Chapter 101: Don’t Abandon It, Okay?

Chapter 101: Please Don't Get Rid of It, Okay?

Xiao Lingchuan's gaze suddenly fell on the outer robe draped over Jiang Shuning's shoulders, his long brows slightly furrowed. "Whose robe is this? Why does it look so familiar?"

Jiang Shuning was startled and quickly changed the subject. "Your Highness, is there anything you particularly want to eat? I will return and prepare it for you."

Hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan's tense expression finally relaxed.

He unceremoniously listed a series of dish names, all home-cooked meals she often made for him in their previous life.

Xiao Qiyu, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Fourth Brother is really pushing his luck! Taking advantage of having saved sister-in-law, he dares to list so many dishes in one breath. It would be strange if sister-in-law agreed to make them all!

Unexpectedly, Jiang Shuning readily agreed. "Your Highness, I have noted them all. I will prepare them for you one by one starting tomorrow."

Xiao Qiyu was dumbfounded. You remembered all that?

Even a full imperial banquet doesn't have that many courses! And you remembered them all?

Xiao Lingchuan nodded. "I will return to Jinghe Palace tonight. Come find me at the palace tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Highness. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now. My maid is still waiting for me outside the polo grounds." Jiang Shuning, fearing he might recognize the robe as Xiao Huaijin's, was eager to leave quickly.

"Wait." Xiao Lingchuan suddenly spoke, his voice low.

Sensing his gaze fall upon her again, Jiang Shuning's heart instantly tightened, as if facing a great enemy.

Oh no, he must have discovered she's wearing Xiao Huaijin's robe. Who knows how he'll fly into a rage and demand an explanation this time.

I hope he doesn't take his anger out on Xiao Huaijin.

She asked cautiously, "Does Your Highness have other matters?"

Xiao Lingchuan spoke indifferently. "The Empress Dowager has recently developed a rash. The imperial physicians prescribed medicine, but she finds it too bitter and refuses to take it, causing the rash to recur repeatedly. It hasn't healed yet."

Jiang Shuning immediately understood. "Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I know what to do."

After saying this, she performed a curtsey and left.

Xiao Qiyu watched Jiang Shuning's departing figure, utterly confused. "What exactly did sister-in-law understand? I don't understand at all."

Divine Physician Sun laughed heartily. "Seventh Prince, this is the tacit understanding between the Fourth Prince and Miss Jiang. We outsiders certainly wouldn't understand."

Xiao Qiyu winked mischievously. "Fourth Brother, you and sister-in-law have such a tacit understanding. Is a happy event approaching?"

Xiao Lingchuan had no mind for his jokes; his expression suddenly turned stern. "Seventh Brother, stop pondering such trivial matters. Investigate thoroughly why Miss Jiang fell from her horse today."

"Fourth Brother, that horse ran off. Auntie said such sudden madness has never happened before with a horse. Today's incident is quite suspicious. I've already had people carefully check the horse's feed and water, and found nothing abnormal.

Therefore, I suspect it's highly likely the horse was tampered with after entering the polo grounds, causing it to go mad. During that time, besides sister-in-law herself, the only one who came into contact with the horse was our cousin, the Young Duke."

Xiao Qiyu reported everything he had investigated to Xiao Lingchuan in detail.

"Him?" Xiao Lingchuan's expression darkened. "The Young Duke has no grudge against Miss Jiang. Someone must have instructed him to do this."

Xiao Qiyu asked curiously, "Who?"

Xiao Lingchuan closed his eyes, his voice languid. "Take me back to the palace. I will recuperate in the palace these next few days. I will not receive any visitors except Miss Jiang."

Xiao Qiyu thought for a moment. The antidote for the Nanyue spy mother and daughter was almost due this month.

It seems Fourth Brother is going to make life difficult for them again.

—

The first thing Jiang Shuning did upon returning to the Prime Minister's residence was to go and demand an explanation from Jiang Tianze.

As soon as Jiang Tianze heard Jiang Shuning had come, he immediately went to greet her, his handsome brows filled with worry. "Eldest Sister, I just heard you had an accident at the Grand Princess's polo grounds! I was so worried!"

