The Devious First-Daughter

“What? Do you mean the pearl flower? That one with winter jasmine?” Madam Dowager was shocked.

“Yes, mother, please see if this is the one?” Ning Zu’an opened the small box in his hand, and a broken pearl flower appeared in front of Madam Dowager. The pearl flower was broken, leaving only a little residual powder and calyx on it. The original color could no longer be seen.

Madam Dowager took the box and checked it. Then she answered with certainty, “It belongs to Third Young Lady. Do you mean that you found it at the door of your study?”

“The young male servant said that a maid holding a pearl flower, was the one who lured him away. It was at this time that the girl from Foggy Courtyard entered the study. When I went in, I saw her rummaging through the books, which were placed on the bookshelf.”

Ning Zu’an said in a low voice. When he confirmed that the flower was Ning Qingshan’s, he felt more and more certain that there was something wrong with her. Some problems that he had not bothered about during her childhood, were also revealed, such as the biological mother that Ning Qingshan mentioned.

“Mother, did she ever talk about her biological father and mother to you?”

“She never said anything about them. When Third Girl came here, she was still young. I asked her about her biological father and mother before. She said that she had a headache and could not remember, so I never asked again.” Madam Dowager thought about it and said slowly. Then, she looked at the pearl flower in her hand, and put it aside.

“Mother, do you think… the Third Girl is…” Ning Zu’an paused and looked serious.

Madam Dowager’s hand went limp and her walking stick almost fell to the ground. She slammed her hand on the table beside her, and said, “No… it won’t. I’ve seen that child once. She doesn’t look like this.”

At first, she did not have enough momentum to say that, but then her words became more and more dubious. It seemed that she had exposed herself unwittingly, while trying to cover up her tricks. The cold wind blew outside the window, and Madam Dowager’s face turned green.

“Mother, wasn’t she only two or three years old when you saw her? When she was five or six years old, she must be a little different. Did you feel that they were somewhat alike in appearance?” Ning Zu’an did not give up and asked again. He had not seen her at that time. He had never seen her before, so he could not tell whether they were alike, even if he had his doubts about that..

“It’s impossible. Honored Consort Ya will never allow her to marry into Third Prince’s Manor.” Madam Dowager suddenly looked more determined than ever. She touched her aching hand and gently rubbed it, but her eyes were cold.

With Honored Consort Ya’s personality, how could she let her son marry a rebel’s daughter in order to provoke the emperor, so that the Third Prince would not be able to ascend the noble throne?

Hearing Madam Dowager’s firm words, Ning Zu’an hesitated. “But if it weren’t for that, what would Shan’er, a weak girl in the boudoir, be looking for in my study?”

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Maybe this maid is not hers. Someone might be deliberately trying to frame her?” Madam Dowager asked uncertainly. In her mind, she trusted Ning Qingshan. She had watched Ning Qingshan grow up from a little child to a beautiful young lady. Now, she was about to become the Third Prince’s consort.

“Coincidence! How could it be a coincidence! I know my young male servant. He would never tell a lie. This time, he affirmed that he must have been lured away by a maid. If the maid broke in by accident, I won’t have anything to say. But what does it mean when she lured my young male servant away, at the same time?”

Compared with Madam Dowager, Ning Zu’an was more rational, because he was a man. After Ning Xueyan left, he questioned the young male servant several more times. Every time his answer was the same, so he had to believe it.

” Zu’an, is it related to Fifth Young Lady?” Madam Dowager suddenly asked.

“It’s unlikely that it has something to do with her. Mother said that it’s also your idea that she was looking for the books.” Ning Zu’an shook his head. Just now when she looked back, he saw that Ning Xueyan was forcing herself to walk with light steps to cover up the wound on her face. However, she was in so much pain that cold sweat broke out on her head.

Now, it seemed that everything Ning Xueyan said was true, but what Ning Qingshan said was too mysterious. So, he was suspicious of Ning Qingshan.

“Madam Dowager, Third Young Lady is here.” While they were talking, Mother Qin came to the door and reported. Just now, when Ning Zu’an came in and spoke to Madam Dowager, Mother Qin consciously walked to the door, and stood guard at the entrance for them.

“Let her in.” Madam Dowager looked at Ning Zu’an, and sat up straight, with a faint smile on her face. Ning Zu’an also picked up the teacup, wiped the tea foam on the surface with its lid with one hand, and slowly took a sip, looking relaxed.

Ning Qingshan followed Mother Qin and came in. When she saw Ning Zu’an, she bowed to Madam Dowager respectfully and then to Zu’an. Then, she stood in front of Madam Dowager with a calm look.

“Third Girl, why are you here at this time? Didn’t you say that you would be going to Cold Mountain Temple to burn the first incense stick of the day, in the evening? Why not have a rest first?”

In the aristocratic circle of the Chu Kingdom, it was customary for people to burn the first incense stick of the day. The night before, young ladies of noble families, who were unmarried, often left for the temple in a group, after dinner. They waited to burn the first incense stick of the day early in the morning, to pray for their families. For the safety of those ladies, the childes of aristocratic families often escorted their sisters to the temple.

