The surrounding maids and women reacted because the Fifth Young Lady still was a mistress of the manor, even though she was not favored. If something bad were to happen to her, all of them would be punished. They were overwhelmed, trying to wake Ning Xueyan up and calling for a doctor.
The shouts in the garden passed to the front yard, where the madams were having a banquet. They looked at each other, not knowing what had happened.
A blood-stained female servant hurriedly walked by, but was stopped by a madam in splendid clothes. "What happened in the backyard?"
Mother Han was confused when Ning Xueyan had asked her to go to the front yard before she fainted, but now she understood. The Fifth Young Lady wanted all these madams to go to the garden!
She said to the madam, "A servant stunned the Fifth Young Lady in the garden. I'm going to fetch the doctor!"
Mother Han's words shocked all the madams. A servant dared to hit a mistress! Were there no rules in the Lord Protector's Manor?
These madams' interest of gossip was aroused, so they walked to the garden while gossiping about it. Seeing the approaching madams, Madam Ling was furious. She knew that things could no longer be controlled and glared at Mother Yun, who then realized things would get worse, and knelt down beside Ning Xueyan.
The Madam Dowager walked out, frowning. "What's wrong with the Fifth Young Lady? Who hurt her?"
Mother Han, who had come back with the madams, pointed to Ning Xueyan's bloody hand and spoke with grief and indignation, "Madam Dowager, please exercise justice for the Fifth Young Lady. Mother Yun not only starved her for a day, but also scolded and beat her when the Fifth Young Lady came to ask her about it. Look, Madam Dowager…"
They all looked at Ning Xueyan's hand. Some timid madams could not help crying. Although they did not see the bloody wound, the blood dripping down from Ning Xueyan's hand made them shiver. What a cruel servant!
"Madam Dowager, it wasn't me. I didn't bite the Fifth Young Lady." Mother Yun anxiously explained, sweat dripping from her face. The evidence was obvious, but Mother Yun still denied it. Some madams could not bear it and said with dissatisfaction, "If you didn't bite her, why does her hand look like this?"
"She should be beaten to death! There's no reason for servants to bully their masters."
"How could there be such an evil servant in the Lord Protector's Manor?"
Looking at this chaotic scene, Madam Dowager made the decision. She just wanted to end this chaos quickly. Otherwise, the face of the Lord Protector's Manor would be lost!
"Come on, shut her up. She is to be taken away and beaten to death!"
"Help, First Madam! Help me!" Mother Yun turned to Madam Ling, crying for help.
But immediately, two women came up and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
"Wait a minute! Mother, we haven't asked about it clearly yet before taking her away! It's… it's not good!" Although Madam Ling was afraid of Madam Dowager, she now had to stop Mother Yun from being taken away. If she did not help her personal servant, who was going to be beaten to death and begged her for mercy, no one would dare to follow her in the future.
"You mean we should just let her go?" Madam Dowager reprimanded Madam Ling, This daughter-in-law from a small family clearly did not know it was inappropriate for such things to happen in the Lord Protector’s Manor. What's more, Madam Dowager was displeased that Ning Xueyan was wearing funeral clothes – she had not been informed of any deaths!
Madam Ling was afraid that Madam Ming's death would be exposed, but having been openly reprimanded by Madam Dowager, she was so ashamed and angry that she could not speak.
"Sister, wait a minute. Today is Ziyan's wedding. It's unlucky if someone dies today!" Madam Dowager Liu, who stood at the side, tried to persuade Madam Dowager.
Madam Dowager Liu's words were reasonable, and Madam Dowager nodded her head. She would lock up Mother Yun first and then interrogate her after the wedding.
Ning Xueyan, pretending to be unconscious, knew that it was time to wake up.
