Wolf-Raised Cub with a Space: Surviving the Disaster Years

Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Buying a Young Wife?

By the time Mo Lingwei and Chen Shaobei galloped to the barracks, they found only Shen Ningning sitting in a warm tent, with Jiang Zhi keeping her company.

Mo Lingwei rushed forward in large strides.

His cool, jade-like gaze swept over the little one from head to toe.

"Are you okay?" He breathed a sigh of relief, seeing she was unharmed and showed no signs of having cried.

Shen Ningning’s small face had already been washed sparkling clean.

Now, her large, dark eyes and pink, tender lips broke into a lovely smile.

"I’m fine, Brother. Aren’t you busy with court affairs? Why did you come all the way out here?"

Chen Shaobei stepped forward and said, "Someone just reported that the Commandery Princess was being mistreated here, so the Crown Prince rushed over at once."

Jiang Zhi shot to her feet, her eyes wide.

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, General Chen, but one of the soldiers under your command is absolutely black-hearted."

"He actually tried to lock Ningning in the stables and let an untamed stallion trample her to death."

"Thankfully, Ningning is clever and blessed with good fortune, and she can even communicate with animals. Otherwise, if anything had happened to her, the regret would be unbearable."

The expressions of both Chen Shaobei and Mo Lingwei darkened at once.

"Who in my barracks would be so bold?" Chen Shaobei demanded.

Jiang Zhi said, "Who else but that Deputy Captain you punished, Yang San."

Mo Lingwei’s tone was dark. "And where is he now?"

Jiang Zhi glanced outside.

"He was just taken away by Lord Xie. He hasn’t returned yet."

Mo Lingwei frowned.

’Why is Xie Ming’an here too?’

Shen Ningning hopped off her chair and trotted over to Mo Lingwei.

"Brother, let’s go back now."

"Let me punish that Yang San for you, and then we’ll go."

But Shen Ningning shook her small head.

"Let’s leave things here for Brother Chen Shaobei to handle."

Mo Lingwei was the Crown Prince. Any order from him would impact the entire barracks.

So, out of consideration for Shen Ningning, Mo Lingwei clasped his hands behind his back and deliberated for a moment.

His finely-chiseled, cold face was merciless.

Mo Lingwei instructed Chen Shaobei, "That Yang San’s crime is unforgivable. He has crossed a grave line."

"Punish him severely according to military law, then expel him from the barracks and condemn him to servitude."

Chen Shaobei nodded and accepted the command.

Only then did Mo Lingwei lead Shen Ningning away by the hand.

Before they left, the little one didn’t forget to turn back and wave at Jiang Zhi.

Mo Lingwei smoothly caught her waving hand and held it as well.

He said in a neutral tone, "It’s cold outside. Keep your hands warm."

After they left, Chen Shaobei glanced at Jiang Zhi.

"Are you all right?"

Jiang Zhi shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, Young General. I’m fine."

With that, she remembered she still had training to do, so she offered a cupped-fist salute and took her leave.

Chen Shaobei sat in the tent with a stony expression, waiting for Xie Ming’an to return with Yang San.

Before long, Xie Ming’an returned with Yang San, who was covered in wounds.

With a THUD, Yang San, who had fainted from the pain, was thrown to the ground like a sack of meat.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and a large part of his face was blue and swollen.

Chen Shaobei was taken aback. He asked in a low voice, "Lord Shaoqing, have you already administered punishment?"

Xie Ming’an’s tone was unhurried. He was wiping his bloodied fingertips with a handkerchief dipped in melted snow.

"Just a routine interrogation," he said. "I only made him suffer a bit of physical pain."

"If my father had been the one to come today, he would have demanded the man’s life."

"General Chen, he is your man. I’ll leave his final punishment to you."

As he spoke, he glanced around the tent, asking with feigned calm, "And where is Shen Ningning?"

Chen Shaobei replied, "She has already returned with the Crown Prince."

Xie Ming’an paused in the middle of wiping his hands.

’I went to take revenge for her, and she couldn’t even be bothered to say a single word to me.’

’She just up and left?’

Xie Ming’an’s expression shifted, finally settling into one as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Chen Shaobei impassively took in the other man’s reaction.

He rose and said, "Is there anything else you need to inspect, Lord Shaoqing? Do you require my assistance?"

"If not, the Crown Prince has ordered that Yang San be severely punished and then condemned to servitude. I must be off to see to it."

Xie Ming’an’s jaw tightened. He said curtly, "I have nothing further to inspect. Please tend to your duties, Young General. I shall take my leave."

He turned, the hem of his robes flaring out, his figure casting a cold and imposing shadow.

Mo Lingwei took Shen Ningning directly back to the Imperial Palace.

The winter wind was biting and desolate as the two rode together in an enclosed sedan chair.

The Palace Attendants’ footsteps made crunching sounds on the snow.

Mo Lingwei asked Shen Ningning, "I’ve been busy with state affairs for the past few days. How come you haven’t come to the palace to see me?"

Blinking her large eyes, Shen Ningning squeezed a piece of gingerbread in her little hand.

