The Devious First-Daughter

The sudden voice shocked Ning Ziyan. She looked back, and saw a man in a light blue robe and a snow white fox-furred cloak walking along the road, followed by two young male servants. His black hair was tied up with a hairpin. He was handsome and elegant and had endured the hardship of a long journey.

“Brother!” On seeing the comer, Ning Ziyan jumped up excitedly, eyes brightening. The man walking to them was her brother, the Eldest Young Master of Lord Protector’s Manor, Ning Huaiyuan.

Ning Huaiyuan said to his sister with a smile on his face while looking at her, “Sister, I didn’t come back when you got married. I’ll give you a gift as my compensation!”

Then he said to Xia Yuhang, “Yuhang, sorry for my absence!”

Ning Huaiyuan and Xia Yuhang had known each other since childhood, and studied together later. They were very familiar to each other. Xia Yuhang and Ning Ziyan’s marriage was held in a hurry, so Ning Huaiyuan did not come back in time.

The reason why they were in such hurry was tacit!

“It doesn’t matter. We’re a family. You needn’t apologize,” Xia Yuhang said with a smile on his face and greeted Ning Huaiyuan.

Ning Huaiyuan gave a look at the messy ground and the two older female servants who were guarding the entrance of the Buddha Hall, then he gently asked with a smile on his face, “Is mother in it? What’s wrong here?”

Ning Ziyan indignantly said, “Brother, come with me to see mother. She’s inside. She’s framed and is locked up in the Buddha Hall by father.” As long as she thought of Ning Xueyan’s words and deeds, she would bite her teeth in hatred. “My brother is back. I’m looking forward to seeing how you will deal with my mother.”

“No, I’ll visit grandmother and father first. I thought something had happened to mother, so that I came here first. Now that mother is okay, let’s go to Lucky Garden!” Ning Huaiyuan shook his hand, smiled and turned to Lucky Garden with Xia Yuhang.

Although Ning Ziyan wanted to see Madam Ling with Ning Huaiyuan, she also knew that her brother should visit Madam Dowager first at this time. She stamped her feet and gave a look at the Buddha Hall which was strictly guarded by two older female servants. She knew that if she had to go inside at this time, she would come into conflict with the two older female servants. So she had to follow them to the Lucky Garden.

In the Lucky Garden, Madam Dowager, Madam Dowager Liu and Ning Zu’an had made a conclusion. They all agreed to promote Yu Lian as a concubine.

Madam Dowager was more annoyed with Madam Ling’s behavior today, so she not only agreed to promote Yu Lian as the concubine, but also asked Yu Lian to help Ning Xueyan manage the Auspicious Clouds Courtyard when Madam Ling was in the Buddha Hall. This was originally Madam Dowager Liu’s proposal. Madam Dowager thought it was good, but she had not formally agreed with the proposal before.

Now when she heard that Madam Ling had made a scene in the Buddha Hall, she was very angry and made the final decision!

“Madam Dowager, Marquis, the Eldest Young Master is back!” An older female servant trotted all the way and came in to report to them happily.

“Yuan’er is back! Let him in.” Madam Dowager turned happy as soon as she heard that and urged them to welcome Ning Huaiyuan.

Madam Dowager Liu also showed a smile on her face.

Even Ning Zu’an’s angry look turned gentle and joyful.

The door curtain was pulled, and Ning Huaiyuan, Xia Yuhang and Ning Ziyan came in successively. They saluted several elders and sat down.

Madam Dowager scrutinized Ning Huaiyuan and found that he was a little thinner than before, so that she could not help saying lovingly, “Yuan’er, have you suffered outside? Look at you, you’re thinner and darker!”

“Grandmother, I didn’t suffer. I’ve experienced a lot outside and broadened my mind. I’m not a girl. Being darker is nothing!” Ning Huaiyuan said with a smile on his face, “This time I brought a gift back for you. I hope you’ll like it.”

Then he took out a delicate box from his sleeve and passed it to Madam Dowager.

“Your coming back is a gift to me. As long as you’re healthy, I’m willing to have nothing!” Instead of taking the box, Madam Dowager took his hands with a gentle, loving face.

She was so satisfied with her grandson!

Ning Huaiyuan was handsome and learned. In recent years, he had traveled outside from time to time and had broadened his horizon. Many madams had praised that Ning Huaiyuan, the heir of Lord Protector’s Manor, was really excellent. They also had expressed that they want to ally with the Lord Protector’s Manor by marriage. The reason why it had not been done was that there were too many choices and the Lord Protector’s Manor did not know which one to choose.

Madam Dowager was very satisfied that the Lord Protector’s Manor would be taken over by her promising grandson in the future. Therefore, she was less angry with Madam Ling. Anyway, Madam Ling was Ning Huaiyuan’s biological mother. If she was not supposed to be virtuous by others, it would influence Ning Huaiyuan’s reputation.

This also was the reason why Madam Dowager tried her best to help Madam Ling even though she did not like Madam Ling. For the sake of Ning Huaiyuan, Madam Dowager did not tell the truth even though she had found that her own medicine was mixed with Madam Ling’s medicine. Now what she concerned most was her grandson Ning Huaiyuan.

This time, Ning Huaiyuan visited Madam Dowager first and gave her a gift before changing his clothes and taking a rest as soon as he came back, which made Madam Dowager very happy. On thinking that her grandson was so sensible and much better than Madam Ling who always made trouble, Madam Dowager smiled happily.

