Free Web NovelChapter 188: Chapter 188: Chancellor Xie Might Be Your Biological Father
Jiang Zhi smiled. "They all agreed that no matter what positions they hold years from now, they will do everything in their power to take care of you."
Shen Ningning’s heart warmed, and she turned to look at everyone around the round table.
Lu Shaoyuan was still slumped in Chen Shaobei’s arms, recounting the beatings he’d endured as a child.
Mo Lingwei and Xie Mingxu, neither giving an inch, had already switched from cups to drinking straight from a jug each.
The Black Wolf King was probably sleepy. He lazily gnawed on a bone a couple of times, then closed his eyes to doze off.
"It’s not just everyone protecting me. I’ll help ease your burdens too," the little girl said, her voice soft and sweet.
She looked at Jiang Zhi, tilting her head with a smile that made her eyes curve. "Sister Jiang, although I was separated from my parents when I was very young, fate hasn’t wronged me. It gave me family, even if we’re not related by blood."
"Their care and protection have helped me grow stronger, so I hope you won’t be sad anymore. Only good days await us from now on!"
Inspired by her words, Jiang Zhi wiped her tears away with her sleeve. "You’re right!"
She raised her cup, drained it, and then joined Chen Shaobei and Lu Shaoyuan’s conversation.
Laughter and cheerful chatter echoed from the Floating Light Tower, and the bright moon shone down on them all through the night.
「Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study Room of the palace.」
The Emperor had summoned the State Preceptor for a private audience. He watched as the preceptor cast a divinatory reading and observed the celestial signs.
Finally, the State Preceptor looked at the resulting hexagram, his expression growing increasingly grave.
The Emperor’s heart sank. "What are the results? Is the drought completely over?"
The State Preceptor clasped his hands. "The drought is indeed over, but Your Majesty, this divination is an ill omen. It seems the disasters plaguing Cangyun Country are far from over."
"As long as natural disasters occur, the Crown Prince’s cold ailment will act up. We must prepare countermeasures."
The Emperor’s expression froze. He fell back onto the Dragon Throne, at a complete loss.
"How can this be? Why haven’t the natural disasters ended even though we’ve found the blessed girl? What does Heaven have against Us? What must We do to make it spare Our people and Our son!"
He covered his face in anguish, a lonely and haggard figure.
Though he was the supreme ruler under Heaven, he bore the greatest of sorrows.
The State Preceptor sighed. "Your Majesty should perhaps turn your focus to the blessed girl. Since she can summon rain, she will surely have a way to deal with any other natural disasters we might encounter."
The Emperor lowered his hands and raised his face, his eyes blank. "What if she can’t solve the next natural disaster?"
The State Preceptor was silent. "Your Majesty knows what must be done. This humble servant cannot reveal more of heaven’s secrets."
The Emperor closed his eyes in anguish.
The State Preceptor urged, "Your Majesty, you must not give up halfway. We all know that if we don’t resolve the Crown Prince’s cold ailment, he will not live past the age of twenty."
"We understand," the Emperor said, his voice sounding weary and old.
He pressed his temples and summoned the Chief Eunuch. "Send out a decree. In five days, We will hold an early conferment ceremony for Shen Ningning as a Commandery Princess. Invite all civil and military officials, princes, and nobles to attend the banquet."
"The conferment ceremony must be conducted with the highest honors."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Chief Eunuch received his orders and withdrew to carry them out.
When word reached Shen Ningning, Grandma Qin and everyone in Xiangyun Village were happy for her.
On the day of the banquet, Shen Ningning, accompanied by Grandma Qin, the Black Wolf King, and Wolf Three and Wolf Four, followed the escort sent by Mo Lingwei to the palace.
The Emperor had chosen Chengxin Lake Island in the palace as the location for the banquet.
The island was planted all over with golden osmanthus, which were in full bloom. As they approached by boat, they could see the entire island was a brilliant gold, glittering in the sunlight.
When Shen Ningning got off the boat, a fragrant breeze rushed to greet her, swirling over the water’s surface as the entire lake shimmered with a golden light.
Grandma Qin couldn’t help but marvel, "This place is truly beautiful."
The little girl supported her grandma and said in her soft, sweet voice, "Grandma, if you like them, we can plant some when we go home."
’She had these fragrant trees in her Immortal Realm!’
Mo Lingwei was already waiting outside the garden. When he saw Shen Ningning, he immediately came forward, greeting Grandma Qin first.
Then he looked at the little girl. "Many people have come, and you probably won’t recognize them. I’ll accompany you inside. There’s no need to be afraid; I’m here."
"I have something to tell you later. It’s not convenient to say it now, but I know you’ll be happy when you hear it."
