The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 164 - 162: No Wonder Lu Ying Fell for Her

Chapter 164: Chapter 162: No Wonder Lu Ying Fell for Her

Lu Qianqian was seething with frustration. "Since when do you have the right to preach to me about what I do?! Get out of my sight!"

In her rage, she kicked toward Sun Miaoniang!

By sheer misfortune, the kick landed squarely on Sun Miaoniang’s abdomen!

Sun Miaoniang let out a blood-curdling scream, clutching her stomach as she collapsed to the ground, her pale little face contorted with agony, beads of sweat streaming down her forehead.

"Miaoniang!"

Shen Xinglei shouted, rushing over in a few long strides to cradle Sun Miaoniang.

He glared furiously at Lu Qianqian, his eyes blazing with hatred. "Miaoniang was only trying to guide you to kindness. How is this the attitude you show?!"

Lu Qianqian flinched at the ferocity in his gaze.

She distinctly remembered Shen Xinglei telling her that he didn’t like Sun Miaoniang and that it was Sun Miaoniang who had seduced him.

Why, then, was he—

Shen Yunxi coughed softly. "Second Brother, don’t forget where you are. This is the Imperial Palace."

Shen Xinglei, remembering Lu Qianqian’s status, suppressed his fury with some effort. His face darkened as he picked up Sun Miaoniang in his arms. "Since Miaoniang evidently offended the Princess, I will take her back to the residence and teach her a proper lesson."

Shen Yinning piped up suddenly, her voice crisp. "Oh dear, Sister-in-law is bleeding so much!"

It was only then that the crowd noticed the blood staining Sun Miaoniang’s pale robes.

Shen Yinning clasped her lips in astonishment. "By the looks of it, could it be a miscarriage?"

Shen Xinglei was in utter disbelief. "Miaoniang, you..."

Sun Miaoniang was wracked with the dull ache in her lower abdomen, sobbing pitifully.

She had only meant to show weakness and win Shen Lang’s pity, but she hadn’t expected Lu Qianqian’s kick to take the life of her child!

Hatred simmered within her as she clutched desperately at Shen Xinglei’s clothing, speaking weakly. "This humble concubine has been with child for a month. I had hoped to share the news once the pregnancy was stable, but now... now..."

She tearfully looked toward Lu Qianqian.

Lu Qianqian froze in shock and quickly, guiltily, protested, "Why are you looking at me?! I didn’t even know you were pregnant! That kick wasn’t even that hard—I didn’t mean to harm you! Sister-in-law, you must defend me!"

Shen Yunxi’s expression was grim. "We’d better summon an Imperial Physician at once. If it truly is a miscarriage... Qianqian, you will have shamed the Shen Family!"

"Sister-in-law, among all the young ladies in the Capital, weren’t we always the closest? And now you’re siding with this lowly wretch instead of me?!"

Shen Yunxi regarded her from head to toe, her gaze scornful. "What was, and what is now... how could they ever be the same?"

Her eyes were filled with disdain, as if Lu Qianqian were something filthy.

Realizing something, Lu Qianqian’s cheeks instantly burned. "Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?!"

"What I mean, you know in your heart. You’d best pray that Sun Miaoniang is unharmed, or I’ll be taking today’s events straight to the Imperial Grandmother and Noble Consort Zhang. They will see to it that you’re properly disciplined."

Shen Xinglei shot Lu Qianqian an icy glare, his earlier tenderness and indulgence completely vanished. In a harsh tone, he said, "Miaoniang was carrying my child. If anything happens to my baby, I won’t spare you—even if you’re a Princess!"

With that, he pointed a threatening finger at Lu Qianqian before carrying Sun Miaoniang and following Shen Yunxi to the adjacent room for treatment.

Lu Qianqian staggered back a few steps, her previously upright posture abruptly wilting.

Tears streamed down her face, her heart filled with waves of grievance and fear.

She couldn’t understand how, in the span of a few short days, Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinglei, those two siblings, seemed to have transformed into completely different people—like wolves and tigers in human skin.

