Chapter 74 Taking Anger Out on an Innocent Rabbit

Chapter 74: Taking It Out on Innocent Rabbits

Jiang Yaozhen's mind worked quickly.

It seemed Gu Yiting had not witnessed her earlier act of throwing herself at Xiao Lingchuan. He must have thought Xiao Lingchuan was the one interested in her, trying to steal her away.

Although the Crown Prince was frail, he still firmly held his position in the Eastern Palace, relying entirely on his maternal uncle—Censor Gu, a man who even dared to impeach the Emperor.

The Emperor had long harbored thoughts of deposing the Crown Prince, but fearing Censor Gu, he dared not act, worried that officials from the Censorate would seize the opportunity to rake him over the coals.

If she could secure the support of Gu Yiting, the only son of the Censor, it might prove beneficial for Xiao Xiuzhan in the future.

Thinking this, she immediately put on a deeply grateful look: "Thank you, Master Gu, for your chivalrous defense. The Fourth Prince indeed... has long been infatuated with me. Stuck between two princes, I am in a difficult position, truly unsure how to refuse. It's such a headache."

Hearing her words, Gu Yiting's admiration for her grew even stronger.

"Fair maiden, a gentleman's desire. Second Miss Jiang is exceptionally beautiful and accomplished, so it's only natural that the princes are captivated by you. However, the Fourth Prince truly has no sense of propriety. Knowing you are already betrothed, he still persists in pestering you, which is utterly unreasonable. It's your elder sister who admires him, isn't it? Why doesn't he focus his attention on her?"

"To my shame, there's something else I can hardly bring myself to say." Jiang Yaozhen's eyes welled up with tears. "My sister has always been in love with the Fourth Prince. Today's events have devastated her. She just told me that since I 'stole' the man she loves, she will steal my betrothal. Now that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager holds my sister in such high regard, I truly fear my betrothal to the Third Prince will be taken from me by her!"

"Jiang Shuning's behavior is truly despicable!" Gu Yiting declared, outraged. "Even if she obtains the betrothal, what of it? She doesn't like the Third Prince at all! It's simply cutting off her nose to spite her face!"

"My sister is the legitimate daughter of the family. Since childhood, she has been doted on by our parents, getting whatever she wants easily. She has long become spoiled. Now that the Fourth Prince has rejected her, she vents all her resentment on me. Master Gu, you may not know this, but I was once just a nobody, a concubine's daughter in the ministerial residence. I am truly afraid this hard-won betrothal will be taken from me."

Jiang Yaozhen's woeful expression made Gu Yiting's heart ache for her.

He took a deep breath and said with resolve, "Second Miss Jiang, rest assured. Leave this matter to me. I will never let Jiang Shuning ruin your betrothal!"

Jiang Yaozhen feigned surprise. "Master Gu, what do you plan to do?"

"You need not ask. I have my ways!"

With that, he bowed to her and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Yaozhen's lips curved into a slight smile beneath her veil.

Regardless of what Gu Yiting planned to do, it would surely be something to make trouble for Jiang Shuning.

That was enough.

Before the banquet was even halfway through, the Emperor excused himself, citing the need to review memorials, leaving Consort Xi alone at the feast.

Consort Xi understood better than anyone that the Emperor's so-called reviewing of memorials was merely a pretext. He was actually in a hurry to dote on the newly entered palace Beauty Su.

Xiao Xiuzhan, sensing his mother's displeasure, leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words during a lull between toasts.

The tension immediately left Consort Xi's brow.

A woman from the pleasure quarters—how could she compete for the Emperor's favor?

Moreover, that distinctive scent of Beauty Su's came from long-term use of medicine, and that medicine harmed the body, causing infertility. So, in the end, she was merely a plaything.

Her Zhan already had leverage over Beauty Su and wasn't afraid she wouldn't obey.

Thinking this, Consort Xi's mood brightened, and she couldn't help but drink a few more cups of fruit wine.

After the banquet ended, Jiang Shuning left carrying the bamboo cage.

