CHAPTER 254: CHAPTER 252: THE FOX DEMON IS WHOLEHEARTEDLY HIS ENEMY

Xue Ling brought Lu Ying into the room and pointed at the woman devouring her meal by the dining table. "There."

Lu Ying recognized her as Gao Zheng’s concubine, someone who seemed to be named Yin Shanshan.

Yin Shanshan was shoveling food into her mouth, and when she noticed Lu Ying walk in, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Without caring that grains of rice were spilling from her open mouth, she burst into wailing sobs and fell to her knees.

She wiped away her tears and mumbled incoherently, "This common woman greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince! I never imagined that even across thousands of miles, I could see your familiar face. The moment I laid eyes on you, I wasn’t scared any longer. You’re simply the embodiment of the true god, the Jade Emperor! Waaaah!"

Xue Ling lowered his voice. "There’s a dungeon beneath Ciyin Temple rumored to hold over a hundred prisoners, all merchants passing through Jiangnan. Because Your Highness came to Jiangnan, Luo Xibai grew suspicious and started transferring them out in batches a few days ago. Yin Shanshan, however, fell asleep in a pile of straw and was accidentally left behind by his private soldiers. By the time Bai Ling found her, she hadn’t eaten for two whole days."

Lu Ying glanced at Yin Shanshan.

She was disheveled, her clothes in tatters, kneeling while devouring a steamed bun. She truly looked as though she had suffered immensely.

Yin Shanshan swallowed a bite of bun and choked out, "To speak plainly, Your Highness, I came to Jiangnan to purchase silk. You know, I’m not some ordinary feudal housewife. I’m someone who wants to do business and make a fortune. Lately, I’ve been in the business of selling dresses. Late last year, after collecting deposits from daughters of officials and wealthy families, I decided to come to Jiangnan to restock my inventory—"

"Stick to the main point," Xue Ling interrupted coldly.

"I carried tens of thousands in silver notes to Jiangnan, only to discover that the inn I stayed at was a shady establishment! Not only did they rob me of my silver notes, but they also imprisoned me in the dungeon! But I knew—I knew I wouldn’t die in such a place because I’m the female lead in this novel. So even without food, I held on and survived! Just as they say, ’The sun always shines after the storm,’ and ’You can’t see the rainbow without experiencing the rain.’ And sure enough, I waited for Your Highness to arrive!"

Overwhelmed with emotions, she even forgot to address herself properly.

After a moment of thought, Lu Ying asked, "Do you know where they transferred the others?"

"I absolutely know!" Yin Shanshan declared confidently. "I overheard the guards talking about how Lord Luo planned to kill us all and dump our remains in the Beast Fighting Arena. But Lv Zhu persuaded him to send us to some pier instead to lie low for now, planning to take further action after things settle down. Your Highness, who is this Lord Luo? And who is Lv Zhu?"

Neither Lu Ying nor Xue Ling answered her.

Xue Ling said, "There are forty-three piers near Lin’an City. With so few people under us and needing to avoid Luo Xibai’s attention, searching them one by one will take at least ten days or half a month."

"Ten days or half a month is too long. I cannot wait that long."

Lu Ying rubbed the Moyu Ring on his finger and suddenly cast a heavy gaze at Yin Shanshan. "Miss Yin, you’re unfamiliar in Jiangnan, and Luo Xibai wouldn’t recognize you. I’ll arrange for you to leave Liang Garden. You can claim to be looking for a lost child or to have been separated from your husband. In any case, you must figure out a way to hire beggars, children, or other inconspicuous individuals in the city to search every pier for any suspicious activity. Once you find the imprisoned merchants or an unnaturally large shipment of new tea, immediately report to my people. Can you do this?"

Xue Ling and Lu Ying both assumed Yin Shanshan would be scared and timid.

Unexpectedly, the woman rolled up her sleeves with shining eyes. "Your Highness, I’ve been waiting for this chance for so long! I always knew that, as the female lead, I’d eventually have my moment to shine! Don’t worry—this task is as good as done! Getting street urchins to gather intel? I’ve seen that storyline in countless dramas and novels!"

Finally arranging this matter, Lu Ying felt one less burden on his mind.

