Chapter 617: You Are My Un-engaged Wife

Chapter 617: Chapter 617: You Are My Un-engaged Wife

Governor Ren’s decision didn’t strike Mo Lingwei as dangerous.

He reassured Shen Ningning, "I already guessed he’d pull a move like this and have made preparations. You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll figure out a way to handle things on Tianshan Mountain."

Shen Ningning trusted that with Mo Lingwei’s abilities, getting her up Tianshan Mountain wouldn’t be a problem.

However, the sense of precognition Governor Ren displayed felt wrong to her.

"The Snow Lotus is fragile and easily destroyed. We shouldn’t alert the enemy just yet. Let’s wait a bit, see what Master Gu’s reply says, and then make our plans."

Mo Lingwei nodded in agreement.

Over the next few days, Shen Ningning kept busy.

She took out sun-dried sweet beans and small grapes from the Immortal Realm to feed the birds soaring nearby.

Shen Ningning wanted to know the status of the Snow Lotus on Tianshan Mountain, so she had no choice but to rely on the small, flying creatures.

She fed many birds, leaving them a message: if there were any eagles nearby, she asked the birds to lead them to her.

Upon hearing this, the little sparrows were so frightened they pulled their wings in tight, and the sweet beans in their beaks fell out.

"Eagles? We wouldn’t dare go near them."

"That’s right, we don’t know any. They usually circle near Tianshan Mountain."

"If we went, we’d be dead birds in their talons before we could even say a word."

The little sparrows hopped about on the ground, objecting to Shen Ningning’s idea.

The young woman cupped her chin worriedly. "Then what should I do?"

A voice came from behind her. "You can talk to birds?"

Shen Ningning glanced back and saw it was Ren Si. She stood up, brushing the sweet bean crumbs from her hands as the sparrows fluttered away.

"I’ve always liked keeping birds, ever since I was at home. After coming here, I’ve started feeding them occasionally, and it’s become a habit."

Hearing this, Ren Si laughed. "That’s a rather unusual hobby. Well, have fun with it. I’m going stir-crazy in this residence, so I’m heading out now."

Shen Ningning’s eyes lit up. "Oh, that’s right! You go out often. Do you know if anyone around here raises eagles?"

"Eagles?" Ren Si’s voice rose in pitch, a hint of fear in it. "You’re not planning to feed them like little birds, are you? Let me tell you, eagles are ferocious."

’People in the Northern Border definitely have businesses training eagles. Ren Si should be used to the idea.’

Shen Ningning was puzzled. "You’ve never seen people raising eagles around here? Once they’re well-trained, they’re very obedient to their masters and not at all savage."

"I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard stories. A domesticated eagle gouged out its master’s eye, or another one carried off a one or two-year-old child. You must have been away from Ling Mountain City for too long, have you forgotten things like that? Ever since we were little, haven’t the elders used stories about eagles to scare us into not running around outside, lest we get snatched away?"

Shen Ningning found this odd. "Is that so?"

Ren Si nodded. "That’s exactly why Father issued an order in the city to capture eagles. No one is allowed to privately raise them. The penalty for violators is severe—they’ll be thrown in jail. If you dared to raise an eagle at home, Father would be the first one to come after you."

’This was even stranger,’ Shen Ningning thought. ’Did Governor Ren issue this order a long time ago? How does he always seem to guess what I’m going to do?’

Seeing her silence, Ren Si thought she still hadn’t given up on the idea.

He tried to persuade her, "When I go out later, I’ll see if I can find a Browed Thrush or a parrot to bring back for you. But as for eagles, you definitely won’t find any."

"Besides, haven’t you heard? A Hei Diao has appeared on Tianshan Mountain recently. It’s incredibly ferocious and has already killed and eaten several people. Father has sent extra men to search the area around the mountain. Herdsmen near Tianshan Mountain used to secretly raise eagles, but after this incident, they’re too afraid of being discovered to keep them anymore."

Hearing this, Shen Ningning was once again certain. ’Governor Ren’s orders are aimed directly at my plans.’

’How on earth can he know my thoughts in advance?’

But Shen Ningning refused to be discouraged.

She began frequently calling all sorts of small animals, offering them food in exchange for information.

Shen Ningning didn’t want to meet with just anyone; she specifically asked to see this Hei Diao.

She even had the small animals spread the word for her: "If it’s willing to help me, I’ll guarantee it a lifetime supply of meat."

The Hidden Guards that Mo Lingwei sent out also returned with intelligence.

"There are indeed quite a few soldiers patrolling the foot of Tianshan Mountain. Governor Ren personally inspects them every few days. It’s clear his security is extremely tight, as if he’s really trying to catch someone. This might be the real reason he sealed the city."

Shen Ningning furrowed her brow in thought. "I suspect he knows someone wants to go up Tianshan Mountain, but he doesn’t know who. That’s why all his defensive measures are out in the open, as far as we’re concerned."

Mo Lingwei nodded. "Then there’s even less to worry about. If he ever does find out it’s us, we might as well just reveal our identities. After all, even though we aren’t Ren Liuyue and Fang Huan, everything else is real."

Shen Ningning was focused on thinking about the Hei Diao and, hearing his words, subconsciously asked, "What’s real?"

Mo Lingwei shot her a glance. "Our status as husband and wife is real, of course. You were always my betrothed."

Shen Ningning’s face instantly flushed red.

"We’re not even formally engaged!"

"Then you’re my un-engaged wife."

"We haven’t even had our birth-dates matched for compatibility."

"That’s not important. My birth-date is a perfect match for yours."

Shen Ningning couldn’t help but laugh at his tone, chiding with a blush, "You scoundrel."

Seeing her smile, Mo Lingwei finally felt a sense of delight himself.

These past few days, Shen Ningning had been constantly frowning with worry, even calling out for her mother in her sleep.

Mo Lingwei knew that the item on Tianshan Mountain was crucial for whether Mrs. Shen could return.

Therefore, he was determined to make it happen and fulfill their dream of a mother-daughter reunion.

Mo Lingwei moved closer to Shen Ningning. "As it happens, the head of the local chamber of commerce has invited me to a restaurant for a gathering tomorrow. Why don’t you come with me?"

Shen Ningning was surprised. "Has your identity been exposed?"

"I’m here to get things done, and it would be very difficult without a local’s help. He happens to be a trusted confidant and is extremely reliable. Don’t worry, he’s one of us."

What Mo Lingwei didn’t say was that no merchant’s business could thrive without the support of imperial power.

If this man dared to betray Mo Lingwei, he would have to be tired of living and willing to have his entire fortune confiscated.

Shen Ningning knew that the head of a local chamber of commerce was typically the wealthiest and most well-connected person in the area. One only had to look at Mrs. Meng in the Capital City to understand that. It wasn’t a position just any merchant could hold.

Since Mo Lingwei put it that way, and she also wanted to go out and look around—she might find some useful information—she nodded in agreement.

「That night.」

Shen Ningning was sleeping soundly when she suddenly heard a soft tapping sound.

The sound woke her. She was about to turn over when she realized she was being held in a warm embrace.

Shen Ningning groggily opened her sleepy eyes. Peering through the dim moonlight, the first thing she saw was a handsome, sharp jawline.

She furrowed her brow in confusion, the hazy sleepiness receding from her eyes.

She looked up again and saw that the person holding her in his arms, sleeping soundly, was none other than Mo Lingwei!