CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 119 SHEN ZHAOZHAO’S DOG

Lu Ying’s gaze turned sharp.

Just as Shen Yinning was about to lift her sleeve, he stepped aside and avoided her.

Their eyes met, and he could clearly see the mischief lurking in Shen Yinning’s eyes.

So close.

So close—the five words Shen Yinning wrote on his arm would have been exposed for everyone to see—

"Shen Zhaozhao’s dog."

Lu Ying couldn’t imagine what people would think about him and Shen Zhaozhao if they saw those words on his arm.

Three days without overturning the roof, this little fox’s courage was growing absurdly bold.

He had been far too indulgent with her!

With a flick of his sleeve, his expression cold and refined as jade, he said, "Madam Shen, please have some self-respect."

Shen Yinning nearly burst out laughing.

Lu Ying—this wretched man—was actually calling on her to have self-respect!

Yet in private, when had he ever required that of her?

She stifled her laughter and formally curtsied, saying, "It was my misstep just now. I offer my apologies to the Crown Prince."

Shen Yunxi’s brows furrowed deeply.

These two did not appear blameless.

Yet if there were something between them, it wasn’t readily discernible.

After all, Shen Yinning was a married woman, and the Crown Prince had always been upright and principled. He, of all people, would not defy societal ethics to claim another man’s wife, would he?

"My lady," Shen Yinning interrupted her thoughts, "it’s deep winter and the Crown Prince’s sleeve is wet. He might catch a cold. Perhaps you’d invite him to the side chamber to change?"

Shen Yunxi snapped out of her contemplation, thinking that Shen Yinning was unusually sensible for once.

If Shen Yinning could always be so sensible and submissive, behaving docilely in her presence, Shen Yunxi might even tolerate her staying in the Capital—treating her as nothing more than an obedient servant at her disposal.

Wearing a gracious smile, she said, "Your Highness, shall I help you change your attire?"

Lu Ying wiped the wine stains from his sleeve with a handkerchief, saying, "It’s just a little wine, no need for the trouble."

Shen Zhaozhao, this little fox, full of cunning—her suggestion to change attire was nothing more than a ploy to expose the writing on his arm to Shen Yunxi.

Was she not afraid that once her relationship with him was discovered, Shen Yunxi’s wrath might lead to her demise?

She had been audacious and defiant since childhood, but now she was even more outrageous, leaving him thoroughly exasperated.

Lu Ying put away his handkerchief, his cold gaze harboring a warmth so hidden and imperceptible it resembled a hot spring deep in a wintry mountain range.

Just then, maids from the Duke Mansion brought in freshly made plum blossom cakes from the kitchen.

Shen Yunxi signaled for everyone to sample them, smiling as she said, "Today’s plum blossom banquet is not only for enjoying the flowers but also for selecting a fitting bride for my second brother."

Pausing, her tone grew haughty, "At yesterday’s birthday feast, I’m sure you all heard about how the Xue Family broke off the engagement. Xue Qingqing is overly ambitious and looked down on my second brother. So, I must restore our pride by finding him a bride who is more noble, beautiful, and virtuous than her!"

The warm pavilion fell silent.

The women stared at the plum blossom cakes in their hands, momentarily speechless.

They had all come dressed lavishly today, expecting to witness Shen Yinning’s disgrace—how could they have anticipated this matchmaking spectacle for Shen Xinglei?!

Good heavens, everyone knew that Shen Xinglei had fathered an illegitimate child before marriage. Now, with the mistress and child officially settled in as his concubine and son, the child had become the legitimate first-born son.

As respectable young ladies, none of them would willingly marry into a situation where they’d have to raise another woman’s child!

They weren’t desperate for husbands, after all!

Utterly absurd!

Moreover, Shen Xinglei’s actions at yesterday’s banquet had been downright alarming—one moment appearing earnest and agreeable, the next brooding and violent. Not only had he publicly referred to his cousin Shen Yinning as a "wretched woman," but he had also attempted to hit her. His fists resembled iron hammers; if not for the Crown Prince’s intervention, Shen Yinning might have been struck dead on the spot!

Such brute behavior—they dared not gamble their lives on what he might do in private!

Seeing the room devoid of enthusiasm, with none of the anticipated competition for attention and favor, Shen Yunxi felt humiliated.

Her second brother was a military prodigy—both refined and skilled in combat, the brightest among the younger generation. So what if he had a concubine and an illegitimate son? Surely, these women had no reason to nitpick!

Glancing at the young lady clad in apricot-yellow robes, she said, "I hear Miss Shangguan has yet to be betrothed."

Shangguan Yu, the daughter of the Prime Minister, was exceptionally accomplished and hailed from a prestigious lineage. Her status in the Capital’s social circles rivaled that of Xue Qingqing.

Upon hearing Shen Yunxi address her, the plum blossom cake in Shangguan Yu’s hand suddenly felt scorching hot. She wished she could return home at once and beg her parents to arrange another engagement to escape Shen Yunxi’s schemes!

She curtsied awkwardly, replying, "Marriage matters are bound by parental arrangements and matchmakers. This humble lady dare not discuss it freely."

It was clearly a rejection.

Shen Yunxi’s expression darkened, "What’s this? Does Miss Shangguan find my second brother undeserving?"

"This humble lady dare not!" Shangguan Yu quickly sank to her knees, bowing her head low. "The young general is brave, capable, and has a promising future. It is truly I who am unworthy of such a match!"

Lu Qianqian interjected displeasedly, "Hmph! Shangguan Yu—you’re merely rejecting him over the matter of his illegitimate son, aren’t you? It’s perfectly normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. What’s there to object about?"

"This humble lady is not objecting..." Shangguan Yu stammered nervously, "It’s just... coming from a family of civil servants, my parents are inclined toward selecting a scholar for my husband."

Lu Qianqian rolled her eyes, "Oh, so Miss Shangguan thinks my second brother is too uncultured? I know yesterday’s birthday feast left you with a bad impression—seeing his outburst—but you’re too sheltered to understand that’s what makes him a real man! A man with blood in his veins doesn’t shy from throwing punches. It wasn’t you he was hitting, so why would you care who he fights? Us women should aim to marry men like my second brother—a manly man!"

The entire room was stunned into silence.

Shangguan Yu opened her mouth but couldn’t muster a response.

In the midst of the awkward quiet, Shen Yinning suddenly laughed aloud.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Yunxi glared at her in disapproval, demanding, "Shen Yinning! How dare you laugh while the Third Princess is speaking to Miss Shangguan? Such occasions are not for you to casually interrupt! With your current lowly status, you ought to mind your behavior!"

Shen Yinning offered a respectful bow, saying, "I’ve overstepped. I was simply overjoyed for my second cousin."

"Overjoyed?!"

"Doesn’t Her Highness see it? The princess’s lavish praises for my second cousin suggest an undeniable affection, do they not? Such an advantageous match—strengthening ties of kinship—is truly worth celebrating!"

Shen Yunxi looked at Lu Qianqian in astonishment, asking, "Qianqian, do you harbor affection for my second brother?"

Lu Qianqian’s face flushed a deep red, as if she had turned into a liver-colored pig.

When had she ever liked Shen Xinglei?!

Shen Xinglei was temperamental and terrifying, vile and cruel, prone to violence, and burdened with both a concubine and an illegitimate son. She was a princess of noble stature—how could she stoop to marrying such a disgraceful man?!