The villagers parted, clearing a path.

The mad scholar, a poultice still on his face, walked over, leaning on a crutch Chen Ye had made for him.

The old village chief frowned and cautioned, "Mad scholar, now is not the time for you to be causing more trouble."

But the mad scholar threw his head back and laughed. Shen Ningning had never seen him look so spirited and full of life, his face flushed with color.

He reached out his hand, guided by his senses. "Good disciple! My very own good disciple!"

The little one quickly went forward to support him. "Mad scholar, what are you doing here?"

"I heard someone was trying to twist right and wrong, aiding the wicked. Of course I had to come out and hear for myself how shameless they could be. Fortunately, my teachings on the wisdom of the sages were not wasted on you. I support you. We must clear the Wu family’s name."

The mad scholar was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.

He rarely experienced such moments of passionate excitement anymore.

He was overjoyed that the integrity of his Dai Family had a successor, and that all his knowledge would be passed on!

Chief Wang scolded, "Mad scholar, by teaching her this, you are harming Miss Shen."

In times like these, what poor commoner family would dare to challenge the powerful?

A person of high status who could order the government to close a murder case must be someone they absolutely could not afford to offend!

The mad scholar turned his head to look in Chief Wang’s direction.

"Utterly foolish!" he said to Chief Wang.

"Who is Ningning helping today? It isn’t just the three members of the Wu family. It’s the future, the countless millions of us."

"Today, they dare to break into a home, set a fire, and take lives. It’s clear they see human life as worthless as weeds. In the eyes of such powerful people, your life and mine are even more worthless!"

"If one day your family, your wife and children, are burned to a pile of bones in a great fire, could you still say, ’This is just how the world is’?!"

Chief Wang was suddenly struck silent.

Chen Ye spoke up. "By the time the fire is burning over our own heads, it will be too late to cry for justice."

Uncle Liu chimed in, "Constantly backing down will never win their sympathy or pity. Instead, it will only convince those in power that we common folk are just stepping stones for their own ambitions, easily discarded."

The villagers suddenly had a realization.

Someone cursed angrily, "Some of these powerful nobles are too wicked."

"Isn’t that the truth?" someone else complained. "How can we let this matter be swept under the rug so easily?"

Before long, more and more voices rose in support of Shen Ningning. In the end, aside from the silent old village chief, all the villagers were clamoring for justice for the Wu family.

Chief Wang’s expression had become extremely grim.

He started to speak several times but stopped himself. After looking at Shen Ningning for a long moment, he finally let out a heavy sigh.

"Miss Shen, since you insist, I will report this as it is. Farewell."

After he left.

The old village chief shook his head repeatedly. "The days ahead will be difficult."

But he quickly pulled himself together. "Since we are all of one mind, let’s face it together."

Shen Ningning was moved. "Village Chief..."

The little one wiped away the tears that were about to fall.

’Now is not the time to cry. With the whole village believing in and supporting me like this, I have to think of a plan quickly.’

The mad scholar took her hand. "Disciple, you can take my calligraphy and go to the Capital City to find..."

However, Shen Ningning wasn’t paying attention to him at all, completely lost in her own thoughts.

Before he could even finish speaking, Shen Ningning had an idea.

"Brother Chen! Let’s go! Get the carriage, take me to the Capital City." She wanted to ask Chen Shaobei for help.

With that said, the little one hastily pulled her hand away and said goodbye to the mad scholar.

She climbed into the carriage and left in a flurry.

The mad scholar was left speechless...

’Does this disciple of mine even know who to look for?’

When she stepped through the gates of the General Zhen Nan Mansion again, the same housekeeper who had thrown her out last time was now welcoming her in with the utmost respect.

Not only that, but he kept calling her "Little Ancestor."

Shen Ningning’s round, rosy cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Uncle, you can just call me Ningning."

"I couldn’t possibly! I couldn’t possibly!" The housekeeper waved his hands in alarm.

The Crown Prince had given orders! The next time he saw Shen Ningning, he was to treat her with the reverence one would show an ancestor!

So, the housekeeper led her and Chen Ye into the main hall to wait, explaining that their young master was out drilling troops and would be back shortly.

He even served fine tea and pastries.

After the housekeeper left, Chen Ye was faintly excited.

