The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 62 - 61: Lu Ying Punishes Her for Shen Yunxi

Chapter 62: Chapter 61: Lu Ying Punishes Her for Shen Yunxi

Their gazes met.

Shen Yinning lifted her hem and walked forward coquettishly, fully enchanting in her demeanor: "I traveled to the Xiaokan Temple to pray for my father, brothers, and mother. By my count, it has been half a month since I’ve seen Your Highness. Day and night, I think of Your Highness. Do you miss me, Your Highness?"

As usual, she leaned against Lu Ying’s broad shoulder, seemingly boneless in her softness.

But before she could get close, she was stopped by the imperial guards dressed in black and gold.

Two guards rudely forced Shen Yinning down to her knees in front of the Interrogation Hall.

Shen Yinning raised her innocent little face, incredulous: "Brother Lu Ying, what is the meaning of this? Are you going to interrogate me?!"

De Sun approached, holding a tray: "Madam Shen, do you recognize these two items?"

On the tray lay a black sachet and some powdered incense.

Lu Ying’s cold gaze pierced her: "The black sachet was found hanging on the Crown Princess Consort’s bedframe. As for the powdered incense, it is the fragrance you specifically use to wash her garments. The Imperial Physician has confirmed that this incense carries a potent toxin, one that, over prolonged exposure, could lead to either lassitude or infertility in women. Shen Yinning, you infiltrated the Eastern Palace portraying weakness, yet schemed against the lineage of the Crown Princess Consort. How dare you?"

Shen Yinning appeared as though she’d just learned of this, staring dumbfounded at the items on the tray.

"Oh heavens!" She exaggeratedly covered her mouth with her hands, proclaiming, "Brother Lu Ying, I didn’t know the incense was so harmful! I only thought it smelled pleasant and decided to use it for my sister. Brother Lu Ying, I swear I never harbored any intention of harming her lineage!"

Lu Ying’s expression remained unflinching.

The evidence lay fully exposed before them, yet the woman still dared to defend herself with a straightforward lie.

Her beauty radiated gloriously even in the dim, oppressive dungeon, a Bright Pearl casting its alluring glow much like peonies blooming lavishly in late spring.

Her delicate features were so pitifully wronged that, had Lu Ying not intimately understood her nature and history, he might have believed her innocence.

In a measured tone, he said, "I’ve warned you time and again—don’t target the Crown Princess Consort, don’t overstep into the Eastern Palace. Yet you’ve treated my words as air. Shen Yinning, my patience has run dry."

He was the Crown Prince.

No woman on earth should dare defy his will or test his boundaries.

Especially not a woman who had betrayed him in the past.

Shen Yinning was far too unruly.

He said, "Rui Zhu."

Rui Zhu promptly stepped out of the corner: "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Take Shen Yinning under your supervision for now. I don’t want to see her challenging me again."

Rui Zhu’s face lit up with smug satisfaction as she hastily bowed: "Your servant understands!"

As Lu Ying turned to leave, Shen Yinning quickly grabbed the hem of his robe: "Brother Lu Ying, I already explained that I didn’t know the incense would cause infertility! Why won’t you believe me?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful and endearing.

Lu Ying lowered his gaze, his eyes icy and remote: "Do you understand that causing infertility to the Crown Princess Consort is a crime punishable by execution? That I’ve spared your life is already on account of our former ties. Shen Yinning, you should understand what mercy is."

With a cold flick of his robe, he extricated himself and swept out of the room without a backward glance.

Shen Yinning watched his figure disappear beyond the door, an internal conflict of emotions stirring deep within her heart.

In the end, Lu Ying’s punishment toward her was all for Shen Yunxi.

Shen Yunxi’s attempted harm to the royal heirs and the Eastern Palace concubines was something he could overlook.

But her causing Shen Yunxi’s infertility warranted this severe penalty.

Lu Ying—he truly adored Shen Yunxi to the bone...

While Shen Yinning was still immersed in her complicated feelings, Rui Zhu gloated: "Shen Yinning, you never thought you’d end up in my hands so soon, did you?"

Shen Yinning snapped back to reality, meeting Rui Zhu’s triumphantly gleaming eyes.

Even in chains and under someone’s control, Shen Yinning’s face betrayed no trace of fear.

She treated Rui Zhu like a plaything—no different from the way one plays with a dog.

With a challenging smirk, she teased Rui Zhu: "So what? I’ve already ruined the Crown Princess Consort’s ability to have heirs, yet the Crown Prince merely ordered you to supervise me rather than take my life. Doesn’t that say enough about my place in his heart?"

"You—" Rui Zhu jabbed her finger toward Shen Yinning’s face in rage. "What nonsense are you spewing?! The Crown Prince would only ever love a noble and dignified lady like the Crown Princess Consort, not someone like you—a low-born, lascivious child of a convict! You may have once been a well-read miss of the Duke Mansion, but your shamelessly seductive nature is beneath contempt. No wonder you managed to climb into His Highness’s bed! Today, I’ll discipline you properly on behalf of the Crown Princess Consort!"

Faced with Rui Zhu’s threatening tirade, Shen Yinning merely laughed.

Rui Zhu grew even more incensed: "Wretched woman! What are you laughing at?!"

Shen Yinning rose and brushed the dust off her dress.

Step by step, she approached Rui Zhu. Though merely a frail woman without a weapon, her very presence caused Rui Zhu to feel an inexplicable pain in her ears, instinctively retreating until she hit the cold, unyielding dungeon wall.

"Sister Rui Zhu..." Shen Yinning leaned close to Rui Zhu’s ear and whispered, "The fact that I managed to climb into His Highness’s bed is my unique talent. Sister Rui Zhu, since you’re fond of His Highness, why not try volunteering to do the same? Although it may sound unpleasant to others, the matter between men and women is nothing but mutual consent. What harm does it do to anyone else?"

Her voice was deliberately low, sweetly seductive, akin to a demon’s murmur in the dead of night.

The flickering candlelight danced its shadows upon them.

With her long lashes drooping seductively, Shen Yinning adjusted Rui Zhu’s hairpin with delicate precision: "His Highness, the Crown Prince, bears the duty of ensuring the empire’s legacy with a flourishing line of heirs. As it stands, His Highness still has no children, prompting repeated petitions from the court ministers admonishing him. I thought perhaps if Sister Rui Zhu could help His Highness bear progeny, wouldn’t that be even more dutiful than serving him as a hidden guard? Hence, Sister Rui Zhu offering herself to His Highness isn’t really for selfish gain—it’s for the empire’s greater good, securing His Highness’s position as Crown Prince."

Rui Zhu was stunned into speechlessness.

When she glanced up, Shen Yinning’s face was breathtakingly beautiful, close enough to steal her breath away. Every slight movement and controlled expression conveyed a cunning depth, giving the impression she was sincerely planning for Rui Zhu and His Highness’s futures.

Unconsciously, Rui Zhu swallowed hard.

Yes, anyone could be a hidden guard.

But bearing progeny for His Highness—that was a task not just anyone could fulfill.

No, her act of climbing into his bed wouldn’t be out of desire or infatuation.

It would be for the empire’s glory, for securing the lineage and political stability of the Crown Prince!

Rui Zhu straightened her back, newfound resolve igniting within her. She eagerly asked, "What should I do now?!"