“Hehehe, Your Highness, I am without talent or ability. How could I be worthy of amusing you?”

Jiang Feng’s smile was uglier than a grimace.

“Hostage Prince Xue is much better. Your Highness, just look at this young man, as handsome as jade, beautiful and extraordinary. Just having him in the carriage is a pleasure to the eye. A commoner like me…”

A dark current swirled in Xue Chen’s eyes. The way he looked at Jiang Feng was like looking at a dead man.

Ning Shengsheng mentally rolled her eyes. She had no interest in a dandy like Jiang Feng. He was far less handsome than Xue Chen.

“You’re sensible enough.”

“Xue Chen, come with me.”

After watching Xue Chen leave with Ning Shengsheng, Jiang Feng let out a sigh of relief, but his face then turned ashen as he looked at Ning Jin. Ning Jin guiltily retreated into her carriage.

Xue Chen followed Ning Shengsheng into her carriage, fully prepared for her to humiliate him. He had never expected that she would ignore him and, instead, take out a storybook and, after reading for a while, fall asleep.

The young man’s tense nerves relaxed. His raven-like lashes trembled slightly, and his gaze lingered on the sleeping girl’s face.

Princess Ning An, when asleep, had an innocent and guileless face, a stark contrast to her arrogant and domineering demeanor when she was awake.

She was the one who humiliated him. She was also the one who had feigned carelessness to give him spiritual medicine.

Why?

The doubt in the young man’s face vanished in an instant, and his eyes burned with a cold, murderous intent. There was no one else in the carriage. What would happen if he killed her now?

Ning Shengsheng kept her eyes tightly shut, forcing herself to remain calm. She had been sleeping soundly when she was awakened by someone’s intense killing intent. She might as well play along and take the opportunity to test how much Xue Chen wanted to kill her.

Hm? So she’s awake.

The young man’s brows raised slightly, and his eyes held a playful, probing look. In a moment, he had hidden his bloodthirsty killing intent and leaned back wearily.

Ning Shengsheng, who had been feigning sleep, felt her tense nerves relax. Good, good. This guy didn’t want to kill her right now.

After a while, a faint snoring sound came from inside the carriage.

Xue Chen’s pale face instantly darkened like ink. He admired how big her heart could be.

It was not until evening that they finally arrived at Yongle Town.

Xue Chen’s eyes were downcast as he quietly jumped out of the carriage and stood behind Ning Shengsheng. Songgao dampened a handkerchief and wiped her hands.

A crowd of people came from the front of the carriage procession. The official in the lead had a round head and a round face, looking extremely amiable as he greeted Pei Yuan.

“Master Pei, this humble official has already prepared the houses to welcome the esteemed guests.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Prefect Shi.” Pei Yuan said politely.

“A few days ago, I dreamed of a golden phoenix gracing my residence. It turns out the esteemed guests were coming. To be able to serve you is a blessing that I have cultivated for several lifetimes. This humble official is willing to serve you in any way.”

From a distance, Ning Shengsheng saw Prefect Shi’s fawning smile, his round belly jiggling. He looked like a corrupt official.

Behind them, the students from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion were laughing and joking. This wasn’t a practical experience; it was more like a trip out of the palace to have fun. No wonder Great Ning would fall in the later stages. With a group of idle successors, how could it not fall?

Ning Shengsheng sighed, worrying about the road ahead. Her every move was seen by Xue Chen.

Prefect Shi came up to her with a beaming smile and saluted. Ning Shengsheng just raised her hand, showing no intention of speaking. He flattered her for a bit, then went to find the other noble sons.

After a moment of pleasantries, Pei Yuan led the group to the guest rooms in the courtyard and arranged for everyone to be housed in separate courtyards, with two teams to a courtyard.

Unfortunately, Ning Shengsheng was in the same courtyard as Ning Jin and Jiang Feng. The two groups were like fire and water. Ning Jin angrily demanded a room change, but was gently refused by Pei Yuan.

Ning Shengsheng, on the other hand, didn’t mind. She had Xue Chen stay in the west room, which conveniently separated her from Ning Jin and Jiang Feng, saving that group of cannon fodder from bothering the great villain. They wouldn’t even know how they died.

