Chapter 473: Ning Jing Is About to Fall Into Chaos

Her daughter, while she was unaware, had gradually grown up.

She used to be a plump little bun, but now the young girl is slender and delicate, wearing a light blue ruqun, with a simple pair of hair flowers pinned on her head.

"Yue Yue."

Ning Yue Xue walked over quickly, and when she reached Jiang Yun Chu's side, she did not cry but instead broke into a smile.

In her gaze was an unconscious attachment.

"Mother, you've finally come back."

And behind Ning Yue Xue followed a boy in a student uniform, "Dean."

Kang Zhidong.

Jiang Yun Chu nodded, sizing up the two children, "Are you all right?"

All those countless words boiled down to a single question: "Are you all right?"

Ning Yue Xue nodded, "With Zi Su protecting us, it's naturally fine."

"Mother, are you hurt? How are the older siblings?"

Mother and the older siblings left home, and it's almost been four years with no word from them; she could only study hard, having no other recourse.

Her ability is too weak; she cannot help Mother.

By now, does she have the ability to stand beside Mother?

"Mother is unharmed and fine."

"The older siblings, out adventuring, will naturally return home when it's time."

She sighed; these three years, she has refrained from inquiring, fearing she could not restrain herself and would go out to search.

She also feared she would hinder their growth.

They are learning to be independent, while she is learning to let go.

"Miss, let the Princess Consort wash up and rest."

"You two have anything to say? Let's talk tomorrow, okay?" Zi Su had already prepared the small kitchen and boiled the water.

She also arranged simple meals; the Princess Consort, when traveling, always prefers speed and will not rest if she can avoid it.

"Mother, Chun Hua Xue Yuan has a daughter."

"Please Mother rest first; the daughter will await Mother's instruction tomorrow."

Ning Yue Xue bowed lightly; her gaze remained lively, yet now carried more rationality and thought.

The child has grown up; unnoticed, she too can now stand on her own.

Jiang Yun Chu looked at them and suddenly thought, "Am I not supposed to be old?"

She then shook her head, dispelling the frightening thought; considering she is only twenty‑four, in the prime of youth, how could she be old?

"Princess Consort, are you feeling unwell? I'll go fetch the manor doctor?" Zi Su showed some concern.

Jiang Yun Chu shook her head, "It's fine, it's fine."

"You needn't be nervous; this time I didn't return on my own, and I wasn't fatigued from rushing—my condition is still good."

"Right, have someone tidy the Prince's courtyard, then prepare hot water and food; I expect the Prince will be back shortly."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zi Su widened her eyes, "The Prince?"

"Is it his Prince?"

Jiang Yun Chu stared, then looked at Zi Su, "There's been no rumor in Ning Jing that the Prince is alive, right?"

"That shouldn't be."

Three years ago, Ning Chengyan had already appeared on the Xijiang battlefield; even if the Emperor Ning tried to suppress it, those scouts would hardly agree.

But Zi Su's expression seemed genuinely unaware.

What situation is this?

"Replying to the Princess Consort, Zi Su doesn't know, and Ning Jing's intelligence has no word of the Prince being alive." Zi Su also felt doubtful.

"What's going on?" Jiang Yun Chu couldn't figure it out, frowning.

However……

It's probably related to Ning Chengyan; might as well wait for his return, then we'll naturally know.

"Let's get things ready first." Jiang Yun Chu waved her hand.

Zi Su bowed and left, heading straight to the main courtyard of the Wang Fu to arrange everything.

The news of Jiang Yun Chu's return spread quickly throughout Ning Jing.

"Who has returned?" Consort Cao in the palace looked at the maid beside her, her expression somewhat ferocious.

The Cao family is finished; Noble Consort Cao's rank has been reduced to an ordinary consort, and the Third Prince has lost any chance to ascend to the supreme position.

Who would have thought Jiang Yun Chu would actually return alive?

How could heaven be so unfair?

That fox spirit ought to have died outside, on the battlefield.

It's almost been four years; time has nearly reached four years, yet that fox spirit has come back at this moment.

"Master, it's the Regent's Consort Jiang Yun Chu who has returned."

"Someone saw her enter the city through the East Gate and go straight to the Regent Prince's Manor."

A little eunuch edged up to Consort Cao's side, his voice shrill yet soft, so as not to be overheard.

"Why now? Why precisely at this time?" Consort Cao's eyes turned outward.

Thinking of His Majesty now deeply poisoned, already beyond rescue.

She had arranged everything, yet at this very moment Jiang Yun Chu returned.

Could it be that she sensed something?

No, impossible!

The deed is done; no matter who returns, they cannot change the outcome—her son must take that position, and no one can obstruct it.

In Consort Cao's eyes flashed a vengeful glare, and her whole body showed a hint of viciousness.

"Are the arrangements over there all set?" Consort Cao asked softly, glancing at the elderly eunuch beside her.

The old eunuch nodded, "Everything is ready."

"Good." Consort Cao nodded; now we can only wait.

Jiang Yun Chu took a bath, ate some food, and fell asleep right away.

After Ning Chengyan returned from the Palace, his complexion was poor; he didn't go to the main courtyard but went straight to Rhyme Courtyard, where he gazed at her sleeping face and gently touched her cheek.

"Do you know Ning Jing is about to fall into chaos?" He gazed at her as if he could never see enough.

His older imperial brother had been deeply poisoned; the Imperial Edict had long been prepared, and when he entered the Palace, he told him where the Edict was kept.

In this world, the number of people he could trust could be counted on one hand.

Junior Sister Kang Ying, Second Brother Jiang Wen Fu, younger brother Ning Chengyan, and also Jiang Yun Chu.

Now that he saw Ning Chengyan return, he could finally relax.

After countless calculations, he never imagined he would die at the hands of his own people.

"You've come back."

Jiang Yun Chu opened her eyes, seeing Ning Chengyan lost in thought, with a hazy, doubtful gaze, she looked at him.

"Sorry to disturb your sleep."

Ning Chengyan then came to his senses, looking at his Young Princess Consort with some apology.

"Something happened in the Palace? Imperial Uncle has been poisoned… Could he really be poisoned?" Jiang Yun Chu instantly regained clarity, then sat up; the silken blanket slipped down, revealing her white undergarments.

Ning Chengyan nodded, "He's poisoned, and he has only brief moments of clarity each day; his lips and fingers are black, his whole face is dark as ink, and the situation is dire."

"Take me into the Palace." Jiang Yun Chu looked at Ning Chengyan.

If Imperial Uncle were well, entering the Palace would be as easy as returning home—simple and unrestricted.

But now…

Since Imperial Uncle has been poisoned, likely everything is under the control of hidden hands.

She probably won't even get to see Imperial Uncle, and might instead alert the enemy.