The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 145 - 143 Is He, Lu Ying, Not a Real Man Anymore?!

Chapter 145: Chapter 143 Is He, Lu Ying, Not a Real Man Anymore?!

Yin Yang received the silver note, grinning so widely that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened. "Rest assured, I’ll do everything in my power to handle this matter!"

Yin Shanshan beamed with pride. "Big Brother, you’re truly capable. Even the Crown Prince listens to you. Once His Highness ascends the throne and becomes emperor, you’ll undoubtedly be appointed Prime Minister!"

Shen Yinning couldn’t help herself and let out a chuckle.

Appointed Prime Minister?

An ordinary sedan-bearer, whom Lu Ying doesn’t even know—on what grounds would he be appointed?

"What are you laughing at?!" Yin Shanshan snapped, glaring at her irritably. "I mean it—usually you’re not good for anything, and now you can’t even handle this trivial matter concerning Sister Yun. How can you still have the face to laugh?"

"Exactly," Gao Yun chimed in. "In my opinion, my elder brother should make Sister Shan the legitimate wife and reduce you to a concubine! After all, you’re nothing more than the daughter of a disgraced minister, unworthy of comparison to Sister Shan in terms of family background, intellect, or even virtuous behavior! You’ve contributed nothing to the Royal Merchant venture—I truly don’t know what purpose you serve! Let me be clear: if, in the future, my husband becomes the Royal Merchant and earns a fortune, we won’t spare you a single copper coin, so don’t even think about it!"

Shen Yinning subdued the corners of her lips from tilting upward.

Become the Royal Merchant and earn a fortune?

She estimated that Yin Yang would blow that three thousand taels of patterned silver at the gambling den tonight.

And as for Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng—there would never be a chance for them to become Royal Merchants in this lifetime!

She couldn’t wait to witness Gao Yun’s expression when she realized that Yin Yang was merely a sedan-bearer and had squandered the three thousand taels like water. She would love to see how Gao Yun then treated Yin Shanshan.

Softly, she said, "I’m simply happy for Sister and Brother-in-law, nothing more."

Gao Yun and Yin Shanshan both rolled their eyes.

The others ignored her and left her sidelined, engrossed in lively revelry, drinking, and playing finger-guessing games.

Shen Yinning didn’t feel awkward at all. She calmly enjoyed a few bites of food before heading out for some fresh air.

In the neighboring private room.

Lu Ying and his companions were seated here, and they could clearly hear every word of the Gao family’s conversation.

Xue Mianmian clenched her small fists tightly. "I knew it—they’d gang up on Zhaozhao. Gao Zheng obviously climbed up using Zhaozhao’s connections, yet he lets his family exclude her—I’m utterly disgusted with him. My lord, may I invite Zhaozhao to join us here for dinner?"

Xue Ling lounged lazily in a circle chair, smiling as he roasted meat. "The Crown Prince is hosting the banquet tonight. You’ll have to ask for his permission."

Xue Mianmian looked imploringly at Lu Ying. "Your Highness?"

Lu Ying sipped his wine, his tone detached. "She and I have long kept our boundaries—it’s clear and distinct. Besides, we are both married. Dining at the same table wouldn’t adhere to the traditional propriety between men and women."

Xue Mianmian bit her lip and reluctantly gave up.

While Lu Ying stepped out to refresh himself, Xue Mianmian couldn’t hold back and whispered, "My lord, I can tell that His Highness clearly cares for Zhaozhao. Why won’t he admit it?"

Xue Ling pulled her into his arms.

He rubbed a rough thumb over her delicate lips before pressing his calloused fingertip against her doe-like eyes. He grinned with a blend of savagery and arrogance. "Xue Mianmian, if these eyes dare to look at another man again, I’ll gouge them out—do you hear me?"

Xue Mianmian trembled in fright, tears brimming in her eyes, and meekly nodded her agreement.

At the end of the corridor, Lu Ying stood.

The architecture included a circle of leaning chairs overlooking the snowy scene of the Capital.

Night had fallen, and rows of hanging lanterns cast a warm orange glow, illuminating the young woman standing before the leaning chair.

Lu Ying spoke blandly, "What’s this? Without me, you can’t even remain in the Gao family’s presence?"

