CHAPTER 350: CHAPTER 348: IS IT HIM SHE LIKES, OR THE POSITION OF CROWN PRINCESS CONSORT?

Cui Ji thought of Shangguan Min.

That day at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the peach blossoms were in full bloom. She poured tea and recited poetry beneath the tree, her wit sharp, her beauty refined, her demeanor and conversation exuding the grace of an aristocratic family.

If he had never met Shen Yinning, perhaps he would have been moved by Shangguan Min. He would think that marrying her would be a wonderful thing. They had compatible temperaments, and they would surely respect and support each other, just like the other couples from noble families.

But in this world, there has never been a "what if."

He met Shen Yinning, and from that moment, no other woman could stir his heart.

He lowered his gaze to the tea: "When Cui Ji was young, he was adopted by an old woman who lived at the edge of the village. She would ask Cui Ji to bring her a fresh peach blossom branch whenever he herded the sheep back home. There was a vast peach forest between the back hill and the edge of the village. As Cui Ji wandered through the forest with his sheep, he saw one tree after another, with blossoms more vibrant and lush than the branch he had first picked. Yet, Cui Ji still liked that very first branch the most."

This year’s Tieguanyin tea brewed into a golden green hue, every leaf distinct and clear.

The aroma of the tea, mingled with agarwood, overflowed from the crackled-glass white porcelain cup, steeped with a richness of decadent indulgence.

Shen Yinning always had a fondness for such extravagantly luxurious things.

Cui Ji thought to himself, his preferences in food, clothing, and daily living were all simple and unadorned, just like those of Shangguan Min.

He and Shen Yinning were entirely different people, yet he was hopelessly drawn to her.

He rose to his feet: "No matter what the Commandery Princess says, my feelings for her have never wavered. If the Commandery Princess pines for Lu Ying for one day, then I will wait for her for one day. If she pines for Lu Ying for ten years, then I will wait for ten years. Even if it takes a lifetime, Cui Ji can wait."

He cupped his hands in respect, turned, and left the study.

Shen Yinning propped her snow-like cheek on her hand, watching him step past the threshold and open the oiled-paper umbrella placed beneath the eaves.

The dark green robe outlined his tall, poised figure. The raindrops splashing beneath the eaves dampened the hem of his garments. As he walked into the rain, he became enshrouded in mist, like a towering green mountain cloaked in spring rain.

Unbendable and unyielding.

"What a remarkable man," Wei Yu sighed as she tidied the tea set. "If one were to lead a proper life, this servant truly believes that marrying Master Cui would be an excellent choice."

Shen Yinning remained silent.

Yes, what a remarkable man.

She suddenly thought, a woman like her did not deserve someone like Cui Ji.

Outside, muffled thunder rumbled.

Shen Yinning looked toward the overcast sky.

High summer had arrived.

The Capital—was about to witness a shift.

...

Cold Palace.

Once the torrential rain ceased, the night descended, enveloping everything in darkness. The already desolate Cold Palace became even gloomier, damp, and chilly.

A grand hall, constructed from massive black stones, loomed in the northwest of the Cold Palace. Weathered by years of neglect, it looked particularly ominous and decrepit, like a slumbering beast. Red palace lanterns hung beneath the flying eaves and curled corners, their faded color appearing both festive and hauntingly sorrowful, like the crimson eyes of the beast, watching coldly from above as a youth in red stepped inside.

"Tsk." Xue Ling adjusted his wide sleeves as he ascended the steps, the string of copper coins at his waist jingling faintly. "Your Highness, I’ve come to visit you!"

Candles burned within the hall.

Lu Ying, dressed in a frost-white robe embroidered with silver, his long hair half-pinned casually, sat behind a low desk reading a book.

"For someone in your situation, Your Highness still manages to find the leisure to read." Xue Ling placed the food container he brought beside him. "Here, I bought the best roasted duck and Nu’er Hong from the Imperial Street for you. Don’t say I never care about you."

Lu Ying closed the book.

His sculpted features, deep-set brows, and refined elegance of gold and jade-like beauty overshadowed the palace’s oppressive atmosphere. He didn’t seem like a prisoner but rather the rightful master of this desolate hall.

He said, "You’ve troubled yourself."

Xue Ling squatted at his side. "What trouble? It’s you who must be feeling awful, betrayed by that damned woman Shen Yinning. That must be unbearable, no?"

Lu Ying’s dense, long lashes lowered.

Xue Ling pursed his lips. "According to our original plan, Lu Zhengliu should have used Yan Zheming’s death to bring you down. But in an unexpected twist, it wasn’t Lu Zhengliu who exposed you—it was Shen Yinning who betrayed you on her own accord. Tell me, what is that woman thinking? Wasn’t she supposed to be in love with you? If she loves you, why would she betray you?"

Shadows cast by his lashes fell on Lu Ying’s face.

Like a butterfly lowering its wings.

His original plan was to rise from the ashes—to be deposed as Crown Prince and sent to the Cold Palace was an expected step. But like Xue Ling, he hadn’t anticipated that it would be Shen Yinning—rather than Lu Zhengliu—who would accuse him.

Thinking of Shen Yinning’s well-prepared accusations in the Imperial Study earlier that day, his expression grew colder.

Just because he refused to let her kill Shen Yunxi? Just because he denied her the position of Crown Princess Consort, she chose to betray him?

Did she truly love him, or did she love the title of Crown Princess Consort?

Lu Ying had never encountered a woman as ruthless, as selfish as Shen Yinning!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the raging hatred surging within him, and said in a low voice, "Don’t mention her again."

"And what of the future?" Xue Ling opened the food container, made a roll with roasted duck and flatbread, and handed it to Lu Ying. "When you make your comeback, how will you deal with her?"

Lu Ying didn’t take the roasted duck roll and remained silent.

Seeing his reaction, Xue Ling ate it himself and mumbled, "Although we’re sovereign and subject, you know I’ve always seen you as an elder brother since we were young. Forgive me for crossing a line, but that Shen Yinning is excessively cruel. Why is it that of all women, you’re fixated on her? A man loving deeply is not a mistake—loving deeply the wrong person, that’s the mistake."

Lu Ying handed him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. "So young, and yet you speak of such profound insights?"

Xue Ling chuckled. "You’re lost in your predicament, while I see things clearly as a spectator."

Lu Ying said no more, spreading out a map.

Yet in his mind, Shen Yinning’s face continued to surface.

He had treated her rather well.

He had even gone against his morals and principles, turning a blind eye to her collusion with Yan Zheming.

But because of Shen Yunxi, she had chosen to betray him.

A shadow lingered over Lu Ying’s heart. He had come to realize with sharp clarity that as long as Shen Yunxi and the Shen Family remained, he and Shen Yinning would forever stand opposed.

In her heart, her family’s vengeance outweighed everything else.

From his perspective, back when Shen Zhi and his son faced their downfall, he, too, had been under suspicion and suppression by the emperor. At that time, Shen Yan and Shen Xinghan had aided him significantly. Now, to sever ties with them was something he could not do.

He and Shen Yinning had reached an impasse.

Lu Ying pressed his hand against his brow.

Love was one kind of emotion. Hate, too, was an emotion. But he no longer wished to direct any emotions toward that woman.

The toll of emotions over the past year had surpassed the combined weight of the prior three years, nearly impeding his ability to function.

He pressed his hand to the map, forcing himself to stop thinking about Shen Yinning. "Is there any news from the Northwest? How far has Uncle’s army progressed?"