He gazed into the distance, in the direction of the Zhaoyue Pavilion.

That fox spirit was dead set against him.

If the Luo Family were to fall, what would become of her?

Midnight had passed.

Zhaoyue Pavilion was lit up as bright as day.

Shen Yinning, having already bathed, was leaning over her desk, flipping through ancient books.

There were many kinds of poisonous insects that could enter the body through the bloodstream. However, none corresponded to Lu Ying’s symptoms.

He seemed to be a perfectly healthy individual, with no indication of carrying any such infestation.

If she had to name one type that matched his symptoms, it might be the so-called "Broken Thought" insect.

It was said that after consuming it, a person’s emotions and desires would diminish, eventually eradicating specific obsessions.

That would align with Lu Ying’s cold and detached demeanor.

But Shen Yinning didn’t believe he needed to reduce his emotions and desires. After all, he was already the kind of person who carried a perpetually lifeless expression.

The headache-inducing content in the books led her to close them, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her throbbing temples with her eyes closed.

As the quiet around her deepened, the faint sound of footsteps suddenly echoed behind her.

Shen Yinning immediately opened her eyes.

Through the bronze mirror at her side, she saw that the intruder was Luo Wanzhao. Luo Wanzhao held a dress in her hands, with five or six burly old maids trailing behind her.

Shen Yinning stood and curtseyed. "What brings Princess Wu to the Zhaoyue Pavilion so late?"

Luo Wanzhao clutched the dress tightly, her voice quivering faintly. "I ask you, what did you do on the pleasure boat this afternoon?"

Shen Yinning met her gaze. "I was taking shelter from the rain."

"Sheltering from the rain?" Luo Wanzhao’s already sickly, sallow complexion turned even more haggard. Bloodshot eyes brimming with resentment bore into her. "I checked your undergarments—they still have traces of a man’s essence! Shen, I’ll ask you one more time: what exactly did you do on the pleasure boat? Did you betray the prince? And who is your lover?!"

She flung the dress viciously at Shen Yinning’s feet.

Shen Yinning glanced down. It was the same outfit she had worn during the day.

Even her undergarments were there.

A faint furrow appeared between her pale brows.

"Is Luo Wanzhao a pervert?" she thought. "Did she seriously examine my clothes?"

She said icily, "Let me repeat myself. I am not Lu Shiyan’s concubine. You lot kidnapped me and forced me into this situation. What I do, or who I choose to be with, is none of the Princess’ concern. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sleep."

Luo Wanzhao blocked her path. "You think just because your brother protects you, you can act however you please? Let me tell you something. The guards patrolling around Zhaoyue Pavilion are gone, your brother is at the government office and not here in Liang Garden tonight. Tonight, in Liang Garden, the prince reigns supreme."

"Oh?" Shen Yinning smirked mockingly. "The Crown Prince is still here, so how exactly is Lu Shiyan the one in charge?"

"You—" Luo Wanzhao’s chest heaved with rage. "So your lover is undoubtedly the Crown Prince! Shen, the prince and I have treated you well! We brought you all the way to Jiangnan for your own good. Even as a concubine, you’ve been pampered with delicious meals and fine living. And this is how you repay the prince and me? By sneaking around like a traitor?"

The candlelight wavered.

Her sunken eyes were filled with madness.

Shen Yinning, understanding how stubborn Luo Wanzhao could be, knew reasoning was futile. She shot her a cold glare and tried to leave.

But Luo Wanzhao barked sharply, "Don’t move! Tie her up!"

Shen Yinning dodged the hands reaching for her and leapt nimbly to the wall near the window. Removing a green-painted, intricately carved bow and arrow from the rack, she drew it swiftly.

The icy arrow tip pointed at the group of old maids. The girl’s radiant, alluring face seemed to be covered in frost. Her tongue pressed wickedly against the roof of her mouth as she jeered, "It’s been ages since I practiced archery. Why don’t you take another step and see what happens?"

"Insolence!" Luo Wanzhao fumed. "Which concubine of any noble house would commit adultery and not face punishment? Which concubine dares to draw a bow against the household’s matriarch? Shen, how could you betray the prince? How could you betray me?!"