Chapter 191 - 189 She Will Never Learn!

Words : 1400 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Lu Shiyan shook his head. "Father does not permit it." Years ago, when he was in his fiefdom in Jiangnan, he learned of the Shen Family’s confiscation, Lu Ying’s remarriage to Shen Yunxi, and had once written to his father, pleading for Zhaozhao to be bestowed upon him, even if only as a concubine. Yet, his father uncharacteristically refused. His father said the Shen Family’s downfall had hidden reasons and that Zhaozhao was no ordinary woman. He forbade Lu Shiyan from ever involving himself with Zhaozhao again. The piercing cold wind bit at his skin. Lu Shiyan clasped Luo Wanzhao’s hand in return. "In any case, thanks for your efforts concerning Zhaozhao." Their fingers intertwined, Luo Wanzhao’s cheeks turned bright red as she placed her hand gently over the back of Lu Shiyan’s. "If something troubles Your Highness’s heart, it also weighs heavily on mine. In this world, should Your Highness desire anything or anyone, I will spare no effort to fulfill it. I believe that, since young sister Shen is unwilling to go to Jiangnan, and Your Majesty refuses to grant her to you, why not quietly ’invite’ her to Jiangnan?" "’Invite’ her to Jiangnan?" "Your Highness has always been wise; how could you not understand my meaning? As for young sister Shen, one day she’ll come to realize that everything Your Highness and I have done was for her benefit." Lu Shiyan mulled over the feasibility of this plan, remaining silent for a long while. Luo Wanzhao rested her head on his knee, closing her eyes with tender reliance. "My frail body is unfortunate, incapable of bearing a child for Your Highness in this lifetime. I genuinely adore young sister Shen and wholeheartedly hope that once she arrives in Jiangnan, she may produce several heirs for Your Highness... If she ever bears a male child, then I am willing to petition to relinquish my status as the Princess and pass the position to her. I’d do so willingly!" Lu Shiyan brushed his hand across her hair. "Zhaozhao’s temperament is too unruly; she isn’t suited to be the principal wife. Moreover, you’re my first wife, possessing irreplaceable intimacy and shared memories. I won’t allow you to relinquish your title. I promise, if Zhaozhao bears a male heir, he will certainly be raised at your knee and brought up by you." "Your Highness..." Luo Wanzhao immediately burst into tears, deeply moved. While the couple was engrossed in their plans, Shen Yinning had already walked far away. Finally, in one annex, she found Lu Ying. "Your Highness..." Lu Ying leaned by the window, feeding fish. "What are you doing here bothering me again?" "I never intended to become Prince Wu’s concubine!" Lu Ying placed the small bowl of fish feed on the windowsill before turning to look at her. "Shen Yinning, you charm me on one side, and on the other, you charm Lu Shiyan. Aren’t you exhausted?" Their eyes met. Shen Yinning caught the faint glimmer of weariness in the man’s narrowed eyes. She bit her lip lightly. "Your Highness doesn’t trust me." "I trusted you countless times in the past, but reality taught me you’re unworthy of trust. I’ve warned you not to meet Cui Ji anymore, yet you still brazenly meet him in private. I’ve warned you not to scheme against the Crown Princess Consort, yet you even caused her infertility. You’ve continuously professed your love for me, yet secretly consumed contraceptives behind my back, and privately met Lu Shiyan. Shen Yinning, tell me yourself—what in you is worth trusting?" Outside the window, a thin layer of crimson and pale pink plum blossoms scattered over the surface of the water. Lu Ying, dressed in his golden hairpin and dark clothing, possessed an angular, handsome face. His refined and aloof demeanor was as unattainable as snow in the mountaintops. Once, his narrowed eyes always held a faint trace of warmth when facing Shen Yinning, but now, those jet-black pupils reflected only boundless frost and cold—expertly honed like a blade that cut emotion deeper than any weapon. Shen Yinning fell silent, unable to explain herself. In the end, she simply stepped forward, rising onto her