Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 187: Floating Light Tower
The Floating Light Tower stood at the center of the Capital City, and it was also the tallest building in the city.
It had four floors, with openwork carvings on all four sides from which fine Mermaid Silk hung. The structure was built from the highest quality Purple Sandalwood, and upon entering, one could smell the refreshing fragrance of sandalwood.
From the top of the Floating Light Tower, one could look out over the city. To the left were the sprawling markets, and to the right, the bustling traffic. Above, the sun, moon, and stars shone year-round, and below, grand official residences were packed tightly together, a sea of dignitaries’ carriages passing by.
"Wow~" The moment Shen Ningning reached the fourth floor, she eagerly rushed to the railing to look out.
A clear breeze accompanied the bright moon, and the cool autumn wind gently swept across the little girl’s pretty, porcelain-like face.
She looked up at the vast river of stars and suddenly pointed happily at the sky, saying, "The Big Dipper!"
Mo Lingwei stood beside her, looking up as well.
In the sky, a few stars were exceptionally bright, connecting north and south in a brilliant display of white light.
He glanced at it for a moment and said, "The handle of the Dipper points west, meaning autumn has come to the world. Autumn is on its way."
Shen Ningning rubbed her shoulders with her small hands. "Ooh, no wonder it’s a little chilly."
Mo Lingwei chuckled. The next second, his outer robe was draped over the little girl, covering her completely.
"Wear this," he said.
The two returned to the table, where Palace Attendants had already prepared a feast of fine food and wine.
Shen Ningning had just sat down when she suddenly felt someone tugging at the outer robe on her shoulders from both the left and the right.
Looking to her sides, she saw Xie Mingxu and the Black Wolf King pulling at her clothes at the same time.
Xie Mingxu said lightly, "The Crown Prince’s outer robe is embroidered with a dragon motif. It’s against etiquette for you to wear it. Take it off and wear mine."
On her other side, the Black Wolf King was biting the robe’s sleeve. It simply didn’t like Mo Lingwei’s clothes.
’If his precious Xiao Ningning was cold, she could just hug him! She didn’t need to wear that stinky boy’s outer robe!’
Before it could pull the robe off, Mo Lingwei had already placed a hand on Shen Ningning’s shoulder.
"I, the Crown Prince, have granted her an exception. Who dares say it is inappropriate?" After speaking, he looked down at Shen Ningning. "Keep it on."
Then, he sat down to the little girl’s right, while Xie Mingxu was on her left. The Black Wolf King, in turn, lay down in front of Shen Ningning.
Lu Shaoyuan, sitting across from them, felt awkward.
He had just wanted to lend his own outer robe to Shen Ningning as well, but when he went to take it off, he realized his clothes were too thin today; he wasn’t wearing an outer robe.
Chen Shaobei and Jiang Zhi silently watched the people at the table.
’They’re all competing to dote on the child...’
Completely oblivious, Shen Ningning wrapped Mo Lingwei’s robe tightly around herself, her watery eyes sparkling. "Is everyone hungry? Let’s eat~"
Mo Lingwei nodded, and only then did everyone dare to raise their cups.
"Wait!" Shen Ningning’s soft, sweet voice rang out, and everyone looked at her.
The little girl craned her neck, her gaze sweeping around the table. Confusion gradually appeared on her small face.
"How come all of your cups are filled with clear wine, but mine has milk?"
She even looked down and saw a bowl placed in front of the Black Wolf King, which also contained a little bit of fragrant wine.
Mo Lingwei said, "You are not old enough to drink alcohol."
Lu Shaoyuan laughed heartily. "It’ll be fine once you’re a little older."
But Xie Mingxu said impassively, "Even when you’re older, it’s not a good idea. A young lady shouldn’t drink much when she’s out, or else she might get taken advantage of."
Shen Ningning couldn’t win the argument against them and could only hang her little head. "Okay..."
’Milk is fine, too. I’ll just drink lots and lots of it!’
"Cheers!" The little girl smiled sweetly and cutely, raising her cup.
Everyone clinked their cups. Chen Shaobei said with a smile, "A toast to Miss Shen and Second Young Master Lu for finishing their exams."
Shen Ningning drained her milk in one gulp, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Whether I pass or not, a huge weight is off my mind! My next wish is to find my parents and live a good life with Grandma and Langlang!"
The Black Wolf King wagged its tail in satisfaction.
When Xie Mingxu heard her mention her parents, he glanced at Shen Ningning without a change in expression.
