Free Web NovelChapter 163: Chapter 163: Promoted Again to Commandery Princess
The Emperor acted swiftly, handling the matter with decisive efficiency.
As Mo Changgong was dragged away, his heart-rending cries faded until they could no longer be heard.
Seeing the dark clouds gathered on the Emperor’s face, all the officials lowered their heads in trepidation.
In the past, the Emperor had been extremely indulgent toward the Crown Prince. But ever since the Crown Prince had severed the Sixth Prince’s tendons, the Emperor, unable to bring himself to punish the Crown Prince, had developed a greater sense of pity for the Sixth Prince instead.
Besides, the Sixth Prince was his own flesh and blood.
Therefore, as long as the Sixth Prince did not go too far, the Emperor would spare his life, no matter the circumstances.
Mo Lingwei took Shen Ningning’s hand. His gaze swept around the hall as he said coolly, "There’s nothing left for us here. I’ll see you out of the palace."
Standing among the officials, Xie Mingxu watched Shen Ningning’s expression for a moment longer.
"Wait." The Emperor suddenly spoke, stopping them from leaving.
Mo Lingwei furrowed his brow and glanced to the side. "Imperial Father, is there something else?"
The Emperor closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Since Ningning is a true blessed girl, We must not slight her. Guards, send an order to the Astronomical Bureau. Have them select an auspicious date next month. We shall bestow upon the little girl Ningning the title of Commandery Princess."
Princess Funing!
The surrounding officials were in an uproar.
The Wei Family had just been uprooted, yet the Emperor was already rushing to announce Shen Ningning’s new title. This was his way of indirectly telling everyone that being one of the Crown Prince’s people came with preferential treatment.
Grandma Qin felt a little uneasy. Although she was not well-read, she understood a simple truth: rising to prominence too quickly often led to disastrous consequences.
"Your Majesty," Grandma Qin said, walking forward and kneeling. "Ningning is just a child. It was merely a coincidence that the heavens took pity and sent the great rain. The rewards you have already given are more than generous enough."
The Emperor quickly extended a hand to help Grandma Qin to her feet.
"Mrs. Qin Sr., you are being too modest. Ningning’s ability to summon rain is by no means luck. She is a true, genuine blessed girl! Therefore, she is more than worthy of the title We intend to bestow."
Faced with such imperial grace, Grandma Qin could not refuse again. She could only look at Shen Ningning. "Ningning, quick, thank the Emperor."
The little one had no concept of what a Commandery Princess was. She could only blink her big eyes and curtsy. "Thank you, Uncle Emperor."
The ceremony for investing a Commandery Princess was complex, because from that rank onward, one’s name had to be recorded on the official imperial scroll.
The Astronomical Bureau had to not only calculate the most auspicious date and time but also prepare the items for the sacrificial rites.
The Emperor ordered the Chief Eunuch to bring a brocade box. "This is a piece of exquisite jade, presented as tribute by Tibet during the last New Year festival. We give this to you. It represents that in Our eyes, Ningning, you are the most honored of Commandery Princesses."
These days, the Emperor had few surviving brothers. There were only a handful of old Princes, each living in their own fiefdom.
And Shen Ningning, though not of royal blood, was the first Commandery Princess of the princes’ generation to be formally invested, having earned the title fair and square through her own merit.
The officials present couldn’t help but see Shen Ningning in a new, higher light.
With these words from the Emperor, Princess Funing’s future status would be worlds apart from what it had been.
Shen Ningning held the brocade box, her round face wreathed in a sweet smile. "Thank you, Uncle!"
’Jade! I absolutely love it,’ she thought, ’because my Immortal Realm loves to eat it!’
As the banquet was drawing to a close, Mo Lingwei asked Shen Ningning to stay behind.
"I’ve arranged for someone to take Grandma Qin to Purple Cloud Palace to rest. You, bring the Little White Wolf and come with me."
Shen Ningning was filled with curiosity. "Where are we going?"
