Chapter 57

"The national advisor had once said that a girl born under a fortunate sign would bring an end to drought and usher in auspiciousness."

"And on the night of the 'fortunate girl’s' birth, there was a torrential downpour."

"Shen Ningning's birth coincided exactly with that night."

"Mo Lingwei's eyes suddenly deepened."

"He looked at the young girl's pale, round face, lost in thought."

"According to the national advisor's prophecy, within the defined area of the capital, there were two female infants born on the night of the heavy rain."

"One of the families' daughter died just two hours after being born."

"The other family, the Wei family's youngest daughter, has brought them continuous promotions, with her father now serving as a high-ranking official, powerful and influential."

"His daughter is also the one most famously known as the 'fortunate girl.'"

"However, over the years, this so-called fortunate girl hasn't brought much rain."

"In fact, there was an instance when she went out to pray for rain, and the sun shone even more fiercely."

"This caused suspicion and dissatisfaction among the people."

"Since then, the Wei family has claimed their daughter was ill, seldom letting her go out."

"If Shen Ningning was also born that night, why had no news of her emerged?"

"By now, Shen Ningning had composed herself."

"Her round, pale, and pitiful face still showed a trace of sorrowful disappointment."

"Yet she remained polite, her voice soft and sweet, 'Thank you, uncle, I understand.'"

"The group left the house."

"Sitting in the carriage on the way back, Mo Lingwei comforted Shen Ningning, 'He is not the midwife herself, his words may not be entirely reliable.'"

"Chen Shaobei also suggested, 'We should continue to inquire from various sources, there might be more accurate clues.'"

"However, Shen Ningning had already regained her confidence, her eyes shining brightly."

"'We already have a clue! Didn’t that uncle just mention Feihua Alley in the capital? I can go there and ask around.'"

"'I don’t believe that my parents didn’t want me. Even if they did abandon me, there must have been a compelling reason.'"

"Otherwise, why would they have left that ruyi with her?"

"Shen Ningning was convinced that she was a child loved, not abandoned."

"Even if she was, her parents had their reasons."

"But first, she needed to find them and hear the truth for herself."

"Seeing her quickly regain hope, both Chen Shaobei and Mo Lingwei nodded in agreement."

"'Let’s go to Feihua Alley now and clear this up,' Mo Lingwei ordered, and the carriage headed straight for the capital."

"After they left, a shadow guard of the Sixth Prince quietly emerged from around the corner."

"He watched the departing carriage, then knocked on the door of the house."

"The man reopened the door, puzzled, 'You are...?'"

"The shadow guard coldly produced a gold ingot, 'What questions did they just ask you?'"

  *

"Before heading to Feihua Alley, it was already past midday."

"None of the three had eaten yet."

"Chen Shaobei suggested that he could treat them to a meal at a restaurant."

"But Shen Ningning quickly said, 'I brought food with us!'"

"Saying so, she opened the food box on the carriage."

"The aroma of Grandma Qin's cooking immediately filled the air."

"It was a bit cool, but that didn’t affect the taste."

"There were cold beef strips in lantern chili sauce, rice mixed with braised meat sauce, stir-fried lotus root slices, and vegetarian braised dragon's beard vegetables."

"Anticipating their thirst, Grandma Qin had also prepared honeysuckle tea."

"Soaked in spring water, it was refreshingly sweet."

"Shen Ningning wiped the chopsticks with a handkerchief before handing them to Mo Lingwei."

"Then the two of them began to eat heartily with their bowls in hand."

"Chen Shaobei watched Mo Lingwei in surprise."

"Wasn't the Crown Prince known for never dining outside?"

"Everyone knew Mo Lingwei was fastidious and choosy about his food."

"But seeing him now, eating whatever was handed to him, he seemed like a different person from the proud and irritable Crown Prince Chen Shaobei knew."

"'Brother Bei, why aren’t you eating? Don’t you have an appetite?' Shen Ningning noticed Chen Shaobei's inaction and asked with concern."

"Mo Lingwei spoke in a cool tone, 'Don’t mind him, let him be hungry.'"

"Seeing the two enjoying their meal, Chen Shaobei finally picked up his chopsticks and had a hearty meal."

"By the time they reached the capital, an hour had passed."

"Arriving at Feihua Alley, they found the house mentioned by the midwife’s son."

"Chen Shaobei learned upon inquiry that the house had changed owners twice in the last four years."

"'The current servants don’t know about the past, but the old butler has been here for a long time.'"

"'He said the original owner never showed up, just instructed the servants to sell the house at a low price, and there was no mention of them losing a child.'"

"After Chen Shaobei finished recounting what he had learned, Shen Ningning couldn’t help but lower her long eyelashes, visibly upset."

"She was heartbroken."

"Just when they thought they had a lead, it came to a dead end."

"Seeing this, Mo Lingwei calmly said, 'Don’t worry. As long as they are alive, I can find them. It’s just a matter of time.'"

