Chapter 561: She and I Are the Most Suitable

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: She and I Are the Most Suitable

Ye Shangyi had already recovered, retorting in astonishment, "I didn’t know you were behind me—I don’t have eyes in the back of my head. Besides, there’s so much empty space around. Why did you have to fix your kite in a blind spot right behind me? What were your real intentions?"

Meng Wanning’s eyes reddened slightly at her words.

Chen Shaobei, standing beside Mo Lingwei, worried the Crown Prince might get angry. After all, everyone knew he cared more about matters concerning Shen Ningning than anything else.

For the kite to be crushed, especially at such a significant moment, there was no telling if Mo Lingwei would see it as an inauspicious omen.

"Your Highness, this was likely just an accident."

"I can see it was an accident." Mo Lingwei glanced at him, his expression remarkably calm.

He had no intention of pursuing the matter because he also felt that Ye Shangyi hadn’t done it on purpose.

Xu Jingxi, a man of few words, couldn’t help but speak up coolly, "It’s just flying a kite. Isn’t it a bit much for you to write my sister’s and the Crown Prince’s names on it?"

The implication was clear: What business was it of hers?

With reddened eyes, Meng Wanning looked at Xu Jingxi and said, "I admit, I may have been meddling, but I just can’t accept it."

"The Princess and the Crown Prince used to be so close. Didn’t everyone in the Capital City privately say they would become a perfect couple?"

"Now that I see the Princess is going to marry someone else, of course I feel it’s a pity. That’s why I wanted to fly a kite to pray for a happy union between the Princess and the Crown Prince. At most, I was being presumptuous, but Miss Ye crushed the kite and didn’t even say sorry."

Ye Shangyi had an impulsive nature.

Provoked by Meng Wanning’s words, she grew hot-headed and blurted out, "Ningning is about to be engaged to Lu Shaoyuan, yet you’re writing her name with the Crown Prince’s. This is absurd!"

The moment she said this, it was as if she had touched a dragon’s reverse scale. Mo Lingwei, who had not intended to get involved, turned to Ye Shangyi, his eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous light.

Qi Xiuwei immediately stepped forward and tugged on Ye Shangyi’s sleeve.

"No matter how you look at it, you can’t blame Changyi for this. Miss Meng, don’t be sad that your kite was crushed. You can have mine. I haven’t written a name on it yet, so feel free to take it."

Her voice was gentle and she seemed approachable, but Meng Wanning knew that Qi Xiuwei was much harder to deal with.

Among Shen Ningning’s group of friends, Ye Shangyi was the easiest to provoke.

Out of the corner of her reddened eyes, Meng Wanning glanced at Mo Lingwei’s icy expression.

She lowered her head and choked out, "Since Miss Ye, as the Princess’s best friend, has said so, then of course I dare not object. I suppose I was just being a busybody."

Xu Jingxi was already holding Ye Shangyi back, but she couldn’t stand the sight of Meng Wanning’s tearful act. She stubbornly craned her neck and said angrily:

"You always put on that innocent act, as if everyone is bullying you. It’s just a kite, but you’re making such a huge fuss over it. Did you really think I couldn’t see through you?"

"You’re not doing this for Ningning and the Crown Prince’s sake at all. You’re clearly using Ningning’s name to suck up to the Crown Prince, and now you have the nerve to blame me. You’re shameless!"

Their argument gradually attracted a crowd of onlookers.

Today was the Shangsi Festival, an especially important holiday in Cangyun Country.

Most of the young masters and ladies in the Peach Blossom Forest came from noble and powerful families, so of course they recognized the people involved.

After hearing Ye Shangyi’s words, they began to whisper amongst themselves.

Just then, Mo Lingwei’s voice cut through, deep and cold. "Are you saying that because Shen Ningning is to be engaged to Lu Shaoyuan, my name cannot appear with hers on a kite? Is that it?"

Ye Shangyi froze. She looked back at Mo Lingwei. "Your Highness, I... that’s not what I meant! I was talking about Meng Wanning, she..."

"I heard your words perfectly clearly just now. There is no need for you to explain." Mo Lingwei cut her off coolly.