Today happened to be the day he reported to Lishan Academy, which is why he couldn't accompany Jiang Shuning and the others to the polo match hosted by the Grand Princess.

He had just returned to the residence when he learned from Jiang Yaozhen that she had an accident at the polo grounds. He was immediately frantic with anxiety, his heart hanging in suspense.

Jiang Shuning looked at him coldly. "My accident at the polo grounds, wasn't it thanks to you, Third Brother?"

Jiang Tianze was taken aback. "Why would you say that, Eldest Sister?"

Jiang Shuning took the little white snake coiled around her wrist and handed it to him, her fingers trembling slightly with anger. "This little snake is highly venomous! Why didn't you tell me? Do you know you nearly caused a major disaster?!"

Hearing this, a shadow passed through Jiang Tianze's narrow, phoenix eyes. He spoke slowly, "Eldest Sister, who did it bite?"

Unless a man was pressed closely against Jiang Shuning's body, coupled with intense physical contact, this little white snake would not bite easily.

The mere thought of a man treating his Eldest Sister that way filled his heart with jealousy and hatred.

"The horse I was riding suddenly went mad. If the Fourth Prince hadn't intervened in time to help, I'm afraid I would have been seriously injured by now! But I never imagined the Fourth Prince would be bitten by the little white snake I carried with me, nearly dying from the poison! Third Brother, how could you leave such a dangerous animal by my side without saying a single word to me? What exactly were you thinking?"

The more Jiang Shuning thought about it, the angrier she became. "I don't want this little white snake anymore!"

Listening to her stern and severe accusations, Jiang Tianze felt not a shred of guilt in his heart. Instead, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good. Eldest Sister didn't let any other man get close to her.

Otherwise, that person's death would be well-deserved!

He quickly put on a look of fear and trepidation, his tone full of remorse.

"Eldest Sister, I was wrong. I thought Xiao Bai was just a small snake, its venom not very potent. Besides, it's so docile, it definitely wouldn't hurt people casually. I didn't think it through properly and harmed the Fourth Prince. If the Fourth Prince wishes to pursue the matter, I am willing to take full responsibility. Even if he wants to beat or scold me, I will have no complaints!"

"The Fourth Prince has no intention of pursuing the matter."

On the contrary, Xiao Lingchuan seemed quite approving and appreciative of Jiang Tianze giving her a highly venomous pet snake for self-defense.

Those two were truly birds of a feather!

"Then... Eldest Sister, don't be angry anymore, okay?" Jiang Tianze cupped the little white snake in both hands, pleading pitifully. "Tianze was wrong. Tianze will remove Xiao Bai's venom glands right now. From now on, it definitely won't bite anyone again! Eldest Sister, please don't get rid of it, okay?"

The little white snake cooperated perfectly, opening its large red eyes wide, tilting its head, and staring straight at Jiang Shuning, like a puppy worried about being abandoned by its owner.

Jiang Shuning asked hesitantly, "If its venom glands are removed, can it still live?"

"Of course it can! If Eldest Sister is afraid it might bite, I can also help you pull out its teeth!" As Jiang Tianze spoke, he made as if to pry open the little white snake's mouth.

Jiang Shuning couldn't bear it and stopped him. "Forget it. It's a snake. If it loses its teeth, how will it defend itself in the future?"

"Alright, then I won't pull them out." Jiang Tianze looked at her with an almost pleading gaze and asked softly, "Then Eldest Sister, you won't abandon Xiao Bai, right?"

"Remove its venom glands first, then we'll talk!" Jiang Shuning was still somewhat angry, her tone slightly stiff. "From now on, you are not to hide anything from me again, understand?"

"Understood, Eldest Sister." He lowered his eyes and replied obediently.

Jiang Tianze brought the little white snake, Xiao Bai, back to the West Courtyard.

Naturally, the venom glands couldn’t be completely removed—otherwise, Xiao Bai would lose all its lethality, and what would be the point of keeping it for his elder sister?

He devised a way to modify the toxins it was fed, weakening the venom in its glands so it wouldn’t kill instantly.

Once he was done, he patted Xiao Bai’s head, a strange smile spreading across his face.

To think that being bitten by the little white snake hadn’t taken his life.

It seems this Fourth Prince has some tricks up his sleeve.