Chapter 124: A Death Without Dignity

Chapter 124: A Death Devoid of Dignity

The news of the engagement between the Second Prince and Zhang Yan quickly reached Jiang Shuning's ears.

She immediately thought of Xia Yan.

How heartbroken and sad must Xia Yan be upon learning that the person she admired had become engaged to another?

No, she must go see her, so she wouldn't have to grieve alone.

As Jiang Shuning prepared to leave, she happened to meet Jiang Tianze at the door, who had just returned from the academy.

Seeing her in a hurry, Jiang Tianze asked curiously, "Where are you going, big sister?"

"I'm going to see Xia Yan."

"You and Sister Xia Yan are really close. You just met a few days ago, and now you're off to see her again so soon," Jiang Tianze said with a smile.

"That's right!" Jiang Shuning also laughed, deliberately teasing, "If Xia Yan were a man, I would definitely marry no one but her!"

Upon hearing this, a shadow of gloom flashed in Jiang Tianze's eyes.

Fortunately, Xia Yan was not a man.

Otherwise, he would have to expend more effort to remove another eyesore.

When Jiang Shuning arrived at the Xia residence, she saw Xia Yan practicing martial arts in the courtyard from afar. Beads of sweat on her forehead glistened in the sunlight, as transparent as morning dew.

Seeing her arrival, Xia Yan ended her routine and came forward, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Shuning, what brings you here?"

Noticing that Xia Yan's expression betrayed no sign of upset, Jiang Shuning wondered to herself: Could it be that she hasn't heard the news of the Second Prince's engagement yet?

She handed over the food box she was carrying. "I missed you, so I came to see you. These are pastries I made myself. Try them and see if you like the taste!"

Xia Yan took the food box, her smile deepening. "You heard about the Second Prince's engagement and came specifically to comfort me, worried that I might be upset, didn't you?"

"You saw right through me!" Jiang Shuning didn't hide it, her gaze sweeping over Xia Yan's face. "But you don't seem sad at all. Are you putting on a brave face?"

"Of course not." Xia Yan chuckled lightly, her expression calm and open. "The person I admire is engaged—that's a joyous occasion. Why should I be sad? In Shuning's eyes, am I really that shallow?"

"I'm truly relieved that you think this way," Jiang Shuning chided playfully. "What, can't I worry about you?"

She sighed inwardly: Can't blame me for worrying—in her past life, she took the tonsure and entered a nunnery for the Second Prince, living a lonely life!

"Shuning, do you know why I admire the Second Prince?" Xia Yan suddenly asked.

"The Second Prince is gallant, exceptional, and handsome. It's not strange for you to have fallen for him at first sight."

"You only guessed half of it. All seven princes are outstanding, but only the Second Prince is the one who moved me. Because only he harbors the grand ambition of protecting the country and its people, truly caring for the citizens of Daye, rather than solely jockeying for power and gain. This time, hearing that he will lead the troops to battle against the Nanyue invaders, I feel genuinely relieved. He can finally put his martial skills to use and protect Daye's mountains and rivers."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuning suddenly understood.

No wonder, after the Second Prince died on the battlefield in her past life, Xia Yan resolutely shaved her head and spent the rest of her life in seclusion.

It turned out that her grief was not only for the loss of her beloved but also because she saw no hope for Daye.

With the only prince who cared for the common people gone, the remaining princes, each belonging to different factions, devoted all their efforts to power struggles, with no time to spare for the lives and deaths of Daye's subjects.

Faced with such a royal family, how could one not feel despair?

Fortunately, this life is vastly different from the past. With Hao Li by the Second Prince's side, he will surely not suffer the same fate and meet the tragic end of dying on the battlefield.

"Then let's wait for the news of the Second Prince's victorious return! I heard that Nanyue brought only fifty thousand troops this time, while our Daye has a hundred thousand Elite Troops to face them. We will surely wipe them out completely! In this battle, the Second Prince is undoubtedly destined for victory!" Jiang Shuning's tone carried a note of certainty.

