CHAPTER 251: CHAPTER 249: SHE PROBABLY MISSES HER BROTHER, RIGHT?

Shen Yinning also couldn’t understand: "We can only wait until we capture Qian Duobao in the future to question everything carefully."

"Speaking of Qian Duobao, didn’t I seize over ten thousand jin of new tea from his convoy last time? Last night, Lu Ying’s men were busy searching the garden, presumably for those tea leaves. Hmph, fortunately I followed your advice and sent that batch of tea to the docks. They searched in vain! This time going to Jiangnan, I not only want to ensure that Lu Ying—the hypocrite—doesn’t find the tea, but also make sure he never returns! Even though I am far away in Jiangnan, I know that the current Emperor favors Lu Zhengliu to ascend as Crown Prince. Even if Lu Ying were to die in Jiangnan, I imagine no one would pursue the matter!"

The breeze brushed through the falling pear blossoms.

Shen Yinning brushed aside a low-hanging branch of pear blossoms from in front of her: "Lu Zhengliu ascending as Crown Prince benefits Lu Shiyan the most, not my oath brother. My oath brother commands the wealth and troops of the bountiful Jiangnan region; surely he harbors ambitions of his own?"

Luo Xibai froze.

Shen Yinning glanced at him, her voice gentle and unhurried: "The shifting tides of the world, when united they divide, when divided they unite again. Regime changes have always been commonplace. My oath brother is a heaven-sent hero, a true man; how could someone of his caliber be content to idle away in Jiangnan without striving for power in the north, without conquering the lands on horseback?"

Her words stirred Luo Xibai’s blood. In his mind, a grand image of himself commanding armies on the battlefield formed.

Suddenly, Shen Yinning kneeled gracefully, her tone pitiful and delicate: "Oath brother, I have been fought over and abused by the Lu Family brothers since I was young. Now, my father and brother have suffered tragedy, leaving me as a helpless orphan. Those two have become even more audacious in bullying me. But I don’t like them. I only admire a true hero like my oath brother. I know that whether it is Lu Ying or Lu Zhengliu who ascends in the future, my fate will be miserable regardless. I beg you, oath brother, to take pity and to shield me and Zhaozhao from harm!"

Amid the sparse shadows of pear blossoms, shimmering waves, the beauty blossomed tender and charming.

Luo Xibai couldn’t resist.

He hurriedly helped Shen Yinning up and patted his chest: "Don’t worry, even if the Emperor himself turns a blind eye, I, Luo Xibai, will take care of it! Rebellion it may be—I’m long sick of the Court anyway!"

Shen Yinning lowered her brows and smiled.

Men are so easy to deceive...

With just a little kindness shown, they act like dogs seeing a bone, wagging their tails to please.

Feeling pleased, she said coyly, "Oath brother, I heard they’re planning to visit Ciyin Temple. Shall we go check it out too?"

"Sure! By the way, the vegetarian dishes at Ciyin Temple are quite famous. Let’s give them a try!"

Saying this, Luo Xibai noticed a few pear petals that had fallen into her hair and carefully leaned in to pick them out.

The man’s frame was large.

As he leaned closer, his hulking shadow enveloped Shen Yinning completely.

Yet, his chubby fingers didn’t touch even a strand of her hair.

Shen Yinning suddenly thought of how, when he helped her up earlier, he had deliberately kept a layer of his wide sleeve over his palm.

She lowered her long lashes.

She had known Luo Xibai for a month. Though the man was a villain, his regard for her was genuine. He always maintained an appropriate distance from her; even after they became sworn siblings, he never harbored any ill intentions or behaved dishonorably.

Whenever he looked at her, there was a sincere admiration and care in his eyes, unlike the lecherous gazes of other men.

It reminded her of her own brother.

Spring lingered on, the pear blossoms by the faux hill bloomed like snow.

Shen Yinning fixed her gaze on his eyes, and for a fleeting moment, they seemed to resemble her brother’s.

She whispered tenderly, "I’ll listen to everything my brother says."

In the past, she never liked listening to her brother.

On the day their family home was confiscated, her brother told her to hide behind him. She refused to listen and defiantly stepped forward to loudly declare to the officials that her father and brother were innocent of treason.

