Chapter 305: Dispute Among Servants

【 The incident at Hanshan Temple this time is a major event. Not only was half of the Great Buddha Hall of Hanshan Temple burned down, but the young ladies who went to burn the first incense were all injured, and three direct daughters also died. For a moment, the capital city was filled with rumors, and everyone was on high alert, with strict security everywhere in the capital city.

） The two direct daughters who were to be sent into the palace were all injured, especially Ning Qingshan. Her entire head was swollen to a larger size. First Madam was very anxious. She immediately invited doctors to treat her, and she must recover her before entering the palace. Precious medicinal herbs were sent to Ning Qingshan’s Luoyan Courtyard as if they were free.

「 Madam Ling, whose Yunxia Courtyard had not eaten well for several days, was heartbroken, and secretly scolded the old hag for being so biased, unexpectedly giving Huaiyuan’s things to others.

」 But although Madam Ling felt heartbroken, she dared not say much. Now she was no longer the one who held great authority back then. So many things had happened in the mansion. Ning Zuan didn’t have the warmth of the past towards her either. Most of the time, he spent time with Concubine Xu. A few days ago, because she was somewhat conciliatory towards Concubine Xu, he came to see her, but then he left.

Thinking of this, Madam Ling gritted her teeth with hatred. One day, she would take back the steward’s power and sell off those seductive fox vixens one by one. Didn’t they know how to flirt with people? She would sell them all to the brothels, and have them specialize in this kind of flirting.

『 The people in this included Yulian, Concubine Xu, and Ning Xueyan.

』 “First Madam, don’t be angry. Second Miss will be back soon. Although Third Young Lady is good-looking, but in terms of exquisiteness, she can’t compare to Second Miss. Even if Second Miss’s reputation is slightly deficient now, but as long as Second Miss can lower her head, which man would be willing to let go of a beauty like Second Miss?”

【 Nurse Chen knew what Madam Ling was angry about, so of course, she picked up good-sounding words to coax her.

【 These days, Madam Ling’s mood was not good, and the servants of Yunxia Courtyard had not been beaten less. Although Nurse Chen was Madam Ling’s confidante, she was also kicked by Madam Ling, so she spoke more cautiously, really picking up things Madam Ling liked to hear.

【 Hearing her say this, the anger on Madam Ling’s face faded a few points, and she asked, “How many days will Ling’er arrive?”

【 “The old servant is not quite clear either, but the Eldest Young Master said before that it would be after the New Year, it is estimated to be soon.” Nurse Chen carefully responded. Since she couldn’t give an exact number, she pushed everything onto Ning Huaiyuan, otherwise Madam Ling would scold her for being incompetent and useless.

【 Since Second Miss had an incident, First Madam’s temper was more capricious than before. She didn’t care who had a face when she lost her temper, and she would scold them in public. She even took action directly. Nurse Chen, who had suffered losses, was always very careful in her response.

【 “It’s better if that face is ruined. See if the Third Prince wants to marry the beautiful Ling’er, or that ugly thing with a ruined face.” Madam Ling pointed at the direction of Luoyan Courtyard with disdain. Hearing that the female relatives who went to Hanshan Temple had an incident, she was happy at that time and stood up, waiting for the “good news” to be sent over.

【 If the two maidservants really died in Hanshan Temple, Ling’er’s identity as the only unmarried woman would certainly rise with the tide. Even if she had some deficiencies in reputation, with the entire Duke’s Mansion behind her, it shouldn’t be a big deal. As for Ning Yuling’s loss of virginity long ago, Madam Ling chose to forget it.

【 Anyway, as long as the Third Prince still wanted the support of the Duke’s Mansion, he had to marry Ling’er.

【 That’s what she thought, but the fact was completely different from her expectation. Neither of the two maidservants had anything happen. Ning Xueyan heard that she was completely unharmed, but was just a little shocked. Although Ning Qingshan’s face was bruised, these were all external injuries and were not a big deal. Madam Ling, who got the real news, smashed two vases on the spot.

【 She couldn’t wait to go over and choke these two maidservants to death on the spot.

