Chapter 389: The Ning Clan’s Rituals

The news that the two young ladies of the Duke’s Mansion became concubines of Prince Yi and the Third Prince immediately spread throughout the capital. When the Duke’s Mansion invited relatives and guests for this matter, the carriages that came even jammed the road in front of the Duke’s Mansion’s main gate, causing it to be completely blocked.

Having two royal concubines from one mansion was something that had never happened since the founding of the dynasty. Even those relatives who were barely related came to the door early. The Ning clan members scattered in the capital also rushed over from all directions. Ning Zu’an was not only the Duke, but also the head of the Ning Clan.

Today, on the one hand, it was a grand banquet for relatives, and on the other hand, it was also a sacrificial offering to the ancestors of the Ning Clan.

Although this was not the birthplace of the Ning Clan, because Ning Zu’an, the head of the clan, was also here, there was a small ancestral temple next to the Duke’s Mansion. It only occupied a small courtyard, and because it was close to the Duke’s Mansion, the main gate of the ancestral temple had never been opened. But today, the main gate was wide open.

The servants inside came and went, redecorating the place. Sacrificial offerings were all carried inside, in order for Ning Zu’an to come and worship later.

As Ning Zu’an’s direct son, Huaiyuan, of course, had to attend such a grand occasion. Ning Huaiyuan was not lightly kicked by Ning Zu’an, and then because of Madam Ling’s matter, he passed out once. But because he was young, his foundation was good, and he had already recovered almost. Although his complexion looked a little pale, it was generally not bad.

He still looked as gentle and refined as before, but upon closer inspection, one would discover that he occasionally had a trace of the shadow that he had never had before.

For such a big matter, as the clan head’s wife, Madam Ling also got up with her sick body. She was really sick. The matters of Ning Huaiyuan and Ning Yuling had hit her hard. The whole person looked thin and shapeless, and her pale face also revealed a layer of green qi. One look would tell that the situation was absolutely not good.

Maybe it was also because she was too thin. Her sunken eyes always made people feel gloomy. Several Madams of the main family sat beside her and also felt very uneasy, but they had to accompany her and talk and laugh. Fortunately, although Madam Ling’s expression was not good, she could basically show a smile on her face.

Everyone, of course, knew better and did not mention the matters of Ning Ziyan and Ning Yuling, only talking about ordinary daily life matters. Of course, among them, they also couldn’t help but express their envy of the Third Miss and the Fifth Miss of the Duke’s Mansion. Such a matter was also the glory of the Ning Clan.

In Mingshuang Courtyard, Ning Xueyan also got up early to dress up. Today, she didn’t need to dress up particularly beautifully, because she would have to worship her ancestors later. The Old Madam also specially prepared a hemp cloth garment for her. Today, she and Ning Qingshan were the protagonists. Later, they would of course have to wear rough hemp cloth garments to worship their ancestors.

“Young Miss, the matter of Cloud Shadow Courtyard, this servant girl has already listened to your instructions and arranged it.” Xinmei came in and said. She was a woman of the inner courtyard, and she had skills. It was best to do this kind of thing, and Cloud Shadow Courtyard was also close to here. Madam Ling’s wall that had been built before had blocked off the Duke’s Mansion and Cloud Shadow Courtyard.

But it also made it convenient for Ning Xueyan to enter Cloud Shadow Courtyard without fear of being seen by others.

Since the incident of the ghost haunting in Cloud Shadow Courtyard last time, no one would come here anymore. The servants of the mansion would avoid it when they saw the wall from afar. Now, although the people in the mansion dared not talk nonsense, everyone knew that the place was very evil. The dead Miss Ning Ziying, it was said that she didn’t die a normal death.

But since the masters of the mansion did not allow them to talk nonsense, they also dared not talk nonsense, only whispering underneath.

The matter has passed some time now, and the rumors these days have gradually faded away. Anyway, no one goes to Cloud Shadow Courtyard, and everyone has forgotten this courtyard in their minds, as if the Duke’s Mansion really didn’t have this courtyard.

Ning Xueyan nodded. Her ink jade eyes flashed a trace of icy cold fierce look. She stood up, walked to the window, and took a long breath. The direction she was looking at was exactly Cloud Shadow Courtyard.

Reborn in this life, the secret of Cloud Shadow Courtyard had always been hidden behind, no one knew that the Duke’s Mansion had once sheltered Ning Ziying, and no one knew that Ning Ziyan, in order to snatch her wedding, had caused her to die without a burial place. In those days, her so-called funeral, they only took her two pieces of clothes and casually buried her.

No one cried out for her, so she would do it herself.

She, who had crawled out of the sea of blood and hell, had long been looking forward to this day, to be able to reveal her grievances of her previous life to the world.

This road was chosen by herself a long time ago, so no matter how bloody and violent it was in the future, she would not retreat.

Nurse Han stood aside, looking at her own Young Miss. There was both comfort and sorrow in her eyes. Her Young Miss was delicate and should have been a gentle, pure young lady from a deep chamber, but she had to bear everything. If it weren’t for this tiger and leopard-like Duke’s Mansion, why would the Young Miss be like this.

But always, the Madam was in heaven and had been watching over the Fifth Miss, so the Fifth Miss was not blindly kind, otherwise, she would have been eaten and there would not have been any bones left. Her nostrils were sore, and tears were about to fall. She quickly turned her head and wiped her eyes.

