Chapter 335: Chapter 333 Lu Ying Likes You
Shen Yinning gazed at the birdcage.
This pair of precious White Feathered Parrots were once gifted by Lu Ying. They have already finished nibbling on strawberries and grapes and are now grooming their feathers inside the cage.
Yan Zheming’s invitation to her was one thing, but to invite Lu Zhengliu at the same time?
Does he not know that she and Lu Zhengliu are not of the same ilk?
This is intriguing indeed.
The young girl’s lips curled into a smile as she tossed another piece of apple into the birdcage. "Interesting. Tell the messenger I will attend the banquet in person."
On the night of the lantern festival, the Capital was brilliantly lit, with throngs of people thronging the streets.
Shen Yinning arrived by carriage at Eighteen Square Street, where Yan Zheming’s decorated pleasure boat awaited by the riverbank.
A maidservant from Yan Country respectfully led her onto the boat.
Inside the boat, gold and jade glistened; gold branch lamps were filled with candles, while wine and delicacies were set on the low table, and nearby, a slender-browed musician played the Hu Jia instrument.
Shen Yinning used a small folding fan embellished with gold patterns to draw aside a falling golden bead curtain, her phoenix eyes glistening: "I am late."
Yan Zheming and Lu Zhengliu looked over.
The girl arrived in splendor, her pomegranate red silk skirt embroidered with peonies, her loose sleeves of turquoise satin reflecting the candlelight’s golden rays. As she stepped inside the boat with grace, the golden tassels beside her sideburns swayed gently. When she raised her eyes to smile, she was as enchanting as an Immortal Concubine.
Beauty, as dazzling as the sun, enough to scorch the eyes.
Yan Zheming was the first to regain his composure and gestured warmly: "The fine wine is ready, Commandery Princess, please take a seat."
Shen Yinning graciously curtsied to the two before calmly taking her seat.
The pleasure boat began its journey across the river.
The eighteen window slats were fully opened, allowing the three of them, kneeling on cushions, to admire the nighttime scenery on both banks.
Yan Zheming took a sip of wine and chuckled: "To be honest with you, Commandery Princess, I have formed an alliance with Prince Duan, not just in state affairs, but also in private matters. We plan to join forces against your nation’s Crown Prince until he is toppled from the position of Crown Prince. There’s a saying in your country called ’irretrievable calamity,’ and what we’re planning for your nation’s Crown Prince is indeed an irretrievable calamity."
Shen Yinning smiled gracefully: "Then, the Crown Prince of Yan tells me this because?"
"To recruit you into our ranks." Lu Zhengliu smiled, a thin line forming on his lips, with the red mole between his brows adding further allure, "Sister Shen, are you willing?"
Back in those years when his older brother Lu Shiyan pursued Shen Yinning, he had witnessed it all, thinking it inevitable that Shen Yinning would become his sister-in-law.
Therefore, although he and Shen Yinning had no dealings, their relationship was indeed much closer than many would imagine.
The pleasure boat fell into silence, only the musician continued playing the Hu Jia instrument.
Shen Yinning’s expression remained unchanged. "What benefit is there?"
Lu Zhengliu replied, "I already know about your relationship with Lu Ying, but you have no title or standing; his Crown Princess Consort will always be Shen Yunxi. As long as Shen Yunxi remains in that position, he will never allow you to touch the Shen Family. You returned to the Capital from Gan State to exact revenge on the Shen Family. Following Lu Ying is contrary to your goal. But forming an alliance with us is different. If I ascend to that position, I promise to eradicate the Shen Family on your behalf and grant you the title of Grand Princess."
Such an offer was undeniably alluring.
Shen Yinning lowered her eyes and smiled.
The candlelight pierced through the intricate pattern of the fan, casting complex shadows on her snow-white hand, resembling carved white jade.
She spoke softly, "I am but a weak girl without power in the court; how could I be fit to ally with you? I fear there is no value in me that you seek."
"You do." Yan Zheming declared firmly, "Lu Ying fancies you, and that is enough!"
Shen Yinning unfurled the small golden folding fan.
