Chapter 282 - 280 Zhaozhao, do you really dislike him that much?

Words : 1538 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

"Li Luo." "What’s your surname?" The young woman paused briefly, then answered, "Wen." "Wen Liluo..." Shen Yinning savored the name, then suddenly said, "When I was in Gan State, I heard that in Luoyang, there was a family so wealthy they rivaled nations. They specialized in the trade of spices, gemstones, and silk between the Western Regions and the Central Plains. Known as the richest family in the North, every member of their household is a talent in business. Even Jin Merchant Qian Duobao pales in comparison. Do you, by any chance, have any connection with the Wen Family of Luoyang?" The girl in the taoist robe flashed a chill in her eyes. "The Manor Owner loves to jest. The Wen Family is far away in Luoyang, while I am here in Jiangnan. Although we share the same surname, we are clearly as unrelated as can be. If I had a father who was the richest man in the North, would I really be here counting money for others?" Shen Yinning observed her expression carefully and noticed she seemed reluctant to mention the Wen Family of Luoyang. Smiling, Shen Yinning switched topics. "I’ll soon be leaving Jiangnan. Over the next few days, you can go over the affairs of Gathering Virtues Manor in the South and prepare to head North to the Capital to reopen our business ventures." Li Luo nodded. "Understood." As Shen Yinning was preparing to head downstairs, she asked out of curiosity, "You’re so young, yet managed to double Luo Xibai’s wealth. Are you naturally skilled in commerce?" "Naturally." The girl’s brows and eyes were proud and confident. "I have a photographic memory for ledgers and numbers I’ve read, and I can keenly detect hidden business opportunities in the marketplace. If I go to the Capital, I’ll have an even greater stage to showcase my abilities." Upon hearing this, Shen Yinning’s phoenix-shaped eyes gleamed slightly. She looked at Li Luo with an expression as if staring at a hen about to lay golden eggs. Li Luo frowned and instinctively pulled her robe tighter in caution. "Manor Owner, what’s that look in your eyes? I have no interest in such... relationships." "Rest assured, my preferences are normal. I don’t have that kind of interest in you." Before Li Luo could relax, Shen Yinning smiled and raised two fingers. "Two years. I’ll give you two years to double the current money of Gathering Virtues Manor. This shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?" Li Luo was at a loss for words, her pale face turning as white as snow. No way! Even though she was a genius in commerce, that didn’t mean every deal she made was guaranteed to be profitable! Making forty million taels of snowflake-patterned silver within two years? What concept was that?! Even the annual tax revenue of the Great Zhou was only twenty million taels of silver! She had thought Luo Xibai was already demanding, and now that he’d finally passed away, why was this new Manor Owner even more of a maniac?! Shen Yinning lifted her smooth, radiant chin. "Our goal is to ascend step by step, becoming the richest in the Capital, the richest in the Great Zhou, and ultimately the richest under Heaven!" Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Yes, merchants were ranked the lowest, but with an unimaginably vast fortune, it wouldn’t be impossible to buy whatever she desired. She was like a sponge absorbing water. For the sake of revenge, she was willing to draw in any source of power, bit by bit, never wasting even the slightest drop. She would claim all of Luo Xibai’s wealth and all of Gathering Virtues Manor’s resources! Li Luo watched her leave, her fingers gripping the golden abacus tightly. She could already imagine the days ahead of tireless loyalty, serving this new Manor Owner on command. But... She turned back to the inner room and asked her maid, "Have you confirmed it? Is she really the famous Shen Yinning?" "Absolutely certain!" The maid replied respectfully. "She goes by the alias Lv Zhu in Jiangnan, but her true identity is the precious daughter of the former Duke Shen, Shen Zhi. Miss, the people I sent out to investigate reported back—it seems the fall of the Luo Family is intricately tied to her. While she isn’t the femme fatale of rumors, her skill at flipping clouds and summoning rain is truly extraordinary. Even the Crown Prince himself has a close relationship with her. That day at Ciyin Temple, it was the Crown