Chapter 72 Throwing Herself at Him

Chapter 72: An Amorous Advance

After Jiang Shuning declined Gu Wanying's proposal at the banquet, she found herself isolated by the other young ladies from noble families.

She simply left her seat and went alone to admire the plum blossoms outside the banquet hall.

A man came hurrying up to her. "Miss Jiang, I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Jiang Shuning looked up and saw it was Gu Yiting.

Wasn't he one of Jiang Yaozhen's many admirers?

What did he want with her?

"What brings you to me, Master Gu?"

Gu Yiting lowered his voice. "The Fourth Prince is having a private meeting with Second Miss Jiang in a side hall near the Plum Garden. Second Miss Jiang is already betrothed. Such a private meeting is highly improper. I hope, out of sisterly concern, you will go and persuade her to protect your younger sister's reputation."

Jiang Shuning's brows furrowed slightly.

Jiang Yaozhen and Xiao Lingchuan?

No wonder she hadn't seen him in the main hall earlier.

She hadn't expected him to be so bold, daring to meet Jiang Yaozhen privately right under the Emperor's nose.

It seemed Xiao Lingchuan, for the sake of his beloved, truly would stop at nothing, no matter how improper, and would gladly endure it.

An indescribable feeling welled up in Jiang Shuning's heart, a pang of bitterness mixed with disgust.

"What does that have to do with me?" she said coldly. "If Master Gu is so concerned, why not go and dissuade them yourself?"

Gu Yiting was somewhat annoyed by her response. "Don't you admire the Fourth Prince? Can you just stand by and watch your younger sister carrying on with him in such an improper way? If others were to see, wouldn't it ruin Second Miss Jiang's reputation? By then, His Majesty might even grant Second Miss Jiang's hand in marriage to the Fourth Prince!"

These words reminded Jiang Shuning.

The reason Xiao Lingchuan agreed to help her deal with Xiao Xiuzhan was that, aside from coveting the throne of Daye, he also desired his beloved, Jiang Yaozhen.

If he actually succeeded and married Jiang Yaozhen, perhaps he would no longer be so fixated on dealing with Xiao Xiuzhan.

Only the pain of unfulfilled desire could transform into hatred strong enough to help her eliminate Xiao Xiuzhan!

"Which side hall are they in? Please, Master Gu, take me there!"

Seeing she was finally persuaded, Gu Yiting breathed a sigh of relief. "Please follow me, Miss Jiang!"

Meanwhile, inside the side hall, Xiao Lingchuan had regained his icy composure.

He took a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and threw it on the floor. "Take this medicine back. Apply it once daily for seven consecutive days, and the sores on your face will heal. During this time, remember to wash your face daily and do not use any cosmetics!"

Jiang Yaozhen picked up the bottle, eyeing it suspiciously. "Your Highness hasn't even examined the poison in the Beiling cosmetics. How do you know this cure is effective? Is this truly the antidote? Is Your Highness deceiving me?"

What Xiao Lingchuan gave was naturally not an antidote.

In his previous life, he had heard about a certain Consort Jiang's face becoming ulcerated after using Beiling cosmetics.

In reality, no treatment was needed. As long as she stopped using them, the sores would subside on their own in a few days. "Believe it or not! But if you dare lay a finger on Jiang Shuning, I will make sure you die without a grave!" Xiao Lingchuan's expression was sinister, as terrifying as a demon from hell.

Jiang Yaozhen trembled with fear at his terrifying demeanor, holding the bottle and expressing profuse thanks. "Thank you, Your Highness! I am eternally grateful!"

Jiang Shuning, who had arrived outside the hall, witnessed this scene through a crack in the door.

So, Xiao Lingchuan's private meeting with Jiang Yaozhen was to deliver medicine to her.

It seemed he still cared deeply about Jiang Yaozhen's beautiful appearance.

Hmph, men!

Inside the hall, Jiang Yaozhen looked at the frosty-faced Xiao Lingchuan before her, her heart burning with increasing resentment.

Clearly, before, he had been no different from other men and had also cared for her. Why, ever since he rescued the drowning Jiang Shuning, had all his thoughts been focused on Jiang Shuning?

Was it because when Jiang Shuning fell in, her disheveled clothes revealed her curves, giving him a glimpse of alluring scenery that stirred his desire?

Thinking this, she steeled herself. She simply let her outer robe slip off her shoulders and threw herself into Xiao Lingchuan's arms. "Your Highness's great kindness is beyond my ability to repay. If Your Highness does not find me unworthy, I am willing to give myself to you!"

