Chapter 384: Chapter 382: She is the High and Lofty Bright Moon, Always Has Been
Lu Ying caressed the Moyu Ring.
He neither wanted Shen Yinning to become Cui Ji’s wife, nor did he want her to become his concubine.
These two had endured hardships together to arrive at this day, their shared bond over those three years in Gan State deeper than his. Putting them under the same roof—even if Shen Yinning wasn’t moved, she would eventually be.
"I will not allow it—"
Before finishing those three words, Gui Quan entered to report: "Your Highness, Elder Yu requests an audience!"
The white-haired elder, leaning on a cane, stepped into the Imperial Study.
Lu Ying dismissed Shen Xinghan and raised a hand in invitation: "I sent someone yesterday to invite Teacher to come out of seclusion and take the position of Imperial Tutor, yet Teacher declined, citing busy affairs in your household. What brings you to the palace today?"
By Yu Qingheng’s side, Bai Heming bowed to Lu Ying before helping the elder to his seat.
Bai Heming, now already four years old, dressed as a little attendant, had been taught discipline and manners by Yu Qingheng. Yet the way he looked at Lu Ying carried a touch of defiance.
"Hm." Yu Qingheng snorted grumpily. "Why do you think I came to the palace today?!"
Lu Ying lowered his gaze.
He knew it was, inevitably, about Shen Yinning.
After a moment of silence, he spoke in a faint tone: "So, Teacher already knows Cui Ji wants to marry her. Cui Ji—did he already secretly conspire with Teacher?"
Saying this, his tone carried a trace of suspicion and jealousy.
As if disgusted by Cui Ji scheming behind his back with his teacher.
But Yu Qingheng had only just found out.
The chaos within the palace today had quickly reached the ears of his old disciples and acquaintances, who promptly informed him.
The elder understood what was on Lu Ying’s mind and snorted again in indignation.
His brow furrowed solemnly, chastising: "Save your petty suspicions for someone else! Jingwei, now that your status is illustrious, soon to ascend the throne, you surely must have forgotten how you once begged me for help to propose marriage to Zhaozhao when you were young."
Lu Ying’s jaw clenched tightly.
How could he possibly forget the matter of proposing to Shen Yinning?
Back then, he was devoid of imperial favor—though a prince, he wasn’t taken seriously by the courtiers.
Shen Yinning at the time had a noble standing and a prideful temperament; naturally, she didn’t look upon him favorably.
But he was utterly obsessed with her.
He would stalk her like a shadow, watching as she attended palace banquets and gatherings with Lu Shiyan. Together, they were celebrated as a perfect pair, praised as golden companions. Despite being consumed with jealousy to the point of madness, he deceived himself, pretending his pursuit of Shen Yinning was merely to exploit Lu Shiyan’s weaknesses.
That Lantern Festival, her witch dance dazzled the Capital, attracting a swarm of fervent admirers and lecherous hooligans vying for her attention—all men wanting to capture this radiant moon for themselves.
Yet he acted before the Imperial Guard could intervene, rescuing her.
Her waist was so delicate.
The snowy collar of her witch clothes exuded a faint, sweet scent of rouge and powder.
When he removed her mask, her exquisite face was like a shining jewel, a beauty that could overthrow kingdoms.
Her Dan Feng eyes glimmered, a proud yet innocent expression imbued with aristocratic allure.
Just one glance into her eyes was enough for all the excuses he’d used to deceive himself before to collapse entirely.
He wasn’t stalking Shen Yinning to find Lu Shiyan’s weakness.
He had feelings for her.
He wanted her.
Like a beast hiding in the shadows craving moonlight, that night he lay restless, resolute in his decision to bind himself to Shen Yinning forever.
But he had neither maternal kin nor a guiding elder—no one to teach him how to properly show affection for a woman.
He had to marry her.
It was the only thing he understood.
So he turned to his teacher for help.
To this day, he could still recall sitting in his teacher’s study, clutching his sleeves nervously—a whole quarter hour passed, the tea gone cold, yet he hesitated to speak.
As his teacher sipped tea patiently, he encouraged him: "Jingwei, why have you come to me today? If there’s something on your mind, you must tell me. It does us no good to simply sit here without speaking."
He hung his head low: "I wish to ask Teacher for one thing."
"Oh? What’s the difficulty in that? If you fancy anything in my household, feel free to take it—why this hesitation?"
"I..."
The youth’s cheeks flushed burning hot, his sweaty palm dampened his tightly gripped sleeve.
Lu Ying imagined that at the time, he must have been bright red.
He steeled himself for another quarter hour before finally saying: "I want to marry Shen Yinning."
"Pfft!" His teacher spat out a mouthful of tea, "What?! What did you say?!"
Lu Ying maintained a straight face: "Since ancient times, men marry when they come of age; women wed when they grow up. Therefore, my marriage to her is ordained by heaven."
"You... No, the saying’s true enough, but how does your marriage to her become heaven-ordained? Marriage follows parental consent and matchmaking; if you wish to wed her, you must first seek approval from Duke Shen and your imperial father, then adhere to the traditions of betrothal etiquette."
"But Duke Shen would never bestow his cherished gem upon a downcast prince, and my father wouldn’t permit me to marry the daughter of a powerful courtier."
"If you already know it’s impossible, then why come to me?"
"Precisely because I know it can’t work, I came to ask Teacher for a solution. Shen Yinning is mine—she can marry no one else but me."
Youthful arrogance.
On the day he made that vow, he began a campaign of contention and competition.
Struggling for the Crown Prince position, engaging in rivalry among brothers, and pressuring his father—he systematically eliminated Lu Shiyan’s allies and seized evidence of crimes within Noble Consort Zhang’s family.
In court, he worked to court Duke Shen’s favor, while seeking out secluded royal relatives outside the palace to act as mediators.
A string of moves, coupled with threats leveraging evidence against the Zhang family, forced his father to capitulate and grant the Imperial Decree for marriage.
He would always remember the day of the decree—how overjoyed he was.
It was the happiest day since his mother’s passing.
Back in the Imperial Study.
Lu Ying closed his eyes briefly.
Yu Qingheng looked at him: "The moon you once revered—does it still illuminate your heart today? If moonlight were within your reach, Jingwei, would it still matter to you? Now that the sun has risen, why not let the moon set and move on?"
The elder’s voice was weary, laden with admonishment.
Lu Ying’s dark pupils slowly reflected a reddish hue, resembling a blood-stained moon.
He offered no response to Yu Qingheng’s expectant gaze.
After an unknowably long silence, he slowly turned away from Yu Qingheng’s eyes and murmured, "Teacher, since you’re here today, why not stay in the palace for a few days? I’m still young and inexperienced in governance—it would be good to have Teacher on hand for counsel."
Yu Qingheng’s expression cracked slightly.
Before he could speak further, De Sun, acting upon Lu Ying’s signal, promptly smiled graciously: "Elder, this way, please."
Lu Ying stood by the window, hands clasped behind him.
She is the exalted moon.
Always has been.
To hold the moon close—how could one bear to let go?
Elsewhere.
Shen Yinning returned to Shen Garden and said to Haitang: "I am about to marry. The phoenix crown, bridal robes, embroidered shoes—everything can be arranged now."
Haitang and Wei Yu were already aware of what had transpired in the palace.
Haitang expressed concern: "Though there is an Imperial Decree for marriage, would His Highness truly stand down? This matter may still stir up trouble..."
Shen Yinning unfolded her writing tools.
She dipped her brush in ink and declared, "That is why I plan to write him a proper letter of reconciliation."