The Devious First-Daughter

Third Prince, Ao Mingyu, had really come over in a hurry. It was urgent, and he had something to ask the family members in the inner courtyard of the Lord Protector’s Manor. Therefore, after exchanging a few words with Ning Zu’an, he requested to see Madam Dowager in the inner courtyard.

Ning Zu’an saw that although the Third Prince was still calm, there was a little impatience in his eyes. Knowing that it was urgent, he did not say anything more. He asked the young male servant to run into the inner courtyard to inform Madam Dowager, while he accompanied the Third Prince directly to the backyard. The Third Prince had come to the backyard of the Lord Protector’s Manor many times. Besides, Ning Qingshan was going to marry into the Third Prince’s Manor soon, so he was closer to them than anyone else.

Therefore, although it was not in line with the rules of etiquette, Ning Zu’an did not care about it. Anyway, sooner or later, they would be a family.

Ao Mingyu followed Ning Zu’an into the courtyard. When he saw all the betrothal gifts in the yard, he was stunned. Suddenly, he remembered that today was the day that Prince Yi, Ao Chenyi, paid the bride-price. He narrowed his eyes and went straight into the courtyard without looking at them. Then, he went up the stairs and pulled Ning Zu’an, who wanted to explain, behind him.

For a moment, Ning Zu’an thought Ao Mingyu had something urgent to tell him, so he followed him into Madam Dowager’s room, without saying more.

Madam Dowager was already aware of that. She brought Ning Qingshan and her sisters, who could not leave in time, to welcome them in the room.

After greeting each other, the hosts and guests sat down. The maids made tea for them.

“Third Prince and Grandmother have something to discuss, so we’d better leave now.” Ning Xueyan bowed to Ao Mingyu gently and said this politely. From Ao Mingyu’s look, she knew that something had happened. So, it was better for them not to stay here. Originally, Ning Qingshan should have said that. Seeing Ning Qingshan’s delicate smile, Ning Xueyan knew that Ning Qingshan would never have said it, if she did not say it.

Although she did not look at the Third Prince as directly as before, with an obsessive look, Ning Lingyun peeped at the Third Prince secretly, which showed that she was still unwilling to let go. Even though she had stayed in Buddha Hall for a period of time, Ning Lingyun did not seem to have changed her mind.

She had no choice, but to rise up to speak. No matter what Ao Mingyu came here for, he must have something serious to discuss with them. It was indeed inappropriate for them to stay here.

Madam Dowager also thought the same. Seeing that Ning Xueyan was sensible, she smiled and was about to agree, but was stopped by Ao Mingyu.

“Fifth Young Lady, please wait for a moment. I have something to ask you. Maybe I have to ask the three of you to answer my questions.”

“Third Prince, what can they do for you?” Madam Dowager was stunned and asked, after a pause. She did not think Ao Mingyu would have anything significant to do with Ning Xueyan and the others.

“Don’t worry, Madam Dowager. Take a look at this first. Do you recognize this?” Ao Mingyu took out a piece of paper unhurriedly, unfolded it, and handed it to Madam Dowager. Then, he turned to Ning Xueyan and asked politely, “Young Ladies, please help me to identify this. Have you ever seen it?”

Ao Mingyu seemed to be afraid that they would not understand for a while, so he added, “Tell me, have you ever seen this girl from the Cloud Reflection Courtyard?”

Madam Dowager’s face turned pale. If others did not know what had happened in Cloud Reflection Courtyard, how could she not know? It was Madam Ling who did it. The reason why she just stood idly by, was because she wanted to let Ning Ziyan marry into the Xia Manor, so she allowed Madam Ling to do whatever she wanted in the backyard.

A bitter smile appeared on her face. “Third Prince, Ziying lived a miserable life. First, she lost her father. Then, she lost her mother. Later, she was also a lost soul. Anyway, the Lord Protector’s Manor was not aware of the situation, which led to such a disaster. Who would have thought that such a good Young Lady would die inexplicably in the courtyard?”

Madam Dowager showed a trace of sadness on her face and wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. “It’s said that she committed suicide by jumping into the lake. The people in the manor treated her well, so I wondered why she took things so hard. Now, I know that she was murdered. How could such a good lady die in such a way?”

“Madam Dowager, don’t say that. When Young Lady Ziying was alive, we treated her as a Young Lady of the Lord Protector’s Manor. She had what the other Young Ladies had. Madam Dowager once said that when she grew older, she would arrange a good marriage for her and hold a splendid wedding for her. But who would have thought that something like this would happen? I don’t know what Young Lady Ziying has done outside… Madam Dowager, don’t be so sad. You have been ill all the time and should not be crying anymore.”

Mother Qin glibly answered. She portrayed Madam Dowager as a kind-hearted, noble lady. It seemed that Ning Ziying died because she had misbehaved. Ning Xueyan looked on coldly, and a hint of anger flashed in her dark jade-like eyes.

It was said as if it were true that the people of the Lord Protector’s Manor treated her as a family member. It seemed as if the Lord Protector’s Manor was supporting her. She remembered that when she first came, the housekeeper said that a large sum of money had been sent directly to the Lord Protector’s Manor. The housekeeper also told her that with this money, the Lord Protector’s Manor would definitely treat her as a real Young Lady.

