The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 477 - 475: Breaking into the Guan Family

A fleeting moment of indulgence.

The next day.

Shen Yinning left the palace at dusk.

When the news arrived, Lu Ying was sitting with members of the Imperial Family in the Golden Screen Pavilion.

Huo Mingyan saw the emotion flicker in his eyes and immediately knew it was news from Penglai Palace.

Such was her cousin—his heart seemed to stir only for Shen Yinning.

Thankfully, the harem would soon liven up. By then, her cousin’s thoughts likely wouldn’t rest solely on Shen Yinning.

She thought this to herself and gently reminded, "Cousin, the court maidens are about to enter."

Though it was called a wide selection of court maidens, it was actually just picking a batch from noble families in the Capital.

Besides selecting a consort for Lu Ying, it was also meant to find matches for several eligible Princes.

The most beautiful of all was undoubtedly the Princess of Bei Yan.

Empress Dowager Li observed this and said in a low voice, "Since Jingwei has annexed Bei Yan, why not bring the Princess of Bei Yan into the harem and grant her the title of concubine? This would also appease the former ministers and people of Bei Yan."

The Princess of Bei Yan being sent to the Capital had already been a move toward a political marriage.

Lu Ying nodded slightly, though his eyes betrayed no emotion.

From the Shen Family, court maidens were also sent.

Shen Xinghan cupped his hands and reported, "Your Majesty, this humble servant has already adopted Lianxin as my sworn sister. She has been renamed Shen Lianxin and added to the Shen Family genealogy. Lianxin has shared a sisterly bond with Consort Rong since childhood and now wishes to serve Your Majesty alongside her."

After several months of careful upkeep, Lianxin now appeared even more delicate and beautiful.

Shen Yunxi, sitting to the side, rolled her eyes.

Lianxin gracefully knelt in salute. Spotting Shen Yunxi’s eye-roll from the corner of her gaze, she swallowed her sorrow and bitterness, her hands clenched so tightly within her wide sleeves they turned pale.

Lu Ying, for his part, remained equally impassive.

The court maidens sent into the palace were mostly chess pieces in the power struggles of noble families. Neither he toward them nor they toward him bore much genuine feeling. It was merely compliance with societal rules, each side pursuing their goals as circumstances dictated.

After the young princes present each selected a Princess Consort, Lu Ying asked Gui Quan, "What hour is it?"

"Your Majesty, it is now the third quarter of the Xu hour."

Lu Ying twisted the jade ring on his thumb.

At this hour, Shen Zhaozhao was likely already out on the streets with Xue Mianmian, viewing lanterns.

At this time, on Zhuque Street.

Shen Yinning had arranged to meet Xue Mianmian at Mountain Crane Restaurant, even reserving a private room and preparing a banquet.

Yet half an hour passed, the food had grown cold, and Xue Mianmian still hadn’t arrived.

She tapped the table lightly and stood up. "To the Guan Family."

The carriage stopped outside the gates of the Guan Family estate.

Wei Yu stepped forward to knock, but after a long moment, she returned enraged. "My Lady, the Guan Family’s steward said you’re not allowed to use the front entrance! He even insulted you, calling you a concubine and the daughter of a criminal—claiming you should only use the back entrance! I couldn’t hold back and slapped him, and so he simply locked the gate!"

Shen Yinning laughed out of sheer anger.

She set down her teacup heavily. "Break in."

With a deafening crash, the black and white spirit guards shattered the gate of the Guan Family estate.

After all, before she left the palace, His Majesty had instructed them to heed her every command and to back her as needed.

Breaking down a gate or two shouldn’t be an issue.

Haitang carried a lantern at the front.

Shen Yinning, holding a fan in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, ascended the steps one by one.

Once across the threshold, Shen Yinning gave the dumbfounded stewards in the courtyard a polite smile. "Pardon the intrusion. I’ve come to visit your Young Madam."

The stewards were speechless. "..."

In the Guan Family’s rear courtyard.

The Guan Family’s Old Madam was speaking with her daughter in a room.

Xue Mianmian knelt alone in the courtyard, pleading, "Mother-in-law, I promised Zhaozhao to go view lanterns with her tonight. Please let me leave the estate! I’ll only be gone for one hour and will return promptly!"

