Chapter 317: Chapter 315: He’s Given Her Too Many Favors
Shen Yinning’s eyes moved slightly, brushing his hand away: "The Shen Family has guarded the Northern Border for years. How could I possibly collude with Yan Country, destroying the very things my father and brothers painstakingly defended? Lu Ying, I am indeed vile, but have I sunk so low in your heart that you’d think I would betray my country?"
Lu Ying remained silent.
He had always been unable to fathom the thoughts of this fox spirit.
But in his heart, Shen Zhaozhao could certainly do such a thing.
If it was beneficial to her, there was nothing she couldn’t do.
Shen Yinning suppressed the turbulent emotions within her and suddenly fixed her gaze on him: "All these years, I’ve never asked you—do you also believe that my father and brothers committed treason? My father, who could be considered your mentor—do you truly think he plotted rebellion?"
Lu Ying still said nothing.
The Shen Guogong Mansion case caused a huge stir back then, and he had followed it closely throughout.
Judging by Shen Zhi and Shen Xingye’s character and temperament, they were by no means treacherous officials who would betray the Court.
However, evidence of their rebellion indeed surfaced back then.
It wasn’t the Dragon Robe and Emperor’s Crown found in Shen Zhi’s study, nor the correspondence with subordinates, as those could easily be fabricated or planted to frame them.
When he flipped through the case files, the truly damning evidence of the Shen Family’s rebellion was Shen Xingye.
He carried several Northern Commander’s Seals and attempted to leave the city alone late at night.
Later, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice jointly interrogated him for a long time, but they failed to extract any coherent explanation. Shen Xingye ultimately admitted outright that he intended to rebel. Yet anyone who knew Shen Xingye found this case exceedingly strange because he was a gentle and clear-headed young general. He valued his family and friends, even had a sweetheart, with the wedding date already set—he was far from being a ruthless schemer harboring ambitions for the throne.
Lu Ying had once vaguely suspected that something must have happened that night, prompting Shen Xingye to act so recklessly and rush north clutching those seals.
He had people investigate, but no clues were uncovered.
He thought, either his intuition was wrong, or Shen Zhi had used his influence to conceal the truth of that night.
Shen Yinning wasn’t privy to Lu Ying’s inner thoughts.
She stared directly at him, her tone icy: "You and Lu Shiyan are alike. You both believe my father and brothers were guilty of treason, don’t you? You both think your father, the Emperor, is a wise and mighty ruler, entirely incapable of making a mistake, don’t you?"
As if touching her sorest nerve, she abruptly snapped, landing two hard punches on Lu Ying and storming cold-faced into the inner room.
Lu Ying’s temples throbbed furiously.
Ever since returning from Jiangnan, this fox spirit had grown more and more inclined to show him her temper.
Talking about "keeping a beauty in a golden house," other people’s pampered little songbirds at least knew to mind their master’s mood, but the fox spirit he kept had become utterly indifferent to him now.
He had indulged her too much.
His tone turned heavy: "Tomorrow, have Haitang and Wei Yu follow her throughout. I want to know every word you exchange with Yan Zheming."
His response was the sound of objects being smashed in the inner room.
Lu Ying tapped his fingers against the desk.
This fox spirit’s temper was growing more unruly, wholly disregarding him.
He held back and held back but found he could no longer suppress his anger.
He stepped into the inner room, seeing her smashing a crackle-glazed agate teacup—a piece of fine porcelain worth several hundred taels in patterned silver—and she didn’t show the slightest sign of regret.
He remembered her saying in their youth that the sound of shattered jade was pleasing to her ears. To win her favor, a certain fool had even gifted her an entire cart of jade pieces just for smashing—while that same year, he, residing in the palace under the shadow of others, was harshly treated by Consort Liu, often struggling even to eat his fill.
"Shen Yinning."
He called her full name and caught hold of her ear directly.
Shen Yinning, restrained under his grip, glared at him with reddened eyes: "Lu Ying, I hate you!"
"I know."
Lu Ying dragged her by the ear onto the couch.
Her dress fell to the floor; the girl’s tender fragility exuded sweetness, like the lush bloom of a peony.
But what surfaced in Lu Ying’s mind was Shen Yinning from their youth at the Yu Mansion.
She practiced dancing in the bamboo grove behind the mountain, her skirt swirling to reveal slender calves more poised than new shoots of bamboo—her waist, exquisitely slim and supple. He stood in the shadow, sword in hand, thinking how she had taken over his practice space and was utterly insufferable, yet he couldn’t help but sneak glances at her repeatedly, marveling at how even a young girl’s waist could be so pliant.
Now, on this languid spring night, with billowing curtains and a lowered canopy, he grasped that delicate waist in his hands.
The proud noblewoman was finally a cherished guest in his embrace.
Shen Yinning let out a muffled gasp, lying on the brocade quilt, her collar loosened, seemingly unguarded before Lu Ying.
Her lips and teeth were invaded, the sharp scent of cedar engulfing them, blending and weaving with intentional dominance, forcing her to absorb his presence like it was leaving an indelible brand.
Skin pressed together—his chest broad and scaldingly hot—Shen Yinning felt as though she might be kneaded into a melting pool of snow water.
She endured the fervent and urgent love of Lu Ying, her eyelids fluttering shut, her breath escaping as delicate hums, as melodious as a warbler’s song, stirring uncontrollable blush and a quickened heartbeat—
Yet her mind remained sharply clear amidst it all.
The man entwined with her now had harbored affection for her over years in their youth.
Since her return to the capital from Gan State, she had probed him step by step, seeming to finally uncover his limits tonight.
Treason.
The limit he set for her was treason.
To be fair, it was exceedingly lenient.
Shen Yinning curved her lips into a faint smile and initiated a kiss on his throat.
That single dragonfly-laden kiss seemed charged with delicate currents, spreading a tingling sensation that was inexplicably intoxicating.
Lu Ying’s entire body tensed, his gaze darkening as he reached out to draw down the canopy curtains.
Night draped over them, lingering with intimacy and desire.
Lu Ying left only after night had fully fallen; Shen Yinning bathed and meticulously redid her hair and makeup.
Haitang watched with trepidation: "Madam, it’s so late—are you still planning to meet someone? If the Crown Prince finds out, he’ll surely be upset again."
Wei Yu, bolder in nature, spoke outright: "Don’t worry. Nanny Chen isn’t in our courtyard right now; she’s busy teaching Gao Yun palace protocol and etiquette. Even if Madam meets others, no outsiders will know."
"I need to step out for a moment." Shen Yinning never concealed her actions from them. "You don’t need to follow."
Lu Ying was so distrustful of her that he would surely assign others to tail her conversations with Yan Zheming tomorrow.
Many matters would become inconvenient to discuss openly then.
Which is why she must meet Yan Zheming tonight.
Shen Yinning reached the side gate, where Cui Ji’s carriage had already been waiting.
Cui Ji lifted the curtain: "Madam Shen."
Shen Yinning boarded the carriage: "Where is Yan Zheming?"
"He’s waiting for you in the palace," Cui Ji said, producing a brocade box. "Allow me to first congratulate you on receiving the title of Commandery Princess—this is a gift from Cui Ji."
Shen Yinning curiously opened it.
Inside lay a carved Haitang hairpin made from green sandalwood, exquisitely crafted.
Shen Yinning smiled softly: "Did you make this yourself?"