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

Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Go Be Her Second Brother

At the dinner table.

Xie Suzhi’s expression was cold, and Xie Ming’an avoided looking at Xie Yuanjiu, instead focusing on piling food onto Shen Ningning’s plate.

Aside from Shen Ningning, everyone else ate without an appetite.

Second Madam Xie was not in attendance, as she was feeling unwell.

Xie Yuanjiu sat quietly across the table. Her father, Second Master Xie, sat beside her and sighed, his expression grave.

What was done was done.

"Brother, since Yuan Jiu is back, I think we should let her stay for now."

Xie Yuanjiu’s eyes welled with tears as she took the initiative to stand up.

She walked to Xie Suzhi’s side, curtsied, and bowed her head.

"Uncle, I know you were against my return in your last letter because you felt I had not repented enough."

"However, over this past year, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect. It was my fault for not taking good care of Ningning."

"I am now ready to apologize to Ningning."

As she spoke, Xie Yuanjiu turned to Shen Ningning and bowed her head once more.

"Ningning, I’m sorry."

Xie Suzhi’s expression remained tense, and he said nothing.

Xie Ming’an, however, looked up with a frosty gaze, a spoon still in his hand from feeding his sister her steamed egg custard.

His expression was cold as he looked at Xie Yuanjiu. "I recall Father sent you a letter not long ago, telling you not to rush back."

"You chose to ignore his instructions, which means you follow your own counsel. So why the insincere act?"

The rims of Xie Yuanjiu’s eyes grew redder. "Second Brother, that’s not it..."

Xie Suzhi finally spoke. "It’s fine that you’ve returned. From now on, I will no longer be responsible for your discipline."

"I will assume you have returned because you genuinely recognize your mistakes. Use this time to properly accompany your father."

Seeing Xie Suzhi finally relent, Xie Yuanjiu was secretly overjoyed.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Xie Yuanjiu then turned her attention back to Shen Ningning.

The little girl had finished her entire bowl of steamed egg custard.

Xie Ming’an was asking if she wanted to eat the crystal shrimp.

"Ningning," Xie Yuanjiu had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily. "I know I was in the wrong before. I hope you don’t mind my sudden return."

"After all, I contributed a great deal to the winter disaster relief. I know I was wrong, and I’ll get along well with you now that I’m back."

Shen Ningning took a bite of shrimp, then turned to look at her, blinking her large eyes.

The little girl acted as if she was only just noticing her presence.

Her voice was sweet and soft. "And if I say I do mind, will you go back?"

Xie Yuanjiu’s expression stiffened.

Tears streamed down her face as she cast a helpless glance at Second Master Xie.

"Father, it seems Ningning still won’t forgive me."

Second Master Xie remained silent, clearly feeling caught in the middle.

Xie Yuanjiu had done wrong. It was only natural that Ningning refused to accept her.

Not wanting to put Second Master Xie in a difficult position, the little girl let out a charming, mischievous laugh.

She huffed playfully at Xie Yuanjiu. "Oh, don’t take it to heart. I was just joking."

However, Shen Ningning knew better than anyone the true extent of Xie Yuanjiu’s malice.

Xie Yuanjiu’s wickedness was hidden beneath a veneer of tranquil pretense.

She was like a seemingly calm pool of water; look closer, and you would see a venomous snake, poised to strike.

’Xie Yuanjiu can put on an act, but I can play mind games right back at her!’

Before, the little girl couldn’t be bothered.

But now that they would be seeing each other regularly, she wouldn’t show weakness or underestimate her opponent.

The meal ended quickly.

Xie Yuanjiu promptly excused herself.

Second Master Xie followed Xie Suzhi to the study; Xie Suzhi likely had a few things he needed to discuss with him.

Xie Ming’an held Shen Ningning’s little hand.

The siblings walked along the covered veranda. The sweltering summer heat gradually gave way to a refreshing coolness brought by the moonlit breeze.

Shen Ningning was trying her best to wriggle her hand out of Xie Ming’an’s grasp.

Unexpectedly, just as she managed to squeeze two chubby fingers free, Xie Ming’an simply tightened his grip on the rest.

She huffed in frustration. In no time, her round, tender cheeks were flushed, and her fair forehead was beaded with sweat.

