The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go Chapter 424 - 422 Xue Mianmian You’re Just Asking for a Beat

"Father and Mother have chosen the son of the Assistant Minister of Rites for . His na is Guan Songyuan. He’s four years older than and has already passed the Scholar exams, just waiting to take the tropolitan Imperial Exam next spring." Xue Mianmian twirled a handkerchief around her fingers. "I’ve spent the past few months by Mother’s side, embroidering my wedding dress, pillowcases, and bedcovers, rarely stepping out, let alone entering the palace."

Guan Songyuan...

Shen Yinning had absolutely no impression of this na.

In the Capital, there was no shortage of sons from noble families, and this one was likely just another man with a forgettable face.

She asked curiously, "You’re getting married. Does Xue Ling approve?"

"Why wouldn’t he?" Mianmian muttered under her breath. "Father and Mother made the decision. How would he dare disapprove? Mother promised that only after my wedding and my return visit ho would they retreat to our ancestral ho to live in seclusion. By then, everything will be settled, and whether he likes it or not, he’ll have no choice but to accept."

Even as she said this, she felt uncertain in her heart.

Shen Yinning pushed the plate of flower pastries toward her.

Xue Mianmian took a bite of the sweet treat, her almond-shaped eyes lighting up with joy. Then, shyly, she said, "Zhaozhao, you know I’m not the Xue Family’s biological daughter. My background isn’t sophisticated. I originally thought of marrying soone with a similarly humble origin, but Young Master Guan ca to our door on his own, saying he’s admired for a long ti and wants to be with . He said he doesn’t mind my background; he simply likes for who I am. Zhaozhao, I’ve never had anyone tell they like before."

Shen Yinning propped her chin on one hand, raising her eyebrows slightly.

Mianmian noticed the faint hint of mockery on her face and couldn’t help but ask, "Zhaozhao, is sothing wrong?"

"The position of Assistant Minister of Rites is neither high nor low. If a family like his wants their son to pursue the civil service examination route, naturally, they’ll hope to find a wife who can aid his career. A match of equal standing would be ideal, and a match that elevates his position would be even better," Shen Yinning said lazily, lowering her gaze and stroking the small hand warr in her hands. "Though you’re not the Xue Family’s biological daughter, they treat you as their precious Bright Pearl, and that’s sothing everyone in the Capital can see. Even though Minister Xue has resigned from office, his connections in court remain. Let’s not forget that your brother Xue Ling is considered a rising star in the imperial court, his official career shining bright. Do you think marrying you puts him at a disadvantage?"

Mianmian looked bewildered. "You an... he’s not as sincere as I thought?"

Shen Yinning’s lips curved into a smirk.

Sincere?

Which young master in the Capital is truly sincere?

In fact, considering Mianmian’s connection to the Xue Family, her family’s status actually overshadowed Guan Songyuan’s.

Yet he had the audacity to claim he "doesn’t mind" her background.

"Doesn’t mind"—what a choice of words, an unmistakable insult!

"That’s impossible, isn’t it?" Mianmian wrung the handkerchief in her hands. "He treats exceptionally well. Every few days, he sends pastries and fruits to , and whenever he visits my ho, he’s always patient, playing chess and chatting with my father. If he didn’t really like , why would he do all that?"

"Is any of that so hard to do?" Shen Yinning retorted. "Bringing you small gifts every now and then, chatting with your parents—I could do that too. Does that count as treating you especially well? Don’t forget, back when my family was still in a good position, how many noble sons in the Capital fought to send us gifts. They didn’t just bring pastries or fruits; there were even pure gold ornants and decorations among the offerings. But afterward? Once my family fell into trouble, did you see any of them co near again?"

Mianmian listened, wide-eyed, stunned.

She’d thought that buying her favorite treats and visiting her ho were signs of genuine affection.

But it seed that liking soone wasn’t so simple after all?

Shen Yinning sneered. "If my future father-in-law were the Chief of Staff and my brother-in-law one of the Emperor’s most trusted aides, I’d willingly run to my in-laws’ house every day too."