【 Nurse Chen knew that Madam Ling was referring to Ning Qingshan, and immediately lowered her voice, saying anxiously, “First Madam, you can’t say that. If Old Madam and Duke knew, it would be terrible. I’m afraid that even Second Miss will be implicated then.”

【 She knew Madam Ling’s plan. Ning Yuling couldn’t participate in the Imperial Selection, which meant she couldn’t directly enter the Third Prince’s Residence. After that, Ning Qingshan became the Third Prince’s principal wife. If Ning Yuling wanted to enter, she had to agree. So for the time being, Madam Ling couldn’t offend Ning Qingshan. At least after Ning Yuling entered the Third Prince’s Residence, and after defeating Ning Qingshan, Madam Ling could openly say these words.

【 “Hmph, I know, I just can’t get over it. It’s all like this, these two lowly girls, unexpectedly didn’t die, it’s really lucky.” Since it was a major matter, especially after hearing Nurse Chen mention Ning Yuling, Madam Ling snorted, and also lowered her voice. Ling’er would have to pass Ning Qingshan’s test to enter the Third Prince’s Residence later. Of course, she knew this.

【 “Yes, First Madam is right. The old servant thinks that First Madam should now regain Duke’s cherishing. You can’t let Duke ignore First Madam. If a son is born there later, it will be controversial for the Eldest Young Master. Although Duke only has the Eldest Young Master, this Young Master’s position has not been decided for a long time.”

【 The reason why Nurse Chen said this was of course because she was angry, and what she was angry about was a lowly little maidservant from Mingshuang Courtyard. After finally inquiring, it turned out to be Concubine Xiao Xu’s sister. This made her even more angry.

【 The process of the matter was actually like this.

【 This morning, Third Young Lady and Fifth Miss were sent back to the residence together. Everyone in the mansion was busy under the instructions of the Old Madam. Nurse Chen was preparing a bowl of silver ear soup for Madam Ling at the time. Because the silver ear soup wasn’t good, she was talking to a familiar cook on the side. When she finished speaking and came back, she saw an unfamiliar maidservant taking her silver ear soup, and she was furious.

【 She immediately went over and scolded, “Where did the lowly girl come from? You dare to touch First Madam’s silver ear soup? Don’t you want your life?”

【 Unfortunately, that maidservant’s neck stiffened, and she had no intention of returning the silver ear soup. She glared at Nurse Chen without buying her account, “The Old Madam has instructed that whatever is good should be given to our young lady first. Taking care of the body is important. Our young lady will enter the palace to participate in the Imperial Selection. Does First Madam also want to enter the palace to participate in the Imperial Selection, so you also need to maintain your beauty?”

【 These words were really caustic. Nurse Chen had never heard anyone dare to say this to her, and she trembled with anger. She was about to slap this maidservant, but she avoided it. Nurse Chen therefore fell to the ground, and the maidservant even stepped on her. She arrogantly walked away with the food basket.

【 Since following Madam Ling, Nurse Chen had been walking sideways in the mansion. How could she have suffered such a loss? She stood up and was about to charge over, but was pulled back by a familiar cook, who told her that this was Concubine Xiao Xu’s sister. Concubine Xiao Xu was now favored by Duke, and it was said that a young Young Master would be born in the future. Who would dare to offend her at this time?

【 That cook even, in order to gain her trust, indicated that Concubine Xiao Xu was now very popular, and specifically told her that a few days ago, someone brought up the matter of Concubine Xiao Xu’s sister entering the mansion. It was said that Duke flew into a rage and specifically instructed that if anyone else slandered Concubine Xiao Xu’s sister, who was not of proper origin, they would be sold off directly, and even sold to the lowest class.

【 So for a moment, no one in the mansion dared to offend Concubine Xiao Xu’s sister, for fear of accidentally offending her and letting her complain to Concubine Xiao Xu, making Duke furious.

【 “Did you hear anything?” The Young Master’s position had not been decided for a long time, which was also a thorn in Madam Ling’s heart. At this time, hearing Nurse Chen’s words, she immediately asked sensitively.

【 “The old servant…” Nurse Chen hesitated, wanting Madam Ling to help her get out, but also fearing that Madam Ling would be angered. She looked at Madam Ling’s complexion and dared not speak directly for a moment.

