Chapter 99 He’s Poisoned

Chapter 99: He Has Been Poisoned

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Jiang Shuning was frantic, bending over him to ask anxiously.

Xiao Lingchuan's face was pale as he struggled to speak. "Quick, tell Seventh Brother to fetch Divine Physician Sun... I think... I've been poisoned..."

Before he could finish, his eyes closed, and he fell unconscious.

Before Jiang Shuning could gather her thoughts, Xiao Qiyu had already galloped over.

He dismounted, his expression urgent. "Sister-in-law, are you and Fourth Brother alright?"

"The Fourth Prince said you must summon Divine Physician Sun immediately! He said he's been poisoned!" Jiang Shuning spoke in a flustered, disjointed manner.

"Poisoned?" Xiao Qiyu's eyes widened with shock. "But you and Fourth Brother just took a fall. How could he suddenly be poisoned?"

"I don't know either... It was what His Highness the Fourth Prince told me to relay to you before he lost consciousness." Jiang Shuning was bewildered and anxious.

Wasting no time, Xiao Qiyu quickly checked on Xiao Lingchuan. Seeing his lips were black and purple, a telltale sign of poisoning, his expression darkened. He hurriedly helped Xiao Lingchuan up.

At that moment, several servants from the Grand Princess's estate arrived on the scene and helped him lift Xiao Lingchuan onto a horse.

Xiao Lingchuan was settled in a private viewing pavilion. The Grand Princess sent for the estate's physician to examine him.

After a careful examination, the estate physician reported to the Grand Princess with a grave expression. "His Highness the Fourth Prince's arm sustained a severe impact and is fractured. However, this is not the main problem; it will mend with proper care. The real danger is the deadly poison His Highness has been afflicted with. With my humble medical skills, I am truly powerless to treat it!"

"Deadly poison? Where did it come from?" The Grand Princess's face fell.

"Just now, I discovered two tiny puncture wounds on the Fourth Prince's neck. They appear to be bite marks from a snake or insect! I suspect that when His Highness fell to the ground with Miss Jiang earlier, he was inadvertently bitten by a venomous snake or insect lurking there, leading to the poisoning!"

"What?" The Grand Princess was horrified.

If this were true, it meant her polo field was infested with venomous snakes or insects. If word got out, who would dare come to her polo field again?

"This matter is extremely serious and must not get out! Administer antidotal medicine to His Highness the Fourth Prince immediately. Buy as much time as you can. I have already sent someone to the palace to urgently request an imperial physician!" The Grand Princess was agitated and trembling.

If the Fourth Prince were to die from poisoning at her polo field, she would undoubtedly be held responsible.

Outside the pavilion, Jiang Shuning was anxiously pacing.

Finally seeing the Grand Princess emerge, she hurried forward to bow. "This humble one greets Your Highness the Grand Princess. May I ask, how is His Highness the Fourth Prince now?"

The Grand Princess scrutinized her and noticed that aside from her disheveled hair and some dust on her clothes, she showed no signs of external injury.

She couldn't help but be secretly astonished. Her fourth nephew truly cared for this Miss Jiang, shielding her so completely.

"Chuan... [using his childhood name] he accidentally injured his arm. I've already had the estate physician set the bone. He should recover soon; it's nothing serious. Miss Jiang, you must have had quite a fright and are tired. You should go back and rest now!" The Grand Princess said in a dismissive tone, trying to send her away.

After Xiao Lingchuan's accident, she had already ordered the other guests escorted back to their residences. Only this Miss Jiang flatly refused to leave, insisting on staying.

The Grand Princess was somewhat worried she would learn about the poisoning and wanted to send her away quickly.

Jiang Shuning's brow furrowed.

Nothing serious? How could it be nothing serious?

He was poisoned!

She wanted to probe further, but at that moment, Xiao Qiyu arrived hurriedly at the pavilion entrance with a white-haired elder.

The Grand Princess frowned. "And this is..."

Xiao Qiyu said, "Aunt, this is a physician I personally sought out. He is highly skilled, especially adept at treating poisons!"

Hearing this, the Grand Princess's expression changed. She said gravely, "Quickly, take the physician inside!"

Xiao Qiyu then led the elder into the pavilion.

The Grand Princess was about to continue urging Jiang Shuning to leave when Xiao Qiyu suddenly walked out of the pavilion.