Her voice was soft and innocent. "You were busy, Brother, but I was busy too!"

Mo Lingwei laughed in exasperation. "And what, pray tell, were you so busy with?"

Shen Ningning put down her gingerbread and began to count on her fingers.

"See, first I was super busy helping Mr. Zhang Liu get back to Jiangnan."

"Then, I had to help Grandma deal with her troublesome relatives. Mmm, the members of the Ma Family are still locked up in jail."

"And a few days ago, Brother sent a letter, and he wants to..."

Mo Lingwei raised a hand, stopping the little one’s detailed report.

He let out a laugh and raised an eyebrow. "It seems you’re even busier than I am."

"But since you’ve come back to the palace with me today, you can stay and keep me company in Zichen Palace for the day. I’ll tend to my political duties, and you can read."

Shen Ningning happily agreed.

Just then, they arrived outside Zichen Palace, and the sedan was set down.

Shen Ningning was led out by the hand by Mo Lingwei.

Out of the corner of her eye, however, she saw the figure of a court minister hurrying past at the end of the palace walkway.

Shen Ningning blinked, getting a clearer look.

"Is that old grandpa Ye Shangyi’s grandfather?" ’He looks like Grand Tutor Ye.’

Mo Lingwei followed her gaze.

He hummed in response. "I heard that Grand Tutor Ye recently tried to have Ye Shangyi resign from her position as the Ninth Prince’s study companion, but Consort Rong likely refused."

Shen Ningning’s long lashes fluttered.

’With Ye Shangyi’s personality, it really would be best for her to get away from Consort Rong.’

’Otherwise, sooner or later she’ll end up getting hurt without even realizing it!’

「The next day.」

Back in the village, Shen Ningning was helping Grandma Qin distribute silver to reimburse the other villagers.

Dong Aniu had borrowed many things, and after they were stolen by Lifen and her group, most of the items were sold off.

Shen Ningning could only reimburse them with the equivalent value in silver coin, but some villagers didn’t want money and only wanted their original items back.

Now, the villagers were lined up, entering the house to collect their silver.

To the little one’s left stood Uncle Zhong, flicking the beads of an abacus.

To her right stood Aunt Yun. Every time a debt was settled, Uncle Zhong would call out the amount, and Aunt Yun would record it.

Chen Ye stood behind them, in charge of bringing out the items for compensation.

When it was Sister-in-law Liu’s turn, she glanced back at the line of villagers, which had nearly emptied.

"Ningning," Sister-in-law Liu began with an apologetic smile, "you see, besides the white rice and flour I lent Dong Aniu, there were also two of my family’s wedding quilts."

"Things like that can’t even be bought on the market with silver these days. Is it possible for me to get the items back instead of the money?"

She sounded a little embarrassed by the end of her request.

After all, Dong Aniu had caused the trouble, yet here she was, asking Shen Ningning for compensation.

Before she came, Uncle Liu had disapproved of her doing this.

He felt that since Grandma Qin and Shen Ningning had already done so much for the village, it was wrong to ask them for reimbursement.

But Sister-in-law Liu had come anyway.

She watched Shen Ningning anxiously, observing the little girl’s creamy-white face, terrified she might get angry.

However, not only did the little one not get angry, she even had Chen Ye bring over a large bundle from nearby.

She was dressed in a festive, crimson brocade robe patterned with auspicious clouds and wore a pair of fluffy earmuffs.

She beamed at Sister-in-law Liu. "I already thought of that, Aunt Liu! Here, these are for you. Please check them carefully."

Sister-in-law Liu was overjoyed and hurriedly took the items from Chen Ye.

On the ground were two sacks of white rice and white flour, her compensation.

And inside the bundle were two thick, cotton-padded quilts.

They were much nicer than the ones she had lent to Dong Aniu!

Shen Ningning asked, "Will these do? They lost your wedding quilts, so I could only replace them with two new ones."

Sister-in-law Liu said at once, "Yes! This is more than good, it’s wonderful!"

"Ningning, having you in Xiangyun Village is truly a blessing for all of us."

With that, she hastily said her goodbyes and prepared to leave.

Shen Ningning called out to her, "I haven’t seen anyone from the old village chief’s family all morning."

"Aunt Liu, could you go and get them for me?"

The old village chief had given Dong Aniu four sets of quilted clothes and ten pounds of pork.

All of it needed to be returned.

However, Sister-in-law Liu said, "No one from their family has come? I suppose they must not have the time!"

She glanced out the door, then leaned closer to Shen Ningning, her face alight with a gossipy expression.

"Ningning, you haven’t heard, have you? The old village chief recently bought a young bride from someone to be a wife for Uncle Deng!"

"Oh, my goodness, the two of them, father and son, keep their doors shut all day long, watching her like a hawk."

Grandma Qin, who had been weaving, looked up at these words and frowned. "Aunt Liu!"

"Ningning is still a child. Don’t speak such nonsense in front of her."

Shen Ningning, however, was surprised.

"Buy a young wife...? What does that mean? In Cangyun Country, you can only buy slaves. Buying a wife is against the law!"

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