Chapter 381 You Really Do Resemble Your Aunt

Chapter 381: You Are Indeed Very Much Like Your Aunt

Jiang Yaozhen, seeing that Third Madam Jiang had agreed, turned to Han Ying and said, "We have some private matters to discuss. Please excuse us."

Han Ying asked no further questions and silently withdrew.

Inside the room, incense smoke curled upward, but the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Third Madam Jiang was the first to break the silence: "I can certainly concoct a medicine that restores consciousness. But as you know, the medicines that come from my hands are never life-saving pills. They are more poison than medicine."

"Restoring consciousness is no problem, but the poison will seep into the marrow along the blood vessels, beyond even the gods' power to save. By then, I will not be able to cure it."

"Furthermore, even if consciousness is restored, it won't last for long. Do you truly intend to administer such a medicine to the Chief Grand Secretary of Nanyue?"

"Of course." Jiang Yaozhen's voice was icy. "I don't need him to live long. I only need him awake, to state clearly in front of His Majesty and all civil and military officials of Daye that Xiao Lingchuan is his and the Nanyue Princess's own flesh and blood."

"As for whether he lives or dies afterwards, or how long he lives, I don't care!"

This was the real reason she had deliberately sent Han Ying away earlier.

Chief Minister Zhao was Han Ying's master, and Han Ying had been loyal for many years; naturally, he would never agree to have his master fed a poison that seeps into the bones.

A look of shock appeared on Third Madam Jiang's face: "Xiao Lingchuan is the Chief Grand Secretary's flesh and blood? This... is it true?"

"True or false, does it matter?" Jiang Yaozhen curled her lip coldly, the smile not reaching her eyes. "As long as it can trample Xiao Lingchuan thoroughly into the mud, never to rise again, this is an excellent method! Aunt, don't you think so?"

Third Madam Jiang stared at her, as if seeing her for the first time.

After a long moment, she spoke slowly: "This matter involves imperial bloodlines; it is no small matter. How could Daye's courtiers believe it based solely on the word of an enemy state's Chief Grand Secretary? Moreover, the forces supporting Xiao Lingchuan in the court are deeply entrenched. If I remember correctly, your father, Chancellor Jiang, is also his staunch supporter. A baseless slander alone will hardly convince anyone!"

"Even if they don't believe, so what? At worst, we conduct a blood kinship test." Jiang Yaozhen stepped closer, her voice lowered to a whisper, yet every word was sharp as a blade: "Aunt, do you think His Majesty does not wish to eliminate Xiao Lingchuan? He merely lacks a sharp blade. Now we are personally offering him that blade. As long as it can rid him of this great threat, His Majesty will surely support us fully, turning this act into an undeniable 'truth'!"

She paused slightly, a scheming glint in her eyes, and sneered softly: "At that time, we'll have the imperial physician conducting the blood kinship test tamper with the bowl of clear water. A single drop of blood will turn this enormous lie into an irrefutable 'fact'!"

Third Madam Jiang watched her, seeing her self-assured, ruthless resolve, and the surprise gradually faded from her face, replaced by a knowing smile.

"Second Miss, you are indeed very much like your aunt."

The word "aunt" pierced Jiang Yaozhen's heart like a poisoned needle.

In an instant, a surge of hatred welled up from the depths of her soul, nearly shattering her carefully crafted calm.

She dug her nails into her palm, the sharp pain barely suppressing the overwhelming hatred.

But in just a moment, her expression returned to normal, and she even revealed a brighter, more radiant smile, as if the momentary stiffness had been an illusion.

"Is that so?" She tilted her head, her tone light. "Then I'll take that as a compliment from Aunt."

---

The capital, Prince Jing's Mansion.

In the study, incense smoke curled upward, but it could not dispel the tense, stormy atmosphere.

Ling Wu knelt on one knee, head bowed, her voice barely suppressing frustration and self-blame: "Your Highness, I was incompetent and failed to stop Prince Ning's carriage. The Princess Consort and the young heir have been taken to Beiling."

The air seemed to freeze for an instant, even the incense smoke seemed to pause.

After a long moment, Xiao Lingchuan slowly turned around, his gaze directly falling on Ling Wu's right shoulder.

The fabric there was stained dark with blood, a shocking sight under the moonlight.

