Chapter 426: Eavesdropping Behind the Rockery, Discovered

Chapter 426: Chapter 426: Eavesdropping Behind the Rockery, Discovered

The three of them rushed over and said in unison,

"Crown Prince!"

Mo Lingwei lifted his profound eyes.

Xie Mingxu immediately stepped forward and clasped his hands. "I was just looking for an opportunity to present the border defense patrol map to you, Crown Prince."

Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes, her small hands still wrapped around Mo Lingwei’s waist.

’Why is Brother suddenly talking about official business?’ the little girl wondered.

Mo Lingwei’s eyes narrowed as well. "There’s no rush," he said. "Although Father Emperor has tasked me with this, you still have a month before the deadline I gave you. You can take your time to prepare."

Beside them, Xu Jingxi stepped forward and spoke in a cool, respectful voice, "Crown Prince, there is one more thing. I previously received your permission to organize a poetry society, inviting scholars and poets to enrich the literary history of Cangyun Country."

"I have already selected a time, place, and the specific details for the society. Perhaps I could share a few points with you now. If you find anything unsuitable, I can make revisions early."

While he was speaking, Xie Ming’an, who was behind them, discreetly placed a hand on Shen Ningning’s small shoulder. With a gentle tug, he peeled the little girl off Mo Lingwei.

"Huh??" Shen Ningning blinked her round, dark eyes.

She turned to look and saw it was Xie Ming’an.

"What are you doing, you annoying Second Brother? I was listening to the Crown Prince, Brother, and Third Brother talking."

Shen Ningning put her small hands on her hips, her lively, playful face puffed up in a huff. The tassels on her forehead swayed, glinting with a magnificent luster.

Xie Ming’an grabbed her by the wrist, his handsome face dark and grim.

"Come on. Second Brother has something to tell you. Let’s go over there and let Eldest Brother and the others discuss business with the Crown Prince."

With that, Shen Ningning was half-dragged, half-pulled away by Xie Ming’an.

Mo Lingwei’s deep, cool eyes followed the little girl’s figure. Then, he withdrew his gaze and let it fall on Xie Mingxu and Xu Jingxi before him.

He was shrewd, perceptive, and exceedingly intelligent.

How could he not see that the three brothers were coordinating with each other just to take Shen Ningning away?

"Tch." Mo Lingwei couldn’t help but scoff.

Xie Mingxu and Xu Jingxi lowered their heads, both tightening their lips in unison, appearing somewhat apprehensive.

Fortunately, Mo Lingwei had no intention of holding it against them.

"Weren’t you going to discuss official matters with Us? There’s a pavilion over there. Let’s sit and talk."

With that, he was the first to move, walking toward the pavilion.

"Yes." Xie Mingxu and Xu Jingxi exchanged a glance, each seeing the confusion in the other’s eyes.

’The Crown Prince isn’t angry?’

Meanwhile, Xie Ming’an had dragged Shen Ningning behind the Hall of Honored Years and into a quiet bamboo grove.

Shen Ningning couldn’t walk anymore and shook off his hand, panting.

"You annoying Second Brother! We’re already so far from the banquet. Where else are you trying to go?"

If they went any further, they would be leaving the grounds of the Hall of Honored Years.

Shen Ningning grumbled with a pout, shooting Xie Ming’an a couple of dirty looks.

Her skin was fair and delicate; Xie Ming’an had held her for so long that he’d left red marks.

Xie Ming’an had intended to keep a straight face and give his sister a stern lecture about the proper distance between men and women.

But when he saw the crimson marks on her snow-white wrist, he regretted using too much force.

Xie Ming’an turned back, carefully taking her wrist in his hands. His brow was still furrowed, but his tone softened.

"Does it hurt? Second Brother will be more careful next time. But you were out of line this time. How could you throw yourself into the Crown Prince’s arms in front of everyone?"

Shen Ningning pouted, the jeweled choker around her neck shimmering with an exquisite radiance.

"I’ve always been like this with him since we were children, and he’s never said I couldn’t."

"Nonsense! He’s a man," Xie Ming’an retorted, his brow knitted sternly.

