Chapter 178 - 176: It Just Had to Be Her, The One Who Hurt Him the Most

Words : 1455 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 178: Chapter 176: It Just Had to Be Her, The One Who Hurt Him the MostShen Zhaozhao’s New Year gift to him? Lu Ying’s thin lips curled up imperceptibly. To be honest, he had noticed Shen Zhaozhao preparing a New Year gift these past few days. When she wasn’t around, he had taken the opportunity to carefully look through it. Among the items, there were a few things designed for young men. Although the colors weren’t quite to his preference, since it was Shen Zhaozhao’s gift, he naturally intended to use them. Thinking this, he picked up the carved willow-wood box, noticing the silk ribbon tied into a bow. Internally, he felt that he hadn’t dote on Shen Zhaozhao in vain—after all, the little vixen had put in some effort. Shen Yinning sat by the bright window, cradling a hand warmer in her arms. Her gaze, tinged with curiosity, landed on Cuicui’s face. Cuicui nodded wisely and prudently, her face full of reassurance, as if to say, "Rest assured," before giving a double thumbs-up in approval. She hinted at the sweetness between Shen Yinning and Lu Ying, then happily retreated, not forgetting to thoughtfully close the door behind her. Lu Ying untied the ribbon and opened the wooden box. Inside was an exquisitely crafted picture book. Opening it, one could see a carved window revealing swaying willows outside. Behind the window, a man and a woman, disheveled, lay tangled on a bamboo couch, engaging in intense "combat." Next to it was a little poem: The crescent moon hangs above the clouds, My dearest’s grace elegantly profound. Cornelian berries crushed by twin hares, Honeyed waters fill the flowery jar. Lu Ying: "..." Shen Yinning: "..." Lu Ying flipped through a few more pages, only to find that the entire book consisted of spring palace scenes paired with saccharinely lewd poems. This was nothing more than a fireproof map! In just an instant, countless thoughts whirled through the man’s mind. He even started wondering if Shen Zhaozhao found his "boudoir skills" uninteresting and lacking in variety, hence gifting him this kind of book. He clamped down on the picture book tightly: "Shen Yinning, is this the carefully chosen New Year gift you’re so proud to give me?" Shen Yinning’s ears turned red. How could she have known that Cuicui had chosen a fireproof map! She let out a startled "Ah" and cautiously said, "Surely... Surely there’s some sort of misunderstanding..." "Misunderstanding?" Lu Ying’s expression darkened further. "Are you saying that this was something you bought for yourself? Do you usually spend your leisure time reading this?" Despite it being winter, a fragrant sweat broke out all over Shen Yinning from the stress. How was she supposed to answer such a question? If she denied it, wouldn’t that confirm that the fireproof map was indeed intended as a gift for Lu Ying? If she admitted to it, wouldn’t she come across as some kind of pervert? Her face reddened, and suddenly inspiration struck: "This was... this was meant for Mianmian! Yes, it was meant for Mianmian!" "Meant for Mianmian?" A gloomy teenage voice came from outside, and Xue Ling, dressed in a crimson brocade outfit with flowing sleeves, parted the bead curtain as he stepped inside. His eyes fell on the picture book atop the small Buddha table. Raising an eyebrow, he reached out and grabbed it outright: "A fireproof map? Shen Yinning, you’re gifting Xue Mianmian a fireproof map?" Shen Yinning: "..." She quietly turned her face to the other side. Truly, when it rains, it pours! Xue Ling shot Shen Yinning an amused look: "I thought you didn’t like me staying so close to Xue Mianmian. Turns out I misjudged you. Well, we’ll put this to use tonight; I’ll thank you on her behalf in advance." Shen Yinning: "..." Heaven help her—let Mianmian not hate her for this! Xue Ling tucked the picture book away and turned to Lu Ying: "Just received news—Prince Wu, Lu Shiyan, and Princess Luo Wanzhao are en route to the Capital to pay homage to the ancestors. Originally set to arrive in the next couple of days, a snowstorm blocked the roads, delaying their journey. They’re estimated to reach the Capital around the second or third day of the lunar New Year." Lu Shiyan? Lu Ying gently caressed the Moyu Ring on his finger, glancing toward Shen Yinning. Hearing the