Chapter 73 She’s Jealous

Chapter 73: She Got Jealous

When Xiao Lingchuan returned to the banquet, Seventh Prince Xiao Qiyu gave him a teasing wink and asked, "Fourth Brother, what secrets did your lady share with you during your private meeting?"

Xiao Lingchuan picked up a cup of fruit wine from the table and took a sip, replying casually, "The one who asked to meet me wasn't Jiang Shuning, but Jiang Yaozhen. The note was written by her, imitating Jiang Shuning's handwriting."

"What?" Xiao Qiyu nearly dropped his wine cup. "And here Ling Feng and I were, trying not to intrude. This Second Miss Jiang is truly cunning!"

"It's fine. Jiang Shuning came later," Xiao Lingchuan said offhandedly as he picked up a bite of food. "She saw me and Jiang Yaozhen embracing with our clothes in disarray and was furious."

Xiao Qiyu, who was drinking at the time, almost choked.

"Then... then what should we do?" he asked with concern. "Didn't you explain it clearly to her?"

A slight smile touched Xiao Lingchuan's lips. "Her anger just proves she's jealous. If she didn't care in her heart, why would she be jealous? It's just that she hasn't realized this care yet. I only need to let things take their natural course; there's no need for excessive explanation."

"Fourth Brother, are you sure?" Xiao Qiyu looked incredulous. "I've only heard of couples separating because of misunderstandings; I've never heard of them getting together because of one. Fourth Brother, isn't this move of yours a bit too risky?"

"As long as it helps Shuning see her own heart clearly, even if it's a bit risky, it's worth it," Xiao Lingchuan said with a calm expression, yet his tone carried an undeniable certainty.

Compared to her icy indifference and disregard, he preferred to see her jealous because of his ambiguous interactions with other women.

In their past life, she clearly loved him so deeply, yet in this life, she often treated him as if he were invisible.

Perhaps, what they needed between them was precisely such a misunderstanding to bring their relationship a step further.

Xiao Qiyu's mouth twitched slightly. "Fourth Brother, as long as you're happy!"

But inwardly, he grumbled: Wait until she is snatched away by another imperial brother; then you'll be the one crying!

"That Nanyue Poison Master must be neutralized as soon as possible," Xiao Lingchuan's expression suddenly turned grave. "Leaving her in the Prime Minister's residence is ultimately a hidden danger."

"Ling Wu has already secretly collected the poison she hid in the kitchen according to our plan. Once we develop the antidote, we won't have to worry about being harmed by her anymore. At that time..."

"Too slow," Xiao Lingchuan's eyes darkened. "This Nanyue Poison Master possesses exceptional skills yet is willing to marry the most unpromising illegitimate son of the Jiang family, likely for the sake of her only son. It's evident that her son is her weakness. As long as we target her son, we can force her to work for us."

"Fourth Brother speaks wisely. But how should we target her son?"

Xiao Lingchuan took a sip of fruit wine, his expression cold. "Poison!"

Although the Nanyue Poison Master could concoct the world's most exotic poisons, she was completely ignorant of detoxification techniques.

As long as they controlled her only son, they could make her obediently serve them.

"Should we have Ling Wu do it? Fourth Brother, aren't you afraid she'll take her anger out on Ling Wu and her?"

"No, Ling Wu cannot be exposed," Xiao Lingchuan rubbed the rim of his cup. "Find a suitable opportunity to lure him out of the Prime Minister's residence and poison him outside. That way, the Nanyue Poison Master won't suspect Ling Wu and certainly won't take her anger out on Shuning."

Xiao Qiyu nodded. "Let me think of a way to lure that Third Young Master Jiang out!"

—

On her way back to the banquet hall, Jiang Shuning happened to encounter Fifth Prince Xiao Huaijin.

She and Jiang Yaozhen immediately curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness Fifth Prince!"

"Ladies, please rise." Xiao Huaijin's gaze burned intently on Jiang Shuning. "Miss Jiang, I have a gift I wish to give you. I wonder if you would honor me by accompanying me for a moment?"

"This..." Jiang Shuning hesitated slightly.

Last time, when she went to Consort Rong's Palace of Fortune and Longevity to meet Xiao Huaijin, Xiao Lingchuan flew into a rage. Thinking about it now, she still felt a lingering fear.

If he found out she was meeting privately with Xiao Huaijin again, she didn't know what fit he might throw.

Seeing her hesitation, Xiao Huaijin quickly added, "It won't take up too much of your time."

Jiang Yaozhen, standing to the side, recalled that Xiao Xiuzhan had once said Jiang Shuning was a calamity whose existence would cause a rift between Third Prince Xiao Lingchuan and Fifth Prince Xiao Huaijin.

