Chapter 353: Ningning Knows Everything
Chapter 353: Chapter 353: Ningning Knows Everything
Xie Ming’an said coldly, "That is an absurd suggestion, Mr. Qi."
"If Shen Ningning has done nothing wrong, why should she be forced to hand over the gunpowder?"
The Emperor, however, heard this and thought it was a viable idea.
"I, on the other hand, find Minister Qi’s proposal reasonable."
Mo Lingwei frowned from the side. "Father!"
The Emperor quietly amended his statement. "Actually, I know this matter can’t be blamed on the Commandery Princess."
"After all, it was the rogue villagers who started the trouble. They even desecrated her family’s graves, which is utterly despicable."
"They say death extinguishes all, yet they used it as a tool for blackmail. They deserved what they got. After all, I personally ennobled Princess Funing. Even if the Princess hadn’t dealt with them, I would have settled the score!"
After the Emperor spoke, the assembled officials praised his sagacity.
Then, the Emperor looked at Xie Suzhi. "However, the war is in a difficult state. Changliu Country is taking advantage of our natural disasters and strained supply lines to relentlessly harass the border."
"If Ningning were to donate some of her gunpowder, it could perhaps be of great help."
Xie Suzhi was well-versed in the ways of the court.
He knew that for the Emperor to speak this way was already a concession.
His brow was calm and stern as he cupped his hands. "I understand. I will return and discuss it with Ningning."
"However, I must first ask her to be certain whether she has any left."
The Emperor chuckled and nodded. "No problem. Good. Then let’s consider the matter settled for now."
After court was dismissed.
After bidding farewell to the officials who came to speak with them, the father and son, Xie Suzhi and Xie Ming’an, walked along a snow-covered palace road.
They spoke in hushed tones.
Xie Ming’an was clearly anxious. "Father! How could you agree to the Emperor’s request in open court?"
"What if Ningning has no gunpowder left? What happens if she can’t produce any?"
Xie Ming’an had no idea how many things his mother, Shen Siyi, had left for his younger sister.
He could only guess that if she had a large amount of gunpowder, she would have brought it out long ago.
Not just now, when she needed it to retaliate.
Xie Suzhi’s gaze was heavy. He turned his head slightly and said, "When you get off duty later, don’t go straight home."
"Go to our estate in the suburbs of the capital. Show my token to the steward there. He will open the storehouse; there are thirty catties of gunpowder inside."
"In a little while, we will hand it over in Ningning’s name."
Xie Ming’an was shocked.
No wonder his father, Xie Suzhi, had been so composed in court earlier.
So he had been secretly hoarding gunpowder!
"Father, you’re a high-ranking court official. By law, you are not permitted to possess gunpowder privately."
"It’s not mine," Xie Suzhi sighed. "When your mother was alive, she enjoyed tinkering with these kinds of things. It’s what she left behind."
Because gunpowder was powerful and a lethal weapon.
So, after Shen Siyi passed away, Xie Suzhi had hidden it all away.
In that moment, both Xie Ming’an and Xie Suzhi’s hearts were filled with gratitude for the foresight of their mother and wife, Shen Siyi.
So many of the things she had left behind were now saving their family at critical moments.
Meanwhile, Mo Lingwei had also kept Chen Shaobei behind.
His brow was furrowed as he asked in a low voice, "I heard Shen Ningning mention she went to the Fire Soldier Camp. Was the gunpowder taken from there?"
Chen Shaobei was taken aback. He cupped his hands. "I am not yet privy to this matter."
"Go investigate!" Mo Lingwei ordered at once. He glanced at the gloomy sky outside and added, "Even if Shen Ningning did take it, destroy the evidence. Don’t let anyone else find out."
"Understood. I’ll go at once." Chen Shaobei departed.
He spurred his horse into a gallop, rushing to the Fire Soldier Camp.
To his surprise, his father, General Chen, had already beaten him there.
"Let me go!" Jiang Zhi’s arms were seized by General Chen’s men.
They shoved her down hard, forcing Jiang Zhi to her knees.
General Chen stood like a great mountain, his presence imposing and severe.
He stared at Jiang Zhi. "Did you steal the gunpowder?"
It turned out that before his arrival, someone had informed General Chen that this new recruit, Jiang Zhi, had close ties to Princess Funing!
One could even say Jiang Zhi had been slipped into the camp through Shen Ningning’s connections!
Normally, General Chen left the management of the camp’s affairs to his son, Chen Shaobei.
He was furious when he learned of this.
There was no place for thieves in the army.
Especially not one who stole gunpowder!
"I didn’t steal anything!" Jiang Zhi shouted. As she spoke, a soldier beside her raised his foot to kick her in the shoulder.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhi reacted first. With a burst of ferocity, she wrenched her arm free.
She then grabbed the ankle of her attacker’s kicking leg and twisted it hard.
With the sound of a bone dislocating, the man cried out in pain and collapsed.
