Chapter 102: Not Even a Kiss?

Chapter 102: Not a Single Kiss?

Early the next morning, Jiang Shuning entered the palace carrying two lunchboxes.

She first went to the Empress Dowager's residence, Cining Palace to pay her respects.

Previously, she could use the mourning period at home as a reason not to come to the palace to see the Empress Dowager.

Now, the mourning period for Jiang Tianen and Jiang Tianci had long passed the traditional forty-nine days. If she entered the palace again without first paying her respects to the Empress Dowager, it would appear she lacked proper etiquette.

The Empress Dowager reclined on a soft couch, looking weary, her brow furrowed with exhaustion. It was clear the troublesome rash had caused her considerable suffering.

Jiang Shuning first bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager, then presented the lunchbox she had specially prepared for her with both hands, saying softly, "Your Majesty, I heard Your Majesty was unwell and had developed a rash. I was deeply concerned. This is a medicinal porridge made with ginseng, poria, and white atractylodes that I personally prepared. It has some efficacy in alleviating rashes. I hope it is to Your Majesty's liking."

Nanny Wu, by the Empress Dowager's side, stepped forward to take the lunchbox from her hands. Only then did the Empress Dowager look up at Jiang Shuning, a faint smile appearing on her weary face. "Miss Jiang is thoughtful. I am very pleased."

She paused, her gaze carrying a hint of inquiry. "Did my fourth grandson tell you about my rash?"

"Your Majesty, yes, that is correct," Jiang Shuning answered frankly.

"I heard that yesterday at the polo field, the Fourth Imperial Grandson was injured while saving you." The Empress Dowager's smile deepened, her tone taking on a more meaningful note. "My Fourth Imperial Grandson holds you in such deep affection. How can you bring yourself to refuse him?"

Jiang Shuning's cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

She lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please do not make fun of me anymore."

"I personally issued that decree to you. Naturally, I would not force you in matters of marriage. It's just that this Fourth Imperial Grandson of mine is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, outstanding in appearance, truly beyond reproach. Moreover, he treats you so well. I truly do not understand why he cannot enter your heart?"

Jiang Shuning's heart ached with bitterness.

She was not a picky person. It was just that in her previous life, she had already proven with her own life that choosing Xiao Lingchuan would lead to a tragic end. How could she repeat the same mistake in this life?

"The Fourth Prince is naturally a dragon among men. It is just that I deeply know I am not good enough for him, and thus dare not hope for such a thing."

This answer, however, somewhat displeased the Empress Dowager.

She asked in a serious tone, "Since you have come to see me today, I may as well be direct. Among my many imperial grandsons, each one a fine young man, which one is truly your ideal husband?"

Sweat dampened Jiang Shuning's palms within her sleeves.

Although the Empress Dowager lived deep within the palace and never stepped outside its gates, she was sharp-eyed and keen-eared and had surely heard many rumors and gossip about her.

Now, whether it was the princes in the palace or the noble ladies in the capital, they all regarded her as a flighty woman who led men on.

Today, the Empress Dowager asking this question in her presence was more of an interrogation than an inquiry.

Jiang Shuning took a deep breath and knelt before the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty, I am ashamed of my own inadequacy and deeply feel unworthy of any of the Princes."

"You mean, the one you favor is not one of my grandsons?"

"Your Majesty, there is no one I have feelings for." Jiang Shuning mustered her courage. "In this life, I have no intention of ever marrying!"

"What?" The Empress Dowager couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. "Have you truly thought this through clearly?"

"Yes!" Jiang Shuning raised her head, her expression resolute. "Since my elder brother's unfortunate passing, I have secretly resolved that in this life, I will devote myself to serving my parents and seeing them through their old age."

"Your filial piety, I can understand." The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "But you are, after all, a woman. According to the laws of our dynasty, women do not have the right to inherit family property. If you never marry in your lifetime, how will you manage after your parents are gone?"

"I have already discussed it with the cousin who was adopted as my father's heir. He will allow me to continue staying in the Jiang family to live out my years in peace."

She could not choose Xiao Lingchuan and repeat the mistake of her previous life. Yet she also knew full well that with Xiao Lingchuan's domineering and controlling nature, how could he tolerate her marrying someone else?

Therefore, before she used Xiao Lingchuan to avenge her brother, she could not choose anyone, dared not choose anyone.

Rather than being torn between these princes, it was better to simply announce her decision not to marry to the world, thereby silencing the endless gossip.

The Empress Dowager let out a long sigh. "I thought you were picky and looked down on my grandsons. I had no idea this was your intention. If the Fourth Imperial Grandson knew, he would surely be very sad."

"It is I who have no fate to be with the Fourth Prince. I believe the Fourth Prince will surely meet a truly worthy person who deserves his wholehearted devotion in the future."

