"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

Madam Ming was buried the next day. Few came to witness the ceremony. In fact, the number of witnesses was fewer than those who came to pay their respects at the mourning hall that day. Some manors merely sent their housekeeper as a representative but Ning Xueyan expected this. To put it nicely, a co-wife was also considered a wife, whose position was equivalent to a wife. However, to put it frankly, a co-wife was a concubine. She had no right to demand anything for a concubine's funeral. In fact, she was curious why such esteemed guests came to pay their respects to her mom. The co-wife of the Lord Protector's Manor wasn't so reputable as to attract the likes of them. It made no sense even if this was Madam Ling's funeral! Some guests were particularly noble. Take that Prince for example. She knew at one glance that he possessed a high standing and great authority. Why would he come and pay his respects to her mom? Even if he was merely stopping by, it w

"Yes, Young Master Xia has been occupying his usual residence. He used to come here every now and then to offer incense. Every month, he would spend three nights here," the young novice monk immediately answered. Evidently, he was very familiar with Xia Yuhang. As expected, Xia Yuhang's habits remained unchanging. On the same few days every month, he would spend a few days in the Cold Mountain Temple. Others might not understand why, yet Ning Xueyan was well aware of the reason. "I see. Is he not returning to his manor today as well?" Ning Xueyan looked away and continued walking behind the young novice monk. If Xia Yuhang doesn't show up when his wife returns to her bridal home three days after their wedding, Ning Ziyan wouldn't be the only one would be humiliated. "You guessed correctly, Fifth Young Lady. I heard servants from the Minister's Manor came early this morning to persuade Young Master Xia to go home. Our Master Uncle, the one wh

The woman who walked over in an "ordinary" manner kneeled and knocked her head hard on the ground before raising her head fearfully. She wasn't a great beauty but she was petite and had a pitiful look. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as if she had been bullied. "It's a misunderstanding, Young Madam. Young Master Xia saved me, settled me here, and even contacted my family for me. We're not really in a relationship. Please trust me, Madam. Let… Let me die to express my innocence." With that said, she abruptly stood up and acted as if she was going to throw herself at a nearby pillar and die. A panicked Xia Yuhang reached out to stop her. The woman's petite body fell into his tight embrace and she cried even harder. "Young Master Xia, you saved me. How could I allow others to misunderstand you? I'm… I'm but a piece of duckweed floating on a pond. I don't care about being mistaken as a lady from a brothel, but… how could I ruin your reputation? I…"

Ning Xueyan had a nightmare again! She lifted her quilt, smiling ruefully, and stood up. Then she walked toward the table to grab a cup of cold tea, pouring in her mouth. But she was too weak to swallow the cold water. She poured in quickly, so she had to grasp her chest for a slight cough. Although she tried to do exercise every day, it seemed that she hadn't get better. Ning Xueyan was lost in thought, standing in the front of the window. She looked at the lightful dawn with frowning. She had been at Cold Mountain Temple for half a month. Several days ago, Mother Han wrote a letter to tell her that her uncle was about to come to the capital and today was the day of his coming. Ning Xueyan never met this uncle before, but Mother Han guaranteed to her this uncle would protect her. Therefore, Ning Xueyan planned to meet this uncle today, to verify whether Mother Han told the truth. Moreover, if she didn't go to see him, her uncle would inquir