Chapter 359 His Heart Itched Like a Cat’s Scratch, Frustrated and Helpless

Chapter 359: Like a Cat Scratch on the Heart: Itchy and Helpless

The long night finally gave way. As the first faint rays of morning light filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor, Xiao Lingchuan's eyelashes finally fluttered.

He slowly opened his eyes.

His vision gradually cleared from the blur. The first thing that came into view was a sleeping face close at hand.

Jiang Shuning was lying on the edge of his bed, one hand propping up her chin, the other resting lightly on his blankets.

She wasn't sleeping peacefully. Faint dark circles lingered under her long lashes, and her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, as if even in her dreams she was filled with worry.

An indescribable warmth surged from the depths of Xiao Lingchuan's cold heart, instantly spreading throughout his body.

The piercing pain brought by the poison seemed to vanish completely at this moment.

Truth be told, he wasn't afraid of death.

In his previous life, he had fought amidst thousands of troops and played political games in the court, having long since cast aside life and death.

What he feared was repeating his regrets.

He feared that even after a lifetime, he still wouldn't be able to hold her hand, unable to grow old with her, and would repeat the tragic outcome of their separation in the previous life.

He devoured her with his eyes, his gaze so hot it could almost ignite the air.

Perhaps his stare was too intense; Jiang Shuning stirred restlessly in her sleep, her feathery lashes trembling as she woke up drowsily.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes. When she realized he was awake and looking at her, she instantly became alert, all drowsiness gone.

"Milord, you're awake?" Her voice was a little hoarse from just waking up, but more than that, it was filled with barely restrained excitement and joy. "Do you feel any discomfort?"

He looked at the radiance in her eyes; that sincere concern was like the most effective medicine.

His dry, cracked lips parted slightly, and his voice was terribly hoarse: "This official is fine."

How could he be fine?

The injuries he sustained at the valley bottom had not yet healed, and on top of that, he had been poisoned with such a dangerous toxin. His body was already at the end of his strength, riddled with internal injuries.

Jiang Shuning thought he was putting up a brave front, and her nose instantly stung with sadness.

Her eyes reddened: "Your Excellency, please don't force yourself. If you feel unwell, tell me. I, this humble woman, will take good care of you until you fully recover."

The catch in her voice pricked his heart like a fine needle—painful yet tender.

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he suddenly felt that staying sick like this might not be so bad.

"This official was indeed... in great discomfort." He deliberately slowed down his speech, his hoarse voice taking on a hint of seductive allure. "But the moment I saw you, seeing you stayed up all night caring for me without rest... I didn't feel the pain anymore."

The suggestiveness in his words was like a feather, lightly brushing the air.

Jiang Shuning's face immediately flushed red, the heat spreading from her cheeks to her earlobes.

Her mind involuntarily flashed back to the sensation of their lips touching while she fed him medicine—cool, soft, and the bitter taste of the broth.

She suddenly stood up, her eyes darting away in panic, not daring to look into his deep eyes again, afraid of accidentally revealing her true feelings.

"Your Excellency indeed seems much better; the antidote must have taken effect. I'll go fetch Divine Physician Sun to examine you!"

Before she finished speaking, she fled like a frightened rabbit in a panic.

Watching her hurried retreating back, the faint smile on Xiao Lingchuan's lips stiffened.

He closed his eyes in chagrin and silently cursed himself.

Damn it, I was too impatient.

If I had known she was so easily embarrassed, I wouldn't have said such romantic words to tease her.

In the following days, Jiang Shuning took even more attentive care of him than before.

Every day, she brought warm medicinal broth and light meals on time. When cleaning his body and applying new medicine, her movements were gentle and meticulous.

Occasionally, when their eyes met, she no longer looked away. Instead, she would hold his gaze, a complicated look in her eyes, locking with his deep stare as if she had a thousand things to say, only to look away the next moment.

Xiao Lingchuan lay in bed, enjoying her meticulous care, yet not daring to overstep. His heart felt like a cat was scratching it—itchy and frustrated.

Because his body had not fully recovered, the journey back to the capital was repeatedly delayed.

Xiao Lingchuan himself didn't care at all.

