Chapter 220: Dropping By for a Meal

Chapter 220: Dropping By for a Meal

It wasn't until that demon Xiao Lingchuan had left that Jiang Yaozhen's taut nerves finally relaxed, followed by waves of dizziness and lingering fear.

Regardless, she had managed to toss this hot potato to Jiang Shuning.

As for what would happen next, she could no longer care; just staying alive another moment was enough.

She summoned Jiang Lian: "What did Jiang Shuning say and do today at Prince Ning’s residence? Tell me every single detail—don't leave anything out. If you dare hide even half a word..."

She paused, finally lifting her gaze, her sinister eyes wrapping around Jiang Lian like a poisonous snake.

"...I'll show you what it means to wish you were dead."

Jiang Lian shook like a leaf, stammering, "Yes, Your Highness..."

She dared not conceal anything—except the part where Jiang Shuning had suggested using a "false death" to help her escape.

Stammering, she recounted how she had led Xiao Lingchuan into the trap, and how Xiao Huaijin had suddenly appeared to disrupt her plans, causing the two princes to confront each other then and there.

After Jiang Yaozhen heard this, her face remained expressionless, but her eyes pressed relentlessly: "That's all? Nothing else?"

Jiang Lian thought for a moment and recalled another matter:

"There—there was also one more thing! Miss Zhang Yan of Minister Zhang's family confessed her love to Prince Ning, was rejected, and in a fit of despair, jumped into the lake, nearly losing her life! Eldest Sister saved her!"

"Ha." Jiang Yaozhen let out a contemptuous snort. "Jiang Shuning—she never misses a chance to steal the spotlight! What, had all the physicians at Prince Ning's mansion dropped dead, that they had to rely on her half-assed skills to claim credit?"

Jiang Lian instinctively defended her: "No! Eldest Sister said she'd been to Nanshuo City before and actually practiced medicine there. She must have some real skill..."

"What did you say?"

Jiang Yaozhen's sinister eyes suddenly blazed with terrifying intensity. She grabbed Jiang Lian by the collar and yanked her up, her voice sharp and urgent:

"Say that again! Where did she go?"

"Na—Nanshuo City!"

The name hit her like a thunderbolt!

Her aunt had vanished without a trace when she went to Nanshuo City to assassinate Xiao Lingchuan!

And Jiang Shuning had been to that exact place too!

A hidden connection suddenly clicked in her mind.

That Nanyue jade token—maybe it really was with Jiang Shuning!

——

Meanwhile, on the carriage ride back to the Jiang residence, Jiang Shuning glanced at her cousin, who seemed lost in thought, and casually asked, "I didn't see you all this time—were you making some new friends?"

Jiang Tianze hummed in agreement, speaking nonchalantly, "You were right, Sister. Prince Ning’s side indeed gathered many talented young men. I met a few with similar interests, we chatted, and I lost track of time."

Jiang Shuning's heart stirred slightly, and she pressed on as if casually: "Oh? So you were with Prince Ning and his group the whole time?"

"Yes, why?"

"Nothing." Jiang Shuning shook her head with a faint smile, lowering her eyelids to hide the flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Xiao Huaijin had clearly been right next to her the whole time. How could Tianze have been with him at the same time?

Why did he lie to her?

Once home, Jiang Shuning called for Ling Wu: "How is Miss Zhang?"

"Eldest Miss, Miss Zhang has caught a bad chill. The physician said the cold has gotten into her system, and she will need a good period of rest. When I went to see her, she was still crying out in pain even while sleeping." Ling Wu lowered her voice. "Minister Zhang, afraid of rumors, already had people forcibly bring her home."

Throwing herself into a lake in broad daylight over a man who didn't love her, ruining her health like that.

Jiang Shuning sighed inwardly, thinking Zhang Yan was both pitiful and pathetic.

After hesitating a moment, Ling Wu couldn't help adding, "Eldest Miss, there is one more thing. When I went to visit Miss Zhang, I happened to notice that Third Young Master was secretly watching her from a nearby window, standing there for a long, long time..."

"Third Brother?" Jiang Shuning was taken aback. A ridiculous yet plausible idea instantly popped into her head.

