Chapter 50 A Fatal Strike

Chapter 50: A Single Thrust to the Throat

The next day, Chancellor Jiang sent a trusted aide posthaste to Xuzhou to verify the authenticity of the IOU.

Two days later, the aide hurried in, bowing to report, "My lord, I have taken the IOU to the Xuzhou gambling den for verification. It is indeed genuine. Last year, Second Young Master Jiang racked up a debt of several hundred taels there. Later, Second Master Jiang had to sell off his jade shop to clear it. Now, everyone in Xuzhou knows that the Jiang family's second son is a hopeless gambler!"

Upon hearing this, Chancellor Jiang's expression grew even darker.

No wonder, upon learning of Jiang Tianen's demise, his second brother had descended upon the capital with his whole family. It seemed that without the jade shop to support them, life in Xuzhou had become difficult.

That was why they were so eager to have Jiang Tianci adopted into the chancellor's mansion, seeking a new reliance.

As he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a servant knock and report, "Master, Second Madam is here to see you, saying she has matters to discuss."

A flicker of impatience crossed Chancellor Jiang's brow, but he still ordered, "Let her in."

No sooner had he spoken than Second Madam Jiang entered, carrying a basket of eggs, her face all smiles.

"Brother, these are fresh country eggs I bought at the market this morning. I brought them especially for you to try."

Chancellor Jiang's expression remained indifferent, his tone distant. "That's very kind of you. But we have everything we need here. The servants handle all the shopping. There is no need for you to trouble yourself."

Second Madam Jiang's smile didn't falter, but she changed tack. "Actually, I came today to discuss the matter of Tianci's adoption with you, brother. I wonder if, on the day of the adoption, you could throw a banquet for relatives and friends from Xuzhou? It would allow them to join in the celebration and witness this happy occasion together."

Chancellor Jiang's face changed abruptly, his voice turning icy. "I'm still thinking over the adoption. If there is nothing else, please return. I still have official duties to attend to."

With that, he called for a servant to escort Second Madam Jiang out.

His trusted aide also withdrew.

After seeing Second Madam Jiang off, the servant returned to the study, his face showing displeasure. "Master, this Second Madam is truly something. For her own son to be adopted into the main branch is nothing to boast about, yet she wants to host a grand banquet and make a spectacle of it. If not for the misfortune that befell the eldest young master, why would we need the second young master to be adopted? Her behavior makes it seem as if she's eager for everyone to know she's happy the eldest young master died early!"

Chancellor Jiang said coldly, "She's not looking to celebrate. She clearly wants Tianci's creditors to know he is now the heir to the chancellor's mansion, so they can come to our mansion to come collecting in the future!"

The servant was shocked upon hearing this. "Master, is the second young master truly a gambler?"

Chancellor Jiang waved his hand. "You need not concern yourself with this matter. Go, send for the eldest young lady."

"Yes, Master." The servant accepted the order and left.

The moment Jiang Shuning entered the study, before she could even ask her father why he had summoned her, she saw the servant rush in again, his face ashen, his lips trembling as he said, "Master, it's terrible..."

Chancellor Jiang's brows furrowed tightly, displeased. "What is it that has you so panicked? Control yourself!"

The servant took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "Just now, officials came to report that the second young master... he..."

He paused, as if unable to continue, "...was found dead in an alley. They asked us to send someone to identify the body!"

"What?!" The teacup in Chancellor Jiang's hand clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces, tea splashing everywhere.

Jiang Shuning's face paled drastically.

The news came too suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, leaving her reeling.

How could such a thing happen?

Chancellor Jiang could no longer care about anything else. He staggered to his feet and hurriedly followed the servant out.

Jiang Shuning felt her heart pounding wildly, almost leaping out of her chest.

Who could have dealt such a ruthless blow to Jiang Tianci?

"Ling Wu, quickly go and see if it's really the second young master who is in trouble!"

"Yes, eldest young lady!" Ling Wu accepted the order and hurried away.

