Chapter 517: The Crown Prince Also Brought a Guest
Chapter 517: Chapter 517: The Crown Prince Also Brought a Guest
As the Great Sun King’s true son, Tuo Ye wasn’t even sure if the Reunion Jade Ring Xiuxiu brought was authentic.
From what he had just confessed, Shen Ningning was certain Tuo Ye didn’t know.
Xiuxiu had concealed the details, including adding something to the Crimson Poppy spice.
’So, it seems Tuo Ye doesn’t know about Su Zhirou either?’
Shen Ningning’s dark, limpid eyes fixed on Tuo Ye. "Is Su Zhirou one of your people?"
Tuo Ye frowned, shaking his head after a moment of careful thought.
"I’ve never seen Xiuxiu interact with her, but the spies Xiuxiu sent out paid special attention to the Su Family."
Shen Ningning let out a breath.
A ray of sunlight slanted in from outside the kitchen, falling upon the young lady’s porcelain-white cheek.
The black locks of hair falling beside her ear seemed to gleam.
Tuo Ye had been staring at her in a panic, waiting for her decision.
’He’d confessed everything he could. Would Shen Ningning save him?’
But as he looked up at her, he saw the young lady’s fair and radiant face.
The composure and calm in her expression were unlike that of any other young woman.
She was beautiful and poised.
At that moment, Tuo Ye recalled what Xiuxiu had said: if he could marry Shen Ningning and make her his Imperial Concubine, it would bring him many benefits.
’If only I could marry her...’
Tuo Ye was lost in a daze for a moment.
Xie Ming’an caught his gaze, and a man’s sixth sense made him frown sharply.
"What are you looking at?"
Tuo Ye averted his eyes. "I’ve told you everything. You’re not still going to kick me out, are you?"
Shen Ningning had already made up her mind.
"I can continue to shelter you, but there’s something I’ll need your cooperation with. I’ll tell you what it is once I’ve finalized the plan."
Tuo Ye hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Can we wait until my Hidden Guards arrive?"
He had no one he could trust right now. Besides Shen Ningning, and she could throw him out at any moment.
Shen Ningning nodded in agreement.
Tuo Ye walked back to his room to rest, his legs still a little weak.
Before closing the door, he added, "So many wolves, but they’re useless. A stranger came in, and they didn’t even react."
Shen Ningning grew even more puzzled.
’That’s impossible.’
Usually, the pack would become alert the moment a stranger approached the gate.
’How could they let a stranger swagger right through the house?’
Besides, Shen Ningning didn’t see any sign that the house had been searched.
She instinctively glanced at Wolf Three.
He was the most aggressive wolf in the pack. If a stranger came, he would undoubtedly be the first to rush forward and attack.
But right now, he was sitting at the very back of the pack, pretending to be dozing. He would occasionally crack open an eye to sneak a peek at Shen Ningning.
’Something’s off!’
Shen Ningning called the Black Wolf King into her room.
"Langlang, did a stranger get in the house?"
The Black Wolf King shook his head.
Then, a hesitant look appeared in his lupine eyes, as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.
Shen Ningning arched a delicate brow. "Then why was Tuo Ye so certain he heard strangers talking about capturing him?"
Just then, Wolf Three padded in through the door, his tail between his legs.
He thought he’d done something wrong, so he looked exceptionally guilty.
"Ningning, it’s my fault..." he said, speaking in a human voice, which made Xie Ming’an jump.
Luckily, Xie Ming’an had heard it once before, so this time he was merely surprised.
The Black Wolf King spoke up. "Wolf Three and Lang Si were discussing catching and eating him. He must have overheard them."
Shen Ningning froze. "In human speech?"
Wolf Three said helplessly, "Ningning, you know how that chubby pup Lang Si is. He learned to speak much later than the rest of us, and he’s been so excited about it lately that he takes every chance he gets to talk."
"Last night, we were talking about it in the next room. Lang Si said Tuo Ye was tall enough that his bones would probably be great for chewing. We were just waiting for you to decide you were done with him so we could drag him off and eat him."
But they hadn’t expected Tuo Ye to hear the deep, masculine voices. He got so scared he pressed his ear to the wall to listen in.
He thought Xiuxiu’s people had found him, so he climbed out the window, fled to the kitchen, and hid in a vegetable crock.
