Chapter 235 - 233: He wants her to become Lu Shiyan’s concubine?!

Words : 1565 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

The moment of farewell was near, and Lu Ying was unwilling to bring up those unpleasant matters of the past. Thus, he held the girl’s hand and silently kissed her fingertips. Just then, the distant sound of a bell echoed from outside the hall—it was already the hour of Yin in the early dawn. This was the appointed time between him and Lu Shiyan. "Lu Ying—" Shen Yinning wanted to ask further, but Lu Ying’s hand struck swiftly at the side of her neck; she had no time to react before fainting. The tolling bell of the Buddhist temple reverberated throughout, like urging voices calling aloud. Lu Ying gazed at the unconscious girl in his arms. The thought of sending her to Lu Shiyan, knowing they would never meet again in this lifetime, tore at his heart so violently it felt as though it were being ripped apart. The pain was unbearable. His eyes turned blood-red as he slit an opening on his arm with a dagger, extracting poisonous insects from the jade box and feeding them into his blood with practiced ease. One... Two... Three... By consuming so many poisonous insects, he thought he would finally be able to let go of his obsession with Shen Zhaozhao. He dressed Shen Yinning in her clothes, wrapped a cloak around her to keep her warm, and then personally carried her down the mountain to the dock. Lu Shiyan was already waiting on the ship, unable to suppress his nervousness. "My princess and I are in the cabin; we’ve arranged a room for Zhaozhao. While she’ll have to endure traveling with us for now, I’ve already sent riders back to Jiangnan to prepare an embroidered tower and maids for Zhaozhao in Liang Garden at top speed." Liang Garden, famed as the finest garden in the world. It was renowned for its grandeur and exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, half-owned by Lu Shiyan and the other half by the Salt and Iron Commissioner Luo Xibai. Rumor had it that Luo Xibai kept countless beauties in Liang Garden, living a life of utter extravagance. The kitchen burned candles instead of wood for cooking, the walls of each embroidery room were coated with Sichuan pepper paste, and even the lowliest maids in the garden wore sumptuous attire, adorning their cheeks with pearls from the East Sea. Lu Ying had no objections to Lu Shiyan’s arrangements. Although he looked down on this half-brother, he knew deep down that Lu Shiyan was a meticulous and considerate man. He would not treat Shen Zhaozhao poorly. Lu Ying placed Shen Yinning on the bed. "I want to say farewell to her. Imperial Brother, could you step out for a moment?" "Of course." Lu Shiyan retreated from the cabin. Lu Ying hid an amulet within Shen Yinning’s collar and placed the trunks brought in by Gui Quan and De Sun beside the bed. The contents of the trunks were items he had carefully prepared before coming to Shengguo Temple. Newly purchased flower pastries, freshly tailored pomegranate skirts, and some sets of pearl and hairpin accessories were packed inside, along with the enameled jewelry set he had gifted her earlier that year. Though he trusted Lu Shiyan wouldn’t neglect Shen Zhaozhao materially, he still feared she might suffer grievances and kept thinking of ways to provide her with more. Retrieving the dragon-pattern jade pendant from his waist, he carefully tied it to her wrist. This was the Crown Prince’s token. If anyone in Jiangnan bullied her, she could present the token, and they wouldn’t dare harm her. Should he someday ascend to the throne, this token’s power would only grow stronger. He stroked the girl’s hand inch by inch, then caressed her face, tracing every detail of her brow and eyes as if memorizing her face completely. His fingers lingered on her lips repeatedly; her lips were full and luscious, resembling the petals of early spring peonies. His Shen Zhaozhao—truly breathtaking beyond words. He leaned in, silently pressing his forehead against hers... The east began to brighten with the light of dawn. Lu Ying stood at the riverside, watching the large ship pierce through the thin spring mist, heading south along the river. A crimson-robed Xue Ling appeared beside him, hands tucked into wide sleeves. "Do you regret this?" Lu Ying did not answer. He not only wanted to claim that position, but he also sought to rule the world. He could no longer allow Shen Zhaozhao to destabilize his emotions and judgment. What’s more, she loved wealth and grandeur; the place he was sending her was the wealthiest in the land. There, she should find happiness and gradually forget everything about the