Chapter 334: Ningning’s Revenge
Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Ningning’s Revenge
It turned out that when Xie Ming’an entered the Imperial Palace, he hadn’t stormed in angrily. Instead, he had sought out Consort Rong to demand an explanation.
However, he hadn’t expected the Ninth Prince to be visiting Consort Rong at that very moment.
The Ninth Prince reprimanded Xie Ming’an, a Foreign Minister, for trespassing in the inner palace.
He called for the imperial guard to throw him out of the Imperial Palace.
If Mo Lingwei hadn’t heard about the incident and ordered the imperial guard not to lay a hand on Xie Ming’an, the two sides would have come to blows.
By now, Xie Ming’an had been persuaded to return to the Ministry of Justice.
It was said that two more urgent cases awaited him.
By the time the story was finished, Shen Ningning’s little face had turned pale and grim.
The housekeeper, Uncle Pang, was at a loss.
"What should we do? The Qi Family has been at odds with our Xie Mansion for a long time, and now they’re simply going too far."
But Shen Ningning already had a plan.
Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes clear. "It’s alright. We’ll leave it at that for today."
Uncle Pang was taken aback. "Commandery Princess, aren’t we going to send someone to check on the Second Young Master?"
"Why check on him?" Shen Ningning replied calmly. "Didn’t the servant say he went to the Ministry of Justice for work? He has urgent matters to handle, so there’s no need to see him for a while."
She saw Uncle Pang hesitating and knew what he wanted to say.
"There’s no rush today. Tomorrow, I will go to the Imperial Palace myself."
The little one had always been kind to others.
But this malicious woman, Consort Rong, had actually angered her godfather to the point of illness.
’Shen Ningning would absolutely not let her off easy!’
「The next morning.」
Xie Suzhi woke up.
He saw Shen Ningning perched obediently at the table beside him, dangling her little feet as she practiced her calligraphy.
"Ningning?" Xie Suzhi was pleasantly surprised, a smile spreading across his handsome, frail face. "I’m sick, and those servants actually bothered you about it? Aren’t you supposed to be at the National Academy today?"
Shen Ningning put down her brush. Dressed in a small, embroidered, peacock-blue jacket, she looked utterly charming and full of life.
She hopped off her chair, walked over to Xie Suzhi, and gave him a smile as bright and lovely as a sunflower.
"Godfather, of course they had to tell me you were sick! You’re always so good to me. If I couldn’t even be here to take care of you, that would be unfilial!"
Xie Suzhi was grinning from ear to ear, his gaze exceptionally gentle and warm.
’With his daughter by his side, he was completely content.’
When Uncle Pang brought in the medicine, he drank it down in one gulp.
Sima Han, who followed him in, was astonished by the sight.
"Prime Minister, wasn’t that bitter? To strengthen the medicine, I added a full two taels of Coptis root."
"Not bitter at all," Xie Suzhi replied, still looking cheerfully at Shen Ningning.
Waking up to see his daughter by his side, he couldn’t have been more gratified.
But remembering she had classes, he said, "Ningning, Godfather is fine. Your studies are important. Have the housekeeper prepare the carriage and head back to the National Academy."
With her small hands, Shen Ningning neatly tucked in the corners of his quilt.
She hummed softly. "I do have to go, but I’ll leave right after I have breakfast with you, Godfather."
Xie Suzhi laughed. "Very well. Pang, have the meal served."
Uncle Pang immediately agreed, his heart filled with joy.
’It’s wonderful to have the Commandery Princess here. Not only is the master taking his medicine obediently, but he’s also willing to eat breakfast.’
Since Xie Suzhi was recuperating, the breakfast was light.
But as he looked at the food before him...
In the plain congee floated shreds of chicken and slivers of green vegetables.
When stirred gently, it shimmered like liquid jade and released an exquisitely fresh aroma.
The two side dishes were stuffed eggs and diced celery.
They looked both refreshing and appetizing.
Shen Ningning said, "Godfather, you must eat a lot. A full stomach will help you get better."
Uncle Pang added, "The Commandery Princess woke before dawn to make this congee herself!"
Xie Suzhi laughed heartily. "Wonderful! Godfather will certainly eat his fill. Pang, go bring my second brother over. Invite him to try this."