The angry bailiffs came forward to drag her away, and the small dog her brother had gifted her barked and bit at their pant legs, only to be beaten to death on the spot.

Shen Yinning’s nose tingled.

Now, even though she wanted to listen to her brother, she had no chance...

Luo Xibai clearly realized that the delicate beauty before him seemed to be gazing through him at someone else.

He had heard that Shen Yinning once had an elder brother. She must miss him, he thought.

...

Ciyin Temple was located inside Liang Garden, standing on the shores of Qianyou Lake. It housed over a hundred monks, all supported by the Luo Family.

Inside the temple, there was a nine-story pagoda named Qianyou Tower. Its top was crafted from pure gold weighing over a hundred pounds, adorned with a massive Bright Pearl at its peak. Even from across Qianyou Lake, the dazzling brilliance of the pearl and golden rooftop could be seen.

When Shen Yinning and Luo Xibai arrived, Lu Ying and the others were just coming out of the Great Hall.

Lu Ying’s expression was far from pleasant. His profile was desolate and cold, as if shrouded in a layer of chilly mist.

Meanwhile, Luo Wanxiang kept chirping incessantly beside him: "Did you just see that Buddha statue? The whole thing is made of gold! The gems in its eyes were purchased by my father at great cost from the Western Regions. As for the monk’s robe, it was woven from golden thread by over a dozen of Jiangnan’s finest embroiderers. The pearls sewn onto it come from the East Sea and aren’t available for purchase! You folks from the Capital boast of your wealth and splendor, yet even your so-called National Temple probably can’t compare to our Luo Family shrine, can it?"

Her words bordered on blasphemy.

Yet, none of those present seemed to notice anything amiss.

Even Lu Shiyan and Luo Wanzhao refrained from reprimanding her.

Shen Yinning noticed that Lu Ying’s expression seemed colder, and her lips curled faintly.

Even if she hadn’t incited the Luo Family to target Lu Ying, judging by his demeanor, it seemed Lu Ying already harbored murderous intent toward them.

When it was time for the vegetarian meal, Luo Wanxiang loudly protested against sharing a table with Shen Yinning.

Before Luo Xibai could scold her, Shen Yinning stood up and said, "It’s fine. On my way here, I saw the scenery by Qianyou Lake was beautiful. I’ll go eat there."

Luo Wanxiang rolled her eyes. "You’re so particular! Someone who didn’t know better might think Liang Garden belongs to you."

Shen Yinning smirked faintly.

Luo Wanxiang likely didn’t realize that Luo Xibai had already gifted half of Liang Garden to her.

This included the section housing Ciyin Temple and Qianyou Lake.

Strictly speaking, Liang Garden truly was her home.

A painted boat was moored by the lake. Beaded curtains, perfumed screens, and red-lacquered flower pavilions adorned the scene, offering views of endless green waves through delicately carved windows.

Jiangnan was known for its rainfall.

As the maids delivered the food, a light drizzle cooled the lake’s surface. The entire Liang Garden was draped in a veil of rain.

Just as Shen Yinning was about to pick up her chopsticks, a figure dressed in dark robes appeared on the boat.

Lu Ying parted the pearl curtains and stepped into the boat.

After the meal at Ciyin Temple, he had taken a walk in Liang Garden alone. Unexpectedly, he encountered the rainy weather and sought refuge on the nearby painted boat, stumbling upon Shen Yinning preparing to dine.

The gentle rain drummed against the boat, the world fell silent, and the earth and sky seemed unified.

Shen Yinning’s red lips parted lightly: "Now that you’re here, why not sit down and have a drink? Look, Jiangnan’s Daughter’s Red, something the Capital doesn’t have."

Lu Ying glanced at the small jar of wine by her side and silently took a seat opposite her.

"By your appearance, you don’t seem like you’re here enjoying the scenery. Seems more like you’re searching for something in the garden," Shen Yinning remarked as she poured him wine. "Are you looking for the over ten thousand jin of tea stolen from Qian Duobao?"

Her slender, white jade-like hand held a delicate glass cup, respectfully offering it to Lu Ying.

As he accepted it, his rough finger pads inadvertently brushed against Shen Yinning’s fingertips.

Skin touched, and the warmth was scorching.