Chapter 45 The Cook and the Wish-Granting Turtle

Chapter 45: The Cook and the Wish-Fulfilling Turtle

Xiao Xiuzhan stared at the dancing figure before him, inhaling the increasingly rich fragrance, a covetous look crossing his face.

Beside him, Ning Xiang took in the entire scene, seething with jealousy.

She was merely a courtesan, not daring to hope for a prince's favor, but the Spring Fragrance Pavilion was her territory. Here, she was the only woman who could command Xiao Xiuzhan's undivided attention.

Now, someone was openly challenging her position—how could she not feel resentful?

When the music ended, the woman in red seemed exhausted, her legs going weak as if she were about to fall.

Xiao Xiuzhan moved quickly, catching her in his arms.

A strange, elusive fragrance mixed with the faint natural scent of a woman instantly enveloped him, stirring a nameless agitation.

Impatiently, he tore off her veil. When he saw her face, he couldn't help but exclaim under his breath, "Jiang..."

Jiang Yaozhen gave a shy smile, quickly covering his mouth, her eyes seductive as silk. "Your Highness, there are outsiders here."

She glanced meaningfully at Ning Xiang.

Xiao Xiuzhan understood, shooting a cold glance at Ning Xiang. "Leave."

Ning Xiang was taken aback. "Your Highness, this is my room!"

Xiao Xiuzhan's tone turned icy. "Your room? Which of your belongings wasn't bestowed by this prince? Leave!"

Ning Xiang choked with anger but dared not disobey. She had no choice but to leave in a huff, throwing a venomous look at the woman in red in Xiao Xiuzhan's arms before departing.

Once Ning Xiang was gone, only the two of them remained in the room.

Jiang Yaozhen released her hand from Xiao Xiuzhan's mouth, pretending to be shy as she withdrew from his embrace and curtsied gracefully. "This humble one greets the Third Prince. I have been presumptuous and hope Your Highness will forgive me!"

Xiao Xiuzhan's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze burning with desire. "How could Second Miss Jiang be presumptuous? This prince is overjoyed! Come here!"

Jiang Yaozhen knew she had already ignited his desire.

But her purpose here wasn't to satisfy his lust—she had other important matters.

She rose gracefully but did not approach him. Instead, she played hard to get. "Your Highness is busy with affairs. I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure to request an audience at the Spring Fragrance Pavilion."

Seeing her deliberate distance, Xiao Xiuzhan, though itching with desire, feared scaring her and assumed a serious expression. "What does Second Miss Jiang request?"

"My second brother has been framed and is now imprisoned. I humbly beg Your Highness to lend a helping hand."

"Second brother?" Xiao Xiuzhan raised an eyebrow. "You have a second brother?"

"He is the legitimate eldest son of my second uncle. He bears some resemblance to my late elder brother, and I cannot bear to see him suffer in prison. Moreover, I know he didn't gamble intentionally but was set up. I beg Your Highness, given the Prime Minister's household has lost its eldest son, to help me this once."

Upon hearing this, a flicker passed through Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes.

He felt no guilt over Jiang Tianen's death, but Jiang Yaozhen's words gave him a convenient excuse.

If he intervened, he could erase the blame for Jiang Tianen's death—it might work to his advantage.

So he initiated the question, "Who holds a grudge against your second brother, setting up such a vicious scheme?"

"It was my elder sister."

Xiao Xiuzhan was taken aback. "Jiang Shuning? Why would she do this?"

"Second brother is new here and set his sights on Elder Sister's Bamboo Garden. They had a dispute over it. To prevent Second Brother from being adopted into Father's lineage, Elder Sister set him up, landing him in prison." Jiang Yaozhen wore an anxious expression, her eyes revealing just the right amount of unease. "I ask Your Highness to keep this confidential. As the saying goes, family scandals should not be aired in public."

Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes darkened as he pondered: Jiang Shuning usually appeared dignified and intelligent, but who would have thought she could be so narrow-minded? For the sake of a garden, she sent her own cousin to prison.

Could it be that the virtuous and gentle demeanor she displayed daily was all an act?

He probed further, "How could a sheltered young lady like her set up such a scheme? Where did she find accomplices?"

Jiang Yaozhen had been waiting for this question.

