The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 472 - 470: You’re Fooling Around with Xue Ling Behind My Back?!
The palace stood in the southwest corner of the Imperial Garden, appearing rather dilapidated due to years of neglect.
By the time the two hurriedly arrived, a crowd had already gathered outside the palace.
From within the palace came Lu Qianqian’s sharp, broken cries: "How could this happen?! Xue Mianmian, answer me! How could this happen?! Who allowed you to lay your hands on Xue Ling?!"
The young lords and ladies nearby were whispering to one another:
"The Ninth Princess sent out dozens of palace maids to search everywhere for Lord Xue, only to find him here in this palace, entangled with the Guan Family’s Young Madam in broad daylight—nothing short of a scandal!"
"Oh my! You mean the Xue Family’s adopted daughter?! I heard that on the day she married into the Guan Family, Lord Xue tried to snatch her back in public and was punished severely by Chief Xue. Who would have thought, after all this time, the two would still be involved—this time with a child on the way!"
"..."
Lu Ying instinctively glanced at Shen Yinning.
The young woman’s face turned pale as she swiftly pushed through the crowd.
Inside the palace.
The bed curtains were in disarray, scattered everywhere.
Xue Mianmian huddled in the corner of the bed, wrapped in a brocade quilt. Over her shoulders was Xue Ling’s outer robe. She kept her head low, weeping softly.
Xue Ling, dressed only in a tooth-white inner garment, stood firmly in front of her. His face, handsome as a blossoming peach, was now clouded with anger.
His voice was loud enough for everyone gathered to hear: "This was my doing—I forced her. She is not to blame!"
Lu Qianqian stomped her embroidered shoe and shrieked, "How could it have nothing to do with her?! She must have seduced you with her indecency!"
"Mianmian!"
Shen Yinning shoved Lu Qianqian aside.
She rushed forward, throwing Xue Ling’s robe back at him. From Haitang’s hands, she took a cloak and firmly wrapped it around Xue Mianmian.
"Zhaozhao!" Xue Mianmian cried loudly, as if finding her pillar of strength, and flung herself into Shen Yinning’s arms, weeping uncontrollably. "I can’t face anyone anymore! The Guan Family will throw me out! I’ve disgraced my father and mother; I’ve brought shame to the Xue Family! I... I should throw myself into the river!"
The Xue Family was a distinguished scholarly lineage.
Except for Xue Ling, all the sons and daughters of the family were known to be well-educated and virtuous.
For such a scandal to erupt today, it would inevitably affect the marriage prospects of the Xue Family’s other young women.
Xue Ling bit his thin lips, a vicious smile flickering across his face: "I already said this is all on me. What the hell are you still crying for?!"
The words "throw myself into the river" clearly put him in a foul mood. He practically ground his teeth as he roared them.
Xue Mianmian choked on her sobs, only hiding in Shen Yinning’s embrace, too afraid to look up at him.
The palace fell into an eerie silence when a male voice abruptly sounded: "You all—!"
Shen Yinning looked over.
It was Guan Songyuan.
Her gaze flickered slightly as she noticed Huo Mingyan standing behind him.
The two had appeared unexpectedly, their faces flushed as if they had been under the scorching sun for too long.
Guan Songyuan stepped forward slowly, pointing at Xue Mianmian, and spoke each word harshly: "You betrayed me—to indulge yourself with Xue Ling?!"
"I..."
Xue Mianmian’s voice trembled as she tried to explain, but there was nothing she could say.
Large tears rolled down her cheeks.
She whimpered and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but no matter how hard she tried, the tears wouldn’t stop, and the bitterness and grievance in her heart surged like a tide that engulfed the shore in the dark of night.
She hadn’t wanted to be caught up with Xue Ling, which was why she had resolutely married into the Guan Family.
But Xue Ling had interrupted her wedding, causing the Guan Family to disdain her.
Being scorned was one thing—enduring a lonely marriage was better than being entangled in the gossip of the Capital, carrying accusations of an unclear relationship with her adopted brother.
And yet, just when she thought she had enjoyed a year of peace, she found herself tangled up with Xue Ling once more.
Seducing her elder brother...
Shameless...
Impostor...
Stealing what wasn’t hers...
