The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 474 - 472: Shen Zhaozhao, Can You Love Me?

Chapter 474: Chapter 472: Shen Zhaozhao, Can You Love Me?

Here is the English translation of the given text:

In the distance.

Han Sang whispered, "Your Highness, Lord Guan has left."

Huo Mingyan adjusted her hairpin and said softly, "Although I shared a bed with Lord Guan and had physical intimacy, our affection remains pure and beyond reproach. It’s all because of Lu Qianqian’s schemes!"

"Exactly!" Han Sang exclaimed indignantly, "To think the Ninth Princess, a royal descendant, is so vile in private! If you ask me, compared to our women outside the border, these noble ladies in the Capital are no better—all pretentious fakes!"

"Such a pity that Lord Guan is a man of extraordinary bearing and impeccable integrity," Huo Mingyan sighed, "and yet he married someone as disgraceful and immoral as Xue Mianmian. Despite her infidelity, he still loves her deeply... it makes my heart ache just to witness it."

"Your Highness talks about Lord Guan, but aren’t you the same? Despite the Emperor’s cold indifference toward you, you still love him deeply. Your compassion for Lord Guan only makes me feel sorrow for you!"

Thinking of Lu Ying, Huo Mingyan closed her eyes, her delicate face shadowed with sorrow and sadness.

She shook her head heavily, "I was raised by my grandmother, taught propriety and virtue, so I could never learn the art of flattery or seduction. In the end, I am no match for Shen Yinning, who knows how to captivate men’s hearts..."

The sun dipped toward the horizon.

The young woman Huo Mingyan and Han Sang had been discussing had already returned to Penglai Palace.

After finishing her meal, Shen Yinning returned from bathing in the side hall to find Lu Ying already seated on the edge of the bed.

Baby Zhuoyu was carried over by the wet nurse and placed in the nearby cradle. Lu Ying gazed down at him, lost in thought.

Perhaps he was too absorbed, as Lu Ying didn’t notice Shen Yinning’s presence outside the beaded curtain. He simply extended his hand toward Zhuoyu.

The infant grabbed his hand, gnawing lightly on his fingers with newly grown baby teeth.

Through the curtain, Shen Yinning observed Lu Ying’s expression.

His thin lips were pressed lightly together; he didn’t seem displeased by Zhuoyu biting his fingers.

After playing for a long while, Lu Ying only withdrew his hand once Zhuoyu grew tired.

He lowered his gaze and began to meticulously clean his fingertips with a handkerchief.

Under the dim light of candles, the upper half of his face was hidden in shadow, only the taut lines of his jaw visible.

He ordered the wet nurse coolly, "Take him away."

The wet nurse was about to pick up Zhuoyu when Shen Yinning entered the room. "Has Zhuoyu eaten?"

The wet nurse nodded quickly, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the Princely Heir just ate not long ago! Lord Shangguan sent his personal maid earlier today to deliver many books for the Princely Heir, saying he wanted them left nearby so someone could read them to him daily."

Lu Ying remarked indifferently, "What can a mere child understand from books?"

Shen Yinning looked at Zhuoyu. "His father was exceptionally perceptive from a young age; he will likely not be any different."

She recalled that Lu Ying, though not favored in his youth, learned remarkably fast.

Lu Shiyan often said Lu Ying was the most intelligent and composed among all of his brothers.

Lu Ying heard this but was left with a bitter feeling.

Clearly, Shen Zhaozhao had grown up alongside him, yet now the one she constantly thought of was Cui Ji.

Did she know Cui Ji that well?

She even remembered details about his childhood.

Thus, Lu Ying responded coldly, "A father’s intelligence does not guarantee clever descendants. I see this boy is sluggish in response, and I expect he’ll struggle with studying in the future."

Shen Yinning stiffened and glared at him in frustration.

Lu Ying met her gaze calmly.

After the wet nurse carried Zhuoyu away, Lu Ying pulled Shen Yinning into his embrace.

One hand rested on her waist as he kissed her brow, her lips, her cheeks.

Perhaps he had been stirred after seeing Zhuoyu, and dissatisfaction began brewing in his heart; the commotion in the palace that night was louder than usual.

The curtains swayed, golden bells ringing urgently.

Beyond the palace, the Haitang flowers were in full bloom. Late into the night, thunder roared suddenly, followed by a midsummer downpour. Raindrops spun wildly within the flower cups, battering the pale yellow petals as if washing them away.

