Chapter 652: The 3 Brothers Battle the Crown Prince
The Crown Prince’s carriage had just stopped at the entrance of the Xie Mansion when a large crowd of people swarmed out from the gates.
Shen Ningning focused her gaze and saw it was Grandma Qin and a few other close villagers from Xiangyun Village.
Sister-in-law Liu’s voice was particularly loud; Shen Ningning could hear her even from inside the carriage.
“Ningning is home for her visit!”
Uncle Liu, standing beside her, tugged on her sleeve. “Don’t just shout like that. You should address her as the Crown Princess Consort now.”
Mo Lingwei helped Shen Ningning out of the carriage, and her face lit up with a vibrant smile.
“Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, and Aunt Dong, you all came?”
“That’s right! Thanks to Grandma Qin, we were invited by Madam Xie to dine at the Xie Mansion,” said Sister-in-law Liu, her face beaming with excitement.
Being able to dine at the Prime Minister’s Mansion was an incredible blessing.
Shen Siyi and Xie Suzhi came out to greet them, followed by several young men of the Xie family. At that moment, the three brothers’ gazes were perfectly synchronized, fixed warmly on Shen Ningning, their eyes filled with admiration and adoration for their little sister.
However, when their gazes shifted to the Crown Prince beside her, their expressions turned critical and cold.
Shen Siyi smiled at Shen Ningning and said, “Today is your homecoming visit, so your father and I took the liberty of inviting the villagers who were close to you. This way, we can all have a lively meal together.”
Shen Ningning was of course delighted. She ran to Grandma Qin’s side and supported her by the arm.
“I’ve been wanting to invite everyone from Xiangyun Village for a celebratory meal for a long time.”
Shen Siyi had the same thought as Shen Ningning. The reason she invited the villagers from Xiangyun Village on the day of the homecoming visit was that Shen Ningning had grown up there.
When it came to her maternal home, Xiangyun Village could certainly be considered half of it.
Therefore, Shen Siyi had been thoughtful enough not only to invite Grandma Qin but also to take the opportunity to invite a few other villagers who had been very good to Shen Ningning.
The old village chief had also been invited, but unfortunately, he was getting on in years and had trouble getting around. His health wasn’t as robust as Grandma Qin’s, so he couldn’t make it this time.
Xie Suzhi spoke gently to his daughter and son-in-law. “Since you’re back, let’s not just stand here. Let’s go inside and talk. Old Pang, set off the firecrackers.”
“Rest assured, Master, everything is ready.”
Shen Ningning and Shen Siyi supported Grandma Qin, one on each side, as the villagers from Xiangyun Village gathered around them, all laughing as they entered the mansion.
Mo Lingwei was originally following behind Shen Ningning, but for some reason, Xie Ming’an subtly moved to block his way.
He ended up wedged between Mo Lingwei and Shen Ningning, and he was walking especially slow!
Mo Lingwei’s brow furrowed slightly. He tried to step past Xie Ming’an to catch up with Shen Ningning, but who would have thought that the moment he moved aside, Xu Jingxi would block him again.
Looking to his left, Xie Mingxu stood there like a mountain. The three brothers had effectively formed a wall, completely cutting Mo Lingwei off from Shen Ningning.
Mo Lingwei stopped, a sharp brow raised. “Do my dear Uncles have some private advice for me?”
The term “Uncle,” in Cangyun Country, was a respectful form of address for one’s wife’s brothers.
Xie Ming’an pointed toward another path. “We three brothers would like to invite His Highness the Crown Prince to the study to appraise our wedding gifts.”
Mo Lingwei clicked his tongue soundlessly, as if he had seen right through their intentions.
He crossed his arms, looking quite relaxed. “I’m not going.”
His refusal was so blunt, showing no fear of offending his three “Uncles,” which made all three brothers frown.
“Unless…” Mo Lingwei’s tone shifted. “You call me ‘Brother-in-law.’ Then I’ll consider it.”
As he spoke, he pointed to the Xie Mansion plaque above the gate. “Outside this gate, I am the Crown Prince. But once I step through it, I am simply Shen Ningning’s husband, nothing more. Therefore, addressing me as ‘Brother-in-law’ is sufficient.”