"But..." Mianmian still hesitated. "Zhaozhao, aren’t you being too cynical about people?"

"You think this is cynical? It’s called being cautious. You should always expect the worst from others, rather than blindly trusting their intentions."

Mianmian pursed her lips tightly.

A maiden’s first budding affection had just been ruthlessly shattered.

Yet she knew, deep down, Zhaozhao would never harm her!

Perhaps Guan Songyuan truly did have ulterior motives?

Distracted, she exchanged a few more words with Shen Yinning before heading toward Furong Palace, heavy-hearted.

Hei Ling still stood guard nearby with the Imperial Guards.

Xue Ling had arrived at so point, dressed in a crimson brocade robe with narrow sleeves and a fox-fur-lined dark purple cloak. He stood in the snowy courtyard, his leather boots crunching softly against the snow, his high ponytail brushing against the wind as snowflakes clung to its edges, outlining the sharp and cold deanor of youth.

Mianmian’s chest tightened.

She’d intentionally clung to her mother at ho to avoid being alone with Xue Ling for a long ti now.

Yet he had abandoned the palace banquet to co looking for her...

Xue Ling raised an eyebrow, his peach-blossom eyes narrowing as he regarded her.

With her lantern in hand, the young girl dragged her feet, walking as if each step pained her, or as though she were walking toward King Yan himself.

Finally, after much dawdling, she approached. Xue Ling grabbed her without a word. "What took you so long? Saw here and decided to slow down on purpose, didn’t you? Xue Mianmian, you need a good scolding!"

Before he even finished speaking, he noticed her almond-shaped eyes reddening and tears brimming.

As if on cue, the tears spilled over, streaming down her cheeks.

Xue Ling’s scalp tightened, and he snapped impatiently, "Weren’t you all smiles just now in front of Guan Songyuan? Why is it that all you do in front of is cry? Xue Mianmian, search your conscience—what did I do to you these past few months? Did I even lay a finger on you?!"

Ever since Lu Ying took the throne, the court had been weighed down with endless bureaucratic matters.

Much of what Lu Ying couldn’t personally attend to was delegated to him.

He’d even been sent to the provinces, and so he’d only been ho a handful of tis over the past six months.

He really hadn’t bullied Mianmian!

Whenever he had a spare mont, he’d even gone out of his way to buy her gold and silver hairpins, sending them back to the Capital through couriers.

But now, after he’d finally found so free ti for the New Year, he ca ho only to hear that Mianmian had been promised to Guan Songyuan.

Mianmian didn’t reply.

Choking back a sob, she wrenched herself free of his grasp and suddenly turned toward Furong Palace without looking back.

She wasn’t going ho tonight!

She was going to sleep with Zhaozhao!

"Xue Mianmian, you’re getting bold!"

Xue Ling gritted his teeth and growled before following her inside.

In the shadows.

Shen Xinya stood holding a food box, watching the Xue siblings chase one another into Furong Palace.

She had co tonight to visit Shen Yinning.

It wasn’t really for any genuine concern, more to maintain the appearance of sisterly affection and secure so favor in the Emperor’s eyes.

But she never expected to stumble upon this scene of entanglent between Xue Ling and Xue Mianmian.

"Xue Ling, Xue Mianmian..."

Shen Xinya murmured their nas, an inscrutable expression flickering across her delicate features.

That night.

Mianmian had washed up, changed into Shen Yinning’s inner robes, and burrowed straight into the quilt.

Clutching the edges of the blanket with both hands, her almond eyes sparkled as she said sweetly, "Zhaozhao, your bedding slls so nice and feels so warm!"

Shen Yinning pressed her fingers to her forehead.

Xue Ling, that troubleso god of plague, was still seated in her palace.

She said, "You sleep first. I’ll go get rid of him."

"Mm!" Mianmian grinned happily. "Zhaozhao, you’re the best!"

Shen Yinning stepped into the outer hall, where Xue Ling was playing chess with Lu Ying.

Hearing her footsteps, both n looked up at once. "Is she leaving or not?"