Free Web NovelChapter 144: Chapter 144: From Village Chief to County Lord, Promoted Again
Before the Prime Minister could get a clear look, the Emperor shifted slightly, accidentally blocking his view.
"Ningning, you truly are a little lucky star!"
"I’ve long heard that you built a tea shed outside the city, taking in those refugees and even helping to treat their injuries."
"Today, you performed an even greater service by saving the Crown Prince. I must reward you handsomely!"
The Emperor summoned a eunuch to draft an oral edict.
He first bestowed upon Shen Ningning the title of Princess Funing.
The civil and military officials were all quite surprised.
In less than half a month, this Shen Ningning had gone from a commoner to a County Lord!
Now, not only would half of the village’s annual labor tax be paid to this little girl...
Even Guangyang County and Yu’an County, the two largest counties under the Capital City, would now have to honor Princess Funing.
Most importantly, if she continued to distinguish herself for another couple of years, the next step would be Commandery Princess.
The way the officials looked at the little girl changed.
Her meteoric rise was only a matter of time.
The Emperor was still saying happily, "Before, it was fifty dan of grain a month. I’m raising it to one hundred dan of grain a month for you!"
When he finished speaking, he caught sight of the Black Wolf King sticking close to Shen Ningning.
He laughed heartily. "I almost forgot about your wolf companion! I hereby grant it the title of Grand Marshal Wolf King, with a monthly stipend of fifty pounds of large bones!"
A smile bloomed on Shen Ningning’s little face as she hugged the Black Wolf King’s neck tightly.
"Langlang, from now on, you’ll be getting a government stipend every month too!"
The Black Wolf King was confused. "AWOO?"
’A mere fifty pounds of big bones? Won’t I finish that in two days?’
Hearing her soft, sweet voice, the Prime Minister quietly moved out from behind the Emperor, intending to get a good look at Shen Ningning.
But to his surprise, just as he moved, Minister Wei stepped forward and blocked his view once again!
The Prime Minister’s elegant features darkened, a flicker of angry displeasure in his eyes.
Minister Wei was heard saying, "Your Majesty, while Funing Village Chief deserves a reward for saving His Highness the Crown Prince, she has made no contribution to the court. To make her a County Lord directly... will the people accept it?"
"Who objects?" the Emperor asked, eyeing him sideways. "Is it you who objects, Minister Wei?"
Minister Wei hastily bowed his head, his hands clasped. "I wouldn’t dare."
The Emperor snorted. "Simply for taking in refugees and solving the major problem of them gathering outside the city, she deserves this reward."
"She used all of her own grain stipend to help the poor and the refugees. If it were you, could you do the same?"
Minister Wei gave a hollow laugh. "In that case, making her Princess Funing is what the people want. I dare not object further."
He cursed inwardly, ’It’s all because the Emperor favors the Crown Prince. She saved Mo Lingwei’s life, and now he wants to elevate her entire family, down to their chickens and dogs!’
Wei Yufu had already recovered from her shock.
She stared at Shen Ningning in disbelief.
This poor orphan, who supposedly grew up in the mountains, had suddenly transformed into the most favored girl by Crown Prince Brother’s side!
Previously, Wei Yufu had never given her a second thought. But now, hearing how much even the Emperor doted on her, she could no longer contain herself.
She sized up Shen Ningning with a cold gaze.
’She’s certainly cute and cherubic, but that’s it. She couldn’t possibly compare to someone of my own noble birth.’
Suddenly.
Wei Yufu stared at Shen Ningning’s clothes.
A patch on the inside of her sleeve, untouched by the black soot, revealed a golden color.
She jumped in shock and blurted out, "How can you wear a robe of red gold?!"
The entire hall fell silent as all eyes turned to Shen Ningning.
The little one blinked her big, round eyes and looked down at her half-burnt, blackened clothes.
But in some places, the original color of the fabric was still visible.
The Prime Minister used his folding fan to push aside the view-blocking Minister Wei, finally getting an unobstructed view of Shen Ningning.