“Grandmother, have a look at what brother brought to you, so that I also can broaden my horizon. He hid it all the way and didn’t show it to us. You’re the first one to see it.” Ning Ziyan came and pleased Madam Dowager.

Her words made Madam Dowager happier. She reached out and patted Ning Ziyan on her head and said, “Since Ziyan also wants to see it, let’s open it and have a look.”

Mother Qin came over, took the box and opened it. It was a delicate jade Buddha in the box. Although the jade Buddha was small, it was very delicate and was made up of a whole piece of jade. It was clear and felt comfortable. At first glance, Madam Dowager knew that it was rare. Furthermore, the Buddha statue was exquisite.

Madam Dowager believed in Buddhism, so she built a Buddha Hall in the backyard. When she saw such a delicate jade Buddha, she naturally liked it. Madam Dowager Liu sitting on one side smiled and said, “Yuan’er is really filial!”

“Grandaunt, I also brought you a gift. I’ll ask someone to send it to you later. I also brought gifts for father, mother and sisters! Grandma, how about inviting them all over to share the presents happily?” Ning Huaiyuan advised with a smile on his face. On the surface, he was fair to everyone.

Invite them all? Hearing that, Madam Dowager, Madam Dowager Liu and Ning Zu’an were embarrassed.

Not only was Madam Ling now closed in the Buddha hall, but also Ning Yuling had been sent away long ago. How did they get together?

Ning Ziyan was sad and the smile on her face faded. She said in a low voice, “Brother, mother, mother is still in the Buddha Hall. She can’t come here. Neither does the Second Sister.”

Ning Huaiyuan was stunned and asked in doubt, “What happened to mother and Second Sister?”

“Nothing. Your Second Sister was slapped by your mother, so that her face was hurt. So she was sent to the countryside to recuperate. Your mother was sad and decided to live a quiet life in the Buddha Hall for some time.” Madam Dowager explained simply and gave a look at Ning Ziyan with displeasure. The whole story could not be clearly explained for a moment. Also, what happened today should be unknown to her grandson.

Hearing Madam Dowager’s words, Ning Huaiyuan fairly said, “Is Second Sister’s face hurt? I happen to know a doctor. I’ll invite him to treat Second Sister. Maybe she’ll recover soon. Second Sister is sometimes arrogant, and it must be her own fault even though mother accidentally hurt her. Mother needn’t blame herself!”

Ning Yuling’s temperament was known to all in the manor. Because she was beautiful and Madam Dowager held great hope for her, people in the manor would give in when faced her. Ning Huaiyuan could talk about her shortcomings in such an unavoidable way, which made Madam Dowager feel that he was sincere and impartial.

“But mother…” Ning Ziyan frowned, wishing to speak but stopped on a second thought.

“Is mother still self-condemned?” Ning Huaiyuan frowned and thought about it for a while. Then he turned to Madam Dowager and said, “Grandmother, how about I persuading my mother? Second Sister’s injury is not her fault. Second Sister was naughty and got herself into trouble. No one else is to blame!”

The son who came back from a distant place wanted to see his mother. In principle, they could not stop. Furthermore, the reason that Madam Dowager said before was not serious. But only then did such a big thing happen, and everyone in the manor knew that Madam Ling had made a scene and beaten Yu Lian and Concubine Xu. If she was released now, how could they be prestigious in front of the servants in the future?

Madam Dowager was so embarrassed!

As soon as Madam Dowager was silent, Ning Ziyan was happy and wanted to say something, so that Madam Dowager had to release her mother. But before she said, Xia Yuhang stretched out his hand and pulled her aside gently and forcefully. He smiled and said, “Yan’er, don’t worry, brother will take care of mother’s business!”

Xia Yuhang’s voice was low, but everyone could hear it clearly because the room was quiet. Madam Dowager darkened her eyes suddenly and looked at Ning Huaiyuan while frowning. The smile on her face slowly faded.

Ning Zu’an also darkened his eyes and looked at Ning Huaiyuan.

Before, Madam Dowager was immersed in the joy of Ning Huaiyuan’s return, so that she did not think too much about Ning Huaiyuan’s words. She only thought that Ning Huaiyuan just returned and knew nothing about what had happened to his mother so that he questioned things about his mother. But now because of Xia Yuhang’s words, she suddenly felt that Ning Huaiyuan seemed to pay too much attention to Madam Ling today and talked about Madam Ling all the time.

It seemed that he had some purposes. Then she remembered that Ning Huaiyuan came in with Ning Ziyan just now. Although Ning Ziyan had married, she still was Madam Ling’s daughter. Although she was not clear about everything now, she knew at least part of them. It was impossible that she did not talk about Madam Ling with Ning Huaiyuan.

Did Ning Huaiyuan return today to plead for Madam Ling?

“Grandma, is there any other information?” Ning Huaiyuan, slightly surprised, turned to Ning Ziyan and said, “Sister, you just asked me about my journey. Why didn’t you tell me about mother in detail?”

He explained that he did not know the truth and Ning Ziyan also did not tell him about Madam Ling on the way.

After listening to him, Madam Dowager softened her face again. She always valued her grandson. Since Madam Ling came to the manor, Ning Huaiyuan had been raised by Madam Dowager. She thought she was more intimate with Ning Huaiyuan than Madam Ling. If Ning Huaiyuan kept thinking about Madam Ling’s affairs as soon as he came back, she would surely be angry with him.

Next, Ning Huaiyuan did not mention Madam Ling anymore. He neither mentioned it by accident nor questioned it. His grandson’s cleverness made Madam Dowager happier and chat while laughing.