Chapter 89 Tempted by Beauty

Chapter 89: A Tempting Offer

"Yaozhen, you see, now that your second brother is gone, I only have Lian'er left." Second Madam Jiang pulled Jiang Lian over, her tone mournful. "If you could help her find a good husband, your second uncle and I would be forever in your debt!"

Jiang Yaozhen chuckled lightly, her words carrying a hint of probing. "A good husband? Aunt, don't tell me you want Lian'er to marry into royalty and become the Third Prince's Secondary Consort?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang hastily waved her hands, her expression one of alarm. "Yaozhen, don't tease me! How could Lian'er have such fortune? Besides, if you become the Third Prince's Consort, wouldn't His Highness have eyes only for you? How would he have the mind to take in anyone else?"

Only then did a genuine smile appear on Jiang Yaozhen's face.

"Aunt, don't underestimate Lian'er. She has blossomed quite a bit now..."

Her gaze fell upon Jiang Lian, and she was inwardly startled.

After not seeing her for several months, Jiang Lian had blossomed further. The features between her brows and eyes actually bore some resemblance to Jiang Shuning's.

However, she lacked Jiang Shuning's dignified and radiant beauty, instead possessing a more delicate, fragile charm of a modest young lady, making her appear even more pitifully lovely.

If carefully dressed up, she might truly be able to captivate someone.

Thinking this, Jiang Yaozhen's voice immediately softened. "Aunt, rest assured. Lian'er is my cousin; I will naturally find her a good match. How about this: you two go back first. I'll dress her up and take her to meet a person of high status later. What do you think?"

Madam Jiang nodded excitedly repeatedly. "That's wonderful, Yaozhen! You truly are the most promising girl in our Jiang family! Lian'er's lifelong happiness is entrusted to you!"

"Leave it to me."

After seeing off the Second Branch couple, Jiang Yaozhen turned her gaze back to Jiang Lian, a flicker of calculation flashing in her eyes.

"Lian'er, come here. Let me dress you up properly!"

She carefully applied makeup on Jiang Lian and even changed her into a pale green long skirt.

Jiang Lian looked at herself left and right in the bronze mirror, somewhat surprised. "Second Sister, with this look, don't I resemble Eldest Sister too much?"

"This makeup and clothing were matched precisely to resemble her, so of course it looks like her. What, you don't like it?" Jiang Yaozhen raised an eyebrow.

"It's not that," Jiang Lian fawned. "It's just that no matter how beautiful Eldest Sister is, she ultimately can't compare to Second Sister's celestial beauty. Lian'er believes it would be better for makeup and attire to resemble Second Sister."

This flattery pleased Jiang Yaozhen greatly. She smiled and said, "Your little mouth is so sweet! Don't worry, I have my reasons for dressing you up like this. When that person of high status arrives later, you just need to act according to my instructions..."

As she spoke, she took a handkerchief from her sleeve and tucked it into Jiang Lian's sleeve.

Not long after, Xiao Lingchuan received a message brought by Ling Feng, saying that Jiang Yaozhen was waiting for him in a private room at Laifu Tavern, claiming to have important matters to discuss.

Ling Feng snorted coldly. "This Second Miss Jiang really puts on airs! On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a day for family reunion, she dares to ask Your Highness to meet her outside! Who does she think she is?"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression darkened slightly. "It seems she is certain I will go to see her."

"Your Highness, there's no need to pay her any mind! She is merely a pawn in Your Highness's game with the Nanyue spies. How dare she request an audience on such an important day? It's truly..."

Before Ling Feng could finish, Xiao Lingchuan had already stood up, his expression turning frosty. "Since that's the case, then let's go meet her and see what reason she has that makes it absolutely necessary to see me!"

Ling Feng had no choice but to follow closely behind. "Yes, Your Highness!"

In the private room of Laifu Tavern, sandalwood smoke curled in the air.

Xiao Lingchuan was dressed in brocade robes, disguised as an ordinary noble young master, yet he couldn't conceal the innate noble aura about him.

As he stepped into the private room, all the brilliance seemed to gather on his face, and the surroundings instantly lost their color in comparison.

Seeing this, Jiang Yaozhen hurried forward and bowed gracefully. "Your subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

Jiang Lian had never seen such a handsome and outstanding man before. Instantly, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her heart pounded like a deer.

She hastily imitated Jiang Yaozhen's manner and bowed gracefully.

Xiao Lingchuan took his seat in the main position. Before he could speak, Ling Feng beside him couldn't help but reprimand, "Second Miss Jiang, if you have something to say, say it quickly. If you delay His Highness from attending today's court assembly, you will not be let off lightly!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaozhen sneered inwardly: Fourth Prince, since you've come here today, don't think about attending any court assembly!

How can the allure of a beautiful woman compare to that dull and tedious court assembly?

Yet, her face was filled with an ingratiating smile. "Your subject has invited Your Highness here today because there is indeed an important matter to request. However, this matter is of great importance and should not be spread. Please ask this guard to step outside for now."

Ling Feng initially wanted to refuse but was stopped by a look from Xiao Lingchuan.

He had no choice but to reluctantly walk out of the private room, closing the door behind him.

