Chapter 115: Too Easily Forgiven

Chapter 115: Too Easily Forgiven

As soon as the Emperor brought up Xiao Xiuzhan's desire to marry early in the court, Censor Gu immediately stepped forward, stating bluntly that since the Crown Prince was the elder brother of the Third Prince and the designated heir to the Daye throne, his wedding should take precedence.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's supporters all chimed in their agreement.

The Emperor also found this reasonable. After all, the Crown Prince's engagement to the Gu family's legitimate daughter had long been settled, so advancing the wedding preparations was perfectly appropriate.

Thus, he immediately issued an edict to proceed with the Crown Prince's wedding first.

Originally, Xiao Xiuzhan and his mother had planned to use the wedding preparations as a pretext to cover the shortfall in the imperial inner treasury's accounts. On the surface, they would give the Jiang family generous betrothal gifts and present Jiang Yaozhen with valuable presents, but in reality, they intended to pass off inferior goods, then placate the Jiang family with sweet words to gloss over the matter.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor suddenly decided to prioritize the Crown Prince's wedding.

The Gu family was not so easily deceived. If Censor Gu were to seize upon this and investigate relentlessly, the misappropriation of funds from the inner treasury would likely come to the Emperor's attention.

Once the investigation traced the whereabouts of the bestowed silver, it would be impossible to conceal the truth any longer.

Xiao Xiuzhan was beside himself with worry and couldn't help but say to Consort Xi, "Mother, what should we do? The inner treasury simply doesn't have enough silver to pay for both my wedding and the Crown Prince's!"

Consort Xi's expression was grave as she lowered her voice to reassure him, "You need not worry about this matter. I, your mother, will handle it for you. However, I will need your cooperation when the time comes."

"As long as Mother can help your son through this crisis, your son will certainly follow your arrangements!" Xiao Xiuzhan hastily agreed.

Consort Xi smiled with relief. "My son, you are destined to be the ruler of Daye, with all its glory and wealth at your fingertips. This is merely a temporary setback. Rest assured, I will not put you in a difficult position. What I ask of you will not be burdensome. When the time comes, you simply need to act accordingly."

Once the imperial edict for the Crown Prince's wedding was announced, Jiang Yaozhen couldn't wait to boast in front of Jiang Shuning, "Sister, did you know that His Highness the Third Prince specifically requested an imperial decree from His Majesty to marry me sooner? Who would have thought Censor Gu would intervene, citing the Crown Prince's status as heir, forcing his wedding to go first. In a way, Sister Wan Ying owes me a debt of gratitude for being able to marry into the Eastern Palace early!"

Before Jiang Shuning could respond, a voice dripping with sarcasm came from behind them. "In that case, I really must thank Sister Yaozhen!"

Jiang Yaozhen and Jiang Shuning turned to see Gu Wanying approaching gracefully, a hint of a sarcastic smile on her face.

"Wanying, what brings you here?" Jiang Shuning asked, slightly surprised.

Since a polo match some time ago, the two had cleared the air between them, and their relationship had grown much closer than before.

Both having lost their elder brothers' protection and having to stand strong alone, they felt a sense of mutual understanding and sympathy.

Gu Wanying smiled brightly. "Next month, I will be married into the Eastern Palace. I fear it will be difficult to see you afterwards, so I came specifically to visit you and perhaps do some shopping together!"

Seeing them chatting happily, Jiang Yaozhen, burning with jealousy, couldn't help but say snidely, "Sister Wan Ying need not worry. My sister often visits the palace. You two are sure to meet frequently then!"

Hearing this, Gu Wanying gave her a cold glance, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Indeed. After you are married, you will also reside within the palace. The three of us will indeed be able to gather often!"

Her words subtly pointed out that Xiao Xiuzhan had been stripped of his title and remained just a prince. According to Daye law, a prince without a title had no estate and could only continue living within the palace.

Jiang Yaozhen caught the sarcasm in her words. Her pretty face twisted with anger, and she stamped her foot before storming off in a huff.

Watching her furious retreating figure, Gu Wanying couldn't help but snort coldly. "Shuning, your sister is far too full of herself. It's just a marriage. Is it worth such flaunting?"

Jiang Shuning smiled faintly. "Let her be. After all, this is the only wedding she will have in this lifetime, so she naturally places great importance on it."

Unlike the Third Prince, who was likely to marry many times in this life. How could he possibly care as much as she did?

In her previous life, after Jiang Yaozhen married into the Rui Prince's residence, Xiao Xiuzhan successively took in numerous concubines and even married a merchant's daughter as a Secondary Consort, placing her on equal footing. This had infuriated Jiang Yaozhen, causing her to return home in tears many times to complain.

Thinking back now, Jiang Shuning realized that Jiang Yaozhen's active advances toward Xiao Lingchuan after her own marriage in that past life likely stemmed from the neglect she suffered from Xiao Xiuzhan, seeking comfort from other men who admired her.

