the palace grounds before—whether in this life or in dreams. Apart from formal palace gatherings, her palace appearances had been few. With this new perspective and in the princess’s company, she felt an appreciation for the familiar palace surroundings, finding their beauty more vivid.

The palace truly was stunning; it was just that no one had the heart or time to notice it.

“Just passing through, I could hear the lively chatter—so it’s our princess here.”

Unfortunately, unwelcome company often arrived unannounced. Princess Shangyang’s smile faded at once, and Jiang Ruohua turned her gaze toward the voice, watching as a striking woman in palace attire, supported by attendants, approached the pavilion.

“Greetings to Lady Yu,” the two said, bowing.

Lady Yu was in a prickly mood, her gaze cutting. She was young—only two years older than Jiang Ruohua—and from the Marquis of Ming’s household, a family granted nobility without power. It was her current status as the Emperor’s new favorite that allowed her and her family to run amok in the capital.

“So, this is the young lady Jiang who jumped into the water to save our princess?” Lady Yu eyed Jiang Ruohua sharply, with open hostility. Her brother had recently come to her, grumbling about how his plans were ruined by this same girl. If she hadn’t interfered, his success would have been assured! Instead, he’d returned home covered in bruises—a sign of Jiang Ruohua’s brazen defiance!

It seemed losing the engagement hadn’t taught this clueless girl a lesson. Now, she was here before her, practically delivered on a silver platter.

“Yes,” Jiang Ruohua replied calmly, lifting her head with a serene expression and meeting Lady Yu’s glare with unwavering, bright eyes.

So, it was a confrontation she wanted.

It was a pity that the Marquis of Ming’s son was so lucky. Otherwise, with the force of her kick that day, the Marquis’s household might have been mourning him instead of sulking.

“Indeed, seeing is believing,” Lady Yu said, raising her hand with a showy, half-hearted smile. “Such a remarkable young lady.”

“Your praise is undeserved, Your Ladyship,” Jiang Ruohua replied gracefully, smiling and accepting the hollow compliment without hesitation.

If Lady Yu wanted a confrontation, she’d chosen the wrong target.

After all, to secure Princess Shangyang’s friendship, Jiang Ruohua had already resolved to settle things with the Marquis of Ming’s household—and take care of Lady Yu along the way.

Lady Yu’s expression exuded pride and contempt. Jiang Ruohua could read her motives clearly. It was no wonder Lady Yu felt so entitled; after all, she was the emperor’s newest favorite and newly pregnant—a position that afforded her certain privileges.

In the dream, the Marquis’s household had delighted in two pieces of good fortune: Lady Yu’s child and the marriage between the Marquis’s heir and Princess Shangyang. Overnight, their influence skyrocketed, with nobility in the capital rushing to forge connections. But the whole family was treacherous, the brother stirring trouble outside the palace while the sister beguiled the Emperor. They’d made one misstep too many.

To the Emperor, a passing fancy couldn’t compare to his beloved daughter.

Lady Yu… how ironic that such a title was hers.