Chapter 68

"Chapter 68: Shen Ningning, You Helped Me Once Again"

"Having been previously turned away, Shen Ningning felt nervous as she held Mo Lingwei’s jade pendant and approached the palace gates again."

"Under the blazing sun, the little girl’s cheeks turned as red as apples."

"Her sparkling black eyes held a hint of timidity."

"She approached the gates of the imperial city and said to the guards, 'Guard brothers, I need to enter the palace to see the Crown Prince.'"

"The imperial guards looked at her with a stern demeanor."

"Fearing being mistaken for a beggar and thrown out again, Shen Ningning quickly presented the tourmaline jade pendant."

"'This is from Brother Crown Prince. He said to find him if I needed anything!'"

"The guards scrutinized her for a moment before saying, 'Wait here.'"

"After whispering to a colleague, one of the guards turned and entered the palace gates."

"Shen Ningning felt dizzy and sweltering under the sun, with sweat rolling down her fair forehead."

"In contrast, the guards, despite wearing only inner garments beneath their heavy armor, were drenched in sweat as well."

Even as sweat dripped into her eyes, she didn't move.

Shen Ningning blinked her moist eyes, feeling impressed.

Soon, someone approached quickly.

"Miss Shen?" It was Chen Shaobei's voice.

Seeing a familiar face, Shen Ningning immediately broke into a sweet smile, showing her dimples: "North..."

Wait a minute!

The Crown Prince brother said, she shouldn't call him Brother North.

She should use his full name...

Chen Shaobei had already reached her, noticing her hesitation, a light smile appeared on his usually reserved face.

"No need for formalities, are you looking for the Crown Prince? I'll take you inside."

Today, he happened to be in the palace, heard about her from the imperial guards, and came to pick up Shen Ningning.

The little girl followed Chen Shaobei to Zichen Palace.

"The Crown Prince is currently in a meeting, he doesn't know you're here yet. Please wait in the side hall," Chen Shaobei nodded to the Crown Prince's personal guard and easily led Shen Ningning inside.

The side hall had a waterwheel and ice mirrors, exuding a refreshing coolness.

A palace maid quickly served fruits and refreshments.

"Holding a slice of pear, Shen Ningning softly said, 'Thank you... Brother Chen Shaobei.'"

"She still secretly called him that."

"Chen Shaobei smiled and raised his eyebrows, then turned to leave."

"Alone in the side hall, Shen Ningning enjoyed the pear slices in the cool breeze."

"Suddenly!"

"A loud reprimand came from the next room, 'None of you are of any use!'"

"Startled, the little girl shuddered and clutched the plate tightly."

"Recognizing Mo Lingwei's voice, Shen Ningning guessed he was dealing with some troublesome matter."

"She set down her plate and crept up to the wall, listening intently to the sounds from the other side."

"A courtier, bearing the brunt of the Crown Prince's anger, knelt and reported."

"'Your Highness, the bandits hide in the deep mountains. Every time we act, it's as if they are forewarned. They always manage to predict and escape in advance.'"

"'I suspect that someone in the palace is in collusion with them. The robbery of the disaster relief grain must have the backing of high-ranking officials!'"

"Mo Lingwei's eyes were cold, 'I know this already. But without catching anyone, what evidence do I have to proceed with an investigation?'"

"Someone suggested, 'Your Highness, it must be the Sixth Prince causing trouble. They fail to catch anyone and won’t allow you to achieve any success.'"

"'I think we should divert attention elsewhere, to disrupt the Sixth Prince’s plans.'"

"Mo Lingwei pondered deeply, and just as he was about to respond,"

"From the neighboring side hall, a loud 'thud' of something heavy falling to the ground was heard!"

"This was followed by the sound of porcelain shattering."

"'Who's there?' the eunuch suddenly raised his voice."

"Mo Lingwei's gaze turned cold, instructing, 'Go and see who it is, and bring them here.'"

