Chapter 557: Once the Mouth is Sour, the Heart Won’t Be
Chapter 557: Chapter 557: Once the Mouth is Sour, the Heart Won’t Be
Xie Suzhi spoke, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "Your Highness and my daughter were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. I know that in your heart, you view her differently than others."
"It is a pity she was not destined to cherish that bond. She has now found another worthy man, and I hope Your Highness will not make things difficult for them. I am willing to devote myself completely to handling state affairs for you, if only it might appease your anger."
With a sharp CLACK, Mo Lingwei slammed his teacup down on the table.
"Chancellor Xie," he began, his voice cold and heavy, "are you afraid I’ll give them a hard time, so you’ve come specifically to plead their case?"
Xie Suzhi cupped his hands. "Your Highness is wise."
Who in the entire Capital City didn’t know of Mo Lingwei’s temper?
News of Shen Ningning’s huge argument with him at the National Academy had reached Xie Suzhi’s ears long ago.
Initially, Xie Suzhi felt it was a matter for the younger generation and that it wasn’t his place to intervene.
But when he heard they had nearly come to blows at the National Academy, he knew he had to step in.
"Your Highness, you were born into nobility and now hold immense power. I believe it won’t be long before you become the new emperor of Cangyun Country."
"At that time, all the virtuous and graceful women in Cangyun Country will be yours to choose from. My daughter has already chosen the Lu family, so I implore you to be magnanimous and not make things difficult for those two."
"There is simply no need to let this escalate into an irreversible conflict. It would only damage the friendship you once shared."
Hearing this, a string of derisive chuckles escaped Mo Lingwei’s throat.
"Chancellor Xie, I understand now. You’ve come today to persuade me to give up on Shen Ningning."
Xie Suzhi gave a noncommittal nod.
’Besides, he had heard that today was the consort selection banquet. Hundreds of young ladies had entered the palace. Surely there had to be at least one among them who caught the Crown Prince’s eye?’
Mo Lingwei stood up and walked step by step until he was in front of Xie Suzhi.
He was no longer an eight or nine-year-old boy, but a powerful Crown Prince who stood a half-head taller than Xie Suzhi.
"Then listen well, Chancellor Xie. I will not let this matter rest. And you can go back and tell Shen Ningning this: the moment she sets foot in the Lu family’s home, I will bring her back by force, no matter the cost. I’d like to see just how much nerve the Lu family has to dare and steal my Crown Princess Consort!"
Xie Suzhi’s heart jolted. He looked up and saw the darkness in Mo Lingwei’s eyes, and he knew the prince was not joking.
’This is exactly what he intends to do!’
"Your Highness, if you do this, my daughter will never be happy. Won’t it pain you to see her spending her days in tears?"
Mo Lingwei turned, took two steps away, and then, as if steeling his resolve, clasped his hands behind his back. "I would rather she be heartbroken and in tears," he said coldly, "as long as she remains by my side. As for anything else, I cannot be concerned with it right now."
Xie Suzhi pressed his lips into a thin line, his expression frighteningly grim.
’He would do anything for his daughter.’
’Since Mo Lingwei was so unwilling to concede, he could no longer feel at ease with Shen Ningning remaining in the Capital City.’
’It seemed he would have to find a way to resign from his post and help Ningning and Lu Shaoyuan flee far away.’
"Since the Crown Prince is determined to have his way and will not listen to persuasion, I dare not say more. I shall take my leave now."
Xie Suzhi cupped his hands and turned to leave. Mo Lingwei watched his retreating figure for a moment before summoning a Hidden Guard.
"Keep a close watch on Xie Suzhi. Report any unusual movements to me immediately."
"Yes."
「The next day.」
Mo Lingwei was handling government affairs when he heard someone was requesting an audience.
Upon inquiry, he found it was none other than Ye Shangyi.
She had asked her grandfather, the Imperial Tutor, to bring her into the palace, insistent that she had something she must tell Mo Lingwei in person.
This time, unlike his meeting with Xie Suzhi, Mo Lingwei did not grant her entry immediately.
Instead, he made her wait for the time it took an incense stick to burn before Ye Shangyi was finally allowed into Zichen Palace.
Inside the study, wisps of invigorating smoke drifted from the mouth of a golden, beast-shaped incense burner.
Ye Shangyi burst in and immediately asked, "Crown Prince, I heard you’re about to dine with Miss Meng. Is that true?!"
Mo Lingwei lazily raised his eyes. "Has no one taught you etiquette? Why do you not bow when you see me?"
In the past, he never troubled Shen Ningning’s friends with such matters. Now, however, he treated them all the same.
Ye Shangyi’s expression faltered. After stiffly offering her greetings, she pressed on, "Crown Prince, you absolutely cannot dine with Miss Meng! If you do, what will Ningning think?"
"What Miss Meng? Speak clearly." Mo Lingwei set down his vermillion pen, his tone frigid.
’She hadn’t expected him to be unaware of the situation.’
"At the consort selection banquet, I heard you chose Miss Meng’s Poetry Card Order. Now, rumors are spreading all over the Capital City that she’s very likely to become your Crown Princess Consort! But Your Highness, even Ningning knows that Miss Meng is not a good match! You could have chosen anyone, so why her?"
Only then did Mo Lingwei understand what was going on.
He raised an eyebrow. ’So, from the sound of it, Shen Ningning doesn’t like this Meng Wanning either?’
After choosing the Poetry Card Order, he had put the matter out of his mind.
He had almost forgotten.
