CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 51: HE WANTS HER UNABLE TO ESCAPE, STRUGGLE FREE, OR BEG

What answered her was an even wilder storm of passion and intensity.

An intricate weave of ultimate pain and pleasure.

Shen Yinning whimpered softly, yet her enchanting eyes gleamed with allure, like a caged beast brimming with restless hunger.

Who knew how much time passed before the tempest of their affair slowly began to subside?

They did not part. Shen Yinning, weak and drained, clung to Lu Ying, her voice hoarse and trembling as she choked out, "Brother Lu Ying, are you always this harsh with your younger sister?"

Lu Ying remained silent.

With Shen Yunxi, he had always been proper and restrained.

But such truths could never reach Shen Yinning’s ears.

So, he replied, "She is naturally different from you."

Shen Yinning bit her lip with her pearly teeth.

Shen Yunxi was his Crown Princess Consort, dignified, exalted, and coddled in luxury, utterly unlike someone like herself who had offered herself willingly.

And yet, she could not figure out what it was about Shen Yunxi that Lu Ying liked.

Surely, it couldn’t be because he admired her stupidity?

As for herself, Shen Yinning was certain Lu Ying desired her body; otherwise, why else would he indulge in her through countless nights of passion?

But mere physical pleasure was not enough to conquer a man. Perhaps she ought to try capturing his heart instead.

She mulled over this, leaning closer to Lu Ying, her beautiful Dan Feng eyes watery and brimmed with tender allure. "During the hunting field today, I secretly stood on the sidelines watching you. Your unmatched skill in hitting a bullseye from a hundred paces away, your gallant bearing—it was truly magnificent. How could I not be utterly mesmerized?"

Lu Ying lowered his gaze toward her face, which sparkled with unrestrained adoration. "Compared to Lu Zhengliu?" he asked.

Shen Yinning let out a coquettish laugh. "Prince Shen may be impressive, but how could he match Your Highness’s divine presence, unparalleled elegance, and military prowess? Not only I, but even the other young ladies were stealing glances at you from behind their fans."

"Liar."

"How would I dare deceive Your Highness?"

"Lu Zhengliu’s skills in riding and archery were personally taught by the Emperor, while mine were learned from a common tutor. You still dare claim you didn’t lie to me?"

Shen Yinning, seeing the frost forming in his eyes, instantly recognized that Lu Ying was jealous of Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Ying’s mother had passed away early, and he never received the Emperor’s favor. Even after taking the title of Crown Prince, he remained under the Emperor’s suspicion and disdain.

He had never experienced the love of a father.

Lu Ying—he was deeply lonely.

Thinking about this, Shen Yinning’s Dan Feng eyes shimmered with emotion, her voice earnest and heartfelt: "But to me, Your Highness’s expertise in archery has already surpassed the Emperor. Your Highness, the Emperor has aged, while you stand in the prime of your life."

The cave fell silent, save for the occasional drip of water echoing through the space.

Shen Yinning pressed closer against Lu Ying’s broad shoulder.

Her voice was soft and laced with deep feeling: "Though the Imperial Palace may be luxurious, it’s far too cold, and even the rules are devoid of human warmth. Your Highness, staying in the palace day and night—don’t you also feel frozen? I want you to know that this fervent heart of mine will always belong to you. I wish to bring you warmth, Your Highness."

The glow of the torch bathed her figure.

Rippling water reflected on her, her long black hair like silk, her red lips captivating, her skin fairer and more delicate than the pearl earrings adorning her. She drifted lightly in the hot spring pool, her lashes curling upward, adorned with crystalline droplets of water. She was like an enchanting mermaid casting a beguiling spell over him.

Lu Ying could almost hear the rhythm of her heartbeat.

His expression was unreadable.

Shen Yinning—she was always deceiving him.

He could no longer distinguish truth from lies.

He gripped Shen Yinning’s slender waist, laid her against the edge of the hot spring, and claimed her once again.

Lu Ying’s dark gaze bore down on Shen Yinning’s flushed, dazed face. He was no longer interested in discerning sincerity from falsehoods.

As long as he remained powerful enough, Shen Yinning would be forever bound to serve him.

If a lie could last a lifetime, then perhaps it might as well be the truth.

For this life, he would keep Shen Yinning firmly imprisoned by his side.

She would have no escape, no reprieve, no chance for wishful bargaining.

