Chapter 397 - 395: For Whom, Lu Ying Knows Perfectly Well

Words : 1447 Updated : Jan 14th, 2026

Chapter 397 of "The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go" kicks off revealing secrets: Shen Yinning gazed out the window.A crescent moon hung high among willow branches, the courtyard... Keep reading!

Shen Yinning gazed out the window.A crescent moon hung high among willow branches, the courtyard shrouded in silent shadows. If Lu Ying found out that Shen Yunxi owed an enormous debt, how would he react? Would he help her repay it? A man like him... Lost in thought, Cui Ji suddenly closed the decorative window. He then draped a light blanket over her waist. "Autumn has arrived, Commandery Princess. Be careful not to catch a chill." Shen Yinning fingered the warm, soft blanket and gently swayed the rocking chair. "Stay tonight and play a few games of chess with me, Cui Ji. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a match." They had played once aboard a painted boat last Qixi Festival after their arrival from Gan State to the Capital. Afterward, Lu Ying discovered them. As she was wary of Lu Ying, she hadn’t played chess with Cui Ji since. Cui Ji froze briefly, his eyes betraying a restrained flutter, before murmuring a low assent. News of Cui Ji and Shen Yinning playing chess throughout the night reached Lu Ying by the next morning. At that moment, Lu Ying had just finished practicing a sword routine. Despite the early autumn chill, a fine layer of sweat clung to his body. As he took the towel handed to him by a young eunuch to wipe his sweat, De Sun quietly reported the matter. Thin frost blossoms clung to the tree branches. De Sun stole careful glances at Lu Ying’s expression, feeling that their young Emperor’s gaze was colder and darker than the frost itself. After quite a while, De Sun tentatively cleared his throat, "Your... Your Majesty?" Lu Ying tossed the towel into the basin, stepping expressionlessly into the sleeping chambers. "What they do has nothing to do with me. From now on, I don’t want to hear any news about her." De Sun and Gui Quan crowded together, unable to suppress their curiosity. "What do you think His Majesty means by this? Does he truly intend to sever all ties with the Commandery Princess? Should we recall the spies planted in the Cui Mansion to monitor her?" Gui Quan, clutching his horsetail whisk, too seemed conflicted. "Let’s wait and see. What if..." What if their young Emperor hadn’t truly forgotten Princess Zhaoning? As usual, after court was adjourned, and the ministers were just about to leave, Lu Ying suddenly spoke unhurriedly. "The day before yesterday, corrupt official Gao Zheng was sent to the border for penal servitude. I hear he was ambushed by bandits shortly after leaving the Capital region." The civil and military officials fell silent, exchanging bewildered looks. Who was Gao Zheng? Nothing but a minor official from the Ministry of Justice. His fame in the Capital stemmed entirely from his connection to Princess Zhaoning. Even if he was killed by roaming bandits, it wasn’t a significant matter. Local authorities could handle it. Why then did His Majesty suddenly bring it up? Lu Ying fixed his gaze on Cui Ji. Cui Ji remained unperturbed, ivory scepter in hand, standing firmly among the ranks of ministers. Lu Ying asked, "Cui Aiqing, what do you make of this matter?" Cui Ji replied calmly. "The Crown Prince of Yan Country was killed in our Great Zhou. Yan Country, now allied with the Northern Countries, has turned against us. Currently, fighting rages along the border, and destitute refugees forced south have resorted to banditry. Gao Zheng’s death is not surprising." Lu Ying narrowed his eyes slightly. Such a Cui Ji, such a Cui Ziheng. Though he appeared cold and detached, the scholar had secretly committed atrocities, wiping out entire families. Lu Ying knew all too well who he did it for. Lu Ying’s gaze shifted from Cui Ji’s expression to his figure. The youngest third-place scholar of the Great Zhou, his half-brother born of a different mother. Handsome and regal, long immersed in the political arena, his demeanor now exuded a calm authority and inscrutability. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel·fire·net The hand clutching the ivory scepter was long and fair, accustomed to wielding brushes in leisure. One could only imagine the elegant charm it carried while holding chess pieces. She spent entire nights playing chess with him—she must adore those hands, mustn’t she? Back when she was his Forbidden Fruit, she never passed a night playing chess with him uninterrupted. They’d barely finish a game or half before she started teasing him—so much so that a burning heat would rush through his body, leaving him entirely distracted. Inevitably, he would carry her to the bed... Lu Ying closed his eyes, forcing away irrelevant thoughts. When he opened them again, his gaze landed on the streak of white hair at Cui Ji’s temples. For her, he climbed from destitute scholar to high rank; for her, his hair turned white overnight. Surely she must be deeply moved. Perfect, perfect. Lu Ying smirked faintly. "Since Cui Aiqing understands the pressing border conditions, you must also understand the heavy burden on my shoulders. Cui Aiqing, learned and capable, and having grown up in the north, I intend to send you as an imperial envoy to oversee the border war effort. Cui Aiqing, will you share my burdens?" Cui Ji slowly raised his eyes. Their gazes met. Their eyes dark and complex, a clash seemingly contained within. Prime Minister Shangguan Min, his head bowed and demeanor detached, suddenly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Assistant Minister Cui is newly married and a scholar by his trade. How could he possibly be sent to the border?" "Prime Minister Shangguan, you do truly dote upon your daughter!" Xue Ling said with a sly smile. "But now chaos brews at the border. Countless newlywed couples across the realm have been forced to separate. Since Assistant Minister Cui accepts imperial salaries, should he not also share responsibility for the empire? How could he alone enjoy reunion while the nation suffers?" Xue Ling’s words were sharp as ever. Prime Minister Shangguan could only silently return to his position, bitterly unable to refute. Cui Ji, however, remained composed. "This subject receives the decree." At the Cui Mansion. Shen Yinning and Shangguan Min had already learned of Cui Ji’s imminent dispatch to the border. Shangguan Min scoffed in frustration, turning toward Shen Yinning. "Tell me, isn’t this the new Emperor targeting you?" Shen Yinning, usually playful and carefree around her, was uncharacteristically solemn, clutching a folding fan in silence. Lu Ying’s post-coronation indulgence in concubines had long taught her not to foolishly expect any Emperor to devote himself entirely to one person. Nor was she naïve enough to believe she truly held sway over an Emperor’s attention or favor. But regardless of Lu Ying’s motives, Cui Ji’s departure was undoubtedly detrimental to her. Shangguan Min noticed the shadow clouding her brow, feeling an unexpected pang of sympathy. Stepping forward, she pulled Shen Yinning into an embrace. "You needn’t fear. Once Cui Ji leaves, I’ll take you to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to rest and nurture yourself. My mother had three children, and my family’s two concubines each had two kids. They’re experienced in such matters and won’t mistreat you." Shen Yinning nestled in her arms. The girl’s chest warm and tender. It truly felt reminiscent of an elder sister. Shen Yinning silently regretted her immature disdain for Shangguan Min as a bookworm back when she was younger, keeping her at a distance. Softly, she murmured, "Sister..." That single word, "sister," was filled with genuine affection. That night. Cui Ji arrived at Shen Yinning’s chambers, his hands clenched, his voice low. "Commandery Princess." "I know everything about your situation." "It is my failing, my impotence." "It’s not your failing, but the imperial will cannot be defied. Perhaps it’s for the best. Fighting petty court battles to build rank takes too long. If you can establish military merit at the border, wouldn’t it be faster to rise through the ranks than struggling here in court?" Cui Ji hadn’t anticipated that she wouldn’t blame him, but instead would encourage him. The stirrings buried deep in his heart grew stronger. "Commandery Princess..." The girl still sat by the window on her rocking chair. The weather had turned cold. Earlier, he had ordered a fine tiger skin to be placed on the chair for her, and there she reclined now, the soft frost-colored casual attire accentuating her graceful curves, her thick, ebony hair lazily bound. As she turned the pages of a book under the candlelight, she exuded a serene elegance. Coming back to his senses, he realized he had already walked to her side. Shen Yinning looked up. "You’re blocking my light."

Chapter 397 - 395: For Whom, Lu Ying Knows Perfectly Well

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