Heng Yuwan had arrived at the side door. She turned her head and smiled at Heng Yuqing brightly before walking behind the door.
As soon as Heng Yuqing and Ning Xueyan arrived at the platform behind the door, Ning Xueyan smelt a medicine flavor. Although the smell was faint, as Ning Xueyan had taken a lot of medicine since her childhood, she could tell that there was some medicine nearby.
She looked down and saw the four older female servants still chatting behind that tree. Since she left just now, these servants had been there for some time. It was very suspicious that they had been talking for such a long facing the wind. Besides, Ning Xueyan felt like an older female servant raise her head and glance over to the platform.
"What did you want with me?" Heng Yuqing asked angrily, staring at Heng Yuwan.
"Eldest Sister, calm down. Why are you so angry every time you see me? I just want to ask if you want me to send some delicious
"Come down and apologize to your eldest sister!" Weighing the pros and cons, Lord Guardian decided to be 'fair', so he immediately shouted at Heng Yuwan. It meant that he had admitted that Heng Yuwan pushed Heng Yuqing into the winter. How could Heng Yuwan take the blame? She sobbed and protested, "Father, I did not..." Lord Guardian was heartbroken when he saw his second daughter crying. However, after thinking it over and looking at the Young Ladies present, who were all the wedded wives' daughters of other manors, he knew that he should not be partial to Heng Yuwan anymore. Then he shook his sleeve and turned to leave without looking at Heng Yuwan. Feeling unjustly accused of trying to murder her sister, Heng Yuwan ran away, crying. Except for Ning Xueyan, the Young Ladies on the platform did not see any point in staying, so they all left. Ning Xueyan told the maid of the Lord Guardian's Manor that she wanted to see how Heng Yuqing was do
"Sir, are you from the Qingyun Academy?" While they were talking, Ning Xueyan had put down her book and came over gracefully. She bowed to the young man politely. "Yes!" Although he was a little bit unpleasant, the young man still bowed to Ning Yueyan politely before answering her question. Obviously, he was well-educated. "Sir, we are going to the Qingyun Academy to give something to a person. I wonder if you know him." Ning Xueyan continued with a smile, "Sir, can you give it to him for me when you go back to the academy?" "Whom are you talking about?" the young man sized up Ning Xueyan. However, he could not see her face clearly except for vaguely telling that it was a girl with a veil. "Ning Huaijing. Do you know him, sir?" Ning Xueyan asked in a soft voice. "Ning Huaijing?" The young man was so shocked and his eyelid twitched unconsciously, the look in his eyes becoming even colder. He stared at Ning Xueyan a
Outside the Lord Protector's Manor. A ragged young man craned his neck and peered at the door around the corner countless times. Just when he felt impatient with all this waiting, he saw a woman coming out from the manor at a distance, and felt relieved. He came out, waved to her and then returned to the corner. At this time, Chen Qing was a vagrant. He was penniless, so he had to return to the capital city. "How dare you come back? If First Madam finds out that you are back, you'll be killed!" Mother Chen frowned and whispered, as she went round the corner and saw Chen Qing. "Aunt, it's been so long. Is First Madam still looking for me?" Chen Qing had suffered a lot during this period. After being told, he turned pale with fear. How was he to know that it was the Second Young Lady of the Lord Protector's Manor? It happened so fast. He had asked the man to paint the Fifth Young Lady. Unexpectedly, the man painted
"You don't need to worry about these things. Yuan'er said that he has a solution, so he can do it." Seeing that Mother Chen was absent-minded, Madam Ling told her, with an unhappy look on her face. "Yes. I acted beyond my duties." Mother Chen nodded. "Mother Chen, do you think the lords of the court will take a fancy to that little bi*ch?" Although she did not take any action these days, Madam Ling felt more and more anxious after she thought about it. That little bi*ch looks pretty good, so Madam Ling was worried that she might be selected. Until then, whether she was at court or in a prince's mansion, it would not be good for Madam Ling. "First Madam, don't worry. Although Fifth Young Lady looks good, she is thin and weak. Looking at her face, one can tell that she is not suited to have children. Whether she is at court or in a prince's mansion, if she can't have a child, she will come to a bad end." At this time, Mother Chen
The carriages from the Vice Minister of Justice Ling's Manor, loaded with several large pieces of furniture, came in. Although the furniture was not expensive, it looked at least decent. Moreover, it came from the Vice Minister of Justice's Manor, which would make up for any regrets that Madam Ling's parents' had not sent any dowry before. Therefore, when the servants reported this, Madam Dowager nodded and said nothing. The Vice Minister of Justice Ling's wife, Madam Qian and her son Ling Yi, were in the carriage as well. Since they had a dispute in the Lord Protector's Manor the last time, this would be their first visit since the incident. As Madam Ling's family, Madam Dowager could not go too far. She asked someone to prepare fruits and snacks, and sent them to Mingxia Garden. Ling Yi did not stay in the courtyard after he arrived, but went outside to look for Ning Huaiyuan. The carriage that brought in the furniture stopped outside the second door. T
