Chapter 37 Ill Intentions

Chapter 37: Guests with Ill Intent

Jiang Shuning returned to the Jiang residence to find the estate bustling with unfamiliar noise.

The steward approached and reported in a low voice that the visitors were Chancellor Jiang's two younger brothers by a concubine—her Second Uncle and Third Uncle.

These two uncles had lived in their ancestral home in Xuzhou ever since they parted ways with Chancellor Jiang over a decade ago.

Jiang Tianen's funeral had been arranged hastily, and there had been no time to notify them. Unexpectedly, they had arrived today with their families and luggage in tow, moving into the Jiang residence in a large, imposing group.

Second Madam Jiang, upon seeing Shuning, immediately broke into a beaming smile and hurried forward. "Shuning has grown into such a graceful young lady! Tsk tsk, a young lady raised in the capital is truly different—so radiant and striking!"

Jiang Shuning gave a slight nod and performed a polite curtsy, her tone gentle yet probing. "Shuning pays her respects to Second Aunt. Second Aunt and Uncles, why did you not inform us of your visit in advance?"

"Oh, it's because we heard that Elder Brother's family has met with misfortune!" Second Madam Jiang sighed, though a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes. "Elder Sister-in-law is gravely ill, and Elder Brother is not adept at managing affairs. As relatives, how could we not come to lend a hand?"

"Lend a hand?" A cold, sharp female voice suddenly cut in like a chilling wind. "I'm afraid it's not about helping, but seeing that my elder brother has passed, you've come to covet my father's estate, haven't you?"

The speaker was Jiang Yaozhen, who had also just returned from outside. She looked at Second Madam Jiang with a hint of disdain.

Second Madam Jiang, however, acted as if she hadn't detected the sarcasm in the words. Her smile widened even more as she eagerly stepped forward. "Yaozhen! Second Aunt heard you are now a prospective Prince's Consort! I always said your looks surpassed your elder sister's and that you would surely climb to great heights. See, was Second Aunt's mouth not blessed with foresight?"

She turned and called to someone behind her. "Lian, come quickly and greet your Second Elder Sister!"

A young girl, about the same age as Shuning and her sister, timidly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Second Elder Sister. Second Elder Sister is truly beautiful." Jiang Lian gazed at Jiang Yaozhen's opulent robes and red hairpin, her face full of envy.

Jiang Yaozhen thrived on flattery. Hearing her cousin's praise, the corners of her lips lifted, brimming with pride.

Second Madam Jiang kept Jiang Yaozhen engaged in endless small talk, her words dripping with sycophancy, as if Jiang Shuning standing nearby did not exist.

Jiang Shuning paid it no mind and walked straight back to her own quarters.

Ling Wu followed closely behind, lowering her voice. "Eldest Miss, your Second Aunt is so snobbish! Seeing that the Second Miss has climbed onto a royal branch, she flatters her endlessly, completely ignoring you, the legitimate eldest daughter."

Jiang Shuning was unmoved. "Such is human nature, nothing strange about it."

After their grandfather and grandmother passed away, Chancellor Jiang, as the legitimate eldest son, had inherited the lion's share of the Jiang family's ancestral property. The Second and Third branches had long harbored resentment.

Now, with the sudden death of the eldest son, the Chancellor's residence was in turmoil. These people, like starving wolves catching the scent of blood, had arrived in force with their families and belongings, harboring ill intentions.

These guests meant no good.

Jiang Shuning thought to herself.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard, faintly mixed with the steward's trembling pleas. "Second Young Master, this won't do... this is the Eldest Miss's courtyard..."

An arrogant voice rang out. "Don't you know that Uncle and Aunt intend to adopt me? I am already the future master of the Jiang residence. The Eldest Miss will marry out eventually anyway. Why shouldn't I live in her courtyard?"

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning's expression turned cold. She said sternly to Ling Wu, "Let's go see!"

Pushing the door open, she saw a man similar in age and appearance to Jiang Tianen, leading a group of servants charging aggressively towards the Cuizhu Courtyard.

Jiang Shuning recognized him at a glance—this was Jiang Tianci, the eldest son of her Second Uncle.

Second Uncle resembled her father in looks, and their offspring naturally bore similarities too.

