Chapter 232 - 230: Lu Ying, Do You Like Me?

Words : 1450 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Gao Zheng’s eyes immediately lit up upon hearing those words. Night visits to Buddhist temples are such an elegant affair, something that has always been the pursuit of refined scholars and poets throughout history. He had heard that Prince Zhuang was the Emperor’s younger brother. If he could form a bond as close as brothers with him at first sight, wouldn’t that ensure him a favorable position in front of the Emperor? Why should he still concern himself with the Crown Prince’s mood?! He looked gratefully at Shen Yinning, saying, "I knew it—deep down, you care about me. It’s just that you’ve been constrained by the Crown Prince and didn’t dare to express it directly. Shen, we’re husband and wife. From now on, you must continue to plan and scheme for my future, just as you did today. Do you understand?" After giving Shen Yinning a stern reminder, he strode off self-satisfied to find Lu Ying. After all, his connection with Prince Zhuang wasn’t entirely secured. For the position in the Ministry of Justice, he’d have to hedge his bets on multiple fronts. Lu Ying did not refuse Shen Yinning’s proposition to visit the festival. After all, she would soon be sent off to Jiangnan. This night would be their final time together. Perhaps knowing this, Lu Shiyan made no move, almost as if silently granting them this opportunity to say a proper goodbye. As dusk approached, Lu Ying donned a long black silk robe embroidered with gold threads, his hair tied back with a golden crown, waiting for Shen Yinning by the rear mountain gate. When Shen Yinning arrived, she noticed not only him but also the Xue sisters, Aze, and Xue Ling. "His Highness the Crown Prince instructed us to come," Xue Mianmian said, clutching Yinning’s hand tightly with her face glowing in joy. "Zhaozhao, it’s been so long since we last went to a festival together. Tonight is going to be so much fun!" Lu Jiazhe exclaimed brightly, "I can’t stand the vegetarian food in the temple! These past two days have been torture! Sister Shen, let’s find a stall and eat some meat first. I want roast pig trotters—ten of them!" Shen Yinning smiled and agreed, casting a slightly probing glance at Lu Ying. What was this dog of a man up to? Being suddenly so generous, letting Mianmian and Aze accompany her to the festival? It’s as if he’d turned over a new leaf. The group ventured into the bustling festival, where lanterns adorned the front of the Earth Temple, and vendors called out their wares. Although less luxurious than in the Capital, the offerings were affordable and had their charm. Villagers from nearby towns mingled, their faces brimming with smiles in the lively crowd. Lu Jiazhe, possessed by what seemed like an insatiable hunger, gripped Xue Ling’s hand and charged toward a barbecue stall: "Boss, twenty roast pig trotters, thirty lamb ribs, sixty skewers of pork belly..." Pausing, he glanced at Lu Ying, hesitating as he whispered to Xue Ling, "Should we get a few skewers of grilled pig kidneys? I heard it’s great for men’s health—makes them... perform well in the bedroom." Xue Ling replied, "You’re welcome to try if you’re unafraid of death." Clearly unfazed, Lu Jiazhe wavered: "Actually, leeks are great for that too..." From the other side of the stall, Lu Ying reached for a plate and was selecting some vegetables near the vendor. He knew that eating only meat wouldn’t be good—balance between meat and vegetables was necessary. But just as his hand landed on a bundle of leeks, Lu Jiazhe’s muttered suggestion reached his ears. Lu Ying froze momentarily, then quietly put the leeks back. "Sister Shen, come here for a moment!" Lu Jiazhe suddenly called out to Shen Yinning, lowering his voice as she approached. "Sister Shen, how does my Crown Prince cousin perform in the bedroom? Should I get some pig kidneys for him?" Lu Ying was also curious how this fox-like woman would answer. So he didn’t go over to smack Lu Jiazhe, pretending instead that he hadn’t heard anything, continuing to pick vegetables. Shen Yinning coughed lightly. It wasn’t like she harbored special feelings for Lu Ying, but... his skills in bed were indeed beyond reproach. And his physical assets were certainly not lacking. But how could