Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Xu Jingxi Asks for Help

Xie Ming’an’s expression flickered. A moment later, a thought struck him, and he turned and strode quickly from the Ministry of Justice, rushing home.

He made a beeline for the private storeroom in his courtyard and ordered an attendant to open the doors.

"Tell Uncle Pang to bring the gift register from the other day. I want him to come here and cross-reference everything to find the gift from the Chen Family."

Seeing Xie Ming’an’s cold, grim expression, the young servants didn’t dare utter a word of protest.

A short while later, the housekeeper, Uncle Pang, rushed over with a register in his hands.

After leading his men through a thorough check of each item, he produced a long brocade box decorated with an auspicious lotus pattern.

"This is the one from the Chen Family."

Xie Ming’an opened the box and saw the very same multi-colored gemstone bracelet resting inside.

His expression instantly turned thunderous.

If he recalled correctly, he had seen the Chen Family’s second daughter, Chen Wanru, holding this exact bracelet while speaking with Shen Ningning at the palace that day.

’So, Shen Ningning actually dared to accept such a bribe on my behalf?’

’Did she think I wouldn’t notice if she mixed it in with the greeting gifts from the other noble families?’

’The audacity of this child!’

A glacial aura radiated from Xie Ming’an.

With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the box to the ground and stormed out, his expression like ice.

Unsure of what had just happened, Uncle Pang could only pick up the bracelet and set it aside for safekeeping.

「Two days later.」

Shen Ningning was in Xiangyun Village, helping Grandma Qin decorate her house.

Grandma Qin had introduced Dong Aniu to two fine young women from Xitai Village. One was slender, while the other had a full, round face.

Dong Aniu was interested in the slender one, but unfortunately for him, she wasn’t interested back.

The round-faced woman, on the other hand, was willing to spend more time with Dong Aniu.

But who would have guessed that Dong Aniu would complain she wasn’t pretty enough for him.

Just a few days later, Dong Aniu went back to Lifen, and they made up as if nothing had ever happened.

Every time he came to see Grandma Qin, he would beg and plead, only to take some things she gave him and use them to win favor with Lifen and her family.

Whenever Dong Aniu was mentioned, Grandma Qin would shake her head and sigh. "Ah Niu is a lost cause. My poor sister..."

"Let’s just get their marriage sorted out so they can leave sooner. I can’t stand having them right under my nose, and it’s not like I can control them anyway."

Shen Ningning, however, was curious. "Grandma, do you have a baby right after you get married?"

She blinked her big, crystal-clear eyes, her fair little face filled with curiosity.

In all her young life, the little girl had only seen a handful of weddings.

Whenever there was a wedding in the village, the family’s elders would hand out loquat candies to the children so they could share in the joyful occasion.

Shen Ningning could only watch from a distance, filled with envy.

She would see the bride, her face hidden by a red veil, being ushered into her new home by a crowd of people.

Then, a group of children holding wedding candies would run several laps around the house.

They would shout, "The bride has come, fortune has come! A precious son born soon, and two babies in three years!"

To the innocent Shen Ningning, this meant she more or less understood: getting married meant you could have a baby.

’I must have come out of Mommy’s tummy the same way.’

Grandma Qin took the little girl’s hand and said lovingly, "When two people who love each other get married, they naturally have children."

Shen Ningning didn’t particularly care about Dong Aniu, but her spirits lifted the moment she heard that.

"Then I have to do my best to help with Uncle Ah Niu’s wedding!"

"I have to make sure his baby has a warm home to be born into."

’Not like me, who’s never even seen what my own mom and dad look like.’

With newfound purpose, Shen Ningning busied herself, climbing onto a stool to hang the red lanterns with her own two hands.

Watching her tiny figure, Grandma Qin’s eyes filled with heartache.

’This poor child. The matter of her parents has become a constant source of pain for her.’

Just as Shen Ningning was busy, someone called out from outside in a hoarse voice, "Is this Shen Ningning’s home? I’m looking for Shen Ningning."

The Black Wolf King, who had been lying by the door, suddenly pricked up its ears, its yellow eyes fixed on the courtyard gate.

