Chapter 289 - 287: Lu Ying, You Are Mine Tonight

Words : 1652 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Lu Ying turned to leave and changed into an ivory-colored cotton nightgown. Stepping out from behind the screen, Shen Yinning had yet to leave. This seductive vixen had kicked off her embroidered shoes and was lounging with unabashed ease in a bamboo chair. Her petite feet peeked out from under her skirts as she casually picked through a freshly opened box of floral cakes, nibbling delicately. The silk Haitang-pink spring dress clung to her figure like flowing water, outlining her slender, fragile waist—he knew exactly how soft that waist was. On the desk sat an open, round, old brocade box. Lu Ying’s pupils suddenly contracted. This vixen had actually dug that thing out! His face darkened as he stepped forward, glancing into the box while closing the lid. Inside were items he had collected in his youth—some discarded by Shen Zhaozhao, others lost by her carelessness. Shen Zhaozhao had always been fickle, discarding old trinkets as soon as she acquired new ones. Whenever something didn’t please her, she’d toss it out the window. At the time, her room faced his, so it was easy for him to pick them up. Some were small toys she lost due to her carelessness as a child. She had always been scatterbrained and prone to losing things. Admittedly, he should’ve returned them to her, but ever since that New Year’s Eve banquet when he found the East Sea Pearl that had fallen from her shoe in the Imperial Garden and was accused of theft, he couldn’t be bothered to return anything to her anymore. His broad hand pressed firmly over the brocade box. Over time, he had managed to fill it to the brim. Logically, he should’ve discarded everything related to Shen Zhaozhao after her betrayal. Yet years had passed, and he had long forgotten the portraits hidden in his copy of the "Analects," forgotten this very box of trinkets. He thought that forgetting meant it no longer existed. But tonight, when Shen Zhaozhao unearthed these items once again, he abruptly realized—they had been there all along. And the memories of his youth had always remained, buried deep within his heart. The waxing moon slipped behind the sea of clouds. Lu Ying’s face was shrouded in the darkness of the spring night. His sharp, handsome features were like sculpture, and the coiled dragon-patterned golden hairpin symbolizing the Crown Prince radiated a cold, faintly luxurious gleam. When he fell for Shen Yinning, she was the brightest pearl of the Capital, the most dazzling of them all. His brothers liked her, even the scions of noble families from prestigious clans admired her deeply. Boys their age fawned over her like a school of carp crossing the river, competing for a sliver of her affection. She was so brilliant, so proud—everyone believed she was destined to be the future Empress. But back then, he was merely a disregarded, dim-sighted, disrespected young Prince with little prospect. Even returning her pearl in goodwill was seen as theft—let alone harboring feelings for her? For her, confessing her affection was easy. But for the teenage Lu Ying, liking her was a secret he dared not breathe. His love was nothing more than an unrealistic joke, a moment of foolish indulgence forever hidden in the shadows. The brocade box was old and worn. It sealed away his humiliating past, as well as the last shards of pride from his youth. "I always thought..." Shen Yinning carefully chose her words, "you hated me when you were young." Lu Ying’s voice was icy and restrained. "I did hate you." Shen Yinning was unmoved, gazing up at him with a faint smile. "Lu Ying, you once said that the girl you liked in your youth was Shen Yunxi. You told me that inviting me to outings, strolls, and banquets was just an excuse to see her. You were lying, weren’t you? When the Emperor arranged our marriage, you kept a stoic face but were secretly overjoyed, weren’t you? Every time we went out together, though you were silent and unsmiling, you were always sneaking glances at me, weren’t you?" The sharp-minded girl tore through the lies of the past without mercy. Lu Ying was silent, his gaze evasive. Shen Yinning extended her small foot, her toes pointed straight. Leaning back in the recliner with the box of floral cakes in her lap, she prodded Lu Ying with her toes. Lu Ying glanced at her. Shen Yinning’s phoenix-shaped eyes curved as she smiled sweetly. "Lu Ying, I never realized—you can be quite stubborn, can’t you?" Outside the window, hibiscus flowers whispered softly in the long spring breeze. The dappled shadows of flowers danced across Lu Ying’s sleeve, lending an unexpected gentleness. His face remained cold as frost as he moved toward the girl. His domineering kiss captured her lips, cutting off her teasing words. "Mmm, Lu Ying—" Shen Yinning, caught off guard, dropped the box of floral cakes in her arms, spilling