she possibly admit this aloud? She coughed again, her cheeks faintly red amidst the lantern lights, feigning indifference as she replied, "Adequate." Lu Ying’s face immediately darkened. Adequate? To this fox-like woman, was he merely... adequate? Who had begged for mercy in tears last night? Was it somehow not her?! "Adequate, huh..." Lu Jiazhe dragged out the words, stealing a glance at Lu Ying before promptly ordering from the stall owner: "Let’s add three skewers of roasted pig kidneys! Huh? Kids can’t eat them? I’m not a kid! Plus, they’re not for me—they’re for him, for him!" He pointed directly at Lu Ying. The curious vendor couple couldn’t help but cast glances at Lu Ying. In the end, the stall owner’s wife gave him a knowing smile while expertly roasting the pig kidneys. Lu Ying: "..." The veins in his hand holding the vegetables began to twitch. Suppressing his urge to kill Lu Jiazhe, he coldly handed the plate of vegetables to the stall owner. The feast of roasted food was soon laid out. Shen Yinning surveyed the table. Their orders had been so excessive that the dishes covered the table entirely, an assortment dazzling to the eyes. Lu Ying, seated beside her, placed a piece of grilled fish on her plate. He remembered that this foxy woman avoided meat at night, afraid of gaining weight. But fish was different from pork—fish wouldn’t make you fat so easily, and it was nutritious. Yet Shen Yinning’s expression grew finicky as she moved the fish to his bowl, her voice coy: "Brother Lu Ying, I don’t want grilled fish. I want grilled shrimp balls and roast rice cakes." What else could Lu Ying say? He and this foxy woman... only had this last night together. He could only indulge her, indulging her whims as he moved the shrimp balls and rice cakes into her bowl. When the roasted pig trotters arrived, Lu Jiazhe was practically moved to tears, eagerly grabbing one fragrant piece: "Two days without meat! Two whole days! Tonight, I’m going to eat to my heart’s content!" At the moment he was about to bite down, a hand suddenly reached over and snatched it away. Lu Jiazhe stared blankly at Lu Ying: "Cousin?" Lu Ying, expressionless, placed the three skewers of pig kidneys back into his plate: "You eat these." Lu Jiazhe: "..." Realization finally dawned—his muttered banter with Xue Ling and Sister Shen earlier had been entirely overheard by Lu Ying. Uh-oh. Feeling guilty, Lu Jiazhe blinked nervously, recalling Shen Yinning’s earlier manner. Mimicking her tone, he cooed coyly, "Brother Lu Ying, I don’t want pig kidneys. I want pig trotters and lamb ribs." Lu Ying didn’t even lift his eyelids: "If you don’t want them, then leave." Lu Jiazhe: "..." Favoritism! Prioritizing romance over friendship! This was precisely why he couldn’t grow close to Lu Ying! Lu Jiazhe whimpered tearfully but dared not protest, resigning himself to eating the pig kidneys. Shen Yinning, on the other hand, enjoyed the meal cheerfully, even sipping a few small cups of wine with the Xue sisters. After the barbecue, Xue Qingqing and Lu Jiazhe, being younger, had started to feel drowsy, so Xue Ling and Xue Mianmian escorted them back to the temple. Lu Ying settled the bill and bought some river lanterns and incense offerings at the marketplace. He led Shen Yinning to the riverside. The moonlight was serene, silver ripples reflecting over the river. Lighting the river lanterns, he turned to the young woman with a solemn gaze: "Come here and bow to pray for blessings for your parents and brothers." Shen Yinning sat atop a rock: "Why now? Today’s nothing special." Lu Ying remained silent. Tomorrow, she would be sent to Jiangnan. He wanted her to have one final moment to honor her parents and brothers here in the Capital. Shen Yinning rested her chin in her hands, her flushed cheeks reflecting the effects of the alcohol: "Lu Ying, you’re acting so strange tonight." Lu Ying simply repeated earnestly, "Come over here." Shen Yinning had no choice but to go, taking the river lantern from his hands. She looked up at him, her Dan Feng eyes shimmering faintly: "I’ll do as you say and bow in prayer for my parents and brothers. But can you answer me one question?" "What question?" "Lu Ying, do you like me?"

Chapter 232 - 230: Lu Ying, Do You Like Me?

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