He raised his wine cup. "May your wish come true." He then drained the cup in one go.
With the little girl having started it, everyone around the round table began sharing their own wishes.
Mo Lingwei had no wish to make, so he said nothing. Chen Shaobei said, "My wish is for peace throughout the land, with no more disasters."
Having had some wine, Lu Shaoyuan’s face was as red as if he’d rubbed rouge on it, which only accentuated his handsome features and the unmistakable air of a young nobleman.
He laughed and raised his cup. "Then mine is to get beaten less by my parents."
Jiang Zhi said quietly, "I don’t really have a wish. I just want to help Ningning, run the shop well, and have something to do. That’s enough."
Chen Shaobei glanced at her. "That will definitely come true."
Shen Ningning hugged the Black Wolf King’s head, and it obliged with two loud howls.
Lu Shaoyuan asked, "What wish did the Wolf King make?"
Shen Ningning’s laughter was constant and crisp. "Langlang says he wants to stay strong and healthy, to take care of me until I’m old."
Everyone laughed. When they looked toward Xie Mingxu, waiting for him to speak, he was still just staring at Shen Ningning.
Mo Lingwei’s brows furrowed slightly. "What are you looking at her for?"
Only then did Xie Mingxu retract his gaze. "I haven’t decided. I have too many wishes, and I don’t know which one to make. I’d better just not say anything and drink a penalty cup."
As he spoke, he once again drained his cup.
Lu Shaoyuan clapped his hands and laughed loudly. "Excellent, excellent! General Xie, you can really hold your liquor! At this rate, you’re about to finish the whole wine pot in front of you."
Shen Ningning said sweetly, "Brother, you should drink a little less. A small drink is pleasant, you know!"
For a rare moment, a smile appeared on Xie Mingxu’s face. "Alright. Don’t worry, I know my limits."
A cold glint flashed in the eyes of both Mo Lingwei and the Black Wolf King at the same time.
The Black Wolf King: ’Tch.’
Mo Lingwei: ’Heh.’
After three rounds of drinks, Lu Shaoyuan was already drunk and slumped over the table.
He grabbed Chen Shaobei’s hand and wouldn’t stop complaining, telling stories of how mischievous he used to be and how his parents would team up with his older brother to beat him.
When he got to the sad parts, he would wail, "I got beaten so badly once that I ran away from home! I swore I had to make a name for myself, to show them I wasn’t a good-for-nothing. But not long after I left, I was kidnapped."
"If it weren’t for Shen Ningning, I definitely wouldn’t have made it back to the Capital City alive." At this point, he drunkenly stood up, about to give the little girl a hug.
Mo Lingwei, Xie Mingxu, and the Black Wolf King all shot him a look. Before the three of them could make a move, Chen Shaobei yanked Lu Shaoyuan back in front of him.
"I understand your suffering," he said, patting Lu Shaoyuan comfortingly. In the end, Lu Shaoyuan collapsed on his shoulder, sobbing his heart out.
Jiang Zhi had also had a lot to drink but was still lucid. She held the wine pot and sat off to the side, leaning against a pillar and gazing at the star-filled sky.
There was a movement beside her, and someone sat down.
Jiang Zhi turned her head. Seeing it was Shen Ningning, she smiled. "What are you doing over here? I can’t believe the Crown Prince and General Xie were willing to let you go."
Just a moment ago, the two of them, plus the Black Wolf King, had Shen Ningning completely surrounded.
The little girl stuck out her tongue, her smile mischievous and cute. "They’re having a drinking contest."
Jiang Zhi glanced behind her and saw it was true. Mo Lingwei and Xie Mingxu had started competing to see who could drink more. Even more surprisingly, the Black Wolf King was watching them with a cold stare, like a referee.
Shen Ningning’s voice was soft. "Sister Jiang, are you thinking about your family?"
Jiang Zhi gave a bitter smile and looked down, swirling the wine in her cup. "I was wondering if my father can see that I’m living a good life now."
"Of course he can!" Shen Ningning answered without hesitation. "Not only can he see it, but he’s definitely happy for you too. Sister Jiang, from now on, we’re your family."
Tears welled up in the depths of Jiang Zhi’s eyes, but she smiled, deeply moved. "Ningning, sometimes I really admire you. Even though your life was so bitter before, you’ve managed to use your own strength to make something beautiful bloom from that hardship."
"Because of your kindness, you deserve to meet so many good-hearted friends. Just now, while you were admiring the stars, I heard them secretly agree on something."
Shen Ningning quickly asked, "What was it?"
