CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 257: XUE LING WILL NOT BETRAY LU YING

Zhaoyue Tower.

The doors and windows of the Hanging Flower Hall were wide open, the candlelight swaying.

Lu Shiyan gazed at Lu Ying with a complicated expression.

In his youth, he had never regarded this so-called fourth younger brother, born of the legitimate line, as worthy of notice. Bolstered by the favor of the Emperor and the Empress, he had once called the shots in the Capital, basking in the spotlight, exalted as the center of attention, believing firmly that he would ascend to the highest position.

But reality had dealt him a harsh blow.

He lifted his sleeve to wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his handsome face, bright as the moon, suddenly showed a trace of mockery: "I admit I’ve wronged Zhaozhao, but what about you? Haven’t you also caused her grievances? Now you regret it, and you want to take her away. But where could you possibly take her? Fourth Brother, don’t forget—you, like me, are a married man. Your Crown Princess Consort, she wouldn’t tolerate her either!"

Years ago, the two brothers had both competed for Shen Yinning—

The girl from the Duke Mansion, proud and radiant like the moon in the sky.

But as time went by, neither had succeeded in marrying her.

Resentment glimmered in his eyes, and his ridicule grew sharper: "Fourth Brother, compared to me, you are actually the greater loser. Zhaozhao at least liked me once, but she has never liked you—not ever. You didn’t know, did you? After you were betrothed, she personally told me she didn’t want to be your fiancée. The day before I left for my Jiangnan fiefdom, she even threw herself at me in Shen Garden, saying you were dull and repulsive to the extreme!"

Lu Ying’s hands clenched tightly at his sides.

His chilling aura surged, like an icy wind cutting through from the depths of the Northwest in the dead of winter.

His almond-shaped eyes were tinged crimson: "Lu Shiyan, say another word and see what happens."

Lu Shiyan abandoned his usual gentlemanly demeanor, recklessly savoring Lu Ying’s loss of composure: "Lu Ying, your mother died shortly after giving birth to you, your father doesn’t love you, and no one in the palace cares about you. You may have feelings for Zhaozhao, but alas, Prince Xiang desires the Goddess, while she remains indifferent. For someone as solitary and peculiar as you, even Zhaozhao doesn’t love you! Lu Ying, you hold the title of Crown Prince, but you’re still pathetic and pitiful! A lonely soul like you—what’s the point of even living?!"

Lu Ying’s gaze seemed steeped in blood.

Step by step, he pressed closer to Lu Shiyan.

Even without employing any inner strength, the towering figure cloaked in dark robes exuded intense pressure, like storm clouds encroaching upon the horizon.

He stopped in front of Lu Shiyan, standing over him like a mountain.

Just as Lu Shiyan believed an attack was imminent, Lu Ying suddenly spoke: "Elder Brother wishes to provoke me?"

Lu Shiyan froze.

Lu Ying lowered his gaze, the shadows of his long lashes casting an ominous gloom: "Elder Brother wants me to retaliate and strike. If you were gravely injured, I would be accused of harming my kin, and Father would have cause to dethrone the Crown Prince. Elder Brother, to step into this game for Lu Zhengliu—you are truly commendable. Is this what so-called familial bonds entail?"

Lu Shiyan secretly tightened his grip on his sleeves.

A trace of shame and anger flickered across his refined features, his plans having been undone.

He rasped out: "A monster like you, who has no regard for kin, naturally wouldn’t understand the bonds of brotherhood!"

"Oh my, you’re still up at this hour?"

A voice suddenly called out from outside.

Xue Ling leaned against the lattice door, arms crossed. His broad-sleeved crimson robe in the moonlit evening flared like blazing flames. With his rosy lips and bright teeth, he emanated beauty and fire, his smile tinged with mischief.

But when his gaze rested on Lu Ying, the playful air in his almond-shaped eyes softened instantly into tender affection: "I had the little kitchen prepare some late-night snacks, authentic Jiangnan dishes. They’re paired with two jars of Daughter’s Red wine. Since Your Highness isn’t resting, how about I accompany you for a drink or two?"

Lu Ying continued to stare at Lu Shiyan.

Before leaving, his tone was indifferent and steady: "You claim no one cares about me. Lu Shiyan, you’re wrong. You have brothers; I have them too."

Xue Ling cast a cold glance at Lu Shiyan, then turned to follow after Lu Ying.

The moon hung high above, its light catching the shadow of pear blossoms.

