Chapter 93 I Want Both the Throne and You!

Chapter 93: I Want the World and You!

"If the Third Prince truly has such a formidable backer as Xizhou, and even possesses a well-trained elite army, then in our past life, how did you manage to break through the encirclement and ultimately surpass him?" Jiang Shuning couldn't help but press further.

Xiao Lingchuan's gaze flickered for a moment before quickly returning to normal.

"I naturally have my own methods and means, but the time is not yet right to tell you," he said somewhat evasively.

Jiang Shuning couldn't help but recall his entanglement and ambiguous relationship with Jiang Yaozhen in their past life.

Could it be that Jiang Yaozhen secretly helped him?

In their previous life, as Xiao Xiuzhan's most favored consort, Jiang Yaozhen naturally had access to his confidential information.

If she secretly leaked these secrets about Xiao Xiuzhan to Xiao Lingchuan, it would naturally give Xiao Lingchuan an advantage in dealing with him.

This speculation sent a chill down Jiang Shuning's spine.

If he could even scheme against the woman he loved, how cold-blooded must Xiao Lingchuan's nature be?

No wonder in both their past and present lives, he never stopped Jiang Yaozhen from marrying Xiao Xiuzhan.

It turns out that compared to romantic love, he was more obsessed with power.

"You'll need a bit more patience if you want Xiao Xiuzhan's life," Xiao Lingchuan's words pulled her thoughts back. He looked at her, his eyes inscrutable. "Before that, don't let anyone sense your murderous intent towards him, understand?"

Jiang Shuning took a deep breath and asked the question on her mind: "Did Your Highness recommend Master Gu to His Majesty to accompany the Third Prince west because... he intended to propose to me?"

Xiao Lingchuan averted his gaze. "Gu Yiting is the Crown Prince's cousin. If he were to learn about Xiao Xiuzhan's collusion with the Xizhou soldiers, he would never cover it up. If he were the one to expose this matter to Father..."

"But Your Highness knew all along that he would never return alive, didn't you?"

When Jiang Shuning asked this, she stared intently at him, afraid to miss any subtle expression on his face.

Xiao Lingchuan met her gaze, his clear, dark eyes like a calm sea, utterly unruffled. "Yes."

He had never been a kind person and had no intention of hiding his true nature.

Even though she had already guessed the answer, hearing it confirmed from his lips still sent a shiver through Jiang Shuning.

"Why must Your Highness insist on killing Master Gu?"

"Because he overreached, daring to covet what does not belong to him!" Xiao Lingchuan's voice suddenly turned icy, as if emanating from hell, filled with a chilling murderous intent. "The day he decided to propose to you, in my eyes, he was already a dead man!"

Meeting his obsessive and terrifying peach-blossom eyes, Jiang Shuning felt a coldness seeping from the very marrow of her bones.

"Are you insane? Do you intend to kill any man who wishes to marry me?"

"Yes! Anyone who covets you, I will not spare!" Xiao Lingchuan looked at her, his eyes bloodshot, like a beast thoroughly provoked. "So, Jiang Shuning, if you don't want me to slaughter innocent people, behave yourself. Keep your distance from all the men in this world. Otherwise, don't blame me for unleashing a bloodbath!"

Jiang Shuning looked at him in disbelief. "Why? I've already promised Your Highness that I would never become an obstacle to your quest for the world. Why must you..."

"Jiang Shuning, don't you understand yet?" He suddenly leaned closer, his gaze profound and sharp. "I want both the world and you!"

The bowl in Jiang Shuning's hand slipped from her grasp with a clatter, hitting the table heavily.

In his eyes, she saw an undisguised, almost frenzied possessiveness.

She understood. This ambitious man, even if he didn't love her, would never let her go.

No wonder, in their past life, when he thought she had taken poison to kill herself, he was so furious.

He could not love her, but he could not tolerate her leaving of her own accord.

He wanted to dominate both the world and her!

Looking at him, she suddenly let out a derisive laugh.

"Then Your Highness had better eliminate the Third Prince quickly. Otherwise, neither this world nor your humble servant can possibly be yours!"

Xiao Lingchuan's eyes darkened. At this moment, Jiang Shuning seemed unfamiliar, and a sense of unease, a feeling of losing control, suddenly assailed him.

"Jiang Shuning, what trick are you trying to play now?"

"Your humble servant wouldn't dare." She slowly stood up and gave him a graceful bow. "I have lost my appetite and will take my leave now. I wish Your Highness early success in achieving your desires!"

Seeing her about to turn and leave, his heart tightened. He stood up, forcefully grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into his embrace.

The familiar fragrance enveloped his senses, making his heart race.

She didn't struggle, her tone calm and distant. "What is Your Highness doing? Have you not yet conquered the world, yet you are already impatient to claim your humble servant as your own?"

"Promise me, don't marry another man, alright?" He tightened his arms, holding her even closer.

He had thought about letting go. But every time he imagined her radiant smile blooming for another man, her gentle eyes reflecting another man's figure, her nestling in another man's embrace, whispering intimately with him,

he was driven mad with jealousy.

In both his past and present lives, he wanted to be entangled with her for a lifetime.

"When Your Highness reigns over the world, all the women in the world will be yours. Your humble servant will naturally be no exception."

She had her back to him, so he couldn't see her expression, but her words acted like a calming pill, dissipating the faint unease in his heart.

She was willing to stay by his side. She just wanted a guarantee.

His imperial throne was the best guarantee.

He turned her around to face him, his gaze burning, looking at her earnestly and intently.

"I promise you, in this life, I will definitely kill Xiao Xiuzhan for you. When I become the new Emperor of Daye, I will welcome you into the palace with great honor."

"Good, I'll wait for you." She smiled, her face like a flower.

Overcome with emotion, Xiao Lingchuan lowered his head, intending to kiss her lips.

She shyly avoided him, and his scorching kiss landed on her cheek.

"Your Highness, please don't." She pushed him. "I must return to my residence."

Only then did he reluctantly let her go.

"Next time, I'll leave the palace to visit you."

"Alright."

He watched her leave the palace, a wave of sweetness rising in his heart.

Was this their way of making a promise for the future?

Reborn into this life, he finally had the chance to right the wrongs of his past.

But he didn't know that as Jiang Shuning left the palace, she wiped the cheek he had kissed with a handkerchief, her eyes flashing with disgust.

An emperor's harem was always vast; if Xiao Lingchuan ever ascended the throne, he would never be satisfied with Jiang Yaozhen alone.

He wanted her, and he would likely desire many more women.

An emperor, ruling over all under heaven, wanting multiple women was to be expected.

His only mistake was revealing his possessiveness toward her too early.

It sounded an early alarm for her.

She silently thought to herself: Elder Brother, don't worry. Once I've avenged you, I will leave for a place Xiao Lingchuan can never find.

Until then, she could only play along with Xiao Lingchuan for now.

After all, he was currently the only one who could help her bring Xiao Xiuzhan to his demise.