Could it be he had a crush on Zhang Yan?

The two families once planned a marriage, but at the formal meeting, Zhang Yan tried to poison Jiang Tianze, so the match fell through.

Could it be that this conflict actually caught Jiang Tianze's eye?

If so, that'd be a problem.

Jiang Shuning let out a soft, conflicted sigh: "Tianze is probably doomed to a one-sided crush."

But at that moment, the younger brother she thought was pining showed no sign of bitterness. Instead, he had a sick, fanatical excitement.

He said excitedly to Third Madam Jiang, "Mother! I tried it today, and that gu worm really works! I can use the mother gu to control the child gu at will!"

Third Madam Jiang's expression changed, and she grabbed his hand: "Did you put the mother gu in your own body?"

"Of course! Otherwise, how could I control the child gu?" Jiang Tianze's eyes shone frighteningly bright. "Mother, you don't know what it feels like... with just a thought, the person with the child gu will obey my commands and do things even they can't control..."

"Tianze!" Third Madam Jiang cut him off sharply. "Listen to your mother! Gu sorcery isn't like poison. One mistake and it can backfire on you. Don't touch it again!"

"Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing." Jiang Tianze's smile was full of the certainty and obsession of being in control.

This was just a little experiment.

Compared to poisoning, this art of mind control with gu is way more interesting!

——

As night fell, the main hall of the Jiang residence was brightly lit up, and the family was about to dine when a servant suddenly announced that Prince Jing was here.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Chancellor Jiang looked greatly surprised and instinctively turned to his daughter.

Jiang Shuning's heart sank. She slowly shook her head, signaling she had no clue.

Xiao Lingchuan, that demon, suddenly showing up meant nothing good.

Despite the confusion between father and daughter, they still invited him in.

After a few pleasantries, Chancellor Jiang asked out of politeness, "Your Highness, have you eaten dinner yet?"

Jiang Shuning inwardly groaned, wanting to stop him, but it was too late.

"Not yet." Xiao Lingchuan's reply was crisp and direct, yet his gaze brushed subtly over the dishes on the table.

After a day of travel, he was indeed a bit hungry.

"If Your Highness doesn't mind, please join me for a simple meal!" Chancellor Jiang warmly extended the invitation.

"Father!" Jiang Shuning could no longer hold back and stepped forward to stop him.

She said, "Your Highness is accustomed to the finest, with a discerning palate. The humble fare in our household might not suit your taste. In my opinion, perhaps..."

"It's fine." Xiao Lingchuan cut her off, adopting a pained, worried expression as he sighed to Chancellor Jiang, "Today, thieves broke into my residence, attempting to break into the study. When discovered, an accomplice set fire to the kitchen... Now, when I return to my manor, I fear I won't even get a single hot meal."

Hearing this, Chancellor Jiang grew indignant: "Outrageous! Under the very nose of the Emperor, how dare these villains act so boldly! Rest assured, Your Highness, our Jiang residence can certainly afford a modest meal! If you don't mind, you're welcome to eat here whenever you like until your manor is fixed up!"

Even Jiang Shuning was shocked by this turn of events.

She watched helplessly as a triumphant smile curled at the corners of Xiao Lingchuan's lips as he accepted her father's offer: "Then I shall gladly accept. Many thanks, Chancellor Jiang."

With that, he casually sat down in the empty seat beside Jiang Shuning.

Jiang Shuning felt a surge of anger rush through her.

Xiao Lingchuan's shamelessness had reached a level she found absolutely jaw-dropping.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to lose her temper on the spot, and put on an overeager smile: "The food has cooled. Someone, take it back to the kitchen to reheat! We mustn't let His Highness eat cold dishes!"

With that, she followed the maids carrying the dishes to the back kitchen.

Once inside, she instructed the cook:

"Make sure every dish tonight includes plenty of ginger, scallions, garlic, and chili peppers! Also, steam a few whole fish and send them up! And don't skimp on the black pepper for that pot of lamb soup!"

Since Prince Jing so enjoyed dining at the Jiang residence, she'd make sure he felt really "at home"—a memory he would never forget!