Chapter 224 - 222: Is the Crown Prince Playing a Game of Cat and Mouse with the Minister’s Wife?

Words : 1672 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Here is the English translation: Empress Dowager Li was somewhat irritated and waved her hand: "If there’s no time, then all of you leave!" After Lu Ying and Shen Yunxi left, the Empress Dowager lightly caressed the tea cup: "Tell me, what is going on?" Shen Yinning sighed inwardly once again. She hadn’t wanted Empress Dowager Li to discover her conflict with Lu Ying so quickly. She could only feign grievance and say: "This subject’s wife does not know how I have angered the Crown Prince. Truth be told, Your Majesty, this subject’s wife and the Crown Prince have not been in contact for days. But please rest assured, Your Majesty, this subject’s wife—" "How can I rest assured?!" Empress Dowager Li slammed the tea cup heavily on the small Buddhist table. Realizing that her attitude was overly fierce and frightening, she softened her tone in time: "Zhaozhao, you have nothing now and are being regarded with suspicion by Shen Yunxi and the others. Only by quickly producing an heir can you secure your place in the Capital. Zhaozhao, you are a clever child; how can you not understand the importance of offspring?!" Shen Yinning obediently knelt down: "Your Majesty’s teachings are correct." As she said this, however, she couldn’t help but question the Empress Dowager’s intentions. Reiterating the matter of offspring again and again, so impatiently—how could it truly be for her benefit? Rather than genuinely wishing for her to be favored, Empress Dowager Li seemed more intent on obtaining an imperial heir through her... Her wariness toward the Empress Dowager deepened, though outwardly she remained even more respectful and submissive, serving attentively. After finishing dinner, the evening shadows folded in. Shen Yinning accompanied the Empress Dowager in reciting Buddhist scriptures for an hour. Empress Dowager Li smiled and said: "Good child, you’ve worked hard accompanying me all day. Granny Liu, take her to the Zen room to rest." Shengguo Temple had many Zen halls and rooms. At night, the dim shadows made everything look remarkably alike. Granny Liu escorted Shen Yinning to the entrance of a tranquil Zen hall and respectfully said: "This is the lady’s resting place. The palace maids have already placed your belongings inside and prepared warm water for bathing. This old servant will now return to report to Her Majesty." Shen Yinning stepped into the Zen hall. Sure enough, her belongings were already stored in the wardrobe of the Zen room. Behind the screen, the bathtub had been filled with hot water, and items like fragrant balm and face powder were meticulously arranged. She tested the water temperature and quickly shed her clothes to soak herself in. After a day of hustle and bustle, resting in the warm water soothed the weariness in her limbs and bones. Draping a folded towel over her forehead, she closed her eyes contentedly amidst the steaming mist. At this moment, Lu Ying entered, bringing with him the chill of a spring night in the mountains. Upon entering, he immediately heard the sound of splashing water from behind the screen, accompanied by soft, playful humming: "Endearing foe, Across the worldly vast expanse, Yet it’s over there where green willows are fit to tether a horse. Languishing by the southern window, Counting breezes in longing thoughts of him. Who shall paint the faint eyebrows? Withered so lean, shamed to adorn with pomegranate blooms..." Lu Ying’s face stiffened suddenly. This was Shen Yinning’s voice. Why would she be in his Zen hall? He had been thinking earlier that the poisonous insect Qian Duobao provided was somewhat effective. Other than briefly seeing Shen Yinning with Empress Dowager Li, he had barely thought about her all day. With time, especially once Shen Yinning left the Capital, he was certain he could completely get over her. But unexpectedly, tonight he would encounter her again! Face grim, he stepped behind the screen. Shen Yinning was soaking in the bathtub with her back to him, her raven-black hair, styled in an intricate updo resembling clusters of clouds, revealed her snow-white, slender nape and spine. Under the candlelight, her shoulder blades resembled a butterfly’s wings, radiant and delicate. Every inch of her skin seemed crafted to perfection. She continued humming softly while rubbing her shoulder with soap: "Endearing foe, across the worldly vast expanse..." Just as she finished another line, she noticed a shadow nearby beside the bathtub. Startled, she quickly turned around, locking eyes with Lu Ying. Her immediate reaction was to shield her chest as her face flushed crimson like dripping blood: "You... you appeared so suddenly—you scared me!" Lu Ying’s expression darkened. This was his Zen hall. Returning here to sleep was perfectly natural. Yet this seductress had come into his chambers to bathe and had the audacity to claim that he had startled her? He no longer wished to entangle himself with Shen Yinning. Coldly, he said: "Put your clothes on at once." Shen Yinning bit her lips under his gaze and