The Devious First-Daughter

Ning Xueyan left in the evening, after having a few bites of dinner.

Knowing that she would be leaving, dinner took place much earlier than usual at the Lord Protector’s Manor. Since this was her homecoming ceremony, it was only right for the family to have a “warm” dinner at Lucky Garden.

Ning Zu’an appeared normal but said little. But, now and then, he would glance at Ning Xueyan out of the corner of his eye with an unpleasant sense of scrutiny. It was fortunate that she never felt anything for this scumbag of a father. Let him stare all he wanted; it wasn’t like he could stare a hole in her.

Ning Zu’an wouldn’t do anything to her, now that she possessed a little value. Although he couldn’t make his beloved son his heir at the moment, he wasn’t in a hurry either. He was at the peak of his life. He could even marry another woman and bear a new heir. Thinking about this made his heart skip a beat.

Madam Dowager was as “kind” as always. She continued to persuade Ning Xueyan to win Prince Yi’s favor and develop a good relationship with the Princess. She also advised Ning Xueyan not to throw a tantrum there because life was different for a married woman. Ning Xueyan could no longer be a maiden without any worries or concerns, who would demand anything she wanted when she wanted.

These words felt like ridicule to Ning Xueyan. Did Madam Dowager really say that to her? Did Madam Dowager think that Ning Xueyan was pampered while living here? Throwing a tantrum? Bah!

Ning Lingyun was missing from the dinner. It was such a public incident, after all. Even though she had manipulated the Third Prince on purpose, even though the Prince had agreed in the end, she was nonetheless a lady. She was too ashamed to see anyone now. Moreover, she had even caused more trouble by visiting Ning Qingshan at the Foggy Courtyard and causing a fight. So, she only sent a maid over with the excuse that she had fallen ill.

The avoidance in her excuse was obvious, but fortunately, Madam Dowager and Ning Zu’an permitted it without another word. On the other hand, Ning Qingshan might be smiling but she was staring daggers at Ning Xueyan. Now and then, she would give Ning Xueyan an icy stare.

But under the weight of Ning Zu’an’s scrutiny, her coldness didn’t matter at all. This meal was nothing more than a show of the closeness of the Lord Protector’s family.

Ning Xueyan had performed her role, and how effective that performance was up to everyone’s perception. She didn’t try to provoke Ning Qingshan any further. After having a few bites of dinner, she stood up and excused herself back to Prince Yi’s Manor. Outside, the sky was still bright.

Mother Han followed Ning Xueyan into the carriage. She had only just returned, having been away from Ning Xueyan all this while.

“Master, I saw Third Young Lady’s maid Feilian went out through the back door. I followed her and saw her entering the Eldest Young Master’s Xia Manor. I waited outside since I couldn’t either, but I never saw her come out. I stopped waiting when it got too late and rushed back.”

Mother Han took the cup of tea from Ning Xueyan’s hands, took a sip, and wiped her sweat while telling her mistress what she had seen.

Mother Han had practically run here for fear of missing the time, so she hadn’t even had her dinner yet. Ning Xueyan knew this, so she took out the boxes of pastries that she had put in the carriage and handed them to Mother Han to fill her stomach. The masters of Prince Yi’s Manor were all out today, and getting the servants to prepare a meal as soon as they returned would be quite a hassle.

Mother Han ate a pastry and eased her breathing before asking with confusion, “Master, when did the Third Young Lady become so close with the Eldest and Second Young Ladies? She even sent her maid to contact them.”

Everyone in the Lord Protector’s Manor knew that the Eldest and Second Young Ladies were biological sisters with a close relationship. With their mother being Madam Ling, it went without saying that they looked down on other ladies in the manor. Even an outstanding lady like Ning Qingshan was just an outsider to them. They might not do anything to her, owing to Madam Dowager’s protection, but their indifference to her was inevitable.

Mother Han never thought that Ning Qingshan would be so close to Ning Yuling and her sister.

“It might not be Ning Yuling and her sister that she was contacting.” Ning Xueyan shook her head. After everything that had happened to them, Ning Yuling and Ning Ziyan didn’t seem like they could offer Ning Qingshan any help. They were probably not the ones that Ning Qingshan was so desperately looking for, as they were in a difficult position themselves.

“No way. Is it the Eldest Young Master? But… That’s impossible. When the Third Young Lady left, he hadn’t come to the manor yet. And by the time she returned three years later, he had already married the Eldest Young Lady. Other than during festivities, they probably don’t have any chance to meet. There’s no way they would be close!”

On the surface, Ning Qingshan didn’t seem to know anyone else in the Lord Protector’s Manor except for Ning Yuling, Ning Ziyan, and Xia Yuhang. But Ning Xueyan knew that Ning Qingshan was close with Xia Yudong—the same Xia Yudong who had been conspiring with Ning Qingshan to harm her. The same Xia Yudong who had been licking his wounds in the Xia Manor!

Xia Yudong, who was desperate to get on the good side of the future Third Prince’s consort, ought to be able to deal with inconvenient things in her place.

It appeared that this was an inconvenient matter for Ning Qingshan, or more accurately, this had something to do with the Xia Manor.

