The Zhang family’s young lady glared at Xue Ning. “Mingzhu, your sister really has thick skin. She dares to come to the Houfu without a baitie, always trying to compete with you in everything. No wonder you’ve been growing thinner since she returned to the capital.”
The daughter of Vice Minister Chen chimed in, “Competing is one thing, but what’s worse is when someone is foolish and reckless, always causing trouble that harms others’ reputations. Miss Jiang, you should be careful not to end up like that day at Gongzhu Fu, where a maid nearly lost her life. We must keep a close watch to avoid being implicated and dragging our family names through the mud.”
Xue Mingzhu took pleasure in the situation but put on a magnanimous front, speaking up for Xue Ning. “Everyone, please don’t say such things. Ningning didn’t mean any harm. As her older sister, I’ll make sure to keep her in line and not cause trouble for anyone. Since Ningning wanted to come and is already here, I ask everyone to do me a favor and let her join us. Miss Jiang, would that be alright?”
Xue Mingzhu politely sought the host’s opinion. Miss Jiang immediately formed an excellent impression of Xue Mingzhu, while her dislike for Xue Ning grew.
“Since Miss Xue Si has spoken, I’ll give her some face. But Ningyuan Houfu has strict rules. If she harms anyone without reason, I won’t spare her.”
The others praised Xue Mingzhu for her generosity and virtue, but they all looked down on Xue Ning with disdain.
Xue Mingzhu stepped forward with a smile. “Ningning, why don’t you come over? Thank everyone for their leniency.”
But Xue Ning didn’t move. “I entered Ningyuan Houfu openly and honorably. I didn’t rely on your favor, so why should I bow and scrape to thank others?”
Xue Ning felt annoyed by Xue Mingzhu’s approach but remembered she would soon meet Old Madam Jiang. “Xue Mingzhu, I warned you last time—I have no interest in competing with you. Stay away from me, or you’ll face the consequences.”
Xue Mingzhu secretly rejoiced, hoping Xue Ning would act even more arrogantly so others could see how she was being wronged. With a hurt expression, she said, “Ningning, how can you speak to your sister like that? Stop saying such angry words. It doesn’t matter how you treat me usually, but today, with so many distinguished guests here, you can’t afford to offend them. Besides, didn’t you come to Ningyuan Houfu using my name? Otherwise, how could you have entered? Miss Jiang didn’t send you an invitation.”
Xue Mingzhu’s friends gathered around, supporting her. “Xue Ning, Ningyuan Houfu is no place for a jinx like you. If it weren’t for Mingzhu, who would have let you in?!”
Xue Ning stood isolated under a willow tree, its catkins drifting around her. Her clothes and accessories were less extravagant than theirs, yet her beauty remained radiant, stirring envy in others.
Some of the young gentlemen present, who had remained silent, couldn’t help but stare at Xue Ning’s face, their thoughts turning improper. They sighed inwardly—if only her reputation weren’t so tarnished, they would have gladly sent betrothal gifts to marry her. If only Minister Xue’s rank were lower, they might even consider taking her as a secondary wife if he were willing to lower his standards for his legitimate daughter.
Xue Ning’s gaze swept calmly over the crowd. Her back straight, she showed no trace of the shame or fear they tried to provoke. Without uttering a word, her presence held its own.
Just then, a well-dressed elderly maidservant approached Xue Ning. Miss Jiang’s face instantly paled—it was the maidservant her grandmother valued most!
The old matron smiled, yet carried an imposing air. “Fifth Miss Xue, apologies for keeping you waiting. The Old Madam has specially prepared tea and invites you to savor it. This way, please.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the expressions of those who had just been mocking Xue Ning changed abruptly, their faces instantly stung by the rebuke.
“Thank you for your trouble, Matron.”
Xue Ning’s attitude was respectful, and her voice pleasant, leaving a favorable impression on the matron, who then led Xue Ning to Old Madam Jiang.