"It’s so hot! I don’t wanna hold hands!" the little girl complained.

Xie Ming’an raised an eyebrow. "Look at Xie Yuanjiu. She calls me ’Second Brother’ so sweetly. And you? My own sister won’t even let her second brother hold her hand."

Shen Ningning stomped her little foot, yanked her hand away, and broke free from his grasp.

The little girl planted her hands on her hips, her expression animated. "Then you can go hold her hand! Go be her second brother! I have my Brother, and that’s all I need!"

Xie Ming’an’s face fell. "You...!"

Shen Ningning bolted, leaving a trail of mischievous laughter in her wake.

「The next day.」

Shen Ningning went to the palace to see Mo Lingwei.

She had only intended to keep him company and cheer him up.

But to her surprise, Mo Lingwei was so busy he didn’t have a moment to spare.

Shen Ningning had been sitting in the Imperial Study Room for two hours already.

Just as she arrived, a group of ministers came to report on important state affairs.

Mo Lingwei had no choice but to ask her to sit to the side and wait.

However, ministers came one after another seeking an audience.

Shen Ningning had already finished three pots of tea.

When Mo Lingwei finally had a moment to catch his breath, the little girl asked curiously, "Brother, where is Uncle Emperor?"

Mo Lingwei drank two cups of cool tea, which helped soothe his fatigue and irritation.

He said, "Father has been unwell lately, so all state affairs have fallen to me."

Then, Mo Lingwei lowered his cool gaze and leaned down to look at Shen Ningning.

"I’m sorry about this. I had planned to take you to see the fish at Qingliang Pavilion, but there are four more ministers waiting outside to present their reports. I can’t go with you."

Shen Ningning hopped off her chair.

"It’s okay," she said in her soft, sweet voice. "You go ahead and work, Brother. But you have to take care of yourself! Don’t get too tired."

Mo Lingwei wanted to walk her out, but he was blocked at the door by the waiting ministers.

Shen Ningning looked back and gave him a little wave.

Her expression told him—

[Go on, go on. Matters of state are more important.]

Afterward, as Shen Ningning descended the White Jade Steps, she happened to see a squad of the patrolling imperial guard approaching.

She was about to get into her palanquin and leave when, to her surprise, the man leading the imperial guardsmen greeted her.

"Your humble servant greets Princess Funing."

Shen Ningning tilted her head and saw Pei Yin, dressed in thin armor, saluting her with clasped hands from a short distance away.

It took her a moment to recall his name.

"Hello, Captain Pei." Shen Ningning blinked her large eyes, waiting for him to continue.

’Did he call out to me just to pay his respects?’

Unexpectedly, Pei Yin simply stood there, silently looking at her with his lips pursed.

An awkward silence hung in the air.

’So, it really was just a greeting. What a polite Colonel!’

’No wonder Xiao Wei has a crush on him.’

Shen Ningning gave a brilliant smile. "I’ll be going now. You all carry on, Captain Pei."

With that, the little girl waved goodbye and was carried out of the palace in her palanquin.

After she left, Pei Yin felt he hadn’t handled that well.

’I just wanted to greet her properly and remind her to take care of her health.’

’But the moment I opened my mouth, I forgot what to say.’

The two of them had been corresponding occasionally, and from the letters, Pei Yin had gotten the impression that Shen Ningning was a shy and reserved person.

Seeing her smile so brightly just now made her seem like a stranger to him.

「That night.」

After dinner, Qi Xiuwei learned that her grandmother, Mrs. Qi Sr., had ordered her father to find a way to get her into the palace in a few days. Upon hearing this, she locked herself in her room.

She burst into tears and cried her heart out.

Mrs. Qi Sr. had heard that the Li Family was back in the capital, and that Mr. Li’s daughter, Li Yuyi, was a likely candidate to become the Princess’s Lady-in-waiting.

That was why she had issued the merciless command, regardless of the fact that Qi Xiuwei hadn’t fully recovered from her illness yet.

Just then,

Mengyi arrived as usual, carrying a letter.

She wiped away her tears and opened it. As expected, it was from Pei Yin.

A relieved smile spread across Qi Xiuwei’s face.

However, the first sentence of the letter made her expression change dramatically.

Pei Yin had written—

[There have been a few cases of the plague in the palace recently.]

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!