hastily cleaned herself up. Lu Ying sat on the divan by the window. Listening to the faint sound of water behind the screen, he suppressed the impulse to glance over. Reciting the Diamond Sutra silently twice, he couldn’t help but recall Shen Yinning’s earlier song. He couldn’t stop himself from wondering, when that fox sang "Counting breezes in longing thoughts of him," whom had she been longing for in her heart? Who did she wish would paint her eyebrows for her? Endearing foe, endearing foe... Who exactly was her foe? As speculation clouded Lu Ying’s mind, Shen Yinning emerged dressed. She looked at Lu Ying. The man was staring at the tea cup on the small Buddhist table, seemingly lost in thought. He appeared unusually focused and hadn’t realized she had come out. The Zen room was serene; the faint glow of lamplight remained. He wore a golden hairpin and black robes, his shadow cast sharply against the window lattice. Among Central Plains men, his height and physique were a rare standout. His profile was chiseled and handsome; his eyelashes long, casting shadows beneath his eyelids, while his nose was elegant, even more striking than most men’s. Despite his usual unwillingness to smile, the curve of his lips was highly attractive, with a sensuality uncommon among men. Women conversing with him often found themselves bashfully staring at his lips without meaning to. Lu Ying... He was an exceptionally good-looking man. In the intimacy of bedchamber delights, he had always satisfied her. Shen Yinning considered this and wondered if his visit tonight meant he sought "that" matter again. Eyeing the distracted Lu Ying, she suddenly thought of a mischievous idea. When Lu Ying came back to his senses, he saw Shen Yinning reclining lazily on the bamboo divan opposite him. Her gauzy skirt spilled onto the floor carelessly, revealing her tender and crossed white legs. Her dainty feet were pointed stubbornly straight, and her silken garments slid down her shoulders, her cherry lips softly biting upon a pale pink scarf. When she noticed his gaze, her almond-shaped phoenix eyes shimmered bashfully like rippling autumn waters. Lu Ying: "...?" What kind of absurd performance was this? Shen Yinning seemed unsatisfied still, and she reached out gracefully to remove her beaded hairpin. Her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall as her long lashes fluttered upward. Her almond-shaped eyes were laced with longing, and her gaze seemed to speak unspoken words of desire. Lu Ying: "..." The Zen room was thick with the scent of fragrant powder. Shen Yinning’s cheeks glowed like blooming roses, her voice sweet and soft: "As they say, ’Pluck the flowers while they bloom,’ and ’A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold coins.’ Lu Ying, dearest, this subject’s wife is prepared to serve you tonight." Lu Ying’s temples throbbed painfully. The wound on his arm itched, as if the poisonous insects had lost all efficacy. Through clenched teeth, he asked one word at a time: "Serve me?" "Lu Ying, dearest~~" Shen Yinning’s voice swayed tender and teasing, curving melodiously. "Why feign ignorance? Surely you came to this subject’s wife’s Zen room tonight for no other reason than that matter!" Lu Ying: "..." Could Shen Yinning be mentally ill?! Clearly, this was his Zen room! She had come looking for him on her own accord! Suppressing his fury and desires, he commanded harshly, "Get down and dress properly." Shen Yinning was incredulous. She admitted their relationship hadn’t been good of late, but she had gone this far—offering him an easy route to reconciliation. No matter how angry he was, he should have calmed down by now! Besides, barging into her Zen room in the middle of the night—what else could he possibly be seeking if not "that" matter? Yet here he was, acting all righteous! She retorted with confidence: "Is the Crown Prince playing some coy game of cat-and-mouse with this subject’s wife?" Lu Ying: "...?" Shen Yinning glanced at the divan by the window. Lu Ying, this twisted, psychologically dark and perverse man—was he seeking some thrill by doing this not in bed but near the window? Anyway, it wouldn’t be the first time such a thing had happened! Fine then. Out of appreciation for him saving her from the Lamp Sea Bodhisattva earlier, she’d reluctantly make the first move and grant him an easy path forward. Thinking this, Shen Yinning strode barefoot to the soft divan at the window. Under Lu Ying’s complicated glare, she unabashedly sat herself into his arms. While undoing her sash, she playfully complained: "You’re truly bullying me by toying and teasing like this!" The skirt slipped to the ground. The young woman’s soft black hair was gently curled, styled simply with a shell-pink hairpin. Around her waist, she wore a pearl-beaded skirt, and under the candlelight, her skin glowed even finer and whiter than pearls from the East Sea, reminiscent of a mermaid transformed into human form. She hugged herself coquettishly, her voice tender and sweet: "Lu Ying dearest, is this satisfactory now?" Lu Ying: "..."

Chapter 224 - 222: Is the Crown Prince Playing a Game of Cat and Mouse with the Minister’s Wife?

Comments (0)