"Your Highness may not know, but ever since Elder Sister gained the Empress Dowager's favor at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, several princes have admired her. She has been frequently entering the palace lately. I suspect she must have received help from one of the princes to set up this scheme."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiuzhan's heart jolted.

Could Jiang Shuning have such capabilities?

He thought only he wanted to marry her as his principal consort to please his mother. Who would have thought other princes had already fallen for her?

On second thought, she had entered the palace several times but never sought him out, which angered him.

Among the seven princes under His Majesty, who could compare to him?

Jiang Shuning truly had no discernment!

"Don't worry, I agree to help your cousin."

He was determined to find out which of his brothers Jiang Shuning had been visiting during her frequent trips to the palace!

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Jiang Yaozhen bowed gracefully.

Perhaps because she was no longer sweating, the fragrance on her body gradually faded.

Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes darkened as he involuntarily took a step closer. "I had no idea Second Miss Jiang was naturally fragrant. Last time at the camp..."

"Your Highness was drunk then, so naturally, you didn't notice." Jiang Yaozhen pretended to be shy, taking a step back to create distance. "Now that I've seen Your Highness and stated my purpose, I shall not disturb you further."

Xiao Xiuzhan was taken aback. "You're leaving?"

"This is a den of pleasure; it's not suitable for me to stay long." Before finishing her sentence, Jiang Yaozhen had already put on her veil. With a flick of her slender hand, a rope flew out the window, wrapping around a beam.

Under Xiao Xiuzhan's astonished gaze, she leaped out gracefully.

Gasps of surprise rose from downstairs.

After landing, Jiang Yaozhen turned back, curtsying gracefully toward Xiao Xiuzhan by the window before turning and leaving.

Watching the retreating red figure, Xiao Xiuzhan felt utterly captivated.

"Jiang Yaozhen is truly a remarkable woman!"

He had previously resented this marriage arrangement, thinking her lowly birth unworthy of the Principal Consort position.

But now, it seemed marrying such a charming and intriguing woman wasn't a loss after all.

As for her elder sister, Jiang Shuning...

A shadow of malice flashed in Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes.

How ungrateful! He would make her regret it!

—

With Jiang Tianci imprisoned, a huge weight was lifted from Jiang Shuning’s mind.

To express her gratitude, she specially prepared two boxes of almond cheesecakes and sent them to Jinghe Palace, hoping Xiao Lingchuan wouldn’t summon her to the kitchen again like last time.

Xiao Lingchuan looked at the two heavy food boxes, his gaze drifting to the swirling snow outside, and suddenly mused aloud, “It’s been a long time since I’ve had lamb soup.”

Jiang Shuning: “…”

And so, she was once again “invited” into the small kitchen of Jinghe Palace, resignedly simmering a pot of lamb soup.

As she watched the steaming broth bubble, Jiang Shuning’s anger boiled over.

What did he take her for?

His personal cook?

How dare he order her around so readily!

She slammed the soup pot onto the table.

Xiao Lingchuan caught the familiar aroma and smiled with satisfaction.

He used to dislike the gamey flavor of lamb, but Jiang Shuning always handled it perfectly.

In his previous life, he had drunk plenty of her lamb soup, and his frail constitution gradually improved.

After being reborn, even when he shared Jiang Shuning’s secret recipe with the cooks at Jinghe Palace, the flavor never tasted quite right.

Now, he could finally enjoy it properly again.

“Your Highness, I have a request.”

“Speak.” Xiao Lingchuan’s attention was entirely on the lamb soup.

“My dear friend Xia Yan is in love with the Second Prince, and I would like to ask Your Highness to act as a matchmaker.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan frowned, his brows knitting. “Although you and I are both reborn, I am not a turtle in a wishing pond that can grant any desire.”

Jiang Shuning had expected his refusal and sneered. “If Your Highness can treat me like a cook, why can’t I treat Your Highness as…”

“Enough!” Xiao Lingchuan cut her off sharply, his expression darkening. “What if I refuse?”

Jiang Shuning was prepared. She pulled a packet from her sleeve and opened it—revealing a mixture of ginger, scallions, and garlic!

She made as if to toss the contents into the soup.

Seeing this, Xiao Lingchuan immediately changed his tone. “Let’s talk this over!”