The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 122 - 120: The Imperial Elder Brother is Upright and Solemn, Absolutely Impossible to Seize His Brother’s Wife

Chapter 122: Chapter 120: The Imperial Elder Brother is Upright and Solemn, Absolutely Impossible to Seize His Brother’s Wife

Lu Qianqian stammered, "Royal sister-in-law, I-I only share sibling feelings with Second Brother Shen..."

"Princess, you truly love to joke," Shen Yinning spoke softly, "How could mere sibling feelings cause one to blush? Surely, you admire Second Cousin but feel shy due to your youth, which is why your cheeks turned red. Princess, you are of noble birth, and Second Cousin is a valiant young general from a distinguished family—there’s no pair under heaven more fitting than the two of you. Lady Yunxi, wouldn’t you agree?"

Shen Yunxi secretly exulted.

She was determined to find a perfect match for her Second Brother, hoping to make Xue Qingqing regret her past choices bitterly.

Is there anyone else in the Capital more suitable than Lu Qianqian?

Why hadn’t she realized this before?

She grabbed Lu Qianqian’s hand. "Qianqian, you too; since you’ve liked my Second Brother for so long, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s settled for you!"

Lu Qianqian was so furious she almost spat blood.

Was Shen Yinning blind?!

Was her blushing caused by embarrassment?!

In truth, she was enraged to the point of turning red!

Who would want to marry Shen Xinglei, that impulsive brute? How could he possibly be worthy of her?

Yet, faced with Shen Yunxi’s earnest, expectant gaze, she couldn’t directly turn hostile. She forced an awkward smile, saying, "Royal sister-in-law, my marriage must ultimately be decided by my father and grandmother. It’s not up to us."

Shen Yunxi assumed she was admitting to her feelings for Shen Xinglei and cheerfully replied, "Rest assured, I’ll find an opportunity to ask father and grandmother to grant the marriage. In the future, we sisters-in-law will be bound even closer together."

Lu Qianqian was speechless, her chest suppressed as if stuffed with cotton, making her uncomfortably stifled, with nowhere to vent her frustration. She could only glare fiercely at Shen Yinning.

As the conversation unfolded, Shen Xinglei and Qin Lunan approached.

Shen Xinglei bowed respectfully toward Lu Ying. "I heard from the Steward that the Crown Prince has arrived. I failed to greet you from afar and humbly ask for your forgiveness, Your Highness."

Lu Ying nodded slightly.

"Second Cousin," Shen Yinning smiled, "We just happened to be talking about you."

Hearing her voice, Shen Xinglei’s whole demeanor grew agitated.

It was all because of Shen Yinning’s instigation at the birthday banquet that his engagement with the Xue Family fell apart. Xue Shen had even gone to complain about him to the Emperor, leading to his punishment of being stripped of office for six months. He wouldn’t be re-commissioned until next year!

His fists tightened, creaking audibly, as he glared at Shen Yinning with hostility. "You dare show your face at the Duke Mansion?"

"Yesterday was my fault, ruining your engagement, Second Cousin," Shen Yinning’s smile grew even brighter. "Today, I came to offer my apologies, and to act as matchmaker for you. Did you know the Princess has admired you for some time?"

Lu Qianqian: "...?!"

She had thought this matter was already swept under the rug! Why was Shen Yinning bringing it up again?

Facing Shen Xinglei’s probing gaze, she quickly denied, "I didn’t!"

"We’re family; what’s there to be embarrassed about, Princess?" Shen Yinning chuckled warmly. "Second Cousin, I’m not lying. If you don’t believe me, ask Lady Yunxi; she’s aware of this too."

Shen Yunxi smiled, pleased. "That’s right, Qianqian indeed admires Second Brother."

Shen Xinglei revealed a meaningful smile. "So, the Princess likes me after all."

Marrying the Princess would be a hundred times better than marrying Xue Qingqing.

How noble a Princess is, like a wild steed from the borderlands—surely taming her would be even more exhilarating.

Imagining the high-born Princess subdued by his fists, and lowering herself to raise his children in the future, devotedly serving both him and his beloved Miao-niang, Shen Xinglei couldn’t help but feel secretly excited.

