Chapter 21

Chapter 21: I Didn't Know She Belongs to the Crown Prince

"This..." The village chief was clearly hesitant.

This plan wasn't a problem.

However, Aunt Qin was always aggressive and backed by Mr. Du.

Provoking her was like getting covered in filth that couldn't be washed off and would stink.

Shen Ningning continued: "If the village house is sold to me, I will hire uncles and aunts from the village to help me renovate it."

"I'm willing to pay two taels for each person's labor. Village chief, you won't lose out by helping me."

After a series of events.

The little girl had understood that to have others completely obey her.

Not only must one use temptation, but sometimes threats are necessary too.

She blinked her long lashes, her demeanor lively: "Besides, we are engaging in legitimate trade. If Auntie doesn't reason, I'll tell Grandfather County Magistrate and let him decide what’s fair."

Hearing this, the village chief immediately nodded, "Good! Ningning, you're such a good child, enjoying your good days without forgetting everyone in the village."

"Let's go to my house now to draw up the contract. When Aunt Qin and the others come back and try to take the village house, I, as the village chief, will be the first to drive them away for you!"

Shen Ningning happily followed behind him.

The villagers, hearing the news, quickly crowded the entrance to the village chief’s house, blocking it completely.

Good heavens!

The once dirty and neglected orphan Shen Ningning was now wearing a decent new dress.

She looked like a young lady from the capital city.

The village chief's grandson, upon seeing Shen Ningning, immediately poured her some tea.

The village chief was also exceptionally caring towards the little one.

Signing the deed, transferring the title.

The village house was now completely Shen Ningning's.

The village chief announced this news in front of everyone.

He also explained the reason behind Uncle Qin's debt and using the village house as collateral.

Shen Ningning looked up and saw the villagers' eyes on her, filled with surprise, admiration, and some disdain.

She didn't care about any of it.

The little girl held her head high, her fair skin and big eyes making her look as if she had never suffered.

She said, "Uncles, aunts, and elders, our village house is old and needs renovation, including a new door and a fence."

"Who would like to help me? I'll pay two taels per person, and I promise not to shortchange anyone."

Hearing the rate, the villagers were abuzz with excitement!

"Two taels?!"

"Heavens! Ningning, the price you're offering is more than what maids in the city get paid monthly to serve the nobility!"

Quickly, more than twenty people raised their hands.

Shen Ningning looked around.

She extended her little finger and pointed: "You, you, and you."

The villagers she pointed to immediately showed expressions of joy.

Unexpectedly, the child's next words were, "I don't want any help from you. Last time, Aunt bullied me, and not only did you not support me, but you also joined in speaking ill of me."

"I remember it all, so I don't need your help."

The group was struck as if by lightning!

They hurriedly tried to explain—

"Ningning, last time we were all deceived by Aunt Qin."

"Yes, she's just a beast. I'll never speak like that again!"

Shen Ningning remained unmoved.

The village chief intervened to calm everyone down: "Enough! The village house is Ningning's own, and she can choose whoever she wants to help her."

"You all should remember to watch your words in the future. Never speak such malicious things!"

The villagers' faces turned ashen, repeatedly acknowledging their mistake.

Shen Ningning approached a silent, middle-aged man who was over forty.

"Uncle Liu, could I entrust you with the renovation work?"

Grandma had mentioned before that Uncle Liu was a carpenter with excellent skills.

Most importantly, Uncle Liu was known for being honest and trustworthy.

He never quarreled with anyone. Apart from his somewhat fierce and dominant wife, there were no other issues.

Uncle Liu was startled, not expecting the child to choose him.

He hesitated a bit.

"I'm not sure if the house can be fully repaired, as the Qin family's village house is really too old."

His wife nudged him from behind: "Speak up, will you!"

Uncle Liu finally nodded: "It's possible, but your family's old house will certainly require spending money for renovations."

Shen Ningning immediately smiled, revealing cute dimples: "No problem."

