The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go Chapter 426 - 424: How about Naming This Child Lu Wang?

Shen Yinning placed the brocade box on the flower stand and said, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. The scenery in the Imperial Garden is particularly beautiful today. Many young noblen have entered the palace for leisure, and I heard that the Princely Heir from Su Wang Mansion and the legitimate second son of Pri Minister Shangguan are among them. If you’re free, Gui Quan, why not take a stroll there? You could discuss poetry, music, archery, and literature with them. anwhile, I can have a private conversation with Mianmian."

Guan Songyuan’s eyes lit up, assuming Shen Yinning was helping him build connections.

That set of gold jewelry was well-spent.

Beaming with joy, he stood and said, "Thank you, sister, for looking out for . I shall head to the Imperial Garden right away."

Shen Yinning watched as he hurriedly left, not even sparing Mianmian a single glance, let alone leaving her with any parting words.

The mockery in her phoenix-shaped eyes deepened as she turned to Xue Mianmian, "Did you tell him about and Lu Ying?"

That set of gold jewelry wasn’t ant for her.

It was rely using her as a stepping stone, hoping to climb into Lu Ying’s circle.

Xue Mianmian lowered her head guiltily, "He took out to see the lanterns, and I got carried away and let it slip... I said it was such a pity that Zhaozhao is pregnant and has been locked away by His Majesty as a precious treasure in the deep palace this year, unable to join us in viewing the lanterns..."

Shen Yinning pressed her fingers against her brow.

Alright then—Guan Songyuan already treated Mianmian as a ladder for his ambitions. Upon hearing that her good friend might beco the new emperor’s favorite concubine, wouldn’t he latch onto Mianmian even more tightly now?

"You don’t understand Zhaozhao," Xue Mianmian said as she sat down beside Shen Yinning and began peeling an orange to share with her. "Guan Songyuan treats so well. Every day lately, he’s been buying delicious treats. Whenever he hears of any Hundred Show Lantern Festival or other fun events in the Capital, he brings to see them. He’s also amazing at guessing riddles and hidden anings in gas, and he gives all the prizes he wins—"

"You and him," Shen Yinning suddenly interrupted her sternly, "how far have you progressed?"

Xue Mianmian froze in place, a blush spreading across her delicate face.

She gripped the orange peel and whispered, "Zhaozhao, Guan Songyuan isn’t the type of man you imagine. He hasn’t even held my hand! He’s completely different from Xue Ling, who only knows how to humiliate . Guan Songyuan respects deeply. His mother and sisters are also wonderful. Every ti I visit their mansion, they prepare plenty of small treats for and even ask the cooks to make dishes I enjoy."

The young lady spoke timidly and shyly, revealing the joy of her budding love.

But to Shen Yinning, neither Xue Ling nor Guan Songyuan were worth trusting.

She knew that it was the worst ti to try to persuade Mianmian now.

The more she tried, the stronger Mianmian’s rebellious instincts would beco.

She had to let Mianmian gradually realize Guan Songyuan’s true nature on her own.

She asked again, "When do you plan to get married?"

Xue Mianmian secretly tore at the orange peel.

eting Shen Yinning’s clear and piercing gaze, she fibbed, "After spring ends, we’ll get married."

In truth, their wedding was scheduled for next month.

But she dared not admit that to Zhaozhao.

She instinctively felt Zhaozhao didn’t like Guan Songyuan.

But she desperately wanted to marry—to leave Xue Ling behind as soon as possible.

If she had a husband, would Xue Ling never again dare to openly bully her?

Shen Yinning hadn’t expected that one day, Xue Mianmian would lie to her.

She calculated the days in her mind. By the end of spring, she would have recovered fully from her postpartum confinent—her body and spirit would be in good shape, likely able to assist Xue Mianmian.

After Xue Mianmian left, Lu Ying arrived.

He removed his cloak and hung it on the wooden hanger: "Hei Ling told that Xue Mianmian brought Guan Songyuan over to pay you a New Year’s visit today?"

