The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 90 - 89: Openly and Secretly Meeting

Chapter 90: Chapter 89: Openly and Secretly Meeting

Shen Xinglei’s tone softened somewhat: "Miaoniang, you know that my marriage to Xue Qingqing was arranged by my parents. Marrying her is meant to form a strong alliance with the Minister’s Mansion, which will benefit my career. Since she has not yet entered the household, I naturally need to devote more attention to her."

"Husband, I am not blaming you. I understand that Miss Xue is of higher birth than me. After all, I am just the daughter of a hunter. My father died saving you, and I have no one to rely on for the rest of my life—except you. If you do well, then Brother Fan and I will also be able to live well."

"Miaoniang, you are truly understanding. Rest assured, even if I marry Xue Qingqing, the only ones who matter to me are you and Brother Fan. In my heart, Xue Qingqing has always just been a tool to appease my parents. The three of us are the real family."

Sun Miaoniang was moved and threw herself into Shen Xinglei’s arms: "Husband!"

"Miaoniang!"

Seeing that there was no one around, Shen Xinglei lowered his head, cupped Sun Miaoniang’s face, and kissed her, causing Sun Miaoniang to make a series of sounds that could make one blush and avert their gaze.

Shen Yinning raised an eyebrow.

She had been worried that Shen Xinglei’s marriage to the Minister’s Mansion would solidify her uncle’s family’s position in the Capital. But unexpectedly, Shen Xinglei had handed her leverage himself.

For an ordinary family’s son to sire an illegitimate child before marriage was rare enough, let alone for families like the Duke Mansion and Minister’s Mansion.

If Chief of Staff Xue were to learn that Shen Xinglei had already fathered a son with a border woman, there was no way he would let Xue Qingqing marry him.

Shen Xinglei and Sun Miaoniang were intimate for a moment longer before finally parting.

Sun Miaoniang leaned into Shen Xinglei’s arms and softly asked, "Did you give that medicine to Miss Xue?"

"Don’t worry, I mixed the medicine into her tea and personally watched her drink it all."

"That’s good. That medicine was bought from the barefoot doctor in my village. It’s said that if a woman takes it regularly, within half a year her body will be ruined and she’ll never be able to bear children again. Husband, I am not being cruel to Miss Xue; I’m only considering Brother Fan’s future. If she were to bear a son in the future, there would be no place for Brother Fan in the Duke Mansion."

"You’re absolutely right. Brother Fan is the fruit of our love, and he must not be treated as an illegitimate son. Once her third year of barrenness passes, I will bring Brother Fan into the household, claiming him as an adopted child, and have her raise him on her knee. By then, even if Xue Qingqing has failed to bear a child, I won’t divorce her, and she will surely be touched and grateful to me. She will also treat Brother Fan with care. She’s well-educated and certainly capable of training Brother Fan well. When Brother Fan has learned all he can from her, I’ll marry you as an equal wife and let you reclaim Brother Fan as his natural mother."

"Husband, you are so good to us, mother and son..."

"You are my heart and soul. If I don’t treat you and Brother Fan well, who else would I treat well? Now, it’s getting cold at night; go back quickly. Once I’m finished here, I’ll return to be with you and Brother Fan."

The two reluctantly parted ways.

Behind the tree, Shen Yinning spoke softly, "An illegitimate child before marriage, and plotting to ruin Miss Xue’s body—this cousin of mine is truly skilled."

Lu Ying commented indifferently, "And haven’t you also plotted against the Crown Princess Consort’s body? What’s the difference between you and Shen Xinglei?"

"I... I am naturally different from him..." Shen Yinning faltered slightly, but she did not forget the purpose of her visit tonight. "Back to the point—on the matter of Chief Xue, will His Highness help me or not?"

Lu Ying said, "Haven’t you already acquired the leverage to make Xue Ling help you?"

Shen Yinning suddenly recalled that Xue Qingqing was Xue Ling’s younger sister. If she were to tell Xue Ling that his younger sister had been drugged by Shen Xinglei to destroy her fertility, Xue Ling would certainly owe her a favor and naturally step forward to help her.

But Shen Xinglei was Lu Ying’s brother-in-law. Would he tolerate her deliberately sabotaging Shen Xinglei’s marriage?

Shen Yinning quickly remembered, however, that Lu Ying was the Crown Prince.

The Shen Family was forging alliances everywhere; in the future, their power and influence would pose a threat to royal authority.

Destroying Shen Xinglei’s marriage to the Minister’s Mansion was all benefit and no harm to Lu Ying.

He was first and foremost the Crown Prince, and second only a man who cared for Shen Yunxi.

"Oh."

In the darkness, a light scoff suddenly sounded.

Shen Yinning turned toward the sound and saw Xue Ling standing on the steps not far away, looking over mockingly: "His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Shen truly have an enjoyable time. The Crown Princess Consort is still seated inside, yet here you are flagrantly meeting in secret. Aren’t you afraid of being caught?"