Chapter 262: What’s Wrong with Grandma’s Leg?
Chapter 262: Chapter 262: What’s Wrong with Grandma’s Leg?
Upon hearing this, an even more relaxed and composed expression settled on Shen Ningning’s round little face.
With a demeanor that was neither humble nor arrogant, she said, "Well then, what an unfortunate coincidence. I’m also rushing out of the palace to save the people of the realm, a matter far more urgent than Consort Rong’s prayers."
A chill entered Ye Shangyi’s voice. "You’re going to save the people? Who do you think you’re fooling?"
Only then did Shen Ningning lift the curtain, giving her a sidelong glance with her limpid eyes. "What? Do you happen to have supplies to aid everyone?"
Ye Shangyi choked on her words. The flood of complaints she was about to voice was suddenly caught in her throat, leaving her speechless.
Just then, the Emperor’s Chief Eunuch saw Shen Ningning’s floral carriage come to a halt from a distance.
He hurried over. "Commandery Princess, you haven’t left the palace yet. Is there anything you need?"
Shen Ningning smiled sweetly. "You’ve arrived at the perfect time, Chief Eunuch. This palace road is narrow, and both Consort Rong and I are stuck. What are we to do?"
The Chief Eunuch was an incredibly shrewd man.
He looked up at the palace road. Consort Rong’s procession had stopped directly in their path, completely blocking Shen Ningning’s way out of the palace.
It seemed they were expecting the Commandery Princess to give way.
’How can this be? Princess Funing is the savior of all of Cangyun Country right now.’
"Commandery Princess, please wait a moment. I will go speak with Her Ladyship. If that doesn’t work, I will go and inquire as to the Emperor’s wishes."
Shen Ningning nodded her agreement.
However, just as the Chief Eunuch was about to walk over and speak to Consort Rong, he saw her well-maintained, elegant hand extend from the sedan window and give a gentle wave.
At this, the entire procession swiftly retreated, clearing the way.
The Chief Eunuch saw this and chuckled. "You see, Consort Rong knew the Commandery Princess was leaving the palace, so she made way for you."
Shen Ningning simply smiled without a word and lowered the curtain.
The floral carriage proceeded out of the palace.
Ye Shangyi’s brows knitted together, and she seethed with anger.
’Consort Rong just gave in like that?’
’She just let Shen Ningning get her way? That girl is too arrogant! How dare she demand the right of way from Consort Rong!’
The Chief Eunuch walked over to Consort Rong’s sedan.
Consort Rong’s mild, smiling voice drifted out. "Mr. Quan, my prayers to Buddha concern the well-being of all people in Cangyun Country."
"So, I was not intentionally trying to squabble with Princess Funing. Do you understand my meaning?"
This was her way of telling him not to speak carelessly before the Emperor.
The Chief Eunuch bowed with his hands clasped. "Your Ladyship, it had nothing to do with you. It was I who was inconsiderate."
"When Princess Funing was leaving, the Crown Prince insisted on seeing her off. However, both the Emperor and the Commandery Princess persuaded His Highness to rest and recuperate, so he did not come out. If His Highness were to learn that the Commandery Princess was held up here, wouldn’t he be distressed?"
"Fortunately, Your Ladyship was magnanimous and yielded the road, saving His Highness from anger. Now, when I return, I will be able to give a proper account to the Emperor and His Highness."
He took all the responsibility upon himself with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Consort Rong gave a faint, unreadable smile. "Let’s proceed."
The Chief Eunuch immediately saw her off with a bow. "A safe journey, Your Ladyship."
Ye Shangyi fell back into step beside the sedan, still seething inwardly.
She felt that she had been bested by Shen Ningning.
Consort Rong lifted the curtain and looked at her. "Changyi? You’re lost in thought."
Ye Shangyi quickly snapped out of her thoughts. "Your Ladyship, I was thinking about Princess Funing. There are a few things I’d like to say, but I’m not sure if I should."
"Oh?" Consort Rong’s interest was piqued. She said gently, "Speak your mind. There’s no need for such formalities with me."