Ning Xueyan did not know that she had been targeted by Ao Chenyi. At this moment, she was walking on the street step by step with Ning Qingshan and Ning Lingyun. Their maids were surrounding them and helping them clear the way. "Look over there, Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister. It is a cosmetics shop. Shall we go to have a look?" Ning Qingshan said to Ning Xueyan, pointing at a shop across the street. There were so many people in front of the shop because today was a very special day without any taboo. When ladies went shopping, this kind of store was very popular, not only because the makeup in the shop would make them beautiful, but also because the hanging lanterns painted with court ladies looked delectable. Therefore, there were many people in this area. A few philanderers were wandering around from time to time, deliberately going in and out annoyingly. Seeing that, Ning Xueyan didn't want to be in a crowded place, so she frowned and re
Looking at Ning Xueyan's mischievous look, the young man in white could not help smiling. He sat opposite her and looked around. Suddenly his face sank. "Where have your maids gone?" "Tell me first, where is your servant?" Ning Xueyan smiled and asked Ming Yuanhua. What a coincidence that she could see Ming Yuanhua here. After Ming Yuanhua knew her situation and her misfortune, he had no longer ignored her. "There was a man who was surreptitiously speaking to someone when I saw him. He looked like he was from your house, and I wanted to ask if there was anything wrong, so I followed him." Ming Yuanhua smiled indifferently and took over the teacup from the owner of the tea house. The rescuer talked with the one who was rescued and they drank tea together. Seeing this, the crowd felt bored and they all dispersed. "Let me guess, is that person the reputable second son of the Xia family?" she asked in a pleasant mood.
Earrings and hairpins? Ning Xueyan looked at Wen Xueran with meaningful eyes. She frowned slightly. People like him could really do this just for fun. When they met the second time, he questioned her with a sword about a nun's whereabouts. Was he looking for that Jingkong? Such a problem suddenly flashed through her mind, which was abrupt but reasonable. She just felt that Wen Xueran was not seeking fun by sitting up there. But if he was not, what would be his target? The earrings, hairpins, or pendants? She was shocked. If he questioned her with a sword in the last life because he was looking for Jingkong, whom she knew about, he was likely looking for her or the earrings in her hand. It was her family affair and she had never heard that it had any relationship with the Princely Heir of Commandery Prince Min. In her last life, when she was in the regions south of the Yangtze River, her father and mother had never
"What will you do now?" Ning Xueyan had to take two quick steps to catch up with Ao Chenyi's pace. "Destroy the nine barbarian states alongside Wen Xueran?""No." Ao Chenyi raised an eyebrow and smiled mysteriously. "I'll negotiate with Wen Xueran."Confused, she repeated, "Negotiate?""The people of the nine barbarian states have always been different from those of the central plains. They're valiant and barbaric. For many years, they have wanted to invade us. If it weren't for the princes of Annan holding down the front, the nine barbarian states would have attacked us a long time ago. Annan troops have fought the nine barbarian states more than our troops did, and they have a better chance of winning too."Ao Chenyi said calmly. He didn't like the nine barbarian states in the slightest. If it weren't his father forbidding him from going to the faraway hinterland of the nine barbarian states, where death was almost certain, he wo
It didn't take long for Qingyu to return from the Lord Protector's Manor with a new piece of news. It was said that there had been a haunting in the prayer hall of the manor.Rumor had it that an older maid became ill from the fright of seeing a ghost.A long time ago, the Cloud Reflection Courtyard was said to be haunted too. No one dared to come close at that time, not even during the day. Even though the rumors died down later on, a few people who were deeply affected by the events said that the situation was still grave then.Therefore, even though only a maid had seen the ghost, the rumors spread like wildfire in the manor.The prayer hall used to be Madam Dowager's favorite spot. It was later used to imprison Madam Ling for some time. Now that Madam Ling was dead, everyone feared that she was the ghost. It was said that Madam Ling was an evil woman when she was alive. Even in death, she might become a malicious ghost. The sit
Ao Chenyi was so close that his handsome face was all that Ning Xueyan could see, and he didn't look all that happy. Then, she realized that she had been holding tightly onto a strand of his black hair.She flung her hand and hastily released the strand of hair in her hand. She even caressed the hair on his temples with a wide smile. "Why are you here? When did you come? Why didn't you wake me up?"Ning Xueyan looked truly confused as if she really didn't know that she had grabbed Ao Chenyi's hair until it hurt."Playing dumb, huh?" he said coldly, frowning at her. His slender fingers reached out and lightly pinched the wing of her nose."Ouch!" Ning Xueyan held her nose pitifully. Her limpid eyes seemed glazed over as if brewing tears."Now you know it hurts!" Ao Chenyi's thin lips were curved into a smile. He was satisfied to see her not daring to voice her frustration.Ning Xueyan nodded firmly without
"Can you remember it now?" Ao Chenyi narrowed his eyes and knocked on their table with his slender fingers. His voice sounded a tad threatening."I… I really can't remember." Ning Xueyan felt like she had thought of all the possible answers but she was still coming up empty. She had no choice but to admit her fault."You really can't remember?" His beautiful eyes curved into a charming arc and his expression was sinister. Sure enough, this was a bad situation to be in. She didn't even hesitate to grab his hand with a bright smile on her tender face."Even if I can't remember, you can still remind me, right?" She knew it would pay well to cajole this man.Ao Chenyi wasn't polite with her either. He turned his hand over and pinched her soft face. His expression had improved considerably. There was a faint smile on his face as he asked, "If I tell you, can you really understand and remember what it is?""Of course I can!"
