Chapter 46 A Foolish Girl Tormented by Love

Chapter 46: The Lovelorn Foolish Girl

“It’s not that I’m unwilling—but there’s nothing I can do.” Xiao Lingchuan covered the soup pot to shield the lamb broth from the pungent assault of ginger, scallions, and garlic before speaking slowly. “Second Brother’s maternal family has served as generals for generations, guarding the frontier and commanding formidable military power. His Majesty has long viewed them with suspicion. Miss Xia’s father is also a renowned general. Should the two marry, rebellion would be alarmingly easy to incite—His Majesty would never permit it.”

“What about weakening the military influence of Second Prince’s maternal clan?” Jiang Shuning asked, reluctant.

Xiao Lingchuan regarded her with a complex expression. “You’re too naive. For men, power and status reign supreme. Why would Second Brother abandon his powerful maternal kin for mere sentiment?”

“In my past life, Xia Yan remained unmarried for Second Prince’s sake, became a nun, and devoted her life to prayer. All it would take is diminishing his maternal clan’s influence—why can’t Second Prince do just that?”

“Men and women are ultimately different,” Xiao Lingchuan replied, his tone faint.

Hearing this, a bleak smile flickered across Jiang Shuning’s face. “Yes—men are pragmatic and fickle. Only we women are foolish enough to hurl ourselves into love like moths into flame, giving everything we have.”

She thought of her former self—trapped in the inner chambers of her past life, exhausting herself day after day trying to please her husband, only to end with a heart scarred beyond repair.

And Xiao Lingchuan—though married to a woman he didn’t love—had treated her as little more than a plaything in the bedchamber, meticulously plotting his ascent to the throne without pause or remorse.

Xiao Lingchuan caught the desolation in her eyes and softened his voice slightly. “It’s not impossible for me to make their union happen—on certain conditions.”

Jiang Shuning remained silent, watching him quietly, waiting.

“First, he must prove useful to me. Second, from this moment onward, he and his maternal clan must conceal their talents and bide their time—sheathing their sharp edges to avoid suspicion and jealousy. Third, if Miss Xia marries beneath her station, she may only become a secondary wife.”

“A secondary wife?” Jiang Shuning’s delicate brows furrowed ever so slightly. “Why?”

Xia Yan was the treasured pearl of the Xia household. Even if she herself consented, General Xia would never allow his beloved daughter to be relegated to such a subordinate position.

A secondary wife, after all, remained a concubine.

How could the daughter of a general—a noblewoman by birth—become someone’s concubine?

“Only this way can His Majesty be convinced that Second Brother harbors no ambition to forge an alliance with the Xia family,” Xiao Lingchuan explained.

Jiang Shuning paused in thought. “This matter is grave. I must first consult Xia Yan’s own wishes before replying to Your Highness.”

Xia Yan’s feelings for Second Prince ran deep. In her past life, after his death, she shaved her head and became a nun, devoting her life to prayer.

Yet Jiang Shuning wasn’t certain whether Xia Yan would willingly lower herself to the status of a concubine merely to dispel the emperor’s suspicions.

Leaving Jinghe Palace, Jiang Shuning walked with her mind in turmoil.

Suddenly, a voice sounded beside her ear: “Isn’t this Miss Jiang?”

Her heart skipped a beat. Looking up, she met Xiao Xiuzhan’s probing gaze.

Of all people to run into!

Suppressing the hatred welling within her, she straightened her robes and bowed respectfully. “This humble girl pays her respects to Third Prince.”

“Where has Miss Jiang come from?” Xiao Xiuzhan’s gaze fell on the empty food box in her hand, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Who was fortunate enough to taste the pastries baked by Miss Jiang’s own hands? Come to think of it, this prince hasn’t had the pleasure of tasting Miss Jiang’s culinary skills in quite some time—I wonder when I might again be so fortunate?”

Jiang Shuning had no desire to engage further and offered only a faint, polite smile. “Your Highness jests. This humble girl’s meager skills hardly merit mention. It grows late—I shall take my leave.”

With that, she curtsied, turned, and walked away.