Within minutes, Ling Wu returned, her face deathly pale, her voice trembling. "It is the second young master. He died in the alley, his throat was slit. It was a single, fatal blow. It was likely the work of an assassin."

Jiang Shuning was thunderstruck. She staggered back several steps, nearly falling.

Who had Jiang Tianci offended, that someone would specifically send an assassin to kill him?

In the chancellor's mansion, the wails of Second Madam Jiang and Jiang Lian pierced the air, heart-wrenching and agonizing, like a banshee's wail.

Remembering the day Jiang Tianen died, when she and her mother had cried just as bitterly, Jiang Shuning couldn't bear it. She left the study intending to comfort them.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Second Madam Jiang saw her, she charged at her like an enraged mother leopard. If Ling Wu hadn't stopped her in time, her nails would likely have already scratched Jiang Shuning's face.

"It was you! You hired someone to kill your second brother! You viper!" Second Madam Jiang screamed hoarsely, the hatred in her eyes almost devouring Jiang Shuning.

Jiang Shuning was shocked. "Second Aunt, watch your tongue! You slander me like this—do you have any evidence?"

"What more evidence do I need? In this chancellor's mansion, besides you, who else cannot tolerate Tianci! Shuning, you have such a cruel heart! Not yet married, yet you commit murder. A vicious woman like you will die an old maid!"

The pain of losing her son drove Second Madam Jiang nearly insane. She showered Jiang Shuning with curses; she wished she could devour her alive.

Looking at her face, twisted with grief and fury, Jiang Shuning couldn't defend herself.

She had indeed framed Jiang Tianci, and she truly did not want him to inherit the chancellor's mansion, but she had never thought of taking his life.

But she knew any explanation now would be futile.

She had once used Xiao Lingchuan to frame Jiang Tianci. Now that he had died tragically, who would believe this matter had nothing to do with her?

Chancellor Jiang's face was dark as he sternly ordered, "Someone, take Second Madam Jiang away and confine her to her quarters! As for Tianci, I will arrange a proper burial."

"A proper burial? My son is dead, and all I get is a 'proper burial'?" Third Master Jiang, who had been restraining himself until now, finally erupted, roaring like a wounded beast. "Elder brother, is human life so cheap in your eyes?"

"Second brother, what do you want?" Chancellor Jiang's voice was low, carrying a hint of suppressed anger.

"When our parents passed away, you, as the eldest legitimate son, inherited the majority of the family estate! Now your daughter hired an assassin to kill my son! I have no more sons to carry on my line! You should give me half of the family property!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuning was furious.

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I never ordered anyone to kill second brother! If I did it, I am willing to face the authorities! Do not take advantage of the situation to force Father!"

Second Master Jiang sneered. "Shuning, you have powerful connections. Even several princes in the palace are infatuated with you. Naturally, someone would cover up the evidence of you hiring an assassin! In this world, nothing is greater than imperial power. Is there any evil you cannot do?"

Just as Jiang Shuning was about to retort, Jiang Yaozhen hypocritically advised, "Sister, say less. Second Uncle and Second Aunt have lost their beloved son; they are pitiful enough. Please don't say such things to provoke them further!"

Her words were like adding fuel to the fire. Second Uncle Jiang grew even more arrogant. "Yaozhen is right! You just want to drive us to death to cover up your crime of hiring an assassin!"

Chancellor Jiang said solemnly, "Second brother, come with me. I will give you half of the estate our parents left behind right now!"

Only then did the resentment on Second Master Jiang's face slightly subside.

Watching Chancellor Jiang and Second Master Jiang walk into the study together, Jiang Shuning felt as if her heart were being cut by a knife.

Why should her father bear the consequences for something she hadn't done?

She instructed Ling Wu, "Ling Wu, prepare the carriage. We are going to the palace!"

"Yes, eldest young lady!"

She was going to find Xiao Lingchuan and ask him face-to-face whether he was behind this!