Xue Ning did not spare another glance at Xue Zhaofei, instead turning her gaze toward Madam Wen.
“Mother, may I speak with you privately? I have a favor to ask.”
Madam Wen paused, her brow furrowing slightly. She wanted to say that Mingzhu and Zhaofei were not outsiders, but in the end, she respected Xue Ning’s wishes and did not embarrass her.
As Madam Wen approached Xue Ning, she assumed the request was related to the earlier incident and felt a surge of displeasure.
“Ningning, Mingzhu’s Bandu Linxuan is of utmost importance right now. You should rein in your temper a little. I’ve already said that once everything goes smoothly for her, I will naturally return the courtyard to you. What more are you dissatisfied with…”
Before she could finish, Xue Ning interrupted, her gaze calm and devoid of any resentment or jealousy.
“Mother, none of that matters anymore. I don’t care about the courtyard—if it pleases you, that’s fine. This time, I wanted to ask you to write a baitie in your name to County Mistress Xie An of General Lu Yuan’s household on my behalf.”
Madam Wen had not expected Xue Ning’s request to be something like this…
For some reason, Xue Ning no longer cared about the courtyard and was not competing for favor with Xue Mingzhu. Instead of feeling relieved, Madam Wen felt strangely unsettled and uncomfortable.
Her expression grew complex as she pondered for a moment before finally speaking softly.
“Ningning, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but the timing isn’t right. Your father said that although the Crown Prince has been deposed, he still holds real power, and the Ninth Prince and Seventh Prince are also contenders for the throne. The court is on the brink of turmoil.
So, your father specifically warned me that it’s not appropriate to socialize with other noblewomen in the capital lately, as it could raise suspicions of forming cliques. If you want to see County Mistress Xie An, perhaps it would be better to wait a while.”
Xue Ning grew anxious, her fingers tightening. “Mother…”
Xie An and Bi He’s current situation simply could not wait—how could she afford to delay?
Just as Xue Ning was about to say more, she heard Xue Mingzhu calling them from behind.
Madam Wen shook her head at Xue Ning, silently refusing, then smiled and walked toward Xue Mingzhu.
Xue Ning did not know how long Xue Mingzhu had been standing behind her or how much she had overheard. Xue Mingzhu smiled brightly and, seeing Xue Ning about to leave, suddenly called out to her.
“Ningning, in two days, I’ll be hosting a shanghuayan at our residence. Mother has helped me write quite a few baitie. Since we’re sisters, I won’t send you a formal invitation, but if you’d like to come, just come find me. It’ll be a good opportunity to meet some of the noble ladies of the capital.”
Xue Ning halted her steps, ignoring Xue Mingzhu’s smugness and instead casting a shocked glance at Madam Wen.
That brief, faint look made Madam Wen’s face flush with guilt, and her lips trembled slightly. “Ningning, your cousin’s situation is different from yours. She…”
A sharp pain pierced Xue Ning’s heart, but she did not wait for Madam Wen to finish. She bowed respectfully, then turned and left.
She felt a deep sense of irony. Just moments ago, Madam Wen had said that the Xue family could not risk appearing to form cliques, which was why she refused to write a baitie for her. Yet, when it came to Xue Mingzhu, she could freely send out invitations far and wide.
Such contradictory words made Xue Ning want to ask, “Mother, am I truly your biological daughter?”
Why was it that everything Xue Mingzhu wanted was granted, while even the smallest of her own requests was met with unwavering refusal?
Xue Ning stood outside the courtyard, looking up at the sky and taking a deep breath. She was wrong—she shouldn’t have come to beg her mother. She should have long stopped holding any expectations.
After leaving, Xue Ning did not return to the Fotang. Instead, she took Rendong and left the mansion, heading to the most famous restaurant in Jingdu.
Han Family Restaurant.
Xue Ning entered through the back door as she was familiar with the place and saw her aunt sun-drying medicinal herbs in the backyard.
The moment Wen Rushuang saw Xue Ning, a smile spread across her beautiful face, and she beckoned her over.
“Ningning, you little heartless girl, it’s been a whole month since you last thought of visiting me.”
Xue Ning was pulled into her embrace. Wen Rushuang wore a red outfit with tight sleeves and a fitted waist, a sword at her side, giving off the air of a martial heroine. Her embrace was warm and passionate.
“Auntie…”
Xue Ning drew warmth from Wen Rushuang’s embrace. When she was young and left behind in the old residence in Gusu, Wen Rushuang had also severed ties with the Wen family, becoming an outcast.
Over the years, Wen Rushuang had gone from a noble lady of a prestigious family to a wanderer in the jianghu. Though no longer as wealthy as before, she had gained a sense of freedom and ease.
“Why do you look even thinner than before? Has the Xue family not been feeding you well?”
Wen Rushuang pinched her cheek and said with a smile, “Your uncle will be back soon. I’ll have him bring you a jar of newly brewed medicinal wine. Take it home and drink it yourself to nourish your body. Don’t always worry about those heartless people in the Xue family, saving all the yaoshan and medicinal wine for them.”
It seemed that only with Wen Rushuang could Xue Ning experience the feeling of being favored.
Xue Ning lingered until after dinner before reluctantly leaving. As she was about to go, Wen Rushuang handed her a freshly written baitie.
“Auntie, I…”
Wen Rushuang chuckled. “Ningning, why be so polite with me? Since you’ve come to me, it means you’re in trouble. You don’t need to explain in detail, but always remember that I will help you however I can.
However, given my current situation, I can only help you by writing a baitie for Old Madam Jiang. I had some friendship with her back in the day, and I hope she can assist you after reading it. As for others, they are all opportunists and wouldn’t give me any face.”
Xue Ning felt deeply moved. Holding the baitie, she returned to Xue Zhai, her heart warm all the way.
Her aunt and uncle had always been good to her. Her aunt had given up her status as a noble lady, defied pressure to sever ties, and married Han Che, the number one young master of the jianghu.
Many had sighed and doubted them back then, but they lived freely and unrestrained, paying no mind to others’ opinions.
Over the years, Xue Ning had learned yaoshan from her aunt and brewing from her uncle. They had taught her many secret recipes, and she was deeply grateful.
The next day.
Xue Ning sent the baitie to Ningyuan Houfu, to Old Madam Jiang.
Everything went smoothly. She followed a guiding matron inside.
“Fifth Miss Xue, please wait here for a moment.”
“Thank you, Matron.”
Xue Ning was waiting by the pavilion when, unexpectedly, a group of elegantly dressed young ladies and gentlemen walked along the corridor.
A familiar voice sounded behind Xue Ning.
“Ningning, what are you doing here?”
Xue Mingzhu looked at Xue Ning in surprise, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to attract everyone’s attention.
Many turned their gazes toward Xue Ning.
Xie Ying stood beside Xue Mingzhu and muttered, “Xue Ning, you didn’t follow us here just because you’re jealous that Miss Jiang invited Mingzhu, did you?”
Others who looked down on Xue Ning also chimed in, speaking sarcastically in support of Xue Mingzhu.