It was indeed strange for Ning Qingshan to send someone to Xia Manor so anxiously after today’s incident. This must have something to do with her as well. After all, Ning Qingshan had been glaring at her throughout the dinner, even giving up her usual pretense.

It was obvious how furious Ning Qingshan was.

Ning Qingshan had Xia Yudong to help her deal with matters outside the manor, but Ning Xueyan didn’t have any. It seemed that she must return and ask Ao Chenyi for some manpower, so if anything were to happen outside, she wouldn’t be completely in the dark like what happened in the bookstore the last time.

The thought of the bookstore reminded Ning Xueyan of the store that she had opened. Since it was still early, she told the chauffeur to take the other direction and head toward her store, the Yuyan Shop.

After the chauffeur stopped the carriage in a side alley, Mother Han helped Ning Xueyan exit the carriage. Suddenly, someone cried, “Fifth Young Lady Ning!”

Ning Xueyan turned around and saw Hua Yunheng walking out of the alley.

Hua Yunheng was dressed in a plain white brocade. The slight smile on his face made him look as elegant as jade. His handsome face, coupled with his gentle smile, could easily gain one’s favor. Standing beside him was a pretty maid. Upon seeing Hua Yunheng calling Ning Xueyan, she wisely took two steps backward.

Ning Xueyan turned to look into the alley and noticed that it was a long one. Nothing immediately stood out to her, but she had the feeling that there was a back door down this alley.

“Consort Ning!” As if realizing his gaffe, Hua Yunheng smiled again. This time, the emotion in his eyes was as pale as spring flowers.

For a while, Ning Xueyan didn’t know how she should deal with Hua Yunheng. She had regarded this man like her biological brother in the past, but she never knew why he had been living in her manor, and for two long years at that. Even until the moment she died, she never learned his true identity. He was a mysterious person to her.

Now that he was standing in front of her, she still couldn’t see through him. He was friendly, yet distant at the same time.

“Childe Yueming.” Ning Xueyan took a deep breath and lowered her body in greeting. No matter what Hua Yunheng’s plan was in the past, it was over now. She was Ning Xueyan now, not the Ning Ziying who had struggled in vain to learn her true identity.

“Have you just returned from the Lord Protector’s Manor, Consort Ning?” Hua Yunheng asked, smiling. He looked ready to have a long chat with her.

“Yes, I just left the manor. I’m about to buy something before going home.” Ning Xueyan nodded.

“Do you mind letting me know the next time you’re visiting the Lord Protector’s Manor?” Hua Yunheng asked politely, with a smile. His voice sounded almost hopeful and his handsome face looked more elegant than ever. Even Ning Xueyan had to admire him. No wonder there was a legend in Jiangnan that Childe Yueming was as beautiful as jade.

“What’s the matter, Childe Yueming?” Ning Xueyan didn’t think that she was close enough with him that she had to purposefully tell him about returning to the Lord Protector’s Manor.

“I had a chat with the Second Young Master some time ago, and we got along quite well. We agreed that I would visit him in a few days but to my surprise, I was told that he had left on a study trip. It just so happened that I want to check something out at the Cloud Reflection Courtyard, but it’s not too convenient for me to visit. So I’d like to take advantage of your visit home.”

Ning Yujing was indeed away from home. Ning Zu’an didn’t make him take the test this time, sending him away with the explanation that he was still young and his knowledge wasn’t solid enough. This just happened the day before yesterday, which was why Ning Xueyan didn’t see Ning Yujing on her return home this time.

“Childe Yueming, why would you want to visit the Cloud Reflection Courtyard? That incident has yet to clear up. What are you doing, going there at this time?” Ning Xueyan asked with a smile, meeting his eyes with her ink-like pupils.

Her long eyelashes flickered, concealing the trace of doubt in her eyes. She didn’t think she had much of a connection with Hua Yunheng in her previous life. Now that she was dead, there was nothing between them whatsoever.

“Consort Ning, Ning Ziying used to be my fiancee. To be exact, she still is. I must pay my respects to her, even if she’s no longer here.” Hua Yunheng’s voice was very soft. There was genuine sorrow on his face, as evidenced by his wry smile and the pain in his eyes.

Ning Xueyan was so shocked that she nearly fell. She felt like she was struck by lightning. Inside her sleeves, her fingers were clenched into fists. She looked at him with disbelief, unable to even hide the shock reflected in her eyes.

That, that was impossible!

“Childe Yueming, you must be joking. Sister Ziying… You’re not her fiance. How could you be?” Ning Xueyan’s voice was faint and her beautiful eyes were filled with astonishment. If she weren’t Ning Ziying herself, she would have thought that he was talking about a different Ning Ziying altogether.

“Consort Ning… It’s a long story, but either way, I was her first fiance… and things changed because of other reasons later on… But regardless, since she was unmarried, she would forever be my fiancee. I looked for her everywhere after her parents died, but she unexpectedly appeared in the capital and even entered the Lord Protector’s Manor. In the end, she was…”

The pain in Hua Yunheng’s eyes was obvious and even his face had turned pale. His handsome brows were furrowed as he stared into the distance. Finally, he sighed heavily and faked a smile. He bowed to Ning Xueyan deeply and said, “I hope you’ll grant my wish, Consort Ning.”