"Someone dared to eavesdrop? They must have a death wish."

"Soon after,"

"the soft little Shen Ningning was brought in under escort."

"Mo Lingwei's stern look faltered in surprise."

"Why was it her?!"

"Shen Ningning, lying on the ground, looked around with eyes as wide and frightened as a deer's, at the circle of tall, serious-faced ministers."

"The imposing aura of these uncles was quite intimidating!"

"The little girl quickly spoke up in her soft voice, 'Brother Chen Shaobei said Brother was busy and took me to the side hall.'"

"'I accidentally knocked over a shelf just now, I didn’t mean to disturb your conversation...'"

"She had just been listening to the conversation against the wall for a while and was about to sit back down when her foot got caught in the carpet."

"Then, she crashed into a nearby curio shelf."

"Shen Ningning had scrambled to steady it, but her small frame was overpowered by the weight of the shelf."

"And in the process, she broke a few porcelain items."

If it weren't for the guard who came to pull her out from under the shelf, she wouldn't have known how long she'd have lain on the ground.

Her delicate and pretty little face was filled with apology.

Chen Shaobei also hurried over upon hearing the news.

He entered, glanced at Shen Ningning, then knelt down to report: "I have escorted Miss Shen to the side hall and will now go to arrange the capture of the bandits."

Mo Lingwei's expression had returned to normal.

He looked at the little girl: "It's fine, just a few broken porcelains, are you alright?"

Shen Ningning stood up, patted her dress, and obediently shook her head: "I'm fine..."

Mo Lingwei spoke calmly: "Wait for me in the side hall for a while. I'll come find you after I finish the meeting."

Shen Ningning obediently walked away.

Mo Lingwei then instructed Chen Shaobei: "Get her some refreshments."

Chen Shaobei bowed: "It has already been arranged."

Mo Lingwei then allowed him to leave.

The surrounding ministers looked at each other in confusion, wondering who this little girl, who suddenly appeared, was to the Crown Prince.

She seemed quite familiar with him.

Returning to serious matters, Mo Lingwei's gaze became icy again: "In capturing the bandits, we must not mobilize a large force. Find another way, let them fall into a trap themselves."

At this moment.

Chen Shaobei, who had gone to the next room, returned hurriedly with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, while cleaning up the porcelain, the palace servants found this." He presented a small straw figure with both hands.

Seeing it, all the ministers gasped in shock.

The straw figure, the size of a palm, was filled with silver needles and had a slip of paper attached with a birth date written on it.

"Sorcery!" A counselor furrowed his brows.

Since ancient times, sorcery, being the most malicious form of witchcraft and curse, was prohibited by emperors.

Anyone in the palace practicing sorcery faced severe punishment, ranging from exile to execution.

Mo Lingwei, with a cold gaze, stated: "It's Mo Changgong's birth date."

The ministers were shocked.

"This is a setup!"

"Someone deliberately placed the straw figure among the porcelain."

Mo Lingwei was of course aware.

Had it not been for Shen Ningning accidentally knocking over the shelf, this straw figure might have been discovered someday, becoming a potent piece of evidence against him in the persecution of the Sixth Prince.

"Take this directly to the Emperor," Mo Lingwei instructed.

Right or wrong, with so many witnesses present, it couldn't be linked to him.

With the situation at this point, he instructed the counselors to leave and then went to the side hall.

Shen Ningning was sitting on the couch, her little feet swinging slightly.

Seeing Mo Lingwei's figure, she quickly stood up, nervously clutching her skirt.

Her delicate and lively little face showed a hint of self-reproach.

She only knew she had broken something and saw Chen Shaobei solemnly take away a straw figure, thinking she had damaged something very important.

"Brother, I..."

Shen Ningning hadn't finished speaking when Mo Lingwei approached her.

Suddenly, his meaningful words left the little girl frozen in place.

"Shen Ningning, you've helped me once again."