Lu Ying rubbed his brow, knowing that Shen Yinning was deliberately challenging him.
He patiently explained, "It's all just her one-sided misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? She's been deeply infatuated with you. When you were deposed, she even went all the way to the Commandery Princess Mansion, offering to serve as your slave or maid. Such a great favor—how could you forget it? And then, just for me, a mere substitute, you flogged her thirty times. I suppose when you recall it later, your heart will ache once more."
Shen Yinning wore a smile, but her words were layered with sarcasm and barbed mockery.
They left Lu Ying at a loss for how to respond, unsure of how to soothe her.
"I'm tired." Shen Yinning said dismissively, retracting her gaze with scorn, "Leave."
Lu Ying stood by the bedside for a moment before reluctantly turning and leaving.
