Chapter 602: Chapter 602: He Did Everything He Said

Shen Ningning frowned and muttered, "Could it be Lord Ma’s faction, unwilling to let it go?"

Mo Lingwei put down his chopsticks and glanced sideways at the guards on duty. "Go and take a look."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The two guards followed behind Manager Wen to the front courtyard.

A short while later, they returned. Manager Wen said, "There’s a large crowd of townspeople outside. They say... they wish to see the Crown Prince and Her Highness, the Princess..."

He looked troubled. After all, the Crown Prince and the Princess were of such exalted status; people couldn’t just see them whenever they pleased.

But there were too many people at the gate—a good hundred of them, at least. Every one of them was carrying vegetables, fruits, and eggs from home. Manager Wen didn’t feel he had the authority to turn them away on behalf of Shen Ningning and Mo Lingwei.

One of the guards said, "Your Highness, I can send them away."

Mo Lingwei looked to Shen Ningning. The young lady blinked her wide eyes. "You’re the Crown Prince. You make the decision. Why are you looking at me?"

"When we’re traveling, I listen to you."

Shen Ningning pouted. "And at home?"

"I listen to you at home, too." Mo Lingwei lowered his voice, a hint of a smile twinkling in his slender eyes.

His words pleased Shen Ningning. She cleared her throat, as if to hide her delight. "I think we should meet them. You’re the Crown Prince, and the future Emperor of Cangyun Country. Opportunities to interact this closely with the common people and hear their true thoughts are rare."

Mo Lingwei considered her words for a moment, then nodded. "You’re right."

Having made their decision, they both put down their chopsticks and went out together to greet the townspeople.

The people’s enthusiasm was beyond anything Shen Ningning had imagined. The moment she and Mo Lingwei reached the doorway, the townspeople at the front caught sight of them and immediately fell to their knees. Those behind them quickly followed suit, packing the entire alley. A thunderous, ocean-like roar of greetings followed.

The guards stood at the entrance, their presence stern and imposing. The Crown Prince and the Princess were so noble that the people were too overcome with awe and fear to even raise their heads for a look.

The man at the head of the crowd spoke. "Lord Ma and his family lorded their power over us here in Ping City. We commoners could only suffer their bullying and exploitation. It’s wonderful that their family has finally been punished, and it’s all thanks to the wise judgment of the Crown Prince and the Princess. These gifts are a small token of our gratitude. We implore Your Highnesses to accept them."

The people held up the thank-you gifts they had brought; one person had even brought their family’s only hen.

Mo Lingwei kept Shen Ningning partially shielded in his arms as he addressed them. "As the Crown Prince, it is my duty to resolve such injustices for you. The people are the foundation of the nation. There is no need for thanks."

An older woman mustered her courage and asked tremulously, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, if we have a grievance that the government refuses to address, can you do something about it?"

Mo Lingwei’s expression immediately grew serious. "I can."

He glanced to the side, instructing a guard to take the woman to the gatehouse for the time being. He would speak with her privately later.

Unexpectedly, the woman’s plea opened the floodgates. The other townspeople followed her lead, all speaking at once about the injustices they had suffered.

Mo Lingwei pressed his lips together. "Then form a line. I will hear each of you in turn."

’Shen Ningning said that this kind of opportunity to get close to the people was precious, and he should cherish it.’ He therefore didn’t shy away from the hard work, resolving to listen to everyone personally.

Manager Wen prepared his study and courtyard for Mo Lingwei to use.

The lamps in the courtyard burned all night long. A long line of people, coming and going, snaked through the Wen Mansion.

It was only through speaking with them that Mo Lingwei truly understood. ’There are so many hidden injustices in this world,’ he thought. ’The Emperor sits on his high throne, likely never knowing what life is really like for the people so far from the Capital City.’

Shen Ningning didn’t disturb Mo Lingwei, simply staying by his side quietly and occasionally refilling his tea.

When Mo Lingwei needed an opinion, she would offer a few words of her own. To any observer, she looked for all the world like a wise and supportive wife.

Although the "blessed girl’s" reputation among the people was greater than the Crown Prince’s, the Princess’s actions on this day made them certain that the Crown Prince was the one who wielded true authority.

In this way, Shen Ningning subtly elevated the Crown Prince’s importance in the people’s eyes.

She wouldn’t let her own radiance overshadow Mo Lingwei’s influence; she only stepped forward to speak when it was truly necessary.

Late into the night, there were still many people lined up outside.

Mo Lingwei urged Shen Ningning to get some rest. "You should go to sleep. We need to set off by boat first thing in the morning."

Shen Ningning hesitated. "What about you?"

Mo Lingwei tilted his chin, gesturing for her to look at the long line of people still waiting outside.

"They have been waiting under the moon and stars for so long; how could I rest now? Some of these matters may not be urgent for me, but to them, they could be life and death. I’ll just hear everyone out tonight. You go rest. Tomorrow, during the day, I’ll sleep on the boat, and then it’ll be your turn to take care of me."

There was a smile in his voice as he spoke. Shen Ningning huffed, a little pout on her lips. "You’ve got it all planned out, don’t you."

She really was tired, so she didn’t argue further and left the study.

As she reached the entrance to the courtyard, Shen Ningning couldn’t help but look back at Mo Lingwei, who sat inside the room, brightly illuminated by candlelight.

The life of privilege he was born into had cultivated an undeniable nobility in him, and now, his earnest focus added a profound, steady charm.

’Mo Lingwei really has matured so much.’

This time, when Shen Ningning looked at him, it wasn’t as a friend, but as the husband she had chosen to be her partner for life.

’Mo Lingwei is a dependable man. They would have a happy home together.’

Reassured, Shen Ningning left.

「The next day」

The large rooster she had given Manager Wen began to crow as the sky first started to lighten.

Manager Wen scrambled out of bed and rushed to the chicken coop, terrified the crowing would disturb the Princess and the Crown Prince.

To his surprise, when he got to the coop, he saw his daughter, Wen Xiaoman, already there feeding the rabbits.

"Xiao Man, why are you up so early?"

"I just saw the Princess and the others off at the ferry landing. I only just got back."

Manager Wen was startled. "Her Highness the Princess and the Crown Prince have already left?"

Wen Xiaoman set down her basket. "Yes. The Crown Prince was busy until the fourth watch of the night. The Princess thought he was exhausted, so she wanted him to go sleep on the boat."

The public boats in Ping City only arrived at noon, but Mo Lingwei’s status was far from ordinary. When Wen Xiaoman accompanied them to the landing, she saw a large vessel already waiting for them.

Shen Ningning had been surprised as well, only then realizing Mo Lingwei had arranged everything while they were still on their way to the city.

’He had told her that with him around, she wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. She only needed to focus on what she wanted to accomplish, and he would take care of the rest.’

The tall painted boat sailed toward the glow of the newly risen morning sun, leaving a widening wake in its path.

Even though Mo Lingwei was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, he insisted on holding one of Shen Ningning’s hands. He lay on the daybed, drowsy and on the verge of sleep, watching her read a book beside him.

He asked drowsily, "So... why exactly did you suddenly run away before our engagement? What was so important?"

Shen Ningning put down her book and looked at him seriously. "My mother is coming back."

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