Ning Xueyan stood up unsteadily, holding onto Mother Han's hand, and said, "Grandma , please spare Mother Yun. Maybe we were too impulsive."All the madams were stunned by Ning Xueyan's unexpected pleading for Mother Yun. Ning Xueyan was still young, but she behaved elegantly. They had not known there was such a girl in the Lord Protector's Manor; they had only heard how gentle and elegant the First Young Lady was.Looking at the gentle and graceful Ning Xueyan, Madam Dowager Liu felt happy and spoke with a soft smile on her face. "Xueyan, why did you plead for her? She hurt you and doesn't respect you. She's an evil servant.""Grandmother, I agree she has to be punished for hurting me, but I think today is important, and it's not suitable to kill her. She has been working in the Lord Protector's Manor for many years. How about asking her to go to the backyard? It seems like suitable punishment for her negligence as a servant." Ning Xueyan smil
"Find out where Mother Yun will be locked up," Ning Xueyan said quietly."But..." Qingyu said hesitantly."Go!" Ning Xueyan said and gave her a push.This time, Qingyu turned and ran away.Looking at the back of Qingyu, Ning Xueyan smiled.Mother Yun was Madam Ling's accomplice and must know a lot about the Madam’s schemes. How could she let her die so simply?***The Lord Protector's Manor was holding a wedding ceremony and the banquet was arranged near the second door. But the backyard was in chaos, and nobody noticed that somebody was watching them in a loft near the second door .In a vast, luxurious living room, a handsome man sat against the railing. His clothes had a pattern of bloody flowers on a black background. He was beautiful, but also daunting. Several guards stood far away, at the entrance of the stairs, not daring to move. The temperature around him was di
Hearing the Madam Dowager's inquiry, Madam Ling hurried to cry out her grievances!"Mother, I arranged for food to be sent. Maybe the servants were too busy to serve the Fifth Miss — there were so many guests, and I can't always be with the Fifth Miss! It really has nothing to do with me."Madam Dowager looked at Madam Ling unhappily for a while, then said in a deep voice, "You've been in charge of this manor for some time. How can these servants deceive and bully their masters? Although Xueyan lives in a remote house, she is also a mistress of the Lord Protector's Manor. Later, you will arrange for more servants in her Bright Frost Garden. She can't be slighted any further.""Yes, Mother. I was too busy and neglected Xueyan. Xueyan, it's my fault. I am sorry." Madam Ling made an apology quickly, then turned to Ning Xueyan and began a formal bow of apology.Ning Xueyan saw this and knew that if she were to accept Madam Ling's bow,
When Ning Xueyan finished, everyone fell silent."Who... no one will tell His Majesty!" Madam Ling struggled to speak.Madam Dowager Liu pounded the desk heavily and stood up. She pointed at Madam Ling, then turned to stare at Ning Zu'an. She knew the Madam Dowager's decision was not proper and understood the consequences if it was discovered. She disliked people who behaved improperly, and now she saw that Madam Ling wanted Madam Ming to take responsibility for her own mistake. It might bring disaster to the Lord Protector's Manor!Madam Dowager Liu was so angry that she could not speak for a moment. After a while, she said angrily, "Madam Ming has died, but you still want to humiliate her. Madam Ling, you have replaced her — aren't you satisfied? Why do you make trouble? Zu'an, how could you let this happen? Did you hate your wife that much?""Aunt, I..." Ning Zu'an trailed off, frowning slightly. He gave a look to Ning Xueyan an
The next day, the scandal of the Lord Protector's Manor shocked the court!Many officials impeached Ning Zu'an in court. They said that Ning Zu'an had hidden the news of his co-wife's death and dared to hold a wedding ceremony with no regard for ritual or principle. Such a vicious act was abhorrent!In the end, it was proved that Madam Ling was to blame, but Ning Zu'an was the Marquis bore some responsibility, as well. If he had valued his co-wife, he would have been aware of her death, and this scandal would not have happened.His Majesty was so angry that he threw the memorial to the throne to Ning Zu'an and asked him to read it while kneeling. As for Madam Ling, if not for Ning Zu'an's entreaty, and that she was the mother of Ning Zu'an's only son, she would have been killed directly."Young Miss, Madam Ling has been taken to the palace by the Empress’ people. I heard that she will be stripped of the title of First-class Marchio
Ning Xueyan looked out and saw that Qingrui was back. Technically, she was a first maid of Ning Xueyan, but in fact, she was one of Madam Ling's people. She usually relied on Madam Ling's influence and had bullied Ning Xueyan often. Qingrui was trying to curry favor with Madam Ling and told her people everything that happened in Bright Frost Garden.She likely had something to do with Madam Ming's death.Qingrui, dressed in a beautiful new satin dress, looked disdainfully and sneered at Mother Han, who was covered in coarse linen and white cloth. "I had something to do. The wedding was important, and I had to help First Miss. You’re lucky — you can rely on the Second Madam to be lazy.""Qingrui, how dare you say that!" Mother Han shouted, trembling with anger.With Madam Ling backing her, she was not afraid of Mother Han."Give your fire a rest, old woman! What kind of temper do you have so early in the morning? The Fi
Ning Xueyan sneered inwardly when she spotted the red dress under Qingrui’s clothes.To think that mere maids dared to wear a mourning garment on top of a gaudy outfit when her masters did not. It was obvious how badly they treated Madam Ming and Ning Xueyan. Everyone in this manor was brave enough to bully her. Outsiders knew only of the first wife's eldest and second daughters of the Lord Protector's Manor, but not the fifth daughter born by Madam Ming.The two servants came over and lay down the teapot and food basket in their hands. The older female servant poured a cup of water and passed it to Qingrui, who squatted down and handed it to Ning Xueyan. Ning Xueyan respected the traditions; she had been kneeling for an entire morning and did not even have a sip of water. Yet she saw the cold tea, she found that she had no appetite."You must be starving, young lady. Keep calm and have some water before eating. It's better for your body that w
Madam Dowager was drawn here after she heard that Qingyu was requesting Frigid Pills, just as Ning Xueyan had planned. She knew Old Lady Qin would be ill at ease after giving Qingyu the Frigid Pills and would inform Madam Dowager about Ning Xueyan's condition.After all that racket in the Lord Protector's Manor yesterday, all eyes were on them. They must not allow rumors of the Fifth Young Miss being abused to spread. With her health, she was like a master who was at death's door. And they were having guests over this afternoon! What would they say if she fainted inside the mourning hall?After thinking about it, Madam Dowager decided to check on the situation personally. The family was already at the heart of so much uproar; she must not allow people to continue gossiping about the Lord Protector's Manor.To her surprise, she heard a sharp-tongued maid bombarding Ning Xueyan the moment she entered the mourning hall. The maid even mentioned the