The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 476 - 474: Would Shen Zhaozhao Get Jealous for Me?

Chapter 476: Chapter 474: Would Shen Zhaozhao Get Jealous for Me?

"Han Sang!" Huo Mingyan snapped unhappily, "Why are you saying all this to Lord Guan?!"

"This servant simply cannot stand how Princess Zhaoning bullies you! She’s the daughter of a disgraced minister, used to be a concubine, and even bore a child for another man. Truly, in every way inferior to Your Highness. How dare she intrude upon the nest and seduce His Majesty?! Because of her, Your Highness, the rightful Empress, has been utterly neglected..."

At those words, Huo Mingyan’s eyes reddened slightly as she stubbornly turned her face away, refusing to speak.

Guan Songyuan’s heart ached for her. In stern tones of disapproval, he said, "Shen Yinning is truly too outrageous!"

Han Sang voiced her hopes eagerly, "Lord Guan, do you have any way of helping Her Highness?"

Guan Songyuan hesitated for a moment, then replied seriously, "His Majesty has been on the throne for over half a year, yet there are still no heirs beneath him. Back when the Supreme Emperor was his age, he already had three sons! Your Highness, I plan to join forces with the court officials to pressure His Majesty into selecting more beauties to fill the harem. With enough new faces and exquisite beauties around, Shen Yinning will naturally lose her significance."

Huo Mingyan nestled in his arms, her fingers intertwining with his. "It’s not jealousy of Shen Yinning that drives me; rather, I fear her charm may lead His Majesty astray from his duties. I also worry she might delay the imperial lineage. If Lord Guan truly can help me, then the two of us will go down as heroes of the Great Zhou."

"Your Highness," Guan Songyuan held her waist tightly, "the concerns we share for the empire are identical. It’s evident the world is corrupt, yet we alone remain pure."

The two exchanged glances, their affection profound.

Han Sang rejoiced, "That would be the best outcome!"

Guan Songyuan’s gaze softened with deep tenderness. "The belt Your Highness gifted me last time—I cherish it immensely. However, its intricate design always confounds me; I can never fasten it properly. Might Your Highness demonstrate for me once more by undoing it personally?"

Huo Mingyan lightly tapped his forehead in a playful gesture. "Oh, you."

She bowed her head gracefully and began to untie the belt for Guan Songyuan.

Guan Songyuan’s breathing grew heavier as he suddenly clasped her chin.

"Your Highness has lost weight, which pains me deeply. You and I understand each other as kindred spirits; I’d gladly remain by your side and share your burdens."

Huo Mingyan loosely gathered her phoenix-embroidered robe, which had slipped open.

She responded to Guan Songyuan, tears sparkling amid her fondness, "The relationship between myself and Lord Guan is noble and untainted, transcending earthly passions and incomprehensible to others."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

...

The cicadas chirped incessantly.

Tomorrow was the Qixi Festival.

Haitang helped Shen Yinning take off her heavy ornaments and hairpieces, clinking softly as they were set aside. Haitang murmured, "I’ve heard that recently, the voices in court urging His Majesty to select new concubines and further the imperial lineage have grown louder again. This time, it seems unrelated to the Empress, and instead led by the Shen Family and Guan Family."

"Shen Xinghan and Guan Songyuan?" Shen Yinning plucked out a golden hairpin. "When did those two start conspiring together?"

Haitang chuckled lightly. "Shen Xinya has become a discarded pawn, and Consort Rong cannot bear children. The Shen Family will stop at nothing to present new beauties capable of bearing an imperial heir—likely, someone fitting has already been selected. As for the Guan Family... this servant isn’t sure of their intentions."

Shen Yinning frowned at the thought of Guan Songyuan, a feeling of revulsion welling within her.

She looked out toward the dusk beyond the latticed window. "I wonder how Mianmian is doing..."

While the mistress and servant were conversing, Lu Ying entered from outside.

He shed his thin black cloak. "Tomorrow is Qixi. Zhaozhao, is there anything you want as a gift?"

Shen Yinning turned to him with deliberate amusement. "How about the Empress position?"

Lu Ying fell silent.

"If not the Empress position, how about freedom?"

Lu Ying frowned unhappily. "Zhaozhao."

