The Devious First-Daughter

No servant had ever been beaten in the master’s courtyard before. Furthermore it was the Spring Festival, which would make the master feel unlucky. So, they believed that Third Young Lady had lost favor with Madam. Some servants who were going to Foggy Courtyard in order to please her, were now thinking twice about moving over.

But, some people thought it was fine. They were sure that Third Young Lady would soon become the Third Prince’s wife. So what if she lost Madam Dowager’s favor now? At her age, she would get married when she was selected. So, it did not matter whether the Madam Dowager liked her or not, at that time.

The servants in the manor had different opinions, but they found the atmosphere was very tense. Except for Fifth Young Lady’s Bright Frost Garden and First Madam’s Auspicious Clouds Courtyard, the other places were filled with gloom.

This matter had nothing to do with Madam Ling. When she heard the news, she sat up and felt much better. She always thought that Ning Yuling was the most qualified person to be the Third Prince’s wife. The reason why Ning Qingshan could take the position now was due to Ling’er’s accident. So, she always thought that Ning Qingshan had usurped Ning Yuling’s place. She was happy to hear that Madam Dowager had counterattacked Ning Qingshan.

Besides, when she moved the account books to her parents’ home last time, Ning Qingshan secretly sent people to keep an eye on her. Maybe she even plotted against her behind her back. Unlike Madam Dowager, Madam Ling was aware of the aspects of Ning Qingshan’s true character. She knew that Ning Qingshan even dared to poison Madam Ming when she was young. So, Madam Ling always thought that Ning Qingshan was a vicious woman.

In the Bright Frost Garden.

Lanning saw Qing’er rushing out of the door of Bright Frost Garden, with tears in her eyes. She dusted herself off and turned back to Ning Xueyan’s inner room, in a good mood.

The environment was tranquil and peaceful. Ning Xueyan leaned back on the couch and read a book. The sunshine outside the window came in obliquely, shining on her tender face. Her black hair, long eyelashes, and the curved shadows that could be seen, made everything seem quiet.

“Did Qing’er go out?” Ning Xueyan asked casually, flipping through the book, without raising her head.

“Yes. Qing’er became anxious when she heard that someone was going to settle the matter about getting people in. She was so scared that tears streamed down her face. I tried to comfort her, telling her that it would be fine. Even if someone found out about that, no one would care about it now, because it was Junior Concubine Xu who tried to put her in Bright Frost Garden. After all, Junior Concubine Xu is now the popular favorite of the marquis.”

Lanning served Ning Xueyan a cup of tea, with a smile.

There was a faint smile in Ning Xueyan’s eyes. She raised her lips and said with a tinge of sarcasm. “Junior Concubine Xu, Xu Yulian, a maid, she thinks that she has soared up into the sky with one start. After a period of peace, won’t they start to get restless? That’ll be just right. Let’s see what those people will do next.”

The mansion was restless.

Ning Qingshan had created such a big scene today in trying to shift Ning Zu’an’s attention to herself. She took advantage of her people to take Mammy Luo out of the manor. She wanted Ning Xueyan to take the blame for her. Ning Qingshan was so good at killing people with a borrowed knife. If she had not been prepared and had reported to Ning Zu’an first, Ning Qingshan would probably have succeeded.

When she was young, she was wicked and merciless. Now, she was even more vicious. However, Ning Qingshan had always been cunning, so she could not always outdo her so easily. Therefore, when she faced Ning Qingshan, Ning Xueyan could not relax her guard even for a moment.

However, she did not expect that Ning Qingshan would take the initiative to give her the evidence. For what had happened this time and before, Ning Qingshan had made a fool of herself and exposed her biggest secret this time. Ning Zu’an would undoubtedly investigate it. With Ning Zu’an holding her down, it would not be easy for Ning Qingshan to stay in the dark, like a viper.

The reunion dinner that had been arranged was not a cheerful affair, and even the food did not taste good.

Madam Ling did not come, giving the excuse of being ill. Ning Lingyun was locked up in the Buddha Hall. Except for the most favored Junior Concubine Xu, all the other concubines were trembling with fear. They did not dare to make any loud noises. Madam Dowager’s face darkened, and Junior Concubine Xu’s jokes failed to make her burst into laughter. In the end, Junior Concubine Xu’s voice became lower and lower, and finally died out in the end.

There were no expressions on Ning Zu’an’s and Ning Huaiyuan’s faces. They sat at the table, eating calmly.

Ning Qingshan looked at Madam Dowager, with tears in her eyes from time to time, looking pitiful and full of regret. She tried to beg for Madam Dowager’s forgiveness. After a few mouthfuls of rice, she took the initiative to stand behind Madam Dowager, helped her to get the food and cutlery, and asked Junior Concubine Xu to have dinner, so that she could serve Madam Dowager.

Madam Dowager did not seem to notice what she was doing. It appeared as if the one standing beside her was still Junior Concubine Xu. She enjoyed the food in the same manner, without any change in her attitude. After half a day of rest, Madam Dowager had returned to her usual state of mind. Although her face was gloomy, she seemed not to be angry at all.

