Chapter 433: Chapter 431: Make Her Seduce Only Him
Clearly, this child is Cui Ji’s, and has nothing to do with Lu Ying.
But Lu Jiazhe inexplicably felt uneasy, not daring to call Cui Ji "adoptive father" anymore: "No... it’s nothing..."
Lu Ying cast a glance at the wet nurse.
The wet nurse understood immediately, quickly stepped forward to take the baby from him, not allowing Lu Jiazhe to keep running around holding the child.
Lu Jiazhe backed away to Wen Liluo’s side. Noticing the mocking glint in the young lady’s eyes, he coughed lightly, feigning nonchalance: "You wouldn’t understand. My royal elder brother has a bad temper and likes chopping off heads, so I usually just try to stay out of his way..."
Wen Liluo snorted softly, puffing up with pride and decidedly ignoring him.
Huo Mingxu showed up too.
He loved the bustle, yet ironically had no friends in the Capital, so whenever there was a banquet or gathering, he always liked to pop in and have a look.
He held a wooden box in his hands: "My elder sister sent me here. This is her congratulatory gift for the Commandery Princess."
Inside the box was a rattle drum.
Though not particularly valuable, it was exquisitely crafted and perfectly suited to Huo Mingyan’s frugal and diligent reputation in the harem.
Shen Yinning toyed with it for a moment, then said leisurely, "Please trouble Young Master Huo to thank Her Majesty Empress on my behalf."
Her voice was soft and radiant, with a sweet lingering tone that reminded Huo Mingxu of the red bean paste cakes he had once tasted in the Capital.
Unable to resist, he raised his eyes to look at her.
There was a saying from the elderly in the Central Plains: once women have children, they turn into haggard housewives.
But Huo Mingxu felt inexplicably that Shen Yinning was far from unattractive—in fact, she was even more stunning than before she had given birth. She seemed surrounded by a warm, soft radiance, with delicate beauty like a freshly bloomed hibiscus flower, vibrant and alluring, like a brilliant sun.
His earlobes flushed quietly and turned red.
He didn’t dare look longer, dropping his gaze and stammering, "No... no need for thanks..."
Shen Yinning took note of his subtle expressions.
She shook the rattle drum, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes, and said softly, "I heard Young Master Huo and Her Majesty Empress both come from outside the border. I’ve always dreamed about the scenery beyond the borders. If Young Master has free time, might you talk to me about the interesting things over there?"
Huo Mingxu froze, staring at her dumbly.
Though he knew there seemed to be an ambiguous connection between this woman before him and his brother-in-law, he still couldn’t help but chatter: "You actually like hearing about those things? The young ladies in the Capital usually don’t care for such topics; I thought the Commandery Princess wouldn’t like them either, I—"
Lu Ying interrupted him: "Finished your work at the government office yet?"
Huo Mingxu held an idle position in the Ministry of War.
But the officials there didn’t particularly care for him, so he disliked staying around and mostly just showed up to check in before leaving.
Facing Lu Ying’s sudden reprimand, he scratched his head awkwardly: "Brother-in-law, there’s nothing for me to do at the Ministry of War!"
"Your placement in the Ministry of War was arranged by your uncle. His intent was for you to gain experience, not to loaf around and idle your days," Lu Ying said coldly, hands clasped behind his back, his stern expression commanding respect. "Why aren’t you heading back to the government office now?"
Huo Mingxu: "..."
Just like Lu Jiazhe, he was intimidated by Lu Ying and didn’t dare linger. After bowing respectfully to Shen Yinning, he reluctantly left.
Shen Yinning glanced at Lu Ying with an almost imperceptible smile before turning to attend to other guests.
Lu Ying clenched his hands behind his back tighter.
But his gaze remained fixed on Shen Yinning’s departing figure.
She had clearly understood Huo Mingxu’s budding adolescent feelings; not only did she make no attempt to avoid them, she even deliberately provoked him in front of Lu Ying.
Perhaps Huo Mingxu lacked the experience to understand, but Lu Ying certainly knew all too well—that vixen’s earlier words had been calculated and deliberate flirting.
Flirtation, orchestrated intentionally right before his eyes. Her true intent was practically self-evident.
She was doing it on purpose, deliberately making him uncomfortable...
