Chapter 219 - 217: A Flame of Jealousy Ignites in Lu Ying’s Chest

Words : 1589 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Lu Ying was clearly one step ahead. In just a short quarter-hour, the bamboo shoots in his basket had surpassed Cui Ji’s by four or five stalks. Bai Heming remained oblivious to the undercurrents between the two, only finding Lu Ying to be quite intimidating. By comparison, Cui Ji seemed much easier to get along with. So, upon discovering an enormous winter bamboo shoot, he eagerly ran straight to Cui Ji. In his childlike voice, he pointed south, saying, "Cui Brother, there’s a huge bamboo shoot over there!" With Bai Heming’s help, Cui Ji didn’t even need to waste time searching for winter bamboo shoots. Before long, the number of shoots in Cui Ji’s basket surpassed Lu Ying’s. Lu Ying’s expression darkened further, and by the time they returned to the Yu residence, his face could already be described as thunderously gloomy. He went into the kitchen alone, silently tossing all the winter bamboo shoots Cui Ji had dug up out the window. Shen Yinning, seeing the kitchen door tightly shut, couldn’t resist leaning towards Yu Qingheng and whispering, "What’s with him today?" Yu Qingheng, hands tucked into his sleeves, was only too happy to see Lu Ying frustrated. With a playful smile, he lowered his voice and said, "When he showed up in the middle of the night yesterday, his face already looked like someone had owed him an enormous fortune! Perhaps losing to Cui Ji in bamboo shoot digging today only soured his mood further." Shen Yinning arched an elegant eyebrow slightly. Even over something as trivial as digging bamboo shoots... Men—regardless of their status—can be so petty sometimes. Yu Qingheng, Lu Ying, and Cui Ji then entered the study. Whether to play chess or discuss politics was unclear. Shen Yinning called Bai Heming to help peel bamboo shoot husks. She then personally entered the kitchen to prepare winter bamboo shoot chicken soup and minced pork spring pancakes with bamboo shoots. Though she had always kept her hands away from mundane chores, usually refusing to step foot in a kitchen, her culinary skill was unparalleled. Shen Yinning took great care of her complexion and avoided exposure to kitchen smoke or grease, which was why she seldom cooked. Today’s ingredients were as fresh as can be. With just a dash of seasoning and a clever mix of sauces, the dishes were already irresistibly delicious. The rich aroma of the bamboo shoot chicken soup wafted far and wide, leaving Bai Heming clinging to the stove, reluctant to leave. The chill of early spring lingered, and a light drizzle began falling from the overcast sky. In the study, Yu Qingheng and Cui Ji discussed philosophy, their conversation growing increasingly engaging. Feeling parched from all the talking, Yu Qingheng took a sip of tea. Glancing out the window at the dimming sky, he chuckled and said, "I think I can smell the chicken soup. At this hour, I imagine Zhaozhao has prepared the meal. I’m starting to feel hungry; let’s head to the front hall for dinner." The path from the study to the front hall required walking along a brick-paved alleyway, but there were only two paper umbrellas in the study. As Lu Ying tidied the chess table, he casually remarked, "Teacher, you should go ahead. I’ll share an umbrella with Cui Ji." Once Yu Qingheng left, Lu Ying stood under the eaves and opened another paper umbrella. He didn’t so much as glance at Cui Ji, let alone suggest sharing the umbrella. Without a word, he strode out of the study alone. When Lu Ying arrived at the front hall, Yu Qingheng looked up, surprised. "Why’d you come by yourself? Where’s Ziheng?" Lu Ying folded the umbrella indifferently. "He wasn’t hungry." "He climbed up the mountain—it’s impossible he’s not hungry!" Yu Qingheng stroked his beard suspiciously. "Jingwei, don’t tell me you refused to share the umbrella and left him to walk through the rain?" "I’d better go check." Shen Yinning untied her apron, picked up a paper umbrella, and headed toward the study. Lu Ying’s fists tightened abruptly as he watched her step into the rain. Shen Zhaozhao... does she really care so much about Cui Ji?! Shen Yinning encountered Cui Ji halfway there. Sure enough, he had walked through the rain. Lu Ying’s claim that Cui Ji wasn’t hungry was nothing more than an excuse not to share the umbrella. How childish. With that thought, she tilted the umbrella towards Cui Ji. "Why didn’t you wait for me to come fetch you?" "Just a bit of rain, it’s no big deal." Cui Ji calmly took the umbrella, tilting it more to cover her. "You’ve only just recovered. Don’t catch a cold again." Shen Yinning glanced at the streak of white in his hair but