Prince who rescued her! If you follow her, and if someday she ascends to the heights of power, you could rely on her influence to return to Luoyang and avenge Madam’s death!" "Shen Yinning..." Li Luo murmured her name. "I’m willing to serve her, and I’m also willing to place my bet on her. Let’s hope she won’t let me down." ... Liang Garden. The matters in Jiangnan had largely been settled. Lu Shiyan, burdened by his heavy sins, knew that there was no chance of winning back Shen Yinning’s heart in this life. He decided to ordain as a monk at Ciyin Temple. On the morning of his tonsure ceremony, Lu Shiyan wished to see Shen Yinning one last time, under the identity of Prince Wu. He arrived at the side residence where she stayed, knocked on the door, but it was Lu Ying who opened it. Lu Ying said calmly, "We plan to return to the Capital today. She left for the docks before dawn." Lu Shiyan was crestfallen, murmuring to himself, "She’s already gone?" By the stone steps outside the side residence were a few pots of geraniums, their branches adorned with deep red and pale pink blossoms. In the cool morning air, they released a faint, bittersweet aroma. The same bittersweetness seemed to rise in Lu Shiyan’s chest, leaving a bitter taste at his gums. Zhaozhao knew that after he ordained, they would be separated by distance for all time, never to meet again in this life. Yet, she still refused to see him one last time. She didn’t even bid him farewell and left without a word... Zhaozhao, did she detest him that much? He clenched his fists in sorrow and let out a deep sigh in his heart. Finally, he looked up at Lu Ying and said, "In the end, it’s my fault for letting her down. Since she doesn’t want to see me, I have nothing more to say. Lu Ying, there’s something I’d like to clarify about Zhaozhao—" Before he could finish, a sudden creak from a window being pushed open came from within the side residence. Lu Shiyan’s heart trembled. Lu Ying had no interest in women. If he was hiding someone, who else could it be? Zhaozhao hadn’t left at all—Lu Ying just didn’t want him to see her! Lu Shiyan’s elegant and noble face showed a trace of mockery as he sneered word by word, "Lu Ying, are you really this petty?" Lu Ying remained silent. He held a high position and had no reason to fret about competing for power or beauty with others. Even if he allowed Lu Shiyan and Shen Zhaozhao to be alone together, he was confident that Zhaozhao wouldn’t be taken from him. Today, it wasn’t that he didn’t want Lu Shiyan to meet Shen Zhaozhao—it was that Zhaozhao herself didn’t want to see him. He didn’t explain, and after a brief pause, asked, "Is there anything else you’d like to say, Crown Brother?" Lu Shiyan’s thin lips tightened. He had intended to tell Lu Ying that back in Shen Garden, his private interactions with Zhaozhao had been part of his calculated plan. At the time, he had leverage over Lu Ying, and Zhaozhao, unwilling to see Lu Ying fall, had tried everything she could to steal and destroy that evidence. Zhaozhao was indeed a little selfish and vain. She wanted to be the Crown Princess Consort. She liked luxurious hairpins, jewelry, and fine silks and satins. She cherished her beauty more than anyone else. But her preferences had never harmed anyone. And she had never done wrong by Lu Ying. Lu Shiyan’s eyes turned cold. Bitter over Lu Ying’s pettiness, he suddenly felt no desire to clear up the misunderstanding for Zhaozhao. Let Lu Ying misunderstand Zhaozhao forever. Let that invisible thorn always remain between him and Zhaozhao, a misunderstanding that wouldn’t fade. Lu Shiyan curled his lips into a thin smile. "It’s nothing important." He cast a long, deep look toward the side residence before slowly turning his wheelchair and heading in the direction of Ciyin Temple. Lu Ying returned to the inner chamber to find Shen Yinning leaning against the window. Outside, the banana leaves were vividly green, mischievously stretching a few thick leaves into the room. Today, she wore a deep indigo gauze robe with wide sleeves, and the cloud-patterned brocade bodice further accentuated her tall stature and slender waist. She leaned on the windowsill, gazing out, the golden hairpin at her temple gently swaying, casting soft shadows on her fair and delicate face. Lu Ying embraced her from behind. "Lu Shiyan has ordained. You really don’t want to see him?"

Chapter 282 - 280 Zhaozhao, do you really dislike him that much?

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