The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 48: Can’t You Stay Away from Men?

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Can’t You Stay Away from Men?

Lu Ying replied coldly, "Is it not so?"

"Among those aware of last night’s plan, it’s just me and Xue Ling. Why does Your Highness suspect me alone and not Xue Ling? Besides, aside from her, I’m certain there are others who handled the sachet. Perhaps they betrayed us and informed Prince Shen instead?"

She spoke with conviction, her expression showing no hint of guilt.

Three years ago, Lu Ying would have believed her words.

But now, Lu Ying only believes his own judgment.

Without arguing further, he commanded the guards, "Bury Qing Liu."

Several guards collaborated to bury Qing Liu, erecting a gravestone for her.

Standing nearby, Shen Yinning watched, but suddenly two guards pinned her shoulders, forcing her to kneel before Qing Liu’s grave.

Lu Ying ordered, "Kneel and apologize to Qing Liu."

Shen Yinning refused to kneel.

She broke free from the guards’ grip and protested, "I am blameless! Why should I kneel and apologize?! If Your Highness suspects me of betrayal, at least present some evidence!"

"Evidence? You dare demand evidence from me?" Lu Ying’s eyes gleamed like cold steel. "Shen Yinning, do you take me for blind—in sight and in heart? Even if you couldn’t act directly, instructing Cui Ji to betray us on your behalf would be effortless. Qing Liu had never even met you, yet you ruthlessly exposed her as a spy and condemned her to death. Shen Yinning, your heart is truly venomous!"

His mother had passed early, leaving him uncherished within the palace.

Having endured the agonizing taste of loneliness and helplessness, he cherished those loyal to him from a young age.

Among them was Qing Liu.

Shen Yinning could ascend to the heavens or dive into the depths of the abyss, but harming those closest to him—was absolutely intolerable!

Shen Yinning raised her sleeve to cover half her face, tearfully protesting, "Even the Ministry of Justice requires evidence to convict. Your Highness condemns me without proof; I refuse to accept this injustice!"

Lu Ying abruptly grabbed her face and lifted it.

Their eyes locked, his expression void of emotion as he pronounced each word with precision: "Qing Liu was to me what Cui Ji is to you. Shen Yinning, you may choose not to apologize to Qing Liu today, but I cannot promise that Cui Ji will return alive to the capital."

"Cui Ji is a rare talent for statecraft and governance. Would Your Highness truly, without witness or proof, execute the nation’s pillars for the sake of an unresolved accusation?"

"I do admire Cui Ji. But now, his master has killed someone dear to me. If I cannot protect those beside me, how can I govern and safeguard the empire in the future? Speak of items of proof and witnesses all you like, Shen Yinning—your cruel heart knows no limits, you can do anything you set your mind to; what proof do we truly need?"

The mountain wind inflated Shen Yinning’s wide sleeves and flowing skirt, her slender waist appearing delicate and fragile.

Her face streamed with tears as she stared in disbelief at Lu Ying, her devastation at his mistrust all but shattering her.

She shook her head slowly, then stepped backward before suddenly kneeling before the gravestone.

Her knees hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Lu Ying’s face subtly shifted, his hand clenched tightly by his side.

Rising immediately afterward, Shen Yinning choked out angrily, "Are you satisfied now?!"

Lu Ying’s deep, dark eyes swept her knees discreetly before returning to her tear-streaked face.

He couldn’t tell if Shen Yinning knelt to apologize to Qing Liu—or to save Cui Ji.

If it were for the latter...

To think that someone so proud would willingly kneel for Cui Ji.

She was kind to Lu Shiyan, and kind to Cui Ji as well.

She was kind to every man.

Except him...

—She had once said: Being with him made her feel utterly revolted. The Crown Prince is nothing but taciturn and dull; he could never compare to Shiyuan’s charming companionship.

To her, was Lu Ying nothing more than filth?

Hatred surged within Lu Ying: "Why did you betray us to Lu Zhengliu? Do you fear something happening to him? Tell me, Shen Yinning—have you secretly gotten involved with Lu Zhengliu now? How depraved and shameless can you be, that you cannot resist clinging to another man?"

"I didn’t betray anyone! Though I indeed resented Your Highness making me clean shoes for my sister and envied Your Highness’ favoritism toward her, I have always carried a Bodhisattva’s compassion in my heart! I knew that Miss Liu was doomed from the start and should never have been caught up in such schemes!"

Shen Yinning wept even as she spoke.

After a while, she wiped away her tears, her voice sorrowful yet seemingly self-reassuring: "I deeply love Your Highness. How could I obstruct Your Highness’ grand ambitions? Fine... fine... If jealousy is the issue, then I shall never be jealous again, no matter if Your Highness asks me to clean shoes and wash clothes for my sister—I wouldn’t dare utter a single complaint..."

Her tear-streaked face looked fragile and stunning, like a peony glistening with dew under twilight.

Delicate and pitiful, yet brimming with sincerity.

Lu Ying’s hand behind his back tightened slightly.

Jealousy...

Could Shen Yinning, a woman like her, truly feel jealous about him and Shen Yunxi?

Lu Ying remained skeptical: "If I ordered you to serve the Crown Princess Consort herself, would you obey?"

"If that could prove my innocence to Your Highness, I would gladly obey!"

"Then from today forward, you shall be responsible for cleaning the Crown Princess Consort’s shoes and washing her clothes for one full month."

Shen Yinning inhaled sharply in grievance, her voice faintly trembling from suppressed anger as she curtsied gracefully: "I obey, Your Highness."

When her gaze dropped, hidden sharpness glittered in her eyes.

The sachet placed in Shen Yunxi’s quarters last time had too slow an effect. Should the palace maids discard it, the effort would be wasted.

Better to wash Shen Yunxi’s clothing with that fragrant powder—ensuring it touches her skin daily. That way, the effect would be rapid. Within a month, Shen Yunxi would surely abandon any hope of bearing a child.

Using Xue Ling’s accusations as a diversion, Shen Yinning had carefully maneuvered her way into this position for this moment.

Even if this plot backfires...

She thought of her safety net in the capital—a protector who wouldn’t let her perish.

The Empress Dowager, guilt-ridden over her role in her late mother’s demise, could be leveraged to spare her from Lu Ying’s wrath...

Lu Ying handed Shen Yinning a thin human-skin mask, making it easier for her to appear unnoticed before Shen Yunxi.

Wearing the mask and dressed as a palace maid from the Eastern Palace, Shen Yinning returned to the encampment.

Under Nanny Chen’s watchful eye, Shen Yinning began washing clothes for Shen Yunxi.

When Nanny Chen noticed her sprinkling powder into the wooden basin, she demanded sharply, "What is that?!"

Shen Yinning, disinclined to hand wash, stirred the clothes with a wooden stick and replied cheerfully, "Nanny may not know—this is a special powder for laundering clothes. Women in Gan State favor it greatly. It not only cleans the garments thoroughly but also keeps them fragrant all day long."

Nanny Chen shot her a peculiar look.

In all her years of experience, she’d never seen someone so happy to wash clothes for a supposed rival.

Still, assuming Shen Yinning wouldn’t dare attempt foul play in her presence, she decided not to pursue the matter further.

That night.

Lu Ying stationed Shen Yinning inside the encampment to serve tea and maintain the lamps during the night.

He wanted her to directly witness how he showered his favor upon Shen Yunxi.