Shen Ningning didn’t want the atmosphere to be so stiff. It felt like if they just sat opposite each other in the hall drinking tea, neither of them would know what to say.
So after a moment’s thought, she invited Mo Lingwei to take a walk with her in the rear garden.
"Autumn is coming. The osmanthus trees at home will be blooming soon, and their fragrance is lovely right now. Shall I take you to see them?"
Mo Lingwei rose at once. "A good idea."
The two walked along the winding covered walkway, one behind the other. When they reached the rear garden, they fell into step side-by-side, but for a time, neither spoke.
Suddenly, as if they had both made a decision, they spoke at the same time—
"Shen Ningning, I know everything."
"Brother, is there something you want to say to me?"
After they spoke, they looked at each other, both taken aback.
Shen Ningning blinked her lovely eyes. "What is it that you know?"
"I know that you were so cold and distant with me before because you had agreed to my father the Emperor’s unreasonable request. I know you were forced into it."
Shen Ningning froze on the spot as Mo Lingwei finished speaking.
A look of utter shock spread across her fair, lovely face.
’How could Mo Lingwei know? Did Uncle Emperor confess to him?’
"I... You..."
"I came to apologize on behalf of my father the Emperor. For my sake, he never should have made you agree to such an unreasonable demand. I also came for my own sake."
Mo Lingwei pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed seriously on Shen Ningning. "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, there’s nothing standing between us anymore. Shen Ningning, will you accept me? Let’s start over, together."
A glimmer shone in Shen Ningning’s lovely eyes. Overcome with emotion, Mo Lingwei grabbed her wrist.
"My father the Emperor has agreed to let us be together. I know you have feelings for me. I will agree to any of your demands. If I marry you, there will never be another woman in my life."
They had grown up together since they were children. Hearing Mo Lingwei’s words now, it would be a lie to say her heart didn’t flutter.
Her slender lashes trembled. The urge to agree hovered on the tip of her tongue.
However, she pulled her hand back and turned away, gazing at the garden scenery that would soon wither.
"Brother, I can’t agree to your proposal now more than ever."
"Why? Is there still a barrier between us in your heart?"
"No," Shen Ningning said, shaking her head. "With what just happened to Lu Shaoyuan... I’ve thought about it. If I were to say I don’t want to go through with the engagement right now, he would surely think it’s because I look down on him. He is a very, very good person. He was willing to agree and act along with me, even knowing my request was unreasonable. So, I don’t want to hurt him."
Mo Lingwei froze, his brows knitting slightly. "Are you going to sacrifice your own marriage just because he was kind to you?"
Shen Ningning licked her lips and met Mo Lingwei’s gaze. "I want to bring it up after some time has passed. At the very least, once he’s in a more stable state of mind. Besides, I haven’t really decided if I want to get married at all. So, I think I need some time."
Mo Lingwei’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He was silent for a long moment.
He finally nodded.
"I am willing to wait for you. I’ve said it before: as long as you’re willing to consider me, I will wait, no matter how long it takes. I could even wait for you my entire life without marrying. I would do anything."
Mo Lingwei placed a Jade Pendant, one that signified his status as the Crown Prince, into Shen Ningning’s hand.
She didn’t want to accept it, but he insisted.
"You are the blessed girl. Please, bless me. Grant me my heart’s desire, that I may be with the one I love for all time."
With that, he took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.
After that, Mo Lingwei was true to his word. His approach toward Shen Ningning shifted to one of quiet, steady companionship.
However, a major piece of news soon broke in the Capital City.
Chancellor Xie had unexpectedly resigned from his post, preparing to retire to the countryside.
Shen Ningning was exceptionally surprised when she heard the news. She went to the study, where she found her father packing his books.
"Father? Did you really resign?"
Xie Suzhi turned, and seeing his daughter, he smiled with gentle affection and set down the book in his hands.
"When your mother was alive, she used to say that if you spend your whole life just being busy, you waste the precious gift of life. Our time is short, and we should take the opportunity to see more of the world while we still can."
"I have been in an official post for a very long time, and I have no further ambitions. Now that your mother is gone, I should use my remaining time to care for you children. That is why I resigned."
He then asked with a smile, "Ningning, would you like a place where it’s like spring all year round? A place where countless flowers bloom, even in winter? How about I take you to see it?"
Shen Ningning blinked her round eyes, a little puzzled. "Father, are you planning to take me away from the Capital City?"
"Clever girl," Xie Suzhi laughed. "My dear daughter, you’re tired too. It’s time for a change of scenery. You are not a selfish child; you have always devoted your energy to your family and country. It’s time to let go of these trifles and live for your own happiness."
Shen Ningning hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Father, when will we set off?"
"I plan to leave in half a month. Your Second Uncle and Third Brother will travel with us. I’ll leave the household in the care of your Eldest and Second Brothers."
After speaking with Shen Ningning, Xie Suzhi quickly began arranging their travel plans.
The entire residence was abuzz with packing. The staff knew that their master was heading south, taking the Princess with him to admire the flowers and scenery.
Once they left, it would likely be a year or more before they returned.
Although Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an normally doted on Shen Ningning, they raised no objections this time.
It was because they, too, felt that their younger sister had been wronged so much and deserved to get away for a while.
Before she left, Shen Ningning went to visit Lu Shaoyuan.
His name had been cleared in the case, thanks to Mo Lingwei’s swift action.
However, the ordeal had been a considerable blow to Lu Shaoyuan, and he needed time to recover his spirits.
When Shen Ningning arrived at the Lu family’s estate, Lu Shaoyuan was dressed in clean, cyan robes, standing under a large tree and admiring the view.
He didn’t even notice her approach.
"Lu Shaoyuan?" Shen Ningning called out softly. Lu Shaoyuan finally turned, and upon seeing her, a delighted smile bloomed on his handsome, slightly gaunt face.
"You’re here. Look, I just saw a pair of birds building a nest in this tree. They were supposed to be flying south for the winter."
Shen Ningning looked up and saw it was true. Two birds were carrying twigs, preparing to build their winter home.
As Lu Shaoyuan watched them, he sighed. "Birds may be small and weak, but if they rely on a great tree and are well protected, they won’t have to suffer the cold’s assault."
He looked at Shen Ningning. "You are like one of those little birds, and Mr. Xie is the great tree you can rely on. He can protect you well."
Shen Ningning felt there was a hidden meaning in his words. Blinking, she looked at him with concern.
"Lu Shaoyuan... What are you trying to say?"
"Ningning, I know your concerns. I also know that you’ve been considerate of me, which is why you haven’t brought up calling off the engagement. But I cannot fail to consider your feelings. So, if you don’t have the heart to say it, then let me be the one. Let’s call off the engagement. I don’t have the means to fully protect you."
As Lu Shaoyuan spoke, his eyes were clear, but the smile on his lips was tinged with bitterness. "The Crown Prince is, in fact, a better and more suitable match for you than I am. I know that. I’ve always known."