Xiao Lingchuan spotted the two snow-white rabbits in her cage from afar and asked over his shoulder to Ling Feng behind him, "Where did Miss Jiang get those two rabbits?"

Ling Feng hesitated for a moment before reporting truthfully, "They were a gift from the Fifth Prince to Miss Jiang."

"What?" Xiao Lingchuan's expression changed abruptly, turning as dark as if ink could drip from it. "They met? Why didn't you report this to me?"

"Miss Jiang only went to retrieve the rabbits and then left. She didn't have much contact with the Fifth Prince, so I..."

"That's enough!" Xiao Lingchuan sharply cut him off, his tone icy. "Have Ling Wu find a way to get rid of those two rabbits!"

Hearing this, Ling Feng couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. "Your Highness, they are just two rabbits..."

"Two rabbits are still a memento! I will not allow anything from another man to be near her! Not even rabbits! Tell Ling Wu she must act swiftly and get rid of them before Miss Jiang becomes attached! Whether steamed or braised, let her decide!"

Ling Feng was left speechless.

His Highness was usually calm and composed, but whenever it concerned Miss Jiang, he would lose his composure and even become unreasonable.

In this world, probably only he would take out his jealousy on two innocent rabbits, right?

Jiang Shuning, carrying the bamboo cage, returned to the carriage in high spirits.

Ling Wu, catching sight of the two furry little creatures in the cage, exclaimed in surprise, "The palace is truly generous! Attending a banquet and you can even take food home! Young Mistress, how do you plan to cook these two rabbits? Braised or stewed in soup?"

Jiang Shuning's eyelid twitched. "Ling Wu, these are pets, not food. I plan to take them home and raise them."

"Oh, they're pets! I thought they were food!" Ling Wu laughed awkwardly. "Which esteemed person gifted them to you, Young Mistress? Could it be... the Fourth Prince?"

"It wasn't him."

Jiang Yaozhen, who was sitting nearby, spoke up: "Ling Wu, do you think my sister only has the Fourth Prince as an admirer? You're underestimating her. These two rabbits must be from the Fifth Prince, right, sister?"

Jiang Shuning didn't rise to the bait, merely shooting her a cold look. "So, my sister's wits and talents are all wasted on such trivialities. No wonder such clumsy methods were used to secure the betrothal with the Third Prince!"

Jiang Yaozhen flew into a rage upon hearing this. "What do you mean by that, sister? What clumsy methods did I use?"

"Jiang Yaozhen, you know very well what you did!"

Thinking of her elder brother Jiang Tianen, who was unjustly killed, the hatred in Jiang Shuning's heart surged, almost consuming her.

She said through gritted teeth, word by word, "I want to see when retribution will catch up with you!"

Her gaze was sharp as a blade. Jiang Yaozhen's heart skipped a beat, feeling a twinge of fear.

She hurriedly averted Jiang Shuning's gaze and said softly, "Yaozhen doesn't understand what sister is talking about. Sister must be too tired from the banquet and speaking nonsense."

Jiang Shuning sneered inwardly: Jiang Yaozhen, just you wait!

If heaven is blind and does not bring retribution upon an evil person like you, then I will act on heaven's behalf and make you pay the price you deserve!

—

The night was deep and silent. Only the lamplight in Xiao Lingchuan's study flickered and danced in the ink-black darkness.

Ling Feng reminded him, "Your Highness, it's the Chou hour (1-3 am). You ought to get some rest."

"It's fine," Xiao Lingchuan said, his gaze profound and his tone certain. "Someone will come to see me tonight. Go and help her avoid the notice of the palace servants."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ling Feng said and left.

A moment later, Ling Feng brought a person clad in a black cloak to the study.

As soon as the person entered, she dropped to her knees and said respectfully, "This commoner has come specially to thank Your Highness! I am eternally grateful for Your Highness pointing out a path into the palace for me. This grace of giving me a new life, I will never forget!"

Xiao Lingchuan looked down at the woman kneeling at his feet, his expression indifferent. "You have now been taken into my father's harem. By title, you are now my stepmother. You should change your form of address... Beauty Su."