Chapter 280: Chapter 280: For Shen Ningning

The Emperor not only agreed.

He also appointed an Imperial Envoy to lead over a hundred government officers to Nanzhou.

The Emperor was full of hope about this.

"If the sweet potatoes can be mass-produced as Ningning said, then there will be hope for all the people in the realm."

Even with the current cold disaster, as long as there was food, people wouldn’t starve to death!

What she hadn’t expected was that Grand Tutor Ye would also step forward at court to support Shen Ningning’s righteous act.

With the Emperor personally overseeing the matter, the court moved quickly to coordinate and make arrangements.

Mr. Zhang Liu and the others not only received their passage documents, but each person was also given two sets of clothes.

As for those unwilling to go south to farm, Shen Ningning kept her word and gave each of them ten taels of silver for their travels.

On the day Mr. Zhang Liu led the refugees south.

Outside the city, they kowtowed in the direction of the Imperial City.

Although it looked like they were kneeling in gratitude to the Emperor, everyone knew in their hearts who they were truly thanking.

「Two days passed in a flash.」

It was evening, and a cold wind howled outside. Shen Ningning was in the study practicing calligraphy with Xie Suzhi and Xie Mingxu.

The Black Wolf King was lying beneath the window.

It found the heat unpleasant and refused to go near the brazier, but it didn’t want to leave Shen Ningning’s side either.

So, it lay in the coolest spot, drowsing off.

Xie Suzhi said with a smile, "Ming An has been braving the wind and snow for so many days. He should be back in the capital soon."

Shen Ningning was learning to paint flowers and birds.

Hearing this, she looked up. "Godfather, does this mean I’ll get to see Second Brother soon?"

Xie Suzhi stroked her little head, his smile full of affection.

"You’ll be able to see him in about half a month."

Looking at Shen Ningning’s adorable, round little face, Xie Suzhi reached out his hands. "Let Godfather hold you while you paint, shall I? Your big brother has been holding you for quite a while now."

Shen Ningning had just stretched out her small hands, about to go into Xie Suzhi’s arms.

Unexpectedly, Xie Mingxu held her tightly and refused to let go.

Xie Suzhi’s expression darkened. "Mingxu? Are you going to fight with your father over her too?"

Xie Mingxu held Shen Ningning, his handsome, fair face calm.

"In a few more days, I must leave the capital and return to my post at the border. I won’t be able to see Ningning for a year."

"But you, Father, get to see her every day. It’s so unfair. What’s wrong with letting me hold her a little longer?"

"You!" Xie Suzhi was speechless.

His tone even held a hint of grievance. "What am I going to do if Ming An is just like you when he gets back?"

Xie Mingxu raised his eyebrows slightly.

He looked down at the little one in his arms.

"Ningning, when Brother returns in a year, will your affection be only for Second Brother, and no longer for Brother?"

Shen Ningning shook her head decisively. "No way, I’ll like you all the same~"

Xie Suzhi chuckled. "You little thing, trying not to offend anyone."

Just then, Second Madam Xie’s voice came from the doorway.

"Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law, it’s terrible! Something’s happened!"

Both Xie Suzhi and Xie Mingxu’s expressions changed. The father and son grew serious in unspoken agreement.

"Come in and talk," Xie Suzhi said.

A guard helped open the door, and Second Madam Xie stumbled in, her eyes bleary with tears.

She covered her face with a handkerchief, whimpering, "Brother-in-law, I dreamt last night that Yuan Jiu froze to death."

"When I woke up this morning, my heart was pounding, and I’ve been so anxious."

"Brother-in-law, Yuan Jiu is back in our old hometown. Nothing’s happened to her, has it?"

Xie Suzhi’s tone was grave. "I send money over every month."

"All sixty-four servants in the old residence are there to serve her alone. What could possibly happen?"

"You, on the other hand, should stop letting your imagination run wild during the day. You might frighten your husband. His condition is not suited for extreme grief or anger."

Being reprimanded, Second Madam Xie’s eyes reddened, and she felt deeply wronged.

"Yuan Jiu is my child. Of course I’m worried, just like you would worry about your own daughter..."

