Chapter 210: A Laughable Case of Unrequited Affection

Chapter 210: A Self-Flattering Joke

Crown Prince Xiao Zhengxian smiled gently: "It seems Miss Jiang (Shuning) has sided with us. That's good. It gives us a better chance against our ambitious fourth brother. But, Fifth Brother, I still don't understand why you added that clause to the late emperor's edict through the Chief Grand Secretary—ordering Fourth Brother to marry into one of the Four Great Clans? That essentially gives him the perfect opportunity to stay in the capital and ally with the aristocratic clans."

"You worry too much, Brother," Xiao Huaijin said calmly, his expression unreadable. "The clans have always looked down on princes of impure blood. Even if they agree to the marriage, they will never marry their legitimate daughters into Prince Jing's household. The clans will be more of a restraint than a support for Fourth Brother. Besides, as I see it, he may not agree to the marriage at all."

"But what if he does?" Crown Princess Gu Wanying finally couldn't help asking. "A man as ambitious as Prince Jing staying in the capital is nothing but a hidden danger, capable of stirring up storms at any moment."

"Rest assured, Sister-in-law," Xiao Huaijin said calmly but with unwavering certainty. "A tiger on a chain is no longer a tiger—it's a guard dog. The clans will be its master, not itself. With the clans keeping an eye on him, even if Fourth Brother stays in the capital, he'll be nothing more than a trapped beast in a cage, unable to stir up trouble."

Xiao Zhengxian fell silent.

He had to admit that Xiao Huaijin's calculations were precise.

With the clans watching, no matter how much the Grand Empress Dowager favored him, Xiao Lingchuan would be unable to take a single step.

"... Thank you for your trouble, Fifth Brother."

Xiao Huaijin stood and bowed slightly: "We are brothers; it is only right. Please rest well, Brother. I shall take my leave."

Only after Xiao Huaijin's figure completely disappeared from the hall did Gu Wanying lower her voice and say:

"Your Highness, don't you think Prince Ning... did it deliberately? He knows full well that Prince Jing has feelings for Jiang Shuning, yet he sets up this marriage trap—either forcing Prince Jing to marry and put an end to his hopes, or forcing him to defy the edict and leave the capital, separating them forever. This is a two-pronged move. His true selfish motive involves Miss Jiang!"

Xiao Zhengxian took her hand, a bitter and helpless smile on his face: "Wanying, in this world, who doesn't have selfish desires? If Fifth Brother had none, why would he choose to ally with me, a sickly crown prince in the eyes of the world? He knows better than anyone that when it comes to iron-fisted tactics, Fourth Brother far surpasses me and is more fit to be emperor."

"Don't say that!" Gu Wanying grew anxious, gripping his hand firmly, her eyes filled with distress and indignation. "The art of rulership involves more than ruthlessness; it also requires benevolence! Your Highness's kind heart is a blessing for all the people of Daye! That Xiao Lingchuan is nothing but a lone wolf who only knows how to play power games!"

Seeing her agitation, Xiao Zhengxian felt the darkness in his heart lighten a little.

He pulled his wife into his arms and murmured, "Wanying, with Father's sudden death, I've realized that mere benevolence... is not enough to secure this throne. I have too many shortcomings."

"We'll pave the way for you," Gu Wanying said, leaning against his chest, her voice unwavering. "You still have me, my father, and now Prince Ning's support. All you need to do is hold onto your kind heart; we will clear the thorns for you. For now, the most important thing is to first guard against Prince Jing!"

Warmth spread through Xiao Zhengxian's eyes: "Alright, as you wish, Wanying!"

—

At the same time, Jiang Yaozhen also obtained the counterfeit jade token.

She examined the patterns on it closely—whether it was the Nanyue divine beast or the auspicious grass symbolizing good fortune, both were unique totems of Nanyue.

How could she determine if this was the jade token that could confirm Nanyue royal identity?

After a moment's thought, she had a secret letter delivered to Prince Jing's mansion, asking Xiao Lingchuan to meet at Fulai Restaurant, saying she wanted to make a deal with him.

Xiao Lingchuan arrived on time. He remained standing, looking down on Jiang Yaozhen, who was sipping tea at the table: "If the Third Prince's Consort wants to make a deal with me, you'd better have a bargaining chip that tempts me. Otherwise, you're wasting my valuable time."

Jiang Yaozhen, as if she hadn't heard the threat in his words, unhurriedly took the jade token from her sleeve, flashed it in front of his eyes, then hid it back, raising an eyebrow: "Prince Jing, does this catch your interest?"

Xiao Lingchuan's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he said in a low voice, "What is your price?"

"My mother's body," Jiang Yaozhen finally looked up at him, her expression calm. "Let her be buried in peace. This jade token will be yours."

After speaking, she made as if to put the token back into her sleeve.

"Ling Feng."

Xiao Lingchuan uttered only two cold words.

