Chapter 654: Ningning is Pregnant
Chapter 654: Chapter 654: Ningning is Pregnant
During the meal.
Mo Lingwei drank a few good rounds with Xie Suzhi and Second Master Xie.
Once they were well into their cups, Xie Suzhi clutched his wine cup and said to Mo Lingwei, "In the future, if Ningning ever does anything to anger you, or if your feelings for each other ever fade, just send me word. I’ll come and take her home immediately. I only ask that you, Crown Prince, do not bully her."
Mo Lingwei stood up solemnly. "Father, please rest assured. I will not fail Ningning. If that day ever comes, I welcome you, and her three uncles, to enter the palace at any time to take my head."
Shen Ningning pouted and gave him a light push.
"It’s our homecoming visit. Don’t say things like that."
Seeing his daughter getting protective of her husband, Xie Suzhi laughed. "Alright, alright, we won’t talk about it anymore. Come, let’s drink."
Shen Siyi beamed, boldly hoisting a wine jug. "I already gave you my blessings for a happy marriage on your wedding day, so I won’t ramble on today. I’ll just wish that your love for each other remains as strong as it was in the beginning. Come on, bottoms up!"
She held the jug, tilted her head back, and took two big swigs. GULP, GULP. Her dashing, straightforward manner made Xie Suzhi, who was sitting beside her, smile with fond exasperation.
He wore a doting expression and glanced at everyone, his eyes seeming to say, ’My apologies, my wife is just this frank.’
Seeing this, Fang Qingdai, who was next to Second Master Xie, quickly stood up as well. She picked up Second Master Xie’s wine jug and said, "Ningning, Your Highness, I wish you a long and loving life together."
Since both wives of the Xie family were so unreserved, Xie Suzhi and the others felt they couldn’t keep drinking one bowl at a time, lest they appear too prim and proper.
So, by the time Shen Ningning and Mo Lingwei left the Xie Mansion, not only was Mo Lingwei tipsy and reeking of alcohol, but Xie Suzhi, Second Master Xie, and her several brothers were all stumbling about, thoroughly drunk.
Even so, Mo Lingwei was still leaning out the carriage window, calling out an invitation. "Next time you come to the Eastern Palace, I’ll drink with Father-in-law and Uncles to my heart’s content again!"
Xie Suzhi and Second Master Xie waved, laughing as they agreed.
Only after watching Shen Siyi and Fang Qingdai drag them inside did Shen Ningning relax and let the carriage curtain fall.
Mo Lingwei immediately slumped against her, closing his eyes as if he were about to fall asleep.
"Can I hold you when we sleep tonight?" he asked, his drunken tone making him sound pitifully aggrieved.
Shen Ningning’s cheeks flushed slightly at his words.
Because Mo Lingwei had previously lacked self-control, Shen Ningning no longer let him into her bed. Even if he managed to get in, she wouldn’t let him sleep close to her and insisted they use two separate blankets.
When Shen Ningning didn’t answer, Mo Lingwei opened his dark eyes. "How many days has it been since you’ve let me in your bed? I am the Crown Prince, after all. If word gets out that I’m always sleeping in a side room, what will people think?"
Shen Ningning immediately retorted, "Then I’ll just go back to live on Wolf Mountain. Besides, Wolf Father and the others miss me."
Mo Lingwei immediately grabbed her hand. "No, don’t go. I won’t pester you in bed anymore."
His words were a bit ambiguous, but Shen Ningning knew he didn’t mean anything else by them. Seeing his seemingly innocent and aggrieved expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Fine, you can sleep in my bed tonight, but you’re not allowed to move around."
"Alright."
However, that night...
The lamps were extinguished, and all was quiet within the bed curtains.
But after just a moment, Shen Ningning’s flustered and angry voice called out, "Mo Lingwei!"
"I am here, my wife," Mo Lingwei replied, his tone clearly laced with a quiet laugh.
"Why aren’t you keeping your promise?"
"You only said I wasn’t allowed to move around, but you never said I couldn’t hold you. Be good. I’ll just hold you for a little while. I’ll let go once I fall asleep."
