Chapter 57 Perhaps This Is Retribution?

Chapter 57: Is This Retribution?

Before entering the palace, Jiang Shuning instructed Ling Wu to scoop the leftover soup into a bowl and pack it into a food box.

Ling Wu thought of how it was so hard for the Fourth Prince to get to see the young lady, yet he would be drinking the same soup as Jiang Tianze. She couldn't help feeling a bit indignant on his behalf.

She tentatively suggested, "Young Lady, there are still some mung bean cakes you made yesterday. How about taking some to the palace for His Highness the Fourth Prince to try?"

"No need. He has never liked sweet pastries," Jiang Shuning refused without a second thought.

"But if they are made by your own hands, even if it's not to His Highness's usual taste, he'd be happy to try them."

Jiang Shuning frowned. "Ling Wu, what makes you say that?"

Only then did Ling Wu realize she had spoken out of turn and quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought that with your exquisite culinary skills, even someone who doesn't like pastries would enjoy them if they were made by you."

Jiang Shuning's expression softened into a smile. "Ling Wu, you flatter me too much. These mung bean cakes were specially made for everyone in our Cuizhu Courtyard to enjoy. The Fourth Prince only likes almond cheese cake; he dislikes all other sweets."

Ling Wu smiled and said, "The Young Lady is quite familiar with the Fourth Prince's preferences."

*Did this mean the Young Lady actually cared about His Highness the Fourth Prince?*

Jiang Shuning gave a faint smile and did not respond.

How could she not be familiar with Xiao Lingchuan's preferences?

In their previous life, they had spent ten years together. Xiao Lingchuan disliked having others serve him closely, so his daily meals and routines were all arranged by her alone.

It was no exaggeration to say that probably no one in this world understood better than she did how to please Xiao Lingchuan.

But in this life, she was unwilling to waste any more time and energy on this unworthy man. Maintaining an appropriate level of polite reciprocity was enough.

Soon enough, Jiang Shuning arrived at the imperial palace.

She gently touched the gold token at her waist, her gaze drifting toward the direction of Cining Palace, and let out a soft sigh.

It had been a long time since she last entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

Previously, it was due to Jiang Tianen's funeral. She had barely endured the forty-nine-day mourning period, and now Jiang Tianze had been killed.

In Daye custom, if a family suffers a bereavement, it is inappropriate to casually visit people of high status, for fear of passing on bad luck.

Only Xiao Lingchuan paid no mind to this whatsoever, frequently inviting her into the palace.

Presumably, his desire for power and influence had long surpassed these cumbersome rituals and superstitious taboos.

Arriving at Jinghe Palace, Jiang Shuning saw Xiao Lingchuan.

Today, he was wearing a set of dark brocade robes. Unlike the eye-catching, flamboyant sapphire-blue brocade robes he usually wore, this dark color accentuated his jade-like complexion and waterfall-like black hair even more.

He was exceptionally handsome. Even in ordinary clothing, it was difficult to conceal his extraordinary and distinguished demeanor.

Jiang Shuning stared at Xiao Lingchuan, feeling a momentary daze.

Do all good-looking people look so similar?

Why did she feel that Xiao Lingchuan shared a resemblance to her cousin Jiang Tianze?

Both were handsome, elegant young gentlemen. However, Jiang Tianze's handsomeness carried a hint of feminine softness, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine beauty, while Xiao Lingchuan's handsomeness appeared sharper, with an air of cold, lofty arrogance between his brows.

Noticing Jiang Shuning's focused gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Lingchuan's lips.

Even if she said she didn't want to marry him, in her heart, she must still be captivated by his face, right?

"What delicious food has Miss Jiang brought for me today?"

Only then did Jiang Shuning withdraw her gaze and hand him the food box. "This humble subject has prepared some nourishing soup. Please accept it, Your Highness."

"Perfect timing. I am a bit hungry." Xiao Lingchuan took the food box, opened it, and without hesitation began to drink.

A strange thought flashed through Jiang Shuning's mind: Xiao Lingchuan had even skipped the step of testing for poison and was drinking the soup she brought with such trust.

If she ever wanted to poison him, wouldn't it be as easy as pie?

But she quickly dismissed this thought.

In their previous life, so many people had tried to kill him without success. How could he be so easily poisoned?

If she failed to poison him, it would implicate the entire Jiang family. The gain would not be worth the loss.

Xiao Lingchuan looked up, his gaze meeting Jiang Shuning's seemingly by chance, a playful smile curling his lips. "Why is Miss Jiang staring at this prince? Is there something on my face?"