The Empress Dowager said helplessly, "Enough. You must be going to visit the Fourth Imperial Grandson today, right? I will not keep you any longer. You may withdraw."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jiang Shuning bowed once more, then slowly withdrew from Cining Palace.

As the Empress Dowager ate the medicinal porridge Jiang Shuning had personally prepared, she lamented, "What a pity. Such a good girl is unwilling to become my grandson's wife. This Fourth Imperial Grandson of mine is also stubborn, passing over so many suitable young ladies and insisting on Miss Jiang. If he cannot get what he wants, he will surely be very sad, won't he?"

Nanny Wu comforted her, "Your Majesty need not worry too much. Miss Jiang is still young. In the future, she may yet change her mind. Moreover, the Fourth Prince is so talented and handsome, a dragon among men. What woman in this world could remain unmoved?"

The Empress Dowager nodded. "What you say also makes sense. She is just a girl not yet seventeen. No one can predict the future. When she grows a little older and thinks more clearly, she will surely change her mind!"

Jiang Shuning arrived at Xiao Lingchuan's residence, Jinghe Palace.

Xiao Lingchuan had been waiting impatiently. Seeing her enter, his eyes locked onto the lunchbox she carried.

"Why is there only one lunchbox?"

Didn't he order many dishes yesterday? How could one lunchbox hold them all?

"I only brought the broths and soups that require time and effort to prepare. As for the other dishes, I wanted to prepare them personally in Your Highness's kitchen. After all, the palace kitchen has all the necessary ingredients." Jiang Shuning explained in a light tone.

Hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan's expression improved slightly.

Jiang Shuning followed the palace servant to the kitchen and busied herself methodically.

Soon, a table laden with delicious, fragrant dishes was laid out.

Xiao Lingchuan looked at the dishes he had grown accustomed to eating in his previous life, feeling his appetite stir.

During their ten years of marriage in his previous life, his appetite had gradually been expanded by her.

At first, he ate less than a bowl per meal and was slender. She prepared three meals a day for him, each time with different dishes to build up his health.

Later, his appetite increased. He needed at least two bowls per meal, and his body gradually became more robust.

Thinking of this, his gaze towards her softened. "You've been busy for so long; you must be hungry too. Sit down and eat together."

"Alright." Jiang Shuning did not decline. She placed the heated soup on the table and asked casually, "What about the Seventh Prince? Isn't he coming to eat with us?"

Xiao Lingchuan coughed lightly, somewhat unnaturally, to cover up. "He has some important matters to attend to today, so he won't be coming." This was, of course, a lie to her.

He had deliberately not allowed Xiao Qiyu to come.

He longed every day for an opportunity to be alone with her. How could he let Xiao Qiyu, his tactless brother, disturb them?

Moreover...

Xiao Lingchuan used his uninjured left hand to clumsily pick up food with difficulty, deliberately putting on an extremely struggling display in front of her.

Jiang Shuning could only move her chair closer to him and pick up his chopsticks. "What would Your Highness like to eat? Let me help you."

Xiao Lingchuan was a little stiff at first, but gradually got used to her careful attention, taking each bite she offered.

The food she fed him just tasted better.

He hadn’t felt this satisfied in a long time.

Jiang Shuning fed him patiently, meticulously—a spoonful of rice, a spoonful of vegetables, followed by a spoonful of soup.

After finishing, she carefully wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, thorough and considerate.

He gazed at her, his emotions churning.

In a daze, it was as if they had returned to their past life as husband and wife, when she was just as gentle and considerate, taking care of him in every possible way.

A thousand words welled up in his heart, but in the end, they condensed into a murmur despite himself: "Shuning, you’re so good."

Jiang Shuning lowered her eyes, hiding the turmoil in them. "Your Highness was injured saving me, after all. It’s only right that I take care of you."

Her words were polite and distant, like an invisible barrier that instantly separated the two of them.

A hard-to-express feeling of loss washed over Xiao Lingchuan. "Is there really nothing between us besides gratitude?"

In their past life, it had been the same—he saved her life, and she insisted on marrying him.

Before that, like other Noble Maidens, she had never paid him any attention.

Was marrying him merely to repay a debt of gratitude?

Jiang Shuning raised her eyes, meeting his intense gaze, then quickly lowered them again as if scalded.

"Your Highness’s feelings, I naturally understand."

She knew all too well what such a look from him meant, and her voice couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

Xiao Lingchuan’s chest surged with an uncontrollable longing. He reached out and gently caressed her cheek, his gaze tender yet fervent. "It’s good that you understand."

Unable to restrain himself, he leaned in to kiss her lips, but she hurriedly stopped him.

Her fingers pressed against his burning lips, her voice trembling. "Your Highness, you promised me!"

Only when he had the world could he have her.

Xiao Lingchuan pressed, refusing to give up. "Not even a single kiss?"