Chapter 282: Freedom Within Reach

Chapter 282: Freedom Is Within Reach

Jiang Shuning returned to the main chamber and saw Xiao Lingchuan sitting on the soft couch by the window, holding a cloth and slowly and deliberately wiping his ever-present sword.

The blade gleamed coldly, reflecting his focused and stern profile, making her heart tighten for no reason.

She steadied her nerves, stepped forward, and greeted him: "Your Highness."

Xiao Lingchuan grunted in acknowledgment without even lifting his eyelids.

Jiang Shuning sat down opposite him, her fingers unconsciously curling within her sleeves.

She stared at the sharp sword that could easily take a life, and casually brought up: "Your Highness, about Wang Qi, who once planted Death Warriors in the mansion and tried to... ruin my reputation, how do you plan to deal with him?"

Xiao Lingchuan paused in his wiping.

He lifted his head, and his deep, unfathomable black eyes finally looked at her.

"Wang Qi?" He smirked, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I gave him a chance to serve the country and specially sent him to Xiyu. The General of State Stabilization actually believed that the bandits in Xiyu were remnants of Xiao Xiuzhan's private troops. Little did they know, it was merely a group of Xizhou bandits I lured out with gold and treasures.

The Zhenxi Army has been colluding with Xizhou for years, accepting bribes while turning a blind eye to the bandits' looting and killing in Xiyu. Now, karma has finally caught up with them.

As soon as Wang Qi arrived in Xiyu, he walked straight into the bandits' lair and is now held captive by those Xizhou brigands. I heard he has fair skin and looks like a pretty boy. Those bandits, who show no preference between genders, have turned him into a toy."

He spoke the last few words slowly and deliberately, as if savoring the pleasure within.

Jiang Shuning listened, and a faint unease stirred within her.

She tentatively asked: "Then... does Your Highness plan to go rescue him?"

Xiao Lingchuan did not answer immediately, but stared at her fixedly.

His gaze was burning and sharp, as if trying to burn through her skin and reach the deepest part of her soul.

Suddenly, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them, and asked word by word: "Does the Princess Consort want me to go?"

His breath washed over her face, mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood and a metallic chill, making her heart pound.

Jiang Shuning's heartbeat skipped a beat, and a strong sense of crisis pierced her like ice, snapping her back to reality.

She absolutely could not let him see through her!

She turned her face away from his oppressive gaze, feigned indifference, and said lightly: "These matters are best left for Your Highness to decide."

Xiao Lingchuan stared straight at her, his gaze scrutinizing like a knife for a long while before he slowly sat back, the oppressive aura fading from his face.

"Of course, I am going." His voice returned to its usual coldness, calm but resolute. "First, this is a rare opportunity. If I succeed in suppressing the bandits on this trip, I can gain part of the military power in Xiyu, which will greatly benefit our future plans. Second..."

He paused slightly, a flash of sinister ruthlessness crossing his eyes. "Wang Qi schemed against you so meticulously. If I don't witness his thousand cuts with my own eyes, how can I be at ease?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuning was swept by a wave of immense joy that nearly drowned her.

She barely stopped herself from smiling, instead digging her nails into her palm to force herself to look calm.

"So, Your Highness... you will personally lead the western campaign?" Her voice carried an eager tremor she didn't notice.

"Yes." Xiao Lingchuan answered decisively, but his next words were like ice water thrown over her, dousing all her hopes. "But I can't rest easy leaving you behind. So, I plan to take you with me."

"What?" The composure on Jiang Shuning's face instantly cracked, shock and panic impossible to hide.

Even if she didn't run right away, she was pregnant now. How could she endure the bumpy journey and the harsh sandstorms of Xiyu?

"Your Highness, I don't want to go." The words almost tumbled out. "I heard Xiyu is dry, with yellow sand all year round, and tough conditions. Now it's the height of summer, likely even harder to bear. I... I have a weak constitution—I won't be able to take it."

