Chapter 63 Asking for the Moon

Chapter 63: An Exorbitant Demand

"That's not what I meant..." Jiang Yaozhen's face flushed a deep red with a mix of shame and anger. "I simply didn't know Third Aunt would quote such a high price. My mother once asked you to prepare poison for her, but she never mentioned needing such a large sum of silver."

"Your mother's last request was exchanged for a human life! As a delicate young lady of noble birth, I presume you wouldn't stoop to such murderous dealings, would you? Besides silver, what else can you offer me?" Third Madam Jiang's tone was mocking, each word sharp as a blade, each sentence piercing to the heart.

"You..." Jiang Yaozhen hadn't expected her usually meek and submissive Third Aunt to be so sharp-tongued and aggressive now.

In a moment of flustered anger, she blurted out a threat without thinking, "Aren't you afraid I'll reveal your true identity to Third Uncle?"

Hearing this, Third Madam Jiang showed not a trace of fear. Instead, she sneered, "Go ahead and tell him! When you do, I'll also inform Chancellor Jiang about your mother's feigned death. Let's see whose trouble is greater. Harboring a Nanyue spy is a capital crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan! Having your whole Jiang family buried with me wouldn't be a loss for me!"

Jiang Yaozhen's face instantly turned deathly pale, as if struck by lightning.

This seemingly weak Third Aunt was clearly no pushover.

Her usual humble and submissive demeanor was merely a facade.

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Yaozhen had no choice but to suppress the rage in her heart. "Fine, I agree. However, I need some time to raise the silver."

Third Madam Jiang scoffed, "A thousand taels of silver is no small sum. Moreover, the Plum Blossom Banquet begins in just seven days. How will you raise a thousand taels within seven days, Second Young Miss?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaozhen's heart jolted, and a flicker of panic crossed her face.

"What... what does this have to do with the Plum Blossom Banquet?"

She retorted, feigning composure, but inwardly she was thinking: How does she know I want to stop Jiang Shuning from attending the Plum Blossom Banquet?

Seeing her reaction, the smile on Third Madam Jiang's lips deepened. "Second Young Miss need not be alarmed. I merely mentioned it in passing."

Jiang Yaozhen grew increasingly uneasy. She felt she couldn't continue this entanglement with Third Madam Jiang any longer. Otherwise, the dark thoughts hidden deep in her heart would inevitably be discerned one by one by this shrewd woman.

She hastily took her leave, fleeing the West Courtyard as if chased by demons.

Third Madam Jiang went to Jiang Tianze's room, her tone grave. "Stop pretending to be ill! Keep a close watch on your Second Sister these next few days. She intends to harm your Eldest Sister!"

Jiang Tianze's expression darkened. He immediately threw off the brocade quilt and got up to dress. "Mother, I understand! I'll go find Second Sister right now. I won't let her harm Eldest Sister in the slightest!"

"Wait!" Third Madam Jiang reached out to stop him. "Rushing in recklessly won't help. Why not give her the chance to make a move against your Eldest Sister, then step in heroically to save her? That way, you'll hold more weight in your Eldest Sister's heart!"

Tianze's eyes lit up, finding this highly reasonable. "Mother speaks wisely. First, we must find a way to lure Miss Lingwu to our courtyard. As long as she's not by Eldest Sister's side, Second Sister is sure to seize the opportunity!"

"Leave this matter to me!" Third Madam Jiang said with certainty.

Returning to the Qili Courtyard, Jiang Yaozhen grew angrier the more she thought about it.

A thousand taels of silver!

How dare her Third Aunt ask for that!

It was simply an exorbitant demand!

She didn't have that much silver on hand, but she could spend a few dozen taels to hire some local ruffians to disfigure Jiang Shuning's face!

If only that maid Ling Wu weren't by Jiang Shuning's side!

How could she get rid of that meddlesome Ling Wu?

Jiang Yaozhen summoned her personal maid, Chun Hua. "Go keep an eye on my sister for me. If she goes out without Ling Wu, report back to me immediately!"

"Yes, Second Young Miss!" Chun Hua accepted the order and left.

Two days later, in the afternoon at the Cuizhu Courtyard, Jiang Shuning was carefully tasting some newly made candied fruits.

These past few days, she had been diligently developing several types of candied fruits for relieving coughs and phlegm, planning to present them to the Empress Dowager in a few days when she entered the palace.

Suddenly, Xia Chan came to report: "Eldest Young Miss, Third Madam requests an audience."

"Third Aunt?" Jiang Shuning quickly rose to greet her. "If Third Aunt has any instructions, you could have sent someone with a message. There was no need to come in person."

Third Madam Jiang smiled amiably. "I came specifically to find Miss Lingwu. Tianze is feeling much better today and wants to practice his swordsmanship. I previously discussed with Miss Lingwu that, given her exceptional martial skills, we would like to ask her to spare some time to give Tianze a few pointers."