The Old Madam sneered coldly, suppressing her voice as she snapped angrily, "Shameless creature! If it weren’t for Yuan’er pleading for you, our family would’ve divorced you already! Instead of properly reflecting on your behavior, you still want to go out and embarrass yourself? And to think, the Xue Family is a renowned noble house, yet even their daughters were poorly raised!"

Guan Shu, diligently weaving a knot, chuckled. "They say a mother-in-law is like a mother. If her own mother failed to teach her well, isn’t it up to you to properly instruct her? Personally, I think her punishment has been too light. Kneeling in the ancestral hall for three hours a day is nothing—five hours would be more appropriate!"

The Old Madam affectionately patted Guan Shu’s head. "Don’t strain your eyes weaving knots at night, dear."

"Tonight is Qixi, after all," Guan Shu blushed shyly. "They say that knots woven on Qixi become like the red strings of the old matchmaker. When gifted, they ensure the recipient will take a great liking to you..."

"Oh, you silly girl! Go call your sister-in-law to serve you tea."

"Mother, would that really be appropriate? After all, she’s the cherished daughter of Assistant Minister Xue..."

"Her parents have returned to their hometowns, leaving only her brother in the Capital. Yet she caused such a scandal with her brother—does she dare to report anything now? Go ahead, use her as you wish. New brides must be properly disciplined."

The Old Madam gave orders for a matron to summon Xue Mianmian inside.

Xue Mianmian entered in faltering steps, her tearful face streaked with sorrow.

As soon as she entered, she began pleading, "Mother-in-law, please allow me to leave the estate. Zhaozhao is still waiting—"

"Silence!" The Old Madam snapped, clearly annoyed. "You are now a daughter-in-law of the Guan Family. Instead of serving your parents-in-law and your sister-in-law at home, why do you concern yourself with outsiders? You should sever all ties with old acquaintances!"

"I—"

"What ’I’? Go serve your sister-in-law her tea, now!"

Seeing Xue Mianmian unmoving, a stern matron stepped forward and harshly pinched her, causing her to cry out in pain. Sobbing, she went to pour tea for Guan Shu.

Before Guan Shu could take a sip, a loud crash suddenly echoed from outside.

The commotion startled Guan Shu so much she spilled half her cup of tea.

The Old Madam, gripping her cane, stood up in both fear and fury, roaring, "What’s going on out there?!"

A matron rushed in looking as if she’d seen a ghost. "Old Madam, something terrible has happened! Princess Zhaoning is here! She... she’s destroyed our gate!"

Even as she spoke, Shen Yinning stormed into the inner courtyard.

"Zhaozhao!"

Xue Mianmian, overjoyed, tried to run to her but was yanked back by the old matron restraining her, who warned, "Young Madam is still undergoing discipline!"

The Old Madam was incensed. "Princess Zhaoning, how dare you!"

Wei Yu replied crisply, "Since you know my lady is a Commandery Princess personally titled by the Supreme Emperor, why would you force her to use the back entrance? Do you not know that a Commandery Princess is ranked as a first-class noble? Even Guan the Assistant Minister must bow when he sees my lady! Such audacity you have!"

The Old Madam trembled with rage.

She had long heard tales of Shen Yinning’s notorious boldness in the Capital but never imagined this! Even as the daughter of a criminal and someone’s concubine, she still dared to be so domineering!

"Old Madam Guan," Shen Yinning said lightly, fanning herself, "Tonight is Qixi. I’ve come to invite Mianmian out to view the lanterns."

She took one sweeping glance at the room, instantly discerning Xue Mianmian’s plight.

Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Of course, if Mianmian is too occupied or unable to leave, I could have the lanterns from the street brought here to your estate. I could even accompany Mianmian to admire them here."

The Old Madam’s expression twisted.

In their home, viewing lanterns? What, did she think their estate was some sort of marketplace?!

Seeing her reaction, Shen Yinning subtly signaled Haitang with her eyes.

Understanding immediately, Haitang stepped forward to help Xue Mianmian and began leading her out of the estate.

Shen Yinning, however, made no move to leave. Instead, she leisurely took a seat in the bedchamber.

The Old Madam exchanged a look with Guan Shu.

The Old Madam cautiously asked, "What does the Princess intend to do?"