Chapter 70: So What Should We Do?
“Crown Prince, please come in.”
“Cough cough cough…”
The sound of coughing rang out, and soon a man dressed in luxurious brocade robes entered.
His face carried a touch of cold aloofness, and on his originally pale face was a somewhat deathly pallor, yet his gaze was bright and spirited.
It was clear that his condition was improving.
Jiang Changjun showed an incredulous expression.
As the imperial physician, he had already taken the Crown Prince’s pulse; his pulse was chaotic and weak, utterly hopeless—he simply could not survive.
But why was he here now?
Not only that, the red spots that had originally covered his face made him unable to show himself to others, but now on his face, the red spots had completely vanished, leaving only faint red marks that were imperceptible unless one looked closely.
What on earth was going on?
Jiang Changjun retreated a few steps, thinking he must be dreaming.
“Imperial Physician Jiang, seeing this Crown Prince like this, do you feel very surprised?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes were like they were coated in ice as he approached step by step.
Carrying the overwhelming pressure of a king, yet suppressing a trace of anger.
Jiang Changjun’s face turned deathly pale with fright, but he still had great trust in his own medical skills. Why was the Crown Prince still appearing here now?
“How could this be?” Jiang Changjun muttered to himself.
His body also retreated along with it.
“There is simply no such medicinal herb in the capital right now; your illness could not possibly improve.”
These words directly admitted that he was the one who had administered the plague on the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince’s eyes were deep like an abyss, “Now not only is this Crown Prince fine, but everyone in the capital affected by the plague is also fine. Do you feel even more shocked?”
“How is that possible?”
Jiang Changjun’s face turned deathly pale as he fell into the chair.
“Men, Jiang Changjun is audaciously daring, plotting to murder this Crown Prince—take him down.”
Jiang Xuerou saw that Jiang Changjun was done for and wanted to flee, but she was caught by the Crown Prince’s men.
“Crown Prince, spare my life! I am wronged. Although the Jiang family raised me, I am not their blood relative after all—Jiang Ruanxi is. If Your Highness wishes to vent your anger, you should arrest Jiang Ruanxi instead.”
Jiang Xuerou now knew the Jiang family was utterly finished and only wanted to sever ties, but this only enraged Jiang Changjun.
“Third Sister, what did you say?”
Jiang Changjun could not believe it.
He had always treated Jiang Xuerou as his closest family, but at this critical moment, not only did she not help, she even wanted to kick him while he was down and distance herself completely.
“Second Brother, even husband and wife fly apart when great trouble comes—what more for us, mere siblings without blood ties? These years I’ve been raised in the Jiang family, and they all say it’s for my own good.
But the Jiang family has restricted me everywhere. After the Zhenguo Marquis Heir passed away, I originally wanted to leave the Zhenguo Marquis Manor, but you all stopped me. In the end, in your hearts, I still cannot compare to the Jiang family’s reputation.”
Unable to live the life she wanted—even with fine clothes and good food, what of it?
She had had enough; she did not want to live the rest of her life as a long, dull widow.
Otherwise, why would she get involved with Lin Ningkun?
Jiang Changjun looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Was this still his weak and helpless sister?
The reason he had done this was also partly to avenge her after she was beaten half to death by the Crown Prince, but he had not expected to encounter an ungrateful person.
“Crown Prince, I know everything the Jiang family has done. I am willing to tell it all, only hoping you spare my life.”
Jiang Xuerou paid no attention to how he looked at her; she only wanted to survive now and not perish with the Jiang family.
Jiang Changjun glared at her fiercely and stepped forward to hit her. “Jiang Xuerou, you’re courting death.”
But he was firmly restrained.
Jiang Xuerou shrank back, too afraid to look at him.
“Men, take down all the Jiang family members. This Crown Prince will interrogate them personally.”
After the two were dragged away, Lin Ningkun collapsed on the ground, still unable to believe it was real.
“Marquis of Dingning’s Wife, do you need help?” the Crown Prince asked, glancing at Lin Ningkun on the ground.
“Thank you, Crown Prince. This humble wife can handle my family’s matters. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
“Marquis of Dingning’s Wife donated the medicinal herbs, saving myriad people from disaster. This Crown Prince will report it truthfully to His Majesty.”
After the Crown Prince left, Madam Zhou, who had heard the news, rushed in hurriedly. Seeing Lin Ningkun collapsed on the ground, she was frightened and hurriedly hugged him.
“My heavens! That damned Jiang family has such wild ambition, doing such things and harming my son like this. We must settle this score with them.”
“Mother, rest assured. This time, the Jiang family definitely cannot escape.” Lin Ningkun came back to his senses. “Having offended the Crown Prince, the Jiang family is finished.”
“Marquis, you should think about what to do next.”
Just as Lin Ningkun thought everything was fine, Jiang Ruanxi directly splashed a basin of cold water on him.
“Even if Jiang Changjun offended the Crown Prince, that’s only his problem. The Jiang family may not necessarily be affected.”
“What do you mean?”
Jiang Ruanxi originally had no intention of explaining to this idiot, but considering her wings were not yet full and she still needed the Dingning Marquis Manor, she endured her disgust and analyzed the pros and cons.
“The Marquis of Yongyi holds great military power, stationed at the border year-round, guarding our territory. Even if His Majesty is furious, he must weigh whether he can move the Jiang family. Also, don’t forget what the Jiang family’s eldest son and third son do.”
Lin Ningkun was stunned.
The Jiang family’s eldest son was the powerful imperial tutor, controlling the national fortune.
The third son was the imperial merchant, controlling the nation’s economic lifeline.
Not to mention the Crown Prince—even His Majesty dared not easily move against the Jiang family.
And those who offended the Jiang family usually had only one end: death.
Fear flowed from Lin Ningkun’s eyes, and his body involuntarily began trembling.
Back then, why had he provoked Jiang Xuerou if not to have the Jiang family promote him?
But now, he had fallen out with Jiang Xuerou, and Jiang Changjun had been arrested by the Crown Prince because of him.
The Jiang family certainly would not let him off easily; they would surely come to settle accounts with him.
Madam Zhou was usually a bit foolish, but she also knew the severity of the matter and was very afraid in her heart.
Her speech even became stammering.
“Th-then, what should we do?”
Jiang Ruanxi looked at this mother and son pair without a backbone, mockery flashing in her almond eyes, then left without looking back.
Jiang Changjun was just the beginning; the Jiang family wanted to deal with not only Lin Ningkun but also her, so her days ahead would not be easy either.
She needed to make preparations.
**
Three days later, Hong Ye brought good news to her anxious heart.
“Madam, Master Bian Du sent a message saying the Nameless Daoist has arrived and is waiting for you.”
Joy flashed across Jiang Ruanxi’s face as she quickened her steps to go out. “Let’s go quickly; don’t keep the Nameless Daoist and Master Bian Du waiting too long.”
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