The Devious First-Daughter (Web Novel)

The place was located next to the teahouse. Ning Xueyan made a discreet entrance. Yu Jian was waiting outside. When he saw Ning Xueyan coming out of the room, he stepped forward and greeted her respectfully. He pointed to one side, “Fifth Young Lady, this way.”

Ning Xueyan nodded and followed him. When she turned round a corner, she saw a hidden ladder. Under his guidance, she walked to the room and saw Ning Huaijing, who was lost in thought, walking around the room.

Ning Xueyan had been walking ahead, and there was nothing unusual about the place. When he came out, suddenly Ning Xueyan disappeared and he was immediately dumbfounded. At this time, a person came over and whispered to him, “If you want to see the Fifth Young Lady, follow me.”

Ning Huaijing followed him into the room without giving it a second thought. Then, the man asked him to wait there and he left. Up till now, he had been waiting for more than two hours. Ning Huaijing was very anxious. If he still did not see Ning Xueyan after a prolonged period of time, he would go back immediately and ask someone to look for her. How could she suddenly disappear?

Feeling anxious, he saw a square hole opening up on the floor of the room. Before he could take a closer look, he saw Ning Xueyan appearing at the entrance of the hole. He quickly pulled Ning Xueyan up and closed the opening quietly.

“Where have you been, Fifth Sister? What’s down there?” Ning Huaijing wiped the sweat from his head and asked, as he looked at the closed hole. He had observed the room carefully, but could not find anything unusual.

“Second Brother, do you trust me?” Ning Xueyan stopped looking at the ground, and stared at Ning Huaijing, as she asked calmly.

“Of course, I trust you.” After getting along with her for such a long time, Ning Huaijing treated Ning Xueyan as his sister with sincerity. When he heard what she said, Ning Huaijing nodded without hesitation.

“If you trust me, let’s forget what happened today.” Ning Xueyan said firmly. Considering Ning Huaijing’s status, she thought he should not get involved in Ao Chenyi’s affairs. Moreover, if Ning Huaijing were to let something slip out, she was not sure how Ao Chenyi would deal with him. Since Ning Huaijing regarded her as his younger sister, she did not want to lie to him.

When he heard Ning Xueyan’s words, Ning Huaijing was stunned at first, and he blinked twice. He was not stupid. Then, he gave a smile and said, “Fifth Sister, let’s go back. Since we have all the information we need, it has nothing to do with us. It’s my pleasure to meet with Childe Hua today.”

A smile appeared on Ning Xueyan’s delicate face, and she nodded. Second Elder Brother was a smart man. It was easy to talk to intelligent people. He made no mention of her disappearance, which meant that he would not pursue the matter anymore. It was for the best. She believed that the guard below would tell the truth.

Then, they did not say anything more. Ning Huaijing was still the young master, and Ning Xueyan was still the young male servant. They went out of the teahouse, one after the other.

Although the top of the hidden building was sealed, Yu Jian was still inside the room. He heard Ning Xueyan and Ning Huaijing’s conversation clearly and nodded approvingly. The woman that his master liked was not like any ordinary woman. If it were other women, they would have been shocked and frightened. However, Ning Xueyan was not only not afraid, but also cautioned her brother.

Indeed, if he showed any signs of pursuing this matter today, Ning Huaijing would lose his life. His master would allow no room for any errors. His master had secretly arranged for this place, so he could not let others know about it. Now, this was the best situation.

“Prince Yi, the Fifth Young Lady has already left. Second Young Master Ning has indicated that this incident had never happened!” When Yu Jian pushed the door open again, Ao Chenyi was sitting inside with several files that he had read. With his splendid brows slightly furrowed, he seemed to be in a dilemma.

“Second Young Master Ning is also an interesting person.” Ao Chenyi put down the files in his hand, as a lazy smile lurked at the corners of his mouth.

“The Fifth Young Lady seems to have a good relationship with the Second Young Master Ning!” Yu Jian hesitated before saying this. He had been with the master for a long time, but he had never seen him being so tolerant toward any woman. Even though the Fifth Young Lady had delicate facial features, the Prince had killed such beauties before.

All the ladies sent by the imperial palace were beautiful! Even though she had slightly more delicate features, the Fifth Young Lady was still too young. She could not be compared with those lovely ladies, but she was more attractive to men. Therefore, he concluded that Prince Yi treated the Fifth Young Lady differently.

Therefore, he kindly reminded his master that since the Second Young Master Ning was smart and had a good relationship with the Fifth Young Lady, Prince Yi should think highly of him, for her sake.

Ao Chenyi flexed his slender fingers and tapped his forehead. His thin lips curved to reveal an enchanting smile. “Don’t bother about Ning Huaijing. Let’s talk about Ao Mingyu. He went straight to the regions south of the Yangtze River, the Ning Mansion of regions south of the Yangtze River… It seems that he has a purpose.”