Meng Wanning walked behind Mo Lingwei, crying, and wiped away her tears.

"Your Highness, Wanning was in the wrong. I shouldn’t have taken it upon myself to write your and the Princess’s names on the kite. Miss Ye was right to scold me."

After speaking, she looked at Ye Shangyi. Her tone was seemingly sincere and earnest, but her eyes held a hidden provocation.

"Miss Ye, if scolding me makes you feel better, then please, go ahead."

Ye Shangyi grew frantic. "You—!"

Xu Jingxi grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her behind him.

Then, Xu Jingxi clasped his hands in a salute to Mo Lingwei. "Crown Prince, Miss Ye is frank and outspoken, but she meant no harm. I ask that you not hold it against her."

Chen Shaobei also tried to smooth things over. "His Highness won’t get angry over this. It’s just that Miss Meng was too careless. Next time, please don’t let your good intentions cause trouble and make things awkward for everyone."

His words were like a slap in the face to Meng Wanning. Her face paled, and she shot Chen Shaobei a resentful glare.

Qi Xiuwei and Liang Yici moved to Ye Shangyi’s side as everyone stealthily watched Mo Lingwei’s expression.

This Crown Prince, who now wielded immense power, wore a vermilion outer robe emblazoned with golden dragons. Beneath the golden crown that bound his hair, his sharp brows were knitted with frost, and his narrow eyes radiated a biting chill.

Ye Shangyi’s words just now had truly provoked him.

The surrounding onlookers also felt the intense, oppressive atmosphere.

"Chen Shaobei," Mo Lingwei said suddenly, his voice utterly serious and calm.

Chen Shaobei’s smile vanished. He bowed with clasped hands. "Your subject is here."

Mo Lingwei clasped his hands behind his back. "Buy every kite here that doesn’t have a name on it. You can withdraw the Silver Taels from Zichen Palace afterward."

Chen Shaobei froze, looking up. "Your Highness, what are we going to do with so many kites?"

"Write my name and Shen Ningning’s on all of them, and have everyone fly them for good fortune." Mo Lingwei’s tone was exceptionally cold and calm, but his words made everyone’s eyes go wide.

A flash of hesitation crossed Meng Wanning’s eyes.

’The Crown Prince... Is he openly declaring that he’s going to steal Lu Shaoyuan’s bride?’

Chen Shaobei frowned. He wanted to advise against it but didn’t know where to begin.

Mo Lingwei glanced at him sideways. "Go now. Don’t make me punish you."

"Yes..." Chen Shaobei had no choice but to obey.

The poor festival-goers. They had all come here in high spirits, eager to fly their own kites, but now they were being conscripted to support the Crown Prince’s campaign to steal a bride.

One could only wonder what Princess Funing would think if she were to see this scene.

Xu Jingxi stepped forward to reason with him. "Your Highness! I can see your devotion to my sister, but I’m afraid this course of action is rather inappropriate."

"Inappropriate?" Mo Lingwei raised an eyebrow, watching as the kites bearing his and Shen Ningning’s names were released into the sky one by one.

The deep furrow in his brow relaxed slightly, and his narrow eyes revealed a look of unrestrained pride.

"I think it’s perfectly fine."

Xu Jingxi could say no more and could only sigh to himself.

「Meanwhile.」

Shen Ningning was in a village hut, feeding Grandma Qin.

Grandma Qin was leaning against the bed, smiling. "Ningning, I only hurt my right hand. My left hand still works. There’s no need for you to feed me."

"But the doctor said you need to rest quietly, Grandma. And I already told you, if you need anything, you can ask Brother Chen for help. Why did you have to chop the firewood yourself?" Shen Ningning said, feeding Grandma Qin a spoonful of soft, fragrant rice with steamed egg custard.

Grandma Qin had needed firewood and decided to chop it herself with an axe. But the axe head came loose, and when she instinctively reached out to catch it, the sharp blade sliced her palm.

As they were talking, Sister-in-law Liu’s son, Hu Zi, ran in, panting.

"Little Wolf Sister, Little Wolf Sister, come quick and look at the hillside! The sky is full of kites with your name on them!"