Chapter 236 - 234 She Hates Lu Ying, Hates Lu Shiyan

Words : 1410 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

The large ship continued sailing along the vast river, taking nearly half a month to reach Jiangnan by water. Tonight, the wind was absent, the night sky clear, and stars dotted the heavens. Shen Yinning stood by the railing, her eyes downcast as she gazed at the shimmering ripples trailing behind the ship. The canal stretched endlessly wide—there was no way she could escape back to the Capital now... Lu Shiyan dared not approach her and instead had Luo Wanzhao deliver her meal. "Sister Shen," Luo Wanzhao spoke softly and gently, "the Crown Prince’s actions have already proven that, in his heart, you’re someone he can abandon at will. If he is so heartless, why should you continue being sentimental? Why not stay peacefully with the Prince in Jiangnan? Once you settle into Liang Garden, you’ll understand what true wealth and luxury mean, what heaven on earth feels like. You’ll fall in love with the comfort and opulence of Liang Garden, with the Prince’s gentleness and brilliance. You’ll never think of the Capital’s intrigues and misery again." Shen Yinning kept her head bowed. Luo Wanzhao gazed at her, several strands of loose hair falling across her forehead. Even without makeup, with messy hair under the dim night, the young woman’s beauty was breathtaking. A beauty unmatched by all of the concubines her brother treasured in Liang Garden combined. Unable to resist, she reached out, tenderly brushing the stray strands back into place. "Sister Shen, things have already reached this point. Accepting the Prince is your best choice. Why torture yourself further? Though you’ll be a concubine, even as a concubine to the Prince, your status surpasses being someone else’s primary wife." Shen Yinning pushed her hand away. She didn’t like Lu Shiyan in the slightest! She resented Lu Ying, hated Lu Shiyan, and despised everyone who treated her as insignificant! The hatred in her heart grew and spread. Staring into the dark, cold river, a sarcastic and venomous smile suddenly curved her lips. Lu Ying had betrayed her. The one she had regarded as a Buddha, her savior, had abandoned her without hesitation. If that were the case, then she would make Lu Ying regret giving her to another man. She would force Lu Ying to come to Jiangnan himself, begging her to return to the Capital! With these thoughts forming in her mind, Shen Yinning seemed to regain her strength. She picked up the meal Luo Wanzhao had brought and began eating bite by bite. Shocked and pleased, Luo Wanzhao asked, "Sister Shen, have you come to terms with it?!" "Hmph," Luo Wanxiang just happened to come out for some air. Hearing this, she sneered and remarked disdainfully, "Sister, I’ve told you before, Shen Yinning might act all tough on the surface, but deep down, she’s dying to be our brother-in-law’s concubine! She’s a disgraced daughter of a criminal—she’s probably thrilled she gets to go to Jiangnan with our brother-in-law! After witnessing the splendor of Liang Garden, she wouldn’t want to leave even if you chased her away! Women like her are all the same: hypocritical and self-serving. I’ve seen plenty of them!" Shen Yinning cast a cold glance at her. "Second Young Lady Luo, you were eager to follow Xue Ling, but unfortunately, he wanted nothing to do with you. Even as a concubine, he wouldn’t take you!" "You—" Luo Wanxiang, embarrassed and enraged, yanked the soft whip from her waist. "I’ll kill you!" "Enough!" Luo Wanzhao held her sister back firmly. "We’re all family; stop quarreling!" As a result, Shen Yinning and Luo Wanxiang quarrelled the entire way. By the time the large ship arrived at Lin’an City half a month later, Lu Shiyan and Luo Wanzhao had been driven to exhaustion by the incessant bickering. In Jiangnan, February arrived with grass sprouting and orioles singing. Shen Yinning entered a carriage heading toward Liang Garden. When she lifted the curtain and looked out, she indeed saw carved beams and painted eaves, resplendent and magnificent. Pavilions stood every three steps, towers every five, with winding gardens, flowing water, and rugged rock formations. There was even a lake and mountain encompassed within the estate. Servants and young attendants passing by were all dressed in silks and ornamented