CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 130 SHEN YINNING, IT’S LONELY

Cui Ji lowered his gaze, took two steps back, and cupped his hands towards Shen Yinning: "I promised you that I would make Zhang Cuichun confess and face justice. I didn’t expect the Shen Family to brazenly go to the Ministry of Justice to assassinate the witness. I have failed to alleviate your worries, Madam. It’s my incompetence."

Snow drifted between them, like a sea of pear blossoms.

Shen Yinning brushed away the fine snow on her brows and lashes, not missing the murderous intent in Lu Ying’s eyes.

She said, "Indeed, quite incompetent."

Even though her tone was soft and charming, at this moment, it fell into Cui Ji’s ears colder than snowflakes.

Shen Yinning took off the cloak draped over her shoulders, hooking it with two fingers: "Despite my hardships, I am favored by the Crown Prince and have not suffered much grievance over the years. My food, clothing, and necessities were always top-notch, whether in Gan State or in the Capital. A cloak of cotton fabric like Lord Cui’s, even my maids would look down upon, let alone me? If Lord Cui wishes to show kindness and pity, he should weigh his own worth, so as not to be looked down upon or made a laughingstock."

When she finished speaking, she released her hand.

The thick and warm cloak immediately fell into the snow.

Much like Cui Ji’s dignity and face.

Shen Yinning turned: "Aze, let’s go."

"Hey!"

Lu Jiazhe responded with a cheerful grin and followed her.

On the flower path, only Lu Ying, Xue Ling, and Cui Ji remained.

Xue Ling looked at the two with great interest.

Cui Ji bent down, picked up the deep blue cotton cloak from the snow, slowly brushed off the snow, and put it back on.

He didn’t earn much in a year’s salary, and this cloak was newly made a few days ago at the tailor’s, costing five taels of patterned silver.

Things were expensive in the Capital, and he had never worn such costly clothing.

He didn’t know if Shen Yinning was angry due to fear of Lu Ying, or because he failed to make Zhang Cuichun confess, or perhaps both.

But it was undoubtedly true that compared to Lu Ying, he was incompetent.

Today, he had let Madam Shen down.

As he was about to bid farewell to Lu Ying, Lu Ying suddenly spoke: "That young lady has always favored rare and precious things. The white fox fur she wore today was a gift I gave her before winter, worth three thousand taels of patterned silver, but due to Lu Qianqian’s framing and slandering, she discarded it outright. A person nurtured in luxury like that wouldn’t fancy Lord Cui’s cotton cloak. Such extravagance is because I have spoiled her too much. She disgraced Lord Cui today, I apologize on her behalf."

Cui Ji clenched his knuckles.

The Crown Prince was usually taciturn.

Even in court, he had never spoken so many words at once.

And every word was taunting his poverty and destitution.

They say the current Crown Prince is calm and upright, benevolent and caring for the people, yet those officials would probably never imagine that Lu Ying could have such a harsh side.

Cui Ji looked at Lu Ying.

But it was merely because he was born to a noblewoman that he could have the prominent status of a Prince, growing up in the richly adorned palace. On what grounds did he look down on him?

He stood in the snow, neither humble nor arrogant: "I have no wife or concubines, and in this life, I have never loved any other woman. Even if Madam Shen blames me, I have no complaints. Three years in Gan State, Madam Shen treated me with grace as heavy as a mountain. In this life, I am willing to repay her even with my life."

Three years in Gan State...

These four words seemed to touch Lu Ying’s raw nerves.

He knew nothing of Shen Yinning’s three years in Gan State, nor did he know she corresponded with Lu Shiyan far away in Jiangnan during those years!

She could even entice Lu Shiyan thousands of miles away, let alone Cui Ji who was close at hand!

Who knew what had happened between her and Cui Ji!

Lu Ying approached Cui Ji step by step until he stood before him.

The heavy snow began to fall.

His expression was colder and more daunting than the swirling wind and snow, the black narrow eyes on the verge of losing control: "Shen Yinning belongs to me."

Alive or dead, she was his.

