Chapter 75: Taking advantage is nothing more than giving in sadly. …
Shen Xingwan picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and caught a glimpse of Wei Zilin's burning and deep eyes from the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but chuckle in her heart.
He was still the same as before, always greedy for more. Even though he was wearing gorgeous clothes and sitting next to the Crown Princess, he still couldn't hide his obsession.
That being the case, how could she not take advantage of it?
Didn't he take advantage of her affection for him in her previous life, causing her to die with hatred in her heart?
Then today, she can also take advantage of his affection for her to control him.
She put down her wine glass, rubbed her temples with her hands, and pretended to be a little drunk.
The corners of her eyes were slightly red, as if she was drunk. She leaned towards Yan Jinghuan softly like a dew-covered crabapple. The pearls in her hair swayed slightly, casting tiny spots of light on the man's neck.
"Your Highness, I'm a little drunk and want to go out for some fresh air." She murmured softly.
Yan Jinghuan's expression froze, and the hand that was originally around her waist tightened involuntarily. He whispered, "I'll go with you."
Shen Xingwan looked at him sideways, her eyes full of light and a gentle smile. She gently placed her fingertips on the back of his hand and said in a soft voice, "Don't worry, trust me."
She leaned forward slightly, close to his ear.
Her breath brushed the side of his face, and her tone was light and slightly coquettish.
"Tonight, I want to invite you to watch a good show. If you follow me, I'm afraid the show won't be able to be performed."
Yan Jinghuan frowned, his eyes were deep, and he obviously didn't want to let her leave alone.
His knuckles tightened, but he couldn't resist her soft words and coquettishness. He sighed and finally let go.
"Go ahead." He said in a deep voice, his voice was low and hoarse, and his eyes were surging with dark colors, "Don't make me wait too long."
Shen Xingwan smiled, patted the back of his hand gently, then stood up and left his seat.
She walked leisurely and calmly, as if she was just going out to get some fresh air.
She walked in a moon-white long dress with wide sleeves trailing on the ground. When she reached the door of the palace, she seemed to be aware of something and tilted her head slightly. Sure enough, she saw Wei Zilin had stood up, staring at her with his dark eyes, and his footsteps followed him.
Shen Xingwan smiled even more deeply, and walked out of the hall with light steps, letting the night breeze brush her hair and blow her gauze sleeves.
Yan Jinghuan looked at her receding back, his eyes dark, the wine glass in his hand was tightly clenched, his knuckles turned white, he endured it again and again, but finally he resisted the urge and did not chase after her.
The night is like water and the palace lanterns are like stars.
Shen Xingwan strolled deep into the garden. Glass lanterns were hung on the branches of cherry blossoms, and soft light was shining all around. The cherry blossoms swayed gently in the night breeze, and the fallen petals were colorful, like flowing light falling into the mortal world.
Soft cherry blossom petals fluttered down and landed on her slightly raised palm.
She stopped, her fingertips gently rolled over the petals, and a slight curve appeared at the corners of her lips.
“It’s beautiful.”
She murmured to herself, as if she was intoxicated by the beautiful spring scenery and was unaware of the movement behind her.
However, she knew it well.
He is here.
The night breeze blew gently, her clothes fluttered, and a familiar breath slowly approached, as if carrying a deep obsession, and stopped not far behind her.
She was only focused on appreciating the flowers and didn't pay any attention.
Wei Zilin finally couldn't help it and walked out from the darkness.
He stared at her quietly, his eyes were passionate and tender, as if he had thousands of words in his heart, but he didn't know where to start.
Shen Xingwan did not turn around immediately, but remained standing quietly where he was, looking up at the cherry blossoms on the branches, as if he was completely unaware of the existence of the person behind him.
Wei Zilin's eyes fell on her, unwilling to move away for a long time.
She was wearing a moon-white long dress with wide sleeves, standing under the cherry tree, her beautiful figure made her like a fairy under the moon.
The soft glow of the palace lanterns illuminated her face, her features were picturesque, her skin was whiter than snow, and the breeze blew past her, lifting her hair slightly, revealing the coldness of a fairy who had come to the mortal world and was detached from the world.
She is clearly the woman who knows how to stir people's hearts the most.
She was beautiful and knew it, and she showed her best appearance to him.
A bitter smile appeared on Wei Zilin's lips.
He stood behind her silently, looking at her slender and beautiful back, and memories of the past flooded into his heart like a tide.
He couldn't tell whether it was a memory or a dream.
He had been dreaming a lot lately, always dreaming of her. She was so vivid and real in his dreams.