"I—"

Lu Qianqian’s face alternated between red and white, utterly incapable of clarifying herself. All she could do was futilely cast a murderous glare at Shen Yinning.

Shen Xinglei licked his thick lips, his expression once again returning to that of a naive and honest man. He feigned concern and said, "Enough, the Princess has a tender disposition. Let’s not tease her further about this."

"Look," Shen Yunxi laughed toward everyone, "Qianqian hasn’t even crossed the threshold, and Second Brother is already protective of her. Truly, I must feel jealous."

Lu Qianqian was falling apart.

No! Who wanted Shen Xinglei to protect her?!

Could everyone stop tying her name to Shen Xinglei’s?!

Shen Yunxi spoke in a gentle voice again, "Qianqian, Second Brother excels not only in military strategy, but also in archery skills. This banquet is dull; why don’t we ask him to perform some archery for us? Surely, it will be an eye-opener for you."

Hearing the mention of archery, Qin Lunan cast a malicious glance at Shen Yinning and suggested, "Shooting at straw targets is too boring; why not try something alive instead?"

Shen Xinglei understood instantly and declared, "Of everyone present, only Cousin has the lowest status. Let’s have her stand in the orchard with an apple on her head. Watch as I shoot at it from a hundred paces away—let’s see if I can hit the apple precisely."

Lian Ye immediately handed an apple to Shen Yinning, saying, "Madam Shen, please."

Shen Yinning toyed with the apple.

Three years ago, at feasts like this in the Capital, who would have dared to make her wear an apple and be used as a live target?

Shen Xinglei and Shen Yunxi were clearly trying to humiliate her.

She glanced subtly at Lu Ying. That damned man seemed quite intrigued by her lately and would surely be unwilling to see her harmed by Shen Xinglei.

With this in mind, she took a bite of the apple, then leisurely walked out of the Warm Pavilion.

The guests all crowded to the hallway to watch.

Lu Qianqian felt she had finally vented her anger. "That vile woman is terribly annoying. Honestly, forget shooting the apple—someone should just shoot her dead! Or destroy her face so she’ll never dare seduce men again!"

Shen Xinglei drew his bow and arrow.

The eldest branch of the Shen family was detestable, and Shen Yinning, this wretch, was equally abhorrent.

He wouldn’t allow her to die easily.

He wanted to torment her slowly, stripping her of everything, causing her unspeakable suffering!

The gleaming arrowhead aimed directly at Shen Yinning’s face.

Just as he prepared to release it, Lu Ying suddenly spoke: "Wait."

Shen Yunxi froze. "Your Highness, surely you’re not worried about elder sister, are you? Elder sister is already married—her husband will naturally care and protect her. Why should Your Highness concern yourself with her? Besides, Second Brother’s archery is superb; he wouldn’t let anything happen to her."

Lu Ying said, "I haven’t touched a bow in days—my fingers itch. Today, I’d like to compete with young General Shen."

Shen Yunxi sighed with relief, seeing that he wasn’t protecting Shen Yinning. Smiling, she said, "That’s simple enough, Your Highness. You and Second Brother can compete and see who excels in archery!"

As they spoke, attendants presented a bow and arrows to Lu Ying.

Lu Ying and Shen Xinglei simultaneously strung their bows, aiming at the young woman standing in the snowy orchard.

Shen Yunxi smiled wickedly, leaning close to Lu Qianqian and whispering, "I was worried His Highness might still have lingering affection for Shen Yinning. But now it’s clear he doesn’t think of her at all. Like us, he only sees her as a mere plaything to pass the time."

Lu Qianqian fiddled with her handkerchief, replying, "Shen Yinning has already been married; naturally, my royal brother wouldn’t care for such a discarded woman. Besides, my royal brother has always been upright and principled. Stealing a minister’s wife is a disgraceful act that undermines social ethics. Any man may do it, but my royal brother would never stoop so low."

As they chatted, two feathered arrows flew off their bows, whistling through the air toward Shen Yinning!