That woman could only be Lu Ying’s possession!

The cold wind blew against Cui Ji’s robe: "I wish to compete fairly with Your Highness."

"Compete fairly?"

Lu Ying retorted, suddenly bursting into laughter.

The laughter echoed in the wind and snow, filled with mockery and dominance.

It was as if the superior tore off the facade of being calm and upright, using an aloof posture to boldly ridicule the inferior’s overestimation of their abilities.

Finally finished laughing, Lu Ying said slowly: "Why should I compete fairly with you for something I can obtain with power? The woman you revere as a distant goddess is just a plaything in my hands. In front of me, she comes and goes as summoned, more obedient than a dog."

Cui Ji suddenly clenched his hands tightly, the bones creaking in the howling cold wind.

Lu Ying hooked his lips slightly, turning around and disappearing into the wind and snow with Xue Ling.

In the distance, in front of a stone wall, Shen Yinning sneezed: "Who is cursing me behind my back?"

Lu Jiazhe looked back, seeing no sign of Lu Ying, he dared to take off his cloak and wrap it around Shen Yinning’s shoulders: "Goodness, Cui Ji is quite bold. Even I don’t dare to drape a cloak over you in front of the Emperor brother, but he dares... He’s not afraid the Emperor brother would kill him! Did Sister Shen notice Emperor brother’s gaze just now? Truly frightening!"

"Lu Ying, that scoundrel, is adept at pretending, appearing upright and virtuous while secretly doing things like fratricide and coveting others’ wives." Shen Yinning mockingly remarked, "However, whether he is just and virtuous or treacherously evil, in the end, he’s merely a steppingstone for me to climb higher."

"Does Sister Shen dislike the Emperor brother?"

"I like him, surely. I like his status as Crown Prince, the power he holds, I like how he belittles me repeatedly yet can’t abandon me because of his foolish affections."

The beauty smiled brightly, in this era where people favored oval faces, she possessed an exquisitely sharp oval face that stunningly achieved a beauty that could captivate a nation, as if every man under the skies should kneel at her pomegranate skirt.

As they were speaking, Lian Ye hurried over: "This maid greets the Princely Heir! Madam Shen, my Lady says that the wind and snow outside are increasing, making it difficult for the carriage to move. She invites you to stay in the mansion for a night, and return to the Gao Family tomorrow when the weather clears. The guest room is already prepared, with bedding and stoves ready. We request that you do not refuse my Lady’s gracious offer."

Shen Yinning had long anticipated this; since she embarrassed Shen Yunxi today, it wouldn’t be easy to leave.

She was unafraid and smiled, saying, "Please convey to Her Ladyship that I thank her for her hospitality."

Shen Yinning was left to stay overnight at the Duke Mansion, and naturally, Lu Ying stayed as well.

Shen Xinghan seized the opportunity, sent Shen Yunxi away, and specifically had Shen Xinya dressed beautifully to deliver a midnight snack to Lu Ying.

Lu Jiazhe deliberately led Shen Yunxi to catch them in the act, infuriating Shen Yunxi, who immediately smashed the bowl of soup Shen Xinya was holding and began an unrestrained uproar.

Lu Jiazhe was thoroughly entertained and secretly went to find Shen Yinning, informing her of the Shen siblings’ brawl.

Shen Yinning had already bathed.

She, in front of a bronze mirror, brushed her raven hair to one side: "Aze, go tell Lu Ying that I fear my uncle and aunt, and I wish to see him. If he doesn’t come, say I have a chest pain and must see him."

Lu Jiazhe eagerly did as told, and in less than half an hour, Lu Ying came to Shen Yinning’s guest room.

The Bamboo Grove surrounding the guest room was serene and elegant in the snowy night.

Lu Ying paused, inside a dim light glowed, soft zither music wafted from behind the window.

Gui Quan, holding a horsetail whisk, whispered behind Lu Ying: "It’s ’Ancient Love Song,’ it must be Madam Shen missing Your Highness."

Lu Ying, carrying the wind and snow, pushed the door open and entered.