The Emperor arrived shortly after Ao Chenyi. Lord Peace's Madam had lost all right to discuss her family's fate; all she could do was kneel on the side and await punishment.
Ning Xueyan was in much better spirits after drinking a cup of rejuvenating tea. Although she still looked drowsy, she didn't look like she would fall asleep at a moment's notice like before.
The Empress spoke very little and maintained a gentle expression. From time to time, she would get the maids to fill the teacups for the Emperor and Prince Yi while she listened to their discussion quietly. Ning Xueyan was even quieter. Her head was lowered, looking docile and polite.
The men's discussion had almost reached a conclusion in the study, but Ao Chenyi suggested to visit the Empress' palace out of the blue, saying that he heard that Lord Peace's Madam was there. He had something to tell her, so he came.
With the Emperor and Prince Yi here, Lord Peace's Madam da
The emperor's edict was sent directly to the Bright Mind Garden.In fact, its meaning was very simple: Due to the flaws in her personal virtue, Commandery Princess Xianyun shall be demoted from a princess to a consort! This was the whole meaning of the imperial edict. Not long after marrying into Prince Yi's Manor, she had become a consort from a princess. And the situation showed that she was not favored and was even a consort that was watched. The eunuch, who had brought the edict, looked at those few eunuchs guarding the entrance of Prince Yi's Manor, shook his head, heaved a sigh, and went straight back to the imperial palace.Before getting married, Commandery Princess Xianyun had been among the top noble ladies in the capital. Even the ordinary princesses had not been comparable to her. After all, she was the young lady of Lord Peace's Manor, the parents' home of the Empress Dowager, which had had its heyday in the past. If it hadn't been for the earl
Senior concubines were lowly in all mansions, especially in the home of a royal clan like a prince's mansion. If their names were not recorded on the Royal List, they were the same as the ordinary concubines in the mansion. Although they had the lowliest title, it was still nothing in the eyes of the real royal family.Therefore, giving the concubines without titles or those with the senior concubine's title to each other was nothing eventful for the royal clans.Ning Qingshan was now to enter and live in Prince Xiang's Manor, but she would only be a senior concubine, even without a madam's position, so she was most likely to be given to others."You are now put under the name of Madam Ling. I remember Madam Ling is now a concubine in the lowest class in the mansion, so her biological daughter can only serve as a concubine now. Then what about you? Do you still expect to be promoted with such a background? You are so lowly, and you also did the
The three of them sat still in the pavilion, and the servants brought them tea and retreated to the outside. Ning Huaijing glanced at Ning Xueyan and asked with somewhat concern, "Fifth Sister, you don't look well. You are ill again, aren't you?"Ning Xueyan said with a small smile, "I'm fine. Thank you for your care, second brother. Did our father get any news?"What she was asking about was that Ning Zu'an had written a memorial to ask the emperor to make Ning Huaijing a princely heir. About this, Ao Chenyi had already told her, saying that the memorial had been sent and the news should be announced in one day or two."Our father says it might take a few days." Ning Huaijing smiled and shook his head. He was not anxious about it because he knew that Ning Zu'an had done this completely for the sake of Ao Chenyi; otherwise, it would have never been his turn.It was not that he really liked this title, but to better protect his moth
"You'll be the emperor, and I'll be the empress?" Ning Xueyan smiled extremely lightly."Right, I'll be the emperor, and you'll be the empress!" Wen Xueran had a stunning smile, which had a little gentleness and sincerity. It was enough to warm and soften all women's hearts.But Ning Xueyan was not among them."Do you believe that the military medallion can mobilize the squad of guards of the previous dynasty?" Ning Xueyan asked, with a bit scoff in her eyes."I don't!" Wen Xueran said calmly.Ning Xueyan's eyes seemed to be peaceful, but there were tornadoes in the depths of them, in fact. "He doesn't even believe that military medallion, the one which is said to have probably fallen into the hands of the Great Elder Princess. He doesn't even believe it, or this is a snare as I thought.""But why do you want to marry me? I'm a married woman!" Ning Xueyan stared attentively at Wen Xueran. She always though
As expected, the imperial edict announcing Ning Huaijing to be the princely heir of Lord Protector was issued the following day. Immediately, Lord Protector's Manor held a banquet. Ning Xueyan paid a visit here but left early with the excuse that she was not well. Therefore, Madam Dowager, who wanted to come here and chat more with her, had no chance to do so.When Ning Xueyan came to see Ao Chenyi, the latter was discussing something with his aides and staff on the second floor, so she went to wait for him on the third floor.The third floor was Ao Chenyi's living room. After leading her to the place, Eunuch Zhu retreated. Sitting on the couch, Ning Xueyan casually picked up a book and read it at the table, but she put it down after only leafing through a few pages and frowned. The room was quiet. Lanning brought her tea and stepped aside.When Ao Chenyi came upstairs after a while, he saw her leaning there with barely closed eyes as if she wa
Chen Hexiang stood up with a jolt and anxiously asked her maid, "What? Ning Ziyan is pregnant?""Yes, I heard it loud and clear. Concubine Ning's maid went to the backdoor to retrieve prenatal medicine. When I followed her, I saw her preparing the medicinal soup and giving it to Concubine Ning. She came out to wash the bowl afterward, but I didn't see Concubine Ning coming out."The maid replied in a quiet voice.It was no wonder that Ning Ziyang was behaving strangely these days. When she first fell from her pedestal as the official wife, she would go to the main courtyard and wail loudly. She stopped making such a fuss afterward and didn't even visit her biological sister Ning Yuling anymore. She didn't even question anything when Ning Yuling inexplicably died in the Lord Protector's Manor, choosing to stay out of trouble.Every time Chen Hexiang went to provoke her, she would give her the cold shoulder and recuperate in her room
The weather was gradually turning warm in Prince Yi's secondary manor outside the city. Ning Xueyan had left the manor with the excuse of recreation. When she reached the secondary manor, she entered a courtyard near the backdoor and settled down inside a unique room.The room was divided in half, with a special curtain separating the front and back of the room. The curtain allowed Ning Xueyan to see the people opposite her, but the people opposite her wouldn't be able to see the other side of the room."Master, can we begin?" Xinmei asked. Ning Xueyan nodded. This was why she had come out today. It so happened that there would be a banquet at the palace tomorrow to celebrate the two princes.That left just enough time for her plan.Seeing Ning Xueyan nod, Xinmei left the room. Lanning served Ning Xueyan tea and then stood behind her. Shortly after, Xinmei reentered the room and stood on the other side of Ning Xueyan.
Watching Chen Hexiang get blindfolded again and taken out of the room, Ning Xueyan led Xinmei and Lanning back to the main building and sat down.Xinmei made a cup of tea for Ning Xueyan and asked rather worriedly, "Master, will Chen Hexiang go back on her word when she gets to the Justice Department?" It was evident that Chen Hexiang wasn't a good woman; she looked like she had so many ideas when she was kneeling on the floor earlier."She won't." Ning Xueyan took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "She might even be worried that we won't let her go."Chen Hexiang had become a fugitive concubine after causing Ning Ziyan's miscarriage. If she didn't make herself useful, the mysterious Madam wouldn't keep her. Besides, her complaining about Ning Ziying's death was a much bigger problem than her causing a fellow concubine's miscarriage.When that time came, all eyes would be on Ning Ziying. No one would care if she had pushed Ning Ziya