Chapter 454: The State Preceptor and Princess Consort Qi’s Conspiracy

Chapter 454: Chapter 454: The State Preceptor and Princess Consort Qi’s Conspiracy

The guards gave him a cursory examination. It seemed this Master Gu had fainted from hunger. As for why he was here, and how he came to possess something belonging to Shen Ningning’s mother, they would only find out after he woke up.

Shen Ningning asked Mo Lingwei to help her bring the man back to the Capital City.

By the time they returned to the village, it was almost midnight.

Village Chief Wang couldn’t sleep a wink. The entire village had heard that the Crown Prince and the Princess had gone to find the monster, so everyone gathered at the chief’s house, anxious to see what would happen.

Everyone was filled with dread, terrified that the monster had harmed the Crown Prince and the Princess. If the royal pair were to die here, it would be a greater disaster for Pingyuan Village than any plague of locusts.

To their utter astonishment, the two returned unharmed.

The villagers erupted in relieved cheers. Along with an emotional Village Chief Wang, they rushed over and swarmed around Mo Lingwei and Shen Ningning.

"Village Chief, there’s no monster on the mountain, only a cave." Shen Ningning clearly explained to the crowd why villagers fainted whenever they got near.

The two villagers who had entered the mountain with them nodded in agreement.

"It’s just as the Princess said. It was a banyan tree and a floral scent that makes people lose consciousness. We were able to get past by covering our mouths and noses."

’That limestone cave hidden in the mountain is a perfect natural refuge,’ Shen Ningning thought.

Village Chief Wang patted his chest. "As long as there’s no monster, that’s what matters. And thank goodness Your Highnesses are safe."

A villager asked, puzzled, "If there’s no monster, then where did the cries we heard come from?"

Shen Ningning blinked her large eyes. "It came from the limestone cave. The wind howls loudly in there, and the cave amplifies the sound, making it seem distant and muffled. That’s why you thought it was a monster’s cry."

Understanding dawned on the crowd.

Mo Lingwei didn’t even have to ask this time. He knew. ’All this fascinating knowledge she has, things none of us have ever heard of... it must have come from her mother, Shen Siyi.’

A villager in Pingyuan Village with some medical knowledge gave Master Gu a simple examination.

He had scrapes and bruises of varying severity, but the main reason for his coma was likely prolonged starvation.

Shen Ningning asked Village Chief Wang to feed him some millet broth, but by the next day, Master Gu still hadn’t woken up.

Since there was nothing else to be done, and Shen Ningning had a stomach full of questions for him, she had no choice but to bring him back to the Capital City.

They left Pingyuan Village first thing in the morning.

Shen Ningning had Master Gu settled in her Princess Mansion, with dedicated attendants to watch over and care for him, as well as a physician.

The young girl instructed her servants to watch Master Gu closely and to inform her the moment he woke up.

After returning to the palace, Mo Lingwei went straight to the Imperial Study Room.

He had just stepped inside when he saw the State Preceptor in a private discussion with the Emperor.

"Whatever you’re discussing can wait. My business is more important. Hear me out first." Mo Lingwei interrupted them without preamble.

He looked at the Emperor. "I’ve been to Pingyuan Village. Now give me the Purple Jade Bell."

The Emperor was taken aback. "So soon? Are the villagers all right?"

"Shen Ningning gave them new grain seeds. They seem to be doing fine." Mo Lingwei paused, but he did not mention that they had rescued someone.

The Emperor had thought that sending Mo Lingwei to such a place would test his patience.

He hadn’t expected his son to seem so patient upon his return.

The Emperor, in a pleasant mood, chuckled and ordered the Chief Eunuch to open his private treasury. He then gave the box containing the Purple Jade Bell to Mo Lingwei.

Mo Lingwei took it and turned to leave.

The Emperor called out after him, "Send Ningning my regards, and my thanks! Tell her she has worked hard."

Mo Lingwei glanced back. "If you want to thank her, issue a decree. Reward her with some jade; she likes that. Don’t be stingy."

With that, he departed briskly.

