Chapter 77

Chapter 77: The Emperor Wants Ningning as a Female Official for the Crown Prince?

Shen Ningning was so generous with her food

Because she still had hundreds of delicious dishes in her fairyland.

She also wanted to help alleviate the burden on Master Huang and the others.

Besides, food left outside would definitely spoil if not eaten today.

Once back in the courtyard, Ren Yu refused to go out because of the heat.

Shen Ningning went straight to the second floor and locked the stairwell door.

Then, she closed half of the windows, leaving only those facing the mountains open.

She brought out a seven-tiered fan and blocks of ice from her fairyland.

After all this hustle, the little one was drenched in sweat.

She first took a refreshing bath back in her fairyland.

Then, she ate cold chicken shreds in chili oil made by Liu Dasa's wife, along with a stack of peanuts and a bowl of green vegetable porridge.

Well-fed and cooled by the icy breeze, unaffected by the blazing summer sun outside, Shen Ningning was comfortable.

She took out her books, recalling what the mad scholar had taught her, and started revising her lessons.

When tired of studying, she lay on the clean floor, feet propped up.

Beside her, a plate of water lychees and yellow peach slices, snacking occasionally.

When thirsty, she'd go to her fairyland to drink sour plum soup and sweet water prepared by her grandmother.

She lived in comfort and ease.

Looking up, she realized the sky outside the window had already darkened.

Just then, a shout came from downstairs—

"Shen Ningning!"

The little one put down her book and climbed onto the soft couch by the window to look down.

It was Lu Shaoyuan.

He was waving his hands, holding up a plate of sauce meat, only three or four slices.

"Dinner is being served in the dining hall; why didn't you go eat? I'm full, so I saved this meat for you. Should I bring it up to you?"

Under the night sky, the little one's face was bright and fair, her eyes round and sparkling.

Shen Ningning secretly touched her slightly bulging belly.

"I don't want it! You eat it yourself, I'm not hungry."

Lu Shaoyuan frowned, "I heard from Xiangqin that you gave away all the food you brought. How can you not be hungry?"

The little one, chin in hand, replied sweetly and softly, "I'm not silly. Before I gave it to them, I took a plate of fried rice for myself."

Hearing this, Lu Shaoyuan paused before saying, "Oh…"

It seemed his concern was unnecessary.

Just then, Shen Ningning said, "Wait a moment."

She ducked back inside, and soon returned holding two sweet oranges.

"Lu Shaoyuan, catch!" She tossed them down from the upstairs.

He hurried to catch them.

Shen Ningning said with a beaming smile, "It's hot weather, don't get heatstroke. Eat these!"

Then she waved her little hand goodbye and disappeared from the window.

Lu Shaoyuan looked down at the oranges in his palm.

They felt slightly soft to the squeeze.

Thin-skinned and juicy, they must be very sweet.

Lu Shaoyuan, looking down, couldn't help but smile.

She actually cared about him, warning him not to get heatstroke.

Shen Ningning is truly kind-hearted.

Not long after Lu Shaoyuan left, Ren Yu, who lived below the little one's room, also returned.

She came with a water skin, "Ningning, are you asleep? Master Huang divided water for us two; let me pour some for you."

Shen Ningning had already put everything away.

She opened the door and went downstairs, seeing Ren Yu drenched in sweat.

"Keep the water for yourself; I still have some left from home," Shen Ningning said.

Ren Yu nodded repeatedly, "Thank you so much. This weather is unbearable, it's like being roasted alive!"

Just going to the dining hall for a meal, she looked as if she'd been fished out of water.

Now that the sun has set, it's still so sweltering.

It's really unbearable.

Ren Yu, holding the water skin, suddenly burst into tears.

Shen Ningning was startled, "What's wrong?"

Ren Yu sobbed, sitting on the bed helplessly, "Ningning, do you think we might die here in the villa due to lack of water?"

"I've seen people in the outskirts of the capital who died of thirst. Their bodies were all shriveled up, as if their blood had been baked dry. It was a terrifying sight."

"I'm so scared. I don't want to die. I'm the only child my mother has..." Her crying grew more heartbroken.

Shen Ningning went over and used her handkerchief to wipe away her sweat and tears.

Ren Yu collapsed into her arms, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Don't cry, we won't die of thirst on this mountain."

"Really? But that's what everyone is saying..."

"That's just because they're scared, but it won't come true! Ren Yu, you have to believe me!"

Shen Ningning had already thought it through.

If it really came to a life-and-death situation, she would sneak to the back mountain and release a spring.

With water, everyone could hold out for a while longer.

Hearing Shen Ningning's words, Ren Yu also felt reassured.

"Ningning, you're so kind. With your comfort, I feel less afraid."

Shen Ningning thought for a moment and took out a red fruit from her pocket that she hadn't eaten earlier to give to her.

Ren Yu's eyes lit up.

Shen Ningning said, "Go ahead, eat it. After eating, have a good sleep!"

Holding the fruit, Ren Yu nodded repeatedly: "Yes! Maybe after waking up tomorrow, someone will come to rescue us!"

Shen Ningning returned to the second floor and locked the door again.

She brought out the seven-round fan and ice blocks again, and then laid a cool mat on her small bed.

Lying down, the coolness cleared her mind of all thoughts.

Conveniently, there was a half-open small window beside her bed.

Through it, she could see the sky full of stars and the bright moon.

The heat outside, the restless tossing and turning of Ren Yu downstairs, and the chirping of insects in the mountains and fields.

None of these disturbed Shen Ningning's thoughts.

The cool breeze gently brushed over her delicate hands and feet, bringing a wave of comfort.

Until she fell asleep, Shen Ningning kept thinking, what was Brother Mo Lingwei doing right now?

At this very moment.

Mo Lingwei stood by the window, gazing at the same moon as her.

He had just recovered from his illness and regained consciousness.

He looked like someone rescued from an ice cave, his cold and handsome brows still carried a hint of chill.

"Just then, the Emperor entered."

"Lingwei? Why are you up? The royal physician said you need to lie down and rest for a couple more days."

"I don't want to lie down; I'm tired of it," Mo Lingwei replied lazily, glancing sideways.

The Emperor approached, noticing he wasn't wearing his prayer beads, hurriedly picked them up, and slipped them onto his left wrist.

Years ago, the national advisor had warned that if he were without his beads, he would be dragged back to become an evil spirit.

Over the years, Mo Lingwei didn't believe this, but the Emperor was thoroughly convinced.

"Lingwei, your father, the Emperor, heard from Chen Shaobei that you are quite fond of that girl, Shen Ningning. She is also said to be your lucky star. Therefore, I plan to bring her into the palace and appoint her as an official of the Crown Prince. What do you think?"

For an ordinary girl, this was a tremendous honor.

Being an official for a prince often meant she would eventually become a queen.

Some female officials would start warming the prince's bed as early as fifteen or sixteen years old.

Moreover, they would also handle the prince's private affairs, no different from a consort.

However, upon hearing this, Mo Lingwei's expression instantly changed.

His eyebrows furrowed tightly, and his gaze at the Emperor burned with intensity!

"I disagree," he stated emphatically, almost gritting his teeth.

The old Emperor exclaimed: "Son, you will regret this!"