She also stood beside him like this, calling him "Brother Zilin" with a smile, her voice soft, her eyebrows curved, with the innocence of a girl, and she was very attached to him.
But now, the one accompanying her is another man.
His heart ached and he couldn't help but whispered, "Wanwan..."
Shen Xingwan turned around in surprise, his eyes fell on him, as if she was very surprised by his appearance.
Wei Zilin looked at her, his voice slightly hoarse, "How are you...?"
Shen Xingwan was slightly frightened, and bowed gently but distantly.
"Why do you ask this, Your Highness? I am now the regent princess, and I am living a very good life."
Wei Zilin's heart sank suddenly.
Every word she said was appropriate, yet it revealed an alienation that could not be ignored.
She neither called him "Brother Zilin" nor spoke to him in a familiar tone. Even the way she looked at him was like that of a stranger, with a cold courtesy.
Were all those intimacy and tenderness really just a dream of his?
His head was splitting with pain, as if countless memories were rushing into his head.
Wei Zilin clenched his fists, "Why do I always feel like... you loved me."
Shen Xingwan smiled, her tone gentle, but her eyes were cold: "Your Highness, today is the Spring Banquet, why do you have to say something so disappointing?"
Wei Zilin was stunned, then smiled bitterly.
"You were supposed to be my princess."
The night wind blew and cherry blossoms fell all over the ground.
Wei Zilin looked at her quietly, his eyes showing a growing obsession, his voice hoarse: "Shen Xingwan, have you really never regretted it?"
Shen Xingwan smiled gently, raised her hand to catch a cherry blossom falling in the wind, and crushed it with her fingertips.
She raised her eyes, her gaze was like water, gentle and distant: "In this life, the thing I am worst at is regret."
Shen Xingwan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyelids to hide the coldness that flashed across her eyes.
She took a deep breath slowly, as if trying to calm herself down, bit her lips lightly, her eyes slightly red, and forced a bitter smile.
"Your Highness, I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"I once had feelings for you." She almost cried, and looked back at Wei Zilin with resentment, "But Lin'er and you have known each other since childhood, and we have been engaged for a long time. How could I fight with you? I just gave in..."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and ran towards the main hall resolutely.
Wei Zilin was extremely anxious and almost subconsciously reached out his hand to keep her.
"Night..."
He took a step forward and wanted to hold her wrist, but Shen Xingwan seemed to have anticipated it. She slightly turned her body and nimbly avoided his touch.
His fingertips missed the target and he just managed to hook the handkerchief in her hand.
The thin silk handkerchief was carried away by his force, slightly lifted up in the air, and finally fell into his palm.
Wei Zilin stared blankly at the silk handkerchief in his hand, his mind in a trance.
The moon-white handkerchief was embroidered with elegant cherry blossoms, with delicate stitches, and it faintly retained the lingering warmth of her palm and a subtle fragrance.
Shen Xingwan didn't even turn her head back and hurried towards the hall, holding up her skirt.
Wei Zilin stood there in a daze, motionless, his fingertips tightly grasping the silk handkerchief. His heart seemed to be squeezed tightly by something, and even his breathing was accompanied by a dull pain.
Did she...ever have a crush on him...
He smiled bitterly and lowered his eyes to look at the handkerchief in his hand, as if he was holding something, yet as if he was holding nothing.
The night wind blew, blowing the cherry blossoms in full bloom on the branches, and the petals fell one by one and landed on his desolate shoulders.
He was stunned for a long time before he slowly walked towards the main hall.
In the hall, candlelight was bright and the sound of stringed instruments could be heard.
The moment Wei Zilin stepped into the hall, his eyes were locked on Shen Xingwan not far away.
She has returned to normal, sitting next to Yan Jinghuan, with gentle eyes and a charming look, as if the tug-of-war under the night cherry blossoms had never happened.
She gently hooked her beautiful fingertips around Yan Jinghuan's sleeves, smiled faintly, and spoke to him in a soft voice, her eyes full of tenderness and affection. Occasionally, she looked up at him, her eyes full of heart-pounding attachment.
Yan Jinghuan lowered his eyes to look at her with a tender smile, and raised his hand to gently stroke her hair, doting and natural, as if they had been so intimate thousands of times.
Wei Zilin froze in his tracks, as if something had hit his chest hard, causing him to breathe in pain.
Shen Xingwan was able to change her attitude towards him into a completely different one in such a short time.
Just now under the cherry tree, there was only indifference and alienation in her eyes, and she was unwilling to say a word to him.