The Emperor stared after him for a moment, then fumed, "That unfilial son!"

The State Preceptor had been standing to the side with his head bowed, silent. Only after Mo Lingwei was gone did he speak again.

"Your Majesty, you must seriously consider the matter I was just discussing. I observed the celestial signs last night and found the Emperor’s star has dimmed. I fear more natural disasters are coming."

The Emperor’s brow furrowed, his expression turning truly solemn.

"You’ve said this before. But no matter the hardship, We have overcome it with Ningning’s help. Your previous suggestion—to follow ancient rites and sacrifice the blessed girl to the heavens by throwing her into a cauldron—We find it highly inappropriate, and rather cruel. We are talking about Ningning, after all."

Over the years, Shen Ningning had visited the palace quite often and had naturally spent a good deal of time with the Emperor.

Over time, the Emperor had gradually come to realize that the young girl was clever and quick-witted. Not only could she help him, but she also made his son happy.

’Why would I even consider the State Preceptor’s cruel suggestion to sacrifice her to the heavens?’

The Emperor added in a low voice, "Besides, We believe that no matter what disaster may come, Ningning will find a way to handle it. Moreover, Ling Wei’s illness has not flared up in a very long time."

"In Our eyes, Ningning is truly a star of fortune. And such a star must be kept close and treated well."

The State Preceptor was taken aback and hastily tried to persuade him, "But, Your Majesty..."

But the Emperor, already growing impatient, cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Enough! Say no more! We have not blamed you before, but your astrological predictions have been hit-or-miss. If you lack the skill, then you should resign and return home to retire. Now leave! We have important matters to attend to!"

Seeing the Emperor’s firm stance, the State Preceptor could only retreat for the time being.

But he did not leave the palace grounds. Instead, he took a secluded path that led toward the outside of Princess Consort Qi’s residence.

As it happened, Princess Consort Qi was just stepping out to admire the flowers. She spotted the State Preceptor’s figure from a distance, passing by the courtyard’s back gate.

Her brow furrowed. She turned and gave an order to the palace maid beside her.

"The summer heat is oppressive. Go back to the hall and fetch some silk fans and paper umbrellas. Prepare some cool drinks as well."

"Yes, Your Highness." The palace maids withdrew.

Princess Consort Qi hurried to the back gate of the courtyard. The State Preceptor stood in the shadows of the flowers, his expression grim.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has been completely won over by that blessed girl. I urge you to make the Crown Prince’s old illness relapse now."

Princess Consort Qi’s brow tightened, and her expression turned frosty.

"I cannot do it right now. We must wait longer."

The State Preceptor grew anxious, thinking she was just making excuses.

"Do not forget, you promised to cooperate with me from within, to help Changliu Country seize power. That is the only reason I have helped you on multiple occasions. The arrow is already on the bowstring; it must be released! We only need two more natural disasters to bring Cangyun Country to its knees. When Changliu Country occupies the Capital City, I will ensure the Great Sun King grants you and the King of Shu a favorable position."

A vicious glint flashed in Princess Consort Qi’s eyes as she snapped back, "What’s your hurry! Our most urgent task is to deal with Shen Ningning. I told you before, your failure to convince the Emperor to sacrifice her was a mistake. Keeping her around will only ruin our plans."

The State Preceptor’s expression darkened, and he fell silent, pondering a counter-strategy with Princess Consort Qi.

Just then, a palace maid approached from behind. "Your Highness, another letter has arrived from your family."

Princess Consort Qi’s eyes lit up. "I have an idea. Go back for now. When I need your cooperation, I will find you. Be patient."

With that, she turned and left in a hurry.

After reading the letter from her family, the cold sneer in Princess Consort Qi’s eyes grew even more pronounced.

’My mother... she’s just wonderful, isn’t she?’ Even now, she never forgot to use the past to threaten her.

Princess Consort Qi folded the letter twice, held it to a candle flame, and burned it to ash.

"Since they’re so eager for Qi Xiuwei to enter the palace and enjoy its splendor and riches, then I shall grant their wish."