Ao Mingyu’s enchanting smile slowly became cold, and there was a trace of irony on his handsome and dark face. Ao Mingyu always restrained himself when he handled affairs, including that of the throne. Even if he wanted to, he did not dare to stretch out his hand to create any mischief. Ao Mingyu was ambitious, but he was not strong enough.

But this time, his behavior was totally not the same as before. It seemed that he was going to achieve his goal directly. He was not afraid that Pince Yi would ruin his plan.

“Prince Yi, is it possible that the Third Prince sent people there unscrupulously, because there is no one in the Ning Mansion?” Yu Jian also thought about it, as he frowned and commented on this. This time, the Third Prince’s actions were so swift. Obviously, he was well prepared. How could he not be afraid that Prince Yi would take action when he heard about that? It had something to do with the people of Ning Mansion.

However, the Third Prince was not as fast as the imperial guards. When the Third Prince’s subordinates left, the imperial guards had already received information that the family had fallen. Not only were the two masters of the family dead, but most likely, the young master was gone, after seeking refuge with relatives.

According to the servants in the manor, when the masters’ funerals were over, the Young Lady left the same night. As for where she went, there was no news at all.

The old housekeeper, who might have known about the matter, also disappeared a few years later. A new housekeeper was in charge of the servants who stayed there. But he did not know anything. After being investigated, it seemed that he was only a steward of the manor. Compared with the other servants in the mansion, he knew even less about the inside story.

They lost track of it from here again!

“There’s no need to worry about what’s going on in the regions south of the Yangtze River. Let Ao Mingyu meddle with such things. The one in the imperial palace has become more and more active recently.” Ao Chenyi sneered, his long and narrow eyes showing a hint of coldness and bloodthirstiness.

Yu Jian realized that his master was talking about the Emperor. His master had not issued any pre order yet, so he had to try to figure out his meaning. “Go and make trouble for him again, lest he doesn’t do what he should do, and do anything that he should not. He’s so busy.”

“Yes, I will do it right away.” He could hear his master’s anger in his voice. He nodded hurriedly. The ladies who were unsuccessful after attending the Beauty Camp had come out, but the proclamation to grant his master’s marriage had yet to come. Even though his master did not say anything, it was evident that he was displeased. However, it was not because of Princess Xianyun.

Even though the last marriage was canceled, the master had never been depressed about such things. He had never shown any mercy to those beauties, no matter who they were. All his subordinates were worried about him. What if their master was in no mood to get married?

Now, he was finally relieved. It seemed that his master had fallen in love! Yu Jian felt happy in his heart. He must tell Eunuch Ling about it when he went back. Eunuch Ling had watched Prince Yi grow up from childhood, so he would be happy to learn that Prince Yi was eager to get married.

He could not say that to his master. Glancing at his master’s handsome profile, he retreated in joy. He went out to handle the affairs with much excitement.

When Ning Xueyan and Ning Huaijing returned to the manor, Mother Qin was already waiting at the back door. Seeing that they had come back, she hurriedly brought them to Madam Dowager’s Lucky Garden. Not only was Madam Dowager waiting there, but Madam Dowager Liu, who had never been present before, was waiting there too.

Madam Dowager Liu was less concerned about the affairs of Lord Protector’s Manor now. She did not even come out to see Ning Huaijing when he came back to his ancestral home. She only sent a gift to him, saying that she lived alone and did not want to go out. Beyond all expectation, she was waiting with Madam Dowager now.

Ning Xueyan was surprised. Although Madam Dowager Liu was there, she said nothing. Sitting next to Madam Dowager, she held a string of Buddha beads in her hands, closed her eyes, and gently fingered them, one by one. She listened to Madam Dowager’s questions, without saying a word.

Ning Huaijing reported some rumors, and Ning Xueyan added a few statements. The emphasis was on Ning Yuling and Xia Yuhang. As for Ling Yi, the people outside were not aware about him, so they did not talk about it. As long as Ning Yuling insisted, Madam Ling would not have to take on the responsibility. Anyway, this was related to Xia Yuhang.

“Xueyan, it’s fortunate that nothing bad happened to you. Otherwise, it would be more difficult to settle this problem.” Hearing what they said, Madam Dowager Liu slowly opened her eyes, looked at Ning Xueyan, and said this softly. She had always been nice to Ning Xueyan, and sometimes it even made Ning Xueyan wish that she was her real grandmother.

“Xueyan, I heard that it was you who asked Xia Yuhang to go over when your Second Sister had an accident. How could it be such a coincidence?” Madam Dowager looked sharply at Ning Xueyan, with a cold look in her eyes.

“Is she suspecting me?” Ning Xueyan sneered in her mind. She did not even show any concern for her after this incident occurred, even though she had almost died. Instead, she questioned her as to why she did that to Ning Yuling. “Grandmother is self-centered and cold-blooded.” Ning Xueyan thought.