Xue Ling spoke: "I secretly sent someone to check on Yin Shanshan. She may be a housewife, but she isn’t timid when traveling. She’s also rather decisive. Using the excuse of being separated from her husband, she hired thugs and ruffians in Lin’an City to search the docks. As of now, she’s checked ten docks. I imagine we’ll have good news in a few days."

Lu Ying uttered only a soft "Hm."

Xue Ling cast him another glance: "Tomorrow is Luo Xibai’s wedding to the ninth princess. All the activities in Jiangnan will likely culminate on this day. Shen Yinning thinks she has successfully swayed me and will likely assign me some tasks tomorrow. Jiangnan’s battle will certainly be fought hard. If Your Highness still cares for her, do you want to remove her from the situation entirely?"

At the mention of Shen Yinning, Lu Ying raised a hand to press against his forehead.

Her wounds—on her arm, on her spine—flashed repeatedly in his mind.

After a pause, his voice was somber: "The conflict between Jiangnan and myself, she orchestrated it all from the shadows. How could she possibly be extracted? Leave her be—I have other plans for her."

Perhaps he should never have sent that vixen to Jiangnan.

Lu Shiyan couldn’t tame her; neither could Luo Xibai.

She was like Nezha stirring up the sea, wreaking havoc until the entire waters were upturned.

But...

Let her wreak havoc.

The collusion between officials and bandits in Jiangnan had only grown bolder during Lu Shiyan’s tenure as a feudal overseer.

Over the years, Father turned a blind eye, secretly aiming to gather wealth in Jiangnan to pave the way for Lu Zhengliu.

That vixen muddying the waters would make it easier for him to act.

As he reached his personal courtyard, Lu Ying pushed open the lattice door to enter the room when Xue Ling coughed awkwardly behind him: "That... Your Highness mentioned having brothers and kin; who might they be?"

Lu Ying glanced at him, his eyes harboring faint amusement: "What do you think?"

The night wore on, and Shen Yinning didn’t wake until midday.

As she washed her face and rinsed her mouth, she asked the maid: "Has Lord Luo returned to Liang Garden?"

"He returned last night," the maid replied respectfully. "I heard Second Miss went to him immediately to complain about you, about how you supposedly forced the Princess into unconsciousness. Yet Lord Luo saw through her lies almost instantly and reprimanded Second Miss severely. Oh, Lord Luo also said he wanted to meet you in his study once you woke up, claiming there’s an urgent matter to discuss."

After finishing her grooming, Shen Yinning proceeded to Luo Xibai’s study.

"Sworn Sister!" Luo Xibai gestured for her to sit, his face marked with seriousness. "Tomorrow is the day I marry Lu Qianqian. Are we really going to act tomorrow?"

"Hesitation leads to chaos. Tomorrow, Liang Garden will be a mix of fish and dragons—a prime opportunity for action." Shen Yinning unfolded an exquisite mud-gold folding fan. "Did you manage to procure the medicine I asked for, Sworn Brother?"

"It’s all here." Luo Xibai retrieved a packet of medicine from a box. "Don’t underestimate this small pouch of powder, Sworn Sister. Its poison is extraordinarily potent. A tiny bit dissolved in a vat of wine is enough to nullify the inner strength of hundreds. The stronger the kung fu, the more pronounced the effect—it doesn’t matter whether they’re celestial beings or demons; they’ll all turn into spineless shrimps!"

"Oh? Sounds formidable indeed."

"Sworn Sister," Luo Xibai pressed, "do you plan to have Xue Ling administer the poison himself? Since he’s now Our ally from within, he’d likely do it without arousing Lu Ying’s suspicions."

"No. Xue Ling won’t betray Lu Ying."

"What?"

"He’s the kind of person who’s like a stray dog; once they recognize their master, they won’t change their allegiance. His defection is feigned." Shen Yinning calmly broke open the pouch of powder. "Making him believe that we trust him is just a minor technique of mine—part of my plan to reduce Lu Ying’s wariness toward us."

She removed her golden hairpin and used its tip to divide the powder into two portions.

She said, "Have the kitchen staff poison the wine vats directly. I’ll send the remaining powder to Xue Ling as a decoy. He may assume this is the entirety of our strategy. Since he won’t administer the poison himself, he’ll think the wine is clean, and neither he nor Lu Ying will see the need to guard against it. They’ll surely drink the wine at the banquet."

Luo Xibai nodded solemnly and asked further: "If we succeed, how will you deal with Lu Ying, Sworn Sister?"