As the door was pushed open in the darkness, Ning Xueyan opened her eyes calmly. She looked at the slender but elegant black figure walking to the bed. The figure seemed to be gloomy and cool wherever he went. She sighed softly like Lanning, and then she tried to get up by holding the edge of the bed.
"Well, you know I'm coming. Were you waiting for me?" Ao Chenyi lowered his head and saw Ning Xueyan calmly sitting up. His long and narrowed eyes seemed to have water flowing through them , which made it difficult for people to guess what he was thinking.
The moonlight shone through the window, but Ning Xueyan could still see his sly eyes. She leaned back against the cushion with a slight smile on her lips. "Prince Yi, you don't want me to be sifted out tomorrow!"
Tomorrow would be the first round for eliminating people, which would be the most basic one. A noble lady was always good at playing Qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even if she w
The most famous double-sided embroidery made by the imperial palace of the previous dynasty had become unique and rare, with the fall of the former dynasty. There were only a few pieces that remained in the world. She did not expect Ao Chenyi to have such an exquisite piece of embroidery in his possession. Moreover, it was embroidered on the dancing dress that she had hastily decided to wear."Young Lady, please try it on first. If there is any alteration to be made, I can do it immediately!" Lanning was not familiar with this kind of embroidery technique, but she could feel the texture of the material. The lotuses on the embroidery were all delicately done. She could not help, but want Ning Xueyan to try it on."No. Take it out. You should go to bed early. Maybe there could be some unexpected incidents tomorrow." Ning Xueyan released the hem of her dress, and said softly.Ao Chenyi had sent this to her, so there would not be any issues with th
Lanning followed Caifen in and came to Ning Xueyan's side. She squatted down and whispered to Ning Xueyan. At this time, some childes from noble families came in from outside the hall. After they made their obeisance to the emperor and the empress, they went to the left side of the hall.There were rows of male guests, and three chairs were placed at the front. One chair was covered with light yellow brocade that was similar to a bright yellow color. It was at the right side of the emperor, and located slightly below the steps where the emperor sat, and a little to the side. The handsome and cold person sitting on it was Prince Yi, the emperor's younger brother.Below him were the Third Prince Ao Mingyu and the Fourth Prince Ao Mingwan.It was an impressive scene!The ladies were both shocked and happy. If they managed to create an impression on such an occasion, perhaps the emperor would remember them. Maybe then, this would be th
"Okay, thank you, Third Sister." Ning Xueyan's lips curved, and she did not refuse her offer anymore. Since Ning Qingshan insisted on helping her with "good intentions," how could she refuse?Since they were going to perform together, it was normal for them to get ready now. After thinking for a while, Ning Xueyan quietly stood up and walked to the wing room at the side. She had to go down to prepare. Ning Xueyan saw that all the ladies who were ready for their performances were waiting in the wing room, on the left side of the hall. They would come out when the eunuch in the hall called their names."Fifth Sister, it's still too early. Let's go down together later," Ning Qingshan said with a smile, when she saw Ning Xueyan going down at this moment. Although they were only going to play music, they had to change their clothes and make the necessary preparations.Ning Qingshan had already got her zither and dress ready. Now she deliberately del
"Fifth Sister, you don't want to play the zither?" Looking at Ning Xueyan's gorgeous dancing dress, Ning Qingshan turned blue in the face. Even though she was usually quick witted, she was stunned this time.After all kinds of calculative moves and plans, when she heard Ning Xueyan's consent in the hall, she told the palace maid earlier that she would be performing with Ning Xueyan, and even chose the longest song. Unexpectedly, Ning Xueyan would not be playing the zither, and wanted to dance at the last moment. When did she bring this gorgeous dance dress in? How could she not have known?Ning Xueyan said calmly, "Yes. Mother taught me some dance movements previously. I decided to dance when I saw that the song you chose is suitable for dancing.""But, but, I..." Ning Qingshan was anxious and angry."What's wrong? Third Sister, don't you think it's good?" Ning Xueyan looked at Ning Qingshan with her clear, black eyes.
"Is that the Fifth Young Lady of the Lord Protector's Manor? Didn't they say that she was uncultured?""It must be another rumor. I heard that the Lord Protector's Manor's wife is jealous. It must have been said on purpose. Otherwise, the Second Young Lady won't be famous. With such a sister, the Second Young Lady will definitely have a rival.""That's right. That must be the reason. Otherwise, the Fifth Young Lady will already be well-known." Some childes from the aristocratic families whispered from the sidelines. They were sitting behind Prince Yi, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince. At this time, several of them even craned their necks to get a better look.Those who were not married yet planned to ask their families to propose marriage to the Lord Protector's Manor, when they got back. They would propose to the Fifth Young Lady. Although she was still young, everyone knew that she would be indescribably beautiful and striking in two years, wi
After the song ended, Ning Qingshan's hand dropped instantly. The pain in her fingertips caused her hands to spasm. The nerves of the fingertips are linked to the heart. If it was not for the fact that it was a very important occasion, she would have given up earlier.The eunuch came down and waved to them to leave.The ladies looked at Ning Qingshan. Ning Xueyan came over and held Ning Qingshan. She asked in a gentle voice, "Third Sister, what happened? Did you hurt your hand?"In other people's eyes, Ning Xueyan's words sounded as if she was very concerned. But from Ning Qingshan's point of view, she could only feel the coldness and ridicule that she did not even try to hide. "Ning Qingshan tried to frame me. What should I do now? Otherwise, my finger would have been injured at this time, and I'm the one who would be viewed with disfavor!"Honored Consort Ya protected Ning Qingshan so that she could play her song till the end, su
Everything in front of her was not the usual scenery which one would see in the palace.Ning Xueyan did not know how she stumbled upon this place. What was this place? The scorched weeds showed evidence of a recent fire. There were some blackened stones and half-burnt planks which had a few words on them. Unfortunately, it was too badly burned, so she could not see what the original words were.On the half-wall in front of her, some yellowing weeds sprouted intermittently Although it was already spring, the plants did not grow well and were all withered and dry. The crooked pillars were the only props that supported the half-ruined palace. One side had totally collapsed, and the other was already crumbling to pieces.From the fire scars and the weeds, it was evident that this palace had been burned sometime ago. It should be the ruins of a burned palace from the previous dynasty. No one knew why it had not been repaired and appeared so run down
"Aunt, I want that bitch dead. I want her dead." Ning Qingshan had a ferocious look on her beautiful face.Looking at her tightly wrapped hands, Ning Qingshan felt a burst of pain, as a wave of hatred and anger surged in her eyes. Hearing the imperial physician telling her that her hand was almost crippled, Ning Qingshan had only the name "Ning Xueyan." on her mind. It was this bitch who had ruined her hand and the path of her promotion."Qing'er, we can't deal with her at this time. Let's talk about it later." The Honored Consort Ya sighed and tried to soothe her, holding her other hand, which was uninjured."Aunt, a few days later? Isn't that when she will be married to my cousin? Aunt, I won't allow her to marry my cousin." Ning Qingshan gritted her teeth and looked coldly at the Honored Consort Ya. There was an evil look on her face. She was unwilling to give up. How could she be willing? She was to be the wife of the Third Prince, but how