Shen Yinning turned to meet his gaze.

The man in the dark robe and golden hairpin stood behind her. It had been days since they last met, and tonight an oppressive shadow enveloped him, exuding a chillingly dominant aura.

She smirked lightly. "Is His Highness concerned for this humble subject’s wife?"

Lu Ying faltered.

This woman’s words could sometimes be as sweet as honey, yet at other times, they cut like blade-sharp barbs, each syllable laced with venom.

He had originally sought her out tonight to ask if there were unspoken reasons behind her taking contraceptive medicines.

But faced with her now, his prepared words morphed into a single cold sentence: "You overestimate yourself."

The two volleyed words back and forth, oblivious to Gao Zheng’s presence at the other end of the corridor.

He had come to find Shen Yinning.

A family banquet was no place for her to excuse herself for so long. It was improper behavior for a legitimate wife.

He hadn’t anticipated stumbling upon a scene with Shen Yinning and the Crown Prince.

Though too far to hear their conversation, with a man and woman alone together, what could be discussed but indecent flirtations and shameless murmurings?

Gao Zheng clenched his fists painfully.

Shen Yinning was his wife, yet the Crown Prince repeatedly interfered, even inserting himself into his family banquet.

When would this unbearable torment come to an end?!

"Shen Yinning..."

He dared not cross the Crown Prince but could only glare furiously at Shen Yinning.

He wasn’t without leverage against her.

On a past day at Shen Guogong Mansion, while hiding behind a screen wall, he had overheard Shen Yinning speaking with the Princely Heir of Prince Su Mansion:

——"Lu Ying always has a perfect facade, appearing noble and self-disciplined, but behind closed doors, he does things like betraying his brothers and taking another man’s wife. But whether he is just or corrupt, he is merely a stepping stone for me to climb higher."

——"Sister Shen, don’t you like the Crown Prince?"

——"Like him? Of course, I like his title as Crown Prince, the power in his hands, his infuriating habit of belittling me while being unable to let me go. What’s there not to like about that ridiculousness?"

If he reported these words to the Crown Prince, would Lu Ying be furious?

Would he decisively sever ties with Shen Yinning?

Then, finally, Shen Yinning could return to her proper place as his wife, aiding his career like Shanshan, bearing his offspring, and managing the household.

With this thought, Gao Zheng licked his lips, his resolve to expose Shen Yinning to the Crown Prince growing stronger.

Shen Yinning was oblivious to Gao Zheng’s scheming thoughts.

Paying minimal attention to Lu Ying, she left the Gao family banquet and found Xue Mianmian to propose heading to the northern district to visit the night market together.

Every winter, the northern district of the Capital hosted an all-night market teeming with merchants from all corners of the country and even foreign traders from the Western Regions and the East. They brought rare and exotic goods, making this weeklong event a lively attraction even for typically cloistered noblewomen.

In previous years, Shen Yinning always invited Xue Mianmian to explore the market together.

Since Xue Ling forbade Xue Mianmian from showing her face in public, she always wore a veil when stepping out.

Excitedly, she said, "Zhaozhao, I never thought I’d have the chance to walk the northern district night market with you again in this lifetime!"

Shen Yinning, in good spirits herself, replied, "Whatever you fancy, I’ll gift it to you."

From behind them came Lu Ying’s faint voice. "You’ve surrendered all the Money Shop tokens to me—what funds do you have to pay your debts?"

Shen Yinning couldn’t stand his condescending tone.

She offered a radiant, spirited smile. "Your Highness need not concern yourself. There are plenty of gentlemen willing to spend money on me. Take Azhe, for instance. Even the silver notes and gifts Shiyuan sent me over the years remain untouched. Those treasures will suffice for my indulgences for a long while. Shiyuan is a truly magnanimous man; though we were never together, he still supports me for the sake of our past bond—now *that’s* what I call a real man."

The hand Lu Ying held behind his back abruptly clenched.

Shiyuan? "Brother Shiyuan"?

This woman dared to address Lu Shiyan so intimately?

And she claimed Lu Shiyan provides for her?

What was she implying—that Lu Shiyan was a true man and he, Lu Ying, was not?

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