Seeing Ye Shangyi’s agitated expression, Mo Lingwei said with cool indifference, "Have you still not grasped the current situation? Shen Ningning is getting engaged to Lu Shaoyuan. Who I dine with has nothing to do with her."
Ye Shangyi said anxiously, "How can you say that? It would be even more awkward! Meng Wanning and Lu Shaoyuan are distant relatives. In the future, when you and Ningning see each other, how are you supposed to act?"
Hearing this, Mo Lingwei’s gaze darkened.
’So there’s that kind of relationship between them?’
After a long moment, Mo Lingwei spoke. "I understand. You may go back."
Ye Shangyi thought she had persuaded him and left, relieved.
Unexpectedly, Mo Lingwei still met with Meng Wanning as planned. He shared a meal with her and even gifted her a Haitang hairpin.
Meng Wanning was absolutely gloating. She wore the hairpin out every day, surrounded by a crowd of other young ladies who praised her to everyone they met for having caught the Crown Prince’s eye.
It seemed a joyous occasion was just around the corner.
Ye Shangyi went to Xiangyun Village to find Shen Ningning. For the past few days, Shen Ningning hadn’t left her home, choosing instead to hide away and live in the idyllic haven of Xiangyun Village.
When Ye Shangyi arrived, she found Shen Ningning by the village house, tending to her loquat tree.
The young woman had climbed a ladder and picked a few loquats. They weren’t in season yet, so they were quite sour.
Ye Shangyi held the ladder for her, complaining all the while.
"What do you think the Crown Prince is thinking? Has he been driven mad by you? He didn’t even reject a fickle woman like Meng Wanning."
"I told him it would be awkward for you both, but he still met with her! Do you have any idea how arrogant Meng Wanning is now? Just because the Crown Prince gave her a Haitang hairpin, she’s acting as if every haitang blossom in the Capital City is blooming just for her."
"If they see any other young lady wearing a haitang hairpin, her entourage immediately targets and bullies them. There’s been no official news from the palace, but Meng Wanning is posturing as if she’s already been named the Crown Princess Consort."
Ye Shangyi had been talking for a long time, but Shen Ningning didn’t react at all.
She looked up and saw the young woman’s slender figure, a basket on her arm, as she plucked yellowed leaves from the branches.
Ye Shangyi couldn’t see her expression, only the line of her small, fair, and delicate chin.
"Ningning, I’ve said so much. How can you not have any reaction? Are you really not angry?"
Shen Ningning suddenly tossed a loquat into her arms.
"Have a taste. It’s so sweet."
Ye Shangyi grumbled, "This is hardly the time for this. I’m in no mood for loquats. The moment I picture that smug look on Meng Wanning’s face, I get worried she’ll bully us both in the future."
Despite her words, she peeled it and took a bite.
The next second, her whole face puckered up.
"AHHH! It’s horribly sour! Ningning, you tricked me, wah..." Ye Shangyi spat it all out with a "PTHOOEY, PTHOOEY."
Shen Ningning covered her mouth and laughed. "It’s better for your mouth to be sour. That way, the sourness won’t reach your heart. I’ve already eaten two."
Hearing the hidden meaning in her words, Ye Shangyi suddenly realized that Shen Ningning wasn’t as calm as she appeared on the surface.
Shen Ningning sat on the ladder, gazing at the bright sun in the distance.
The houses stood close together, painting a scene of peace and harmony.
She smiled wistfully. "Actually, this is quite nice. Everything is falling into place. And it’s for the best that my brother won’t have to worry about my affairs anymore."
Ye Shangyi was stunned. She shook her head and sighed, "You’re certainly taking this well."
Just then, from her high perch, Shen Ningning saw someone entering the village.
She climbed down from the ladder. "Lu Shaoyuan is here. Don’t say any more of this in front of him."
Ye Shangyi said, "Oh." She saw Lu Shaoyuan galloping toward them on his horse, his face beaming with joy. Before he even reached them, he eagerly swung himself off his mount.
"Ningning!" he exclaimed, rushing up to her happily. "My mother took me to the merchant’s guild today, and I’ve taken on the management of over a dozen shops! We’ll be engaged soon, and I’ll work hard so you’ll never have to endure any hardship with me."
Shen Ningning took out a handkerchief. "Didn’t you say you were coming back tomorrow? You must have rushed. Look, your forehead is covered in sweat."
"I wanted to share the good news with you right away." Lu Shaoyuan grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. With his dark brows and bright eyes, his face was the very picture of joy.
Ye Shangyi rubbed her arms, beginning to wonder if she had said the wrong thing earlier.
’Seeing the way Shen Ningning and Lu Shaoyuan interacted, it seemed they truly liked each other.’
"Ningning, tomorrow we’ll go into the city to pick out a house. Whichever one you like, we’ll buy it. If you like a whole street, we’ll buy the whole street."
Shen Ningning’s mind drifted for a moment. When she came back to herself, she gave a soft laugh.
"Alright. Changyi, you should come with us too."
"Huh? Me too? You two are picking out your new home. Wouldn’t I just be a third wheel? Besides... I have something to do tomorrow, so I can’t go. Ningning, you should ask Xiao Wei to go with you."
Ye Shangyi was too embarrassed to tell Shen Ningning that she had invited Xu Jingxi to the Ye Mansion to have tea with her grandfather.
Shen Ningning didn’t insist. That evening, she sent someone to ask Qi Xiuwei, and Xiao Wei happily agreed.
However, the next day, when the three of them went to look at houses, they found Pei Yin standing outside a residence, waiting for them.