But Jiang Tianen had been forthright, honest, and straightforward; the Jiang Tianci before her was precisely the opposite. From a young age, he had chased vanity, been slick and cunning, and upon reaching adulthood, had picked up many vices.

Jiang Shuning remembered from her previous life that not long after she married, Second Aunt had shamelessly come to Madam Jiang to borrow money because Jiang Tianci had gambling debts.

Now, seeing this cousin, she naturally felt not an ounce of goodwill towards him.

As soon as Jiang Tianci saw Jiang Shuning, he plastered on a broad smile. "Isn't this Shuning? We haven't seen each other in years. You've grown even more radiant."

Jiang Shuning's gaze was icy. "Second Brother, what brings you to the Cuizhu Courtyard?"

"Shuning, you have no idea. Today, when Uncle and Aunt saw me, they were both sorrowful and overjoyed, weeping freely. They insisted on adopting me into their family! My parents, pitying their plight, agreed. Little sister, you can regard me as your own elder brother from now on!"

Having said his piece, he looked around, a smug expression appearing on his face. "This Cuizhu Courtyard is serene and elegant, with bamboo shadows swaying—perfect for studying. Unlike Elder Brother, who liked martial arts, I aspire to scholarly achievements. This courtyard suits me perfectly. Shuning, why don't you give this courtyard to your Second Brother? Consider it a congratulatory gift for my entry into the residence!"

His words were both greedy and shameless. Ling Wu was furious and about to step forward to argue, but Jiang Shuning raised a hand to stop her, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Giving the courtyard to Second Brother is certainly possible, but a free gift doesn't seem quite reasonable." Her cool gaze fell on the jade pendant at his waist. "How about Second Brother exchanges that jade pendant at your waist for it?"

Hearing this, Jiang Tianci was ecstatic.

Trading a cheap piece of jade for an entire courtyard? Such a bargain was unheard of!

Putting on a show of magnanimity, he fondled the pendant and declared loudly, "Shuning has a good eye! This jade was purchased at great expense in Xuzhou. The jade is warm and smooth, flawless and translucent—no ordinary piece! Since Shuning likes it, I'll trade this priceless jade pendant for your Cuizhu Courtyard!"

The corner of Jiang Shuning's lips lifted in a faint, ambiguous smile as she quietly readied her sleeve crossbow.

With a *whoosh*, a bolt shot through the air, striking the jade pendant in Jiang Tianci's hand with pinpoint accuracy.

The pendant fell to the ground with a clatter, shattering into dust that scattered everywhere.

Jiang Tianci was terrified by the sudden arrow, staggering backward, his face ashen.

Jiang Shuning glanced at him, her tone mocking. "What a pity, the pendant is broken. It seems the trade cannot be completed. Second Brother, please return."

Only then did Jiang Tianci realize she had been deliberately making things difficult for him!

Today was his first day at the Chancellor's residence. If he didn't teach this arrogant cousin a lesson, how would he establish his footing here in the future?

Thinking this, he blustered, "I'm determined to have this Cuizhu Courtyard today! Men, move my things in!"

A cold smile curled Jiang Shuning's lips as she lifted her sleeve, revealing the exquisitely crafted sandalwood sleeve crossbow on her wrist.

She aimed the cold, gleaming arrowhead directly at Jiang Tianci's crotch.

Seeing this, Jiang Tianci was scared out of his wits and turned to flee.

But Jiang Shuning was not about to let him off so easily.

She pulled the trigger again. The bolt shot out, nailing his shoe firmly to the ground.

Caught off guard, Jiang Tianci fell flat on his face, eating dirt.

The maids and matrons in the Cuizhu Courtyard were amused by his wretched state, laughing uproariously.

Jiang Tianci struggled to his feet. Seeing that Jiang Shuning's crossbow still held one more bolt, its cold gleam intimidating, he dared not say more despite his rage. He could only slink away, covered in dust.

Jiang Shuning watched his fleeing figure and sneered. "So utterly pathetic, and he dares claim to be my elder brother?"

At that moment, in a corner of the Cuizhu Courtyard, someone quietly witnessed it all, a meaningful smile curling at their lips.

They had thought life in the capital's Chancellor residence would be dull and tedious. Who would have thought this cousin would be so... interesting.