Chapter 208: Forcing Him to Marry into an Aristocratic Clan

Chapter 208: Forcing Him into an Alliance with the Aristocratic Clans

Xiao Lingchuan stepped into Furong Hall, and the palace attendants all bowed to him.

Jiang Shuning was playing with the little princess in her arms. Hearing the commotion, she could only rise and curtsy while still holding the little princess, a hint of awkwardness flickering across her features.

Consort Xiang covered her lips with a light laugh, feigning surprise: "What brings Prince Jing to Furong Hall?"

Xiao Lingchuan's gaze swept across the hall, his tone calm: "The heavy mournful music at the late Emperor's funeral was heavy, and I worried it might disturb the little princess, so I came to check on her."

Even as he said this, his gaze fell on Jiang Shuning holding the little princess, profound and unfathomable.

Consort Xiang's smile deepened at his words, and she quickly interjected: "Prince Jing is most thoughtful. The little princess was indeed startled by the funeral music at first, crying incessantly. Fortunately, Miss Jiang arrived, and the princess calmed down the moment she saw her. She has truly saved me a great deal of worry."

Xiao Lingchuan seized the opportunity: "In that case, Miss Jiang may remain at Furong Hall to accompany the little princess and need not attend the mourning."

Jiang Shuning quickly handed the little princess back to the palace maid: "Your Highness must be joking. I came to the palace to mourn His Majesty; I can't slack off in Furong Hall. I shall return to the side hall at once!"

With that, she gave a brief bow to Xiao Lingchuan and Consort Xiang, and before they could persuade her to stay, she hurried toward the hall's entrance.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Xiao Lingchuan's eyes. He stepped forward to follow, speaking gently: "Shuning, the mourning is exhausting. Why not remain in Furong Hall to keep the little princess company?"

Jiang Shuning stopped abruptly, turned to face him, her gaze cold as frost: "Your Highness wants me to stay at Furong Hall so that I can become friendly with Consort Xiang, is that not so? I do not know what Your Highness intends, but I must say, Your Highness is truly skilled—you even won over the third prince's allies!"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression stiffened, and he blurted out: "How did you figure it out?"

Jiang Shuning curled her lips into a cold smile: "Consort Xiang's advances were clearly meant to win me over, and Your Highness arrived at just the right moment—it was all too obvious. But none of this is what concerns me." She paused, her gaze ice-cold, piercing straight into his heart: "I only want to know whether His Majesty's death, a year earlier than in the previous life, are you involved."

Her expression appeared calm, but her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tight and trembled—whether from fear of his cunning or the hidden truth.

Xiao Lingchuan had expected Jiang Shuning to be suspicious.

After all, she, like him, had reincarnated. She was quick to notice the differences between this life and the last.

Before he colluded with the Empress Dowager to kill the emperor, he had already guessed she would detect the clues.

He paused, then admitted bluntly: "Yes."

Jiang Shuning's figure trembled slightly, and a flash of terror crossed her eyes.

No wonder that day on the painted boat, when he had cut off Xiao Xiuzhan's arm, he had said the emperor had bigger worries and wouldn't bother with such things.

So he already knew the emperor wouldn't last long!

Xiao Lingchuan keenly caught the fear in her eyes, softened his tone, and spoke solemnly: "Shuning, I did this for a reason…"

"You don't need to explain!" Jiang Shuning cut him off abruptly, her voice cold as frost, her gaze clear as ice: "I thank Your Highness for telling me the truth! Heaven sees all. Please do not underestimate divine retribution, and mind yourself!"

With that, she left swiftly, her back resolute, as if unwilling to entangle herself further with him.

Killing your emperor and father—what possible reason could there be?

Only to covet the Daye kingdom and seize the throne for himself!

Concubine Jiang was right: Xiao Lingchuan was not of the orthodox Daye line. He had Nanyue blood, was scheming and ruthless, and had even dared to murder Deyuan Emperor, who raised him.

Now that Deyuan Emperor had fallen, his next move will surely target the Crown Prince!

At that thought, Jiang Shuning's heart tightened sharply.

She remembered the sweet, shy smile on Gu Wanying's face whenever she mentioned the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince is harmed, how will Gu Wanying bear it?

No! She couldn't just sit by and watch Xiao Lingchuan kill innocent people and throw Daye into chaos just for the sake of the throne!

Back in the side hall, Jiang Shuning continued mourning with Madam Jiang for Deyuan Emperor, but in her heart, she was already planning how to stop Xiao Lingchuan and prevent him from making a move on the Crown Prince.

The funeral lasted seven full days. The palace was shrouded in mournful music, solemn and heavy.

All the courtiers and noble ladies were lodged within the palace, living on simple meals each day and spending the rest of their time kneeling in mourning, wailing endlessly.

In accordance with Daye's ritual code, the entire nation was to observe one year of mourning for Deyuan Emperor. During that time, no marriages were permitted, no birthday celebrations, and the whole court was immersed in grief.

