The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 161 - 159: Zhaozhao, Don’t Be Afraid of Him!

He observed for a moment before paying respects to Yu Qingheng.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Yinning also noticed Lu Ying.

She curled her lips in disdain.

She had thought she could hide out here with her teacher for some peace tonight, but who would have expected this scoundrel to sniff her out like a dog?

"Madam!" Bai Heming’s childish voice piped up. "You not only saved my life but also sent me here to study. You taught me what it means to be kind. A few days ago, I went to the back hill to play and saw someone fainted on the roadside. I wanted to learn from you and do good, so I brought him back!"

Shen Yinning patted his small head. "You’re quite the little savior now."

"Let me take you to see him!"

Full of excitement, Bai Heming tugged on Shen Yinning’s sleeve and led her to the eastern wing room.

Sure enough, a middle-aged man was lying unconscious in the room. He was severely weakened and had many wounds.

His clothes were simple and plain, and his boots did not have the characteristics of someone from the Capital. Instead, his attire resembled that of the nomads from the Northern Border.

Shen Yinning’s gaze settled on his hand. In it, he was tightly clutching an old handkerchief.

Bai Heming chirped, "Madam, you saw the handkerchief too, right? It must be something very important—he’s gripping it even while unconscious."

Shen Yinning pulled the handkerchief free.

She unfolded it, revealing crooked bloody characters written across it, accompanied by dozens of bloody fingerprints.

As she read, her expression grew more and more stunned.

Her face turned grave, and the further she read, the more her heart raced in alarm.

Suddenly, she clenched the handkerchief tightly, her voice hoarse as she murmured, "Shen Xinglei..."

Bai Heming looked confused. "Madam?"

Shen Yinning tucked the handkerchief into her sleeve pocket before looking at him intently. "You’ve done something extraordinary. You’ve helped me greatly."

Bai Heming tilted his head, still bewildered.

Shen Yinning instructed him, "If this man survives, tell him to rest and recover at Yu Manor. As for his and the villagers’ wishes, Minister Cui Ji of the Ministry of Justice will see them fulfilled."

Though Bai Heming didn’t understand, he trusted that whatever Madam did was for the best, so he nodded solemnly.

Shen Yinning stepped outside and asked Haitang, "Is the tooth bracelet I took from Shen Xinglei still with us?"

Haitang nodded. "All of Madam’s belongings from the ruins of the Gao Mansion have been retrieved. The young maids were thorough; they wouldn’t miss anything from your room. By now, it should’ve been delivered to Shen Garden for safekeeping."

"That’s good..."

Shen Yinning gazed at the plum blossoms beyond the corridor.

When Lu Qianqian and Shen Xinglei got married, she planned to give them a wedding gift.

She wanted Shen Xinglei to suffer eternal damnation!

Elsewhere, Lu Ying finished paying respects to Yu Qingheng. The two of them sat by the window, playing a game of Go.

Yu Qingheng rubbed a chess stone between his fingers. "Though I live in seclusion here, I’ve still heard bits and pieces about Court affairs. It’s said that the Holy Emperor dotes on Noble Consort Zhang and seems intent on assigning her son, Lu Zhengliu, to take up a post at the Northern Border next spring for training?"

"Yes." Lu Ying placed his next move. "The Northern Border has been unstable these past couple of months—there’ve been several rebellions among the nomadic tribes. My father’s intention is for Lu Zhengliu to handle them."

"The thirty thousand iron cavalry of the North once pledged loyalty to Shen Zhi. Now, they’ve been split between the Emperor and Shen Yan," Yu Qingheng said, his voice somber. "I suspect this is the Emperor’s way of transferring military power into Lu Zhengliu’s hands."

Lu Ying’s expression remained indifferent. "The Northern factions are deeply rooted. Lu Zhengliu won’t be able to manage them."

On the Go board, black and white stones intertwined, the conflict intricate and complicated.

