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Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Punishment
Shen Yinning’s eyelids trembled slightly.
No wonder she felt someone watching her that night—it turned out to be Xue Ling...
He had actually told Lu Ying about her secret meeting with Cui Ji!
But she had just promised Lu Ying that she wouldn’t meet Cui Ji again!
She abruptly felt a chilling sense of oppression radiating from Lu Ying, so overwhelming it nearly suffocated her.
She slowly looked toward Lu Ying.
He was holding a porcelain cup, sipping tea with extraordinary grace and poise. Yet the sharp contours of his profile were cold and indifferent, his narrowed Dan Feng eyes seemingly concealing a storm. The deep black irises were like inky clouds pressing down on a fortress, ready to shatter it at any moment.
Recalling the torment this man was capable of inflicting, Shen Yinning’s delicate body shook violently beneath the layers of her gown.
Her eyes reddened, and with her soft, boneless little hand, she clutched at Lu Ying’s sleeve. "Lu Ying gege, I didn’t..."
Lu Ying ignored her.
He cast a frosty glance at Xue Ling. "Is the information about the hunting grounds reliable?"
"When has my information ever been wrong?" Xue Ling sneered lightly. "Since Noble Consort Zhang is intent on ensuring you don’t make it back alive, why should you show her any mercy? I happen to have a brilliant plan..."
"Speak."
"Your Highness might as well hunt a rare, exotic beast, then pack its belly full of explosives. When it’s brought back to camp, wait until the Emperor, Noble Consort Zhang, and the other princes and princesses gather near to admire it, and then..." Xue Ling’s laugh was laced with venomous excitement as he mimed an explosion, "’Boom’! The blast will paint the scene with blood, bits of flesh will rain down, and heads will roll—a spectacle of unparalleled beauty!"
Shen Yinning stared at Xue Ling.
He intended to commit regicide in the royal hunting grounds?
The Xue Family, descendants of founding heroes, had always been loyal, patriotic, and upright. Xue Shangshu had devoted his life to tireless service with honesty and integrity. Who could have imagined that such a rebellious and audacious heir would emerge from such a lineage!
But this scheme was clearly not going to pass under Lu Ying’s scrutiny.
He took a sip of tea. "Too vicious."
Xue Ling scoffed. "You’re just worried about how the historians will write about you, aren’t you, Your Highness?"
"If the name is not righteous, the words are not well-received; if the words are not well-received, the deeds fail. It’s not yet time to tear the facade apart. A legitimate path is the superior strategy."
"In that case, why not counterattack using their own methods? Noble Consort Zhang has arranged for ferocious beasts deep in the forest to ambush you tomorrow. Instead, lure her son, Lu Zhengliu, into the mountains. Prepare a few wolves, tigers, or leopards for him. If he survives, it’s his good fortune. If he dies, it’s his ill fate and has nothing to do with you. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice won’t be able to trace anything either."
Shen Yinning’s gaze grew thoughtful. Suddenly, she rolled up her sleeves and poured tea for Lu Ying. "When I was exiled to Gan State, I came across hunters who used a kind of powder. It’s scentless to humans but attracts wild beasts. If that powder were hidden in Prince Shen’s pouch and he ventured deep into the forest, the beasts would follow the scent and tear him to pieces."
Lu Ying glanced at her.
She was stunningly beautiful, but her words bore no pretense of kindness, only pure malice.
Xue Ling clapped his hands and laughed. "What a plan! Your Highness, doesn’t Lu Zhengliu have a concubine who is actually one of your people? Have her sew the pouch tonight and make sure Lu Zhengliu wears it first thing tomorrow!"
"I happen to know the ingredients for the powder," Shen Yinning knelt demurely beside Lu Ying like a docile little animal. "Your Highness, shall I write it down for Lord Xue?"
Lu Ying knew she was trying to win his favor now that she realized he knew about her meeting with Cui Ji.
He neither agreed nor refused, allowing Shen Yinning to head to the desk to write the formula for the powder.
Once Xue Ling received it, he tugged on Xue Mianmian’s arm. "Let’s go."
Xue Mianmian refused to leave.
She looked at Shen Yinning and Lu Ying uneasily.
With her and Xue Ling here, the Crown Prince couldn’t question Zhaozhao about her secret meeting.
If she and Xue Ling left, would Zhaozhao face the Crown Prince’s wrath?
She ventured a cautious plea, "Young Master, Zhaozhao and I haven’t seen each other in years. Can we hold a banquet tonight to welcome her back?"
Zhaozhao...
Xue Ling’s gaze swept disdainfully over Xue Mianmian.
She calls Shen Yinning so affectionately.
His eyes shifted to Shen Yinning.
Whatever he thought of, a dark glimmer of malice and amusement flickered in his pupils.
He sneered. "Xue Mianmian, do you not understand your role? A banquet for her? You, a mere servant, dare to demand such things? You belong to me, Xue Ling. Your indenture papers are signed; in this lifetime, you serve only me. Don’t try currying favor with others, be it women or men!"
Not giving Xue Mianmian a chance to argue, he yanked her away abruptly.
She could only follow helplessly, looking back at Shen Yinning with worry. Shen Yinning gave her a slight nod, signaling her not to worry.
Once the two left, the tent fell silent.
Shen Yinning knew she had to give Lu Ying an explanation for the matter with Cui Ji.
She bowed her head and said obediently, "Your Highness, please believe me. I wasn’t meeting Lord Cui in secret; it was just a coincidence."
Lu Ying’s gaze remained frigid.
That night on the Qixi Festival, he had thought this woman had changed. He had thought she truly cared for him.
He had even considered staying with her for a lifetime.
The wish she had written on the lantern—"Year after year, season after season, may the flowers bloom, the moon shine bright, and may Yinning and Ying reflect each other"—turns out it was just a lie to deceive him.
And yet he had softened his heart for her that night!
Lu Ying’s aura grew colder as he leaned in and gripped Shen Yinning’s chin, forcing her to lift her face.
Their eyes met. His expression was emotionless. "A coincidence? On the pleasure boat?"
Shen Yinning didn’t flinch, her voice soothing and tender. "It was a boat specifically for viewing lanterns, carrying many passengers. When I boarded, Lord Cui was already at the bow admiring the lights. I disembarked quickly, remembering the principle of propriety. Your Highness, please believe me. I treat all other men in this world with false courtesy and empty charm, but for you alone, my feelings are genuine and unwavering."
The golden candlelight shimmered in her eyes, casting a gentle and affectionate glow.
But Lu Ying did not believe her.
He released his hold.
Shen Yinning’s eyelashes quivered.
After a brief stalemate, she dutifully began removing her robes, piece by piece.
The storm brewing in Lu Ying’s gaze finally manifested, pinning Shen Yinning mercilessly against the desk.
Brushes, inkstones, and paper scattered across the floor.
A few droplets of ink splattered onto her snow-white skin, the black streaks merging with white to form a seductive mosaic, like bewitching patterns meant to ensnare the soul.
Not until the candle had burned halfway down did Lu Ying finally exhale a ragged sigh.
He withdrew, adjusted his attire, and noticed Shen Yinning lying in disarray against the desk, trembling all over.
He picked up a brush, dipped it in the ink that had splattered onto her skin, and casually wrote two characters on her back.
Shen Yinning, breathless, her enchanting phoenix eyes brimming with tears, tried to twist back to look. "Your Highness... what did you write?"
