Chapter 405: Consort Dowager Chen’s Old Object

How could Ning Qingshan not be jealous?

Both of them were co-consorts. She felt that she should be nobler than Ning Xueyan. But how could Ning Xueyan gain such honors just because Prince Yi would be marrying the consort and the co-consort at the same time? Even though she tried to worship the ancestors ahead of Ning Xueyan before the clansmen, it came to naught because of the incident at the Cloud Reflection Courtyard.

Those people did not pay any attention to her at all. She entered the ancestral temple and worshipped the ancestors first. When she came out, nobody noticed her. Instead, they were whispering to each other and talking about the affairs at the Cloud Reflection Courtyard. So, no one cared about her.

But now, Prince Yi had sent the betrothal gifts before the Third Prince. Ning Qingshan had privately requested the Third Prince to pay the bride-price earlier, but she received no response at all.

She twirled her handkerchief between her fingers, with a trace of hatred in her eyes. If it were not for Ning Xueyan, she would have been a consort. Her betrothal presents would have caused a sensation in the manor and aroused the envy of all the sisters. In that case, Madam Dowager would think highly of her. And, she could stand high above the others to see how they envied her.

However, all her plans had been ruined because of Ning Xueyan. Every time she thought of this, Ning Qingshan would grit her teeth in anger, even in her dreams.

“Third Sister, Fifth Sister’s betrothal presents are so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so exquisite.” Ning Lingyun said with a naive smile. Since she had been released from Buddha Hall, the Fourth Young Lady, who had once been tart and mean, had become obedient and childish. She hardly seemed to notice the coldness in Ning Qingshan’s eyes.

She said this in a low voice, but it could still be heard.

“Fifth Sister’s betrothal presents are indeed beautiful. I saw something similar when I was at Honored Consort Ya’s palace.” Hearing Ning Lingyun’s words, everyone turned to look at her. There was a gentle smile on her face. Seeing Mother Ruan turning her head, she also nodded politely to her and praised the gifts.

Her words sounded appropriate. Not only did she express her gratitude to Prince Yi’s Manor, but she also pointed out that the presents were precious. Ning Xueyan narrowed her eyes slightly, and a trace of coldness flashed in her eyes.

“You’re too polite, Third Young Lady. How can the things in our manor to be compared with those in Honored Consort Ya’s palace? However, you’re sharp-eyed. There are some old objects which belong to our Consort Dowager Chen.” Mother Ruan said politely.

Prince Yi, Ao Chenyi, was the son of Consort Dowager Chen. In the previous dynasty, Consort Dowager Chen was the late emperor’s favorite concubine. So, it was reasonable that she had one or two old objects which were better than Honored Consort Ya’s. Compared with Honored Consort Ya now, Consort Dowager Chen had been much more favored at that time. Consort Dowager Chen had been in poor health, so she died a few years after she gave birth to Ao Chenyi. Otherwise, she could have been enthroned to be the empress.

There had been rumors that the childless Empress from the Lord Peace’s Manor could be promoted to be the Empress Dowager because Consort Dowager Chen died early. If she died a few years later, Prince Yi would be the legitimate son in just ways. At that time, no matter how powerful the Emperor was, he would not be able to compare with Prince Yi.

But even under such circumstances, the former emperor still appointed Ao Chenyi as the emperor’s younger brother. From the twists and turns of the matter, people were aware that the deceased emperor favored Consort Dowager Chen very much. How could Honored Consort Ya compare with her now?

Madam Dowager smiled in embarrassment. She gave Ning Qingshan a quiet stare.

“Mother Ruan, you’re right. What I said was wrong. I wanted to say that these things are good. They’re comparable to those in the palace. Fifth Sister is not married yet, but Prince Yi is already showering so much attention on her. Their future will be very harmonious.” Ning Qingshan immediately said this, after she heard what Mother Ruan said. With a gentle smile, she changed her words, as if she had not meant that Prince Yi’s Manor was as rich as the imperial palace.

“Fifth Sister, congratulations!” After that, she turned her head and smiled at Ning Xueyan, without showing any grudges. Her face only showed a trace of envy, which appropriately reflected her jealousy of Ning Xueyan. Seeing so many betrothal gifts and that Prince Yi attached such great importance toward Ning Xueyan, any woman would be jealous.

It was human nature to be envious. As long as one did not harbor jealousy or hatred, that was fine. If one deliberately pretended not to be moved, others would think that one was being shrewd.

Madam Dowager relaxed and looked at Ning Qingshan with a smile in her eyes. It showed that she was satisfied with Ning Qingshan’s response. Even Mother Ruan looked at Ning Qingshan gently, because she thought that the Third Young Lady was gentle, dignified, and generous. She found her worthy of her reputation.

“Thank you for your kind words, Third Sister.” Ning Xueyan said politely, with a gentle smile. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her jet-black eyes were as clear as if they could read one’s mind. With just a few words, Ning Qingshan managed to please Madam Dowager and Mother Ruan. Few Young Ladies would readily admit their faults.

Ning Qingshan did not show any sign of stagnation, which would give people a good impression. Besides, she admitted her mistake to a servant, which would indicate that she was dignified and generous.

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Looking into Ning Xueyan’s eyes, Ning Qingshan tilted her head slightly. She felt as if someone had seen through her, which made her uncomfortable. She snorted secretly. She knew that she could not show it now. So, she gave a kind smile to Ning Xueyan again.