A flash of sword light struck like a venomous snake, and the icy blade instantly pressed against Jiang Yaozhen's fair neck, carrying a murderous chill.

Jiang Yaozhen looked up at that handsome yet cold face, and the sneer on her lips grew even more pronounced.

"Prince Jing is indeed cunning—no sincerity in the deal, and no hint of gentlemanly conduct!"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression was indifferent: "I have never claimed to be a gentleman, especially when dealing with someone like you. Blame your own naivety for thinking I would trade fairly with you!"

With a wave of his hand, Ling Feng swiftly seized the jade token.

Ling Feng presented it to Xiao Lingchuan.

Xiao Lingchuan examined it closely, then suddenly sneered and threw it to the ground: "Third Prince's Consort, you have quite the nerve to fob me off with a counterfeit!"

Jiang Yaozhen sneered back: "Since Prince Jing has no sincerity in trading, how can you blame me for using tricks? Counterfeit or not, you weren't sincere either!"

Xiao Lingchuan's eyes turned icy, and his voice dropped: "I'll give you one more chance. Hand over the real jade token, and today's matter will be forgiven. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Are you going to kill me?" Jiang Yaozhen's smile grew colder. "I forgot to remind you, Your Highness—I've already arranged to meet my older sister here in about fifteen minutes. If she finds her younger sister dead by your hand, what do you think she would feel?"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression stiffened slightly.

After a moment of silence, he finally said in a low, heavy voice, "Fine, I'll accept your deal. Tomorrow, bring the real jade token here, and I will return your mother's body. A fair exchange."

Jiang Yaozhen snorted coldly: "Today's test has shown that Prince Jing has no sincerity. How can I trust you? If you truly want to trade, agree to one more condition."

"Speak." Xiao Lingchuan's voice was icy cold, laconic.

A cold and alluring smile curled at the corner of Jiang Yaozhen's lips: "I want you to marry a daughter of the Wang family!"

The Wang family was the maternal clan of Xiao Xiuzhan.

Since Xiao Xiuzhan could not become emperor, it would be better to let his maternal clan form a marriage alliance with Xiao Lingchuan.

That way, if Xiao Lingchuan truly became the new emperor of Daye, they could also share in the spoils.

If not, at least they would have planted a spy in Prince Jing's mansion—a no-lose move.

Xiao Lingchuan clearly guessed her intention. He laughed in anger: "Jiang Yaozhen, you're delusional!"

"Third Prince's Consort, don't push your luck!" Ling Feng, seeing his master angered, could not hold back and stepped forward to scold her.

"It seems Prince Jing is not sincere." Jiang Yaozhen's smile vanished, her expression icing over. "In that case, the deal is off. Please make way, Your Highness, and don't delay my meeting with my sister."

With that, she picked up the discarded jade token from the ground and headed straight for the door.

Xiao Lingchuan's whole demeanor turned icy, his fists whitened from clenching in his sleeves, but he could only watch helplessly as she walked past him fearlessly.

"Your Highness, this Third Prince's Consort has always been cunning. Could she be bluffing?" Ling Feng whispered.

"Follow her," Xiao Lingchuan's voice was cold as ice. "If she doesn't meet Jiang Shuning, take her down immediately. If she does... observe first."

"Yes!" Ling Feng acknowledged, vanishing instantly to trail her.

Jiang Yaozhen had already sensed the figure following closely behind. Instead of avoiding it, she quickened her steps and headed straight for a private room upstairs.

Ling Feng followed closely, but just as he turned a corner in the corridor, he stopped short—too late.

There stood Jiang Shuning at the door of the private room, about to push it open. Seeing him hurrying over with a flustered look, she frowned slightly: "Ling Feng, what are you doing here?"

Before Ling Feng could explain, Jiang Yaozhen's voice came from inside the private room, carrying a hint of well-timed mockery: "Sister, I happened to meet Prince Jing just now. He was so worried about me that he specially ordered Commander Ling Feng to escort me here."

Ling Feng instinctively seized the excuse: "Precisely! The Third Prince's Consort has been safely delivered. I… I should take my leave now! Farewell!"

Without finishing his words, he turned and hurried away.

That was close—he had nearly let Miss Jiang Shuning see his murderous intent.

Watching Ling Feng's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Jiang Shuning felt a chill seeping into her heart.

So, Xiao Lingchuan met Jiang Yaozhen in private just now.

Not only that—he was so worried about her that he personally ordered his personal guard to escort her.

A trace of mockery surfaced in her eyes, and a cold, mocking smile played at the corner of her lips.

So, after two lifetimes of ups and downs, the one Xiao Lingchuan had always longed for, from beginning to end, was Jiang Yaozhen.

She began to wonder: that day on the painted boat, when he cut off Xiao Xiuzhan's arm, was it truly to save her, or… merely to remove the obstacle blocking his path to Jiang Yaozhen?

What seemed to be his partiality toward her might, from start to finish, have been nothing but a joke born of her own one-sided affection.