"You're injured?" His voice remained flat. "By Xiao Huaijin's men?"

At this, Ling Wu raised her head slightly, and a barely noticeable hint of pride crept into her tone: "Yes! Following Your Highness's instructions, I deliberately made it look like a mistake, allowing the Princess Consort to witness me being wounded by Prince Ning's guards. The Princess Consort even called out my name in surprise; I think she was quite concerned for me!"

At least she had completed another task His Highness assigned, not completely messing things up.

"Well done." A faint smile finally crossed Xiao Lingchuan's face. He continued, "When Xiao Huaijin was still the Fifth Prince, he had a deep bond with the Eldest Princess. Now that he's fled to Beiling, the Eldest Princess, who is now the Empress of Beiling, will naturally protect him. Come to think of it, the peace between Daye and Beiling over the years can be credited to my imperial sister. Without her marrying into that cold northern land, there would be no peace today."

Ling Feng cautiously looked up and ventured to ask, "Your Highness, should we now go to Beiling to ask the Eldest Princess for their return?"

"Naturally." Xiao Lingchuan's gaze turned profound. "But Xiao Huaijin's bond with the imperial sister runs much deeper than ours. I heard that back when the Eldest Princess married into Beiling, half of that lavish dowry came from the Cui family—Xiao Huaijin's maternal clan. That debt is far greater than our weak sibling bond."

"To persuade the imperial sister to return my Princess Consort and son, blood ties alone won't be enough. We must offer greater incentives to draw her into the game."

Ling Feng and Ling Wu's expressions instantly turned grave.

They both understood that once another kingdom was involved, it was far beyond simple fighting and killing.

A single misstep would turn the matter from reclaiming a wife and child into an unpredictable international conflict between two nations.

"This Prince Ning is truly insidious! Taking the Princess Consort and the young heir to Beiling—he's blatantly forcing you into this dilemma!" Ling Wu finally could not help but curse angrily. "The Princess Consort once saw him as an upright man, as noble and upright, but I think he's nothing but a hypocrite! He doesn't deserve the Princess Consort's admiration!"

"It's fine." Xiao Lingchuan's reaction was unexpectedly calm, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Let her see his true face—that's not a bad thing. At least let her understand that in this world, those who would stop at nothing for her, who act despicably, are not only me. Once she sees through all the disguises, maybe... she will be willing to stay by my side?"

It was a desperate self-consolation, like a drowning man clinging to a rotting piece of driftwood.

"Your Highness!" Ling Wu heard the desolation in his voice and felt a pang in her heart. She blurted out, "Others may not know, but I know—you are the one who cherishes the Princess Consort most in this world! One day, the Princess Consort will remember your kindness and return to your side!"

"I hope so." Xiao Lingchuan lowered his gaze, withdrawing all the emotions that had leaked out, and once again became the inscrutable Prince Jing.

He stood up and walked back to the window, gazing at the waning moon in the sky.

"I have already had Divine Physician Sun brought back. Go to him and have your wounds treated; don't let them leave lasting damage." His voice resumed its usual commanding tone, cold and decisive. "We still have a tough battle ahead."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ling Wu and Ling Feng answered in unison, then rose and silently withdrew from the study.

The door closed softly, and the study fell back into silence.

Xiao Lingchuan still stood by the window, the moonlight casting his shadow long and lonely on the cold floor.

He slowly raised his hand and opened his palm.

There lay a small, warm white jade pendant, smooth and polished, carrying a trace of his body heat from years of handling.

This was an object that had fallen from Jiang Shuning when he rescued her from the lotus pond back then. She probably didn't even remember it, but he treasured it as a precious keepsake.

Not only in this life, but also in the past life.

Jiang Shuning had always thought that in the past life, he was cold and ruthless to her, never knowing that he too had felt a stirring in his heart, but had never spoken of it.

In his past life, he was ambitious, desperately seeking his father's recognition, craving to break free from the shackles of his enemy's bloodline. As a result, he was deceived by Jiang Yaozhen and her mother, lost the one he loved, and committed a great mistake that haunted him for life.

In this life, he sought to make amends, but Jiang Shuning pushed him away.

If this was his retribution, he would gladly bear it.

He only prayed that the heavens would pity his sincere devotion and grant him a chance to be with his Shuning.