The ladies chatted as they walked. Ning Ziyan didn't realize that Ning Xueyan was "accidentally" leading her down a trail.
The winding path in the rear mountain of the Cold Mountain Temple was full of trails. Those who rarely came here would have no idea where these trails lead to.
"Was Ning Ziyan threatening Lanning earlier?"
Ning Xueyan glanced at Lanning. Sure enough, her maid's expression had changed. Even her face turned pale. However, she soon raised her head, deferentially saluted Ning Ziyan, and retreated behind Ning Xueyan. She was making it clear that she now belonged to Ning Xueyan.
Ning Xueyan gave her a subtle nod. She had long known Lanning to be a clever girl. Lanning's refusal to speak had effectively ruined Ning Ziyan's plans. If Lanning really had to say something, she must at least get her master's permission. Ning Ziyan's abrupt arrival was prompted by her talking about Ning Ziying. Not even in a million yea
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…"
After falling into the water last time, Ning Ziyan had been ignored by Xia Yuhang for more than half a year. She had sneaked into Xia Manor afterward, kneeling down in front of Xia Yuhang for six hours with lightly dressed. She fainted later so Xia Yuhang forgave her reluctantly, and he warned her not to be against the woman. Seeing Xia Yuhang's reaction, Ning Ziyan knew he treated that woman differently, but who was this woman? Ning Ziyan was hesitating. Because Ning Xueyan's words had helped her just now, Ning Ziyan had a good feeling about her. She frowned a little when she heard what Ning Xueyan said and thought it made sense. However, she couldn't make up her mind. The main purpose of Ning Ziyan's coming to Cold Mountain Temple with Ning Xueyan is to glorify her reputation. She wanted people to know she was a filial daughter. And the reason why the funeral turned into a wedding was because of her unawareness. She needed to
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
"Move the hat away! It is an order! How dare you!" Ning Xueyan's reaction annoyed the guard. Using his sharp knife, the guard was about to kill her because nobody could do such things in front of Prince Yi. Prince Yi's arrogance was unexpected. His guard was even more arrogant than him. If the knife fell on her neck, she would die! She shunned back in panic and suddenly shouted loudly, "In command of my lord, I inquire for Prince Yi!" Ning Xueyan gritted her teeth tightly. Ghosts were difficult to deal with but it was easier to see Hades. Now that she was here, nothing could be worse. With some comeliness, Ning Xueyan's voice sounded tender like a girl, which was also alluring. So several men who were standing by the door were attracted and they came towards her. An elegant man in a white suit walked ahead. Inside the carriage with a long curtain, cold eyes fell upon Ning Xueyan's pure face at the same time. Looking carefully a
Thinking about it, Ning Xueyan took a bowl to Prince Yi and said, "Your Highness, your favor will be carved on my bones." She conveyed her appreciation to Prince Yi and also admitted who she was. Prince Yi suddenly burst into laughter. He used his hand for supporting the forehead. And his fingers which were white as the jade glided over his black robe but his beautiful voice was cold as hell. "Twice!" It wasn't a question, it was an affirmative sentence. Prince Yi was telling Ning Xueyan that he had certainly helped her twice. No matter she admitted it or not, when he thought it was, then it must be. He was the boss. Would he need anyone's favor? She couldn't imagine what the favor would be, maybe it would cost her life. Ning Xueyan felt her hands, which was hidden in the sleeves, trembling and swallowed some saliva unconsciously. Prince Yi's peaceful eyesight seemingly focused on her with the treach
"Come here, sit down." The madam showed thin happiness on her face with complex emotion emerging from the bottom of her eyes. There was a little sadness in her eyes. She reached out to point at the stone chair aside asking Ning Xueyan to sit down. "Yes, thanks a lot, my aunt!" Ning Xueyan calmed down immediately from the shock. The aunt in front of her was a smart woman. She might suspect Ning Xueyan's identity already, so she tested her by words all along. Ning Xueyan was aware that her pale face and the infirm body was the defect to lead to people's suspicions of her identity. However, Ning Xueyan was short-staffed. Although her two maids were gumptious, she still needed to handle something herself. She had no choice but to disguise as a manservant using a roomy robe to cover her track. But any experienced man could tell she was a skinny sick girl. "Yan'er, he is your uncle's son, you can call him Brother Hua. Hua'er, this is your Sister Y
Ning Xueyan was very relieved now. She took out a thick stack of letters from her arms, delivering them to Ming Feiyong. She had been out for a long time and was afraid that someone from Lord Protector's Manor would come to see her. Lanning might be unable to handle this so she had to return now. She said, "Uncle, I found these letters in my mother's secret dresser. I don't know whether or not they're useful to you so please keep them for me because they are not safe with me." The letters were brought to her recently by Mother Han's staff. They were hidden in her mother's dresser. Ning Xueyan never saw Ning Zu'an come to Bright Frost Garden to see Madam Ming when she lived there. So Madam Ming never did any decorating and the dresser was covered in dust. Mother Han and Ning Xueyan did not notice it before. However, after someone always came to check Madam Ming's things, they found something wrong there. Mother Han sent everyone away and chec
As soon as Ning Xueyan left, Lanning went to see with concern but encountered Prince Yi's guard of honor, so she quickly knelt beside the road. Then she knew that it was Prince Yi who came, knowing that most of the monks of Cold Mountain Temples went to greet him and would not have time to take care of other guests. "I'll go to see if Master Mingyue is there or not. If he's here, I'll invite him to come over and greet you. Don't rush to pray for me, take care of yourself first. Several days later, Honored Consort Ya will come to the temple to enjoy the chrysanthemum and hold an appreciation grand meeting. Your sister, First Young Lady, has been married, and the Fourth Young Lady is not qualified. So, only you and Second Young Lady can enter the grand meeting. You have to keep a good body before the grand meeting." The Honored Consort Ya was coming to Cold Mountain Temple, so the temple had been busy recently. And, that was the reason why the
"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