Chapter 83 A Prophetic Statement

Chapter 83: A Prophetic Statement

"Uncle actually wants to marry Shuning off to the Gu family's son?" The Third Lady of the Jiang household's face was full of disbelief. She then tried to reassure him, "Uncle and Censor Gu are bitter, sworn enemies. How could he possibly marry his own daughter into the family of his adversary? In my opinion, this marriage is unlikely to succeed!"

"Mother, Elder Brother Tian'en died at the hands of the Third Prince. Uncle now has no choice but to turn and pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince. This marriage alliance between the Jiang and Gu families is his 'letter of submission' to prove his loyalty. Censor Gu is the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. Uncle understands this connection perfectly well."

Jiang Tianze's brow was clouded with gloom, his tone icy. "Whether Uncle is acting for self-preservation or for revenge, I absolutely will not allow anyone to marry Elder Sister! Therefore, Gu Yiting must die!"

Third Madam Jiang said gravely, "Very well, I'll do as you wish. However, preparing a new type of potent poison will take some time. You must be patient."

"That's fine. As long as it's ready before Gu Yiting's wedding banquet with Elder Sister." A cold, sinister smile curled at the corner of Jiang Tianze's mouth. "When the time comes, I will secretly slip this colorless, odorless poison into Gu Yiting's food and drink. He'll breathe his last before he even sees his wedding night!"

"But... if you do this, won't your elder sister be saddled with the terrible reputation of being a husband-killer?" Third Madam Jiang reminded him with some concern.

"That's exactly the outcome I want!" Jiang Tianze's tone was terrifyingly calm, even carrying a hint of hidden anticipation. "This way, no one in this world would dare to come seeking Elder Sister's hand in marriage. She can then rightfully stay in the Chancellor's residence, spending every day and night by my side, forever."

Seeing her son's morbid and obsessive state, Third Madam Jiang's heart shuddered with fear.

"Tianze, aren't you afraid that if she learns the truth, she will resent you, hate you to the bone?"

"Mother, you don't understand. Hate, like love, is a form of caring, a deep emotional bond." A malevolent smile appeared on Jiang Tianze's face, his tone carrying a chilling madness. "If I am destined never to receive her love in this lifetime, then receiving her hate is also good."

—

Jiang Shuning was currently unaware of the twisted and obsessive possessiveness that her usually gentle and refined third brother was nurturing towards her in his heart.

She was sitting opposite Chancellor Jiang, her expression grave.

"If Father wishes to switch his support to the Crown Prince, I do not oppose it. But supporting the Crown Prince does not necessarily require a marriage alliance with the Gu family."

"Ning, you misunderstand. I am not supporting the Crown Prince. I simply do not want a brutal and vicious man like the Third Prince to rule over the kingdom of Daye!" At this point, Chancellor Jiang's eyes reddened, his voice filled with grief and indignation. "Otherwise, when I descend to the underworld in the future, how will I face my poor Tian'en!"

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning's eyes also grew moist.

The pain of losing her brother was like a sharp knife, carving into her heart day and night, making it difficult for her to eat or sleep.

Like her father, she endured the immense agony of losing a loved one every moment, wishing she could tear the culprit, Xiao Xiuzhan, into a thousand pieces!

"Father, please give your daughter a little more time. Your daughter will definitely make you witness the wretched end of that villain, the Third Prince, and have him pay with his blood to honor Elder Brother's spirit in heaven!" Her gaze was obscure. "He will soon depart on imperial orders to suppress bandits in Western Yu. The day he reaches the bandits' lair will be the day of his death!"

Hearing these words, Chancellor Jiang was greatly shocked.

"Ning, what exactly are you planning to do? He is a prince of the realm. You absolutely must not do anything rash!"

"Father, please rest assured. Your daughter will not act recklessly, nor will she send anyone to assassinate him." Jiang Shuning's voice carried a note of certainty. "If he truly dies, it will be his just deserts!"

Seeing his daughter's confident demeanor, Chancellor Jiang felt even more uneasy.

But on second thought, Jiang Shuning was not a person who acted impulsively. Since she was so certain, she must already have a foolproof plan.

If Xiao Xiuzhan truly could not escape this calamity, then why should he sacrifice his daughter's happiness and force her to marry into the Gu family?

Thinking this, Chancellor Jiang made up his mind and said slowly, "In that case, I will help you decline this marriage proposal for now. Everything will be decided after the Third Prince returns from suppressing the bandits."

"Thank you, Father!" The corners of Jiang Shuning's lips lifted slightly, a smile of assured victory appearing on her face.

She very much wanted to tell her father immediately that Xiao Xiuzhan absolutely would not return alive.

But she feared her father would press for details, so she could only hold her tongue for now.

