Chapter 206 - 204: Should He Forgive Her Just Because She Lowers Her Head?

Words : 1376 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

De Sun entered to report: "Your Highness, Lady Shen sent Miss Haitang with a letter for you." Lu Ying set down the vermillion pen and opened the letter presented by Haitang. Sure enough, the handwriting in the letter belonged to Shen Yinning, inviting him to Golden Splendor tomorrow, claiming she wanted to give him a New Year’s gift. She had put great thought into it, choosing the expensive Chengxin Hall Paper—smooth and lustrous, thin yet sturdy like jade. On the paper, lines of heartfelt golden hairpin calligraphy expressed the grievances and longing she had felt during this time. The paper was faintly scented with her usual peach blossom fragrance. As he leafed through the pages, the subtle aroma wafted toward him as if she were standing vividly before him, her delicate expressions resembling tender peach blossoms in early spring. That faint and lingering scent seemed to ensnare his sleeves and nose, as though she herself was softly begging him to accompany her to the feast tomorrow. Lu Ying raised his eyes to Haitang: "What has your mistress been busy with these days?" Haitang replied respectfully: "Mistress recently invited an experienced master to teach her how to perform the Fire Pot each day." She knew her mistress’s affairs were practically transparent before the Crown Prince. Be it learning the Fire Pot or reserving Golden Splendor, not a single thing could escape his notice. Rather than lie, it was better to answer truthfully. Lu Ying stroked the letter paper. That vixen—not only reserving the restaurant but also learning the Fire Pot... Could it be that she truly desires reconciliation? Reserving the restaurant was for them to dine privately on the night of the Lantern Festival. Learning the Fire Pot was likely for her to perform for him. Taking the gold was not for a dowry, but to purchase him a New Year’s gift... Perhaps she realized Lu Shiyan didn’t love her as much as she thought. Perhaps, after Shen Yunxi punished her with kneeling, she discovered that she had too many enemies in the Capital and that the only person she could truly rely on was Lu Ying. Lu Ying considered; she may have finally thought it through. She wanted to turn back. She had lowered herself, begging him to give her a chance. But does her turning back mean he has to accept? She’s fickle and unfaithful. Despite their unequivocal severance, why would she bother returning? Lu Ying nonchalantly put away the letter: "Go back and tell your mistress that whether I attend tomorrow’s feast depends entirely on my mood. Perhaps I’ll go, perhaps not." After Haitang left, De Sun cautiously reminded: "Your Highness, Lady Shen rarely lowers her pride..." Lu Ying said in a deep voice: "Does her lowering her pride mean I must forgive her?" That vixen was stubbornly proud. Even if she lowered herself, it would only be for interest, not for him as a person. What she wants to salvage is the riches he offers, not his heart. She doesn’t care about his heart at all. The next day, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival’s festivities only began at night, so the nobles and common folk alike started preparing close to dusk. At twilight, the fiery clouds stretched across the skies of the Capital, even making the scenery from inside the Imperial Palace magnificent. Lu Ying was still slowly reviewing memorials. De Sun was nearby, attending to the ink with an expression of hesitant restraint. Lu Ying casually asked: "What do you wish to say?" De Sun respectfully answered: "Your Highness, Lady Shen invited you to Golden Splendor for dinner tonight at three-quarters past the hour of Xu. It is now the hour of You. There’s only a little over an hour left. Are you not going to prepare?" "I never said I would attend her banquet." The man fixed his gaze on the memorials, his lashes shadowing the icy clarity within his eyes. That vixen doesn’t love him. Even if he didn’t go, she wouldn’t be truly heartbroken. It’s better to let her wait. At the very least, she should wait a good two or three hours and taste the bitterness of disappointment and torment. With that thought, he picked up another memorial. De Sun and Gui Quan exchanged a glance. Having served Lu Ying since childhood, how could they not understand their master’s thoughts? He wanted to go but couldn’t bring himself to admit it, so he dragged it out until the last possible moment, only to reluctantly make his way over. As though arriving later than Lady Shen would somehow prove he cared less about tonight’s encounter. But truly, what was the point? Lady Shen had offered him a rare olive branch; if he didn’t step forward to reconcile now, what was he waiting for? If Lady Shen turned cold again, the one suffering sleepless nights afterward would be none other than their lord. Gui Quan coughed lightly, gently urging: "Lady Shen has never been particularly patient. If Your Highness doesn’t go, perhaps she wouldn’t even wait a quarter-hour before leaving. Moreover, tonight is the Lantern Festival. I suspect Prince Wu, the Princely Heir of the Su Mansion, and Minister Cui—they’re all likely keen to invite Lady Shen to see the lanterns as well." Lu Ying’s expression grew unpleasant. He knew that vixen had always been popular among men. Last year during the Qixi Festival, he lingered in the palace only slightly longer than intended, and she immediately rushed out to admire lanterns on a boat with Cui Ji. De Sun observed his expression and offered a flattering smile: "Your Highness, leaving the palace early isn’t solely about Lady Shen; it’s also for appreciating the lanterns in the Capital along the way. I’ve heard that tonight, there’s a hundred-foot-tall giant Lamp Sea Bodhisattva in the northern part of the city. The Ministry of Industry spent over a month building it—so magnificent, so beautiful. Why not visit? Let us servants have the honor of witnessing it too!" After a moment’s silence, Lu Ying finally set down the vermillion pen and rose to his feet, dignifiedly preparing to dress. He groomed briefly, redoing his hair and adorning it with a black gold dragon-ivory crown. The intricately carved golden dragon tail coiled around his ear as if alive, exuding an aura of imperial dominance. He rarely wore such opulent, majestic accessories. Now adorned with them, his already jade-carved features were further refined, his bearing noble and imposing, radiating an unparalleled sense of authority. Yet, the clothes brought by the eunuchs failed to satisfy him. Gui Quan tentatively suggested: "This dark blue narrow-sleeved silk tunic is newly tailored; why not give it a try, Your Highness?" Lu Ying glanced at it. He recalled that vixen favored red dresses; blue fabric on her was always merely a complement. She likely wouldn’t prefer blue. Besides, with her love for gold, silver, and lavish luxury, she wouldn’t appreciate something understated like this tunic. So he rejected: "Too plain." "What about this vermillion wide-sleeved round-collar translucent robe? It’s embroidered with golden treasure-flower patterns—it will suit Your Highness splendidly!" Lu Ying gave it a glance. It was certainly stunning but overly formal and ornate. If that vixen saw him wearing this ceremonial robe, she might presume he had dressed meticulously for tonight’s rendezvous. To let her misunderstand that he favored or valued her—what a joke that would be. She would undoubtedly grow insufferably smug. He icily declared: "What, am I attending a betrothal? It’s merely a casual dinner; why dress so extravagantly?" Gui Quan reluctantly ordered the eunuchs to present another dozen outfits. Lu Ying dismissed them all. The colors didn’t suit, the styles were unappealing, and if not too ordinary, then they were "too new"—even that was enough to displease him. Gui Quan and De Sun exchanged knowing looks. Their lord wasn’t going to meet Lady Shen; it was practically like meeting a living deity! After endless fussing for half an hour, Lu Ying ultimately left dressed in his usual feather-black gilded double-breasted robe. Though he exchanged his belt for a newly crafted jade-inlaid leather sash, and his inner garments, socks, and boots were all quietly switched for pristine new ones.

Chapter 206 - 204: Should He Forgive Her Just Because She Lowers Her Head?

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