When the rain stopped, the spring soil was moist, and the Haitang flowers tilted on the branches, each drop of rain eager to roll out of the crowded flower cups.

Layer upon layer, the curtains hung down.

The brocade quilt adorned with blue peonies was dampened.

Lu Ying buried his face in Shen Yinning’s neck, his eyes reddened in the darkness.

"I don’t want children..."

"I’m willing to raise Zhuoyu as my own."

"Shen Zhaozhao, is there any way you could... love me?"

The young Emperor set aside his dominant persona, speaking to the girl softly and humbly, revealing a vulnerability he had never shown to anyone else.

Shen Yinning’s bare back gleamed like jade, the glow of the palace lanterns casting light into the curtains, resembling the blossoming of crimson plum flowers.

She turned over.

Lu Ying braced a hand by her neck and leaned in once again.

The slightly calloused palm slid through her thick black strands of hair, his voice hoarse, "Zhaozhao..."

Shen Yinning’s face blushed like peach blossoms.

After her tears, her delicate features took on an even more dazzling allure.

Her soft, snow-white fingertip lightly hooked Lu Ying’s chin.

She lifted her thick lashes, her alluring fox-like eyes brimming with charm, tilting her head like a naive and pure creature. "Your Majesty, for all your wisdom, how could you forget that ’love’ is something that cannot be begged for? In this world, wealth cannot be begged for, power cannot be begged for, and love—far more precious—cannot be begged for. Look at those devout worshippers in the Buddhist Temple, bowing and prostrating themselves. How many of them truly gain what they wish for?"

Lu Ying stared at her.

The girl’s expression was compassionate, like the Guanyin painted on temple walls.

But the words from her lips were merciless.

After a moment, he chuckled softly.

His large hand gently clasped Shen Yinning’s delicate neck.

He was like a hunter grasping the lifeline of his prey.

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "Whether love can be begged for or not, it doesn’t matter. The fact is, you and I are bound together for life. Shen Zhaozhao, even if we go down to hell, we’ll go together."

Thunder crackled outside. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Penglai Palace once again awakened to a scene of springtime passion.

The following day.

When Shen Yinning woke, Lu Ying had already gone to court.

After washing and dressing, Haitang asked from beside her, "Shall I bring the Princely Heir over?"

"I have other things to do today." Shen Yinning fastened her jade earrings. "Send word to Lu Ying; I’m leaving Wu’an Lake now to visit Lu Qianqian."

The jade carved into the shape of hibiscus flowers dangled by her ears.

It accentuated her snow-white complexion and crimson lips, making her beauty stand out starkly.

Lu Ying’s surveillance over her was not as strict as it had been when she first entered the palace. Occasionally, she could stroll freely about the palace.

After receiving Lu Ying’s permission, Shen Yinning took Haitang and Wei Yu straight to Lu Qianqian’s quarters.

Lu Qianqian, confined to her palace, was bored and spent her time venting her frustrations on the palace maids and eunuchs.

Shen Yinning stormed in, bringing only two maids with her.

Lu Qianqian stood up from her rocking chair. "You—"

"Smack!"

Shen Yinning slapped her across the face.

Lu Qianqian was stunned into disbelief, clutching her cheek as she stared at Shen Yinning. "You... What are you doing?! Shen Yinning, are you insane?! I’m a Princess!"

"You’re exactly who I wanted to hit!" Shen Yinning sneered coldly, "I’ve always been kind-hearted. I let go of the grudges between us long ago. But you conspired against Mianmian, pushing her into such disgraceful circumstances. Lu Qianqian, do you think you deserve to be slapped?!"

Lu Qianqian was both angry and scared, unable to utter a word.

After choking for a long moment, she finally stomped her foot and shouted angrily, "I’m going to tell my brother!"

As she turned to leave, Shen Yinning grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

Lu Qianqian thought she was about to endure another slap but instead felt a sudden chill in her abdomen.

Her gaze dropped in shock.

A finely crafted, razor-sharp dagger was buried deep into her torso.

Shen Yinning towered over her by half a head.

She stared blankly past Lu Qianqian’s shoulder, her face devoid of expression, while her hand twisted the dagger mercilessly.

Leaning close to Lu Qianqian’s ear, she whispered, "Forgive my bluntness, but you should have died long ago."