It seemed that at this point of the letter, the Empress couldn't continue anymore. There were only tear stains on the paper, followed by wide empty spaces.Then, the Empress said how reassured she was that Madam Ming would be taking care of her newborn. Madam Ming would be a fine mother. She had also asked someone to watch over Madam Ming and the newborn. Their statuses in the previous dynasty had vanished like smoke. Time was always moving forward and the changing of imperial dynasties was inevitable.The only tragedy was the eternal separation of her from her husband, and of her from her daughters.The only reason she had written the letter was that she couldn't help herself. If she never said anything, her child would never know the truth. That would have been for the best. Yet, she couldn't accept this, so she would hand the letter to the person who would be looking after Madam Ming. If Ning Ziying's identity was revealed to the world one d
The news of Ning Zu'an's death shocked everyone in the Lord Protector's Manor. Even though the title had been passed onto Ning Huaijing, Ning Zu'an was the patriarch of the family. Even without the title, he was still the most authoritative figure in the manor.Madam Dowager collapsed as soon as she heard the news of his death. She became ill and bedridden, unable to get up.Ning Xueyan couldn't leave the palace freely due to her status as the Empress. She sent Qingyu and Mother Han to the manor and had them inquire about Madam Dowager's health in her place. Mother Han returned to Prince Yi's Manor afterward while Qingyu entered the palace to report to Ning Xueyan.It was inconvenient for Mother Han to live in the palace because she had a son to take care of. Instead of entering the palace with Ning Xueyan, she stayed in Prince Yi's Manor as the housekeeper. Ning Xueyan was prepared to release her from the manor when the situation stabilized in
"The Empress discovered a secret tunnel under Chenyuan Palace by accident. She never told anyone about it. She even killed the maid that discovered the tunnel with her and accompanied her in walking through the tunnel. In other words, she was the only one who knew about it," Ning Xueyan explained.This was the Empress' secret. To prove it, she used Yun Luoluo's incident as an example. When Ning Xueyan was drugged in Chenyuan Palace, the Empress wanted to take her to a room. There, a man would sneak into the palace through the secret tunnel.If Ning Xueyan woke up and discovered herself in disheveled clothes in the presence of another man, she would surely panic. To protect her secret, she would surely agree with whatever the Empress wanted. The Empress wanted to use Ning Xueyan to force Ao Chenyi into accepting his "affair" with Yun Luoluo.Unfortunately, Ao Chenyi had appeared all of a sudden. She didn't dare to do anything with him around, so
Ao Chenyi didn't try to persuade her this time. This had bothered her for so long that she would continue to suffer for it if she didn't cry it out now. He held her tighter and allowed her to wet the front of his robe. She didn't brawl. All she did was close her eyes and let her tears stream down her face. When her tears finally dried, she sat quietly in Ao Chenyi's embrace for a long time.It was so quiet inside the room that she could finally calm down.Her hands were being held so tightly in Ao Chenyi's hand that she could feel the callus in his palm. He was Prince Yi, the late Emperor's beloved prince who grew up to be the infamous Demon King. Those who mentioned his name would often be frightened and alarmed. Only she knew how difficult his life had been.Ao Chenyi was still young when he drew his elder brother's jealousy and suspicion. He was framed, imprisoned, and nearly died. His fiancee abandoned him at his lowest point, sought shelte
"It was and wasn't an accident. He could only blame himself. No matter what, he was the one who forced my hand and cornered me to this state. He ruined my everything. Him dying in my hands could be considered as his retribution."The Empress began to look calm again. She turned her head and stared at Ning Xueyan with a trace of sadness in her eyes. "I invited you here to ask you to let go of my family. It's all my fault and has nothing to do with my family. They're just a small and useless noble family. In exchange for their safety, I'll tell you a secret."Her voice had lost her previous agitation and anger, leaving only a sense of helplessness. She had never put any hope in her family. She thought that she would be able to help her people after gaining power but now that she was in trouble, she was worried that her family would be implicated and sentenced to death.She had resented her family countless times for marrying her off to the Empero