The situation in the capital was being stabilized by Chancellor Jiang and his supporters.

Now he just wanted to stay in this border town and enjoy one more day of this stolen time.

One afternoon, Ling Wu entered carrying freshly brewed medicine, a grave expression on her face.

She placed the medicine bowl on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke in a low voice.

"Your Highness, Ling Feng has returned to the capital and sent news from there. He said... His Majesty has awakened and is now ordering a thorough investigation into the West Elm Gold Mine. Ling Feng asks you to return to the capital as soon as possible to prepare a countermeasure, lest His Majesty take the opportunity to punish you."

"Punish me?" Xiao Lingchuan's lips curled into a cold sneer upon hearing this.

He slowly propped himself up against the headboard. His features, softened by illness, instantly turned sharp and darkly fierce.

He gave a cold laugh, his tone full of disdain and irritation: "This prince doesn't even have time to soothe his own princess consort; how could I have time to coddle that sickly emperor of his? Send word to Ling Feng: tell him there's no need to hide. This gold mine is exactly what I, this prince, have mined. Tell him to start shipping the refined gold to the imperial palace immediately, saying it's to fill the national treasury!"

Ling Wu was greatly shocked: "Your Highness! This... is tantamount to confessing without being forced!"

"So what if I do?" A cold glint flashed in Xiao Lingchuan's eyes. "You also deliver a message for me to that man in the palace: if he intends to punish me, then this batch of gold won't be shipped!"

Ling Wu was speechless.

In all the realm, the only one who dared to openly defy the emperor like this was their master!

——

Daye Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The oppressive air was thick with the lingering smell of medicinal herbs mixed with incense, making one's head spin.

A letter from Nanshuo was hurled onto the gold-thread nanmu imperial desk.

The edges of the letter were creased, as if bearing the brunt of its owner's towering rage.

"That Xiao Lingchuan!"

Xiao Zhengxian, seated on the dragon throne, was so furious his face turned crimson. His bony fingers clutched the sleeve of his dragon robe, knuckles white.

He dares threaten me with the gold mine! Does he still regard me as the emperor?

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a violent, heart-wrenching cough seized his throat.

He hunched over, his entire body trembling as if he might cough up blood at any moment.

"Elder Brother!"

Xiao Huaijin, standing nearby, immediately stepped forward and said with concern, "Elder Brother, please calm down. Your imperial health is most important! Don't let such a small matter ruin your health—it's not worth it."

Xiao Zhengxian finally caught his breath, his cloudy eyes bloodshot, as he stared fixedly at him. "Fifth Brother, is Xiao Lingchuan's action any different from rebellion? If we allow him to grow stronger, sooner or later, this realm will be his!"

He paused, his voice dropping to a very low tone, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. "Since he is far away in Nanshuo, why not send someone to finish him off!"

Xiao Huaijin lowered his eyelids, his long lashes casting a shadow beneath his eyes, making his expression unreadable.

Originally, his return to the capital was intended to uncover evidence of Xiao Lingchuan's collusion with Nanyue.

A prince of Daye privately corresponding with the Nanyue Chief Grand Secretary—this would be ironclad evidence of treason.

Unexpectedly, the Nanyue Chief Grand Secretary Zhao Qian, whom Xiao Lingchuan had invited to his residence, was found locked in the dungeon of Prince Jing's mansion, infested with snakes and insects, a gruesome sight.

They had lost any legitimate reason to bring down Xiao Lingchuan.

Now, what justifiable excuse remained to move against a regent who commanded heavy troops and had deep roots in the court?

Seeing Xiao Huaijin remain silent for so long, Xiao Zhengxian grew even more anxious, thinking he had softened.

"Fifth Brother! What times are these, and you still cherish that ridiculous brotherly affection? Has Xiao Lingchuan ever shown you or me the slightest consideration!"

Xiao Huaijin slowly lifted his head.

On his usually jade-warm face, there still hung a modest smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it exuded a chilling coldness.

He spoke softly, and his tone was eerily calm:

"Brother, I am not hesitating."

"I am thinking about whom to send to ensure a single fatal blow with no loose ends."