refrained from saying anything further. The two soon arrived at the front hall. Bai Heming stood on tiptoes atop a small stool, setting the utensils on the table. In his childish voice, he cheered, "Madam and Cui Brother are here! Grandpa, we can eat now!" Lu Ying looked up sharply toward the doorway. Cui Ji, dressed in a stately blue robe, held the oiled paper umbrella, carefully shielding the young woman by his side. The young woman wore a light yellow narrow-sleeved brocade top paired with a pomegranate red silk skirt. Her slender waist accentuated her graceful figure. It seemed she had said something amusing, for she was tilting her head back, laughing at Cui Ji. When she laughed, dimples appeared delicately on her cheeks. Her almond-shaped eyes curved with joy, radiating charm and vibrancy, as if even the surroundings grew more vivid under her glow. They looked perfectly matched. Not like friends, but more like a newlywed couple. Last night, under the pretense of treating poison, they had clung to each other. Who knew what else had transpired afterward? Lu Ying withdrew his gaze. A tide of negative emotions surged within him, nearly overwhelming. As dinner began and Cui Ji was about to sit beside Shen Yinning, Lu Ying swiftly adjusted his robe and casually claimed the seat first. Cui Ji paused briefly before silently sitting across from them. As the meal progressed, Cui Ji reached for a bowl of the bamboo shoot chicken soup. Just as he touched the ladle, Lu Ying’s hand stopped him. Instead, Lu Ying ladled himself a bowl, leaving Cui Ji’s hand awkwardly frozen mid-air. Yu Qingheng cleared his throat and smiled. "I’ve always loved Zhaozhao’s spring pancakes. Ziheng, you haven’t tried them yet, have you?" Cui Ji politely responded, "Madam Shen’s spring pancakes are both visually appealing and aromatic. I must savor them today." When he reached with his chopsticks for a spring pancake, Lu Ying once again stopped him. Even the mildest temper would fray under repeated infractions. Cui Ji finally raised his eyes and asked calmly, "Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this?" Lu Ying picked up a food box and packed all the spring pancakes—over a dozen of them—inside. Closing the lid carelessly, he said, "I’ll take them back to the Eastern Palace to feed the dogs." Cui Ji was left at a loss for words, his face darkening considerably. Lu Ying turned toward Shen Yinning, enunciating each word deliberately: "Madam Shen, would you find this wasteful?" It was unclear whether he referred to the spring pancakes or to Cui Ji’s dignity. Just days ago, after her dramatic debacle during the Lantern Festival, it had been Lu Ying who had stepped in to cover up the fallout. She already owed him an enormous debt of gratitude; naturally, she couldn’t refuse such a minor request now. She responded, "They’re just a few pancakes. If the Crown Prince wants them, he can have them. There’s still leftover dough and filling in the kitchen; I can always make more." After saying this, as if trying to lighten the mood, she stood up to serve everyone a bowl of bamboo shoot chicken soup. Cui Ji accepted his bowl and took a sip. His eyes lit up, and he smiled warmly at Shen Yinning. "I’ve never had chicken soup this flavorful before. Your cooking skills are truly remarkable, Madam." Shen Yinning was in a relatively good mood. "Sir Cui flatters me." Remembering how Cui Ji had helped her the previous night, even turning a lock of his hair white, she added, serving him a drumstick, "You hurt yourself last night. You should eat more and replenish your strength." The two continued exchanging words as if they were in a private world of their own, resembling a married couple in their tacit understanding. Seated directly across from one another, their placement only facilitated further eye contact and lingering gazes. Meanwhile, Lu Ying sat beside them, his expression growing ever darker. Hadn’t he gotten injured last night too? Why did Shen Yinning seem to care only about Cui Ji? And what did she mean by "replenish your strength"? What exactly had Cui Ji done last night to leave him so drained? A searing fire of jealousy ignited in Lu Ying’s chest, burning away all traces of his usual composure. Unable to endure being under the same roof as the two any longer—unable even to look at them—Lu Ying suddenly stood, grabbed the food box, and left in a swirl of his sleeves. "I’m full. Excuse me." The matter of the Lantern Festival had been weighing on Shen Yinning’s mind; she had wanted to thank Lu Ying face-to-face. Setting down her chopsticks, she rose as well. "I’ll see him off."

Chapter 219 - 217: A Flame of Jealousy Ignites in Lu Ying’s Chest

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