Shen Ningning nodded repeatedly, her curiosity piqued. "Brother, don’t you forget! If you don’t tell me later, I’ll just have to keep asking until you tell me!"
Mo Lingwei chuckled lightly.
As soon as they entered the garden, many people dressed in magnificent brocade robes came up to greet them.
Some were officials, others noble ladies. Upon seeing Shen Ningning, they all addressed her respectfully as "Commandery Princess."
Even Grandma Qin was addressed with great respect. Especially when they saw the Crown Prince always by Shen Ningning’s side, their attitudes became all the more deferential.
Lu Shaoyuan had also come today with his older brother, Commander Lu. When he spotted Shen Ningning, he started to run over and greet her.
But Commander Lu grabbed him. "Go later. There are too many people now. Don’t cause a scene."
Everyone in the garden was talking about Shen Ningning.
Xie Yuanjiu sat among a few of her close friends, listening to them discuss Princess Funing.
"This Commandery Princess is no small figure. To think the Emperor would honor her with a conferment ceremony of the highest standard."
"I heard she also took the entrance exam for the National Academy a few days ago. With her status, she’ll probably use the back door to get in."
Xie Yuanjiu remarked coolly, "Don’t look down on her. Princess Funing was studying at a private school in Guangyang County. She’s not an illiterate child."
When she said this, the young ladies around her covered their mouths and snickered.
"What? She actually studied at a county’s private school? What could she possibly learn there?"
"There’s no doubt she’ll fail the exam. But it doesn’t matter. Given how much the Crown Prince dotes on her, she could get into the National Academy even if she couldn’t read."
These high-born young ladies came from noble backgrounds, and each had private tutors hired for their homes.
Only those from minor households would study with others in an outside private school, so they naturally looked down on Shen Ningning.
Especially after learning about her origins, their disdain for her grew even deeper.
Why should a little girl like that win the Crown Prince’s favor and even be named a blessed girl by the Emperor?
The young ladies fawned over Xie Yuanjiu. "With Fourth Sister Xie here, that Shen Ningning probably won’t even get close to the gates of the National Academy."
Xie Yuanjiu was from the Xie family and had a noble status, so everyone wanted to curry favor with her.
However, Xie Yuanjiu’s faint smile was fleeting.
’This year, the National Academy is only accepting three students. If I don’t pass, I’ll have to rely on my family’s connections to get in.’
"I hope I rank among the best," Xie Yuanjiu prayed silently.
Mo Lingwei settled Grandma Qin and the Black Wolf King in a hexagonal pavilion in the garden, then found a few wives of high-ranking officials to chat with Grandma Qin.
Afterward, he took Shen Ningning’s hand and led her aside to admire the osmanthus grove. It was quiet and secluded there, a good place to talk.
Once they arrived, Mo Lingwei said to the little girl, "My men have found something. Consort Rong’s maternal family name is Qi. Years ago, the Qi Family took in an adopted daughter, who was also Consort Rong’s nominal elder sister. The two have always had a good relationship."
"When Consort Rong was pregnant, she was plagued by nightmares and couldn’t sleep well. She once requested that the Emperor, my father, allow her nominal sister to stay in the palace for a couple of days to keep her company. Later, when Noble Lady Gao attempted to harm the imperial fetus, it was this same sister who discovered it in time."
"Noble Lady Gao and her maid were thrown into the Cold Palace, and that maid was Qing He. I followed this lead and discovered that, for some unknown reason, Consort Rong’s elder sister left the Qi family and took back her original name. Her name is Shen Siyi."
Shen Ningning’s eyes filled with joyful surprise.
’So, I took my mother’s surname!’
At that moment, a commotion arose at the garden entrance. Mo Lingwei and Shen Ningning looked over together.
Consort Rong appeared, supported by a palace attendant, her expression gentle.
Mo Lingwei’s voice continued, "The year Shen Siyi left the Qi Family, she married a powerful minister at court."
Shen Ningning’s lips trembled with excitement. "Who was it?"
In truth, as she asked the question, she already knew the answer.
"The Prime Minister, Xie Suzhi."
Mo Lingwei’s eyes were jet-black as he looked towards Consort Rong—
"Therefore, Consort Rong is likely your maternal aunt, and Chancellor Xie is your biological father. You also have two older brothers, Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an."
The revelation was like a thunderclap.
In that instant, Shen Ningning felt as if a bolt of purple lightning had split apart the heavy weight that had always been pressing down on her.
She felt as if she had been gently lifted to her feet. His words told her that the family she had yearned for most was right before her very eyes!
The four words that had appeared in her dream: "Thought... Continuance... Peace... Serenity."
’It all matched!’