A surge of hostility welled up in Lu Ying’s heart.
A beast inside his chest stirred restlessly, almost yearning to lock this woman—who seemed determined to flirt and stir trouble everywhere—away in a caged prison, forcing her to keep her heart and mind completely fixed on him alone, seducing only him.
He drew a deep breath. Thinking of what was set to occur later, he tempered the wildness within him and barely managed to restrain his restlessness.
Just before the banquet began, Xue Mianmian arrived slightly late.
She entered accompanied by Guan Songyuan.
She was still officially his wife in name.
From the moment Guan Songyuan stepped into Chengxi Palace, his gaze was drawn to Lu Ying in the distance. After only brief greetings with Shen Yinning, he rushed over eagerly to pay his respects to Lu Ying.
Xue Mianmian didn’t dare look directly at Shen Yinning, keeping her head bowed as she presented her gift: "Zhaozhao..."
Two sets of hand-sewn floral quilts, and two golden bracelets.
Shen Yinning glanced at her newly styled married woman’s coiffure, her smile not quite reaching her eyes: "Oh, I was wondering who it might be. Turns out it’s Lady Xue."
She deliberately elongated her tone.
Xue Mianmian’s eyes reddened immediately, looking as if she were about to weep.
Shen Yinning’s heart softened, and she reached out to take her hand, guiding her outside the hall.
She pulled out a handkerchief and began dabbing at Xue Mianmian’s tears: "What are you crying for? Clearly it was you who refused to invite me to your wedding banquet. If anything, it’s you who bullied me. But if others see your crying, they’ll think it’s me who bullied you instead."
"I’m sorry..."
Xue Mianmian choked out, wrapping her arms around Shen Yinning tightly.
"I know what you’re worried about. You fear I disdain Guan Songyuan, that I might break up your marriage and leave you trapped in the Xue Family, forced to face Xue Ling day in and day out," Shen Yinning analyzed carefully. "I can set aside my concerns about Guan Songyuan’s character. Tell me this—after your month of marriage, has he treated you well?"
Xue Mianmian wiped the teardrops from her chin: "On my wedding day, Xue Ling caused a scandal on the street, making a spectacle for everyone in the city. My parents were furious; my father whipped him soundly and shut him in the ancestral hall to reflect on his behavior. The Guan Family didn’t make a fuss, and my husband still proceeded with the formal rites with me. However..."
"However?"
"However..." Xue Mianmian’s round almond eyes revealed a hint of bitterness. "However, my husband refuses to touch me. It’s been a full month since we married, and he hasn’t laid a finger on me. Zhaozhao, he must already know about my scandal with Xue Ling and clearly despises me for not being chaste! He spends his nights in the study every single time. Each time I ask him about it, he claims to be preparing for the imperial civil service exam, yet I’ve clearly seen my mother-in-law send two beautiful maids in and out of his study. Now that the exam is over, he still..."
The young woman hesitated, her words faltering.
Having just wiped her tears a moment ago, she was now once again on the verge of weeping.
Shen Yinning fell silent for a time.
After a while, she asked, "What do you intend to do about it?"
Before Xue Mianmian could respond, a mocking laugh suddenly rang out not far away.
Both women turned their gaze toward the source.
Xue Ling stood there dressed in a crimson archer’s embroidered robe, a narrow belt emphasizing his slim waist and broad shoulders, his tall frame accentuated by a green silk ribbon binding his high ponytail. His pair of peach blossom eyes held a trace of ridicule as he stood with arms folded, his posture resembling a towering, elegant tree.
At a single glance, Xue Mianmian immediately bowed her head deeply, mutely hiding behind Shen Yinning.
"What are you hiding for?" Xue Ling bit his thin lips with sharp teeth and stepped forward, his leather boots landing one by one as he climbed the stairs. "Afraid I’ll eat you alive? Or scared I’ll ruin your happy marriage?"
The scars from dozens of lashes had only recently healed.
The early spring air was bleak, the sky dreary.
His face, pale as ever, carried a sickly pallor; closer up, one could see the dark circles beneath his eyes, adding to his worn-out expression.
Xue Mianmian clung tightly to Shen Yinning’s sleeve, keeping her head bowed low and retreating even further.