Since that was the case, why not add fuel to the fire and intensify the rivalry between the two princes?

So she egged her on from the side, "Sister, His Highness Fifth Prince is being so gracious; you shouldn't decline any further. It's just receiving a gift; it won't take much time."

Seeing she couldn't refuse, Jiang Shuning had no choice but to agree. "Then I'll trouble Your Highness to lead the way."

"Miss Jiang, please follow me." As he spoke, Xiao Huaijin gave Jiang Yaozhen a grateful glance.

Jiang Yaozhen nodded slightly to him, but inwardly she muttered: Could this Jiang Shuning be some kind of enchantress? Why are all these princes so smitten with her?

Whether it's the stony-faced, intimidating Xiao Lingchuan or the transcendent Fifth Prince, they all favor her.

It's truly detestable!

Jiang Shuning and Xiao Huaijin strolled along the quiet palace path.

Night had fallen, palace lanterns dotted the surroundings, and the area was silent and deserted. Only the occasional palace servant hurried past, paying no attention to the two of them.

"Your Highness, I wonder how Princess Ronghua is doing now?" Jiang Shuning broke the silence, asking softly.

She remembered how frightened Princess Ronghua had been by the black leopard last time and still felt somewhat concerned.

"Rong Hua is fine, just a bit frightened. After taking the calming decoction prescribed by the imperial physician, she recovered the next day. Yesterday, she even asked me why you haven't come to the palace to see her."

Jiang Shuning lowered her eyes and said quietly, "Regarding that day's incident, I feel truly guilty and am too embarrassed to disturb Imperial Consort Rong and Princess Ronghua again."

"Mother Consort and Rong Hua are not petty people; you need not take it to heart. Moreover, it wasn't your fault; it was Fourth Brother's failure to control his beloved pet properly." Xiao Huaijin looked ahead, a gentle smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Look, this is the gift I prepared for you."

Jiang Shuning followed his gaze and saw a small bridge spanning the snowy ground. On the bridge's handrail were placed two bamboo cages.

Inside the cages, two pure white rabbits huddled together, shivering.

She quickly stepped forward, picked up the cages, and held them in her arms, gently stroking the rabbits' fur with her fingers.

The rabbits looked at her timidly, motionless, appearing particularly innocent and delicate.

"So adorable," Jiang Shuning couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes filled with affection.

These two rabbits were more delicate than the ones she had seen at the hunting ground, and their fur was even softer, making them utterly endearing.

Seeing how much she liked them, the smile on Xiao Huaijin's face deepened.

Although he couldn't keep cats, keeping rabbits was still permissible.

"I'm glad you like them. Please take these two rabbits back and take good care of them."

"This... but I've never raised rabbits before."

"Rabbits are very easy to raise; just feed them some carrots, greens, and hay."

"Your Highness, these rabbits are so adorable; Princess Ronghua would probably like them too. Perhaps it would be better to give them to the Princess."

"Rong Hua does indeed like rabbits. Several are already kept in Her Highness's Palace of Fortune and Longevity, along with a fawn."

"A fawn!" Jiang Shuning's eyes lit up, she said excitedly. "Is it the one captured during the last hunt?"

"Exactly," Xiao Huaijin replied with a smile. "That fawn is quite delicate—it needs to be fed berries regularly and has a habit of nibbling on flower buds. Several pots of rare flowers in the Consort's palace have been ruined by it."

His description made Jiang Shuning long to see it.

"Could I visit the Palace of Fortune and Longevity to see the fawn next time?"

"Of course," Xiao Huaijin said with a smile, his eyes crinkling. "If Miss Jiang is willing, you could come with me right now."

"No, the banquet must have already begun. We should head back first." Jiang Shuning held the rabbit cage close, her eyes curving into joyful crescents. "Thank you for the gift, Your Highness. I will take good care of them."

As Jiang Yaozhen was about to return to the banquet hall, Gu Yiting stopped her.

With a concerned expression, he asked, "Second Miss Jiang, after you were harassed by the Fourth Prince just now, did your elder sister give you a hard time?"

Jiang Yaozhen was startled. "How did you..."

"It was I who asked your sister to rescue you earlier. Fortunately, she agreed, or your reputation would have been ruined." Gu Yiting spoke indignantly. "The Fourth Prince is truly outrageous. Knowing full well that you are already betrothed to the Third Prince, he still clings to you shamelessly—it's utterly improper! If I succeed my father and become an Imperial Censor in the future, I'll definitely write a memorial to have him impeached!"