"The young girl tried to muster a sweet smile."

"'Thank you, brother. Let's head back home,' she said, wanting some time alone to think."

"Mo Lingwei nodded, and Chen Shaobei got back into the carriage, both escorting her home."

"By the time they reached the base of Wolf Mountain, Shen Ningning’s mood had improved."

"Getting off the carriage, she said softly, 'I won’t give up! I’m still young and can search for many, many years, until I find my parents!'"

"Mo Lingwei slightly raised his eyebrows, 'As long as you don’t give up, I’ll always help you.'"

"Shen Ningning said thank you, then cheerfully waved, 'Goodbye, Brother, Brother Bei!'"

"Mo Lingwei's brow twitched, 'Stop right there.'"

"He called out to the young girl who was turning to leave."

"Shen Ningning looked back, 'What’s wrong?'"

"Mo Lingwei's eyes darkened, 'What is this Brother Bei? You shouldn’t call him that. Just call him Shaobei.'"

"Chen Shaobei: ..."

"Shen Ningning blinked her long eyelashes, perplexed."

"Was her way of addressing him impolite?"

"'Alright... Shaobei... goodbye.'"

"Why did it sound even more intimate?"

"'Wait,' Mo Lingwei changed his mind again."

"He narrowed his cool eyes, 'Seems that’s not appropriate either. Just call him Chen Shaobei, use his full name.'"

"Chen Shaobei's forehead vein twitched, 'Your Highness, I think that’s inappropriate.'"

"He was a young general, after all. Didn't he deserve some respect?"

"Mo Lingwei, not even glancing at him, said indifferently, 'What you think is not important, it’s enough for me.'"

"Chen Shaobei: ..."

"Shen Ningning, with her sparkling eyes, repeated, 'Goodbye, Brother, Chen Shaobei...'"

"After saying it, she hurried off, fearing Mo Lingwei might pull her back for another correction."

"The young girl, unable to wait, lifted her skirt and ran off, like a bright, escaping little pearl!"

"She darted into the woods, and soon her figure was out of sight."

"Chen Shaobei stared at Mo Lingwei beside him."

"He saw the young man frowning, his left hand with prayer beads pressed against his brow."

"Mo Lingwei muttered coldly, 'Why does it still sound off?'"

"Brother and Chen Shaobei, too easy to link together."

"Hearing this, Chen Shaobei's mouth twitched."

"'If Your Highness is never satisfied, perhaps next time Miss Shen can just call me 'Anonymous'?'"

"'That works.'"

"Chen Shaobei didn't expect his sarcastic suggestion to be met with Mo Lingwei's decisive nod."

"He had run around with them all day, foregoing his martial arts practice, only to end up being called 'Anonymous'?"

"Chen Shaobei closed his eyes silently, feeling weary."

"Back home, Shen Ningning immediately shared the day's events with Grandma Qin."

"After listening, Grandma Qin was silent, interspersed with sighs."

"Finally, she stroked Shen Ningning's hair and said, 'Ningning, we'll find them slowly, no rush. Good things are worth waiting for.'"

"The young girl looked up with her watery eyes, her cheeks flushed from the sun’s kiss."

"She nodded, her voice soft, 'Grandma, I know. Slowly does it. Maybe my parents are also looking for me everywhere!'"

"As dusk fell, Grandma Qin asked the young girl to go take a bath while she prepared dinner."

"However, when Shen Ningning returned to her room."

"Upon entering her room, Shen Ningning found the Black Wolf King sitting inside, growling discontentedly."

"The young girl looked at the table and saw the little monkey she had rescued before was back!"

"'Squeak!' The little monkey, overjoyed to see Shen Ningning, ran up to her and handed her a piece of green gemstone."

"Shen Ningning's face showed surprise, 'Where did this come from?'"

"The little monkey couldn’t answer; it just squeaked and pointed towards the window."

"When Shen Ningning approached the window, she saw dozens of little monkeys in the large tree not far away!"

"Each monkey was clutching a treasure – either a ring, a hairpin, or a gemstone."

"Shen Ningning was astonished, her lips forming an 'O': 'You all...'"

"The little monkey climbed onto the windowsill, proudly hopping and squeaking."

"These were its monkey relatives and friends, all bringing treasures to trade with Shen Ningning for food!"

"They were very well-behaved!"

"The Black Wolf King howled unhappily."

"Were these pesky monkeys attaching themselves to his little Ningning?"

"The monkeys lined up and placed pearls and gemstones on Shen Ningning's table."

"The young girl picked up one of the rings and noticed it still had a strand of dark red on it."

"The Black Wolf King howled twice beside her."

"It seemed to indicate that this was a bloodstain!"

"Shen Ningning decided not to keep it."

"She pursed her lips and asked seriously, 'Little monkey, where exactly did these come from?'"

"As if understanding her, the little monkey jumped onto the windowsill, pointed towards the northwest, and screeched loudly."