Gu Wanying's voice pulled Jiang Shuning's thoughts back to the present. "Shuning, have you heard? All the underground gambling dens in the capital have been shut down, and even the illegal human trafficking rings in the surrounding cities have been completely eradicated."

Jiang Shuning nodded slightly. "I've heard a little. It is truly wonderful news."

"My father said that the Dali Temple was able to crack the case so swiftly this time, all thanks to the efforts of His Highness the Fourth Prince. The clues he provided were extremely detailed, helping the Dali Temple solve the case in one fell swoop! Previously, I held quite a grudge against him for recommending my brother for the western campaign to suppress the bandits. But this action benefits the nation and its people, so my opinion of him has changed somewhat."

Jiang Shuning felt similarly. "I feel the same."

She had thought Xiao Lingchuan would continue to bide his time, waiting until he had solid evidence proving Xiao Xiuzhan was the mastermind behind the underground gambling dens and human trafficking rings before exposing these two scourges on the people and toppling Xiao Xiuzhan in one move.

Unexpectedly, he had proactively handed the clues over to the Dali Temple, helping to eradicate these two major evils ahead of schedule, even at the cost of missing the chance to completely crush Xiao Xiuzhan.

In this life, Xiao Lingchuan's way of doing things was indeed quite different from before.

Gu Wanying took her hand, speaking earnestly. "Shuning, I've thought over my brother's death repeatedly. It's true the Fourth Prince recommended him for the western campaign out of jealousy over his proposal to you. But the one who truly caused my brother's death was someone else. I cannot lay all the blame at his feet. I hope you won't let my feelings influence you to hold a prejudice against the Fourth Prince."

Jiang Shuning smiled gently, offering comfort. "Don't worry. I have my own judgment and won't be easily swayed."

"That's good!" Gu Wanying sighed in relief. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke again, somewhat hesitantly. "Shuning, although the Fourth Prince is rash and his methods aren't exactly aboveboard, this recent action shows he has the nation's and people's interests at heart. Having such a prince in the imperial family is truly a blessing for Daye. Perhaps... you should also reconsider your stance towards him a little. There's no need to reject him so absolutely."

Jiang Shuning inwardly sighed. Xiao Lingchuan's actions had indeed borne fruit, to the point that even Gu Wanying was willing to set aside her grievances and instead urge her to accept his affections.

Members of the imperial family, even if they had committed many wrongs in the past, needed only to accomplish one good deed for people to view them in a new light, even singing their praises.

Those in high positions were always easily forgiven.

After seeing Gu Wanying off, Jiang Shuning's thoughts turned to her third sister, Jiang Lian.

Since the underground gambling dens had been shut down, presumably her second uncle's debts were cleared. He shouldn't be thinking of selling Jiang Lian anymore, right?

But gambling addiction was easy to acquire and hard to break. There was no guarantee her second uncle wouldn't fall back into gambling in the future and again entertain the idea of selling his daughter to pay off debts.

Thinking this, she instructed Ling Wu, "Go find the steward and ask for the address of Second Uncle's residence in the capital. I wish to pay him a visit myself."

Ling Wu hesitated. "But Second Master Jiang still holds a grudge against you..."

"It's fine. My main purpose is to see Third Sister."

Jiang Lian was only a year younger than her, in the bloom of youth at sixteen, and a member of the Jiang family bloodline. Jiang Shuning truly couldn't bear to see her go astray.

Some words were better said face-to-face.

Before long, Ling Wu returned with the address. Mistress and maid took a carriage to Second Master Jiang's residence.

Second Master Jiang's residence was located on the outskirts of the capital, not very large. It was Second Madam Jiang who opened the door, indicating the household likely had no extra servants.

Living expenses in the capital were high. Without a source of income, even having received half of the Prime Minister's estate, their funds would soon be depleted.

Seeing her arrival, both Second Master Jiang and Second Madam Jiang scowled. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Third Sister," Jiang Shuning stated directly.

"She's not at home. Leave!" Second Master Jiang said coldly, issuing an order to leave. "Don't set foot in our home again in the future!"

Jiang Shuning replied coolly, "I had no intention of quarreling with Second Uncle. But there is something I must say. Although the capital's underground gambling dens have been shut down by the Dali Temple, if Second Uncle continues to indulge in gambling, you will ultimately end up with your family broken up. I hope Second Uncle will have Lian'er's best interests at heart and stop being so foolish!"

"Who's indulging in gambling? Who's being foolish?" Second Master Jiang wore an expression of aggrieved anger. "Don't spout nonsense and make wild accusations! I, your Second Uncle, have never touched gambling!"

Second Madam Jiang quickly chimed in, "Shuning, how can you slander your Second Uncle like that? Your Second Uncle has never indulged in such a vile habit!"

Jiang Shuning's brow furrowed slightly, her heart sinking.

Had Jiang Lian... lied to her?