Mo Lingwei chuckled. "You’ll know when we get there."
And so, Shen Ningning brought not only the Little White Wolf, but also the Black Wolf King, Wolf Three, and Wolf Four.
Under the moonlit sky, a layer of bright frost coated the ground, and a crisp autumn chill filled the air.
The great rain Shen Ningning had summoned had thoroughly drenched the Capital City, and it seemed as if the summer heat had vanished in an instant, ushering in late autumn.
Mo Lingwei brought her to the Liger Garden.
"Do you remember those skinny wolves from the first time I brought you here?"
Shen Ningning thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up. "I remember! You also said you brought those wolves back from a hunt."
Mo Lingwei nodded lightly. "That’s right. At first, I thought the escaped white wolf was their king. It was only after hearing what you said in the main hall that I began to suspect those wolves might be its family."
As they spoke, the Little White Wolf seemed to catch a scent.
It paced back and forth outside the tightly shut gates of the Liger Garden, letting out low whines.
Mo Lingwei nodded to a palace attendant. "Open the gate. Let it go in and see."
"Yes, sir." A eunuch pulled the gates open from both sides, and the Little White Wolf rushed in eagerly.
The skinny wolves were still locked in their cage. Usually listless all day, they were now pacing excitedly back and forth.
The Little White Wolf called out through the bars of the cage. The other wolves crowded close, rubbing their faces against its.
Shen Ningning’s round face was filled with delight. "It’s his family!"
Mo Lingwei smiled. "Go on, open the cage and let them reunite."
The palace attendant did as instructed, and the Black Wolf King, along with Wolf Three and Wolf Four, immediately moved to stand in front of Shen Ningning.
It was pure instinct. The new wolves were not part of their pack, so they had to be on guard in case they suddenly attacked.
But thankfully, as soon as they were out of the cage, the skinny wolves tumbled into a playful pile with the Little White Wolf.
Their excited howls drew the attention of the tigers and lions in the neighboring cages.
Shen Ningning watched, her gaze full of emotion. "Xiao Bai is so happy. He’s finally reunited with his younger brothers and sisters."
After a moment, the Little White Wolf led the skinny wolves over to Shen Ningning and Mo Lingwei.
They lay prostrate on the ground, and the Little White Wolf wagged its tail.
Shen Ningning smiled sweetly, her eyes twinkling like stars. "Big Brother, he’s thanking you!"
Mo Lingwei raised an eyebrow. "You’re welcome."
’In the past,’ he mused, ’I would have had no interest in helping a wolf reunite with its family.’
’But if it involved Shen Ningning, it was no longer just about a wolf.’
Shen Ningning crouched down, stroking the Little White Wolf’s head.
"Xiao Bai, Big Brother is here to make the decision for you. He will definitely let your younger brothers and sisters return to the forests. If you don’t want to stay cooped up in the manor with them and would rather return to the mountains where you used to live, I’ll support your decision too."
The Little White Wolf glanced back at its frail younger siblings.
Finally, with a hesitant gaze, it looked toward the Black Wolf King.
The Black Wolf King sat beside Shen Ningning like a silent, formidable mountain, its deep yellow eyes filled with wisdom and calm.
Noticing the Little White Wolf’s gaze, Shen Ningning turned to the Black Wolf King. "Langlang, can you take his family in?"
The Black Wolf King looked the skinny wolves up and down, scrutinizing them.
Then, it stepped forward to sniff them carefully. Perhaps it was its powerful aura, or its robust physique, but the skinny young wolves couldn’t stop trembling in fear.
Finally, the Black Wolf King looked at the Little White Wolf and let out a series of sharp barks, making a demand.
He demanded that the Little White Wolf keep its younger siblings in line. If they were to join the Black Wolf King’s pack, they had to obey his rules.
And his primary rule was that, under no circumstances, were they ever to harm Shen Ningning or anyone she cared for.
Furthermore, they were to protect her with their very lives.
