The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 172 - 170: This Little Vixen is Starting to Complain

Chapter 172: Chapter 170: This Little Vixen is Starting to Complain

Lu Jiazhe pondered for a moment and asked, "By the way, Sister Shen, do you know who sent those assassins?"

"Who else could it be but Shen Xinghan?"

Shen Yinning recalled the look in Shen Xinghan’s eyes during her time in the Imperial Prison, her phoenix-like eyes gleaming with faint amusement.

The Shen Family had faced one misfortune after another this past year. With Shen Xinghan’s intellect, he must have started to suspect her by now.

He was ruthless, knowing full well that one must eliminate threats at the root. Unfortunately, he hadn’t accounted for the people protecting her.

Lu Jiazhe sneered coldly. "Of the Shen Family, the one I despise the most is Shen Xinghan! That guy outwardly appears righteous and virtuous, but all he’s done is imitate Brother Xingye’s ways. Even his clothing and mannerisms are deliberate copies of Brother Xingye!"

Shen Yinning froze for a moment.

Suddenly, she recalled that Shen Xinghan’s attire and bearing did indeed bear a faint resemblance to her elder brother.

Lu Jiazhe went on, "I still remember the Lantern Festival when we were kids. Everyone went to the streets to admire the lights; Brother Xingye solved many riddles on the lanterns, and even the Commandery Princess Qinghe praised his intelligence. Shen Xinghan couldn’t beat him and ended up standing alone in the shadows, his eyes red as if they were dripping blood. It was terrifying, as if he wanted to devour someone. In the end, it was Brother Xingye who, out of consideration, deliberately got a few riddles wrong to ease his mood. Only then did Shen Xinghan’s face brighten a little!

"Later, no matter what Brother Xingye did, Shen Xinghan would try to copy him, as if he had to prove he was better. In recent years, whenever anyone in the Capital mentioned Brother Xingye, Shen Xinghan would throw a tantrum on the spot. A noble young gentleman, gentle as jade? He’s just a jealous imitator!"

Shen Yinning had been unaware of these subtle rivalries between men.

She pondered quietly for a moment, then said, "Let’s set aside Shen Xinghan for now. The urgent matter at hand is Shen Xinglei. I can’t allow him to live freely after being exiled to the border. Aze, I want Shen Xinglei to suffer a fate worse than death."

The two of them whispered for a while, and Lu Jiazhe smirked playfully. "That’s an excellent idea. I’ll start preparing right away."

After he left, Shen Yinning sat by the bed, reaching out to adjust Cui Ji’s blanket.

Bandages were tightly wrapped around the man’s chest, but thankfully, the bleeding had stopped.

Unlike Lu Ying, whose years of martial training had given him a strong physique, Cui Ji was scholarly and slender, like most other scholars, with only a thin layer of muscle. Because he spent so much time indoors, his skin was notably pale.

Shen Yinning’s gaze settled on his neck.

There, he wore a Moyu Round Pendant, the jade of exceptional quality and purity.

Her brows raised involuntarily.

Cui Ji, known for his modest and austere means, how did he come by such a valuable Jade Ring?

Before she could think further, a maid from the Prince Mansion brought in freshly brewed medicine.

Shen Yinning stepped aside and, after a moment’s thought, took advantage of the twilight to discreetly head to the Prime Minister’s Mansion by carriage.

Shangguan Yu, the Prime Minister’s daughter, received her in her boudoir.

In a gentle voice, Shangguan Yu said, "Last time at the Duke Mansion, I must thank Madam Shen for speaking up on my behalf. I used to think Madam Shen was overbearing and offensive in her speech. Now I see I misjudged you back then. Please stay the night, Madam, so I may host a banquet to express my apologies."

The story of Lu Qianqian’s wedding night, where she was brutally beaten by Shen Xinglei, had long reached Shangguan Yu’s ears.

Upon hearing that Lu Qianqian had been beaten so severely that three of her ribs were broken, Shangguan Yu had been filled with dread—and gratitude that she hadn’t ended up marrying Shen Xinglei. She was also deeply thankful that Shen Yinning had spoken out for her that day.

