Chapter 153: Boldly Asking for a Kiss

Chapter 153: A Blunt Request for a Kiss

In a secluded alley, an old man with graying temples walked slowly, followed closely by a masked man holding a sharp sword, a murderous glint in his eyes.

The man suddenly thrust his sword at the old man, but the "elder" seemed to sense it and nimbly dodged the strike. As he turned, his blade nearly slashed the masked man.

The masked man took a closer look and realized the person before him was not Divine Physician Sun, but Xiao Lingchuan's personal bodyguard, Ling Feng!

He knew he'd walked into a trap and tried to back out, but Ling Feng gave him no chance, pressing in, each strike fierce.

After a few rounds, the masked man was taken down, and Ling Feng flicked off the black cloth covering his face with the tip of his sword.

The face revealed was none other than one of Xiao Xiuzhan's attendants.

Recognizing him, Ling Feng let out a cold laugh, "What, has the Third Prince run out of people to send? Sending an attendant to kill Divine Physician Sun—aren't you afraid of exposing him and giving someone leverage?"

Hearing this, the attendant looked panicked and said through gritted teeth, "This was my doing alone, unrelated to the Third Prince! Do what you want with me—kill me or flay me!"

"Save that talk for the Emperor!" Ling Feng snorted, moving to tie him up. But the attendant, as if resolved, bit down hard, and black blood suddenly seeped from the corner of his mouth before he collapsed and didn't get up.

Ling Feng was startled and hurried over to check his breath, only to find he was already dead.

Clearly, he had bitten into a lethal poison hidden in his tooth to kill himself.

Ling Feng couldn't help shaking his head and thought to himself: This Third Prince is truly ruthless!

Even his attendants had been trained as Death Warriors.

He was thankful his master wasn't as cold-blooded as the Third Prince.

Ling Feng returned to Jinghe Palace and reported to Xiao Lingchuan, "Fortunately, Your Highness anticipated that the Third Prince would target Divine Physician Sun and hid him away in time, so he wouldn't fall victim to the Third Prince's attendant today. It's just a shame that attendant swallowed poison and couldn't be a living witness to expose the Third Prince's crime!" His tone carried a hint of regret.

Xiao Lingchuan wasn't surprised by this outcome. He knew well Xiao Xiuzhan's caution and ruthlessness, and just said calmly, "The mission failed, and you recognized him. Even if that attendant hadn't killed himself, Xiao Xiuzhan wouldn't have let him live. Forget it, today's events can just take Xiao Xiuzhan down a peg—that's still a gain."

Meanwhile, at Lingge Palace, Xiao Xiuzhan, upon learning of the failed assassination, smashed a blue-and-white porcelain teacup in a fit of rage.

The palace attendants were so scared they didn't dare make a sound, and Jiang Yaozhen quickly stepped in to soothe him, "Why get so angry, Your Highness? Even if he takes Divine Physician Sun to the southern border, it might not even be useful. The Nanyue Cat is incredibly vicious—Divine Physician Sun might die in its jaws before he even makes an antidote!"

These words calmed Xiao Xiuzhan's anger a bit, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. "Zhen is right. The situation at the southern border is now unpredictable—it's not that easy to turn things around!"

Besides, he had prepared a "big surprise" for Xiao Lingchuan. He didn't believe Xiao Lingchuan would make it back to the capital alive!

At the Prime Minister's residence, in the Bamboo Courtyard.

Ling Wu hurried in to report, "Eldest Miss, I just received a message from the Fourth Prince, asking you to go to Laifu Tavern right now to meet him!"

"What's so urgent?" Jiang Shuning frowned slightly, pausing her embroidery needle.

"I'm not sure, but I heard something major happened at the southern border, and the Fourth Prince may be leading troops into battle." Ling Wu urged impatiently, "Eldest Miss, hurry!"

Without allowing Jiang Shuning to hesitate, she pulled her toward the door.

Ling Wu, trained in martial arts, was very strong, and Jiang Shuning couldn't break free, forced along.

She could only tuck the unfinished sachet into her sleeve.

Soon, they arrived at Laifu Tavern.

Xiao Lingchuan was already waiting in the private room. As soon as he saw her enter, he rose and strode over quickly.

Jiang Shuning slightly bowed in greeting, "Your subject greets the Fourth Prince—"

Before she could finish, Xiao Lingchuan pulled her tightly into his embrace.

She froze, her eyes wide with disbelief.

What was wrong with him?

Xiao Lingchuan tightened his arms, as if trying to meld her into his very bones. "I'm leading troops into battle. I depart tomorrow."

His voice was low and trembling, a stark contrast to his usual calm and composed demeanor.

He had originally planned to see her only after a triumphant return, but he couldn't suppress his emotions.

This journey was perilous, and he didn't know when he'd return.

The thought of not seeing her for a long time unsettled him deeply.

If he didn't meet her now, he feared he'd be consumed by longing on the campaign.

Jiang Shuning was stunned for a moment, then subtly extricated herself from his embrace, lowering her head in a bow. "Your subject wishes Your Highness a victorious campaign and a swift return!"

Seeing her so polite and distant, a pang of bitterness struck Xiao Lingchuan's heart.

In her past life, her heart had been wholly devoted to him. Every time he traveled, she would be full of worry, asking endless questions.

Now, as he prepared to lead a great army to war, her expression was calm, utterly unruffled.

"Don't you worry about me at all?" he couldn't help asking.

Jiang Shuning remained indifferent. "Your Highness is a master of military strategy and will surely achieve a great victory. Your subject need only await Your Highness's triumphant return."

She remembered her past life, when every time he left, she would inquire in detail, only to be met with his impatience and cold words: "Why must I account for every detail to you?"

Now, why should she invite such humiliation?

Besides, without a sure chance of victory, why would he personally lead the troops?

Xiao Lingchuan leaned in close, his peach blossom eyes brimming with intense emotion. "Then kiss me."

Jiang Shuning's pupils contracted sharply.

She never expected him to be so blunt in asking for a kiss, and instinctively wanted to refuse.

But Xiao Lingchuan seemed determined to get it, his large hand firmly gripping the back of her head as he forcefully leaned in.

In her struggle, the sachet in her sleeve slipped and fell to the ground.

Xiao Lingchuan spotted it immediately, bent down to pick it up, and examined it closely, his eyes lighting up. "Is this for me?"

Of course not!

Jiang Shuning almost blurted out.

This sachet was made for Xiao Huaijin—bamboo-green silk fabric, filled with herbs to refresh the mind.

When Xiao Huaijin returned to the palace and learned he was to be betrothed to a Miss Su, he would surely be displeased.

If not to spite her, Xiao Lingchuan wouldn’t have pushed for this marriage.

Though Xiao Huaijin didn’t know she was the reason for it, she couldn’t rest easy.

This sachet was her little way of making it up to him.

And now, it had fallen into Xiao Lingchuan’s hands.

Jiang Shuning’s heart was in her throat, terrified he’d spot the character “Jin” embroidered on it.

“Your Highness, this sachet isn’t finished yet…”

As if he hadn’t heard her, Xiao Lingchuan brought it to his nose and took a deep breath.

A strong, refreshing minty smell hit him, clearing his head right away.

“I really like this sachet. I’ll carry it with me always, never letting it leave my side!” He pulled her into a hug, his voice going all soft. “Shuning, thank you!”

She still cared about him—why else would she make him a sachet, just like in their past life?

He didn’t see the complicated expression on Jiang Shuning’s face at that moment.