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, she would be criticized for acting above her station and disrespecting her elders.
Ning Xueyan glanced at her father, whom she did not hold out any hope for.
In order to achieve their goals, the Madam Dowager and Madam Ling used the carrot and stick. They wanted Ning Xueyan to know that they were a family.
This time, they were wrong. She already had a solution.
Ning Xueyan stepped away and avoided Madam Ling's bow with a cold smile. Then she looked up and said in surprise, her smile gone, "Mother, you are the First-Class Marchioness and my elder. You don’t have to apologize to me.”
Madam Dowager Liu frowned and said in an unpleasant tone, "Madam Ling, don't embarrass Xueyan. What's important is what to do next. As the Marchioness, you know it's a scandal to hold a wedding ceremony when a member of our family has died!"
Madam Ling could not answer for a moment then turned to the Madam Dowager.
The Madam Dowager coughed. Before she could say anything, Madam Dowager Liu asked, "Sister, you don't know about it, do you?"
Caught off-guard, the Madam Dowager kept coughing. With the help of the maids, she drank some tea and said, "Madam Ling must have covered that up. I didn't know."
Madam Ming had died the night before, but the Madam Dowager found out about it this morning. At that time, the wedding ceremony had started and the bridal sedan chair had left.
At this point, the Madam Dowager did not want to hide it anymore. She told Ning Xueyan her purpose directly.
"Now we have to come up with an idea to make up for it. It's not good for anyone if the reputation of Lord Protector's Manor is destroyed. Xueyan, just tell people that your mother told you on her deathbed not to announce her death until after your sister's wedding. This will show also your mother's love for the younger generation."
Someone had died in the family, but they held a wedding instead of a funeral. Now they wanted Ning Xueyan and Madam Ming to be responsible for that. The Madam Dowager and Madam Ling distorted the facts, but thought it was justified!
Ning Zu'an, who sat on one side, stopped looking at Ning Xueyan with guilt on his face.
So that was why they’d called her here!
She clenched her hands in her sleeves and tried her best to suppress the rising anger as hatred flashed in her eyes. How shameful of them! She wasn’t going to let it happen.
Ning Xueyan nodded with a smile and said, "Grandmother, I understand your difficult position. I'm willing to do as you ask."
Seeing that the Madam Dowager had been relieved, Ning Xueyan smiled and continued to speak.
"But now the entire city knows that we held a big wedding while hiding the news of someone's death. If we change the story, I'm afraid people will think that we spare no effort to slander the dead to cover up the scandal. If anyone should expose it to His Majesty..."
The Madam Dowager became fearful, her gaze wandering, and Ning Xueyan knew she’d won.
Realizing that the Madam Dowager was going to change her mind, Madam Ling said hurriedly, "How would His Majesty find out about such a trifle? Xueyan, don't talk nonsense. You've frightened your grandmother!"
"Mother, do you think His Majesty doesn't know? Or do you think this kind of thing won't be exposed to him? Don't doubt His Majesty's ability. If he finds out..."
The cold smile Ning Xueyan gave Madam Ling sent chills down her spine. Then Ning Xueyan said slowly, "The crime of deceiving the monarch is unforgivable!"
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
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