She didn't realize how contradictory this statement was to her earlier claim of wanting to go to Xiyu to practice medicine.

"But if I leave the mansion, I fear I won't be able to protect you." Xiao Lingchuan's expression was dark and unreadable. "After all, there are still two Secondary Consorts in this residence."

Jiang Shuning wished more than anything that he would leave right then, but she had to rack her brains to assure him how safe she would be.

"Your Highness worries too much. You dealt with Secondary Consort Wang and Secondary Consort Huo with a firm hand, making an example of them. I believe the other concubines wouldn't dare to act out against me anymore. If they still don't know their place, I... I will have Ling Wu give them a good lesson! I won't let myself suffer any grievance!"

Xiao Lingchuan just watched her impassively, his eyes like two deep wells with all meaning hidden in their depths.

Just as Jiang Shuning was about to break under his gaze, he finally spoke.

"Fine." He said flatly. "Secondary Consort Cui happens to be returning to her family for a visit in these few days, leaving only Secondary Consort Zhao in the mansion. I doubt she would dare to harm you."

The huge weight finally lifted from Jiang Shuning's heart.

"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured." She seized the opportunity, afraid he might change his mind any second. "This western campaign can both build merit and avenge your enemy. It's a great opportunity both publicly and privately. Your Highness must not miss it."

As her words fell, Xiao Lingchuan's meaningful gaze fell upon her again.

"Princess Consort," he said slowly, each word hitting Jiang Shuning's taut nerves, "you seem... very eager for me to leave?"

Jiang Shuning's blood nearly froze.

"How could that be! I... I just hope that the villain who framed me gets his deserved punishment soon! His venomous mind—death is too good for him! Moreover, Xizhou has been looking greedily at Daye for years. Your Highness's trip is also to rid the country of harm. Naturally, I fully support it!"

She went on a long ramble with such grand words that even she almost believed it.

After listening, Xiao Lingchuan actually nodded. "The Princess Consort is right. Then, I shall go to the western campaign."

Jiang Shuning secretly let out a long sigh of relief, finally daring to relax her tense back.

She lowered her eyes to hide the joy in them, and whispered: "I wish Your Highness a smooth journey and a triumphant return."

She didn't know that the moment she lowered her head, a flash of malice like ice passed through Xiao Lingchuan's eyes.

On the night before Xiao Lingchuan's western campaign, Jiang Shuning still personally cooked a few dishes, secretly adding a sleeping aid to some of them, hoping he would rest early.

However, Xiao Lingchuan was distracted and didn't finish all the drugged dishes.

As the night deepened, he enthusiastically pulled her into his arms, his eyes full of undisguised desire.

Jiang Shuning had no choice but to grit her teeth and go along with his passion.

She consoled herself that she only had to get through tonight, and freedom would be within reach.

This night, Xiao Lingchuan was exceptionally gentle and affectionate. At the height of passion, he breathed hoarsely into her ear: "When will the Princess Consort let go of the grudges from past lives and stay with me forever?"

Jiang Shuning was drenched in sweat, her body too exhausted to hold up, and her heart ached beyond words. She had no energy to respond to his affection and only urged quietly: "Your Highness... are you done?... I really don't feel well..."

Xiao Lingchuan was taken aback and had no choice but to slow down helplessly, carefully tending to her.

"Why have you been feeling unwell so often lately?" Afterward, he lay on his side beside her, his tone tinged with frustration and confusion, he murmured, "Did I do something wrong?"

For a long while, Jiang Shuning said nothing.

He turned his head and saw that she had already fallen into a deep sleep, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she couldn't find peace even in her dreams.

Xiao Lingchuan stared at her pale profile, a strange pang gripping his heart, vaguely feeling something was off but couldn't put his finger on it.

He stroked her cheek for a long time before finally murmuring: "Tomorrow... I hope you won't do anything to disappoint me."