Chapter 201: Attempting to Take a Life Under Cover of Chaos

Chapter 201: Trying to Take a Life While the Chance Arises!

Jiang Shuning was feeding Xiao Lingchuan his medicinal broth when a sudden clamor erupted outside the gilded barge.

Her heart tightened as she pushed open the window, her gaze sweeping over the deck.

A group of heavily armored guards, wielding cold gleaming swords, had surrounded Xiao Lingchuan's elite guards, swords drawn and tension coiled like a drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.

Ling Feng's face was unreadable, his voice icy: "Third Prince, what exactly do you mean by bringing so many guards?"

Xiao Xiuzhan's lips curled into a meaningful smile, but his tone carried a feigned concern: "This prince heard that my fourth brother was gravely wounded and came specifically to visit. Yet your personal guards are on such high alert—is there something secret afoot?"

"The prince is under my subordinate's care, no need for Your Highness to trouble yourself!" Ling Feng stood his ground, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. "Please, Your Highness, leave at once!"

Xiao Xiuzhan's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger as he barked, "How dare you! I am visiting my own brother—what right do you, a servant, have to interfere? Guards, seize him!"

Before his words died away, the guards behind him lunged forward like wolves and tigers, drawing their long swords in unison, the cold light flashing at Ling Feng's neck, murderous intent filling the air.

Jiang Shuning stood by the window, her pupils contracting, her heart pounding like a frantic drumbeat.

This was no visit to inquire after the ill—it was clearly an attempt to take advantage of the situation to kill!

Ling Wu hurried to her side and whispered, "Miss, the Third Prince has come with ill intentions. Let me take you away through the back window to hide!"

"The gilded barge is surrounded by his men—where can we hide? Besides..." Jiang Shuning's gaze fell back to the unconscious Xiao Lingchuan on the bed, a flicker of conflicting emotions in her eyes. "I cannot abandon him and flee alone."

Xiao Xiuzhan and Xiao Lingchuan had been irreconcilable enemies for two lifetimes.

Now that Xiao Lingchuan was unconscious, his life hanging in the balance, if she left, who knew what cruel acts the unhinged Xiao Xiuzhan might commit against him?

"But I'm afraid the Third Prince will harm you..."

"Ling Wu, you have martial skills. Sneaking out the back window should be easy. Once you leave, go find Prince Su and fetch reinforcements!" Jiang Shuning interrupted her, her eyes blazing. "I'll stay here to stall Xiao Xiuzhan and buy you time!"

"Miss..." Ling Wu wanted to argue further, but Jiang Shuning pushed her toward the window overlooking the lake.

"Don't hesitate—any delay could spell disaster! Go!" Jiang Shuning's voice was low but brooked no argument.

With one last penetrating glance at her, and then at Xiao Lingchuan, whose breath was faint on the bed, Ling Wu gritted her teeth and said, "Miss, rest assured—I will return swiftly!"

No sooner had Ling Wu slipped out the window into the lake than the wooden door of the heated pavilion was kicked open with force.

Xiao Xiuzhan strode in, his brocade robes gleaming coldly in the candlelight, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, landing directly on Jiang Shuning at the bedside.

She was leaning over, wiping the remnants of medicine from Xiao Lingchuan's lips, her features bathed in the warm yellow glow of the candle, making her appear exquisitely gentle.

Xiao Xiuzhan felt a surge of uncontrollable jealousy.

Xiao Lingchuan was on the verge of death, yet she still cared for him so attentively, disregarding the propriety between men and women!

In her heart, was this worthless fourth brother truly so important that she would remain by his side?

"Miss Jiang, I didn't expect to find you here!" Xiao Xiuzhan's lips curved into a meaningful smile.

Jiang Shuning rose unhurriedly and performed a curtsey: "Your humble servant greets the Third Prince."

"No need for formalities, Miss Jiang." Xiao Xiuzhan stepped forward and reached out to help her up, his smile tinged with ambiguity. "An unmarried woman staying day after day on a gilded barge to tend to my fourth brother—it hardly seems proper, does it?"

Jiang Shuning tried to evade his touch without drawing attention, but found she couldn't break free.

Revulsion surged within her like a tide, but she suppressed it and said softly, "The Third Prince speaks too harshly. Prince Jing was gravely wounded saving me, so it is only right that I do my utmost to care for him in repayment. Since Your Highness has come to visit, why not sit down and let me offer you a cup of tea?"

She deliberately slowed her speech, calculating how to buy time until Ling Wu could return with help.

A peculiar light flickered in Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes, and he laughed heartily: "Excellent! I still remember the tea you brewed at Cining Palace—its flavor has lingered in my memory ever since. Today, I must sample it again!"

