CHAPTER 351: CHAPTER 349: I WILL NOT SURROGATE FOR OTHERS AGAIN

Xue Ling’s expression turned solemn as she replied, "General Huo has allied with three prominent families from outside the border. His army has already crossed the Fen River, and I suppose in just over half a month, they’ll reach the Capital. News of the Yan Crown Prince’s assassination in the Capital is spreading rapidly to Yan Country. The Emperor cannot trace it back to you, nor produce the culprit to explain to the Yan Royal Family. At this moment, he can only grit his teeth and fortify the northern border. Most of the country’s military forces have already been dispatched to the northern border, so I imagine General Huo’s southward march will proceed smoothly."

Lu Ying nodded slightly.

He lowered his gaze, running his fingertip over the map, tracing the northwestern region.

Half a month...

It’s coming soon.

...

Ever since Lu Ying was deposed, court discussions about establishing a new Crown Prince have grown increasingly fervent.

The civil and military officials unanimously endorsed Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Yu had long desired to make Lu Zhengliu his heir, so he gladly agreed, setting the coronation ceremony for seven days hence.

Over these few days, the Noble Consort Zhang’s palace has been bustling with activity. Aristocratic noblewomen from the Capital, accompanied by their daughters, visited to pay respects. The young ladies were all dressed extravagantly, their families’ intentions clearly evident.

Imperial Garden, Pavilion.

Shen Yinning lounged leisurely against the beauty leaning-rest, fanning herself with a small gold-painted sandalwood fan. She jested, "I hear the Noble Consort’s palace has been lively of late. Prince Duan, instead of mingling and amusing yourself, what brings you to the Imperial Garden?"

Lu Zhengliu smoothed his robe and sat on a stone bench.

He waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t bring that up. The palace is full of young ladies chattering incessantly—so noisy it’s unbearable. I know Mother Consort intends to pick me a Princess, but I simply don’t want to marry or have children. Even for a Concubine, I have no desire to take one. Last time, Mother Consort forced me to accompany that Wen Kuixiang through the Capital, and I found it utterly exasperating. If a few more girls come like her, I might as well give up on life altogether."

Shen Yinning studied him curiously.

Young men at this age, when the stirrings of love awaken, are typically drawn to girls their own age.

But Lu Zhengliu was peculiar.

She asked, "You don’t want to marry. Then what do you want?"

The boy, who was always mild and obedient in front of Lu Yu and Noble Consort Zhang, revealed a rebellious and unruly smile. "I want to go to the border. They say the border’s moon is rounder than the Central Plains’. I want to see the bright moon at the border. Oh, and also the snow-capped mountains and grasslands. Shen Sister, I want to gallop across the grasslands on horseback, and if luck permits, kill a few Yan soldiers on the battlefield. That would be true bliss!"

Shen Yinning froze for a moment.

A prince entrenched in luxury and pampered by Noble Consort Zhang and the Emperor didn’t yearn for carefree days in the Capital, but instead wanted the hardships of the border.

She reminded him, "You’re about to be declared Crown Prince."

Light dimmed in the boy’s eyes, and his lips curved downward, like a Persian cat lowering its proudly raised tail.

He said, "I know."

"Once you become Crown Prince, you can’t freely ride off to the border or battle enemies. Your duty will be to stay in the Imperial Palace, handling memorials from the various provinces, balancing the affairs of the realm and its people. You’ll need to marry a Crown Princess Consort, take in a few Concubines and secondary wives to ensure the continuation of the Imperial Family’s lineage. There’s a tremendous weight of responsibility resting on your shoulders."

Lu Zhengliu fiddled with his braid.

His long hair was tied into a high ponytail and adorned with an intricate golden crown with a coiled dragon design. Yet, he insisted on keeping a small portion of hair braided into a thin plait, threaded with a red coral bead that lazily hung on his chest. It lent him an air of mischievous defiance.

Noble Consort Zhang disliked it, having once told him to tuck the braid into his ponytail, but he had refused.

