Chapter 425: Chapter 423: The Love He Offers, Is It Just Not Enough
Shen Yinning shot a frosty glance at Lu Ying.
Xue Mianmian’s willingness to leave had to do with Xue Ling, but what did it have to do with Lu Jingwei? Was it really worth him asking so eagerly?
She held her small hand warmer in her palms and lazily replied, "Mianmian will sleep with me tonight. Minister Xue, please return to your residence for now. As for Uncle Xue and Auntie Xue, I will send someone to inform them myself."
Both Lu Ying and Xue Ling frowned simultaneously.
Just as Xue Ling was about to object, Shen Yinning added, "She’s already asleep now. It’s the dead of winter; surely Minister Xue wouldn’t want to disturb her rest, would he? It’s late, Minister Xue. Do make haste in returning to your residence."
This was clearly an invitation to leave.
Xue Ling gritted his teeth unpleasantly.
He tapped the table with his knuckle, his eyes full of disdain and sarcasm, and snapped, "She’s been utterly bewitched by Guan Songyuan lately! And Guan Songyuan—what kind of man is he, really? Using her connections to call me ’elder brother,’ sending gifts directly to me, and counting on me to pull him up in his official career after next year’s imperial exams. Ha! That kind of man—she actually finds him appealing!"
Shen Yinning raised an eyebrow slightly.
Sinking onto the tiger-skin-covered Imperial Concubine Couch, she remarked, "From what you’re saying, it seems this Guan fellow is nothing more than a freeloader?"
Xue Ling let out a cold snort. "What else could he be?"
Haitang entered with a group of palace maids carrying tea.
Shen Yinning lightly stroked the tea cup and smiled faintly. "Then Minister Xue ought to reflect upon why Mianmian is willing to fancy a freeloader but doesn’t fancy you."
"Shen Yinning, what are you trying to imply?!" Xue Ling demanded, the faint anger making his handsome features even more striking.
Lu Ying took a sip of tea and gave him an icy glance.
Xue Ling begrudgingly curbed his attitude but still grumbled indignantly, "All he does is say a few sweet nothings and spend a bit of pocket change on some trivial pastries and fruits—and somehow, it makes her so moved she’s falling over herself! It’s laughable!"
"If it’s so simple, then why doesn’t Minister Xue say a few sweet nothings to Mianmian, spend a bit on trivial pastries, and make her happy?"
Xue Ling was momentarily speechless.
To woo Xue Mianmian himself?
He couldn’t bring himself to stoop that low!
Shen Yinning spoke slowly and deliberately, "Ever since she first awakened to love, no one has treated her sincerely in matters of affection. That’s why she’s moved by Guan Songyuan’s gestures, thinking this is what love and deep affection feel like. And so, she resolves to gamble her entire life on that morsel of kindness."
The outer hall fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
The red-clad young man, usually wild and unruly, lowered his thin eyelids. His ears had somehow turned a deep crimson, glowing like jade.
Lu Ying stared into his tea cup, a contemplative glimmer in his narrowed eyes.
Shen Yinning smiled and asked, "Minister Xue, do you think what I said makes sense?"
Xue Ling looked uncomfortable and refrained from answering.
Lu Ying glanced at him again and said icily, "She’s asking you a question."
Xue Ling rubbed the tip of his nose and forced himself to adopt a casual demeanor. "She owes me so much—she could never repay it all in a lifetime. What’s wrong with me tormenting her a little? Xue Mianmian...she can only belong to me in this life!"
"Fine. Then go ahead," Shen Yinning said coolly. "Wait for her to inexplicably have a change of heart. Wait for her to inexplicably fall for you." She set her tea cup down, her eyes gleaming with sardonic amusement as she glanced at Xue Ling. "Wait until you’re old and gray, and see whether she’s holding you in mutual respect—or sharing her family’s joys with another man."
With that, she rose and headed toward the inner hall.
The fragrant aroma of tea lingered in the air.
Lu Ying remarked indifferently, "A woman should be cherished and adored, not tormented."