After they departed, the one with the most unpleasant expression was undoubtedly Xue Mingzhu.
“Mingzhu, it turns out Xue Ning really wasn’t here specifically to see you…”
Someone, feeling embarrassed, complained, “Xue Mingzhu, since the matter wasn’t clear, you had everyone speak up for you, only to lose face again. You should have clarified things first…”
Xue Mingzhu’s face flushed with embarrassment. She bit her lip, inwardly annoyed. “I’m sorry, everyone. It was all my misunderstanding of Ningning.”
Seeing her distress, Xie Ying spoke up in her defense. “You can’t blame Sister Mingzhu. It’s all because Xue Ning always competes with her. Who knows what underhanded methods Xue Ning used to get in?”
Miss Jiang, however, sternly interjected, “Enough nonsense. Since she was invited by my grandmother, she is a guest of honor at our Ningyuan Houfu. If anyone sees Xue Ning in the residence again, treat her with courtesy. Otherwise, you will be disregarding my authority.”
With the noble Jiang family’s legitimate daughter speaking thus, everyone quickly agreed in unison.
Only Xue Mingzhu felt increasingly resentful. Coupled with the memory of the awestruck gazes the young gentlemen had directed at Xue Ning earlier, her indignation grew.
Xue Mingzhu fumed inwardly. Her mother had clearly refused to give Xue Ning a baitie, so how had she managed to come to Ningyuan Houfu?
As Xue Mingzhu followed the crowd’s gaze toward the opera stage, a figure approached her side.
“Cousin, this Xue Ning has indeed blossomed into quite a beauty…”
Xue Mingzhu looked at Zhao Pan, whose eyes held a lecherous glint. She frowned in slight disgust, subtly distancing herself.
She had always looked down on this cousin. Ever since her father met his demise on the exile road and she was taken in by her second uncle Xue Youdao’s family, she had rarely kept in touch with her former maternal relatives. The Zhao family had recently gained some luck, acquiring a minor position of power in the capital.
But she knew well Zhao Pan’s nature—outwardly a gentleman, but in truth, a lecherous and dissolute rake.
However…
If someone of Zhao Pan’s character took a fancy to Xue Ning… Xue Mingzhu’s eyes lit up, a scheme forming in her mind.
……
Xue Ning looked toward the seat of honor, where Old Madam Jiang sat, dressed in luxurious robes, adorned with golden hairpins, exuding an aura of solemn dignity.
Old Madam Jiang set down her teacup. “Fifth Miss Xue, I once owed a debt of gratitude to that girl Wen. Since she asked me to repay it by helping you, I have agreed. However, I have been suffering from headaches these past few days and should not be exposed to drafts.
Thus, let us wait until after my birthday banquet. I will personally accompany you to General Lu’s residence to see that girl Xie An.”
Xue Ning felt a wave of relief and said gratefully, “Thank you, Old Madam.”
Old Madam Jiang waved her hand. “Enough. I am tired. On the day of my birthday banquet, if that girl Wen has time, you may come with her. Later, I will have someone send you an invitation.”
“Yes, I will convey this to my aunt.”
Xue Ning withdrew and accepted the baitie handed to her by the matron. This time, the person escorting her out of the residence was a young maid.
The Ningyuan Houfu was adorned with carved balustrades and jade inlays, yet Xue Ning paid them little heed. As she walked, a maid suddenly excused herself, claiming to have dropped something and needing to go back to search, instructing Xue Ning to follow the covered corridor to its end to exit the estate.
Though puzzled, Xue Ning refrained from speaking out, mindful of being in the Houfu. She proceeded cautiously along the corridor, quickening her pace in hopes of leaving swiftly.
However, upon reaching the end, she did not find the exit but instead arrived at the rockery in the outer courtyard.
Peering through a crevice in the rockery, Xue Ning caught sight of a figure standing by the waterside pavilion. Instantly, her pupils contracted and her heart tightened!