"Yes, sir." Uncle Pang hurried away, his feet seeming to fly.
A short while later, Second Master Xie was wheeled in.
He said, "Big Brother, I’ve already eaten breakfast."
Xie Suzhi smiled. "But Ningning made this one. You’re not going to try it?"
Second Master Xie immediately changed his tune. "In that case, I must have a taste."
Uncle Pang set out a bowl and chopsticks for Second Master Xie.
The two brothers, Xie Suzhi and Xie Dizhi, tasted the food, nodding and showering it with praise.
Exchanging words, the two of them praised Shen Ningning to the heavens.
Despite saying he had already eaten, Second Master Xie didn’t stop until he had downed two more bowls of congee.
Before she left, Shen Ningning said to Xie Suzhi, "Godfather, you rest well! When I get back from my classes, I’ll be here to keep you company while you take your medicine!"
Xie Suzhi’s lips were pale, but his face was filled with a gratified smile.
"Godfather is not a child anymore. Why would I need a little supervisor like you to watch me take my medicine?"
Blinking her large eyes, Shen Ningning said, "The Divine Doctor said the medicine is very bitter. I’m afraid that if I’m not here, Godfather won’t drink it properly."
Xie Suzhi laughed again, but the exertion strained his ailing body, and he started to cough lightly.
An attendant quickly hurried over to pat his back.
Shen Ningning picked up the handle of her small wagon, filled with books.
"Okay, Godfather, you rest well now," she said. "I’m off to the academy!"
Xie Suzhi nodded, repeatedly reminding her, "It’s freezing out, so make sure to wear enough layers."
"If you get tired, don’t study. Just come home and rest."
Listening from the side, Uncle Pang clicked his tongue in amazement.
’The Xie family’s upbringing had always been strict. When the Eldest and Second Young Masters were young, they were focused on their martial arts. If they forgot to study for even a single day, Xie Suzhi would immediately punish them by making them kneel in the ancestral hall. But when it came to Princess Funing, Xie Suzhi treasured her like the apple of his eye, terrified that her studies might tire her out. It just goes to show, once you have a daughter, your heart can’t help but be biased.’
As Shen Ningning left, pulling her little wagon, Xie Suzhi craned his neck to watch her small figure retreat.
He watched until she disappeared through the doorway.
Xie Suzhi lay back down and closed his eyes, a peaceful, warm smile gracing his lips.
’He had often fantasized about this—such happy days with his daughter by his side. It would be worth giving up court and living as an idle man for the rest of his life just for this.’
The moment Shen Ningning stepped out of the Xie Mansion, she handed the small wagon to Wanchun.
Wanchun asked in surprise, "Commandery Princess, aren’t we going to the National Academy?"
"I’m not going to the academy. I’m going to the Imperial Palace!" Shen Ningning declared, using a small stool to climb into the carriage.
Muchun and Wanchun exchanged a puzzled look. "The Imperial Palace?"
Shen Ningning lifted the curtain with her small hand. Her dark eyes sparkled, and her little face was filled with a feisty resolve.
"Godfather was bullied, and I can’t just stand by and watch. I’m going to give them a taste of their own medicine! Go!" She dropped her hand, and the curtain swayed shut. The driver didn’t dare to disobey.
So, Muchun and Wanchun scrambled into the carriage.
And they all headed for the Imperial Palace.
Shen Ningning deliberately waited until the Emperor had finished his work and returned to the Imperial Study Room.
"Ningning, you’re here?" the Emperor said with a kind smile. "Are you looking for Ling Wei? He’s been held up by the ministers with some trivial court matters. Have some hot tea while you wait."
As he spoke, the Emperor ordered a eunuch to serve tea and snacks.
He treated the little girl like an honored guest.
But Shen Ningning took a step forward and bowed respectfully, her form perfect.
Blinking her long, thick lashes, she said, "Uncle Emperor, I came to see *you* this time."
"Oh? To see me?" The Emperor chuckled, bending down to look at the exquisite little girl before him. "And what might that be about?"
In a voice that was still childish, Shen Ningning firmly declared—
"I want to prove to you that Consort Rong’s claims of copying sutras for blessings are false. The heavens aren’t buying it!"