Those harsh labels were like daggers stabbing into her spine, slicing into her flesh and soul, leaving her without the courage to raise her head.
Xue Mianmian choked on her sobs, unable to speak.
She didn’t understand. All she wanted was to live a stable and decent life. Why was it so difficult?
Xue Ling, maddened by her weeping, grew even more violent.
He fixed a cold glare on Guan Songyuan. "I said it already—this is my doing! Do you not understand?!"
Guan Songyuan acted as though he hadn’t heard, stepping closer to the bed under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Shen Yinning’s gaze landed on his belt.
Today, Guan Songyuan wore a light green silk robe, but his belt did not resemble something from the Central Plains.
The embroidery on the belt appeared to be inspired by designs from the Western Regions or beyond the border.
Shen Yinning frowned slightly.
Did Guan Songyuan wear this particular belt at the palace banquet today?
Guan Songyuan wore an expression of deep hurt, his eyes reddening as he spoke each word with strain: "The Guan Family treated you well, Xue Mianmian! Why would you, why would you betray me?!"
By the end, his voice was hoarse, nearly shouting as if consumed by heartbreak and sorrow from Xue Mianmian’s betrayal.
The onlookers couldn’t help but feel sympathy.
"Such a devoted soul!"
"Master Guan knew Xue Mianmian had an affair with young Lord Xue, yet he still treated her sincerely, making her the Guan Family’s Young Madam. But to think she still put a green hat on him after the wedding!"
"Xue Mianmian has truly wronged Master Guan! If I were her, I wouldn’t have the face to keep living!"
"..."
Tears slowly fell from Guan Songyuan’s face. Suddenly, he raised his hand and prepared to strike Xue Mianmian—
"What are you doing?!"
Shen Yinning shielded Xue Mianmian with one arm while firmly gripping his wrist with the other.
Before Guan Songyuan could answer, Xue Ling, clad in only his inner garment, leaped up with fury, grabbing his belt.
"Fuck!"
He cursed venomously and delivered a brutal kick to Guan Songyuan, sending him flying!
Having just returned from the battlefield, Xue Ling’s towering frame and lean muscles made his kick immensely forceful, launching Guan Songyuan far away.
"Master Guan!"
From the crowd, Huo Mingyan let out a startled cry.
She moved as if to rush forward, but Lu Ying quietly appeared at her side, his narrow eyes sweeping over her almost mockingly.
His gaze was as sharp and cold as a blade.
It left Huo Mingyan trembling with fear.
A sudden suspicion arose in her mind—had Lu Ying discovered something?
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to suppress her movements and instead discreetly adjusted the neckline of her court attire.
Lu Ying’s gaze lingered briefly around her neckline before moving away without a word.
Guan Songyuan, bracing against the wall, coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He lifted his pale face, incredulous: "You despicable pair of adulterers! After committing such shameless acts, you still dare to strike me? Xue Mianmian, how could you do this to me?!"
He turned and knelt before Lu Ying, clasping his hands in plea: "Xue Ling and Xue Mianmian have disgraced themselves by carrying on in secret. Xue Ling has even assaulted me in public. I beg the Holy Emperor to deliver justice for this humble servant!"
As he spoke, he began to sob, appearing deeply wronged and pitiful.
The crowd couldn’t help but feel even more sympathy for him.
Some officials even clasped their hands in agreement: "This is a grave and scandalous matter. We urge the Holy Emperor to handle it with strict severity!"
Shen Yinning motioned for Haitang to escort Xue Mianmian to the rear chamber to change.
She cast a glance at Xue Ling, impatience etched on his face.
Although she owed Xue Ling a favor, it didn’t mean she would sacrifice Mianmian’s interests for it.
And so, her voice softened as she said, "Young Lord Xue, you just claimed this entire matter was your doing?"
Lu Ying immediately discerned her intention.
He furrowed his brows slightly.
Having known Xue Ling since childhood, he knew Xue Ling wasn’t one to act recklessly. There had to be more to today’s events.
To protect her close friend by shifting all the blame onto Xue Ling—this was indeed just like Shen Zhaozhao.
Without waiting for Xue Ling to respond to Shen Yinning, Lu Ying directly asked him, "What exactly is going on?"