tiptoes as she had often done to kiss his lips— Only to be pushed away by Lu Ying. Shen Yinning stumbled and fell to the ground, unprepared. She looked up—his posture towering above, his demeanor indifferent. "In the past, I misread you. I thought you would eventually come around, that you would learn discipline. But now, I see clearly—you are but a heartless monster. You gift New Year presents to all your close acquaintances—even Cui Ji received one—yet you wouldn’t spare a single thought for me. You only care about revenge, about your own pleasure; you’ve never cared about my feelings." Shen Yinning’s hands hidden inside her sleeves involuntarily clenched tightly. Lu Ying was right—she truly was a heartless monster. She lived, she returned to the Capital, only for revenge! She would never learn discipline! She would never admit she was wrong! Lu Ying turned and walked away. Shen Yinning, her eyes red, scrambled to her feet. "Lu Ying, is this truly the end between us?!" Lu Ying paused, his back still facing her, remaining speechless for a long time. Suddenly, Shen Yinning rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Her soft cheek pressed against his back, her voice broken and fragile. "Lu Ying-ge, are you truly willing to abandon me?" Lu Ying closed his eyes. Wave upon wave of betrayal surged through his mind; the image of Shen Yinning and Lu Shiyan’s gazebo embrace grew ever clearer. In his mind’s eye, memories of Shen Yinning and Luo Wanzhao’s conversation repeated. At the time, Shen Yinning hadn’t rejected Luo Wanzhao’s suggestion—instead, she had asked her whether Lu Shiyan knew about this. So, deep down, Shen Yinning had considered the idea of becoming Lu Shiyan’s concubine, hadn’t she? Such a prideful girl was willing to be Lu Shiyan’s concubine... She would rather be a concubine to Lu Shiyan, a cripple bound to a wheelchair, than remain by Lu Ying’s side... What was he still holding onto? Lu Ying took a deep breath, prying her fingers off his one by one. His voice cold and gravelly: "You wanted freedom, didn’t you? From now on, whether you remain Gao Zheng’s wife, become Lu Shiyan’s concubine, or even remarry Cui Ji, I won’t utter a single word. Shen Yinning, between you and me—it ends here." He strode out of the annex. Shen Yinning was left standing there alone. She lowered her head. She had clearly failed to win over Lu Ying, clearly should feel heartache—yet somehow, she couldn’t shed a single tear. This lifetime’s worth of tears seemed to have all been spent during the Shen Family’s ruin. Lu Ying was right—she was indeed a heartless person. Without Lu Ying, she could find another source of support. She was determined to exact her revenge. She stepped out of the annex leisurely, as though nothing had happened. Not far away, she unexpectedly encountered Xue Mianmian, her face covered by a veil. She was taken aback. "Mianmian?" "What a coincidence!" Xue Mianmian happily clasped Shen Yinning’s hand and pointed into the distance. "I finally managed to finish separating that tub of red beans and green beans. The gentleman allowed me outside, and he even brought me along to attend a banquet in the palace." Shen Yinning followed the direction she indicated, spotting Xue Ling seated alone in a garden pavilion. She asked, "What is he doing there all by himself?" Xue Mianmian smiled brightly. "The Chief of Staff arranged a matchmaking session for him. The young lady isn’t here yet, but I’ve heard she’s the daughter of the National Academy Sacrificial Officer—a cultivated and graceful young lady of true aristocratic lineage. If they fancy one another, they could be married by this year, and then I would finally be sent off to live at an estate! No longer would I have to face that man every day!" At that moment, within the garden pavilion... Xue Ling was growing impatient with the matchmaking. Just as he was about to leave, a crisp and imperious voice suddenly called out, "Hey, you there, pick up my handkerchief for me!" As she spoke, a soft pink handkerchief was carried by the wind, landing on the tiled stone floor of the pavilion.

Chapter 191 - 189 She Will Never Learn!

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