Even if Shen Yinning hadn’t come knocking today, Shangguan Yu had already intended to personally thank her sooner or later.

Faced with Shangguan Yu’s gratitude, Shen Yinning replied, "There’s no need for apologies. If you truly wish to thank me, then let’s see some sincerity."

Shangguan Yu paused.

Moved for so long, she suddenly realized Shen Yinning had come to demand a reward?

Indeed, even after being exiled to Gan State, Shen Yinning’s temperament remained unchanged from past years.

Shangguan Yu said, "Then just speak, Madam Shen."

"The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice is soon to retire. I’d like your esteemed father to recommend Cui Ji for the position during court sessions."

Shangguan Yu was stunned.

She motioned for her maid to shut the doors and windows, then said with some difficulty, "Madam Shen, the appointment of court officials is not something we womenfolk can meddle in."

"The Emperor regards Cui Ji highly. Over the past year, Cui Ji has solved several major cases in the Ministry of Justice. His integrity is such that even members of the royal family cannot expect favoritism. First, he imprisoned the Crown Princess Consort over a storybook case, and later he accused the Prince Consort Shen Xinglei of massacring civilians—remarkable accomplishments, without a doubt. A promotion is simply a matter of time. All I ask is for your father to mention him briefly in court. It will require no real effort, and the outcome depends solely on the Emperor’s will, with no consequences for your father. Just now, Lady Shangguan was speaking about expressing gratitude to me. Are you now going to renege on your word?"

The girl’s sharp tongue left no room for argument.

Shangguan Yu had no justification to refuse.

She smiled, raising her hand to rub her forehead. "Back in the Capital, the two most difficult people to deal with were Madam Shen and Commandery Princess Qinghe. Even after four years, Madam Shen hasn’t changed one bit. Very well, since I said I’d express my gratitude, I’ll keep my word. I’ll discuss it with my father. Rest assured. But whether it succeeds, I cannot guarantee."

Shen Yinning smiled and thanked her.

By the time she returned to Shen Garden, twilight had already fallen.

Shen Yinning freshened up and deliberately used makeup to pale her already delicate face.

When Lu Ying came over that night, he saw the girl dressed in frosty white inner robes, sitting on the soft couch by the window and draped in one of his black fox-fur cloaks. Her little face had lost all color, her large, watery eyes brimming with tears, making her look as pitiful as a peeled lychee.

He knew what had happened in the Imperial Prison today.

The moment he stepped in and saw Shen Yinning’s display, he thought to himself that this little vixen was undoubtedly about to lodge a complaint.

Removing his cloak, he feigned ignorance and followed the usual script, asking, "Who has upset you this time?"

"Who else but my cousin?" Shen Yinning cried, her eyes red-rimmed. "He wants to kill me!"

"Yet here you are, safe and sound."

"It was Lord Cui who saved me. He took a blade for me..." Shen Yinning slid off the couch barefoot, her delicate figure collapsing into Lu Ying’s embrace. "If not for Lord Cui, I might not have lived to see you tonight! Your Highness must properly thank him!"

Lu Ying wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

The little vixen smelled sweet and soft all over, every strand of her hair carrying the fragrance he adored.

He couldn’t bear to imagine what it would have been like if this vixen had died in the Imperial Prison.

When he learned of the assassination attempt, he had even forgotten to question why Cui Ji had been sharing a carriage with Shen Zhaozhao. Instead, he could only be grateful that Cui Ji had happened to be by her side at that critical moment.

He didn’t like Cui Ji.

In fact, he despised Cui Ji.

Yet, for today’s incident, he did owe Cui Ji a debt of gratitude.

Lowering his head, he kissed the crown of Shen Yinning’s hair. "How would you have me thank him?"

Shen Yinning nestled obediently in his arms, a strand of her dark hair twirling around her fingers. "I hear the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice is soon to retire. I believe Lord Cui is perfectly suited for the position..."