So it was settled.

Uncle Liu would be in charge of picking helpers, and Shen Ningning agreed to pay an initial fifty taels for materials.

If more was needed, she would provide it.

The villagers began to gossip, saying Uncle Liu had struck luck.

"How did such a lucrative job fall into the lap of an honest man like him?"

There were also many who doubted.

"Where did Shen Ningning get so much silver from?"

"Could it be, it was given privately by the county magistrate?"

Remembering how the county magistrate had staunchly defended Shen Ningning that day, the villagers thought it was not impossible.

After giving twenty taels to the village chief and fifty to Uncle Liu, Shen Ningning had 480 taels left from her fairyland savings.

More than enough.

That evening, when she returned home,

The young girl first took a steaming, rejuvenating spring bath.

Her skin became even whiter, softer, and smoother.

Afterwards, she visited the magical realm and found that all eight seedlings she had planted had turned into fruit-bearing plants!

There were cabbages, cucumbers, carrots, chili peppers, and more.

Astonishingly, one of the seedlings turned out to be an orange tree!

It had just produced green oranges.

She believed it wouldn't be long before she could taste the sweet orange flesh!

Shen Ningning was as happy as a little bee reaping its harvest.

She gathered the ripe vegetables into a basket and took them out of the magical realm to give to her grandmother.

That very night, Grandma prepared a special meal for the little girl!

She made smashed cucumbers with a sour dressing and sprinkled with minced garlic.

Cabbage stewed with meat, fragrant and inviting.

There was also a dish of stir-fried beef strips with hot peppers.

Served with steaming white rice, it was simply delicious!

Shen Ningning ate until her little belly was round.

As night fell, she walked around the yard to digest, taking small steps.

The moon hung in the sky like a shining jade plate.

Grandma Qin, sitting in the corridor weaving a bamboo basket, said, "When I was young, adults would say that such a moon meant that a 'heavenly fire' was coming."

"This 'heavenly fire' refers to heat. It seems the weather is about to get even hotter."

It was already evening, and the mountain wasn't so hot, the breeze brought some coolness.

But during the day, Shen Ningning nearly fainted from the sun's heat!

The blazing sun made heads spin and throb.

The little one, snuggling against the Black Wolf King, asked her grandmother, "Grandma, as it gets hotter and without rain, will many people die?"

She remembered the lifeless refugees she had seen at the city gates.

Grandma Qin nodded, "Yes, the drought has persisted for seven years now, with only two or three rains each year. Many places can't afford food."

"The court has been releasing grain from the granaries for years, but I guess there won't be much left soon."

"Our Xiangyun Village used to get monthly rations from the government, enough for a bag per family. Now, we can't get it anymore and have to buy everything ourselves."

"So, Ningning, with summer coming, more people will die. Don't wander off; grandma will worry."

Shen Ningning thought for a moment and said, "I've been staying at home these days, keeping Grandma and Wolfy company. But, I need to go back to the village tomorrow to check on our house."

Grandma Qin paused, "Our house?"

Shen Ningning briefly explained her purchase of the house.

After a long silence, Grandma Qin nodded, "Ningning, you did the right thing. I don't want to see you suffer anymore."

Shen Ningning wrapped her arms around the Black Wolf King's neck, leaning against him.

"I won't suffer, I'll make sure Grandma and Wolfy have good days ahead!"

Grandma Qin smiled kindly and warmly.

While there was happiness here, elsewhere...

At the residence of the General of Zhen Nan.

The sound of whips cracking filled the air.

Each lash cut into the flesh with barbed ends, pulling out and leaving behind searing blood.

The steward lay on the ground, his lips trembling in pain, his face deathly pale.

He crawled like a pitiful worm to the feet of the seated young prince, begging for mercy.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I truly realize my mistake now. I didn't know she was one of your people!"

"Let everyone see the madness of my search for Shen Ningning."

"Today, I release Prince Mo! Everyone, give me your votes! (shouting)"