He didn’t come out until Shen Ningning found him just now.
Tuo Ye would never have imagined in a million years that Shen Ningning’s wolves could talk!
Xie Ming’an clutched his sides, howling with laughter. "No wonder his legs were jelly when he walked! He spent the whole night squatting in a vegetable crock."
Shen Ningning tried to hold it in, but she couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.
Lang Si’s chubby body squeezed in. Seeing that Shen Ningning wasn’t angry, he patted Wolf Three with a paw and whispered, "So? Did Ningning agree to let us eat him?"
Wolf Three roared, "Eat your head!"
Lang Si panicked. "Who? Who wants to eat my head? Is it Wolf Father?"
The Black Wolf King closed his eyes.
’Stupid son.’
’He couldn’t bear to look at him for another second.’
Shen Ningning laughed for a long time before she finally stopped, tears welling in her eyes.
"You two... honestly." She sighed. "Well, there’s nothing to be done about it. I suppose Tuo Ye would never have dreamed of this."
The Black Wolf King stepped forward and licked the young lady’s hand, letting out a couple of soft whines.
He was promising to discipline Wolf Three and Lang Si properly from now on.
But Shen Ningning just stroked Lang Si’s big, soft head, his two ears twitching back and forth. "It’s fine. This time, you accidentally scared the daylights out of him."
The young lady lifted her sparkling, beautiful eyes, which held the glint of someone determined to win.
"This time, let’s turn their own momentum against them and give Xiuxiu and Changliu Country a grand ’gift’."
*
Sunlight shimmered on the rippling water, and the scenery on the lake was breathtaking.
An exquisite painted boat glided slowly across the water, carrying the cheerful laughter of young masters and ladies.
Shen Ningning had invited quite a few people. Since she wanted to liven things up, Lu Shaoyuan had eagerly brought along all his close friends.
Pei Yin was also among them, sent by Lu Shaoyuan’s older brother at Lu Shaoyuan’s request.
The boat’s cabin was filled with laughter as everyone mingled, their wine glasses clinking. They discussed poetry and verse, listening to the music of a barmaid’s dance.
Pei Yin sat silently in their midst, a block of ink that didn’t belong.
Mo Lingwei hadn’t come today, so Lu Shaoyuan boldly took his wine cup and went to sit beside Shen Ningning.
"I don’t see the Crown Prince. Is he not coming?" Lu Shaoyuan asked, feigning nonchalance.
’For a second, a hopeful thought sparked within him.’
’Did Shen Ningning know he felt awkward around the Crown Prince, so she only invited him and not His Highness?’
But to his dismay, Shen Ningning replied the very next second, "My brother will be here shortly."
The sparkle in Lu Shaoyuan’s eyes immediately vanished.
’The Crown Prince is actually coming!’
Just then, Ye Shangyi sat down next to them.
She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with disdain.
"Ningning, it’s one thing to invite everyone, but why did you have to invite Su Zhirou? Look at her, so smug and pleased with herself. She’s practically plastered all over Pei Yin."
Shen Ningning lifted her gaze. Down below among the other guests, Su Zhirou was holding up her wine cup, chattering excitedly next to Pei Yin.
Ever since Qi Xiuwei was recognized as the Tenth Princess of Changliu Country, Su Zhirou had been the smuggest of them all.
Rumor had it that when Lady Shu brought her to the palace, she even gave Pei Yin pastries she had made herself.
’Perhaps Su Zhirou gets some sense of accomplishment from these little schemes.’
Shen Ningning lowered her gaze. "Pay her no mind."
Ye Shangyi sighed. "We used to be so close with Xiao Wei. Even if she’s broken ties with us now, how can the man she used to like be with..."
Before she could finish, a guard at the door came in to announce,
"Princess, the Crown Prince’s boat is approaching."
A smile touched Shen Ningning’s lips. "Perfect timing. Have my brother bring his guest aboard."
Everyone was puzzled, and Su Zhirou also looked toward the entrance.
’Who else did the Crown Prince bring?’
Shen Ningning led everyone out onto the deck to receive him.
Once Mo Lingwei’s boat drew near, a wooden plank was laid across to bridge the gap.
A graceful figure emerged from the cabin of his boat.
A collective gasp went through the crowd.
How could it be Qi Xiuwei!