Chapter 107: Expanding the Jiang Family Line

Chapter 107: To Extend the Jiang Family Line

The matter of the underground gambling dens in the capital was really suspicious. After thinking it over, Jiang Shuning decided she should inform Xiao Lingchuan to get to the bottom of it.

Perhaps it could give him a chance to gain favor.

Xiao Xiuzhan had already been granted the title of Prince Rui, a clear sign of the Emperor's regard for him.

If Xiao Lingchuan didn't achieve anything else, he would likely remain overshadowed by Xiao Xiuzhan forever.

The next day, just as she was ready to go out, Jiang Tianze showed up carrying a bamboo basket.

"Elder Sister, if you're going out, why not take Xiao Bai with you?"

He pulled back the floral cloth covering the basket, revealing the little white snake hidden inside.

The small snake flicked its forked tongue, tilting its little head to look at Jiang Shuning with an adorable look, it looked utterly endearing.

"Have its venom glands been removed?" Jiang Shuning asked casually.

"Of course they have! If Elder Sister doesn't believe me, I can let it bite me!"

No sooner had he spoken, he actually pried open the little white snake's mouth and went to touch its fangs with his fingertip.

By the time Jiang Shuning reacted, it was already too late. His fingertip was scratched, and a bead of crimson blood slowly welled up.

She quickly grasped his injured finger and ordered urgently to Ling Wu beside her: "Go quickly and fetch gauze and styptic powder!"

"Yes, Miss!" Ling Wu responded and hurried off.

Soon, the gauze and powder were brought.

Jiang Shuning carefully cleaned Jiang Tianze's wound, applied the powder, and meticulously wrapped it with gauze, her expression full of reproach. "Your body, every hair and bit of skin, is a gift from your parents. How could you be so careless with it?"

Jiang Tianze only felt a numbing pain at the wound site. He hid his discomfort without a change in expression and said softly, "I was afraid Elder Sister wouldn't believe me..."

"Silly, I was only asking casually, not because I didn't believe you. Why must you prove yourself in such an extreme way?"

Jiang Shuning sighed helplessly, her tone tinged with heartache.

"I was reckless. You're right to scold me."

Jiang Tianze's gaze swept imperceptibly over her formal attire and the food box beside her, pretending to ask casually, "Elder Sister is dressed so formally today. Are you planning to enter the palace?"

"That's right. The Fourth Prince was injured saving me. Out of both gratitude and duty, I should pay him a visit."

Jiang Shuning's tone was flat, unwilling to elaborate.

A flicker of jealousy, barely perceptible, flashed in Jiang Tianze's eyes but was quickly suppressed.

"I've heard that this Fourth Prince is hopelessly in love with Elder Sister. He even deliberately recommended Master Gu for the western campaign because Master Gu came to propose marriage to Elder Sister, ultimately getting him killed in the bandits' lair. Someone that extreme—wouldn't Elder Sister be forced to marry him in the future?"

"Absolutely not!" Jiang Shuning denied categorically, her tone as firm as iron. "I will never marry him, not in this lifetime!"

"Then which prince in the palace does Elder Sister wish to marry?" he probed cautiously, a trace of hidden unease in his eyes.

"To be honest with you, I've already discussed it with my father and mother. I will not marry in this lifetime." Jiang Shuning's expression was calm. "As you said, the Fourth Prince's methods are extreme. No matter whom I marry, I won't escape his schemes. Rather than that, it's better to simply dash his hopes."

Hearing her so resolute answer, the gloom in Jiang Tianze's heart instantly dissipated.

His face lit up with a smile, his voice suddenly becoming light and cheerful. "Elder Sister need not worry. Even if you don't wish to marry in this lifetime, it's fine. I'll stay with you. I won't marry or have children either. We can depend on each other, just the two of us, and live out this life peacefully."

"That won't do. You are now not only the Prime Minister's heir but also the sole descendant of the Jiang family. The Jiang family has few descendants, with you as the only seedling. In the future, you must marry and have children to continue the Jiang family line, to extend its branches and scatter its leaves!"

Jiang Tianze gazed at her infatuatedly, thinking to himself that if he could marry her and have children in the future, it would indeed be extending the Jiang family line.

Jiang Shuning remained unaware of Jiang Tianze's hidden infatuation and covetous feelings towards her.

After bandaging his wound, she took the little white snake and the food box and headed straight out.

By the time Jiang Tianze returned to the western courtyard, his entire arm had gone numb, losing all sensation.

He often dealt with venomous creatures and had far greater resistance to toxins than ordinary people.

At this moment, he was quite satisfied with the little white snake's venom—this paralyzing effect was just right, enough to be useful.

—

When Jiang Shuning arrived at Jinghe Palace, she ran into Divine Physician Sun changing Xiao Lingchuan's dressing.