them onto the floor. The sweet fragrance of pastries wafted through the air as Lu Ying’s lips lingered deeply, tasting the girl’s gentle, fresh scent, akin to lily petals. It seemed like the fragrance of lilies. His lashes lowered as his rough hand caressed her shoulder and waist, deftly undoing the ties of her spring dress. Under the moonlight, Shen Yinning could clearly catch the flush spreading over the tips of his ears. He was flustered and indignant, yet clueless about how to seize the upper hand in this emotional contest, resorting instead to trying to dominate her on the recliner. This arrogant man truly couldn’t handle teasing. Smiling faintly, she suddenly flipped over, pinning him onto the recliner. She straddled his waist and tangled her raven-black hair around his neck. With her petite frame and bare shoulders, the girl was framed against a backdrop of hibiscus blossoms blooming profusely outside the lattice window. Leaning down, she kissed his thin lips, one hand braced against his strong chest, the other brushing away her stray locks. Mischief sparkled in her brows and eyes. "Lu Ying, tonight, you’re mine." She kissed him again. Lu Ying held her slender waist and full hips, letting her have her way. An entanglement of desire and passion. The spring curtain hung low. Lu Ying, damp with sweat, suddenly thought—perhaps Cui Ji was wrong. Shen Zhaozhao didn’t care for favoritism, nor was she concerned with exclusivity. The girl was wild, unyielding. She had fought her way back to the Capital from Gan State. She was never a clinging vine. She had always been able to grant herself the love and indulgence she desired. The next morning. When Shen Yinning woke, Lu Ying had already returned to the palace. Sitting up, she saw a stack of property deeds for Shen Garden placed by her pillow. Though labeled as a sale, Shen Yinning hadn’t paid a cent. Lu Ying had already signed and pressed his seal, even the government’s stamp was in place. All that was left was for her to sign and press her own seal for it to take effect. Feeling quite pleased, Shen Yinning kissed the deed. The man knew his place. After bidding farewell to her teacher, she didn’t return to the Gao Family directly but went to find Lu Jiazhe instead. Not having seen her for two months, Lu Jiazhe burst into tears upon laying eyes on her. He canceled his plans to go hunting outside the city, insisting on hosting a banquet at the Golden Hall to welcome Shen Yinning back. Since it was still some time before noon, Shen Yinning decided to take him to North Street. Wen Liluo had arrived in the Capital two days prior and purchased a new shop on North Street—a three-story wooden building with carved beams and painted rafters, all furnished in pearwood, exuding an elegant and refined atmosphere. Wen Liluo, adorned with a lotus crown and dressed in a pear-white gauze robe resembling a Taoist garment, looked like she possessed an ethereal demeanor despite being only about sixteen or seventeen years old. She asked, "Should we commission a plaque that keeps the name ’Gathering Virtues Villa,’ or change it?" "’Gathering Virtues Villa’ sounds like some bandit chief recruiting brothers for a life of crime," Shen Yinning dismissed the name outright. "Let’s call it Seven Treasures Pavilion." Wen Liluo had no objections and instructed a maid to commission the plaque immediately. Peeling a few peanuts and tossing them into his mouth, Lu Jiazhe asked curiously, "Sister Shen, are you going into business? What kind of business do you plan to do?" Shen Yinning confessed, "I’m just a figurehead; the business of Seven Treasures Pavilion will be up to Miss Wen." Wen Liluo picked up a golden abacus. "I’ve already decided. On the surface, Seven Treasures Pavilion will still operate as a money shop, but secretly, we’ll trade in grain. I’ve heard there have been skirmishes at the border. According to my informants, Yan Country and several Western Regions nations are quietly forming an alliance. In times like these, grain becomes exceptionally valuable. Entering the market now is a surefire bet." A talented merchant always has a keen sense of the times. Shen Yinning skimmed the foam off her teacup. "I have no objections." As they discussed, the sound of firecrackers and lively commotion drifted in from outside. The three went to the window and saw a bustling scene of a new store opening across the street. Lu Jiazhe, curious, asked, "Sister Shen, it seems like a clothing store. Look at all the dresses on display inside and outside the shop." Shen Yinning read the sign hanging above the shop across the street: "Chanel Global International Chain of Trendy Stores?" Wen Liluo raised an eyebrow, showing the first hint of youthful naivety. "What an elaborate name. Chanel—does that mean the clothing is fragrant and durable? Global international? And what does trendy mean?"

Chapter 289 - 287: Lu Ying, You Are Mine Tonight

Comments (0)