It was certainly not a small amount of money in order for the Lord Protector’s Manor to accept her. But even so, she could not compete with Ning Yuling and the others, when it came to food and clothing, when she came to the Lord Protector’s Manor. Most of the time, she paid for things out of her own pocket. Fortunately, she was rich, so she did not live in poverty.

However, all the servants in Lord Protector’s Manor felt that everything she ate and used were from Lord Protector’s Manor. No one knew that she had personally paid for it, out of her pocket. They thought that she was dependent on Lord Protector’s Manor to support her life, and seek shelter. Therefore, she could not order people about. As the real master of the inner courtyard of Lord Protector’s Manor, Madam Dowager only gave her attention to her, halfheartedly.

What’s more, she had now confirmed those rumors. But now, after she died, she went round telling others that she regarded her as a Young Lady of Lord Protector’s Manor. It was quite disheartening when she heard this.

“Did that Young Lady Ziying like going out very much?” Ao Mingyu did not put the paper into Madam Dowager’s hand, but stopped midway.

“That’s not the case. A Young Lady might feel lonely for a while, so it’s normal for her to sneak out. She came here after her mother’s death, so she had been in mourning. I heard that her mother made a three-year mourning agreement with her, so she did not attend any parties.”

Madam Dowager had already stretched out her hand. At this time, Ao Mingyu still did not hand over the note, which made her quite embarrassed. But then she pretended to reach out to fetch the tea and eliminate the embarrassment, with a smile on her face.

“Would Young Lady Ziying sneak out? Did Madam Dowager not control her?” Ao Mingyu asked calmly. Nobody could figure out what he meant.

“I tried to control her movements, but it was not easy. After all, she’s a young girl, and her parents died. She was so pitiful. When she went out once in a while, I would turn a blind eye to what she did.” Madam Dowager sighed. “She’s also a gentle girl. She’s not like a troublemaker, so I let her go out once in a while. Unexpectedly, I was wrong…”

“Was Young Lady Ning Ziying beautiful?” Ao Chenyi rapped on the table with his fingers, and then raised his head and asked in confusion.

Before Madam Dowager could answer his question, a trace of grievance and sadness appeared on Ning Qingshan’s face. She raised her beautiful eyes and looked at Ao Mingyu, with tears in her eyes. In her presence, her fiance had asked if another woman was beautiful. Anyone would feel sad.

Ning Qingshan felt wronged, but she endured it, which would make a man feel pity for her. Ao Mingyu glanced gently at Ning Qingshan.

Madam Dowager did not expect Ao Mingyu to ask such a question. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Ziying is very beautiful and has a good temperament. She never fights with anyone.”

Whenever Madam Dowager mentioned Ning Ziying, there were always some words of praise. When the topic was changed, others would then have a different view. She meant that Ning Ziying was deceitful and indulged in extra-marital relations. Although the Lord Protector’s Manor took good care of her, she did not repay them with gratitude. She ran out of the manor and did something unknown.

She was full of praise for her, so it was not quite clear what she had done.

Ning Xueyan’s cold eyes were ablaze with anger, and her hands were clenched into fists. If she had not suppressed her anger, she would have raised her head and quarreled with Madam Dowager directly. What Madam Dowager said was even better than her singing. All the good things were said about the Lord Protector’s Manor’s, and all the bad things were her doing. As for her death, it was also her own fault, according to Madam Dowager.

Maybe it had something to do with her appearance. Madam Dowager’s words were full of slander. Ning Xueyan sneered coldly. Madam Dowager and Madam Ling were of one mind. Madam Ling ruined her reputation before she died, while Madam Dowager ruined her reputation after she died. How vicious and selfish both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were! They were a family.

“Do you know anything about Young Lady Ning Ziying?” Ao Mingyu did not look at Madam Dowager anymore. He blinked his eyes and turned to Ning Qingshan and the others.

“Third Prince, this Young Lady Ziying was not at the manor yet, when I went to the nunnery. I’ve been gone for three years, and she has been here for three years. I just missed her.” Ning Qingshan said in a soft voice. She knew that there was something wrong, so she said that she had nothing to do with Ning Ziying. At the same time, she explained to Ao Mingyu that she had been cultivating hard in the nunnery for three years.

After hearing what she said, Ao Mingyu looked at her with a softer look.

“Third Prince, I have not come out of the Bright Frost Garden in recent years, so I have not met Sister Ziying. I came out of the Bright Frost Garden recently, after my mom’s death. It seems that Sister Ziying died at that time.” Controlling her excitement and anger, Ning Xueyan raised her head, with a trace of sadness in her beautiful eyes. This was the truth. Besides, she did not think it was necessary to say anything before she figured out why Ao Mingyu came here.

However, Ao Mingyu looked at her thoughtfully. What did that mean?

“Third Prince, I… I have seen Sister Ziying.” The timid voice came from Ning Lingyun. However, Ao Mingyu seemed not to be interested in her, so he did not answer her. He directly handed the paper to Madam Dowager and pointed to a mark on it.

“Madam Dowager, have you ever seen this clearly?”

Seeing that everyone went forward to have a look, Ning Xueyan also went ahead. When she saw the mark on it, her vision blurred, and her brain was buzzing … and she felt muddled!