This fan was purchased for her by Luo Xibai, at a great expense, from the East Sea while in Jiangnan.
It’s said that Jianan Wood is priceless and hard to find, but this fan was carved from a whole block of Jianan Wood. Each fan leaf meticulously inscribed with the patterns of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the color akin to that of an oriole’s feathers that cast an ink-green sheen under the light, exuding the elegant fragrance unique to the wood. Its fan handle adorned with a gold-thread woven Unity Knot, exceedingly exquisite and noble.
The only such piece in the world.
Her slender white fingertips lightly traced the fan bone’s patterns.
Shen Yinning spoke leisurely, "You want me to betray Lu Ying — or rather, to stab Lu Ying in the back."
Yan Zheming heavily placed a bronze crescent-shaped dagger on the low table, precisely the one that had previously wounded Shen Yinning.
"You people of the Central Plains have a saying, ’first courtesy, then force,’ but I disdain using such means on the Commandery Princess." He fixed his eyes on Shen Yinning like a hawk, his lips curved with a hint of threat, "Few women in my life earn my admiration, and the Commandery Princess is one. I believe that our cooperation will be smooth and enjoyable."
Shen Yinning gave a slight sneer.
Disdain to use it, yet used it nonetheless?
Lu Zhengliu rolled up his sleeves and poured wine: "Will you cooperate or not, Sister Shen, give us an answer."
On the other side.
Xue Ling entered the palace to find Lu Ying: "Your Highness, the lantern festival has begun, and Bai Ling has locked onto their pleasure boat."
The pomegranate flowers in the Eastern Palace were soon to bloom, with fiery red buds densely hidden among the emerald branches and leaves.
Lu Ying stepped out of the threshold, where a thin layer of buds had fallen beside the steps.
His expression was as calm and composed as ever: "Is everyone in place?"
The two of them began speaking secretly, while Shen Yunxi, with her palace maids, hid around a distant corridor corner, regrettably too far to hear their conversation.
She gritted her teeth, "I heard tonight the Capital will hold a lantern festival. Yesterday, I repeatedly pleaded with His Highness to take me out of the palace, but he refused to relent. Unexpectedly, he is going with Xue Ling instead! What is this?!
The two, transforming under the pomegranate trees.
Lu Ying, in a dark robe and golden hairpin, exuded cold elegance, while Xue Ling in a red robe appeared gallant and handsome. They seemed more like brothers than actual siblings, given their lack of blood relation, making Shen Yunxi’s thoughts run wild.
"Damn it!" Shen Yunxi struck the corridor post with her fist, "I always thought the vixen outside the palace was a woman, but now it seems it might as well be a man! Back in school, I heard of many a monarch being ambiguously involved with ministers, this so-called ’cut sleeve’ proclivity originated from that, and to think His Highness and Xue Ling ... Argh!"
She expressed disgust, glaring at Xue Ling with eyes that seemed aflame.
Lianxin cautiously said, "It shouldn’t be, right? His Highness doesn’t seem like someone with such a preference, maybe they simply left the palace to handle affairs."
Shen Yunxi pointed a finger at Xue Ling’s retreating figure, her face contorted and fierce under the palace lantern: "Impossible? Why not? No wonder this Xue guy dresses gaudily in reds and greens every day, apparently to seduce the Crown Prince, pfft! Lian Ye, prepare a carriage, I’m going to catch him in the act, see how he dares seduce the Crown Prince in the future!"
She paused, then glared at Lianxin again with annoyance: "You don’t need to follow."
Shen Yunxi’s carriage followed closely behind Lu Ying’s, quickly leaving the Eastern Palace.
Lianxin worried for a moment, recalled something, and hurriedly sent someone to inform Shen Xinghan of Shen Yunxi’s departure from the palace to catch an affair.
She realized that since the death of Nanny Zhang, the Crown Princess Consort was like a runaway horse without rein, uncontrollable by anyone.
If she were left to act recklessly tonight, it was uncertain what grave trouble she might cause. It was inevitable that one day the Crown Prince would grow weary of her.
Better to invite the eldest son to intervene.