Chapter 28 Ruining Her Innocence

Chapter 28: Tarnishing Her Honor

The winter hunt consisted of three rounds, with today being the first.

After the hunt concluded, night fell, and everyone gathered around the campfire to share their spoils.

Jiang Shuning and Xia Yan were given a plate of rabbit meat roasted to a golden, oily sheen. The two sat happily by the campfire, warming themselves while devouring the food, occasionally sipping fruit wine and smiling.

In her past life, Jiang Shuning had never set foot on the hunting grounds and was mocked by Jiang Yaozhen and several noble ladies for receiving a share of the game without lifting a finger.

This life, she had personally hunted quite a bit of game, so she ate with a clear conscience and a heart full of satisfaction.

Jiang Tianen walked over carrying a deer leg and a wine pot, said with a chuckle, "Ning, I'm going to Third Prince's tent to eat venison. Come with me!"

He still wanted to play matchmaker for his own younger sister with the Third Prince.

"I'm not going, and you shouldn't go either," Jiang Shuning refused without a second thought.

"Why?" Jiang Tianen scratched his head, his face full of confusion.

Jiang Shuning blurted out, "The Third Prince definitely doesn't want to be disturbed right now."

"What do you mean by that?" Jiang Tianen was even more puzzled.

"Just listen to me and don't go," she insisted firmly.

In her past life, during the second hunting session, the Emperor encountered assassins and was nearly hit by a stray arrow. Fortunately, the Third Prince shielded him with his own body, preventing the Emperor from being injured.

The Third Prince, however, was struck by an arrow and took over a month to recover while bedridden.

This incident rocked the court and deeply moved the Emperor.

The Emperor already favored the talented and outstanding Third Prince. Seeing him risk his life to protect His Majesty, the Emperor was moved to consider deposing the sickly and weak Crown Prince and establishing the Third Prince as the Crown Prince.

The Daye court and noble houses were deeply opposed to changing the Crown Prince. The resistance was immense, and the plan to depose the Crown Prince ultimately did not proceed.

But this planted the seeds of disaster.

Later, when the Emperor passed away and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, there were still many Third Prince faction members in the court. Factional strife intensified, and the struggle for succession escalated like adding fuel to a fire, ultimately leading to a tragic fratricidal conflict, with corpses piling up like mountains and rivers of blood flowing.

Naturally, she couldn't explain these things clearly to Jiang Tianen.

Her eldest brother was straightforward, loved getting to the bottom of things, was stubborn, and was blunt.

Jiang Shuning could only choose her words carefully: "The Third Prince didn't win the top spot today, so he must be pinning his hopes on tomorrow's second hunting session. Tonight, he certainly cannot drink alcohol to avoid affecting his performance. If you go barging in, he'll have to go through the trouble of declining. Wouldn't that be awkward?"

Jiang Tianen listened, thought for a moment, and nodded, "You're always so thoughtful, Ning. You've been smarter than your brother since you were little. I'll listen to you!"

With that, he turned and left, carrying the deer leg and wine pot.

Jiang Shuning secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xia Yan beside her covered her mouth with a light laugh, "Shuning is truly clever, talking your brother out of it so easily. But speaking of which, in previous years, the Third Prince always won the hunting championship. This year, it was actually the Fourth Prince who took the crown. It's really unexpected!"

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning lowered her eyelids, hiding the turmoil in her eyes, and silently prayed: I hope my guess is wrong.

As night fell completely, the camp was dotted with flickering firelight, casting long shadows from the tents.

Jiang Yaozhen watched from afar as Jiang Tianen's figure disappeared into the night, then quietly followed.

When no one was around, she called out, "Eldest Brother!"

Hearing the voice, Jiang Tianen turned around. Seeing it was Jiang Yaozhen, his face immediately broke into a wide smile, "Zhen, you really brought honor to our Jiang family today! You actually took first place in the women's group!"

"You flatter me, Eldest Brother." Jiang Yaozhen's gaze shifted to the wine pot in Jiang Tianen's hand, "This wine is for the Third Prince, right?"

Jiang Tianen nodded, but his expression carried a hint of regret, "It's a pity he probably shouldn't drink tonight."

