Chapter 143: Madam Ming’s Past

Ning Lingyun’s mind was extremely clear at this moment, with a feeling of unprecedented clarity. Her limbs felt as if they were in an ice cellar. How could she have been so muddleheaded as to be caught by someone’s weakness? Ning Xueyan wasn’t the type to be easily caught by someone’s weakness, was she?

“You go back and copy the Rules for Women a few more times. You should always know that you are a humble concubine-born daughter. Without the Duke’s support, you’ll just be a concubine at best.” The Old Madam’s eyes slightly deepened, and she coldly said with a chilling tone.

These words were ruthless, almost stripping away all of Ning Lingyun’s face, belittling her, and giving her a stern warning.

“Yes, Yun’er was wrong. Yun’er will go and copy the Rules for Women! I also hope Grandmother will forgive Yun’er.” Ning Lingyun, at this moment, dared not say anything, and said this with shame and annoyance, covering her face and wiping away tears as she retreated.

“Yan’er, come sit here.” Seeing Ning Lingyun leave, a part of the Old Madam’s gloominess dissipated, and she even revealed a faint, cordial smile, pointing to a seat on the side, indicating for Ning Xueyan to sit beside her.

“Yes.” Ning Xueyan saw the Old Madam’s change in her eyes and slightly smiled. She obediently walked over and sat on the Old Madam’s right side.

She had originally been thinking of how to change her timid and weak image in front of the Old Madam, but she hadn’t expected Ning Lingyun to bring the opportunity to her.

By punishing Ning Lingyun, she also let the Old Madam see that she was no longer the Ning Xueyan of before!

For someone like the Old Madam, there was no such thing as family affection, only benefit. If she was still a useless granddaughter, even if she was slandered by Ning Lingyun today and died in the backyard without a clear reason, the Old Madam wouldn’t even glance at her.

Ning Yuling was sent away without hesitation, also because she had lost her value!

“Old Madam, look, you care for Fifth Miss so much. It’s alright, Fifth Miss is right here!” Nurse Qin appropriately made a joke, making the atmosphere relaxed.

“This child was originally a good one, with a good temper and a well-behaved personality, just like her mother. Seeing this young girl, I am reminded of her mother. She was the same back then, and every time she saw me, she would jump up and down, calling me ‘Young Lady’ repeatedly. If it weren’t for what happened, why would she shut herself in Mingshuang Courtyard, isolating herself like this!”

The Old Madam sighed, seemingly touched by genuine emotion, with reddened eyes, and even her voice choked up.

Self-seclusion? Obviously, she was abandoned by the people in the Duke’s Mansion, but now she was acting as if she didn’t want their concern. She had seen people who turned right into wrong, but never seen such a shameless distortion of right and wrong.

Beneath the long eyelashes, her eye color was sharp and chilling, but when she looked up again, it carried a touch of genuine surprise: “Grandmother, what exactly happened to my mother? They all say that my mother was the Legal Wife, and Grandmother is also Mother’s biological aunt, so why did she later become the Second Madam, whom no one cared about?”

Ning Xueyan had already asked Nurse Han. Nurse Han said angrily that Madam Ming had been carried into the Mansion in a grand sedan chair by Ning Zuan, but it was actually Madam Ling and Ning Zuan who had an affair outside early on. Ning Huaiyuan and Ning Ziyan were all illegitimate children born outside and were later brought into the Mansion.

After arriving at the Mansion, Ning Yuling was born. Not long after, something happened to Madam Ming, and then she willingly became a concubine, giving up her position as Legal Wife to Madam Ling. Nurse Han couldn’t explain what happened inside, only saying that a man was suddenly discovered on Madam Ming’s bed.

At that time, Madam Ming had just given birth to Ning Xueyan not long ago. Not only did Ning Zuan suspect Madam Ming, but he also suspected that Ning Xueyan was not his biological child. He wanted to kill Ning Xueyan. Because of this, Madam Ming, in a fit of anger, gave up her position as Legal Wife and was willing to seclude herself in Mingshuang Courtyard with Ning Xueyan, never seeing Ning Zuan again.

This was what Nurse Han said, but Ning Xueyan sensitively felt that there must be inside information!

With Madam Ling’s disposition, how could she stay under Madam Ming for long? Furthermore, at that time, Ning Huaiyuan was still an illegitimate child whose status was not legitimate. From any aspect, Madam Ling could never allow Madam Ming to stand in the position of Legal Wife, or perhaps Ning Zuan and the Old Madam also thought the same way.

How could the only offspring of the Duke’s Mansion be a nameless and statusless illegitimate child!

Her heart suddenly ached, feeling sorrow for Madam Ming at that time. What kind of despair was that? To preserve the life of her child, she had to keep silent, and she didn’t even defend herself in front of her only older brother. Ning Xueyan had already acknowledged Madam Ming in her heart the moment she heard about this.

Therefore, she needed to seek justice for Madam Ming even more. Such an obvious slanderous incident, yet no one helped her to clear her name!

It could be seen that everyone in the Duke’s Mansion stood on Madam Ling’s side, watching Madam Ming helplessly give up her position as Legal Wife.

Her long eyelashes flickered, and although her face was pale, it was exquisitely beautiful, revealing a hint of dazedness, with a kind of ethereal beauty, further accentuating her Hibiscus Flower face, beautiful like a dream.

This kind of appearance made the Old Madam’s complexion more agreeable.