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning readily agreed. "Lingwu, you may go. Instruct Tianze well in his martial practice. His constitution is weak; this will be good for strengthening his body."

"Yes, Eldest Young Miss." Lingwu, who also wanted to take this chance to interact more with the Nanyue Poison Master, followed Third Madam Jiang to the West Courtyard.

In the courtyard of the West Courtyard, Lingwu practiced swordsmanship with Jiang Tianze for half an hour, both sweating profusely.

Seeing this, Third Madam Jiang approached with a smile, carrying tea. "You must both be exhausted. Have some tea to moisten your throats."

Jiang Tianze stepped forward, took the teapot, poured himself a cup, and drank it in one gulp.

As Third Madam Jiang prepared to pour tea for her, Lingwu declined, "Third Madam, this servant's status is lowly. I dare not overstep."

"Miss Lingwu, you are mistaken," Jiang Tianze said with a gentle smile. "You just devotedly instructed me in swordsmanship; you can be considered my teacher. How can you still refer to yourself as a servant? Here, this cup of tea, I offer to you!"

With that, Jiang Tianze personally poured a cup of tea for Lingwu.

Unable to refuse such earnest hospitality, Lingwu had no choice but to pick up the teacup and drink the tea in one go.

Seeing her finish the tea, Third Madam Jiang and Jiang Tianze swiftly exchanged a knowing glance.

Third Madam Jiang said softly, "Both of you, sit for a while and rest."

Lingwu complied and sat down at the table, but suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, her eyelids growing heavy.

Before she could ponder the reason, she slumped forward onto the table, losing consciousness.

"Mother, please watch over her. Make sure she doesn't wake up before I return," Jiang Tianze instructed.

"Don't worry about how I handle things," Third Madam Jiang said with a smile. "Hurry and go find your Eldest Sister!"

Only then did Jiang Tianze feel reassured. He turned and hurried towards the direction of the Cuizhu Courtyard.

At the Cuizhu Courtyard, Madam Jiang had come to find Jiang Shuning to go out together to purchase New Year's goods.

In previous years, New Year's goods were prepared a month in advance. But this year, with the addition of the Second and Third branches to the Chancellor's residence, more items needed to be purchased than before, naturally requiring an earlier start.

"Mother, wait a moment. I'll go call Lingwu to come along," Jiang Shuning had just finished speaking when she saw Jiang Tianze jogging over.

"Eldest Sister!" The young man's smile was bright, as if it could light up the entire room.

"Tianze? Where's Lingwu?"

"Miss Lingwu is helping Mother with some chores. I had nothing to do, so I came out for a walk," Jiang Tianze explained, his gaze falling on Madam Jiang beside them. "Aunt is here too? Are you planning to go out with Eldest Sister?"

Madam Jiang nodded with a smile. "Indeed."

"Then I'll come along too!" Jiang Tianze quickly said. "I know some martial arts. I can escort Aunt and Eldest Sister to ensure your safety."

Jiang Shuning figured that just shopping for New Year's goods shouldn't be dangerous, and so she didn't insist on looking for Ling Wu.

"In that case, let Third Young Master accompany Mother and me to shop for the New Year's goods."

When Chun Hua found out Jiang Shuning was about to go out, she hurried back to Qili Courtyard to report to Jiang Yaozhen: "Second Miss, the Eldest Miss is going out and didn't bring Miss Lingwu. However, Madam Jiang and Third Young Master are with her."

Jiang Yaozhen's delicate brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

Madam Jiang was not a threat, but Jiang Tianze knew some martial arts. If any ruffians tried to harm Jiang Shuning, he would definitely intervene.

No! She had waited so long for this chance; she must find a way to disfigure Jiang Shuning's face today!

"Since they're going out, I'll join them too!"

Jiang Yaozhen planned to keep Jiang Tianze occupied herself, so that the ruffians could find a chance to attack Jiang Shuning.

She hurried to the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence and happened to run into Jiang Shuning and her group, who were about to board the carriage.

Putting on a coquettish act, she said to Madam Jiang, "Mother, you're playing favorites, going shopping without me!"

Madam Jiang smiled and said, "In previous years, wasn't it always your elder sister who accompanied me to shop for New Year's goods? If you want to go, come aboard with us."

"I naturally want to go with Mother, just so you don't secretly buy things for Sister and not for me."

Jiang Yaozhen giggled as she gathered her skirts and boarded the carriage. Her gaze swept over Jiang Tianze, who was sitting beside Jiang Shuning, and she feigned surprise, saying, "Oh, Third Brother is here too?"

"Greetings, Second Sister." Jiang Tianze smiled politely, but a hint of coldness flickered imperceptibly in his eyes.

He wanted to see what tricks this malicious second sister was up to!