The so-called family dinner was nothing more than a pretense of harmony, a test of each other's intentions.

Emperor Cheng'an still wore a mask of benevolence, the Crown Prince remained silent, while Empress Zhou and Xuan Ci were quite talkative, but Shen Youying always managed to outmaneuver them. Xue Shen would occasionally chime in with a word of support, and in the end, they didn't get any information and were so angry that they almost fell backward, gaining nothing at all.

In the end, Emperor Cheng'an couldn't stand it anymore and, finding it bothersome, sent the people away early after the family banquet.

Shen Youying and Xue Shen left the palace together, laughing uncontrollably in the carriage.

Xue Shen put his arm around her waist to prevent her from falling and bumping into something. After she had finished laughing, he began to settle scores: "Zhao Zhao was certainly happy today."

Shen Youying, still unaware of the danger, nodded and said, "I'm quite happy."

After all, it was others who were angry and embarrassed, not her. Just the changing expressions of Empress Zhou and Xuan Ci were a good show in themselves.

Unexpectedly, Xue Shen tightened his arms in displeasure upon hearing this, picked her up and placed her on his lap, his palms kneading her lower back with a light but firm touch, adopting an interrogation posture: "Oh? Is it because you're happy to hear 'Lu Minghe refuses to discuss marriage and is waiting for you to divorce,' or is it because of something else?"

Shen Youying was stunned for a moment, never expecting that she could be jealous of this. She pressed her hand against Xue Shen's chest, puffed out her cheeks, and said, "You know perfectly well, yet you still ask me."

Having known each other for so long, she naturally didn't think Xue Shen would doubt her because of Xuan Ci's words. However, the longer they spent together, the clearer she became that although he appeared cold and aloof on the surface, he was actually incredibly jealous.

Asking this question is most likely just an attempt to take advantage of the situation and ask for something in return.

Xue Shen pressed his forehead against hers: "If Zhaozhao doesn't tell me, how would I know?"

Shen Youying blushed, but still went along with him, biting her lip and whispering, "Of course it's because of something else. Whatever Lu Minghe's intentions are, it has nothing to do with me."

She hooked her arms around Xue Shen's neck and kissed him on the lips: "No matter what happened in the past, you are now my husband, the only one I love."

Shen Youying was shy and rarely spoke such direct and explicit words of love.

Xue Shen was pleased to hear this, and couldn't help but pull her closer to his chest, biting her earlobe with a bit of ruthlessness as he said, "Zhao Zhao knows best how to seduce me."

Sitting on his lap, Shen Youying could clearly feel his desire.

She shifted uncomfortably and whispered, "You're the one asking the question you already know the answer to."

If she hadn't moved, things would have been fine, but the moment she moved, Xue Shen held her down even tighter, gritting his teeth and saying, "Are you deliberately tormenting me?"

Shen Youying pressed herself tightly against him, her face flushed, and pushed against his chest, saying, "Then put me down."

Xue Shen refused to let go, his voice slightly hoarse, as he buried his face in her neck and said, "Hold me a little longer."

Shen Youying had no choice but to be held by him. Afraid that he was suffering, she hesitated and said, "How about I help you, so it'll be faster—"

Before she could finish speaking, Xue Shen bit her lip. He lingered for a while before pushing her away with restraint, and said with suppressed anger, "Zhao Zhao is getting bolder and bolder. The carriage only travels for a short while, but when we arrive, she is reluctant to get off. Zhao Zhao will blame me again."

This man was always good at arguing and sophistry. Shen Youying glared at him and decided to ignore him.

When the carriage arrived at the Prince's Mansion, Xue Shen finally let bygones be bygones with Lu Minghe, and the two held hands affectionately as they returned to Tingmei Pavilion.

The two hadn't even warmed their seats when Danzhu knocked and came in, saying with a strange expression, "Your Highness, the gatekeeper reports that Lord Lu requests an audience."

"Which Lord Lu?" Xue Shen raised an eyebrow.

Danzhu felt unlucky just thinking about it and said, "Lu Minghe, judge of Kaifeng Prefecture."

Lu Minghe originally entered the Censorate as an eighth-rank official. However, he later abandoned his original path and became a retainer of the Crown Prince. After handling several impressive tasks for the Crown Prince, he has now been promoted to the sixth-rank position of Judge of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Don't underestimate him just because he's only a sixth-rank judge; the addition of "Kaifeng Prefecture" in front of his name makes him something special.

After all, in this capital city of Kaifeng, nobles and high-ranking officials were everywhere, but if they broke the law and caused trouble, they would all fall under the jurisdiction of the Kaifeng Prefecture.

If one has no powerful backing and is capable enough, one cannot stay in Kaifeng Prefecture.

The fact that he was promoted to judge of Kaifeng Prefecture shows how much the Crown Prince valued him.

Upon hearing this, Xue Shen chuckled, squeezed Shen Youying's fingers, and asked, "What does he want from me?"

Danzhu shook his head: "Lord Lu didn't say anything, he only said that he had something to discuss with the Prince."

Shen Youying frowned and said, "He is already a member of the Crown Prince's faction. He came to find you for no reason. I'm afraid his purpose is not pure. Your Highness doesn't need to see him."

Xue Shen released her hand and stood up, saying, "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't bother to see them. But I still have to see him."

Shen Youying looked at him disapprovingly.

Xue Shen leaned down and kissed her forehead, saying softly, "Zhao Zhao, don't be angry. After all, no man can tolerate a rival's provocation. I'll go and meet him; it won't take too long."

Shen Youying had no choice but to let him go.

*

Xue Shen had someone take Lu Minghe to the reception hall.

Lu Minghe waited in the hall, absentmindedly holding his teacup.

A moment later, he heard the sound of servants bowing. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xue Shen striding over, his posture as upright as a pine tree, a far cry from when he was in a wheelchair.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, he couldn't help but feel a vague sense of apprehension.

When he was infamous and confined to a wheelchair with crippled legs, he couldn't even win back Zhao Zhao. Now, facing the Qin King, who is sharp and aggressive like a wolf, does he really have a chance of winning?

A hint of doubt arose in his heart, but he quickly thought of something and dismissed it without hesitation.

Lu Minghe stood up and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Prince Qin."

Xue Shen casually waved his hand and sat down opposite him: "No one visits without a reason. I have no dealings with Lord Lu. May I ask what brings you here so abruptly?"

His words were anything but polite, but Lu Minghe remained unmoved and said, "It's for Zhaozhao."

Upon hearing this address, Xue Shen frowned unhappily, tapped the table heavily with his finger, and coldly reminded her, "Zhao Zhao is my princess consort. Even if you are cousins, according to etiquette, it is still inappropriate for you to call her by her childhood name."

He squinted at Lu Minghe, scoffed, and said, "I know what you're thinking, but I still have to remind you: you can be self-satisfied with your self-righteous affection, but if you have even a shred of guilt towards Zhaozhao, then stop ruining her reputation outside. I don't care, but when people spread rumors, she's always the one who gets hurt. Or do you think the Lu family hasn't hurt her enough?"