“This matter, in fact, cannot be blamed on your mother. It’s really because your father and your mother, not only had your Older Brother, but also had your Older Sister, Second Sister. Your mother thought your father was good to your mother and neglected her, so that’s why… things happened. Forget it, it’s all in the past. No matter what, your mother will always be my well-behaved niece in my heart.”

The Old Madam sighed, waving her hand, appearing magnanimous and not mentioning the past.

Sure enough, she can act, Ning Xueyan sneered in her heart, but it’s good that she didn’t want the Old Madam to tell the truth either. Her uncle was investigating the things of the past, and she was also investigating. Her uncle said that the man hadn’t died. He was now following the news of that year to investigate. As long as it was verified, Madam Ling would never be able to turn over.

Following the Old Madam’s tone, Ning Xueyan also sighed, her willow leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed, appearing somewhat dispirited, and she didn’t ask further questions.

This made the Old Madam relieved. She became even more appreciative of Ning Xueyan’s cleverness. Indeed, she was a young girl with a discerning eye, seeing the Old Madam’s impatience and not pressing further. It was a pity that such an outstanding young girl was born by Madam Ming.

“Old Madam, this is the account book of the Inner Courtyard today. This old servant will put it here for you. If you feel your body is still up to it, then look at it first.” Nurse Qin came in from outside, carrying a large pile of account books, and placed them on the small table in front of the Old Madam.

Seeing this large pile of account books, the Old Madam’s eyebrows also furrowed. She helplessly shook her hand and sighed, saying, “It’s these account books again. I am so old, yet I still have to manage the affairs of the Inner Courtyard.”

Madam Ling was still in the Buddha Hall. Concubine Xu was suspected by the Old Madam because of Ning Lingyun’s matter and had also lost the right to manage the affairs. Now the affairs of the Inner and Outer Courtyards, both big and small, were all in the Old Madam’s hands. The Old Madam hadn’t managed affairs for a few years, and after managing for a few days, she felt a bit exhausted.

“Old Madam, don’t say that you are old or not. This old servant is older than you.” Nurse Qin knowingly took the words and then pointed to Ning Xueyan, saying, “Look, you at least still have Fifth Miss, such a well-behaved granddaughter. This old servant’s few sons, none of them can sit still, and not one of them is seen running around.”

Nurse Qin’s family also had a son, who had been removed from the status of a servant under the Old Madam’s help. Her son bore only grandsons, and there wasn’t even one daughter.

“Nurse Qin, you are teasing me again.” Ning Xueyan watched the master and servant duo joking with a smile at the corner of her mouth.

“Fifth Miss, this old servant is not teasing you, but sincerely praising you. Look at Fifth Miss’s demeanor and bearing, it’s clear that she has the bearing of a Direct Daughter of the Duke’s Mansion. Old Madam, what else are you not assured of? Just let Fifth Miss look at some of these account books. In the future, when Fifth Miss marries into another mansion and becomes a Mistress, she will have to manage the internal affairs!”

Nurse Qin spoke to the Old Madam with a smile, and at the same time, she winked at Ning Xueyan, indicating that she should take the initiative to share the Old Madam’s affairs.

“Nurse Qin!” Ning Xueyan’s face blushed with shyness, but she didn’t pay attention to Nurse Qin’s hint.

“Yan’er, are you willing to help Grandmother?” The Old Madam looked at it, and increasingly felt that Ning Xueyan had no ulterior motives. Originally, she had some doubts about Ning Xueyan’s sudden display of strength. This time, hearing that Ning Xueyan was not at all tempted by Nurse Qin’s suggestion, she was truly relieved.

Although she felt that managing affairs was tiring, she was also afraid that Ning Xueyan would use a scheme to seize power from her. Seeing Ning Xueyan’s disregard for Nurse Qin’s hint, she was relieved and asked with a laugh.

“Grandmother, I don’t know how!” Ning Xueyan looked at the account books on the table, looking distressed.

“How can a young girl say she doesn’t know? How will you manage the household in the future? Take a few books and look at them first. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come and ask me.” The more Ning Xueyan declined, the more the Old Madam felt that Ning Xueyan was unwilling to manage affairs, so she became less suspicious and truly wanted Ning Xueyan to look at the account books.

“This… Grandmother…” Ning Xueyan bit her lip and looked at the Old Madam, “Then, okay!”

“Take these few account books and look at them first. If you don’t understand anything, come over, and Grandmother will explain to you.” Seeing Ning Xueyan agree, the Old Madam said with a laugh, picking out three or four books from a pile of account books.

Nurse Qin took them and had Lan Ning hold them.

To prevent Ning Xueyan from really not understanding, the Old Madam also specially took one and pointed out a few things to her.

Ning Xueyan came out of the Old Madam’s courtyard after an hour. Lan Ning was standing behind her, holding a few account books. The few servants at the courtyard entrance respectfully called out “Fifth Miss.” Everyone anticipated that the Old Madam valued Fifth Miss so much, Fifth Miss was different now, a great turnaround, it seemed that Mingshuang Courtyard was no longer the “Cold Palace” in the Mansion.

After leaving the courtyard gate, she was about to turn towards the path of Mingshuang Courtyard, when suddenly she saw Ning Lingyun standing at the intersection not far ahead.

Seeing Ning Xueyan coming, she immediately lifted her skirt hem and quickly walked a few steps: “Fifth Younger Sister, Fifth Younger Sister.”

“Fourth Older Sister, is there anything else?” Ning Xueyan stopped, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, looking at the anxious and nervous Ning Lingyun. In her clear and beautiful eyebrows, there was weakness, but it couldn’t hide the scheming in her eyes.

Ning Lingyun hadn’t given up yet!