"Oh, as if you’re some kind of expert," Xue Ling retorted irritably. For all their quarreling, he and Lu Ying were like brothers. "Weren’t you the one who used to torment Shen Yinning? Now she’s Cui Ji’s beloved concubine—she’s even pregnant with his child. You pampered her as if she were the world in the palm of your hand, and yet it didn’t bring her back to you."
Lu Ying: "..."
"Forget it. I’ll figure it out myself."
Xue Ling grabbed his fox-fur cloak and stomped out of Furong Palace, his military boots clacking against the ground.
In the quiet palace, the flickering candlelight crackled softly.
Lu Ying lowered his long lashes.
Indeed, why couldn’t he win over Zhaozhao?
—She had never been treated well in matters of love.
Zhaozhao, however, was different from Xue Mianmian. Many noble sons had admired her and pursued her. Back then, Lu Shiyan nearly worshiped her, indulging her unconditionally—even willing to give up his life for her if she so desired.
Zhaozhao had seen all kinds of love.
And his version of love...
In her eyes, was it simply not enough?
The long night wore on.
Though it was New Year’s Eve, neither Lu Ying nor Xue Ling found peace or sleep.
...
After the first lunar month, chill lingered outside Furong Palace as spring approached.
After Doctor Xiao Chen departed, Haitang whispered, "The princess is nine months pregnant now; she will likely give birth next month. But His Majesty believes it’s an eight-month pregnancy. If the child is born full-term, will His Majesty suspect the child isn’t Cui Ji’s?"
Shen Yinning sat by the window, gazing at the tender buds poking through the branches.
She gently stroked her pregnant belly. "Whether it’s full-term or not, how can one tell so easily? Even if suspicions arise, I’ll simply deny it."
After a pause, she added, "When the time comes, just say I took a tumble and gave birth prematurely due to the fall."
Haitang, lacking experience in such matters, could only nod anxiously.
As the two chatted, Wei Yu stepped in, smiling. "Princess, Miss Xue has arrived—and she’s brought her fiancé with her!"
Guan Songyuan entered side by side with Xue Mianmian.
Shen Yinning curiously assessed him. The man looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, with a clean and passably handsome appearance.
"Zhaozhao!" Xue Mianmian bounded forward energetically, clutching Shen Yinning’s arm. "This is Guan Gongzi! Since he and I are already engaged and will marry next month, I thought we’re practically family now, so I brought him along to pay you a New Year’s visit! Guan Gongzi, this is Princess Zhaoning—I’ve always treated her like an elder sister!"
Guan Songyuan greeted her with a warm smile and a bow. "Songyuan pays respects to Elder Sister."
Shen Yinning’s lips curled into an impassive smile.
Elder Sister?
This man certainly had a way with words.
Shen Yinning gestured for him to sit and instructed Haitang to bring sugar cakes and tea. In a gentle voice, she said, "The imperial exams are nearing, yet Guan Gongzi isn’t at home focusing on his studies. How do you find the time to visit the palace to convey your New Year’s greetings to me?"
"The Four Books and Five Classics required for the exams are already firmly lodged in my mind," Guan Songyuan replied softly. "I often hear Mianmian speak of how kind Elder Sister has been to her, so I made it a point to come personally to thank Elder Sister for caring for her over the years."
As he spoke, he had his attendants present a gift.
Shen Yinning opened the brocade box to find an impressive set of solid gold hair ornaments.
She held it in the palm of her hand, feeling its substantial weight.
Closing the box, Shen Yinning remarked, "This is our first meeting. How could I accept such an extravagant gift?"
"Elder Sister’s care for Mianmian is far more precious than gold. These trinkets are of little consequence," Guan Songyuan replied smoothly. He glanced discreetly at the ebony fox-fur cloak embroidered with dragons that hung upon a wooden rack. His thin lips couldn’t suppress a pleased smile. "Elder Sister can treat it as a mere trifle."
Even though his glance was subtle, Shen Yinning caught it nonetheless, her years of observing people’s expressions and moods keenly attuned.
Following his line of sight, she also glanced at the cloak.
It was Lu Ying’s cloak.
He had stayed in Furong Palace during the first lunar month, leaving behind quite a few of his belongings.
Shen Yinning tilted her head and gazed at Guan Songyuan. Her smile grew slightly more enigmatic.