At that moment, as the cave swirled with disarray and intimacy, Shen Yunxi and Lu Qianqian, with palace attendants in tow, appeared in the nearby forest in a magnificent commotion.

Lu Qianqian pointed at the cave in the distance. "Sister-in-law, look! There’s light in that cave! It must be our Imperial Brother soaking in the hot spring with that little harlot!"

Shen Yunxi cursed angrily, "Wretched girl! I’ve never once shared a hot spring with His Highness, and yet she dares go first?! If I don’t tear that face of hers apart tonight, I don’t deserve to call myself the Crown Princess Consort! Why are you all standing still? Move faster! I want to know who that wench is right now!"

The chaotic sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside the cave.

Shen Yinning’s silver hairpin tumbled to the ground, her ink-black hair fanning out around her like soft seaweed. Her skin glistened with sweat, her cheeks dyed a delicate crimson as if stained with blood—she was a vision of sinful, irresistible beauty.

Listening to the noise outside, she deduced Shen Yunxi had arrived.

A flicker of mischievous triumph crossed her gaze before she feigned pitiful vulnerability, her breaths shallow and labored. "Your Highness, someone’s coming... Could it be the Crown Princess Consort has discovered us? Your Highness, I’m so scared..."

Lu Ying frowned deeply. "Keep your voice down."

At this proximity, it was likely Shen Yunxi had already overheard.

But Shen Yinning seemed unable to restrain herself, her face flushed and damp as she whispered, "Please, have mercy, Your Highness!"

At this moment, Lu Ying couldn’t concern himself with anything else.

As their passion reached its crescendo, a low, almost inaudible sigh escaped him.

Shen Yinning arched her neck gracefully, the sounds slipping from her lips a perfect symphony of torment and rapture, like a climactic moment in an ancient melody.

The footsteps had already reached the entrance of the cave, and Shen Yunxi’s furious voice rang out, "Wretched girl! Harlot! Who gave you permission to seduce His Highness?! Screaming like that—what, are you afraid I won’t be able to hear you?!"

Shen Yinning trembled as she wrapped herself around Lu Ying, her eyes misty and red with feigned terror. "So, it really is Sister who’s come... I’m so scared, Brother Lu Ying, please save me!"

Lu Ying grabbed his clothes and began dressing himself. "Hide in the water for now."

Shen Yinning planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek before obediently submerging herself into the hot spring.

When Shen Yunxi entered with her entourage, she was met with a chaotic sight—the ground littered with disheveled items, including a woman’s clothing.

Seething with rage, her eyes roamed the cave frantically but found no trace of the other woman.

Suppressing her jealousy, she pressed her hands together and then offered him an aggrieved curtsy. "Your Highness, this concubine greets you! I am not a woman who cannot tolerate others, but why would Your Highness dote on another behind my back? If word were to spread, others might think me jealous! Your Highness, please hand over that young sister to me. Once I’ve taught her the proper rules, she may be welcomed into the Eastern Palace with due ceremony."

Lu Ying adjusted his collar, his tone indifferent. "The Crown Princess Consort is most considerate, but I have other plans in mind."

Shen Yunxi bit her lip unwillingly.

The Crown Prince was guarding against her.

These last few years, she had dealt too harshly with the Eastern Palace’s concubines, resulting in His Highness remaining childless to this day—something the court officials had begun to criticize.

But she truly adored the Crown Prince. How could she bear the thought of other women serving him?

Madam Zhang, speaking on her behalf, replied, "Since His Highness has other plans, Her Highness will not interfere any further. The hour is late. Shall we retire together, Your Highness?"

Lu Ying left the cave without delay.

Shen Yunxi lingered, glaring at Madam Zhang with discontent. "Madam Zhang, are you out of your mind? Are we really going to leave this matter unresolved?!"

Madam Zhang let out a cold laugh. "Our arrival must have caught that harlot off guard; she couldn’t have had time to escape. She’s likely hiding somewhere in this cave. Rest assured, Your Highness, I’ve already stationed people to guard every exit. If she dares show herself, her death is certain! If she doesn’t dare to come out, she’ll starve to death in here eventually—saving us the trouble of dirtying our hands!"

Shen Yunxi’s eyes brightened, and she broke into a delighted smile. "As expected, Madam Zhang, your experience never fails."

Lu Qianqian approached from behind, holding up a set of garments and embroidered shoes like a trophy. "Sister-in-law, look! I took that harlot’s clothes. Let’s see how she dares come out and show her face now!"