Jiang Shuning discreetly withdrew her hand, turned, and walked to the tea table. When her back was to Xiao Xiuzhan, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

She moved unhurriedly to brew the tea, but her ears caught the low, urgent whispers of Xiao Xiuzhan's personal guard, as if urging him to make his move against Xiao Lingchuan.

Xiao Xiuzhan's gaze fell on the unconscious Xiao Lingchuan on the bed, and he sneered, his tone dripping with mockery: "When did my fourth brother become so fragile? Just look at him—he seems to be on his deathbed! Miss Jiang, how serious are his injuries?"

Jiang Shuning's hand, pouring the tea, paused slightly, but her tone remained calm, laced with hidden barbs: "You worry too much, Your Highness. Prince Jing has only taken a sedative; he's simply sleeping deeply. The house physician has examined him and declared that his condition is not serious—he will recover in a few days."

She deliberately understated it, to prevent Xiao Xiuzhan from taking the chance to strike at Xiao Lingchuan.

A shadow of doubt crossed Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes, and his tone turned cold: "Oh? My fourth brother's injuries aren't serious? That doesn't look right to me. Miss Jiang, you wouldn't be lying to me, would you?"

Jiang Shuning's heart tightened. She deliberately turned and cast a cold glance at the guards behind him, her tone firm but respectful: "My words are all true. However, if Your Highness truly wishes to visit the prince, please have these guards withdraw. The warm pavilion is small; such a crowd will disturb the prince's peace."

Xiao Xiuzhan narrowed his eyes, staring at her meaningfully. Then, suddenly, he raised a hand to stop a guard who was about to speak, a cryptic smile spreading across his face: "Very well. Since my fourth brother is resting, it's indeed better to avoid a crowd. All of you, withdraw!"

The guards exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, then bowed and backed out of the warm pavilion.

The now-spacious pavilion held only Xiao Xiuzhan, Jiang Shuning, and Xiao Lingchuan, lying on the bed with faint breath.

Xiao Xiuzhan lifted the teacup Jiang Shuning had offered and took a sip: "Miss Jiang's tea art is truly exceptional—clear in color, fragrant, with a lingering aftertaste. This prince is most pleased!"

"The Third Prince flatters me. If it pleases you, please drink more."

"Drinking here alone isn't enough!" Xiao Xiuzhan smiled ambiguously. "Ling'ge Palace is in need of a tea master with such skill. If Miss Jiang would deign to become my concubine, you and I could write a beautiful tale together. What say you?"

Jiang Shuning's face changed color instantly.

She suppressed her fury and said coldly, "Your Highness, please show some respect! I have made it clear that I will never marry, let alone stoop to being a concubine!"

"Oh? So absolute?" Xiao Xiuzhan's smile turned cold, a hint of menace flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly rose and grabbed her wrist with force, nearly crushing her bones, his voice low and dangerous: "Since you refuse a polite offer, don't blame me for forcing you!"

Jiang Shuning's heart pounded with alarm. Instinctively, she thought of using her sleeve crossbow, but she hesitated, afraid that the guards outside might seize the chance to harm Xiao Lingchuan in the chaos.

She forced down her fear and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, be careful with your words! Such noise might disturb the prince!"

Xiao Xiuzhan laughed wildly, his eyes filled with reckless madness: "Disturb him? I'll bet that even when you and I 'get down to business,' my fourth brother won't wake up!"

He yanked her up and flung her onto the bed beside Xiao Lingchuan, leering at her: "Miss Jiang, wouldn't it be thrilling to do this right next to my fourth brother?"

Jiang Shuning feigned panic, tears glistening in her eyes: "Your Highness, please stop!"

But in secret, she reached into her sleeve, gripping the hidden sleeve crossbow, her mind racing on how to strike him in one blow without alerting the guards outside.

Perhaps she could hit him directly in the mouth, rendering him unable to shout?

Seeing her pitiful, tear-streaked face, Xiao Xiuzhan grew even more excited and lunged at her.

At that very moment, the little white snake hidden in Jiang Shuning's sleeve shot out like lightning and sank its fangs into his arm.

Xiao Xiuzhan cried out in pain, and before he could react, Xiao Lingchuan, who had been perfectly still, suddenly snapped open his eyes, a cold light blazing in them.

He grabbed the long sword at the bedside, and the blade flashed down like a bolt of lightning!

"Ah—!" Xiao Xiuzhan's scream tore through the warm pavilion. His arm was severed in one clean cut, blood spurting out, instantly staining the bed and the floor crimson...