Mother Ruan did not stay for long. After the people of the Lord Protector’s Manor had checked the list of betrothal gifts, she left with the people from Prince Yi’s Manor. It was said that there were more betrothal gifts given to Commandery Princess Xianyun. She was afraid that there would not be enough people there, so she had to go over to the Lord Peace’s Manor to see if the betrothal gifts had been checked.

Ning Xueyan sent Madam Yuan to the gate of the courtyard, on behalf of Madam Dowager. After she left, Ning Xueyan took Lanning back to her room.

Now there was no one else but Madam Dowager, Ning Qingshan, Ning Lingyun, and Ning Xueyan in the room. Madam Dowager warned them again that no matter where they went, they should not forget that they were young ladies from the Lord Protector’s Manor. Whether they were consort or co-consort, no one could bully them, with the Lord Protector’s Manor behind them.

The implication was that if they lost the protection of the Lord Protector’s Manor, which was powerful and influential, anyone could bully them.

Ning Qingshan and Ning Xueyan were not stupid. Ning Lingyun nodded obediently. She repeatedly said that they were all sisters of the Lord Protector’s Manor, so they would rise and fall together, which made Madam Dowager satisfied.

“Grandmother, how about Second Sister and Eldest Sister…” Ning Qingshan suddenly frowned and looked embarrassed.

All the people present understood the meaning behind her words. There were only a few henchmen left in the room, and the other servants had already been sent out.

“Don’t worry about them. Anyway, they’re both in the Xia Manor. When you go there, you can only visit your Eldest Sister. As for the Second Young Lady, how could a concubine have decent relatives?” Thinking of Ning Yuling, Madam Dowager became angry. She pounded the table with her hand and growled.

If Ning Yuling had not ruined the reputation of the Young Lady of Lord Protector’s Manor, Madam Dowager thought that Ning Qingshan would not merely be a co-consort. Ning Qingshan did not perform well in the imperial palace, but Ning Yuling was her elder sister, so what she had done must have implicated Ning Qingshan.

Madam Dowager did not say that directly in front of Ning Qingshan. However, it was evident that she despised Ning Yuling. Madam Dowager did not approve of Ning Yuling’s marriage to Xia Yuhang. The reason why it went through, was because there was no other way out.

Vice Minister of Justice’s Manor could have taken on the responsibility. Unexpectedly, they announced that they already had arranged for an engagement. Otherwise, Madam Dowager would force Ning Yuling to board the sedan chair to the Vice Minister of Justice’s Manor. However, a legal daughter was now a concubine. Madam Dowager felt that Ning Yuling had brought disgrace to the Lord Protector’s Manor. How could she not hate her now?

“Grandmother, it’s not good. We are all sisters. Even if Second Sister did something wrong, she will eventually realize that in the future.” Although Ning Xueyan did not know why Ning Qingshan brought up the topic of Ning Yuling, she remained calm and said this magnanimously.

“Yes, Grandmother. Second Sister is innocent. Nobody knew that such a thing would happen!” Seeing that Ning Qingshan and Ning Xueyan were sharing their views, Ning Lingyun immediately added her remarks. She was indignant as if she was defending Ning Yuling against an injustice. She seemed to have a close attachment with Ning Yuling and felt sorry for her.

“Innocent! I gave her a chance to get herself out of this, but she insisted on doing otherwise. How could she find a way out? If Minister Xia was simple, how could your Eldest Sister be abortive? Xia Yuhang was a promising man, but now he can’t even pass the Spring Metropolitan Examination. He may not even be able to take it in three years’ time. There’s no hope.”

Speaking of this, Madam Dowager became angry. If Madam Ling had not repeatedly said that Xia Yuhang would be a good son-in-law and have a meteoric rise, she would not have agreed to the match. It was said that he was a talented man, and even the emperor knew that. The emperor personally assessed him and appointed him as the Number One Scholar. Unfortunately, he was disqualified from the Spring Metropolitan Examination this year, because of his marriage.

He was talented, and the emperor might change his mind in three years. Moreover, even though Xia Yuhang was gifted and passed the final imperial examination, the emperor would eliminate him, upon thinking of his scandal. Now, Madam Dowager felt regretful.

“How could I have thought that Xia Yuhang was good and decided to unite with Xia Manor through marriage? The Eldest Young Lady would probably have a better marriage and the matter of the Cloud Reflection Courtyard would not be exposed. Now, it has not ended yet. I hope that time can dilute everything. Fortunately, that’s an orphan. Otherwise, there will be no way to deal with it.”

Thinking of this, Madam Dowager pounded her chest and stamped her feet in regret. She felt that Madam Ling had cheated her. Madam Ling was shortsighted, but she had followed her advice, so now she vented her anger on Madam Ling. Thinking that Madam Ling was the one who taught Ning Yuling, she felt that Madam Ling was a jinx.

While they were talking, a young male servant suddenly reported, “Madam Dowager, the Third Prince asked to see you. He’s coming over. The Marquis asked me to inform you first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room was stunned. “Why did Ao Mingyu suddenly come to Lord Protector’s Manor? And he headed straight for the backyard. Was there something urgent? It was not in line with the usual etiquette!”