"Nanyue actually brought only fifty thousand troops? What were they thinking? Isn't this a suicide mission?" Xia Yan's face was full of confusion.

Jiang Shuning also felt this battle was very strange.

Not only did Nanyue launch an attack on Daye earlier than in her past life, but they also brought such a small number of troops, clearly severely underestimating Daye's strength.

Could it be that Xiao Lingchuan deliberately released false intelligence to lure Nanyue into a trap?

But how exactly did he manage it?

And why would Nanyue trust his intelligence so readily?

Jiang Shuning's curiosity was killing her, and she couldn't help but want to ask Xiao Lingchuan. But then she remembered what he had said that day: unless she was willing to become his wife, he would not reveal everything.

At this thought, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She muttered to herself: It's not like I *have* to know the secret anyway!

——

Late at night, in Jinghe Palace, Jiang Yaozhen's birth mother, Concubine Jiang, knelt before Xiao Lingchuan, her hands trembling as she presented a note.

On the note was written this line: "I have followed Your Highness's orders and lured the Nanyue troops to Daye. Now that I have betrayed my people, there is no turning back. Henceforth, I can only obey Your Highness's commands. I have but one request: in consideration of my loyalty during this time, I beg Your Highness to grant the antidote to my daughter, sparing her the monthly agony of the poison!"

Xiao Lingchuan looked down at her, his face as cold as frost, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "Are you trying to cut a deal with this prince? Given your current status, do you think you have the right?"

Rage surged in Concubine Jiang's heart, but she had to suppress her emotions, putting on a humble and submissive demeanor, kowtowing and gesturing frantically, pleading bitterly.

But Xiao Lingchuan remained unmoved, saying coldly, "If she behaves herself, this prince will naturally grant her the antidote each month. But if she dares to cause trouble, this prince will not show leniency!"

Concubine Jiang understood his implication—withholding the antidote was merely a means to control her and her daughter at all times!

Malicious fury instantly blazed within her.

The next day, she met Jiang Yaozhen at Laifu Tavern.

Upon learning that Xiao Lingchuan refused to hand over the antidote in advance, Jiang Yaozhen shook with rage, gritting her teeth and whispering, "Mother, now that the Nanyue troops have been lured to Daye, with only fifty thousand soldiers, they are no match for Daye. The Fourth Prince's move is truly sinister! This way, you and Nanyue will have a clean break, with no way back!

Why did he do this? Could it be that he has discovered his true parentage and knows we have been deceiving him all along? After all, the Nanyue Princess is not his birth mother—you are!"

Concubine Jiang was greatly alarmed and hurriedly covered Jiang Yaozhen's mouth, signaling her to be silent.

But Jiang Yaozhen shook off her hand, with a hint of self-abandonment. "We intended to deceive him, use his identity for our own purposes, and eventually make Daye part of Nanyue's territory. Who would have thought this Fourth Prince doesn't play by the rules at all!

He has no intention of helping Nanyue annex Daye. Instead, he's using false intelligence to severely damage Nanyue's foundation! Now both of us, mother and daughter, have been poisoned by him. How dare we disobey his orders? If this continues, how can we help Nanyue seize Daye?"

Concubine Jiang's face darkened as she gestured: "Don't worry. The new poison I commissioned the Nanyue Poison Master to concoct is ready. We just need to find the right opportunity to make him die a death devoid of dignity!"

"But if he dies, what about our antidote?" Jiang Yaozhen asked anxiously.

"Rest assured, he has a divine physician by his side. He won't die easily." Concubine Jiang's expression was sinister as she continued gesturing. "When those around him are at their wits' end, we will propose an exchange with the antidote. Then, he'll have to hand it over, no questions asked!"

"You've thought of everything, Mother. No matter how skilled the divine physician by his side is, it's absolutely impossible for him to develop an antidote for the Nanyue Poison Master's newly concocted poison in a short time." Jiang Yaozhen gave a cold, sinister smile, her eyes filled with malice. "I can't wait to see the Fourth Prince's utterly debased condition after being poisoned!"