"Miss Jiang, please do not leave. When Fourth Brother wakes up, the first person he will want to see is surely you!"

Jiang Shuning knew he said this so the Grand Princess would hear; otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately called her "Miss Jiang."

"Yes, Seventh Prince. I will wait right here for His Highness the Fourth Prince to awaken!"

The Grand Princess then had no choice but to abandon the idea of sending her away.

Her fourth nephew had come to harm at her polo field. When he woke up, she would have to soothe him properly to prevent him from making a big fuss.

She silently prayed that her nephew wouldn't make too much of it upon waking.

Elsewhere, the Young Duke looked terrified. "What do we do? I only intended for Jiang Shuning to fall from her horse in public and become a laughingstock. I never expected Fourth Cousin to suddenly leap to her rescue. If something serious happens to Fourth Cousin and His Majesty holds us accountable, our Duke's estate will be in trouble!"

Jiang Yaozhen shot him a disdainful glance, unperturbed. "What's there to fear? That horse has already disappeared without a trace. Who knows you tampered with it? Besides, the Fourth Prince's injury is a result of his own recklessness in playing the hero to save my sister. Who can he blame?"

The thought of Xiao Lingchuan being injured filled her with a sense of satisfaction.

Serves him right! Who told him to use poison to control her and her mother, forcing her mother to work for him? Someone with such ruthless methods deserves to suffer a bit more!

The Young Duke remained uneasy.

Just then, several Noble Maidens walked over. Seeing Jiang Yaozhen, their faces showed expressions of disdain.

"You Jiang family girls are really pulling out all the stops to marry into the imperial family. You're now the prospective Third Prince's Consort, and your sister will likely soon be the Consort of the Fourth Prince. Congratulations to you both!"

"Exactly! Ever since the Empress Dowager's Chrysanthemum Banquet, you two Jiang sisters have been putting on quite the show—dancing, making pastries. The two of you are the most ostentatious in the entire capital! Now you've finally gotten your wish. Both Jiang daughters are to be betrothed to princes. What a joyous occasion!"

Jiang Yaozhen smiled slightly, as if not catching the sarcasm in their words. She replied with a smile, "Thank you, elder sisters. However, my sister may not necessarily be betrothed to the Fourth Prince. After all, His Highness the Fifth Prince is also fond of her. With two such outstanding princes, it's truly a difficult choice for her."

"What? One Fourth Prince isn't enough; she's also entangled with the Fifth Prince? The Jiang family's eldest legitimate daughter is too greedy!"

The noble maidens, their faces twisted with jealousy, left in a huff.

Watching their retreating figures, Jiang Yaozhen curved her lips into a smile.

She had effortlessly made more enemies for her sister.

Xiao Lingchuan was injured, and Jiang Shuning was envied and resented by the noble maidens. Today really was a good day!

Jiang Shuning stood outside the pavilion, waiting until dusk without even realizing it.

The Fifth Prince, Xiao Huaijin, spotted her from afar.

He quickly walked over, took off his outer robe, and carefully draped it over her shoulders.

"Miss Jiang, the polo field is vast and chilly at night. Take care not to catch a cold."

"Thank you, Your Highness, the Fifth Prince." Jiang Shuning drew the robe closer around her shoulders, which still carried his warmth, and felt slightly more at ease.

"How is Fourth Brother? Is he alright?"

Jiang Shuning shook her head. "The Seventh Prince brought a physician earlier, and they haven't come out yet. The situation is likely quite serious."

"Do not worry, it's just a flesh wound. Fourth Brother has some training in martial arts and is stronger than most. He will surely be fine," Xiao Huaijin reassured her.

"I hope so."

She did not tell him about Xiao Lingchuan's poisoning, as she had sensed earlier that the Grand Princess seemed reluctant to publicize the matter.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Huaijin suggested, "Miss Jiang, may I escort you back to your residence?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I cannot leave until the Fourth Prince awakens." Jiang Shuning lowered her gaze. "After all, he was injured while saving me."

Hearing these words, a sour, indescribable ache welled up in Xiao Huaijin's heart.

He regretted not rushing to her aid the moment her horse went wild, allowing Xiao Lingchuan to seize the opportunity instead.

Otherwise, it would be him she was waiting for outside the viewing pavilion now.

He took a deep breath, trying to master his complicated emotions. "In that case, I shall wait with you!"