Chapter 655: Mid-Autumn Reunion

Chapter 655: Chapter 655: Mid-Autumn Reunion

At the banquet, the Emperor was the most emotional of all.

He faced the crowd, his eyes slightly red-rimmed.

"When I was young, I made some mistakes that I regret to this day. Thankfully, Mo Lingwei has forgiven me and brought me such a wonderful daughter-in-law in Ningning. Now, I can finally experience how precious it is to have family gathered around a warm hearth."

As he spoke, he was overcome with emotion. "I will be abdicating the throne soon, and Mo Lingwei will succeed me. When that time comes, I ask all of you present, for my sake, to show the new emperor your utmost support and understanding."

The Emperor’s attitude was exceptionally humble, and the crowd quickly replied in agreement, "Of course. Please do not worry, Your Majesty."

Xie Suzhi asked, "What are your plans after you abdicate, Your Majesty?"

The Emperor smiled. "I plan to go to the Imperial Mausoleum for a while. I’ve worked hard for half my life; it’s time for some peace and quiet."

Though that was what he said, everyone knew the late Empress rested eternally in the Imperial Mausoleum. The Emperor was likely going to be with her.

Xie Suzhi understood the Emperor’s heart. For someone who deeply loved his wife, being separated by death was the greatest regret of all.

Because one would always think, ’If only she were still alive.’

Everyone expressed their approval of the Emperor’s decision.

Mo Lingwei held Shen Ningning’s hand and said, "I also ask you all to bear witness. Whether I am the Crown Prince or the Emperor, my love for Ningning will remain unchanged."

The crowd clapped and cheered in approval.

Just then, brilliant fireworks blossomed in the sky outside the hall.

The Emperor quickly rose and invited everyone, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the moon is full. I’ve arranged for fireworks. Why don’t we all go and enjoy them together?"

Against the night sky, dark as a velvet curtain, fireworks burst into bloom, one after another, as if countless stars were suddenly falling to earth.

In that instant, the dark canopy of the heavens was illuminated.

Shen Ningning, with Mo Lingwei’s arm around her, walked outside the hall and looked up. The brilliant colors of the fireworks danced in her eyes, like a meticulously painted scroll slowly unfurling within her pupils.

Mo Lingwei glanced to the side and saw Shen Ningning staring at the fireworks, lost in thought.

He couldn’t help but smile and ask, "What are you thinking about?"

Shen Ningning turned her bright eyes to him. "Do you remember? The first time we celebrated the New Year together, we saw fireworks just as brilliant as these on Wolf Mountain. You said something then. Do you still remember what it was?"

Mo Lingwei paused, recalling it seriously. "What I said... was probably something about always watching the fireworks with you, or being together every year?"

Shen Ningning pouted. "Hmph, I knew you’d forgotten."

She ignored Mo Lingwei, letting him rack his brain on his own, while she supported her lower back and went to the side to talk with her mother and father.

Mo Lingwei had no choice but to ask the Black Wolf King for help. "Wolf Father, what on earth did I say back then? I remember you were there, help me think."

The Black Wolf King fell into deep thought. Of course, he didn’t remember either.

So, the Black Wolf King called over the wolf pack, and they all tried to remember together.

From the corner of her eye, Shen Ningning saw Mo Lingwei’s increasingly anxious expression as he failed to remember, and she couldn’t help but laugh secretly.

Shen Siyi took her hand. "You, really. Just one sentence and you’ve made him so nervous. Why must you tease him?"

"I’m not teasing him, Mother. He’s just slow," Shen Ningning said. Seeing Fang Qingdai and Second Master Xie approaching, she quickly asked, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I heard you’re planning to leave the capital and return to the border next month?"

Fang Qingdai nodded and smiled. "When General Liang was alive, I promised him that I would take good care of the soldiers under his command."

"Now that I’ve been back for so long and the villain who caused his death has been eliminated, I should keep my promise. I’ll go back and guard the border for a few more years to console his spirit in heaven."

Second Master Xie was completely understanding. "I happen to be free. The Emperor has restored my official rank, so I’ll accompany her."

General Liang was a gentleman. Second Master Xie was grateful to him for taking care of his wife for so many years and for raising Liang Yici without any complaints.

If General Liang were still alive, Second Master Xie would have thanked him in person.

Since Fang Qingdai and her husband were leaving, Liang Yici would surely be returning to the border with them.

At that moment, Liang Yici stood nearby with her arms crossed. "Shen Ningning, I’m leaving soon. By the time I get back, you’ll definitely have given birth. I have a gift here for the baby, but you’re not allowed to open it early!"

As she spoke, she handed over a silk pouch. Shen Ningning took it with a smile. "Alright, but what is it?"

Liang Yici coughed lightly, a little unnaturally. "You’ll find out when the time comes. Anyway, you absolutely cannot get curious and peek beforehand."

"Okay, I definitely won’t peek," Shen Ningning said, then opened the pouch right in front of her.

Liang Yici was so mad she stomped her foot. "Didn’t you say you wouldn’t peek?! Why did you open it? Hey, put it back!"

Shen Ningning couldn’t stop laughing. "It’s not peeking if I look at it right in front of you."

She was simply too curious about what Liang Yici would leave for her.

However, when she opened it, she found a Jade Token engraved with the four characters for "Joy and Peace."

The auspicious cloud pattern in the bottom right corner made it clear at a glance that this was a Jade Token from the National Temple.

Shen Siyi was surprised. "A Peace Talisman from the National Temple is very hard to obtain. Don’t you have to kowtow a thousand times? Yici, did you really do that to get this?"

Liang Yici pressed her lips together. "I did... It’s for the baby to wear. Of course, it had to be done with sincerity."

As she spoke, she stepped forward, snatched the pouch back, tied it shut, and only then placed it back in Shen Ningning’s hands.

Facing a stunned Shen Ningning, Liang Yici pursed her lips and said, "You’re my sister, after all. I may not have treated you well in the past, but I actually admire you a lot."

"I know you’re a formidable person, but I’ve heard that giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell. So take this Jade Token and keep it safe. May it keep you safe and sound, too."

Shen Ningning was deeply touched and stepped forward to hug Liang Yici. "Thank you, Fourth Sister."

Hearing this form of address, Liang Yici’s face flushed red. She blinked slightly but didn’t struggle.

Nearby, Xie Suzhi and Second Master Xie laughed. "Seeing you two sisters getting along so well puts our minds at ease."

Shen Siyi smiled. "That’s right, Ningning. Next month, your father and I are going to travel the world again. But we’ll definitely be back in time for your delivery."

Shen Ningning was surprised. "You’re leaving again? Didn’t you just get back from a trip?"

"Well, as soon as we heard the news of your pregnancy, your mother couldn’t wait to rush back."

After Xie Suzhi finished speaking, Shen Siyi chuckled. "When we were young, your father promised me he would take me to see every beautiful sight in Cangyun Country."

Shen Ningning didn’t object, only saying, "After you leave, you have to remember to write to me."

As they were speaking, Mo Lingwei started to walk over to Shen Ningning but saw someone in the crowd looking at him, seeming to want to say something but holding back. The person started to approach, then timidly retreated.

He glanced over and saw that it was the mad scholar—his cousin.