He twirled the braid between his fingers, his voice barely audible. "I know the responsibilities I bear."

Summer winds carrying the fragrance of lotus wafted into the pavilion, and neither spoke further.

It was unclear how much time had passed before a stern-faced matron approached. "Princess Zhaoning, the Empress Dowager requests your presence at Kunning Palace."

Shen Yinning rose and curtsied to Lu Zhengliu before heading to Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace.

Empress Dowager Li scrutinized Shen Yinning as she ceremonially greeted her, her expression inscrutable. "Your grandmother is a woman of bold disposition and strong will. You’re just like her."

"This subject humbly thanks the Empress Dowager for her praise."

The Empress Dowager clutched her Bixi Buddha beads tightly. "I wasn’t praising you!"

Shen Yinning slowly raised her head.

The maiden’s beauty was dazzlingly radiant—a strikingly aggressive brand of absolute allure.

Even the Empress Dowager, accustomed to encountering all manners of beauties in the harem, couldn’t help but feel a faint suffocation.

Shen Yinning curved her lips into a gentle smile. "What troubles weigh on the Empress Dowager’s mind? If the deposed Crown Prince is gone, isn’t Prince Duan still an option? Li Zhu is beautiful and keenly perceptive; she’ll surely win Prince Duan’s favor. Besides, compared to the deposed Crown Prince, wouldn’t Prince Duan be easier to manipulate?"

Her words were audacious, lacking the slightest restraint or decorum.

The palace maids and matrons in the hall were all shocked, hurriedly lowering their heads as if they’d heard nothing.

The Empress Dowager’s gaze wavered imperceptibly.

When had Shen Yinning seen through her plans?

During her time in the harem, she had been a force to be reckoned with. How was it that she met this junior and found her intentions so thoroughly exposed?

She almost suspected she had grown old.

Barely able to believe it, she fixed her glare on Shen Yinning. "You’ve long since—"

"Yes, this subject has long known that the Empress Dowager simply wished to use me to pave the way for Li Zhu." Shen Yinning smiled faintly and cast a glance at Li Zhu, who was standing nearby. "After all, each time Li Zhu looks at Lu Ying, her gaze is far from innocent."

Li Zhu’s hands tightened imperceptibly as her face flushed, then paled with embarrassment.

She eyed Shen Yinning with a mix of resentment and admiration, feeling in that moment the same oppressive pressure Shen Yunxi once felt.

At the game table, beauty alone often spells disaster.

But beauty paired with wisdom becomes a decisive coup.

Shen Yinning continued, "The Empress Dowager once aided me. I’ll remember that kindness and, in return, devote my life to serving her faithfully. However, bearing children for others? That’s something I’ll no longer do."

After bowing respectfully, she slowly exited Kunning Palace.

To be wholly exposed by a junior, the Empress Dowager’s grip on the Bixi Buddha beads tightened to the point her fingertips turned faintly pale.

To claim lifelong loyalty while clearly cutting ties—what gall!

She sneered coldly, "What a bold Shen Family daughter! Does she think that now, with newfound backing, she no longer needs to heed this widow’s face? When her grandmother was still in the Capital, even she had to act according to this widow’s whims. How arrogant of her!"

"Imperial Grandmother," Li Zhu asked apprehensively, "What should we do next? Are we really to align ourselves with Prince Duan?"

The Empress Dowager frowned deeply.

Lu Zhengliu was indeed easier to control compared to Jingwei, but he had a mother behind him.

As long as Noble Consort Zhang was alive, the harem was hers; no matter what, this Empress Dowager’s word could hardly prevail.

Noble Consort Zhang would certainly select daughters from the Zhang Family to be Lu Zhengliu’s Empress—those from the Li Family would never catch her eye!

Exhaling deeply, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes momentarily. "We’ll wait and see how the situation unfolds. For some reason, this widow suspects Jingwei may still have cards left to play..."

Li Zhu bit her lip.

Her cousin had been deposed, her father-in-law’s military authority stripped away, and seemingly surrounded on all sides.

Could he truly rise again?