“Nurse Han, did you come from Xiangfu Garden? Did the Old Madam have any words to convey?” After calming down her mood, Ning Xueyan returned to the dressing table and sat down. Her long eyelashes drooped, allowing her eyelashes to imprint two uneven shadows under her pale cheeks. This made her look a bit eerie, and this eeriness also revealed some danger.

“The Old Madam instructed this old servant to say that when you go in to worship and offer incense later, let the Fifth Miss walk behind the Third Miss, and after the Third Miss has finished worshipping, the Fifth Miss will be allowed to worship. She said that this matter doesn’t matter the matters of the Third Prince and Prince Yi. It’s always because they haven’t married yet, what they’re discussing are the rules of the Duke’s Mansion. The Third Miss is now the formal direct daughter of the Duke’s Mansion, and she is also the older sister, of course, she has to be above you. But didn’t we clearly say yesterday, that the two Young Ladies would offer incense and worship together!”

Speaking of this, Nurse Han said indignantly, “Two Young Ladies, both are concubines, really speaking, no matter what, our Young Miss is superior. Why is it brought up again about the true direct daughter, isn’t this suppressing the Madam at the root, and thinking that Madam Ling is the formal Madam of the mansion, how can this not make Nurse Han angry.

In front of so many people, to once again say that Madam Ming is a concubine of equal status, saying what is a formal direct daughter, the Fifth Miss is the formal direct daughter of the mansion, isn’t this humiliating the Madam!”

“Don’t be angry, Nurse. No matter whose idea this is, just let them be proud for a while. Anyway, this worship ceremony, I don’t know what it will be like, so let them do as they please!” Ning Xueyan curled her lip, a trace of icy cold smile. No matter whose idea this was, at this time, she wouldn’t care.

Or having this situation now, when Madam Ming is rehabilitated in the future, it can be used to talk about it. The Old Madam repeatedly expressed that she had old affection for Madam Ming, but it was only because Madam Ming was really “inexperienced” back then, so she turned from love to hate and ignored her. So what is this all about today?

In front of the Ning clan members, to once again slap Madam Ming in the face, not even letting a dead person go. But let’s see how the Old Madam will justify herself in the future.

“Yes, this old servant knows, so this old servant didn’t say anything just now, and came back to report.” Nurse Han nodded and suppressed the sadness and anger in her heart.

“Nurse Han, Xinmei, Qingyu, you all go prepare. I have Lan Ning to accompany me here.” Ning Xueyan said calmly.

Today’s banquet was, of course, mainly for the ancestor worship. Most of the guests were from the Ning Clan. This banquet would naturally be held after the worship. Because it was still early, most of the inner family members found excuses to stroll in the courtyard. Looking at Madam Ling’s gloomy face, no one could talk and laugh normally.

It was always felt that staying beside this Duchess, even the air was so heavy that it made people feel suppressed. People who were well-informed had long said that this Duchess was now favored by the Duke’s Mansion. Before, it was the First Miss of the Ning Residence who had a scandal, and now it was the Second Miss. It was said that these two who had scandals were both born by Madam Ling.

And the two young ladies who are now representing the Duke’s Mansion, were not born to Madam Ling.

Thinking about this, and then looking at Madam Ling’s current situation, there were not many people who truly wanted to be close to Madam Ling. One by one, they used the excuse of wanting to see the Duke’s Mansion, and strolled separately in the courtyard. Some people loved to be quiet, and they went to remote places as they walked.

Suddenly, at a certain place in the courtyard, the voice got louder, and there were even people scolding, which attracted some strolling guests. After inquiring, they found out that a child from one family was missing, and that Madam was extremely anxious, and she was inquiring where the child had gone. Someone had just said that the river of the Duke’s Mansion was quite deep, and maybe the child had fallen into the river.

Upon hearing that the child was missing, someone said that they had seen him go that way and pointed in a direction. That Madam and some enthusiastic Madams went in that direction. There were many people they saw on the road, and some occasionally saw him, and indeed, he went in that direction. But after searching all the way, they couldn’t see any trace of the person.

That Madam was about to cry. It was said that this was her only son, and if something really happened, it would be a big deal.

Those who knew this Madam, and those who didn’t, all followed and helped her find the person.

This road went further and further to the corners. Looking at the direction they went, the two maidservants who originally led the way, their complexions became uneasy, and their footsteps slowed down unconsciously.

“You two, hurry up. Why are the servants of the Duke’s Mansion dawdling so much, and don’t understand the rules.” Someone couldn’t bear to watch and urged.

“Madam, this servant girl suddenly remembered that the First Madam had instructed something to be done, so we won’t take the Madams there. It’s not far ahead to the courtyard wall.” A tall maidservant stopped and looked at the distance with some timidity. A wall had already appeared at that perspective. This wall appeared very inappropriately, as if a garden had been dug out of a piece.

However, everyone was in a state of anxiety, and they didn’t find this abnormality, but they were very dissatisfied with the maidservants of the Duke’s Mansion.

“If you can’t find him in front, you still have to let you lead the way to find other places. Does the Duchess have anything more important than the child’s life?” A Madam said impolitely. This Madam was of the Ning Zu’an’s uncle’s and aunt’s generation, so she of course said this.