The word “husband” stabbed at the hearts of the three doting brothers.
Xie Ming’an stomped his foot in frustration. “You want us to call you Brother-in-law? The day after the wedding, my eldest brother and I went to see our sister, so why did you keep her cooped up in her room? You…”
Before he could finish, Xie Mingxu’s expression changed. He strode forward, clamped a hand over his brother’s mouth, and shoved him at Xu Jingxi to be restrained.
Xie Ming’an flailed his arms, struggling but only able to make muffled sounds.
Xie Mingxu looked at Mo Lingwei coldly. “Brother-in-law, this isn’t a convenient place to talk. Our sister has gone to keep our mother company, so you will come with us to the study for a proper chat.”
Mo Lingwei smiled. “It would be rude to refuse.”
The four of them went to the study together. Mo Lingwei was in the lead. The moment he opened the door, the Black Wolf King lunged at him.
As if he had been expecting it, Mo Lingwei sidestepped slightly, and the Black Wolf King landed steadily on the ground.
Xie Ming’an shook his head in disappointment.
‘Why didn’t those sharp claws land on Mo Lingwei!’
The Black Wolf King turned, fixing him with its icy lupine eyes.
Mo Lingwei said calmly, “Wolf Father.”
The Black Wolf King froze.
Mo Lingwei was dead serious. “During the wedding ceremony, we paid our respects to the elders. You acknowledged me as your son-in-law then. I’m just following my wife’s example by calling you Wolf Father. I hope you understand.”
Xu Jingxi stared silently at the Black Wolf King. For the first time, he saw a look of bewilderment and contemplation on a wolf’s face.
Xie Ming’an shouted anxiously, “Wolf Uncle! Don’t listen to him trying to get on your good side! It’s only been a few days since the wedding, and he already dares to keep our sister from us. What if you go to the palace and he won’t let you see Ningning?”
The Black Wolf King had been brought in as their reinforcement, and it had nearly been stunned by Mo Lingwei’s “Wolf Father.”
But now, hearing what Xie Ming’an said, it bared its teeth in anger, a ferocious glint in its eyes.
Mo Lingwei remained calm. “Wolf Father, I am Ningning’s husband, which is why I call you ‘Father.’ They are Ningning’s brothers, yet they call you ‘Uncle.’ Who is closer to you? I don’t think I need to spell it out, do I?”
The ferocious look in the Black Wolf King’s eyes instantly faded. It shot a cold glance at Xie Ming’an, Xie Mingxu, and the others.
Perhaps having figured it out, the Black Wolf King let out a cold huff. Its massive form turned and left, apparently going straight to find Shen Ningning.
‘She was its precious little treasure.’
The three Xie brothers frowned. Looking at Mo Lingwei now, they felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
He had managed to persuade the Black Wolf King to leave in just a few words!
Mo Lingwei smiled. “Whatever you want to say, let’s discuss it inside.”
Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he strode inside, his posture so relaxed and natural it was as if he were walking into his own backyard.
Xu Jingxi was the last to enter, closing the door behind him with a backhanded motion.
Inside, Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an sat down, while Xu Jingxi leaned against the wall. All three of them had the same sharp, scrutinizing gazes.
Mo Lingwei, in turn, sat down behind the desk. An air of pampered authority suddenly emanated from him. Beneath his sharp brows, his slender eyes held a profound darkness and the hint of a smile that wasn’t quite there.
“So, what did my three Uncles want to say? There’s no one else here. Feel free to speak your minds.”
“What were you and our sister doing in the room last time! Were you deliberately keeping her from us?!” Xie Ming’an slammed the table and shot to his feet.
The moment he finished speaking, Xie Mingxu kicked him.
“What kind of question is that!” Xie Mingxu rebuked him coldly.
Xie Ming’an bent over to rub his leg, disgruntled. “Isn’t this what we agreed to ask from the start?”
Xie Mingxu pressed his fingers to his brow. “Jingxi, cover his mouth.”
“Ah? Don’t! Eldest Brother!” Xie Ming’an tried to resist, but Xu Jingxi was already approaching with a handkerchief at the ready.
Right in front of Mo Lingwei, he mercilessly stuffed it into Xie Ming’an’s mouth.