After settling in, Pei Yuan gathered everyone in the meeting hall and took out a green scroll.

“There has been one death and two injuries in the town. The deceased’s entire skeleton has disappeared, leaving only the skin.”

“There are two injured. One has lost the bones in his hand, the other the bones in his leg. The preliminary guess is that it is the work of a bone-eating monster.”

“The practical experience begins now. Whoever brings back the culprit first will be the winner.”

Everyone excitedly dispersed. Some went out in groups to find clues. Xue Chen didn’t expect the delicate princess to do any work and went out alone to find useful leads.

Ning Shengsheng didn’t stop him. She returned to the courtyard and instructed Songgao to summon all the little beggars in Yongle Town. Songgao was puzzled but didn’t dare to ask, and simply carried out the order.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she had brought back several dozen little beggars. Ning Jin and the others had also gone out.

She smiled and had Zaoni bring out two boxes of pastries. In a gentle tone, she asked, “Have there been any strange occurrences in the town recently?”

“If you can answer, this sister will give you all these pastries.”

The child at the front swallowed. “I… I know. The owner of the paper effigy shop died in his shop a few days ago. I heard he was just a bag of skin, not even a bone left. It was so scary…”

He spoke timidly.

“That is strange. Here, this box of pastries is for you.” She smiled and handed it over.

“Thank you, sister! Thank you, sister!”

The child clapped his hands happily. With someone taking the lead, the other little beggars were no longer afraid and began to chatter.

“Sister! The son of the grain shop in the north of the city went to Six Finger Mountain, and both his legs are gone!”

“Also, Uncle Zhang went into the mountains to gather firewood and lost his arm!”

Ning Shengsheng’s expression was serious. “Anything else?”

The children looked at each other, their grimy little hands rubbing their stomachs. They said dejectedly, “No more.”

“It’s okay. Those who didn’t answer also get pastries.”

She had Songgao bring out a few more boxes. The little beggars happily left with their food boxes, thanking Ning Shengsheng profusely before they left.

Only one little boy in blue clothes hesitated, not leaving. She went over and stroked his head. “What’s wrong?”

“Kind sister, I… I have a secret to tell you…”

His eyes were wide and round, and he had to summon all his courage to say this.

Ning Shengsheng bent down and brought her ear closer, smiling. “Mm, go on.”

“Last month, I was waiting for leftovers at the restaurant opposite the paper effigy shop. It was very, very late that day, and I… I saw the prefect go into the paper effigy shop…”

“He… he was pushing a coffin.”

“And… and lots and lots of blood was dripping from the coffin!”

The prefect?

An image of a fawning, smiling face appeared in Ning Shengsheng’s mind.

“Kind sister?”

“Mm-hmm…” She came back to her senses and handed the child another box of pastries. “Thank you for the information.”

“It was a great help to me.”

The little beggar smiled shyly. “It was nothing. You saved our lives. My little sister has been sick for many days. Thank you for the pastries. She’ll definitely get better after eating them!”

“Your little sister is sick?”

“Mm, she was waiting for leftovers at the restaurant a few days ago and was kicked by a guest inside.”

“She’s been coughing up blood ever since.”

The little boy was on the verge of tears with guilt. “It’s all my fault for getting a fever. My sister only got hurt because she went out to find food for me.”

Ning Shengsheng’s nose tingled. She stroked the little boy’s head and turned to give an order. “Songgao, take him and settle him and his sister in an inn. Have a doctor visit them daily. And remember to buy them a few sets of clothes and leave them some money.”

“Yes, I’ll go at once!”

Songgao wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and led the little boy out. No matter what the princess’s motives were, she had saved two lives. She was truly happy.

The little boy turned back and looked seriously at the richly dressed girl in the courtyard. He looked up and asked, “Sister Songgao, who is that kind sister?”

“That is our Princess Ning An!”

Princess Ning An… Princess Ning An…

He repeated the name over and over in his heart and secretly vowed that one day, he would repay this kindness.