Chapter 17 The Mystical Black Panther

Chapter 17: The Black Panther

The next day, when Madam Jiang came to bring embroidery patterns for Jiang Shuning, Jiang Shuning casually brought up the topic: "Mother, what kind of person was Yaozhen's birth mother?"

"She was just a songstress from the Spring Fragrance Pavilion. She was exceptionally beautiful and an excellent dancer. Your father was dragged there by his colleagues for a social gathering and was instantly captivated by her, insisting on taking her as a concubine. At that time, your father and I had been married for less than a few months. I cried for several nights over this matter!"

After all these years, Madam Jiang's face showed no trace of jealousy or resentment when speaking of it. Instead, her eyes held a hint of self-mocking composure.

"Was she skilled in martial arts?" Jiang Shuning pressed.

"I'm not really sure about that. I only remember she was an excellent rider, cutting a dashing figure on horseback, and could wield a whip quite skillfully. She was also incredibly flamboyant and arrogant; nobody dared to cross her. Once, when she made a mistake, I sent the old maid from the compound to discipline her. Without a word, she swung her whip and lashed the maid until her skin split and flesh tore. After that, who in the household dared to step into her courtyard?"

At this point, Madam Jiang paused, with a hint of wistfulness. "Who would have thought that such a free-spirited woman would ultimately die in childbirth."

"Mother, do you remember the scene on the day she died?" Jiang Shuning continued to ask.

"When I arrived at her courtyard, the midwife said she had hemorrhaged heavily and had already stopped breathing. She was merely a concubine, not eligible to be entered into the family registry or buried in the ancestral graves. Your father had someone bury her beside a Taoist temple in their hometown—a solitary grave, with someone sent each year to offer incense."

She paused, looked up at Jiang Shuning, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Why are you suddenly asking about this concubine today?"

"Just wondering," Jiang Shuning smiled at her.

Who exactly was that shadowy figure last night, and whether it was truly Jiang Yaozhen's birth mother, was still unclear for now. It was better to keep this mystery under wraps for the time being.

Concerned about Xiao Lingchuan's injury, Jiang Shuning simmered a bowl of Bazhen Soup in the kitchen and took a carriage to the palace.

As usual, she was stopped by a palace eunuch outside the hall, who said Xiao Lingchuan was still unconscious and was not receiving visitors.

Just as she was about to leave, the Seventh Prince hurried over: "Sister-in-law, since you're here, come in and sit for a while!"

"But the Fourth Prince, he..."

"Don't worry, Fourth Brother has turned the corner. The imperial physician said that with a few more days of recuperation, he will recover." Hearing the Seventh Prince's words, Jiang Shuning finally relaxed.

Although she resented Xiao Lingchuan's heartlessness and lack of affection in her previous life, she did not wish for him to lose his life because of her prank.

Unable to refuse the Seventh Prince's earnest invitation, Jiang Shuning carried the food box and followed him into Jinghe Palace, where Xiao Lingchuan resided.

In her previous life, after she and Xiao Lingchuan were engaged, it took a full three years before he was enfeoffed as Prince Jing, established his princely mansion, and married her. Therefore, she had actually never seen Xiao Lingchuan's residence from his days as a prince.

Now, seeing it with her own eyes, Jiang Shuning realized it was far more dilapidated than she had imagined.

Looking around, all she saw were weathered old buildings, moss creeping up the walls, exuding an air of desolation.

When the wind blew under the eaves, one could faintly hear the wooden beams creaking. How could this be a place fit for a prince?

She had long known that Xiao Lingchuan lacked imperial favor, but she had not expected him to be in such dire straits. A complicated mix of emotions stirred within her.

The Seventh Prince seemed to read her thoughts and comforted her: "Father also knows that Fourth Brother's palace is too run-down. It's just that he is still recovering from his injuries and illness, and it's not suitable for major renovations. Once Fourth Brother's health improves, he will definitely have it repaired and renovated."

As soon as he finished speaking, a large black cat silently landed in front of them.

The Seventh Prince's voice trembled slightly: "Bl-Black Panther?"

Jiang Shuning recognized this cat. It was said that when Xiao Lingchuan was four or five years old, during a harsh winter, if it hadn't been for this black cat stealing food from the altar to feed him, he might have frozen to death in the neglected cold palace.

Xiao Lingchuan was immensely fond of it, personally naming it "Black Panther."

Not only was this cat as robust as a panther, but its temperament was also arrogant and fierce. Even the large dogs in the palace would steer clear upon seeing it.

In her previous life, after Jiang Shuning married into the Prince Jing's mansion, it took her a full two years to barely get on friendly terms with this irritable black cat.

Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long. Less than a year after they grew close, it died of old age.

Now, meeting again, Jiang Shuning couldn't help but feel wistful.

Even an animal remembered her kindness and became close to her, yet in her previous life, she spent an entire decade without ever warming Xiao Lingchuan's heart.

Xiao Lingchuan truly was inferior to even an animal.

At that moment, Xiao Lingchuan, who was pretending to be ill inside the room, sneezed abruptly.

He stood up to close the window and happened to see his beloved pet, "Black Panther," walking toward Jiang Shuning. Then, it actually rolled over on its side at her feet, gently rubbing its furry head against her ankle. Its coquettish demeanor was almost fawning, a far cry from its usual aloof and proud demeanor.

The Seventh Prince's eyes widened in astonishment, exclaiming: "Black Panther is actually so affectionate with you, Sister-in-law! How rare!"

Jiang Shuning smiled slightly, bent down, and reached out to gently stroke its chin.

Black Panther narrowed its eyes comfortably, a low purr rumbling in its throat, clearly enjoying her caress immensely.

The Seventh Prince, full of surprise, couldn't help but ask: "Sister-in-law, how on earth did you manage that?"

Jiang Shuning looked up, her gaze gentle, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips: "Perhaps it's because I've had a connection with small animals since childhood. They always seem to like getting close to me."

Her tone was light and casual, yet it couldn't hide the complicated look in her eyes.

More than such explanations, she preferred to believe that this black cat possessed extraordinary spiritual awareness and remembered how she had treated it kindly in her previous life.

Xiao Lingchuan took in the scene, then calmly shut the window.

After delivering the Bazhen Soup to the kitchen of Jinghe Palace, Jiang Shuning reheated it, gave a few instructions to the Seventh Prince, played with the black cat for a while longer, and then left.

As soon as she left, the Seventh Prince eagerly ran to find Xiao Lingchuan: "Fourth Brother, can you believe it? Black Panther actually took the initiative to act coquettishly with Sister-in-law! I was worried it might be aggressive toward her, but who knew it would cling to Sister-in-law's feet like a kitten... Tell me, does Sister-in-law carry some herb that cats like on her?"

Xiao Lingchuan glanced at him and said indifferently: "Then you go try it too."

The Seventh Prince immediately became interested: "I heard there's a plant from the Western Regions called catnip. Cats love its scent. I'll go grind it into powder and sprinkle it on myself to see if Black Panther will rub against me too."

Not long after, he had his answer—Black Panther not only ignored him but also hissed at him, clearly quite displeased.

The Seventh Prince returned dejectedly, complaining to Xiao Lingchuan: "Why is Black Panther so gentle with Sister-in-law upon first meeting, yet still so fierce with me?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Lingchuan's lips, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes, though his expression remained as calm as ever.

The Seventh Prince seemed to suddenly understand something, clapping his hands: "I get it! It must be because Sister-in-law is a woman! Black Panther is naturally more tolerant of women!"

Xiao Lingchuan: "..."