Chapter 344: Chapter 342 She Wants to Get Lu Ying
Shen Xinghan smiled serenely, "Father, our family and His Highness the Crown Prince are like grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If something happens to our family, it’s synonymous with trouble for the Crown Prince’s faction. Since the Crown Prince himself isn’t anxious, why should you worry?"
Lu Ying has a think-tank around him, and he is one of them.
During this period of working with the Crown Prince, he has vaguely glimpsed a secret plot of the Crown Prince.
But the timing is not yet ripe, and he cannot disclose it to outsiders.
Mrs. Qin choked with emotion, "Hank’er, Xi’er has already reached this desperate point, and you still have the heart to speak in riddles?! Xi’er is your own sister. How can you bear to see her suffer?"
"Xi’er is shortsighted and arrogant; letting her endure hardship will only benefit her in the future. Mother, please don’t worry about this matter. Take good care of yourself. The household’s affairs will be managed by Xinya from now on."
"What?!"
Mrs. Qin was shocked.
Before she could burst into angry rebukes, Shen Xinya seemed to grasp the undertone of his words. Without hesitation, she curtsied and said, "Xinya will give her all and will never let down Father and Brother’s high expectations."
The moon resembled a silver hook.
Shen Yinning stood quietly behind the window, her hair let loose and her feet bare.
She had people inquire about news all day long. Only until nightfall did she confirm that Shen Yunxi had truly been deposed and was now confined in the Eastern Palace.
Shen Yunxi valued the position of Crown Princess Consort above all. Now that the sky has fallen, she probably won’t sleep soundly for quite some time.
As for her uncle’s family, they were likely celebrating noisily at that very moment.
She tugged at her vermilion-tinted lips.
It ought to have felt exhilarating, but for some reason, her heart remained empty, a chunk missing.
Would killing Shen Yan’s entire family fill that void?
Or perhaps...
In her ears, Shen Yinning seemed to hear again the rhythm of the heartbeat she had caught in the carriage that day.
Thump... thump... thump... thump... thump...
Like an untiring drum, each beat struck her, uncontrollably drawing her thoughts toward Lu Ying.
She reached out and plucked a pomegranate blossom outside the window.
The fine and drooping lashes veiled her moist irises.
Suddenly, a thought came to her: She wanted Lu Ying—
A Lu Ying who belonged solely to her.
The young woman turned to sit before the dressing table. "Prepare my hair and attire."
Haitang and Wei Yu exchanged glances, seeing fear and worry mirrored in each other’s expressions.
Every time their mistress ventured out in the dead of night, she was bound to stir up some trouble.
Who she’d meet tonight remained an unsettling mystery...
Shen Yinning’s carriage departed through the back gate, heading directly to a residence belonging to Lu Zhengliu outside the palace.
When she was younger, Lu Shiyan had taken her there to play; she knew it was Lu Zhengliu’s private estate.
The steward guided her into the study and smiled, "Commandery Princess, your timing is impeccable. My lord has just returned from the palace."
Inside the study, only a few sheep-horn palace lanterns were lit. The dim, warm light outlined the silhouette of a young man behind the desk.
Shen Yinning stared at him.
The Prince Duan, admired by others for his sharp looks, unruly spirit, and resplendent attire, now leaned quietly against a round-backed chair. His cloud-patterned brocade boots rested crossed atop the desk, ignoring the possibility of staining those vital court documents.
One hand propped his cheek, the crimson mole between his brows dim and lifeless, while rare exhaustion traced the corners of his eyes and brows.
Shen Yinning said, "Yan Zheming is dead."
"I know, Sister Shen."
"Lu Ying killed him."
Lu Zhengliu remained silent.
Shen Yinning sat down and picked up the tea cup brought by the steward. "Fighting Lu Ying tires you, doesn’t it?"
Lu Zhengliu was quiet for a while before responding seriously, "I have a deep bond with my elder brother. He rendered my elder brother disabled; this debt, I must claim from him."
Shen Yinning skimmed the floating foam off her tea as she shot him a surprised glance.
She had thought Lu Zhengliu was targeting Lu Ying because of the Crown Prince position and his stance on Yan Country.
Unexpectedly, it was merely because Lu Ying had crippled Lu Shiyan’s legs years ago.
The realization sparked a thought in her, and she asked, "Deep down, you would rather not negotiate peace with Yan Country, would you?"
"Sister Shen," Lu Zhengliu forced a bitter smile, "anyone with a shred of passion and backbone would hate to seek peace with foreign nations, allowing them to gain an inch and take a mile. Although I loathe the peace talks, my father and noble consort mother are fully committed to them. Everything I possess comes from my father; I cannot disobey him. If I do, I lose my qualifications to compete with Lu Ying. How, then, could I avenge my brother? Sister Shen, I bear responsibilities on my shoulders, too."
Shen Yinning tried to empathize with his emotions.
For Lu Zhengliu, he had to choose between national enmity and familial hatred. He chose family, yet this choice brought him shame.
Lu Zhengliu steadily straightened and toyed with a peony flower.
It was something he had brought out from Noble Consort Zhang’s palace, its edges already showing signs of decay.
He didn’t solely detest negotiating peace with Yan Country, nor did he enjoy the treacherous intrigues of courtly schemes.
But his mother’s earnest teachings rang clear: if Lu Ying ascended the throne, not only would he lose forever the chance of revenge, but the world would no longer have a place for him and his brother. Escape was impossible; he had to win the Crown Prince position.
Back when his brother was still around, he could live freely as a carefree prince.
But his brother was gone; he had to continue down the path his brother left behind.
The night seeped through gauzy windows, soaking into the study.
Two palace lanterns burned out, deepening the darkness and mystery—objects’ outlines revealed faintly.
Shen Yinning’s phoenix-like eyes turned heavy, her voice barely audible. "If that’s your chosen path, I’ll help you."
Lu Zhengliu glanced towards her.
Night had descended too deeply.
He couldn’t discern Shen Yinning’s expression, but he sensed the dark malice and ambition spilling from her presence.
Shen Yinning murmured faintly, "My promise on the pleasure barge to form an alliance with you and Yan Zheming—it was all deceit. Now, at this moment, my vow is true: Lu Zhengliu, I will help you ascend to the supreme throne."
Lu Zhengliu asked, "In exchange for what?"
"I want the title of Grand Princess, the Jiangnan Ten Commanderies as a fief, the Red Book Iron Certificate, and the military power of two hundred thousand soldiers that Shen Yan must relinquish."
Lu Zhengliu looked at her, knowing she still hadn’t finished.
Shen Yinning’s vermilion lips curved into a smile, "And I want Lu Ying."
The study fell into extended silence.
Outside, the chirping of summer insects heightened the long night’s solitude.
The pomegranate blossoms’ shifting shadows refracted against the gauzy windows, embellishing Shen Yinning and Lu Zhengliu’s figures with their delicate dances, as though tiny flower spirits watched an animated shadow play.
Lu Zhengliu remarked, "I imagine Sister Shen already has a plan against him."
"I was an eyewitness when he assassinated Yan Zheming."
Lu Zhengliu’s heart skipped a beat.
His fingers curled tightly, the peony in his palm feeling as though it bore immeasurable weight.
Though he detested Yans, the thought of using this act against Lu Ying made him uneasy—after all, secretly, he was deeply satisfied with Lu Ying’s actions.
As though sensing his hesitation, Shen Yinning placed down her teacup. "And what about this? The Crown Prince, stealing the wife of his subject—does such a crime suffice?"