On the seventh day, the funeral ceremonies ended. The people removed their white mourning garments and gathered at the Altar of Heaven, breathlessly waiting for the cabinet to read Deyuan Emperor's testamentary edict.

Soon, the Grand Secretary ascended the Altar of Heaven, holding the edict with steady steps, and began to read:

"Since ascending the throne, I have been blessed by Heaven, Earth, and the spirits, and have been able to govern the realm. Weathering storms and hardships, I have finally achieved peace.

During my reign, I have had both merits and faults. I hope that future generations will be able to distinguish right from wrong, carry on my will, and secure the stability of our kingdom.

I hereby issue this edict to proclaim:

First, my eldest son, Xiao Zhengxian, who is virtuous and capable, is appointed Crown Prince and will inherit the throne. I hope he will be diligent in governing the people, welcome talented individuals, and ensure the prosperity of our dynasty.

Second, my second son, Prince Su Xiao Jinyu, is loyal and courageous; my fifth son, Xiao Huaijin, is quick-witted and sharp. I hope they will faithfully fulfill their duties and defend the kingdom, living up to my expectations.

Third, my third son, Xiao Xiuzhan, I confer the title of Prince Rui, with a fief of five cities in the west of Daye; my sixth son, Xiao Huaijin, I confer the title of Prince Ning, with a fief of five cities in the south of Daye. Prince Rui and Prince Ning are pillars of the kingdom and may remain in the capital to assist the new emperor in governing state affairs.

Fourth, my fourth son, Prince Jing, Xiao Lingchuan, though talented, he has Nanyue blood and is unfit to assist in governing. He must go to his fief and may not return to the capital without a summons..."

Upon hearing this condition in the edict, a cold smile curled on Xiao Lingchuan's lips. He abruptly interrupted the Chief Grand Secretary, his voice like a sharp blade: "Chief Grand Secretary, dare I ask, was this edict truly written by Father Emperor's hand?"

"Prince Jing!" The Chief Grand Secretary's face stiffened, his eyes icy, and he rebuked sternly: "Reading the edict is a great national ritual. How dare you disrupt it! This edict was naturally set by the late emperor himself. What objection could you have?"

Xiao Lingchuan stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes cold as stars, and pressed forward: "In that case, I would like to ask the Chief Grand Secretary: When exactly did Father Emperor issue this edict? On the day Father Emperor passed, I went with the Grand Empress Dowager to the cabinet to seek the edict, but you all made endless excuses and delayed presenting it. Now, out of nowhere, comes an edict ordering me to a distant fief. Chief Grand Secretary, dare I ask if this edict has been secretly tampered with?"

His words struck like a thunderbolt. The ministers before the hall fell into an uproar, whispers buzzing, the atmosphere suddenly tense.

"Presumptuous!" The Chief Grand Secretary's beard trembled, and he roared, "Tampering with a testamentary edict is a crime of deceiving the emperor punishable by death. Even if Prince Jing does not trust me, could he distrust the entire cabinet?"

At his words, the other cabinet ministers chimed in: "Prince Jing, this edict is indeed in the late emperor's own hand. We have all seen it, every word is genuine!"

"If Your Highness has doubts, you may take the edict and verify its authenticity!"

Xiao Lingchuan's cold smile deepened. His gaze, like a blade, stabbed straight at the Chief Grand Secretary: "You are all masters of political intrigue. To alter a single edict is child's play! Although my birth mother was from Nanyue, she shared a deep bond with Father Emperor, and I rendered great service in the Southern Campaign! How could Father Emperor have ordered me to a distant fief in this edict? This edict must have been secretly altered by some treacherous person!"

At that moment, the Grand Empress Dowager rose slowly, her voice like a solemn bell: "What Prince Jing says is true. He saved the late emperor's life, personally went to the Southern Campaign, rescued Prince Su from his predicament, and thwarted Nanyue's schemes. The late emperor saw all this with his own eyes. He would never have forced him to leave the capital by a single edict. I also suspect this edict is not genuine."

At her words, the atmosphere in the hall froze suddenly, like a taut string ready to snap.

The Chief Grand Secretary remained calm: "Grand Empress Dowager, you are being too harsh. The edict is not yet finished. Prince Jing, calm yourself and let me continue."

With that, he read the second half of the edict: "...If Prince Jing wishes to remain in the capital, he must form marriage alliances with the Four Great Clans. Only then can I rest assured."

These words caused Xiao Lingchuan's face to darken further.

The fifth prince, Xiao Huaijin, who had been silent, now spoke up: "It seems Father Emperor did not intend to force Fourth Brother to leave the capital, but rather wanted him to form alliances with the four great families, so that he could gain support from multiple sides and establish a solid foundation at court in the future. Father Emperor's intentions were truly for the best."

His words were warm, yet his gaze swept in Jiang Shuning's direction, seemingly unintentionally but with hidden intent.

Jiang Shuning stood among the crowd, finding this edict utterly absurd.

Why had the late emperor set such a strange condition in the edict?

It looked like a haphazard matchmaking attempt.

In the edict from her previous life, this condition clearly did not exist.

Could someone have actually altered the edict?