Jiang Shuning almost couldn't hold back an eye roll.

Who was staring at him? How shameless.

"This humble subject was waiting for Your Highness to speak. May I ask why Your Highness summoned me here?"

Only then did Xiao Lingchuan put away the ambiguous smile on his face and adopt a serious expression. "Your cousin's death is shrouded in mystery. Even the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is currently at a loss. I invited you here today to hear your opinion. In your view, who benefits the most from his death?"

Jiang Shuning frowned. This was the first time she had considered this question.

"If I must say who would benefit from his death, then it would be my cousin Jiang Tianze. With Jiang Tianci dead, the position of heir to the Prime Minister's estate naturally falls to Tianze." She paused, then added, "But Tianze absolutely cannot be the murderer. On the day Jiang Tianci was attacked, Tianze was also injured and confined to his bed. Moreover, he is just a fifteen-year-old youth. How could he commit such a ruthless act?"

"Perhaps he didn't act personally. It's also possible that someone with shared interests hired an assassin for him," Xiao Lingchuan said gravely.

"Your Highness is referring to... my Third Uncle and Third Aunt? That is absolutely impossible!" Jiang Shuning flatly rejected the idea. "Third Uncle and Second Uncle are full brothers. How could he bear to kill his own nephew? As for Third Aunt..."

"What about your Third Aunt?" Xiao Lingchuan pressed.

"Third Aunt has always had a gentle and meek temperament. How could she do such a thing?"

"For your Third Uncle, your cousin shares his bloodline. But for your Third Aunt, your cousin shares no blood relation. If your cousin dies, her own son can rightfully become the heir to the Prime Minister's estate. It's hard for an ordinary person not to entertain such thoughts." Xiao Lingchuan's tone was calm, yet each word carried weight. "Moreover, temperament can be feigned. It's difficult to rule out her suspicion based on that alone."

He didn't believe a Nanyue Poison Master could have such a gentle and meek temperament.

This facade of softness and gentleness was probably just a smokescreen to deceive others.

Jiang Shuning did not agree with Xiao Lingchuan's analysis. "Although I haven't had much contact with Third Aunt, she is definitely not a ruthless person! My cousin's death has nothing to do with her!"

Xiao Lingchuan wanted to reveal everything but forcefully held back.

Now that the Nanyue Poison Master was not yet fully under control, if Jiang Shuning learned her Third Aunt's true identity, it would only put her in danger.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible. "She still has a motive for murder; we cannot rule out her suspicion. You shouldn't let emotions cloud your judgment in this matter. You must maintain necessary vigilance towards your Third Aunt."

"Does Your Highness believe that everyone would stop at nothing for personal gain?" Jiang Shuning asked with a hint of sarcasm. "The reason Your Highness thinks this way is because Your Highness is such a person yourself! You are judging others by your own standards!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan's expression instantly darkened.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low and measured, "You say that because you don't understand human nature. Human nature is fundamentally evil. For their own interests, people will often wipe out completely anyone or anything that threatens them. That is the true nature of humanity."

"I spent ten years by your side in my previous life. How could I not understand human nature?" Mockery threatened to spill from Jiang Shuning's eyes.

She had witnessed Xiao Lingchuan's ruthlessness and indifference firsthand in her past life.

It was no exaggeration to say that whenever he found someone obstructing his path, he would not hesitate to strike to kill, without leaving the slightest room for mercy.

Being near someone like that meant you had to be on your guard every single moment!

"So, in your heart, I am such a despicable person." Xiao Lingchuan gazed at her, a bitter smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Jiang Shuning's heart clenched. For a fleeting moment, she seemed to catch a glimpse of an indescribable sorrow in his captivating peach-blossom eyes.

Uncomfortable, she stood and offered a bow. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Wait!" Xiao Lingchuan looked at her, fighting to hold back the turmoil inside him, and reminded her once more, "I know you don't want to believe me, but I still hope you will be on your guard around your third aunt. There are too many people in this world skilled at deception. Sometimes, seeing is not necessarily believing. It's always better to be careful."

"I understand. Thank you for your advice, Your Highness." Jiang Shuning's tone was stiff as she turned and left without hesitation.

Watching her resolute retreating figure, Xiao Lingchuan felt increasingly frustrated, a sharp pain throbbing in his chest.

She hadn't listened to a word he'd said. She simply didn't want to be alone with him anymore and had dismissed him perfunctorily.

He cared so much for her, yet she...

Darkness swirled in Xiao Lingchuan's pitch-black eyes.

Was this retribution?

In his previous life, he had deliberately ignored her.

Now, in this life, it was her turn to ignore him.