【 “Speak, I pardon you.” Madam Ling knew there was a problem at a glance, and her complexion sank.

【 “Yes, the old servant said that I heard that Concubine Xiao Xu has… an idea. The Young Master’s position, First Madam, you must be careful.” Nurse Chen went to the doorway, carefully closed the door, and then returned to Madam Ling’s side, lowering her voice.

【 “This lowly young girl, how dare she covet the Young Master’s position? Isn’t she tired of living?” Madam Ling was immediately furious.

【 “First Madam, please lower your voice first, and let the old servant tell you in detail.” Nurse Chen quickly reached out and pulled Madam Ling, “Duke has always liked the Eldest Young Master, but why has he never made the Eldest Young Master the Young Master? Moreover, Duke is in his prime now. If another son he likes is born, this… this consequence will be…”

【 Nurse Chen hated that maidservant to the extreme. When she spoke, she naturally stabbed at Madam Ling’s heart, knowing that Madam Ling was always dissatisfied with Duke’s delay in making the Eldest Young Master the Young Master, and also knowing that Madam Ling cared about this very much, so she hit the nail on the head.

【 “Bitch, bitch, they are all bitches!” Madam Ling’s complexion was fierce with hatred. She picked up the teacup beside her and was about to throw it on the ground.

【 “First Madam, don’t do this. The more you do this, the more Duke will go to that little fox vixen.” Nurse Chen quickly grabbed the teacup from Madam Ling’s hand and urged anxiously.

【 “Hmph, to give birth to a Young Master, bitch, she doesn’t even have to think about it.” Madam Ling’s face was fierce, “I will cut off her offspring.”

【 “First Madam, don’t do this. Duke warned you about Concubine Ma’s matter last time. If you do this again, what will Duke know?” Nurse Chen lowered her voice, and then leaned into Madam Ling’s ear, “The old servant has a method…”

【 A few words turned Madam Ling from anger to joy, nodding repeatedly. She immediately said to Nurse Chen, “You go and handle this matter. Have people closely monitor that vixen, wanting to give birth to a Young Master, what a dream.”

【 Mingshuang Courtyard

【 Ning Xueyan sat on the couch, half leaning against her body, casually looking through a book. Her injuries were not severe to begin with. At this time, after a little rest, her complexion was also quite good. Sunlight entered from the window, shone on her face, and gave off a faint, lustrous color. Lan Ning came in with a cup of tea and placed it on the table in front of the couch.

【 “Young Miss, Nurse Chen did go to the male servant’s place, and this servant girl followed her, and came out after staying there for a short while,” Lan Ning reported.

【 “How is Qinger doing?” Ning Xueyan gave a slight smile, put down the book with an elegant manner, took the tea, and took a sip. Her ink jade eyes flashed a faint mockery. Before, when she advised Yulian to be a concubine, she saw that this Qinger was not a well-behaved person either. Sure enough, when someone provoked her, Nurse Chen suffered a loss there, and next, it was time to find a place for Madam Ling.

【 Wasn’t Xu Yulian working with Madam Ling to deal with her? Then let them make a fuss first!

【 “This servant girl, following Young Miss’s words, first flattered her.” Lan Ning also quite disdained this Qinger, who had always been portrayed as weak before. Since Concubine Xiao Xu was favored, Qinger was like turned upside down, usually in the courtyard like a petite young lady, not doing anything, but also pointing at the little maidservants in the garden, beating and scolding them. If it weren’t for Young Miss’s words, Lan Ning would have kicked her out of Mingshuang Courtyard long ago.

【 “In a few days, we will enter the palace. Let Nurse Han continue to keep an eye on Yunxia Courtyard and Concubine Xiao Xu’s side. Don’t interfere with anything.”

【 It will be soon that they enter the palace, and these things still had to be instructed. She specially set up this situation to divert the attention of Madam Ling and this ambitious Concubine Xiao Xu, also to better handle the matter of entering the palace to participate in the Imperial Selection. If she didn’t divert Madam Ling’s attention, it’s possible that, like last time at Hanshan Temple, after she came back, Nurse Han would have something happen.

【 She would never be the same as in her previous life, not even able to protect the people around her…

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