Chapter 369: Good News, Bad News
Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Good News, Bad News
The Black Wolf King lay down beside them, its lazy wolf eyes fixed on Xie Ming’an.
Its gaze seemed to say, ’This kid is pretty good at patting himself on the back.’
’His Jiaojiao, Xiao Ningning, is polite to others because no one has ever bullied her the way Xie Ming’an has!’
The Black Wolf King snorted, its wolf ears twitching.
Shen Ningning stuck her tongue out at Xie Ming’an.
"Lord Xie, you’re so arrogant!"
Hearing her call him that again, Xie Ming’an frowned.
He tried to wipe the little one’s face with his sleeve, but Shen Ningning pushed his hand away in disgust.
"Didn’t we talk about this? You’re supposed to call me Second Brother, not Lord Xie."
Shen Ningning’s beautiful, watery eyes widened. "Lord Xie, Lord Xie, Lord Xie! You told me not to call you that, so I’ll do it even more."
Xie Ming’an was speechless.
His dark, cold brows furrowed.
’It seems this little sister of mine has at least ten pounds of rebellious bone in her tiny body, and it’s all directed at me.’
Xie Ming’an set Shen Ningning on the ground, then squatted down.
"Don’t you know? In this family, Second Brother and you are the closest. Because we share the same secret."
Shen Ningning took out her own handkerchief and wiped the water droplets from her small chin.
Her dark hair stuck to her cheeks. She looked up with her black eyes and asked dismissively, "What secret? Are you trying to trick a kid again?"
Xie Ming’an’s thin eyes were serious. "What I’m about to say is true. I know that all your things—the grain, the medicinal herbs, even the materials you used to make the cannons—you conjure them out of thin air, don’t you?"
The little one’s hand froze mid-wipe.
She snapped her head up, her large eyes staring blankly at Xie Ming’an.
"Just as I thought," Xie Ming’an chuckled, his eyes dark and deep. "I know Mother left it for you. I saw it myself when I was young. She had the same ability as you."
Shen Ningning was completely stunned now.
’No wonder,’ she thought. ’I always found it strange.’
’The Immortal Realm is mine, so why is the writing in the gunpowder manual inside it exactly the same as the strange script Mother left behind?’
’The question is, how did Mother pass the Immortal Realm on to me?’
Shen Ningning looked down, staring in confusion at the red mole on her little hand.
’It’s been there for as long as I can remember.’
The little one’s soft, sweet voice mumbled, "Mother could do it too, and she passed the Immortal Realm to me... Does that mean Mother was an immortal?"
Xie Ming’an pressed his lips together. "I never asked her, but I don’t think so."
"If Mother were an immortal, then why..." He paused, his expression turning dark and grim. "Why would she have drowned?"
Shen Ningning began to feel sad along with him.
The Black Wolf King padded forward and licked the water droplets from the tips of the little one’s hair.
To comfort her, Xie Ming’an changed the subject and smiled. "Eldest Brother and Father don’t know this secret."
"So, tell me, isn’t Second Brother the person you’re closest to?"
Shen Ningning shook her head decisively, her childish voice unusually firm.
"Grandma knows."
Xie Ming’an frowned. "Grandma Qin doesn’t count."
The little one reached out and hugged the Black Wolf King’s huge, furry body.
"Langlang knows too."
Xie Ming’an was speechless.
’Looks like I’ll have to try even harder to get Shen Ningning to forgive me.’
Because of what Xie Ming’an had said, Shen Ningning suddenly realized that she had likely inherited her Immortal Realm from her mother.
’In that case, if I organize the Immortal Realm properly, might I find something Mother left behind?’
Just after midnight, Mo Lingwei arrived with his men to set off fireworks for the little one.
The two of them, dressed in matching cloaks, stood in the moonlit mountain wilds.
They stood on a slope looking down at Xiangyun Village, which was a scene of peaceful, brilliant light.
Just a moment ago, Xie Suzhi and the others had helped Grandma Qin back to the village to celebrate the new year with everyone else.
Mo Lingwei glanced at the little one beside him and said with a smile, "I was a little late this time. I almost missed seeing the new year in with you."
Shen Ningning breathed a puff of mist onto her small hands.
She looked up with her sparkling eyes. "It’s okay, Brother. You have Uncle Emperor to accompany, too!"
Mo Lingwei turned to look into the distance.
"I went to pay respects to my mother, the Empress, today."
Shen Ningning, who had been happily hopping on her little feet to keep warm, silently stopped and looked up at Mo Lingwei.
His stern face was veiled with a layer of calm by the night.
"When she was alive, she wanted nothing more than for me to be diligent. But back then, I used my status as Crown Prince to do as I pleased."
"Only after she was gone did I realize what sorrow was. Now I’m striving to improve and am diligent in my political duties. I really wish she could see it."
Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes and added, "I feel the same way, Brother."
"But I believe my mother definitely has faith in me—that no matter where I am, I’ll be able to live well!"
’That must be why Mother left the Immortal Realm to me!’
’During all those days and nights after losing her daughter, Shen Siyi must have been so glad she had given her child countless resources.’
’With an ability like this, she wouldn’t starve in times like these.’
But Shen Ningning also had a small regret.
’If only Mother were still alive. She would surely know that I’ve used the resources to help so many people.’
Mo Lingwei noticed the little one’s gloominess and reached out to pat her head.
He was tall and slender, with a noble air.
The light from a lantern held by a nearby Hidden Guard cast his elongated shadow on the ground.
Shen Ningning stood completely within his shadow, as if she were being thoroughly protected by him.
"Let’s not talk about things that make you sad. Let’s talk about something that will make you happy."
"I have already received my father the Emperor’s permission to repair the graves for Wu Zuchang’s family. They will be at the location you chose for them."
"However, I will also arrange for people to plant a bamboo forest around them and enclose it with a fence."
"I will also select a Tomb Guardian to live nearby and protect their peace."
Hearing this, Shen Ningning froze, her eyes immediately turning red.
"Brother... SOB!" The little one threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. "You’re the best! Thank you!"
’This is the best New Year’s gift I’ve ever received!’
Mo Lingwei’s long, slender hand gently patted her shoulder.
He looked down, his smile gentle but full of affection. "Your happiness is what matters."
At that exact moment, fireworks blossomed across the entire night sky.
Mo Lingwei bent down slightly and scooped her into his arms as well.
The brilliant splendor created a warm and moving atmosphere.
Only Xie Ming’an, standing behind a tree not far away, frowned in displeasure.
The Black Wolf King and Wolf Three stood near him.
The two wolves and the man all had displeasure written plainly on their faces.
’Mo Lingwei may be the Crown Prince, but he can’t just hold the little one like that.’
’Ningning is young now, so there’s nothing really to criticize.’
’But what if it becomes a habit he can’t break? What’ll happen when our Ningning grows into a young lady?!’
「After the New Year, early in the second month of spring.」
Good news arrived from the border.
General Xie Mingxu had won a great victory!
Not only had he sent Changliu Country’s forces running with their tails between their legs, but he had also captured the Changling Border’s Bibo City in one fell swoop!
The Emperor was overjoyed and was just speaking of rewards.
However, terrible news followed close behind.
General Fang Qingdai’s husband, Grand General Liang, had fallen into an ambush set by Changliu Country while protecting villagers.
He was struck by several poisoned arrows, and though the army medics did everything they could, he was beyond saving.
The news of Grand General Liang’s death quickly spread through the drizzling spring rain of the Capital City like a dark stain.