Chapter 549 The Dispute in Front of the Lord Guardian’s Manor
When Heng Yuqing returned to the Lord Guardian’s Manor, she met Heng Yuwan, who had just returned from outside.
Heng Yuwan was wearing a light yellow top, which came with a long pink skirt. She was beautiful and was more graceful than Heng Yuqing. Her charming eyes made her look gentle, but her coquettish behavior made people feel that she was somewhat frivolous.
Just like now, when she saw Heng Yuqing coming back, she stood at the door and fanned her face with her handkerchief, looking enchanting. She did not look like the Young Lady of a n.o.ble family, the Lord Guardian’s Manor, at all.
“Oh, it’s my eldest sister? Didn’t they say that you have been taking care of your mother in bed and is very filial? Why did you sneak out to play? Is there something fun going on that is so tempting that you even left your mother, who was ill in bed?”
Heng Yuqing did not expect to see Heng Yuwan at the door. When she heard what she said, her face immediately turned pale with anger. What she said was too flippant. She even insinuated that even though she was supposed to be serving her mother, she had in fact, sneaked out. It appeared as if she was involved in some shady affair.
“Heng Yuwan, what are you doing?” she asked coldly, a look of anger on her face.
Seeing that Heng Yuqing was angry, Heng Yuwan became more excited and her eyes widened. “Eldest Sister, what’s wrong with you? I was just joking with you. Why are you so angry? Are you looking down on our small manor because you’re about to become a consort?”
Her words became even more exaggerated and even seemed somewhat sarcastic. Heng Yuqing was furious, anxious and vexed at the same time. She blushed and said, “What are you talking about? When did our manor become small? And even if it’s small, you are not allowed to say that.”
She had hit Heng Yuwan’s vulnerable spot. It meant that she was not qualified to say the words “our manor” as a concubine’s daughter. It irritated Heng Yuwan immediately.
What Heng Yuwan cared most about was her ident.i.ty. She felt that she was better than Heng Yuqing in all aspects, but people always put Heng Yuqing first, which made her angry. Last time, she wanted to play a trick to ruin Heng Yuqing’s reputation and it would be better if Heng Yuqing’s mother were to die.
Then, her mother could be promoted to the position of legal wife. The Lord Peace’s Manor also said that if that happened, they would promote her mother and make the Lord of the Lord Peace’s Manor acknowledge her as an immediate relative. Then, she and her mother would have the support of the Lord Peace’s Manor. But now, they were only distant relatives of the Lord Peace’s Manor. They were so distant that they could not even take advantage of the power.
If the Lord Peace’s Manor recognized her mother and her father were to promote her mother to be the princ.i.p.al wife, there would be no obstacle even if her mother had a bad family background. Meanwhile, she could become the legitimate daughter of the Lord Guardian. However, things had changed. In the end, not only did she not ruin Heng Yuqing’s reputation, but she also created trouble for herself. The plan for her mother to become the princ.i.p.al wife of the Lord Guardian’s Manor was also ruined.
So what if Heng Yuqing was the Young Lady of Lord Guardian’s Manor? In the end, she had to marry into Prince Yi’s Manor. Prince Yi was not an easy-going person. It was said that he did not like Commandery Princess Xianyun, who was beautiful and n.o.ble. How could he like Heng Yuqing? In Heng Yuwan’s mind, if Heng Yuqing married into Prince Yi’s Manor, she would only be an abandoned woman.
So what if she was the consort of the royal family? She would also be an abandoned woman. There was still a Cold Palace in the palace. It was said that a woman who had been neglected like this would not have a good ending in Prince Yi’s Manor.
“Eldest Sister, why can’t I say that? Maybe I will have more say than you in the future. When you go to Prince Yi’s manor, you will not have any say in anything in the manor, even if you want to!” Heng Yuwan could not help stomping her feet and said.
“Second Sister, does my father know what you’re saying? Does the empress know? Do you have a say, Second Sister? Can it be that you are also deciding on the affairs of the royal family?” Seeing Heng Yuwan getting angry, Heng Yuqing calmed down and even had a faint smile on her face.
No matter how bold Heng Yuwan was, she did not dare to admit what she had said. If her words were spread to the imperial palace, the whole Lord Guardian’s Manor would be in trouble, not to mention herself. Besides, they were at the gate. Someone had stopped and looked over. It seemed that they wanted to see the fun.
Heng Yuwan was speechless and her face darkened. When had Heng Yuqing become so sharp-tongued?
After saying that, Heng Yuqing ignored Heng Yuwan and went inside with her maid. However, when she pa.s.sed by Heng Yuwan, she sneered in a low voice and said, “Second Sister, if I’m really favored, I must thank you and your mother for your kindness.”
She said it softly at the moment when they pa.s.sed each other. Only Heng Yuwan could hear what she said clearly. She was immediately annoyed. Seeing Heng Yuqing leaving, she stomped her feet with hatred and went straight to Concubine Yun with her maid.