Capital. As the great ship drifted away, the trees lining the riverbanks obscured Lu Ying’s view. His face, hidden in the pre-dawn darkness, murmured lowly, "Send men to cut down all those trees along the northern stretch of the waterway." Xue Ling raised an eyebrow. "They haven’t offended you." Oh, but hadn’t they? Lu Ying thought, they had clearly blocked his view of Shen Zhaozhao’s departing ship. When he returned to the Buddhist temple, the sun had risen steadily, its golden light reflecting dazzling warmth off the glazed tiles of the temple roof. Xue Ling looked at Lu Ying’s retreating figure. Stepping onto the mountain steps, he seemed surrounded by a chill and gloom. It felt as though sending Shen Yinning away had stripped away part of his humanity. Xue Ling casually snapped off a tree branch. Suddenly unsure whether sending that demoness Shen Yinning away was a blessing or a curse. ... Shen Yinning was unconscious for six full hours and awoke to find it was already dusk. She sat up, instinctively gazing out the window. She found herself inexplicably on a ship, with unfamiliar scenery on both banks! Memories of the previous night rushed through her mind. She had been in the Buddhist hall with Lu Ying, their passion intertwined—until he seemed to have knocked her out... She touched the amulet at her chest and opened the trunks placed beside the bed. Inside were delicately packed snacks, pomegranate skirts folded neatly, her vanity chest, and at its bottom, a thick stack of silver notes and two bags of silver ingots meant for tipping servants. The jade pendant tied to her wrist accidentally bumped against the trunk. Shen Yinning picked it up and immediately recognized it as the token Lu Ying had carried with him since childhood. What did this mean? A foreboding feeling rose in her chest, and she hastily leapt barefoot onto the deck, ignoring decorum. On the deck, she found Lu Shiyan dining with the Luo sisters. "Oh? You’re finally awake?" Luo Wanxiang mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Didn’t you claim you didn’t like my brother-in-law and would never wish to join us in Jiangnan? And yet, here you are, happily boarding our ship. You petty commoners always go on about despising wealth while secretly craving it—what a joke!" "Xiang’er, mind your manners!" Luo Wanzhao reproached sharply before turning gently to Shen Yinning. "Sister Shen, are you hungry? Tonight we have fresh fish soup and some flower pastries. Take a look and see what you’d like." Shen Yinning said nothing. She ran to the edge of the deck, staring north. The ship had sailed for an entire day, and the Capital was no longer visible. This was a ship bound for Jiangnan, Lu Shiyan’s ship. Lu Ying had sent her onto Lu Shiyan’s ship. He wanted her to go to Jiangnan with Lu Shiyan. He wanted her to become Lu Shiyan’s concubine! She had thought he cared for her. She had believed last night might be a turning point for reconciliation—a chance to live out their days in peace without ill intentions! But he had delivered her to Lu Shiyan! He had treated her like a mere plaything, handed over to Lu Shiyan! Even though... Even though they had intertwined so deeply last night... The evening wind tousled the girl’s long hair. Her striking phoenix-like eyes filled with tears, rolling down swiftly in the breeze. "Zhaozhao..." Lu Shiyan wheeled over to her side. "Lu Ying and I discussed it—staying in the Capital is too dangerous for you. Coming to Jiangnan with me is your best option. There, you’ll be safe from the people of Shen Guogong Mansion, whether it’s Shen Xinghan or Shen Yunxi—they’ll no longer have a chance to harm you. By the way, I noticed this morning that Lu Ying thoughtfully packed plenty of treats, clothing, and jewelry for your use. And once we’re in Jiangnan, I’ll buy you the latest fashions popular there—" "Shut up!" Shen Yinning suddenly screamed fiercely. Lu Shiyan looked at her with concern. "Zhaozhao..." Shen Yinning’s bloodshot eyes stared deathly northward, her hands pressed so hard against the ship’s railing that her joints turned white. Lu Ying—how dare he decide to send her to Jiangnan without consulting her, making decisions on her behalf! She abruptly ran into the cabin, hauling the trunk back to the deck. One by one, she flung the expensive clothes, jewelry, and treats into the river. She felt like a stray cat or dog that Lu Ying had discarded, along with the familiar bowls, toys, and bedding for their new owner. But Shen Yinning was no stray cat or dog. She was a living, breathing person.

Chapter 235 - 233: He wants her to become Lu Shiyan’s concubine?!

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