The little girl’s face was still smudged with soot, so her original appearance couldn’t be seen.
But for some unknown reason, the moment the Prime Minister saw her, his heart clenched. His brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze followed her intently.
Shen Ningning said curiously, "Brother told me to wear this."
Wei Yufu was relentless, her tone severe. "His Highness the Crown Prince is approachable, but how can you be so ignorant of the rules?"
"In our Cangyun Country, only the Emperor, the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are allowed to wear red gold!"
"Who do you think you are, daring to parade around in such a color? Take it off this instant."
’Finally, I’ve found an outlet.’
’I knew it. How could someone with a background like Shen Ningning’s possibly compare to me?’
’She doesn’t even know the rules. Just a country girl who got lucky, that’s all.’
Wei Yufu had just finished speaking when Mo Lingwei looked at her coldly. "Have you said enough?"
"I gave her the clothes. I told her to wear them, so she can wear them."
Wei Yufu was taken aback, feeling wronged. "But Your Highness, she..."
Seeing things were taking a bad turn, Minister Wei quickly grabbed his daughter.
He offered a placating smile. "A fine gift from Your Highness. Princess Funing truly does suit this color."
Wei Yufu was indignant. ’Why is Father siding with Shen Ningning too?’
But in the end, seeing the terrifying coldness in Mo Lingwei’s eyes, Wei Yufu clenched her jaw and shut her mouth.
Minister Wei inwardly called his daughter a fool.
’Ever since they saw Shen Ningning wearing red gold, the Emperor had only narrowed his eyes. He didn’t say a word against it.’
’That means he tacitly approved. Anyone else who made a fuss about it would just be asking for trouble!’
’Shutting up was the sensible thing to do.’
Sure enough, seeing that Wei Yufu was no longer causing a scene, the Emperor’s expression improved slightly.
He spoke again, "The hour is late. We should be returning to the palace."
"Ling Wei, I dismissed the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet to search for you. Even though you’re alright, you should still return to the palace and have the Imperial Physician give you a thorough examination."
"As for Ningning, I will have Chen Shaobei escort her back with some men. How does that sound?"
Mo Lingwei coolly refused, "I’m taking her to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival."
The Emperor was stunned.
Shen Ningning quickly tugged on Mo Lingwei’s sleeve.
"Brother, you should go back to the palace first. I left in such a hurry that I didn’t tell Grandma. She’s probably worried about me already."
"I’ll go home first too. I’ll visit you another day. You have to take good care of yourself!"
The little girl was so sensible. She had been eagerly looking forward to eating pastries at the palace, but hearing the Emperor’s words, she put Mo Lingwei’s health first.
Everyone saw the young Crown Prince squat down, his tone gradually softening as he spoke to her.
"Alright then. I’ll go back to the palace first. In a couple of days, I’ll send someone to pick you up."
"I’ll have someone prepare the pastries and mooncakes in the palace for you, so you can have them fresh when you arrive."
Shen Ningning’s eyes lit up, and she smiled sweetly. "Okay!"
Only then did Mo Lingwei leave with the Emperor and the others, instructing Chen Shaobei that he must see the little one safely home before leaving.
Wei Yufu had wanted to stay behind and give Shen Ningning a hard time, but she was dragged away by Minister Wei.
’The Emperor’s eyes are everywhere right now. This is definitely not the right time.’
After they had all left, just as Shen Ningning was about to board the carriage, a voice called out from behind—
"County Lord, please wait."
Chen Shaobei, who was holding the curtain for Shen Ningning, turned around and immediately bowed respectfully with clasped hands. "Prime Minister."
The little girl peered behind her. A tall, slender man stood there. He had gentle, refined features and an aura as profound and placid as jade. He looked to be over thirty.
Shen Ningning quietly pulled back the little foot that was about to step onto the carriage and greeted him in a soft, sweet voice, "Hello, Uncle Prime Minister."
