Chapter 470: The Crown Prince’s Old Illness Relapses

Chapter 470: Chapter 470: The Crown Prince’s Old Illness Relapses

When Shen Ningning left the Qi Mansion, she promised Mrs. Qi that she would find a way to help Qi Xiuwei.

「Several days passed.」

The anniversary of the Empress’s death was approaching. The Emperor traveled incognito, bringing Mo Lingwei, King Shu, and Shen Ningning with him to the National Temple for a stay of several days.

The trip served two purposes. First, to pray for the late Empress. Second, the Emperor regularly burned incense to thank the heavens and pray that his son, Mo Lingwei, would not suffer a relapse of his old illness.

The road up the mountain was slick with mud, making the carriage’s ascent difficult.

Shen Ningning lifted the curtain and saw Chen Shaobei leading a contingent of soldiers, accompanied by Commander Lu and a stern-looking troop of the imperial guard. Her heart settled at the sight.

"That’s odd. I haven’t seen Lord Pei in a long time," she mused.

Mo Lingwei, who was sitting beside her reading a book, glanced up. His tone was deliberately cold. "What is it? Do you miss him?"

Shen Ningning blinked in surprise. "Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous, Brother. I just wanted to ask him about his feelings for Xiao Wei. They corresponded for so many years. I can’t believe Lord Pei doesn’t like her at all."

’If Pei Yin could lend a hand and help annul Qi Xiuwei’s engagement, Xiao Wei would be so happy.’

Mo Lingwei scoffed. "How much can he possibly like her? It’s been so long, and he still doesn’t even know who he’s been writing to. He’s a fool, if you ask me."

Shen Ningning tilted her head. Today, a few tassels were pinned amidst her jet-black hair.

They swayed with her movement, shimmering under the light.

"Brother, be honest. Did you give Lord Pei a hard time?"

"I did not." Mo Lingwei crossed his arms, his gaze dropping coldly back to his book, but he was too irritated to focus on the words.

Shen Ningning tugged on his sleeve. "Really? Then why can’t you look me in the eye and say it?"

Mo Lingwei’s head snapped up. "I did not."

However, he truly didn’t dare to meet her gaze.

Finally, he tossed the book aside and admitted with exasperation, "Why don’t you trust me? I just gave him a few Hidden Guards and told him to investigate for himself whether Liang Yuanzhong is worthy of Qi Xiuwei. It was supposed to be a good thing. How is that giving him a hard time?"

Shen Ningning’s eyes widened. "You’re making him investigate Liang Yuanzhong himself? That’s the Heir of Duke Changguo! What if Pei Yin’s movements are exposed and he’s..."

Before she could finish, Mo Lingwei had already covered her mouth with his hand.

His voice was low, and this time, he didn’t seem to be joking.

"If he likes Qi Xiuwei, he’ll know what to do. You don’t need to worry about him."

Shen Ningning blinked her long lashes innocently, her round eyes perfectly clear.

The strange spark of anger in Mo Lingwei’s heart was extinguished.

He pulled his hand back. "If you’re tired, you should get some sleep. We still have a way to go before we reach the National Temple."

Shen Ningning wasn’t tired. She was just looking at the Buddha Beads on his wrist.

Mo Lingwei hadn’t worn them in a long time. For this trip to pay respects to the heavens and the Empress, the Emperor had specifically instructed him to put them on.

The National Temple had been inspected and sealed off by the imperial guard three days prior, so there wasn’t a single worshipper in sight. When the Emperor’s party arrived, the abbot, an elderly master, was waiting at the entrance with a group of novice monks to greet them.

"Amitabha Buddha. This humble monk greets Your Majesty. The meditation quarters and all their furnishings have been prepared. Please, Your Majesty and all esteemed guests, come and rest."

The air was heavy and gloomy. Shen Ningning glanced up at the sky and saw thick, dark clouds gathering, looking as if a downpour was imminent.

Mo Lingwei naturally took her hand. "The mountain path is wet and slippery. I’ll guide you."

As they passed King Shu, Shen Ningning glanced up and saw the king give them a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

She frowned instinctively.