As if she would believe that. Shen Ningning struggled to get free.
In the end, Mo Lingwei simply pulled her into his arms and held her tight. No matter what he said, she would only respond with a huff.
The night was long, but within the bed curtains, it was filled with warmth and tenderness.
*
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Emperor hosted a grand banquet in the palace, inviting Shen Ningning’s wolf pack, her various friends and relatives, and the members of the Xie family to attend.
Everyone had arrived, but Shen Ningning and Mo Lingwei had yet to make an appearance.
At their table, Ye Shangyi asked Jiang Zhi, "I heard you’re about to be stationed at the border for three years. In that case..."
Her gaze shifted to Chen Shaobei, who wasn’t far off, chatting amiably with Xu Jingxi.
"What about... you two?"
Jiang Zhi looked baffled. "What about us? Oh, are you asking if General Chen will be stationed there too? He is on the list this time."
Ye Shangyi’s eyes widened in understanding. She covered her mouth and giggled.
"Oh, so that’s how it is."
She turned to share the news she’d just heard with Qi Xiuwei.
Seeing Ye Shangyi’s animated expression, Jiang Zhi looked puzzled. "Why is she so happy to hear that General Chen and I are being stationed together?"
Just then, Chen Shaobei came to her side. "What are you looking at?"
Jiang Zhi said, "Nothing. Miss Ye was just asking me a few things."
"Come," Chen Shaobei said, casually taking her by the wrist. "Let me introduce you to some colleagues. Once we’re at the border, you can lead them in some drills to warm up."
Chen Shaobei led Jiang Zhi away.
Meanwhile, Ye Shangyi had finished telling Qi Xiuwei about Jiang Zhi’s situation and couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement.
"Well, Ningning certainly won’t have to worry about Jiang Zhi anymore. Chen Shaobei is following her all the way to the border."
Qi Xiuwei beamed. "I’m afraid Miss Jiang still doesn’t understand the General’s intentions."
Ye Shangyi nodded. "She’ll figure it out sooner or later. But... when are you and Lord Pei going to make up?"
As she spoke, Pei Yin happened to enter the grand hall behind Commander Lu. Qi Xiuwei glanced up, and their eyes met for a brief moment before both quickly looked away.
Qi Xiuwei lowered her head. "We’ll see. What’s there to make up? We never had a falling out, we’ve just never been fated to be together."
"Not fated? But I heard from Ningning that you two went to the Matchmaker Temple together during the Qixi Festival last month."
Qi Xiuwei quickly covered her friend’s mouth. "We just ran into each other by chance! Don’t be so loud, people will hear you and get the wrong idea."
Ye Shangyi blinked her big eyes, promising to be quiet.
Only then did Qi Xiuwei release her hand. "Anyway, I haven’t decided if I want to take things a step further with Lord Pei. But as Ningning says, you can’t force fate. It’s best to let things happen naturally."
"Speaking of which, when are you and Mr. Xu going to tie the knot?"
For once, Ye Shangyi actually blushed, which was a rare sight.
She rubbed her earlobe and said, a little awkwardly, "He’s such a bookworm, you know? As long as I don’t break the ice, it’s like he has no idea how I feel. Anyway, I’m not in a hurry."
"He has the imperial examinations coming up, and I don’t want to distract him right now. Once he’s finished, I’ll be the one to make a move!"
As the two of them were talking, Liang Yici’s voice cut in from nearby. "Ningning and the Crown Prince are here."
All the cheerful laughter in the hall died down as everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance.
Shen Ningning, her belly slightly rounded, stepped over the threshold with Mo Lingwei carefully supporting her.
She had blossomed into a stunning beauty, her full, lovely face fair with a rosy glow, and her eyes suffused with a profound gentleness.
Mo Lingwei supported her with the utmost care, terrified she might trip or bump into something.
The Crown Princess Consort was already four months pregnant. Before long, the Emperor would announce his abdication, which meant the child in Shen Ningning’s womb was very likely the next heir to the throne.