But now, she smiled so easily and naturally, nestling in Yan Jinghuan's arms like an obedient kitten, even her eyes and eyebrows were full of love.
He clenched his fists, his throat felt dry, and his heart felt like it was being crushed hard and bleeding profusely.
She should have snuggled in Wei Zilin's arms, been his little kitten, and let him love her in every way!
He laughed at himself, his knuckles tightened unconsciously, and in his palm, the silk handkerchief was wrinkled badly.
Emotions were surging in his eyes, dark and unclear. He looked at Shen Xingwan deeply, finally lowered his eyelashes, and slowly returned to his seat.
Tang Lin'er has returned after changing her clothes.
She changed into a bright red gown with intricate lapels and cuffs draped with gold tassels. Her hair was pinned with a variety of expensive jewels. She had an ostentatious posture and her carefully painted face was extremely gorgeous.
She deliberately fumigated herself with a rich fragrance, and her eyes were full of pride and arrogance.
She wanted to attract Wei Zilin's attention, and also wanted everyone to see that she was the Crown Princess and the future Queen.
But Wei Zilin just glanced at her coldly, without any ripples in his eyes, and even revealed a bit of boredom.
No matter how carefully you dress up, it will always be vulgar.
Not even close to Shen Xingwan.
Although Shen Xingwan was only wearing a plain moon-white dress and a little makeup, she was as beautiful as a fairy who was not tainted by the worldly affairs, and she had a charm that made his heart palpitate.
Tang Lin'er caught a glimpse of the annoyance in his eyes and her heart trembled.
Her original complacency instantly became ridiculous. She vaguely sensed his indifference and suddenly felt a little resentful.
Ever since he met Shen Xingwan, he seemed like a different person.
She was jealous to the point of madness, but she could only grit her teeth and sit down next to him stiffly.
Wei Zilin seemed not to see her. He just picked up the wine glass in a daze and drank one glass after another.
The strong liquor went down my throat, burning me, but it couldn't relieve the depression in my heart.
He no longer looked at Shen Xingwan, but her laughter and her soft words kept entering his ears.
Like sharp blades, cutting into his heart bit by bit.
He gripped the glass, his knuckles turning white.
In the hall, there were slow sounds of stringed instruments, flickering candlelight, and a joyful banquet was in full swing.
Everyone was toasting each other, laughing and talking happily, but Wei Zilin was the only one drinking alone with a dark look in his eyes.
At this moment, a timid female voice suddenly sounded.
"Your Highness, I just found a jade pendant outside the palace. I didn't dare to disturb your pleasure, but I saw the dragon pattern engraved on the jade pendant and thought it must have been left by a royal relative. I really don't dare to be so arrogant, so I boldly present it to you for your instructions."
The noise in the hall gradually died down, and everyone looked towards the entrance of the hall.
A slender figure walked quickly towards the entrance of the hall.
She was a little palace maid with a pretty face and a reserved expression. She held something high in both hands. She walked carefully to Concubine De and bowed respectfully.
Defei was leaning back in the main seat, slowly peeling a litchi with ivory chopsticks in her hand. Upon hearing this, her movements paused slightly, she raised her eyes to glance at the palace maid, and her brows furrowed slightly.
"Jade pendant?" She said in a light tone.
The little palace maid lowered her head, raised her hands higher, and said in a clear and respectful voice: "Your Majesty, that's right."
Defei finally stretched out her fingers stained with crimson nail polish, picked up the jade pendant, and held it in front of her eyes to examine it carefully.
The jade pendant was of high-quality texture, warm and translucent, and as green as spring water. It was carved with two entwined dragons, with their claws raised, playing with a bright pearl. The carving was exquisite and lifelike, exuding an air of dignity and majesty.
It is obvious at a glance that this is something belonging to the royal family.
The atmosphere in the hall seemed to change subtly. Those who were originally talking in low voices now all looked in the direction of Concubine De at the same time.
"This jade pendant..."
Defei frowned slightly, her expression solemn, and her fingertips slowly stroked the texture of the jade pendant, as if she was recalling something.
At this moment, a little palace maid standing beside Concubine De suddenly exclaimed "Eh".
The voice was very soft, but in the silence of the hall at that moment, it was exceptionally clear and fell into the ears of Concubine De.
Concubine De turned her head and looked at her.
"Why? Do you recognize this thing?"
The little palace maid seemed to be frightened by her gaze for a moment. She suddenly lowered her head, twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingers. She seemed a little hesitant, and seemed not to dare to speak easily.
Defei's eyes darkened slightly and her tone gradually became heavier.
"I'm asking you, do you recognize him or not?"
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