’I really don’t like that bad man.’

Mo Lingwei glanced around, raising a brow as he asked coldly, "Why isn’t my aunt here?"

"Your aunt isn’t feeling well, so naturally she couldn’t come," King Shu answered quickly.

For the time being, everyone went to the Great Hall to offer incense one by one.

Afterward, the Emperor went to rest, and Shen Ningning followed Mo Lingwei to his meditation quarters.

Mo Lingwei summoned Chen Shaobei, gave him a few quiet instructions, and sent him off to investigate.

In the afternoon, Chen Shaobei returned and reported to Mo Lingwei, "It is just as Your Highness, the Crown Prince, suspected. Princess Shu is being held in the mansion by King Shu. She is not ill. It appears King Shu is forbidding her from leaving."

Mo Lingwei’s breathing deepened, his narrow eyes churning with fury.

"To treat my aunt like this... he has completely ignored my warning."

Chen Shaobei added, "I also discovered something very strange. The household soldiers at the Prince Mansion have all but vanished."

As a Prince, King Shu had his own personal guard. These household soldiers were more skilled than common protectors and were typically responsible for guarding the Prince Mansion.

King Shu had about two hundred household soldiers, but when Chen Shaobei infiltrated the Shu Royal Mansion, he found hardly any of them on patrol.

’Where did they all go?’

Shen Ningning asked suspiciously, "Could they have been sent to escort the Ninth Prince out of the capital?"

A flash of disgust crossed Mo Lingwei’s eyes.

’His own uncle, yet he prefers the son of Princess Consort Qi.’

’How ridiculous.’

"Pay him no mind. Shaobei, arrange for more men to keep a close watch on King Shu."

"Understood." Chen Shaobei nodded.

Concerned for Shen Ningning’s safety, Chen Shaobei said, "I brought Jiang Zhi with me on this trip. Should I have her guard Miss Shen?"

Mo Lingwei’s brow furrowed. "Jiang Zhi is a man. That would be inconvenient. I brought several palace maids for Shen Ningning who know some martial arts."

But Shen Ningning quickly interjected, "It’s fine! I’m quite familiar with Brother Jiang. It would be great to have him here."

Mo Lingwei’s expression darkened. He was reluctant, but since Shen Ningning had spoken, he had no choice but to agree.

But he thought to himself, over and over again.

’Why does Shen Ningning have so many "brothers"? Brother Jiang, Lord Pei...’

’Am I not good enough for her? Why does she even need these people!’

After the evening meal, Shen Ningning returned to her room to rest.

Jiang Zhi entered from outside, her clothes misted with rain. Only then did the young girl realize it had started to rain.

Seeing her in a suit of armor, looking majestic and extraordinary, her features seemed even more valiant.

The years of training had given Jiang Zhi an even calmer and more composed demeanor.

"Ningning!" Jiang Zhi was overjoyed to see her.

Her training was usually so demanding that she rarely had the chance to return to Xiangyun Village to see Shen Ningning. She was quite surprised that Chen Shaobei had brought her along this time.

"Jiang—" The young girl almost blurted out the word "sister." She glanced at the palace maid by the door and covered her awkwardness with a wide smile. "Brother Jiang, I’m entrusting my safety to you this time."

Jiang Zhi immediately grew serious and saluted. "I will not fail in my duty."

Before bed, Shen Ningning walked out onto the covered veranda and looked up at the oppressive, dark sky.

The rain fell harder and harder, drumming against the eaves with a sound like popping firecrackers. Soon, streams of water began to converge and snake their way down the mountainside.

The National Temple was nestled amidst a range of continuous mountains. For some reason, Shen Ningning felt a sense of unease.

Because of this, she left a lamp lit when she went to sleep and instructed Jiang Zhi, "Don’t stray too far from the courtyard. If you spot anyone suspicious, don’t go after them alone."

Jiang Zhi nodded in agreement.

However, Shen Ningning had not been asleep for long before she was startled awake by frantic pounding on her door.

"This is bad, Ningning!" Jiang Zhi’s voice called out. "The Crown Prince’s old illness has relapsed! The Emperor requests your presence to help!"