Yu Qingheng fixed Lu Ying with a penetrating gaze. "Still, you must not underestimate the situation."

"I understand, teacher," Lu Ying replied coolly, placing another stone.

Regaining his composure, Yu Qingheng looked at the board and realized that his white stones were now trapped like a beast in a cage. Frustrated, he slapped his thigh. "Carelessness! I’ve let you seize the advantage! No way, this game doesn’t count. We’re starting over!"

They dined at Yu Manor that evening.

Yu Qingheng mentioned that he was craving Shen Yinning’s handmade beef pies, and she readily agreed to make some, personally stepping into the kitchen.

The three of them ate in the flower-decorated hall. Yu Qingheng couldn’t help but praise her. "Zhaozhao, your scholarship is outstanding, and your cooking is excellent too. If I had to name a flaw, it’d be that you’re a bit lazy. But with servants waiting on you, it hardly matters."

Shen Yinning placed a beef pie onto his plate and playfully retorted, "For all my effort making dinner for you, teacher, you still find fault. If I had known you were so hard to please, I wouldn’t have come today!"

Yu Qingheng stroked his beard and laughed heartily. After tasting a few bites, he complimented, "Zhaozhao’s beef pies are just as savory and tender as always. No one else can make them taste like this! Lu Ying, are you enjoying them?"

Lu Ying answered indifferently, "They’re decent."

Shen Yinning shot him a sideways glance, annoyed.

She knew this man couldn’t be counted on to say anything nice.

Yet, despite his understated response, Lu Ying devoured an entire plateful as if someone might steal them from him. Meanwhile, Yu Qingheng had barely eaten two pies, fuming with indignation as he puffed out his beard and glared.

After dinner, Yu Qingheng ordered the servants to bring over a dozen scrolls.

Curious, Shen Yinning asked, "What’s this?"

Yu Qingheng stroked his beard, looking pleased with himself. "Your husband from Gan State not only has shallow pockets but poor character as well. I’ve heard he often frequents brothels with his colleagues—an entirely unworthy man. I don’t approve of him for you. You should find a way to divorce him! These scrolls depict some of my students, listing their names, ages, family backgrounds, ranks, and personalities. All are outstanding in every regard. Take a look—if anyone catches your eye, I’ll summon him here for you to meet in person. I’ll act as matchmaker myself; he wouldn’t dare refuse."

Shen Yinning felt her scalp tingle.

She had forgotten about her teacher’s penchant for matchmaking!

She said nothing, sneaking a glance at Lu Ying.

Lu Ying coldly said, "Teacher is getting on in years and likes to concern himself with trifles."

Yu Qingheng snapped, "If I don’t concern myself with Zhaozhao, who will? You? I don’t think you’re any better!"

Lu Ying knew that his teacher was still upset about him treating Shen Zhaozhao like Forbidden Fruit.

Before major matters were settled, he didn’t wish to make any verbal commitments here. He simply toyed with the Moyu Ring on his finger and remained silent.

To Yu Qingheng, this silence was tantamount to shamelessly taking advantage without assuming any responsibility.

The old man snorted again and turned to Shen Yinning, holding up the scrolls. "Zhaozhao, do you fancy any of these gentlemen?"

His voice was full of kindness, and his eyes shone with genuine affection, as if regarding his own granddaughter.

Shen Yinning carefully looked through the scrolls.

Each one detailed the gentleman’s name, age, family background, official rank, and character—proof that her teacher had put great effort into selecting them for her.

She understood that, as her teacher aged, he worried there would be no trustworthy person in the Capital to look after her when he was gone.

Her heart warmed. She smiled gently. "They all seem excellent to me."

No sooner had the words left her lips than she felt Lu Ying’s piercing gaze, sharp as a blade, as though he might kill her if she truly picked someone.

Yu Qingheng snorted again. "Zhaozhao, you pick whoever you like. Don’t be afraid of him!"

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