Out of nowhere, Ning Xueyan turned around and bellowed, "Stop right there!"
This time, even Madam Dowager and Mother Han noticed someone shifting suspiciously behind the white banner. The middle-aged woman that had just arrived at the door looked at Ning Xueyan in bewilderment. She didn't know if she should put down her raised foot. She was the very picture of awkwardness!
"Could you be sneaking out to find a way to save these two evil servants? Fake some evidence and witnesses to help them out of this predicament?" a pale-faced Ning Xueyan said coolly.
Madam Dowager, who occupied the central seat, watched the middle-aged woman wear a guilty expression as if her intention had been uncovered. She turned livid with rage and flung the teacup in her hand at the woman's feet.
The woman was so frightened that she trembled. With a loud thud, she kneeled down and tried to explain herself. "Fifth Miss, I'm just feeling the urge to go to the
"How can she not know who Lan Ning is?" Ning Xueyan thought, gripping her lapel.In her previous incarnation, Lanning was her close personal maid. Although Lanning was sent by Lord Protector's Manor to serve her, Ning Xueyan treated her well and they had a deep relationship.That night, however, Lanning wasn't there!"Maybe you don't know it, my lady." Qingyu said, "Lanning was the first class servant of Yunying courtyard. She had nowhere to stay after Lady Ziying left. She thought you might be a good master, so she begged me to ask you."Once, Qingyu was bullied by Xianghong and Miao'er, maids of the Second Young Miss, blocking the way to stop her moving. Lanning shouted that Madam Dowager had come, and the two bullies ran away. Besides, Lanning was nice to everyone. Most people in Lanning’s position would refuse to become a handmaid of the Fifth Young Miss, who was unfavored, But Lanning just wanted a master who would treat her w
Ning Xueyan propped herself up to get back on her feet and adjusted her clothing before walking out to the mourning hall.Since she had to put on a show, she must act until the end. Those around the noble guests were no ordinary people. If she accidentally made a mistake, she would be bringing trouble to herself instead..."My, Fifth Sister! You've finally shown up!"Ning Lingyun couldn't help mocking Ning Xueyan after seeing her. This was the first sentence that Ning Lingyun said to her today.She was a concubine's daughter, but her beauty made her believe that she was just as good as her sisters, who were merely fortunate to have grown inside First Madam's belly. On the other hand, she was unfortunate enough to have a concubine for a mother. Her birth lowered her status by a significant degree.Ning Ziyan and her sister were daughters of Madam Ling, who was the First Madam of the Lord Protector's Manor. Madam Ling co
The two of them turned to in unison to the source of the voice, and saw a group of people standing at the door. The one who spearheaded the group wore a black robe with an eye-catching, large, blood-red spider lily print.The large blood-red spider lily print stood in stark contrast against the ink-like black fabric. The hem of the robe was lined with golden thread.Under the purple and gold hat was a devilishly handsome face. His seemingly pure-black eyes had no light in them and resembled two bottomless pits of darkness. He emanated a thousand-year coldness which sucked everyone into his aura. He inexplicably made others feel the frigidness of the Blood Sea.Because of this, his delicate face was more ruthless than feminine, and upon meeting his cold eyes,, Ning Xueyan felt her hands begin to cramp.However, she swiftly put her emotions under control and showed no trace of her feelings aside from the appropriate display of surpri
"Doctor, how is my Lady doing?"The imperial physician didn't answer. He made Ning Xueyan offer her other hand and his frown deepened.His gaze fell on the teacup placed near her. He reached out for the cup, placed it near his nose, and sniffed. He asked Qingyu, "Did your Young Lady drink this?""Yes. The kitchen sent it over. Is there something wrong with it?" Qingyu asked nervously."I didn't touch the tea when they sent it over this afternoon,” Ning Xueyan explained feebly. “But I got thirsty and took a sip or two. We're all drinking tea prepared in the kitchen; how could there be a problem?"Her face was deathly pale, and the imperial physician fished a silver needle out of his robe and dipped it inside the teacup. The silver needle was now dyed a faint layer of black!The imperial physician shook his head. "There's a substance in this tea called the Peach Blossom. It carries a naturally sweet and mell
Ning Xueyan shivered inwardly. It looked like she was right. This was a man who both made good on his word and wouldn't tolerate any annoyance. She hadn’t factored such a person into her plans. Right now, she could only stay humble."I apologize, my Prince. I did not intend to manipulate you. The circumstances have forced my hand."Ning Xueyan was expressionless. It was as if she was talking about something as ordinary as the weather. However, her smirk inadvertently revealed a hint of wryness."Aren't you… afraid of me killing you?""There are already those who would abuse, humiliate, and harm me. What do I have to fear?" Ning Xueyan stared fixedly at the man's handsome face with neither fear nor admiration. Her gaze harbored only a sliver of coldness.The purpose of her rebirth was revenge. The grudge she bore in her past life, the grudge Ning Xueyan bore, the grudge Madam Ming bore—every grudge was steeped in blood.
After giving his prayers in front of Madam Ming's coffin, Prince Yi left with his entourage without waiting for Ning Zu'an to return. It wasn't until he left that Ning Lingyun finally dared to come out of the side room.Ning Zu'an had arrived with the others while she was hiding, and two stone-faced guards watched the entrance, making it impossible for her and her maid to return to the mourning hall.She hastily came out to investigate as soon as she saw the outsiders leave.When she saw that Qingyu was helping Ning Xueyan swallow a pill, she thought that Ning Xueyan was so frightened that her illness flared. She stared at Ning Xueyan in contempt while inwardly mocking her for being so useless.Chin raised, she asked rudely, "You there, what happened earlier? Why did Father come and then leave so abruptly?""A noble guest came to pay his respects to my mother," Ning Xueyan replied indifferently.Qingyu put
"Fa… Father…" Ning Lingyun never imagined that Ning Zu'an would appear here at this moment. Her face instantly paled and she was so frightened that her voice trembled. Ning Zu'an raised an eyebrow after seeing Ning Lingyun's hesitation and immediately rebuked her. "Apologize at once!" Even though Ning Lingyun hated this order so much that she was inwardly gnashing her teeth, she was forced to lower her head and say, "Fifth Younger Sister, please forgive me my poor choice of words. I don't mean it. I'm sorry." "It's alright. I'm sure it wasn't intentional. But the rebel that you mentioned earlier…" Ning Xueyan raised her head and put on a curious expression. However, her pupils were frozen cold. "Rebel?" She was curious as to why Madam Ming would be considered rebellious. Before Ning Xueyan could finish her sentence, Ning Zu'an interrupted her with an angry bellow. "Go to the ancestral hall! I hereby punish you to
"What happened?" A frowning Ning Xueyan turned around and looked at Mother Han in confusion. She had never seen Mother Han looking this panicked. "Young Lady, Qingrui was beaten so badly that she's one breath away from dying. First Madam ordered the servants to drag her to the entrance of the Bright Frost Garden, saying that she has avenged Second Madam. A battered and bloodied Qingrui is now lying at our door." A pale-faced Mother Han was sweating all over. Whoever who saw that badly mutilated body would feel an intense fear! First Madam had Qingrui thrashed and thrown at the entrance of the Bright Frost Garden before leaving with some ambiguous message about avenging Madam Ming. She was a cruel woman, indeed. She wanted everyone to think of Ning Xueyan as a narrow-minded and vicious girl. She wanted to ruin Ning Xueyan's reputation while simultaneously distracting everyone's attention. Qingrui was a servant of the Bright Frost Garden who s