A glint flashed in Jiang Yaozhen's eyes, and she immediately chimed in, "Give the wine to me. I happen to be going to the Third Prince's tent and can deliver it for you."

Jiang Tianen hesitated, "This... isn't appropriate, is it? It's late at night and the dew is heavy. You're a young lady, and you're already betrothed. How can you go to the Third Prince's tent?"

Jiang Yaozhen feigned annoyance, "Eldest Brother, what are you thinking? I'm going with the Sixth Prince to find the Third Prince."

"The Sixth Prince is also going to drink with the Third Prince?" Jiang Tianen snorted disdainfully, "His alcohol tolerance probably isn't even as good as yours."

He had always looked down on the Sixth Prince, feeling he wasn't manly enough. If it weren't for the Sixth Prince sharing his firm support for the Third Prince, he wouldn't bother associating with him.

Jiang Yaozhen didn't want to explain further and only said vaguely, "Eldest Brother, there's no need to ask for details. In short, we are all serving the Third Prince now."

Jiang Tianen suspected nothing and readily handed over the wine pot, "If that's the case, then take it. But this wine is very strong. Make sure the Third Prince doesn't drink too much."

"Zhen understands." Jiang Yaozhen took the wine pot, a barely noticeable smile curling at the corner of her lips.

After Jiang Tianen walked away, she quickly opened the wine pot and poured in all the Nanyue aphrodisiac she had prepared in advance.

This aphrodisiac was colorless and odorless; even the highest-ranking imperial physician in Daye would find it difficult to detect.

Once the deed was done, she only needed to shift the blame onto Jiang Tianen, claiming the wine he brought was too strong. Others would simply think the Third Prince behaved indecently after drinking and wouldn't suspect her.

Jiang Tianen was the legitimate eldest son of the Jiang family. Even if the Emperor and the Third Prince believed he was at fault, they wouldn't take his life. In the end, the matter would likely conclude with her being bestowed in marriage to the Third Prince.

Carrying the wine, Jiang Yaozhen went to a secluded corner. She poured a portion of the drugged wine into another wine pot, then bribed a nearby eunuch with gold, ordering him to deliver this pot of wine to the Sixth Prince and devise a way to lure Jiang Shuning to the Sixth Prince Xiao Jinghuan's tent.

With everything arranged, she carried the remaining half pot of wine and walked contentedly towards the Third Prince's tent, her eyes filled with a sinister gleam.

Fourth Prince, aren't you fond of Jiang Shuning?

Then I'll have that Sixth Prince, who prefers men, ruin her virtue, forcing her to marry him!

Even if you die, you can watch day and night as this resentful couple torments each other, never finding peace!

This is the consequence of plotting against me!

The eunuch bribed by Jiang Yaozhen, holding the half pot of wine, arrived at the Sixth Prince Xiao Jinghuan's tent. Bowing with a flattering yet respectful smile, he said, "Your Highness, Sixth Prince, this is a tonic wine specially sent by the Third Prince. He said it can strengthen the body and nourish the blood and qi."

Xiao Jinghuan was both surprised and delighted by the honor.

"Since it's Third Brother's kind intention, I shall gratefully accept it!" He took the wine pot and immediately took a swig, praising, "Excellent wine!"

Seeing he had drunk it, the eunuch promptly took his leave and went to find Jiang Shuning.

The moonlight was cold and clear, and the campfire in the camp flickered.

After finishing the roasted rabbit meat, Jiang Shuning paced slowly outside her tent to aid digestion, but her mind kept turning over Xiao Lingchuan's recent unusual behavior, feeling a vague unease.

Suddenly, a eunuch appeared, bowing with a sycophantic yet respectful smile, "Miss Jiang, the Fourth Prince requests your presence."

"Fourth Prince?" Jiang Shuning's heart tightened, and she instinctively clenched the handkerchief in her hand. "What's this about?"

The eunuch bowed his head, his tone growing even more humble. "I only carry out my orders. The Fourth Prince said he has urgent matters to discuss privately with you. Beyond that, I know nothing."

Jiang Shuning paused. Recalling how his behavior today contrasted sharply with his past life, she bit her lower lip lightly and finally made a decision. "Lead the way."

Rather than suffering in speculation, it was better to ask him directly.

Xiao Lingchuan, are you reborn too?