Ye Shangyi said indignantly, "A moment ago, Princess Funing claimed she was rushing out of the palace for supplies."
"But we’re classmates at the National Academy, and when everyone first asked her to share some of her things to help our fellow students, she refused."
"Even if we didn’t listen to her and failed to prepare properly, she’s sitting on a mountain of supplies. What would be the harm in sharing a little?"
"The way I see it, she was probably lying about rushing out to get supplies for the common people. She just wanted to take the right of way from you. She has no sense of propriety at all."
Ye Shangyi’s words were also driven by anxiety over her own family’s situation.
She was not on good terms with Shen Ningning. To make matters worse, her father had indeed stockpiled plenty of winter supplies and a warehouse full of firewood at first.
But after the State Preceptor posted an imperial notice clarifying that there would be no winter disaster, her father sold everything.
Now that the cold disaster had arrived, the entire vast Ye Family was surviving by spending a fortune to buy back winter gear.
But now, things like cotton fabric, quilts, and most importantly, firewood and charcoal, were impossible to find on the market, no matter the price.
Everything had long since been snapped up in a frenzy.
If things went on like this, she would have no choice but to lower her head and beg Shen Ningning for help.
However, Shen Ningning didn’t even pay Consort Rong any mind, so what chance did the Ye Family have?
The very thought of bowing her head to Shen Ningning made Ye Shangyi miserable.
As if sensing her mood, Consort Rong smiled gently.
"Look at you. Why are you making things so complicated?"
"You said it yourself. The Commandery Princess is your classmate, and she’s a blessed girl. Of course she has to look after everyone."
"I think you should gather the other students from the National Academy and have a proper talk with her."
It was as if a light had suddenly switched on in Ye Shangyi’s mind.
Her eyes lit up. "That’s right! She probably won’t listen if it’s just me."
’But if all the students of the National Academy make the request together, Shen Ningning will have to think twice.’
’Otherwise, Shen Ningning can just wait to be ostracized by everyone.’
"Thank you, Your Ladyship. I know what to do."
Consort Rong smiled. Looking at Ye Shangyi, she said in an inscrutable tone, "You really are a clever child, quick on the uptake."
「Shen Ningning returned to Wolf Mountain.」
The moment she walked through the door, she called out in her sweet, childish voice, "Grandma, I’m home!"
"What are we eating today? Mutton hot pot? Or a fiery meat stew?"
Ever since the cold disaster began, Grandma Qin, worried the little one might get chilled, had been making a different delicious meal every day.
The grandmother and granddaughter lived deep in the mountains with their wolf pack, undisturbed and with abundant supplies.
It was like they were tucked away in their own little paradise.
If she didn’t have to attend school, Shen Ningning would never want to leave the mountain.
However, when she went past the spirit screen and through the front courtyard into the rear hall, she saw Grandma Qin rubbing medicinal wine on her ankle. The wolf pack surrounded her, their eyes full of worry.
On a nearby brazier, several moxibustion plasters were being warmed.
"Grandma? What happened to your ankle!" Panic bloomed on Shen Ningning’s little face as she rushed over to see.
The Black Wolf King explained with a series of AWOO, AWOOs.
It turned out that when Grandma Qin saw it had stopped snowing today, she had taken a basket of sweet potato chunks, intending to leave them outside the house.
Grandma Qin smiled, a little guiltily. "I was just thinking that with the weather so cold, the animals outside shouldn’t be left to starve."
"I didn’t expect to fall after just a couple of steps. I suppose your grandma is just getting old."
Two months of heavy snow had left slippery patches of ice all over the mountain.
During the drought, it had been relatively cool and pleasant hiding out in the mountains.
But now that the cold disaster had arrived, the mountains were several degrees colder than the lands below.
Although they were in no danger of freezing, it had still become inconvenient for Grandma Qin to get around.
Seeing Shen Ningning’s sad little face,
Grandma Qin said lovingly, "Ningning, Grandma’s fine. I just strained it a bit. It’ll be better in a couple of days."
The little one, however, thought for a moment before suddenly looking up.
Her limpid eyes shimmered. "Grandma, why don’t you move back to the village for a while?"