She began sobbing uncontrollably, her blurry vision catching sight of Shen Yinning. Filled with resentment, she cried out, "This is all a joke to you, isn’t it? You’re happy now, aren’t you?! Just as expected, there isn’t a single decent soul in your Shen Family!"

Shen Yinning chuckled coldly. "This Princess personally picked her own sister-in-law and husband. What do you have to complain about?"

Thinking back to how she used to praise Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinglei to the heavens, Lu Qianqian could only feel waves of regret as she wept and fled the room.

Shen Yinning also left the Eastern Palace, clutching the transcribed Buddhist scriptures as she headed toward Empress Dowager Li.

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Li flipped through the Buddhist scriptures, smiling. "Zhaozhao’s calligraphy is truly delightful to behold. I could look at it endlessly."

"It is but a small gesture of filial respect to the Virtuous Long Princess. As long as Your Majesty is pleased."

The Empress Dowager gestured for the scriptures to be put away, her gaze lingering on Shen Yinning’s face.

The young lady’s high chignon and opulent gown accentuated her beauty, peerless even among the Imperial harem’s thousands of women.

No wonder the upright and reserved royal grandson had fallen for her.

Empress Dowager Li’s eyes took on a deeper meaning as she smiled faintly. "I heard Zhaozhao just came from the Eastern Palace? The Crown Princess Consort is not easy to deal with. Did she trouble you?"

"Second Cousin’s concubine suffered a miscarriage, throwing the Eastern Palace into chaos. The Crown Princess Consort was too preoccupied to bother me. Besides, with Your Majesty’s protection, no one in the Capital would dare show me disrespect."

Shen Yinning’s statement was artfully crafted.

It subtly conveyed to the Empress Dowager that not only did she walk away unscathed from Shen Yunxi, but she also managed to sow turmoil in the Eastern Palace—a testament to her superior capabilities and worth.

It also served as a pledge of allegiance to the Empress Dowager, affirming that she was firmly on her side.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager chuckled softly. "It seems I worried unnecessarily. After all, Zhaozhao has always been resourceful. If anyone were to suffer losses, it would certainly not be you."

Shen Yinning peeled a golden honey mandarin, her voice gentle. "Your Majesty is fond of teasing me."

"I simply didn’t expect Shen Xinglei to have fathered not only a firstborn illegitimate son but also allowed his concubine to conceive again." The Empress Dowager shook her head. "Shen Yan’s lineage is still of illegitimate descent. Even his descendants can’t escape mediocrity!"

Shen Yinning carefully stripped the white veins from the orange segments, smiling as she placed the fruit delicately on a plate and offered it to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager casually picked up a piece. "A seedless mandarin is considered premium. Likewise, in this harem, a woman without children is of no use. Even if she manages to captivate a man temporarily, she cannot secure a lifetime of wealth and honor."

Shen Yinning understood clearly—these words were directed at her.

As expected, the Empress Dowager fixed her with a shrewd gaze. "The Eastern Palace remains childless. Whoever bears the first imperial heir may very well rise to great heights. Even though you were raised outside the palace by Jingwei, with his affection for you, it isn’t entirely impossible for you to succeed."

Shen Yinning lowered her lashes. "In response to Your Majesty, it’s not that this humble servant is unwilling to conceive, but rather that it’s currently impossible. His Highness mentioned that should I have a child in the future, it would be raised under the Crown Princess Consort’s care. Given my irreconcilable enmity with her, I refuse to hand my child over, which is why I’ve delayed until now."

"I see." The Empress Dowager nodded slightly. "That’s not an unsolvable problem. If you do give birth, I can personally raise the child for you. You need not worry about Shen Yunxi taking it for herself. Zhaozhao, in this palace, offspring are of utmost importance. You must not delay any longer!"

Shen Yinning bowed respectfully. "I will remember Your Majesty’s guidance."

As dusk descended, Shen Yinning noticed that the Empress Dowager seemed fatigued and took her leave.

After she left, a radiant figure emerged from behind the folding screen.

The young girl watched Shen Yinning’s silhouette disappear from the hall and softly asked, "Imperial Grandmother, will Shen Yinning truly abide by your words?"