After Ling Feng left, Jiang Yaozhen immediately pulled Jiang Lian, who was beside her, in front of Xiao Lingchuan, eagerly saying, "Lian'er, come quickly and greet His Highness!"

Jiang Lian didn't know that this extraordinarily handsome man before her was the current Fourth Prince. She only thought he was the person of high status her second sister had mentioned, so she obediently curtsied. "This commoner woman, Jiang Lian, pays respects to Your Highness!"

When Xiao Lingchuan had first entered, he had already noticed Jiang Lian's presence.

It was because the traces of her deliberate imitation of Jiang Shuning were too obvious. Whether it was her makeup or her clothing, they bore some resemblance to Jiang Shuning, making it difficult to ignore.

He instantly guessed Jiang Yaozhen's purpose in inviting him here, and an uncontrollable surge of disgust welled up in his eyes.

"Second Miss Jiang, what is the meaning of this?" His voice was low and icy, carrying a trace of obvious anger.

Jiang Yaozhen was startled by his cold demeanor, and her heart immediately filled with doubt: What? You who cannot attain Jiang Shuning's affection, and now I've kindly found you a substitute. Aren't you happy?

"Your Highness, this is my younger cousin, Lian'er. Today, she originally went with my second uncle and aunt to pay New Year's respects at the Prime Minister's residence, but unexpectedly, she was ordered out by Eldest Sister." She paused, seeing that his expression hadn't changed, then continued, "My second uncle and aunt now have only Lian'er left to them. Your subject is so bold as to beg Your Highness to take her into your residence. Even if it's just as a lowly maid, it would be better than her having no one to rely on."

Xiao Lingchuan scoffed. "Take her in? A gambler's sister? How is she worthy of staying by my side?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the private room seemed to instantly freeze.

Jiang Lian's face flushed crimson, tears welling up in her eyes. She was so ashamed and embarrassed she almost wanted to flee through the door.

Jiang Yaozhen's smile stiffened, and she hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Your Highness, siblings are naturally different. Lian'er has a gentle and refined nature and bears some resemblance to Eldest Sister. She will surely attend to you properly. Lian'er, why don't you quickly serve His Highness some tea!"

"Yes..." Jiang Lian replied in a low voice, flustered as she stepped forward to pick up the teacup.

Unexpectedly, someone suddenly pushed her from behind. Caught off guard, she lost her balance and fell straight towards Xiao Lingchuan's embrace.

Xiao Lingchuan reacted swiftly, raising a hand to block and push her away, but his nose caught a whiff of a cloyingly sweet fragrance.

His heart jolted, and he immediately flew into a rage. "Jiang Yaozhen, using such despicable methods time and again, what do you take this prince for?!"

This roar was like a thunderclap, startling Jiang Yaozhen and Jiang Lian so much their faces turned deathly pale.

Ling Feng, hearing the noise, immediately pushed the door open and entered. "Your Highness, what happened?"

Jiang Yaozhen wanted to explain something, but Xiao Lingchuan gave her no opportunity at all.

"Ling Feng, there's no need to give her this month's antidote!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ling Feng responded respectfully.

"No! Your Highness!" Jiang Yaozhen was terrified. The thought of that flesh-rotting, living hell made her shudder with fear; she absolutely did not want to experience it a second time.

She quickly knelt before Xiao Lingchuan, tears welling in her eyes, imploring him pitifully: "Your Highness, I know I was wrong! I just saw that my third sister bore some resemblance to our eldest sister, and thought sending her to Your Highness's side might please you..."

"Her? Resemble Jiang Shuning?" Xiao Lingchuan sneered coldly. "Have you heard the saying 'a pale shadow of the original'? Utterly ridiculous!"

These words felt like a slap across Jiang Lian's face; her face instantly burned, stinging with shame.

Jiang Yaozhen tried to continue her pleas, but Xiao Lingchuan was already on his feet and striding away imperiously with Ling Feng.

Watching their resolute figures retreat, she slumped to the floor, muttering to herself: "Impossible, how could he refuse..."

To ensure Jiang Lian could successfully become Xiao Lingchuan's woman, she had pulled out all the stops.

Not only had she made Jiang Lian imitate Jiang Shuning's makeup and attire, she had also deliberately tucked a handkerchief soaked with aphrodisiac into Jiang Lian's sleeve.

This aphrodisiac was a common trick used by the girls of Chunxiang Pavilion. Women were unaffected by its scent, but once a man came into contact with it, he would be overcome with burning desire, losing all self-control.

Jiang Lian's appearance already bore some similarity to Jiang Shuning's, and combined with the potent effects of the aphrodisiac, she was certain Xiao Lingchuan would not remain unmoved.

Unexpectedly, things had turned out contrary to her plans.

With such a tempting offer right before him, Xiao Lingchuan had actually resisted through sheer force of will!

Beside her, Jiang Lian, unaware of what had transpired, looked at Jiang Yaozhen with a bewildered expression and timidly called out, "Second Sister..."

*Slap!* Jiang Yaozhen raised her hand and struck Jiang Lian hard across the face, venting her fury on her: "It's all your fault, you useless thing! If you hadn't imitated her so poorly, how could His Highness have gotten so angry? Get out of my sight right now! Don't just stand there!"