Chapter 391 The Last Escape Route She Left for Herself

Chapter 391: Her Last Resort

The wedding in Beiling was both hasty and absurd.

In less than two days, the palace quarters where Jiang Shuning resided were completely painted in a glaring red.

Brand new red lanterns hung under the eaves, hastily cut “double happiness” characters were pasted on the window lattices, and even the withered branches in the courtyard were tied with red silk, fluttering like streaks of blood in the biting spring wind.

Even the Beiling Emperor, when he happened upon Xiao Huaijin in the imperial garden, clapped his hands and laughed heartily: “The palace hasn’t seen such festivities in a long time. Prince Ning’s willingness to take a princess consort in my palace is truly an honor for Beiling!”

His words were full of warmth, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed his true intention: it wasn’t an honor but a sure-win deal—by granting temporary use of a palace, he could exchange it for Xiao Huaijin, this “walking treasury,” generously funding Beiling’s treasury, and also have the divine physician Jiang Shuning tend to his ailing empress’s pregnancy, ensuring the safe birth of his future prince.

Xiao Huaijin cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your blessing. After the ceremony with Shuning is completed, I will find a residence in the capital to settle down and no longer trouble Your Majesty and the Imperial Princess.”

“That won’t do,” the Beiling Emperor immediately waved his hand, feigning displeasure. “The empress has just conceived and is still weak. I am counting on the Princess to take care of her health until the prince is safely born. You and your wife should settle here comfortably and stop bringing up moving out.”

Xiao Huaijin took the hint, slightly bowing: “Since Your Majesty is so generous, I shall accept with gratitude.”

Before they knew it, the third day arrived.

At the break of dawn, palace attendants bustled to and fro, each clutching thick red packets bestowed by Xiao Huaijin, their faces beaming with genuine yet greedy joy.

In the entire palace, it seemed only Jiang Shuning, the soon-to-be bride, was the only dark spot amidst the festive atmosphere.

The overwhelming crimson that covered the palace grounds brought no cheer; instead, it felt like a vast net trapping her, creating a suffocating pressure.

She sat upright before the dressing mirror, draped in layers of red wedding robes, the phoenixes embroidered with gold and silver threads shimmering coldly in the candlelight.

Her expression was blank as she let the wedding dresser pin the heavy phoenix crown onto her head. The dangling bead tassels swayed lightly, tapping against her pallid cheeks, icy and piercing.

“Mother…” a sweet, childish voice came from behind.

Little Yejun, now over one year old, had somehow broken free from the wet nurse’s arms and wobbled over to her side. Looking up with concern, he asked, “Mother, are you unhappy?”

Jiang Shuning’s heart jolted as if pricked by a needle.

She bent down and lifted her son, denied softly: “No, Mother isn’t unhappy.”

“Then why won’t Mother smile?” Little Yejun reached out his chubby little hand, trying to smooth out her furrowed brow.

Jiang Shuning tried to force a smile for him, but the corners of her mouth felt as heavy as lead, impossible to lift.

Today was the deadline for her risky bet with Xiao Huaijin.

If Xiao Lingchuan did not show up, she would entirely become Xiao Huaijin’s princess consort.

Hope, with each passing moment, was fading with each passing moment.

Beiling and Daye were separated by over a thousand miles.

Even if Xiao Lingchuan had set off at full speed the moment he received the news, without any rest, he might not make it within these three short days.

Moreover, it was early spring; the snow and ice were melting, making the continuous snowy mountains slippery and treacherous, with frequent landslides and avalanches.

To reach Beiling’s capital safely within three days was as absurd as a pipe dream, nearly impossible.

Seeing her expression grow increasingly bitter, Little Yejun pouted and stubbornly tugged at her sleeve: “Mother, smile! Jun wants to see Mother smile!”

“Yes, Shuning,” a gentle male voice came from behind. “Today is our joyous day—why aren’t you smiling?”

Jiang Shuning stiffened. Without turning around, she knew who it was.

Xiao Huaijin was clad in a bright red wedding robe, which made his face as fair as jade and even somewhat striking.

That red was too jarring; Jiang Shuning looked away and hugged Little Yejun tighter.

Seeing her cold attitude, Xiao Huaijin was not annoyed. He got down to her eye level, wearing a perfect warm smile: “Jun, in a few hours, I will be your father. From now on, you must call me Father, remember?”

Little Yejun immediately buried his face deep into Jiang Shuning’s chest and mumbled sullenly: “I don’t want a father! I only want Mother!”

The child’s resistance pained Jiang Shuning. She turned cold and said to Xiao Huaijin: “Your Highness, Jun is still young and naive. Please don’t force him.”

“How could I bear to force him?” Xiao Huaijin slowly rose and reached out to take Jiang Shuning’s hand, his gaze deep as a well. “Shuning, don’t worry, I have always treated him as my own and will be good to him from now on. Even if we have our own children in the future, Jun will forever be the sole heir to Prince Ning!”

His fingertips touched her skin, with a slight chill.

Jiang Shuning subtly withdrew her hand from his palm.

“Your Highness,” she looked up, her gaze cold, “the auspicious hour has not yet come, the wedding hasn’t begun. According to custom, we shouldn’t meet. Please take your leave.”

Xiao Huaijin sensed her detachment and dismissal but paid it no mind.

After tonight, she would be his Princess Ning, with nowhere left to flee.

“Fine,” he agreed verbally, but his eyes were filled with the possessive certainty of one who would have his way. “Then get dressed in peace. I’ll wait outside. As for Jun, better leave him with the wet nurse so you aren’t disturbed.”

With that, two strong women entered without being summoned and took Little Yejun from Jiang Shuning’s arms without a word.

“Mother! I want Mother!” Little Yejun’s cries were shrill as he kicked and screamed.

Rage surged inside her, but her face could only show a helpless, sorrowful look.

She knew this was Xiao Huaijin’s most direct warning—using her most precious weakness to force her into submission.

The palace door was shut, blocking out her son’s sobs.

Hidden within her wide sleeves, she clenched her hand tightly, her nails digging deep into her palm, causing a sharp sting that instantly cleared her chaotic thoughts.

She slowly raised her head and looked at her own reflection in the mirror—the phoenix crown, the wedding robe, the icy expression.

She had made up her mind.

If Xiao Lingchuan came, she would go with him.

If he didn’t… she would have to save herself.

The silver needle hidden in her sleeve was her last resort.