Chapter Seven: The Old Ailment Returns-Reencarnação em um roteiro de vingança: ainda bem que eu não sou uma pessoa boa(Onde está o meu peixinho seco?)

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(Rui Prince’s Mansion)
“Second Prince, the bodies of those sent to assassinate Prince Xuan have been dumped at the mansion gate.”
“What?!”
“All were elite members of our residence’s forces. How could they fail to kill Prince Xuan, who supposedly knows no martial arts?”
“Your Highness, they almost succeeded, but there was an accomplice by his side... When the two realized they couldn’t win, they fled, yet somehow the bodies ended up at our gate.”
The guard’s voice grew faint, clearly fearing Jiang Jingzhi’s wrath.
His gaze sharpened as he asked, “Has Jiang Ruohuai made a move yet?”
The guard pondered, then shook his head: “Not yet.”
“Investigate who that accomplice is.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The guard bowed and left.

Months ago, Lingzhou and Lanzhou were battered by continuous heavy rains for days, causing floods that destroyed countless homes and dikes.
The people were displaced, wandering helplessly, their wails filling the land.
Upon hearing this, the White Emperor ordered Prince Rui, Jiang Jingzhi, and Prince Xuan, Jiang Ruohuai, to each carry hundreds of thousands in disaster relief funds to inspect and aid.
Jiang Jingzhi arrived in Lingzhou and immediately opened granaries and set up countless porridge shelters and housing.
But the porridge was not plain; it contained vegetables and minced meat.
The people praised him endlessly, truly winning their hearts.
In contrast, Jiang Ruohuai in Lanzhou also opened granaries but imposed many regulations:
All disaster victims must register and queue by headcount to receive supplies;
Men and women received aid on alternating days; households with young children or elderly had separate lines;
Young women had to assist officials in distributing and preparing aid and warm clothing;
Able-bodied men were required to help dredge rivers and rebuild dikes...
And dozens more rules.
Discontent grew, and people called Jiang Ruohuai a skin-flaying prince, accusing him of not truly coming to help.

News reached the capital; the White Emperor was furious and sent a commissioner to replace Prince Xuan.
After weeks of turmoil, Prince Rui’s reputation soared.
It was thought this would pave the way for his ascent to Crown Prince.
Yet fate was unkind.
A month later, the rains returned fiercely, causing massive casualties in Lingzhou and washing away the earlier shelters and homes, with officials falling from power.
Meanwhile, Lanzhou remained largely unaffected.
The young women assisting the government and the men rebuilding dikes were paid wages, more work meant more pay.
Families with young children or elderly received extra subsidies.
Over time, people realized the benefits.

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Moreover, the wages motivated them greatly.
Though not fully satiated, no one starved; though not warmly clothed, none froze.
Compared to neighboring Lingzhou, their situation was far better.
Though the dikes were not yet complete, temporary channels relieved much of the flood’s force.
Thus, Lanzhou escaped disaster.
Most people built dikes, a few rebuilt homes.
With clear divisions of labor and collective effort, everything proceeded orderly.
Officials initially grumbled at the hardship but later felt fortunate to keep their positions thanks to Prince Xuan.
The commissioner reported to the White Emperor, who was delighted and openly praised, “Prince Xuan has the talent to govern the realm.”
However, Prince Xuan’s health was poor. Even in clear weather, he had to wear a cloak.
Dragging such a body to aid disaster relief must be a facade, surely harboring ulterior motives.
Thinking this, Jiang Jingzhi crushed his teacup in anger: “Stop pretending to be ill. I bet he’s already plotting for the Crown Prince’s position.”
“Indeed. Quiet for years and only now revealing himself—he is truly cunning.”
The speaker was Jiang Jingzhi’s adviser, Fang Shitu.
A man of immense learning and talent, he neither sought office nor commerce but willingly served in Prince Rui’s mansion, offering counsel.
It was puzzling to many.
Jiang Jingzhi, however, considered Fang Shitu highly insightful.
Fang Shitu added, “I feel Jiang Ruohuai hides many secrets.”
Jiang Jingzhi’s face turned grim, his eyes cold, his hands gripping the table turning pale:
“No matter how many secrets he has, if he dares to block my path to the Crown Prince, he will die!”

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(Prince Xuan’s Mansion)
Brushing dust off his clothes, Jiang Ruohuai changed into his dark robe embroidered with flame motifs.
Looking at Feinan, who was feasting voraciously, he asked, “Brother Feinan, how long do you plan to freeload here?”
Feinan wiped his greasy hands: “Why? Now that you’ve learned martial arts, you want to kick me out?”
Jiang Ruohuai smiled, shook his head, then turned serious: “Any news?”
“Alas,” sighed Feinan, “after all these years, not a trace. I fear he’s no longer among the living...”
Seeing Jiang Ruohuai’s frown deepen, Feinan quickly changed the subject.
“But I heard you were attacked by assassins today, and you pretended to have no martial skills, letting the young lady protect you, right, Brother Shang?”
Jiang Ruohuai’s lips curled: “I just found her interesting, so I teased her a little.”
“Your Highness, Doctor Liu is here to take your pulse.” A guard interrupted their conversation.

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“Hm, let him in.”
Seeing Doctor Liu’s face turn pale and then flush, Feinan was terrified and hurriedly asked,
“Is something wrong?”
“Sigh, Your Highness, I warned you your health couldn’t endure the damp conditions from the floods, but you insisted on going.”
Doctor Liu shook his head helplessly.
“Your old ailment has relapsed. I’ll prescribe some medicine, but you should avoid going out for a while.”
“Alright.”
After Doctor Liu left, Jiang Ruohuai met Feinan’s concerned gaze:
“It’s my fault. If you hadn’t risked yourself to save me back then, we wouldn’t be in this state now.”
“Enough, a grown man shouldn’t be so sentimental.”
He patted Feinan’s shoulder reassuringly.
Years ago, Feinan was gravely injured, falling into an icy lake.
Jiang Ruohuai braved the freezing waters for two days and nights to rescue him.
It took months to nurse him back to life.
Since then, Feinan’s health was fragile; even in summer, he needed extra clothing.
Fortunately, training in martial arts with Feinan improved his condition somewhat.
But after months of labor in Lanzhou, his old illness flared again.
“If only we could find Old Five, maybe there’d be a way... but...”
His eyes dimmed, hope fading.
Jiang Ruohuai interrupted,
“You look like I won’t survive until tomorrow...”
“Pah, nonsense!”
“Back to the point! Do you know who sent the assassins today?”
“Who else but my good second brother?”
Feinan’s expression twisted in conflict: “Is it just because you outperformed him?”
Jiang Ruohuai smiled faintly: “Not at all.”
“He cares about Father’s words. In his eyes, I’ve become a major obstacle to his ascent.”
“Then I’ll help you kill him!” Feinan grabbed his Feather Sword, ready to rush out, but Jiang Ruohuai stopped him.
“No need. I still want to toy with him a little.”
Feinan looked utterly speechless: “I don’t get you people. If it were me, I’d just kill and be done with it. Why bother with all this?”