Shen Ningning went to open the door and peeked outside.

Xu Jingxi stood there in a tattered, padded jacket, its cotton stuffing poking out. His handsome, pale face was smudged with soot.

He usually carried himself with a cool, bamboo-like elegance; even in poverty, his clothes were always washed spotless.

It was rare to see him looking so disheveled.

Shen Ningning couldn’t help her surprise. "Xu Jingxi, what happened to you?"

Xu Jingxi gazed at her, his usually placid expression now fractured. His bloodshot eyes were filled with desperation.

"Shen Ningning, please, help me. My grandfather is missing!"

As he spoke, he handed her a letter.

Shen Ningning took it and saw that the old man, unable to write, had conveyed his message with a crude drawing.

The drawing showed only a tree and a noose.

"Your grandfather is going to take his own life?" the little girl asked, stunned.

Xu Jingxi had been searching all night, and his voice was now terribly hoarse.

"The heavy snow collapsed our house. My grandfather didn’t want to be a burden to me any longer, so he left a suicide note. I asked the other villagers, and they said they saw him heading up into the mountains."

"He must be planning to end his life in the mountains. I’ve searched all night but have no idea where he could have gone. You’re my only hope."

Shen Ningning immediately handed the letter back, turned, and shouted, "Langlang, let’s go find him!"

Grandma Qin rushed out after her. "Ningning, it’s freezing out there! Please be careful!"

"I will, Grandma!" the little girl called back as she nimbly hopped onto the Black Wolf King’s back.

She put her little fingers to her lips and blew a sharp, clear whistle.

A moment later, Xu Jingxi watched in astonishment as a pack of wolves came racing down from the mountain.

The Black Wolf King threw its head back and howled, issuing a command.

Wolf Three immediately bounded over to Xu Jingxi and lay down before him.

Shen Ningning said, "Get on Wolf Three. We’re going into the mountains to find him."

Xu Jingxi glanced at Wolf Three, feeling awkward about imposing.

But to find his grandfather, he couldn’t afford to hesitate.

"Pardon the intrusion," he said, bowing respectfully to Wolf Three before climbing onto its back.

Wolf Three immediately shot forward. Xu Jingxi felt as if he were riding the wind itself, the surrounding scenery a blur as it rushed by.

He led the way from the front, with the Black Wolf King and its pack following close behind.

A pack of wolves and two humans galloped through the vast, snow-covered forest, leaving a trail of dark paw prints in their wake.

The mountains were dark and cold, the white snow appearing dim under the heavy sky.

They searched for a long time, venturing deep into the mountains, but found no sign of anyone.

Shen Ningning called for a halt, her small face flushed pink from the wind.

She said seriously, "This isn’t working. We’re just wasting time. We need to split up."

As soon as she finished speaking, she patted the Black Wolf King’s ear with her little hand.

The Black Wolf King immediately gave an order to the pack.

Xu Jingxi watched as the wolves organized themselves into four lines. One by one, they came forward to sniff the suicide note in his hand before darting off in the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west.

After that, Shen Ningning simply stayed put.

She untied the waterskin from her waist and offered it to Xu Jingxi. "Here, have a drink. Your throat is so hoarse."

Xu Jingxi’s lips were dry and chapped, but he felt embarrassed to accept yet another kindness from Shen Ningning.

He already had no way to repay her for helping him find his grandfather.

He could only give a slight nod. "Thank you, but I’m fine. Aren’t we going to follow the pack?"

Seeing that he wouldn’t drink, Shen Ningning opened it herself and took a sip.

The soothing Spiritual Spring Water flowed down her throat, bringing a wave of comfort.

"No," she said. "When the wolves find him, they’ll signal us. We just have to wait."

Just as she’d said, it wasn’t long before a chorus of howls rose and fell from the south.

A small, lean scout wolf was the first to return, bowing its head to the Black Wolf King with a low whine.

The Black Wolf King immediately stood tall, shaking the fine snow from its fur.

Shen Ningning pointed south. "He’s that way! Let’s hurry!"

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