General Chen’s gaze turned terrifyingly cold.
A lowly soldier dared to fight back right in front of him.
He reached out a large hand, about to grab Jiang Zhi by the throat.
"Stop!" Chen Shaobei rushed over, shielding Jiang Zhi behind him.
Jiang Zhi clutched her aching arm, her eyes fierce and bloodshot like those of a cornered animal as she glared at the surrounding soldiers.
"I didn’t steal anything! Ever since I came to the Fire Soldier Camp, I’ve been focused on learning how to make gunpowder."
Chen Shaobei chimed in, "Father, I can vouch for her."
"You vouch for her?" General Chen’s voice was coarse, devoid of any emotion.
His military advisor stepped forward to address Chen Shaobei. "Young General, our men have just checked. Some of the gunpowder is missing..."
What?!
Chen Shaobei instinctively turned his head to glance at Jiang Zhi behind him.
She, too, looked stunned.
It didn’t look like she was faking it.
"There’s no way Jiang Zhi took it. I am willing to personally guarantee it. Please give me some time, Father. I will get to the bottom of this!" Chen Shaobei cupped his fist and bowed his head, his voice ringing with conviction.
General Chen stared at him, his gaze deep and penetrating.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. "This is a serious matter. I hope you remember that you are my son, Chen Zhengfeng’s son, and the Young General of the Chen Family Army."
"You must take responsibility for everything you do and every word you say."
Then, General Chen shot one last glare at Jiang Zhi before turning and leaving with his men.
After they had all gone, only Chen Shaobei and Jiang Zhi were left.
"Young General, I really didn’t steal the gunpowder. I can help you with the investigation," Jiang Zhi explained hastily.
Chen Shaobei shook his head. "You need to recuse yourself to avoid suspicion."
"For the next few days, go back to Xiangyun Village. Once I’ve cleared things up, I’ll call you back."
Jiang Zhi’s striking features registered her surprise.
"Go on!" Chen Shaobei urged, waving a hand for her to leave at once.
’I have to get to the bottom of this,’ he thought. ’If Shen Ningning really did take it, then I have to follow Mo Lingwei’s orders and destroy the evidence.’
But Chen Shaobei also recalled the words of his father, General Chen.
He closed his eyes, his brows furrowing in frustration.
’It has always been hard to satisfy both loyalty and filial piety.’
’My father is loyal to the Emperor, while I serve the Crown Prince.’
’We are fated to make different choices.’
「As night fell.」
Xie Suzhi finally returned to his residence in a sedan chair.
He had been busy the entire day, taking care of most of his official duties.
For the next two or three days, he planned to take Shen Ningning on an outing to lift her spirits.
’After all, this whole affair must have upset the little one.’
"Pang, go and speak with the housekeeper at the mountain villa. Tell him to begin preparations," Xie Suzhi instructed.
Someone had previously deeded him a mountain, and he had heard there was an old, unused villa on it.
Xie Suzhi had already sent people to clean it up and transplant numerous plum blossom trees.
’Shen Ningning will surely be delighted when she goes.’
The housekeeper, Uncle Pang, nodded. "Very well."
Xie Suzhi added, "And bring two cooks along, the two from our residence who specialize in Jiangnan cuisine. Ningning is fond of their cooking."
At this thought, a faint, fatherly smile touched Xie Suzhi’s lips.
He mused that his daughter’s tastes were very similar to his wife Shen Siyi’s.
They both loved Jiangnan cuisine.
Xie Suzhi first went back to his study. He changed out of his formal robes, intending to send off a confidential letter before going to see his precious daughter.
Just then, a Hidden Guard knocked and entered.
"What is it?" Xie Suzhi asked. Glimpsing the pitch-black night outside, he added, "Close the door before you speak."
The Hidden Guard did as he was told, then cupped his hands. "My Lord, I have failed in my duties. I allowed the Second Young Master’s men to discover the whereabouts of that maidservant."
Xie Suzhi shot to his feet. "How could you be so careless? I distinctly ordered you to tail his men! When did he find out?"
"The Second Young Master created a diversion. I miscalculated and... He has probably known for three or four days."
Xie Suzhi pressed his temples.
He gave a decisive order. "Leave for Changzhou at once. That maidservant cannot be allowed to live. Kill her."
"But my Lord, if we kill her, how can we investigate the true cause of the madam’s death?" the Hidden Guard pleaded.
But Xie Suzhi’s gaze turned icy. "I can take my time investigating that matter. What I cannot allow is for Ningning to find out that she is my biological daughter. Right now, she is more important!"
The Hidden Guard had no other choice. He immediately rose to carry out the order.
However, the moment he pulled the door open...
The small figure standing in the cold wind was a piercing sight to Xie Suzhi’s eyes.
Shen Ningning stood there. He didn’t know for how long.
In her limpid, dark eyes, there was a flicker of shock, and...
Profound disappointment.