Xiao Lingchuan was caught off guard by this move. Before he could push her away, the hall door was pushed open, and Jiang Shuning walked straight in.

Her face was stormy, faintly tinged with anger. "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Seeing Jiang Shuning, Jiang Yaozhen was terrified, her face pale. She quickly released Xiao Lingchuan and frantically adjusted her dress.

Damn it! Of all times, why did Jiang Shuning have to show up now!

Ruining her plans!

Seeing her furious demeanor, Xiao Lingchuan's eyes darkened.

"What does Miss Jiang think I am doing?"

"You!" Jiang Shuning glared at him angrily. With their clothes in disarray, what else could they be doing?

If she had arrived a moment later, would he have accepted Jiang Yaozhen's 'gift of thanks'?

"Has Your Highness forgotten that my younger sister is now betrothed to the Third Prince! Don't you find it highly improper for Your Highness to meet with her privately like this?"

Jiang Yaozhen's heart skipped a beat. She quickly grabbed Jiang Shuning's sleeve, tears welling in her eyes. "Sister, please don't blame the Fourth Prince. It's all my fault!"

"Of course it's your fault! Since you are betrothed, how can you still be carrying on with another man? This is clearly a slap in the royal family's face! If you want to die, you can end your own life. Don't drag the Jiang family down with you!"

Jiang Yaozhen was left speechless by this scolding.

Jiang Shuning then turned to Xiao Lingchuan. Her clear eyes were now filled with anger. "Your Highness dares to privately meet a betrothed woman right under His Majesty's nose. Aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation and being criticized by others? I hope Your Highness will watch your conduct!"

Gu Yiting, hiding outside the hall, was secretly shocked upon hearing these words.

He hadn't expected Jiang Shuning, who usually seemed gentle and delicate, to be so sharp-tongued when scolding someone.

That was the Fourth Prince!

She dared to reprimand him to his face. Her courage was truly remarkable!

Xiao Lingchuan rarely saw Jiang Shuning angry.

In their previous life, she was always forbearing, holding back, or silently shedding tears, without any aggressiveness.

Now, seeing her puffed up with anger, her features animated, her cheeks flushed, he actually found it somewhat adorable.

So, this was how she looked when she was angry.

For some reason, he felt a sudden, irresistible itch to tease her.

"Miss Jiang, are you *really* so worried about my tarnished reputation and your sister's good name?" Xiao Lingchuan looked at her with a half-smile.

"Of course!" Jiang Shuning replied coldly.

"But what if I said Miss Jiang is just jealous?" he said, stepping closer and deliberately taking a deep breath, his expression teasing. "I'm getting a real whiff of jealousy here!"

"You..." Jiang Shuning's face flushed red and then paled, flushed with embarrassment and anger.

*Xiao Lingchuan, how could you be so shameless!*

Jiang Yaozhen, seeing the playful banter between them, was furious but forced herself to maintain a look of shame. She took Jiang Shuning's hand and choked out, "Sister, please stop. I know I was wrong. Let's return to the banquet!"

Jiang Shuning shot Xiao Lingchuan one last glare. "I hope Your Highness will be more mindful of propriety in the future!"

"Duly noted," Xiao Lingchuan replied lazily. "Since I shouldn't meet privately with an engaged woman, then I'll just have to come to you with any future matters, Miss Jiang. After all, you're not betrothed yet, so you shouldn't have to worry about gossip."

Jiang Shuning wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but Jiang Yaozhen kept pulling her toward the exit, leaving her no chance to retort.

And just like that, the two of them left the side hall.

Xiao Lingchuan watched Jiang Shuning's departing figure, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Her fury over the misunderstanding that he and Jiang Yaozhen were meeting in secret—did that mean she cared for him?

At this thought, the foul mood he'd been in after being tricked into coming out by Jiang Yaozhen and then threatened by her instantly vanished.

Jiang Shuning, her face cold, headed straight for the banquet hall.

Jiang Yaozhen followed behind her, pretending to be aggrieved and feigning soft sobs.

"Sister, I was backed into a corner earlier and had to do it. Please, I beg you, keep this a secret for me. Don't let the Third Prince know about this. I promise I'll watch my words and actions from now on. I'll never bring shame to the Jiang family again!"

Jiang Shuning stopped and looked at her coldly.

"Don't worry, I won't tell the Third Prince about today's incident. You just focus on being the future Crown Princess."

The two people she hated most naturally belonged together.

That way, when the time came, she could take them down together and see them both dead!

In this life, she would not give Xiao Lingchuan another chance to protect Jiang Yaozhen.

Jiang Yaozhen must die alongside Xiao Xiuzhan!