mention of an old lover arriving in the Capital, this little vixen seemed indifferent. Or... perhaps her calmness was merely an act. She lowered her head, fiddling with the enameled hand warmer with jade and gold embellishments in her arms. Xue Ling continued, "Princess Wu’s father is the Magistrate of Jiangnan, her elder brother a Salt and Iron Censor—a family so wealthy they might as well be the emperors of Jiangnan. Rumor has it that they’re bringing Princess Wu’s younger sister, Luo Wanxiang, along this time, seemingly with intentions of arranging a marriage alliance with Lu Zhengliu. Your Highness, if Lu Zhengliu were to gain control of the Northwest military power and marry Luo Wanxiang, inheriting Jiangnan’s riches, we’d be severely disadvantaged. I suggest sending men outside the Capital to intercept and eliminate Prince Wu, his wife, and the accompanying officials. Cut the weeds and dig up the roots to avoid future troubles!" Lu Ying responded, "Do you ever think of anything besides killing? Such brutish methods—are you not worried about being ridiculed?" Xue Ling clicked his tongue: "Straightforwardness is better than scheming non-stop. At least it saves effort." Lu Ying idly caressed the rim of his tea cup: "The Northwest’s military authority is complicated. Lu Zhengliu may covet it, but securing it is no easy task. I have my own considerations for this matter; you need not involve yourself." Xue Ling didn’t press further and casually excused himself. Lu Ying turned to Shen Yinning: "Prince Wu is coming to the Capital. Are you pleased?" Shen Yinning rubbed the surface of her hand warmer with her finger pads and replied, "How could I, Your Highness? Your humble servant has no interest in other men. Both my heart and mind are filled only with you." Lu Ying didn’t believe a word of it. Before Lu Shiyan had left for his Jiangnan domain, Lu Ying had witnessed Shen Yinning embracing and passionately kissing him in the pavilion at Shen Garden. He had personally heard Shen Yinning call him dull and uninteresting, saying he paled in comparison to Lu Shiyan, with whom she shared a kindred spirit. She even remarked that every moment spent with him made her utterly sick. Every word was like a silver needle, piercing deep into his heart. Even after all these years, the scene in Shen Garden and those hurtful words remained buried in his heart. Even now, despite his attempts at revenge—marrying Shen Yunxi, raising Shen Yinning as Forbidden Fruit—he couldn’t forget the pain of that memory. He had never cared for anyone before. Shen Yinning was the only woman he had ever liked. Yet it was she who hurt him the most. A blaze of anger ignited in his chest, and he sneered: "He has a wife now, the apple of the Magistrate of Jiangnan’s eye. Even if you want to rekindle old feelings, it’s too late." Shen Yinning’s long lashes drooped. She hadn’t known Lu Shiyan was married. Through all these years of letter exchanges, he’d never once mentioned it. If she knew he already had a Princess, she wouldn’t have accepted those valuable gifts, no matter the circumstances. Lu Ying interpreted her silence as jealousy and heartache, which only fueled his frustration. He asked himself quietly: over the past year, hadn’t he treated Shen Yinning well enough? What other Forbidden Fruit gets to enjoy blood bird’s nest regularly? What other Forbidden Fruit gets to boss around the male master of the household? And yet, the moment she heard her old lover was coming to the Capital, she seemed to forget him entirely, consumed only by loneliness and jealousy! The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Coldly he said: "Instead of dwelling on your dear Shiyan, you’d better think carefully about what gift to present me. If I’m dissatisfied, forget about keeping your headpiece with kingfisher feathers." With that, he swept his sleeve and left. Shen Yinning was baffled. She hadn’t said much of anything; how had she offended this temperamental master again? Such a grown man, and the Crown Prince no less—didn’t he already have everything he wanted? Why keep badgering her for gifts? What, was she supposed to conjure a flower for him? Besides, he was awfully petty—demanding back the kingfisher feather jewelry he’d given her. What kind of sense did that make?

Chapter 178 - 176: It Just Had to Be Her, The One Who Hurt Him the Most

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