He tightened his grip on his teacup. "Back on the border, aside from the general I served under, the person I admired most was the Great General Zhen Nan."

General Zhen Nan’s martial arts were superb. He had charged into and out of the enemy camp three times, destroyed their granaries, and achieved victory with inferior numbers, creating countless legends.

Shen Ningning said in her soft, sweet voice, "Hmm, would you like me to help introduce you?"

After all, she felt that a man with Chen Ye’s skills shouldn’t have his talents go to waste just by following her around.

But Chen Ye immediately waved his hands, very humbly. "Thank you, Miss, but my abilities are not yet sufficient. In the future, when I have earned military honors, I will recommend myself to the General."

As they were speaking, Chen Shaobei returned to the mansion.

Hearing that Shen Ningning had arrived, he didn’t even bother to change his clothes, striding toward the main hall still wearing his silver armor.

"Miss Shen." He smiled slightly upon seeing Shen Ningning.

The little one immediately stood up. "Brother Chen Shaobei."

Afraid of wasting his time, she explained the purpose of her visit clearly and concisely.

Chen Shaobei’s brow furrowed deeper as he listened.

’Someone actually wants Shen Ningning dead?’

’It was such a perilous event. For her to have survived, she must be truly blessed.’

Chen Shaobei said, "So, you’re hoping I can help you suppress this case for now?"

The little one nodded repeatedly.

"I’m afraid that because I refused to sign the confession, they’ll find another way to forge evidence. I’ve heard that once a case is closed, it’s very difficult to overturn."

"My brother will be back in two days, so what we need to do is delay this matter until he returns."

Chen Shaobei was a little surprised.

It wasn’t that he was surprised by how clear her thinking was despite her young age. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Rather, it was that she actually knew the specific time of Mo Lingwei’s return!

He, as Mo Lingwei’s close friend, didn’t even know as much as she did.

"Are you sure the Crown Prince will be back in two days?"

"Yes! My brother told me he would only be gone for a few days." Shen Ningning’s large, dark eyes were bright, filled with complete trust in Mo Lingwei.

Chen Shaobei smiled and pressed his fingers to his brow.

’Since Mo Lingwei made a promise to Shen Ningning, he will definitely rush back on time. He’d run his horse’s legs off to get back.’

So, Chen Shaobei delayed no further. "Alright, how about this. I’ll take my father’s token right now. He has some connections with the Capital Governor. It should be possible to have a case temporarily suppressed."

Shen Ningning quickly thanked him. Chen Shaobei saw her glistening eyes and her small face filled with gratitude.

He smiled, giving the credit to Mo Lingwei. "It was all the Crown Prince’s order, to take good care of you."

The little one started to miss Mo Lingwei a little.

’If only my brother were here,’ she thought. ’Maybe things would take a turn for the better right away.’

Chen Shaobei retrieved the token, and Shen Ningning and Chen Ye went with him by carriage to the Capital Governor’s office.

The little one waited in the carriage. Chen Shaobei went inside and came out a short while later.

"It’s been taken care of. Miss Shen can rest assured."

Shen Ningning breathed a sigh of relief and said in her soft voice, "That’s wonderful! Brother Chen Shaobei, let me treat you to a meal at a restaurant!"

She wanted to thank him properly.

Chen Shaobei thought for a moment. He didn’t have anything urgent to attend to, so he agreed.

Chen Ye drove the carriage directly to the largest restaurant in the Capital City.

Chen Shaobei got out of the carriage first, then extended a hand to help Shen Ningning down.

As the three of them entered the restaurant, Chen Shaobei brushed past a man dressed as a young servant.

He accidentally bumped the other person’s shoulder, and the two spoke in unison—

"Sorry."

However, when the servant looked up and got a clear look at Chen Shaobei’s face, fury suddenly blazed in his eyes.

"It’s you?!"

Chen Shaobei was taken aback. "What are you doing here?"

He had barely finished speaking when the other person threw a sudden punch at him. "You despicable villain! I’ve finally run into you today!"

Chen Shaobei immediately raised his arm to block, and the two instantly started fighting.

Chen Ye quickly shielded Shen Ningning and moved to the side.

The little one stood on her toes to get a better look. She recognized the servant’s face and gasped in surprise, "It’s her..."

Sister Jiang Zhi!