Having been snapped at, Shen Ningning felt even more wronged and angry, and she pulled her hand back.

Xie Ming’an realized his mistake and paused for a moment. "I’m sorry. Second Brother won’t snap at you next time."

"Next time, next time, you always say ’next time’! Brother and Third Brother are much better than you! They never snap at me." Shen Ningning shot him a glare and turned to leave.

The bamboo grove was dense and had a simple, rustic charm. A man-made stream meandered through it, its clear water flowing with a gentle BABBLE, adding to the grove’s tranquility.

Xie Ming’an chased after Shen Ningning. The siblings argued all the way, she making her points, and he trying to coax her.

As they passed by a rockery, Xie Ming’an suddenly pulled Shen Ningning to a stop and ducked behind it.

"Wha—" Before she could finish, her second brother clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Shh," Xie Ming’an whispered, pulling his sister into his arms and hiding in a crevice of the rockery.

He pointed across from them.

Shen Ningning’s gaze passed through a hole in the rockery.

She saw an imperial concubine walking over.

Shen Ningning frowned, finding the person very familiar.

Not until Xie Ming’an leaned down and whispered in her ear, "It’s Princess Consort Qi."

Only then did Shen Ningning’s beautiful eyes widen in surprise.

’No wonder I didn’t recognize her!’

After Princess Consort Qi was struck by lightning, she lost all her hair. Five years had passed, and it had only just grown back to her shoulders.

Her face seemed to have changed as well. The scar from the lightning was right on the bridge of her nose.

For the sake of appearances, and to avoid being detested by the Emperor, Princess Consort Qi had many golden masks made to cover the twisted scar on her nose.

But this stripped her of her former gentleness, replacing it with a sinister air.

Her entire demeanor was completely different.

She had rarely shown her face in these five years. Even if she happened to run into Shen Ningning in the palace, Princess Consort Qi would lower her head and leave immediately.

She had been so quiet for so many years that the little girl had almost forgotten she existed.

However, she didn’t understand. ’Why do we have to hide just because we saw Princess Consort Qi?’

Shen Ningning soon understood.

Princess Consort Qi glanced around warily.

After a moment, she blew a whistle.

’Who is Princess Consort Qi summoning?’

Shen Ningning held her breath and watched as a tall man gradually appeared on the path leading to the bamboo grove.

He was wearing a dark blue, three-clawed python robe of a rank befitting a king or marquis. The color made his figure seem even taller and leaner, and his gaze was like a torch.

Xie Ming’an frowned. He said in a low voice, "It’s King Shu."

’King Shu! Mo Lingwei’s paternal uncle.’

’Why is he meeting secretly with Princess Consort Qi in a bamboo grove?’

"Jing Chun," King Shu called out her name from across the way, his eyes full of deep affection.

Princess Consort Qi turned and threw herself directly into his arms.

Shen Ningning was thunderstruck.

"Hong Guang, I’ve missed you so much," Princess Consort Qi choked out, leaning against his chest.

But King Shu pulled her from his embrace. He didn’t let go of her hand, simply remarking with emotion, "It’s been almost ten years since we last saw each other, hasn’t it? I heard you weren’t doing well. I wanted to come to the Capital City sooner to see you, but Yue He’s health has been poor, so I was delayed in returning until now."

Princess Consort Qi’s hands fell to her sides dejectedly. "It was presumptuous of me. Why would you come to the Capital City to see me? Taking care of the Princess Consort is what’s important. I’m not."

"Don’t be silly. Sigh... Now that I’m back, I find the Capital City unfamiliar everywhere I look. Only you make me feel at ease."

The two began to reminisce. Xie Ming’an’s first instinct was that something was wrong. He pulled on Shen Ningning’s little hand, signaling for them to leave.

However, as Xie Ming’an moved, he stepped on the soil soaked by the stream, making a soft SQUELCH.

"Who’s there!" King Shu bellowed.

Princess Consort Qi quickly jumped back, hastily wiping the tears from her eyes as a cold, murderous intent surged within them.

"Go and see for yourself," Princess Consort Qi said in a low voice.

King Shu strode toward the rockery.