Xie Mingxu cut her off immediately. "Second Aunt, that’s enough."

Shen Ningning’s big eyes silently glanced at her brother, then over to Xie Suzhi.

She realized that ever since she had come to the Xie Mansion, no one really talked about the previous, real young miss.

’Are they afraid that talking about it too much will sadden Xie Suzhi?’

Second Madam Xie secretly pouted. "I know, I misspoke."

Before she left, Xie Suzhi spoke again, his voice stern and cold.

"Sister-in-law, you know more about Yuan Jiu’s situation than I do."

"The child is still young. Her mistakes can still be corrected. Otherwise, when she grows up and makes an irreversible error, it will be too late for you to regret it."

Second Madam Xie nodded on the surface, but inwardly, she grumbled.

’Xie Suzhi is all talk. He spoils Shen Ningning without any limits.’

’But when his own family makes a mistake, he deals with them mercilessly.’

Xie Suzhi then continued, "Also, you know what I forbid above all else."

"If I find out you’ve gone to consult a Divine Woman again, giving silver to those street swindlers, you just wait and see."

Second Madam Xie trembled, lowering her eyelashes guiltily.

"Brother-in-law, you must be joking. After you strictly forbade it last time, I stopped going to see Divine Women."

Xie Suzhi nodded. "That’s good. You may leave."

Second Madam Xie scurried away dejectedly.

Shen Ningning asked curiously, "Godfather, what does a Divine Woman do?"

Only when facing the little one did Xie Suzhi’s smile return.

His handsome, refined, and gentle face was very serene.

"A Divine Woman is someone who uses tricks, making up stories about gods and ghosts to swindle people out of their money."

"Ningning, you must never be curious about them or interact with such people, understand?"

Shen Ningning nodded obediently. "I understand."

「That day.」

While Shen Ningning was in class at the National Academy, Mo Lingwei planned to go pick her up.

But considering the little one had a full day of classes, he went to Xiangyun Village first.

He brought several boxes of fine gifts to Grandma Qin’s village house.

As soon as he walked into the courtyard, he saw lanterns and colorful decorations inside and out, with "double happiness" characters pasted up for a wedding.

Grandma Qin happened to come out of the house, limping.

Seeing Mo Lingwei, she immediately gave a kindly wave. "Crown Prince, what brings you here today? Ningning has gone to school. She’s been staying at the Xie Mansion with her godfather recently."

Mo Lingwei’s attitude was exceptionally good, his voice gentle and mild. "I know. I came specifically to see you."

He was dressed in crane-white robes, with auspicious cloud patterns subtly embroidered in gold thread.

His noble and dignified aura seemed out of place in the small, peaceful village.

The guard behind him stepped forward with the gifts.

"I see the house is decorated with lanterns and banners. Is there a happy occasion?" he asked.

Grandma Qin smiled and explained, "It’s my nephew. The heavy snow collapsed his house, and it just so happens to be time for his wedding, so he came to borrow my house."

Mo Lingwei raised his eyebrows in understanding and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"

Grandma Qin quickly waved her hands. "I couldn’t possibly! Your Highness is of noble status, how could I let you help? Besides, I’ve already arranged everything."

"Come, please come in. Have a cup of hot tea before you go."

However, Mo Lingwei saw Grandma Qin walk into the house with a limp, holding her leg.

He couldn’t help but ask, "Last time, I heard from Shen Ningning that you sprained your ankle. Has it not healed yet?"

Grandma Qin looked a little embarrassed. "I’ve been walking a lot these past two days, so it started hurting again. I’ve applied some medicine. Perhaps it will be better in a couple of days."

Mo Lingwei thought for a moment and said, "How about this: in a few days, I will arrange for an Imperial Physician to come to the village and treat your leg."

Grandma Qin was overwhelmed by the favor. "I couldn’t accept that, Your Highness! Thank you for your kindness, but this leg is an old problem. Applying a poultice will be enough."

But Mo Lingwei just smiled, his narrow eyes dark and bright.

"There is nothing you can’t accept. For Shen Ningning’s sake, you deserve it."

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