CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 262: DARE LU YING’S BROTHER STILL DRINK THE WINE I POUR?

Luo Wanxiang stared at Shen Yinning and Luo Xibai as if she’d seen ghosts, then bolted away like a flash.

Luo Xibai said seriously, "Sister, what shall we do next?"

"Wait." Shen Yinning gazed toward Ciyin Temple. "Wait for the commotion in the Capital, wait for the attitude of the one on the dragon throne. However, if I’m not mistaken, that person is still counting on the Jiangnan factions to support Lu Zhengliu’s ascension to the throne. So even if he knows we’ve imprisoned Lu Ying, he won’t act against the Luo Family. On the contrary, he’d gladly see it happen. Brother, I have an immodest request."

"Sister, speak freely."

"If Lu Ying and Lu Qianqian fail to return to the Capital, that person is certain to send someone south to investigate for appearances’ sake. If the ones sent are Shen Xinghan and Shen Yunxi, I’d like to request that Brother leave them to me to handle."

Luo Xibai understood the depth of her hatred and solemnly nodded, "I will do as you wish."

Liang Garden remained tranquil for three days.

Shen Yinning stood beneath the corridor, placing slices of apple into a birdcage.

She watched the parrot nibble at the apple and asked nonchalantly, "What’s the situation in Ciyin Temple?"

The maid following her reported cautiously, "The Crown Prince is imprisoned on the top floor. As per your instructions, we secured his hands and feet tightly with Mystic Iron Chains, making it near impossible for him to cause trouble. Lord Xiao Xue and the other Ritual Officers are also properly detained. Guards patrol every two hours, and there haven’t been any signs of disturbance as of now. As for the Ninth Princess, she’s locked on the ground floor with the palace maids. Though relatively obedient, her mouth is quite foul. It’s said she often gathers the maids to curse and insult you."

Shen Yinning gave a faint sneer.

She used to despise being mocked. But ever since tragedy befell her family, she’d come to see such things as trivial.

Let them curse—no flesh would peel off her body.

She cleansed her hands, then said leisurely, "Have the small kitchen prepare a lunchbox. I want to personally visit the Crown Prince."

She ascended to the top floor of Ciyin Temple, arriving just as dusk fell.

The evening light reflected golden ripples on Qianyou Lake’s surface, gleaming off the ornate eaves of the Buddhist Tower, before settling into Lu Ying’s eyes.

Lu Ying looked at her.

Today, she wasn’t dressed in the fashionable Jiangnan corset robes but instead wore a peach-pink short blouse paired with a sky-blue three-fold skirt. The fishtail hem fluttered lightly with her footsteps, accentuating her slender and graceful figure.

Her hair was styled intricately, her silky black locks woven into numerous braids wrapped in colorful threads and golden strings, intertwined and coiled atop her head, with a few slender braids cascading over her temples—resembling a beauty from ancient murals.

That hibiscus-like face remained radiant, evidence that she’d been eating well and sleeping peacefully these past few days, devoid of guilt or fear for the chaos she’d caused.

Shen Yinning smiled brightly, placing the lunchbox on the desk. "With idle time, I’ve come to visit Brother Lu Ying. I brought some food and wine; they’re Jiangnan specialties. I don’t know if Brother Lu Ying’s palate will take to them."

As she spoke, she laid out the dishes one by one.

Stir-fried spring bamboo shoots and pork, sweet and sour ribs, drunken shrimp marinated in huadiao wine, stewed pork with preserved mustard greens, bracken soup...

Alongside a jug of daughter’s red rice wine.

Her tone was so calm and tender that it didn’t feel like a visit to a prisoner—it seemed more like a wife preparing a homely dinner for a husband returning late from his work.

She poured a cup of wine, her amber-colored gaze clear and innocent. "Brother Lu Ying, have these past few days treated you well?"

Receiving no reply, she turned her eyes toward Lu Ying.

The Mystic Iron Chain was long enough for Lu Ying to move freely within the room.

From Crown Prince to captive—a fall from celestial heights into mud. Perhaps he’d never, in his life, suffered such humiliation.

Yet his air of isolated nobility and pride remained intact. Standing by the window, he didn’t seem imprisoned; it appeared more like he’d willingly chosen to stay here.

Shen Yinning brought the wine cup to his lips, her almond-shaped eyes glinting with a mischievous smile. "Brother Lu Ying, do you still dare to drink wine I’ve poured?"

Lu Ying took the cup and drained it in one go, then returned it to her. "You won’t let me die here."

He knew her too well.

Even if she hated someone deeply, as long as they held utility to her, she wouldn’t let them die.

Shen Yinning tilted her head, playfully twisting a braid with her fingers. "I’ve already had your capture, along with Lu Qianqian’s, secretly delivered to the Capital. What do you think? With Shen Yunxi’s deep affection for you, wouldn’t she personally come to rescue you?"

Lu Ying looked at her.

At that moment, he suddenly realized something he’d never considered before.

He had always thought Shen Yinning maneuvered Lu Qianqian into marrying in Jiangnan to force him out, to compel a confrontation with her.

But now he began to suspect Shen Yinning had deeper intentions.

Perhaps her true target wasn’t him at all.

She didn’t care if he gifted her to another man. She didn’t care how he felt about her. What she truly cared about was avenging the massacre of her family.

She wanted to use him to lure Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinghan into Jiangnan.

With the Luo Family at her disposal, killing Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinghan here would be easy.

Or perhaps detain the siblings and bait Shen Yan and Mrs. Qin to come south!

Though the poisonous insect in his arm had stopped, the scars that covered his left arm began faintly aching once more.

Instead of questioning her about why she’d sold him out, he wanted to ask her more—did she even care about him at all?

He’d felt distressed and regretful over her suffering at the hands of the Luo sisters. He’d pondered how to clear her name of treason and seamlessly bring her back to the Capital—but she hadn’t spared a thought for him!

"Lu Ying..." Shen Yinning suddenly embraced him, thirsted for knowledge. "If I lured Shen Yunxi to Jiangnan and killed her before your eyes, would your heart ache? Would you hate me?"

The last rays of sunset danced over the far edge of Qianyou Lake.

Golden light shimmered dangerously in her eyes.

Shen Yinning blinked her lashes, then rose on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. "That night at Zhaoyue Tower, when you struck down Luo Wanxiang’s whip and stood up for me against her and Lu Shiyan, when you personally applied medicine to my wounds—I was quite pleased... Although I don’t understand why you later handed me over to Lu Shiyan. Maybe it was because I tried to assassinate you, or because my existence troubled your marital affairs or grand ambitions. Still, I think I might forgive you."

Her head tilted upward, her gaze filled with heartache and allure, as she stared deeply into Lu Ying’s slender eyes. "If you’re willing to write a letter summoning Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinghan to Lin’an, I’ll forgive you."

The small braid dangling over her temple brushed lightly against Lu Ying’s cheek.

It tickled.

And made Lu Ying feel an impulsive urge to tug at her little braid.