She asked with concern, "Divine Physician Sun, how is His Highness's recovery coming along?"

Divine Physician Sun blurted out, "His Highness has always been robust. A minor injury like this naturally..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a few light coughs from Xiao Lingchuan.

Xiao Lingchuan shot him a meaningful look.

Understanding, Divine Physician Sun quickly changed his tune. "...is, naturally, extremely slow to heal! Miss Jiang may not know, but His Highness fell from such a great height. His entire arm was fractured. Mending broken bones requires a great deal of time. Without a year or so, I'm afraid it will be hard to recover fully."

Jiang Shuning's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she pressed on with worry. "It's that serious? Are there any good prescriptions or miraculous medicines that could help His Highness recover sooner?"

If Xiao Lingchuan's arm couldn't heal quickly, how could he help her investigate the matter of the capital's underground gambling dens?

Seeing her so concerned about him, a trace of sweetness stirred in Xiao Lingchuan's heart.

Divine Physician Sun stroked his beard. "It's not entirely without a solution. If Miss Jiang could usually stew more bone broth—you know, the idea that eating bones helps bones—it might speed up the healing of His Highness's arm."

This answer pleased Xiao Lingchuan greatly. It seemed he'd be enjoying good food from now on.

"Thank you for the guidance, Divine Physician Sun. This humble girl understands." Jiang Shuning nodded in acknowledgment.

Divine Physician Sun was perceptive, knowing it was inconvenient to stay long. He quickly stood up and bowed to Xiao Lingchuan. "If Your Highness has no other instructions, this old man will take his leave and return another day to check Your Highness's pulse."

"Take care, Divine Physician Sun. Ling Feng, escort Divine Physician Sun out of the palace."

After Divine Physician Sun left, Xiao Lingchuan reached out and took Jiang Shuning's hand, his expression carrying a hint of teasing. "Didn't you say things at home were hectic recently and you had no time to enter the palace? Hmm?"

Remembering how she and Jiang Yaozhen had tricked him out yesterday, he couldn't help but grind his back teeth. "You little liar, which of your words is actually true?"

Jiang Shuning had never heard him speak to her in such an ambiguously doting tone before. It made her feel utterly uncomfortable.

She subtly withdrew her hand from his palm, took a step back to create distance, and then said seriously, "Your Highness, this humble girl has come today to report an important matter."

Seeing her so aloof, Xiao Lingchuan also had to straighten his posture and compose his expression. "What is it?"

"This humble girl's cousin inadvertently revealed that many underground gambling dens have been secretly established in the capital nowadays. The court has repeatedly issued strict prohibitions against opening gambling dens in the capital. This matter is very suspicious. I wonder if Your Highness is aware of it?"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression showed no ripple of surprise. "I have long been aware of this matter. The mastermind behind the capital's underground gambling dens and human trafficking is none other than Prince Rui, Xiao Xiuzhan."

"So it's him?" Jiang Shuning was startled. "Since Your Highness already knows about this, why haven't you reported it to His Majesty? During the reign of the late emperor, gambling and human trafficking were explicitly banned in the capital. Prince Rui's actions are a clear violation of the law and should be severely punished!"

"Similar to the private soldiers in Xiyu, the problem is we lack solid evidence. If I rashly report it to my father, we might only catch scapegoats meant to take the blame. In that case, Xiao Xiuzhan could easily distance himself and escape unscathed. That's not the outcome I want."

"I understand that Your Highness is planning a larger scheme, but the proliferation of underground gambling dens is doing deep harm to the capital's populace. Could Your Highness first shut down and ban these dens to relieve the people's suffering?" Jiang Shuning pleaded earnestly. "My second uncle became addicted to gambling, incurred massive debts at a gambling den, even to the point of selling his daughter to pay them off. If we can eradicate these harmful places sooner, it would bring countless benefits to the people."

"No," Xiao Lingchuan flatly refused, his tone brooking no argument. "If we rashly ban the underground gambling dens in the capital now, wouldn't that be actively helping Xiao Xiuzhan cover up his crimes? We absolutely must not act too hastily."

Seeing his unhurried demeanor, Jiang Shuning chafed with frustration but refrained from arguing further, choosing instead to remain silent.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Xiao Lingchuan looked at her sharply. "Your second uncle's daughter—is she the one we saw that day at Laifu Restaurant?"

"Yes. She is my third cousin, named Jiang Lian," Jiang Shuning replied truthfully.

Hearing this, a mocking smile touched his handsome features. "So, to avoid being sold by her father, she went to all that trouble to impersonate you and throw herself at me. Considering she's your cousin, I can let this matter go, but you'd better not have any further dealings with her from now on."

Jiang Shuning was stunned, thinking she had misheard. "What did Your Highness say? My third cousin... actually tried to seduce you?"