It was said that Madam Dowager Liu was also ill, so she did not come out to have dinner with everyone this evening. Ning Xueyan lowered her head and ate her meal. Like the other people at the table, she did not see anything different. The atmosphere was very dull, and she did not seem to enjoy a happy reunion dinner. It was more like she was eating her last meal, not knowing when the next meal would be.

Since Madam Ming’s death, Madam Dowager Liu had rarely appeared in public.

Of course, no one enjoyed the meal. After dinner, the concubines left hurriedly, and Ning Zu’an and his son went to the study. For a while, only Ning Xueyan, Ning Qingshan, and Madam Dowager were left in the room. After the servants served tea, they quietly left, leaving only Mother Qin and Xiangmiao standing behind Madam Dowager.

“Grandmother, it’s my fault. I should not be jealous that Fifth Sister has won your heart. Grandmother, please forgive me. I won’t do this again!” After the others left, Ning Qingshan knelt on the ground and crawled forward on her knees. She put her hands on Madam Dowager’s knees and cried. She looked up at Madam Dowager pitifully, and said,

“Envy your sister? I don’t know why you should be jealous of your Fifth Sister?” Madam Dowager sneered, pushed away Ning Qingshan’s hand, and shouted.

Jealousy? Ning Xueyan sneered. Ning Qingshan dared to say that.

Ning Xueyan had been neglected by the people of Lord Protector’s Manor since she was a child. Even her biological father and grandmother were indifferent to her. Although they were her blood relatives, they never gave her any family affection. Even a passer-by would not take such an attitude toward an orphan and a widow.

Unexpectedly, even so, some people were jealous of her. Ning Qingshan thought highly of her. She gently stroked the handle of the teacup, lowered her head, and listened to how Ning Qingshan made up her tale.

“Grandmother, I was blinded by jealousy. Although Fifth Sister has lost her biological mother now, she still has a grandmother and a father who loves her. However, I have nothing. I always regarded you as my grandmother, but... but those people in the manor don’t regard me as such. They always say that... I ‘m adopted... Grandmother, I’m wrong. I thought that if something should happen to Fifth Sister, I will be the only one in your eyes.”

Ning Qingshan burst into tears. She raised her swollen eyes and looked at Madam Dowager imploringly.

“Although I favor your Fifth Sister, did I not care about you? Why do you think that I love your Fifth Sister more than you? Why do you want to hurt your Fifth Sister?” Madam Dowager asked this coldly, with a gloomy face.

“It’s... it’s my fault. I’ve always been self-abased. I heard some servants talking about Fifth Sister and me. I don’t know why I lost my head. Grandmother, please forgive me. I won’t do this again. I’ll get along well with Fifth Sister. It will never happen again. When I enter the palace, I’ll take care of her.”

Ning Qingshan cried bitterly, she looked up at Madam Dowager with tears in her eyes. She looked sincere as if she would die if Madam Dowager did not believe her and accept her apology.

“Well, if such a thing happens again next time, I won’t forgive you. Go and apologize to your Fifth Sister.” Seeing that Ning Qingshan was in such a pitiful state, Madam Dowager sighed and relaxed a little. She finally relented and said.

Seeing that Madam Dowager relented, Mother Qin hurried to help Ning Qingshan up. “Third Young Lady, don’t blame Madam Dowager. She has always treated you as her biological granddaughter. Whatever those biological granddaughters have, you have too How can you be jealous of your Fifth Young Lady?”

“Yes, I lost my head for the time being. Fifth Sister, you... please forgive me. Otherwise, I... I can’t face my grandmother. Even if I die, I can’t repay her great kindness...” Ning Qingshan could not help crying again. In the event that Ning Xueyan did not want to forgive her, she would kneel to express her apologies.

Both Ning Qingshan and Madam Dowager were getting better at acting. One of them regretted it so much that she almost committed suicide, while the other was generous enough to say that there would be no next time. It was because they had to cooperate and would receive mutual benefits. Thus, Ning Qingshan could continue to act like this.

Seeing that Ning Qingshan came to her, Ning Xueyan had a faint sarcastic smile on her face. Tears were streaming down her face, but her eyes were full of viciousness. Despite this, Ning Qingshan showed that their sisterhood ties were deep. “Third Sister, you’re too kind. Grandmother has forgiven you, so how could I not forgive you? After all, in Grandmother’s heart, she wholeheartedly treats you as her own granddaughter.”

Madam Dowager treated Ning Qingshan better than her biological granddaughters. As her granddaughter, Ning Xueyan never felt any affection from Madam Dowager! However, she loved Ning Qingshan, her fake granddaughter most. On the one hand, Ning Qingshan was sweet-tongued and talkative. On the other hand, it showed that Madam Dowager was ruthless toward Madam Ming and her daughter. She treated an outsider better than her granddaughter.

Madam Dowager was very satisfied with Ning Xueyan’s magnanimity, but her words also reminded her of her intentions. Maybe Ning Qingshan did not take it seriously at all. She was angry and waved her hand. “It’s getting late. You two dress up and go to Cold Mountain Temple. Don’t let the other Young Ladies wait for you.”