She suddenly felt that she could not let Heng Yuqing marry into Prince Yi’s Manor. Maybe Prince Yi would like her. This kind of thing was uncertain. If she received Prince Yi’s favor, not to mention her mother, even her father would not dare to disobey her. No one dared to offend Prince Yi, especially a powerless n.o.ble like her father.
Thinking that Heng Yuqing might suppress her for the rest of her life, Heng Yuwan felt that things were not going well. No, she could not let Heng Yuqing be so proud. Heng Yuqing seemed to have a well-thought-out plan. Did she secretly meet with Prince Yi just now? That was why she was so presumptuous.
Thinking about this, she felt that she could not let Heng Yuqing get away with this…
After returning to the manor, Ning Xueyan went directly to Moon-embracing Tower. This matter should not be delayed. Maybe the Empress would tell Ao Chenyi about it at any time. If Ao Chenyi agreed to it, it would ruin Heng Yuqing’s life.
However, Ao Chenyi happened to be absent, but Yu Jian was there. He did not explain much to Ning Xueyan and led her to the third floor. The first floor was for meeting guests, the second floor was for him to deal with official business and the third floor was his living s.p.a.ce. Usually, he was alone in Moon-embracing Tower and lived on the 3rd floor.
Yu Jian led her to the room, served tea for her and then went downstairs. This was Ao Chenyi’s place. Maybe there was something important. Ning Xueyan asked Qingyu to stand guard downstairs. It was not because she did not believe in Qingyu, but she wanted to show her respect for Ao Chenyi. After all, she was still an unfavored consort.
Ning Xueyan sat on the couch by the window. She picked up a book and flipped through it casually. Time pa.s.sed slowly and she felt a little sleepy. She leaned against the couch and subconsciously put down her hands. Her beautiful eyes were slightly closed.
Suddenly, a cool breeze blew and she wanted to look up subconsciously. Only then did she realize that she had fallen asleep. Then, she felt her body become light and being taken into his arms. The familiar warm breath with his usual smell made her realize who it was before she woke up.
When she suddenly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was his delicate chin with its beautiful curve and then his thin red lips. Unlike Ning Xueyan’s pale lips, Ao Chenyi’s lips were extremely bright, as if they had been dyed with a bright color. At this time, his slightly evil eyes were looking at Ning Xueyan lazily.
There was a hint of a gorgeous dark light in the depths of his eyes, with a touch of gentleness.
“Why did you suddenly come to me today? Did you miss me?” Ao Chenyi reached out to help her brush aside the hair on her temples, with a flash of brilliance in his eyes. He felt that Ning Xueyan was very cute as she was half-awake and so defenseless in front of him. She felt dazed and confused for a moment, which aroused his tender affection.
“Did you go to the palace?” Ning Xueyan blinked her shimmery eyes a few times and was now fully awake. She was held tightly by him, so she did not refuse him. She leaned back in his arms and asked. Usually, he was in the manor at this time.
“Yes, it’s said that he will give me another consort. He can’t make me suffer from injustice because of County Princess Yuanyun’s incident.” Ao Chenyi’s voice sounded weird, with a hint of sarcasm.
Ning Xueyan was shocked. She suddenly raised her head, but because she was in a hurry, she b.u.mped into Ao Chenyi’s chin. She hurriedly reached out to touch his chin and asked, “Does it hurt?”
She gently stroked his chin with her tender hand and he enjoyed the feeling. So, he simply fell on the couch with Ning Xueyan in his arms and vaguely said, “It hurts. It hurts.”
Ning Xueyan had no choice but to lean on him and rub his chin. She was asking him for help now, so she could not make him angry.
“Did you agree to take another consort?” Seeing that he narrowed his charming eyes and looked to be in a good mood, Ning Xueyan could not help asking.
“Yan’er, are you jealous?” Ao Chenyi was very satisfied and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“No, I’m afraid that you’ll be framed!” Ning Xueyan glanced at him and said coyly. She put down the hand that rubbed his chin and pushed at him. “Do you agree?”
“Are you worried about Heng Yuqing or me?” Ao Chenyi did not seem to intend to let her go easily. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently caressed her a few times.
Ning Xueyan’s face turned red involuntarily. “I’m worried about you.”
She was also worried about Heng Yuqing, but she could only keep these words in her mind. When she saw the smile on Ao Chenyi’s face, she knew that he was in a good mood now.
Ao Chenyi was very satisfied with Ning Xueyan’s answer. He generously said that he would let her go and loosened his grip. Ning Xueyan immediately rolled off him, sat up, poured a cup of tea for him from the teapot at the side and presented it to him.
“Chenyi, tell me, did the Empress ask about your marriage and ask you to marry Heng Yuqing of Lord Guardian’s Manor?” Ning Xueyan blinked and asked, as she handed the tea to Ao Chenyi.
“You’re well-informed. Did you go out to see Heng Yuqing, or did someone else send you the message?” Ao Chenyi took the tea, took a sip gracefully and raised his eyebrows. In the steam, he looked a little evil and cold.