with Ruyi Golden Locks—one could scarcely imagine the wealth of the household living here. Luo Wanxiang boasted, "So? Have you witnessed the grandeur of our family’s wealth? Our Liang Garden is the finest in the land, unmatched in splendor and elegance. You people from the Capital could never compare! When it comes to wealth, you northerners will always lag behind us southerners!" "Three years as a magistrate earns ten thousand silver," Shen Yinning said as she lowered the carriage curtain. "I suppose now I’ve seen it for myself." "What nonsense are you spouting?!" Luo Wanxiang fumed. "My father and brother are not corrupt! All this wealth was acquired legitimately. If you don’t understand, stop talking nonsense!" Shen Yinning didn’t argue with her. The Luo family, for generations until three prior, had been ordinary citizens. To amass such staggering wealth within just two generations—who would believe it didn’t involve some illicit means? No wonder Lu Shiyan wanted to marry Luo Wanzhao. He intended to use Jiangnan’s wealth to help his younger brother, Lu Zhengliu, vie for that position. The embroidered tower Lu Shiyan had prepared for Shen Yinning was named Zhaoyue Tower, surrounded by pear trees. It was the blooming season; from a distance, the sea of white blossoms resembled snow, framing the dark green glazed tiles of the pavilions and towers. Bells hung under the eaves tinkled in the spring breeze. Lu Shiyan introduced gently, "Zhaoyue Tower is situated on high ground. From the sixth floor, Zhaozhao can overlook half of Liang Garden’s breathtaking scenery. The Princess specifically arranged for ninety-nine maids, attendants, and elderly servants to serve you here. I’ve also had cosmetics, embroidered dresses, and various jade hairpins and jewelry fully prepared. Knowing you enjoy reading and writing, I’ve ordered rare ancient books and curiosities to be collected all over Jiangnan and set up a large study for you. When you see it, I’m sure you’ll like it." Shen Yinning was noncommittal. "I’m tired," she said. Luo Wanzhao immediately smiled and said, "There’s a bathhouse in Zhaoyue Tower. The entire pool is carved from white jade, with the floor inlaid with over a hundred pure gold lotus flowers, for your personal use. I’ll have the maids fetch spring water for you to bathe. Rest well, Sister Shen. Three days from now, I’ll host your concubine ceremony with the Prince. By then, I’ll invite all the notable dignitaries in Jiangnan to celebrate grandly." Luo Wanxiang sneered venomously, "Shen Yinning, you’re deliberately putting on a cold front, but inside, who knows how overjoyed you truly are? Women like you—vain yet pretending to be aloof—I’ve seen far too many!" "Xiang’er, mind your manners," Luo Wanzhao reprimanded her before taking Shen Yinning’s hand with a smile. "Sister Shen, let me show you around inside. If there’s anything you’re unsatisfied with, let me know." Zhaoyue Tower was the pinnacle of luxury. But Shen Yinning had no heart to admire it. "Princess, I wish to rest now," she said. "Of course, I understand you must be weary from the journey," Luo Wanzhao said, gently patting her hand. "But now that you’re in Jiangnan, I must remind you: from today onward, forget the Crown Prince, forget the Capital. From now on, the Prince is your everything, your world. Be like me—give your entire heart and soul to the Prince, willing to live for him, to die for him..." Shen Yinning furrowed her brows slightly and withdrew her hand. Luo Wanzhao liking Lu Shiyan was her own business. Forcing Shen Yinning to feel the same was entirely unreasonable. Both Luo sisters seemed utterly deranged! "Sister Shen," Luo Wanzhao continued before leaving, "I am frail and have no fortune to bear children for the Prince. That heavy responsibility now falls on your shoulders. Among aristocratic families, when does a concubine ever bear legitimate heirs? Take the Crown Prince, for example. Despite you being with him for a year, he never allowed you to give birth to his child. Clearly, he never cared about you, merely treating you as a plaything—disposing of you as he pleased. Only the Prince and I showed you true kindness, accepting you despite the past. Sister Shen, you must live up to this opportunity!"

Chapter 236 - 234 She Hates Lu Ying, Hates Lu Shiyan

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