Shen Yinning didn’t pay him any attention, her focus fixed on the book in her hands.

The book had been personally delivered by Shangguan Min days ago—a treatise on governance, said to be excellent, and she’d been practically forced to read it.

Lu Ying turned and gazed at her.

The snowlight filtered through the Korea paper, reflecting off her delicate skin, luminous like jade, with a radiant beauty. Her downcast lashes partially veiled her obsidian-bright eyes, and the Shu brocade palace dress she wore accentuated her slender, captivating figure, making her resemble a peony in the corner of the room.

But to him, this peony imprisoned in the deep palace felt far too aloof toward him.

He sat down beside her patiently, wrapping an arm around her waist as he lowered his face to inhale the faint fragrance at her jawline. "Your Furong Palace is such a sanctuary of purity and fragrance. Those outsiders would only defile it. I’ve just ordered the Imperial Guards that no other n shall be allowed in here in the future. Apart from , no man may see you."

Soft and searing kisses landed gradually on her earlobes and neck.

Lu Ying’s narrow eyes took on a faint red hue.

She had no idea how dazzlingly beautiful her pregnant self was.

Just sitting there quietly reading a book, she seed to be enveloped in a luminous aura like a Bright Pearl.

Every glance others cast her way felt to him like an offense.

By this point, Shen Yinning had grown accustod to his kisses and embraces.

She had scolded, fought, and resisted in vain. Instead of tiring herself out, she chose to remain indifferent.

She flipped a page in her book, her expression blank: "Aren’t you an outsider too?"

"How could I be compared to them?" Lu Ying’s gaze fell on the brocade box on the flower stand. "From Guan Songyuan?"

Shen Yinning said nothing.

Lu Ying opened it to reveal a complete set of pure gold jewelry.

His smile carried a hint of mockery: "Xue Ling told that he only ever buys cheap pastry and snacks for Xue Mianmian. Yet for you, he’s plenty generous."

He and Shen Yinning were both shrewd.

Presenting gifts to soone at the new emperor’s side—how could they be anything but lavish?

Lu Ying’s expression turned frosty: "Throw it out."

Haitang glanced at Shen Yinning, and only after confirming she had no objections did she carefully lift the brocade box and retreat.

"I’ve had baby clothes, shoes, blankets, and cradles prepared, and hired three wet nurses," Lu Ying said as he rubbed the Moyu Ring on his finger, his eyes lingering on her profile. "You’ll give birth in two months. Zhaozhao, are you afraid?"

Shen Yinning turned another page, continuing to ignore him.

Lu Ying, having endured many days of her cold indifference, seed to have mastered self-directed conversation: "I’ll stay with you. If I’m with you, you won’t be afraid."

Wei Yu entered to deliver hot tea, sneaking a curious glance at Lu Ying before quickly lowering her head and retreating.

Once outside the beaded curtain, she couldn’t resist whispering to Gui Quan and De Sun: "His Majesty has lost it. The Commandery Princess ignores him, yet he keeps talking—to prepare this and that, as if he were the father of the child!"

Indeed, he kind of was.

But Wei Yu dared not voice this aloud.

Gui Quan and De Sun clutched their horsetail whisks, resignedly shaking their heads. "His Majesty treasures the Commandery Princess like his very eyes, hiding her away with such care that few in the palace even know about this affair. When the entire court eventually learns of it, there’ll be quite a commotion!"

Inside the hall.

Lu Ying clasped Shen Yinning’s hand: "Have you decided on a na yet?"

"Why does it concern you?"

"How about ’Lu Wang’—forgetting the past and starting anew."

Shen Yinning: "..."

Finally, she raised her eyes to him and scolded coldly, "Do a favor and clarify sothing. Why would the child take your surna, Lu? Lu Ying, I’m not so concubine in your harem!"

Lu Ying lowered his head to kiss her fingertips: "Cui Ji is my half-brother from the sa father. He ought to bear the surna Lu as well. I could issue an edict right now ordering him to change his surna to Lu. By doing so, the child would rightfully share the na Lu."

Shen Yinning: "..."