"This is forbidden, and that is impossible. If you can’t give me what I truly want, then why even ask?" Shen Yinning let out a faint scoff. "Is Your Majesty trying to showcase your deep affection for me with such superficial means? Honestly, it’s both childish and insincere."

The young woman’s every word was cutting.

Lu Ying clenched his jaw tightly. "Anything but those two."

Shen Yinning pondered for a moment and then said, "Visiting Mianmian outside the palace should be permitted, shouldn’t it?"

Lu Ying took a step back. "Fine, but you must bring Black and White Bound Spirits along."

Black and White Bound Spirits were elite guards, fiercely loyal to him.

With them shadowing this cunning fox, there’d be no chance of her fleeing.

Shen Yinning had no objections.

After all, during Qixi, the Capital was always teeming with people from all walks of life. Besides, she planned to pay a visit to the Guan Family too. Two extra guards for protection wouldn’t hurt.

Following dinner, Shen Yinning bathed, and a palace maid brought over a plate of fresh lychees.

The golden sun hovered low on the horizon, its last rays casting a fleeting glow into the windows.

The young woman lay sprawled on a small Buddhist table, draped in white sheer fabric, flipping through a storybook.

Her black hair cascaded loosely, her posture lazy to the point of decadence, utterly improper.

Lu Ying sat across from her, peeling a lychee and offering it at her lips.

Shen Yinning did not glance up, biting into the lychee without hesitation.

Lu Ying’s fingers brushed against her lips inadvertently.

He savored these rare relaxed moments; his finely carved features softened as though the frozen ice had begun to thaw. "What are you reading?"

"Do you lack eyes?" Shen Yinning pointed to the cover’s bold title. "Can’t you see the three big characters of ’Golden Branch’?"

"What’s it about?"

"It’s about a widow whose husband dies. Her relatives seize her estate, so she starts her own business and earns her fortune."

Lu Ying remarked, "Sounds inspirational."

As he peeled another lychee, his sharp eyes carried a flicker of unfathomable depth.

As ruler, his thoughts strayed to the reality of gender inequality that left widows marginalized and powerless—perhaps it was time to enact laws to safeguard their rights.

Shen Yinning reached the final page. "In the end, she becomes fabulously wealthy and keeps three pretty boy lovers, living blissfully ever after. The author’s perspective is rather progressive. Why should men enjoy harems while women are bound by propriety? I believe wealthy women should also indulge in having multiple lovers and delight in their own slice of paradise!"

Lu Ying’s expression turned peculiar. "Do you aspire to that kind of happiness as well?"

Shen Yinning rested her chin on her palm, raising her gaze to him with mocking boldness. "Aren’t you the one basking in such bliss? I hear talk that you plan to choose more consorts to fill the harem?"

Lu Ying’s face revealed no change. "I intend to wage war against Korea and the Western Regions, but the court ministers are strongly advising against such aggressive conquest. Even Shangguan and Minister Pei oppose me. Agreeing to select new concubines is meant to placate their protests, compelling them to take a step back."

Shangguan and Minister Pei referred to Shangguan, the Prime Minister, and Pei, the Chief of Staff.

Shen Yinning was stunned for a moment.

Lu Ying had just annexed Bei Yan—so soon, he planned yet another campaign?

She asked, "There are twenty-one kingdoms in the Western Regions—do you mean to conquer them all?"

Lu Ying countered deftly, "Why not?"

The sun sank completely below the horizon.

The young emperor, clad in black robes and crowned by a golden hairpin, with broad shoulders and narrow hips, sat with an unmistakable regal authority.

His narrowed eyes betrayed something almost tangible—a raw ambition as sharp as a sword stripped of its scabbard.

He slowly peeled another lychee, offering it at her lips. "Shen Zhaozhao ought to concern herself with the harem, not conquests. Tell me, Shen Zhaozhao—would you be jealous on my behalf?"

The lychee brushed against Shen Yinning’s lips.

The chilled fruit felt slightly cold against her skin.

Caught off guard, Shen Yinning bit into it.

The juice trickled down her fair chin.

Lu Ying’s gaze darkened further. Abruptly leaning closer, he kissed the drop of lychee juice clean from her chin.

His large hand anchored at the back of her head, as if fearing words he didn’t wish to hear. After a pause, he suddenly captured her lips in a deep kiss.