The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 67 - 66: What else are you hiding from me?

Chapter 67: Chapter 66: What else are you hiding from me?

Lu Ying flipped a page of the Buddhist scripture. "Since the Empress Dowager wants this grandson to guess, it must be someone this grandson knows. Her surname is Shen... Could it be Shen Yinning? This grandson remembers she went to Xiaokan Temple last month."

His tone was calm, but a ripple appeared in his eyes.

So, Shen Yinning’s calligraphy is actually this beautiful.

But she deliberately hid her talent, pretending her handwriting was ugly in front of him.

She deceived him once again.

He should not have softened his heart and allowed Xue Mianmian to visit her in the Shen Garden.

Empress Dowager Li nodded. "Indeed. When I saw her at Xiaokan Temple, I noticed she had become much more composed and dignified compared to three years ago. The Shen Family’s treason ultimately had nothing to do with her; she was merely implicated by her father and brothers. Back then, she was such a proud noble lady, destined to be the mother of a nation, yet who would have thought that she would end up marrying a minor Eighth Rank official? Such a pitiable child."

Lu Ying’s expression remained impassive.

But inwardly, he sneered.

Dignified?

He couldn’t see where Shen Yinning could possibly be considered dignified.

"Jingwei," Empress Dowager Li suddenly called out to him, "I’ve heard her mention that you summoned her in private. I know how you felt about her in the past, so let me ask you plainly today—do you still have those feelings for her now?"

Her grandson had been so infatuated with Shen Yinning in his youth.

Everyone thought that his marriage to Shen Yinning had been arranged through deliberations between the Emperor and Shen Zhi, but she knew the truth. The marriage had occurred because he had secretly pulled strings, forcing his father to bestow the union.

It was just that this grandson of hers rarely showed his hand openly. He was like a gourd with its mouth sealed shut—no one could discern his true feelings. People simply assumed that his marriage to Shen Yinning was a conventional arrangement of parental matchmaking, even Shen Yinning herself.

Lu Ying said indifferently, "The past is murky and irretrievable. Empress Dowager, there is no need to bring up bygones. This grandson has already married the Crown Princess Consort. What ties I had with Madam Shen are severed, never to be revisited."

The Empress Dowager gazed at him.

Having lived in the harem for so many years, having seen countless shrewd minds, how could she not perceive Lu Ying’s subtle emotions?

She suspected there must be some misunderstanding between Lu Ying and Shen Yinning for them to grow so estranged.

Still, as long as Shen Yinning remained alive, whether there was a misunderstanding or not was not her concern to resolve.

She lightly stroked the tea lid, elegantly blowing on the tea soup. "I heard that ever since Zhaozhao returned to the capital from Xiaokan Temple, the Crown Prince summoned her to the Shen Garden, and she has not been seen since."

"So, the Empress Dowager has already arranged for an investigation." Lu Ying closed the Buddhist scripture. "Since you already know, why bother testing me repeatedly? Isn’t it easier to just ask me for her?"

"The late Madam Shen and I were once close friends in our youth. Now that her granddaughter has fallen into hard times, of course I have an obligation to extend a helping hand. Jingwei, you mustn’t bully her!"

...

By the time Lu Ying returned to Shen Garden from the Cining Palace, it was dusk.

He stepped into a secret chamber with a lantern in hand and saw Shen Yinning curled up on the bed, her neck shackled by an iron chain, her clothing in tatters as she slept.

Perhaps his footsteps startled her, for she quickly sat up. "Lu Ying, my dear brother?"

Lu Ying lit the candles and threw the scroll of Buddhist scripture at her.

Shen Yinning lowered her gaze to the scripture.

The fact that this scroll made its way into Lu Ying’s hands affirmed that Empress Dowager Li had already had words with him.

She was about to be released.

She picked up the scripture, with no trace of guilt or unease at having her lies exposed, her smile dazzling as a blossom. "This is a scripture I transcribed myself. How did it end up in dear brother Lu Ying’s possession? It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching; only then could I develop such fine penmanship."

Lu Ying stared at her.

She smiled at him, her delicate face unadorned yet breathtakingly beautiful. Her charming, upturned phoenix eyes were full of flattery, as though he was her entire world.

He enunciated each word slowly. "Other than your handwriting, what else are you hiding from me?"

Their gazes locked.

Shen Yinning suddenly loosened the thin blanket around her, stepping down from the bed with composure and approaching him slowly. "Standing right here before you, my lord, what could I possibly still be concealing?"

Halting in front of Lu Ying, she tilted her head upward, her gaze tender and affectionate. "My lord, I love you with all my being. My body and soul belong entirely to you."

As if afraid he would doubt her words, she clasped his large hand tightly and pressed it against the spot over her heart.

Lu Ying’s eyes darkened.

Had this been three years ago, hearing these words from Shen Yinning would have left him overjoyed and sleepless with excitement.

But now...

As he looked at Shen Yinning, every word she spoke seemed laughable to him.

Shen Yinning was the most beautiful woman in the world, and also the most deceitful.

He resolved never to believe her again.

He gripped her chin, leaning down to whisper into her ear. "Don’t think that aligning yourself with the Empress Dowager guarantees your safety. Shen Yinning, you should know that the one who controls your fate is me."

"I know, dear brother Lu Ying."

The young woman smiled like a blooming flower and stood on tiptoe to kiss his thin lips.

A beauty in his arms, fragrant and soft.

Lu Ying held the back of her head, taking control as he deepened the kiss.

He pushed Shen Yinning against the wall.

Their garments slipped loose.

No hesitation, no restraint.

The next day, Shen Yinning was released from the Mountain Moon Residence.

As Haitang attended to her grooming, she whispered, "Miss Ruizhu came twice to ask when you plan on helping her win the Crown Prince’s heart."

Shen Yinning admired the crimson polish on her nails.

Ruizhu really overestimated her; she couldn’t even manage Lu Ying herself, how could she possibly help someone else capture his heart?

A trace of cold disdain flitted across her phoenix eyes. She said leisurely, "Go tell Ruizhu that I’ve prepared a few dishes and plan to invite her to dine at Shen Garden tonight."

After a pause, her smile grew even more dazzling and seductive. "Then send someone to inform Shen Yunxi that the Crown Prince will be having a secret rendezvous tonight with a beauty at Shen Garden."