Staring at Jiang Shuning’s retreating figure, Xiao Xiuzhan’s expression gradually darkened.

He turned to the guard behind him. “Have you confirmed it?”

“Reporting to Your Highness—Second Young Master Jiang was indeed framed, and the plot was orchestrated by Fourth Prince’s men.”

“Hmph!” Xiao Xiuzhan snorted coldly, his gaze sharpening like a blade as it shot toward the direction Jiang Shuning had vanished. “To harm even your own cousin—truly a venomous heart! Yet seeking Fourth Brother’s help was reckless—handing such leverage straight into this prince’s grasp!”

The guard, reading his master’s mood, quickly flattered: “Your Highness is supremely wise! Should His Majesty learn that Fourth Prince schemed to frame the Jiang family, imperial wrath would surely cost Fourth Prince his favor!”

A cold, sinister smile curled at the corner of Xiao Xiuzhan’s lips.

“Fourth Brother… oh, Fourth Brother—you’ve basked in the limelight far too long. It’s high time you were brought down a notch.”

Jiang Shuning strode briskly along the palace path when suddenly a gentle male voice called from behind: “Miss Jiang—please wait!”

Her heart tightened. Turning, she saw Xiao Huaijin in a blue-and-white brocade robe hurrying toward her.

What day is it today?

How is it that a single visit to the palace has brought her face-to-face with so many princes?

“This humble girl pays her respects to Fifth Prince!” Jiang Shuning curtsied, though a subtle ripple stirred within her.

“Miss Jiang, please rise.” Xiao Huaijin’s gaze settled upon her, laced with quiet concern. “A few days ago, I sent a palace servant to the Prime Minister’s residence to invite you—but they said you were unwell. Have you fully recovered?”

Her eyes flickered—panic vanishing in an instant.

She hadn’t been ill at all. She’d avoided him simply because she feared he’d developed feelings for her.

Xiao Lingchuan had made it clear that Xiao Huaijin was no suitable match—and she had no wish to entangle herself in the princes’ ruthless power struggles. That was why she’d deliberately distanced herself from him.

“I was indeed unwell a few days ago—but I’m quite well now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.” She paused, lowering her eyelids. “It grows late—I shall take my leave.”

With that, she curtsied and quickened her pace, leaving Xiao Huaijin standing alone.

She could feel his burning gaze on her back—a whirlwind of complex emotions churning within her.

Fifth Prince—I’m sorry.

The road ahead is long—but we were never meant to walk it together.

The next day, Jiang Shuning paid a special visit to the Xia residence. No sooner had she entered than she cut straight to the point: “Have you developed feelings for Second Prince?”

Xia Yan’s lovely face instantly flushed crimson. She stammered, “H-how did you know?”

Having lived two lives, this was the first time Jiang Shuning had seen Xia Yan look so shy—and her heart already understood.

In her past life, she’d truly been oblivious—not even noticing her dearest friend’s quiet affections.

Now, reborn, she was determined to redeem the regrets of her former life—and help Xia Yan secure a happy marriage.

Taking Xia Yan’s hand, she spoke gently: “Don’t worry how I found out. The truth is, Second Prince holds noble rank—and his maternal clan commands immense military power. His Majesty already watches him warily. If you wish to marry him, I fear you cannot be his principal wife.”

Xia Yan’s face reddened further. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I haven’t thought that far ahead. Besides—Second Prince… he may not feel anything for me at all. Isn’t it too soon to consider such things?”

“What? You and Second Prince aren’t mutually in love?” Jiang Shuning was deeply surprised.

Xia Yan sighed softly. “Second Prince carries the world in his heart. His eyes are fixed only on martial arts and the people of the frontier—how could he indulge in romance? He speaks with me often only because I know a little martial arts—and he enjoys sparring with me. I know my status is low, and I dare not dream of becoming a prince’s consort.”

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning was stunned.

Could it be that, in her past life, Xia Yan’s love had been unrequited?

She felt both amused and exasperated.

So in her past life, she hadn’t been the only foolish girl tormented by love.