Then, they would keep a night vigil and have a party together!

In other words, this was also a way for young people to gather together. Usually, the daughters of aristocratic families had a lot of restrictions in all aspects. It was rare for them to have such a relaxing time. Of course, everyone was very excited about this outing. This time, the temple that the Lord Protector’s Manor had booked was Cold Mountain Temple.

So, they had already booked three rooms in Cold Mountain Temple. After dinner, Ning Huaiyuan would escort Ning Xueyan and Ning Qingshan to Cold Mountain Temple.

“Grandmother, I have not burned the first incense stick of the day with the other rich young ladies for a long time, so I came here to ask if there were any changes since the past three years. If there is anything different, you can guide me.” Ning Qingshan stood behind Madam Dowager obediently, and started to massage her back.

“There’s nothing different from the past few years. You, young people, can stay away from us, old people.” Madam Dowager said with a smile. She held Ning Qingshan’s hand and walked in front of her. Then, she patted the stool beside her and gestured for her to sit down.

“Really? That’s great. I want to go there with Caifen and Feilian.” Ning Qingshan said joyfully.

This reminded Madam Dowager that only a first maid now accompanied Ning Qingshan. The other one who was with her, seemed to be a second-class maid.

“Third Young Lady, isn’t there a shortage of people in your courtyard? Let the broker send you some more. What a coincidence! A few days ago, the broker informed Mother Qin that there are a few smart maids. Coincidentally, your courtyard lacks staff. Let the broker send a few more maids for you to choose from. It’s not enough for you to have only one first maid.”

Madam Dowager sent Ning Qingshan two maids, but Feiyue died, as a result of being a scapegoat, so only Feilian was left. Ning Qingshan was about to enter the palace, so she could bring two maids with her. If she brought a second-class maid with her, people would laugh at her.

Ning Zu’an smiled and watched them chatting quietly.

“Well, all right, thank you, Grandmother!” Ning Qingshan did not refuse. After thinking for a while, she agreed. With tears of gratitude in her eyes, she bit her lips and lowered her head slightly. One could almost see the tears of gratitude in her eyes, and her expression became softer.

Seeing that Ning Qingshan agreed, Madam Dowager asked someone to invite Mammy Xing to come over.

“Did you send anyone to my study to get books today, Shan’er?” Ning Zu’an put down the cup in his hand, and asked.

“To get books? No, I heard that Fifth Sister took several books from your study. Is there something wrong?” Ning Qingshan looked at Ning Zu’an blankly, as if she did not know what had happened. Ning Zu’an did not let anyone know that he had punished the maid.

“Your Fifth Sister took a few books from my study. Don’t you want them?” Ning Zu’an asked calmly.

“No, if I need them, I can get them from Fifth Sister. Anyway, Fifth Sister will be entering the imperial palace with me.” Ning Qingshan shook her head gently, indicating that she did not need a book.

She did not want to have anything to do with the “study” at all. She avoided everything about “books.”

Seeing that she denied it, Ning Zu’an did not ask anymore. Instead, he chatted with her. Madam Dowager interrupted and said a few words from time to time. They seemed to be in harmony with each other.

Not long after, Mammy Xing arrived. She brought more than a dozen maids and asked them to wait outside. After entering Madam Dowager’s room, she greeted Madam Dowager, Ning Zu’an and Ning Qingshan. Then, she began to flatter Madam Dowager, putting a smile on her face.

“Madam Dowager, all the maids I brought this time, are smart. None of them are bad. Third Young Lady, you must try your best to pick some good ones. It will not as bad as the last time. I’m sure that you will pick all the good ones.”

“Did the Third Young Lady get some bad maids last time?” Madam Dowager asked, with a smile.

The older female servant Xing’s face, changed slightly, and she became a little stiff. She casually said, “The last time, all the maids were meant for the Fifth Young Lady, so the maids she chose were especially for the Fifth Young Lady.”

Her words were very far-fetched. Madam Dowager’s face darkened. “What do you mean by ‘were chosen for Fifth Young Lady’?”

“Madam Dowager, I… I didn’t mean anything by that.” Seeing that Madam Dowager was unhappy, Mammy Xing immediately stammered and stared blankly at her, anxiety showing on her face.

Ning Zu’an snorted at the side, and his face became very cold. His gaze fell on Mammy Xing like a cold blade.

Seeing that Ning Zu’an and Madam Dowager were angry, Mammy Xing shivered and explained to them hurriedly, “Madam Dowager, Marquis, some of the maids I sent to Fifth Young Lady last time were originally meant for Fifth Young Lady’s courtyard. In fact, it’s not a big deal. The servants who sent those maids specially told me to send them to Fifth Young Lady.”

“Someone deliberately sent people to Fifth Young Lady?” Madam Dowager was furious. She did not expect that such a thing to happen under her nose.