When Censor Gu returned to his residence, Gu Yiting hurried forward to meet him, eagerly asking, "Father, did Chancellor Jiang agree to the marriage proposal?"

"Hmph, he has no choice but to agree! The Jiang family is now beset by enemies on all sides. Do they have any other options?" Censor Gu said with confidence. "The Third Prince is not a kind or merciful man. Even if Chancellor Jiang doesn't consider himself, he must consider the lives of the hundreds of people in the Jiang household. He will turn to seek the Crown Prince's protection. Their acceptance of this marriage is only a matter of time!"

Hearing his father's affirmative answer, Gu Yiting's anxious heart finally settled. "That's good."

Censor Gu looked at his son, his eyes showing a newfound appreciation. "Yiting, your father knows you are not truly fond of the Jiang family's legitimate daughter. The reason you took the initiative to propose this marriage alliance with the Jiang family is entirely for the Crown Prince's grand ambitions and the future of the Gu family. Your father is very pleased! You have finally grown up and become sensible! In the future, when the Gu family's prestige expands, you will certainly have a share of the credit!"

A flicker of guilt passed over Gu Yiting's face. He quickly lowered his gaze to conceal the true emotions in his eyes.

"Father praises me too highly. Your son does not deserve such praise."

In truth, his insistence on marrying Jiang Shuning was not for the Gu family, nor for the Crown Prince, but for Jiang Yaozhen.

He wanted Jiang Shuning to be "spoken for" as soon as possible, to prevent her from continuing to maneuver among the various princes and disrupt Jiang Yaozhen's marriage alliance with the Third Prince.

However, his private motives happened to coincide perfectly with his father's and the Crown Prince's wishes.

Hearing that Gu Yiting wanted to marry Jiang Shuning, Gu Wanying was truly astonished.

"You want to marry Jiang Shuning? Weren't you always deeply enamored with Jiang Yaozhen? Why have you suddenly changed your affections?" Gu Wanying pressed.

Gu Yiting's expression immediately darkened. "Watch your words! Second Miss Jiang is now the betrothed Third Prince's Consort. Your careless talk like this will ruin her reputation!"

"What kind of reputation does a woman like her even have?" Gu Wanying snorted disdainfully. "You have no idea how much she loves to flirt in private! Relying on her somewhat attractive appearance, she practically wants all men to revolve around her! Brother, it's fortunate you're marrying Jiang Shuning. If you really brought a woman like Jiang Yaozhen into our family, I guarantee she would eventually do something shameful and disgrace our Gu family!"

"Silence!" Gu Yiting flew into a rage, sternly rebuking her. "How can you slander others so wantonly? Where is the dignified demeanor befitting a future Crown Princess?"

"Brother, why are you so angry? I'm just telling the truth!" She paused, then suddenly frowned delicately, probing tentatively, "You couldn't possibly still like Jiang Yaozhen, could you?"

"Second Miss Jiang is outstanding in both appearance and talent. What's wrong with me liking her?" Gu Yiting did not intend to hide his admiration and affection for Jiang Yaozhen.

Gu Wanying stared at him in disbelief, her eyes wide. "Since you like Jiang Yaozhen, why are you seeking to marry Jiang Shuning? Brother, have you gone mad?"

"I'm doing this naturally to... to help your Crown Prince win over the Jiang family and consolidate his power!" Gu Yiting quickly found a lofty-sounding reason to cover up his own ignoble purpose.

"Moreover, as the sole son of the Gu family, I will inherit the family estate in the future. Naturally, I must marry a suitable mistress from a family of equal status! The legitimate daughter of the Chancellor's residence is of noble birth, so of course she is the best candidate for marriage!"

Gu Wanying scoffed at her brother's explanation.

"Brother, your intentions in seeking this marriage are so impure. Be careful, or you might face retribution in the future!"

Little did she know, this casual remark would prove prophetic.

In Jinghe Palace within the imperial palace, upon hearing the news that Gu Yiting intended to seek Jiang Shuning's hand in marriage, Xiao Lingchuan, in a fit of rage, smashed a teacup to pieces.

"Gu Yiting, how dare he?!" His clear, dark eyes were terrifyingly gloomy.

The Seventh Prince, Xiao Qiyu, who was nearby, tried to console him. "The Jiang and Gu families have always been at odds. Chancellor Jiang won't agree to this marriage! Besides, Miss Jiang has the imperial edict from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. No one can decide her lifelong matters. Fourth Brother, please rest assured!"

"No. I want Gu Yiting to understand that overestimating oneself also comes with a price!"

Ferocity surged in Xiao Lingchuan's peach blossom eyes, like a wrathful deity from hell, sending chills down one's spine.