Xue Ning felt a sharp pang in her heart, her eyes growing blurry with unshed tears. She struggled to contain her emotions, fearing that too much heartache might trigger a second wave of poisoning.
But Father, why did he always believe their one-sided accounts and never trust her words?
Would it only be after her death that they would finally believe the wine had truly been poisoned?
“Alright, let’s leave the past behind. What matters is that the family is safe and sound. We can discuss anything else after the meal,” Madam Wen said softly as she poured wine for Xue Youdao.
Xue Youdao glanced at Xue Ning. “Consider this your mother pleading on your behalf. I hope you learn gratitude and behave more sensibly from now on!”
Xue Ning offered no further explanation, knowing full well that no one would believe her—it would only add to her sorrow.
The only warmth in her heart came from her mother’s recent “defense.” At least her mother still cared for her.
During the meal, the family chatted cheerfully, while Xue Ning silently ate the plain rice in her bowl without touching any dishes, minimizing her presence as an “outsider.”
A piece of steamed perch was placed in Xue Ning’s dish. She looked up to see her eldest brother, Xue Yan, his coldly handsome face slightly uncomfortable as he whispered, “Don’t just eat rice. Have some dishes, lest others think the Xue family mistreats you.”
He was trying to make up for his own inconsistency, but he blamed Xue Ning for making things so difficult with his second brother today.
Xue Ning did not accept his gesture. With an expressionless face, she had the maid remove the dish, finding it nauseating to even look at.
She had never liked steamed perch—that dish was Xue Mingzhu’s favorite.
Xue Yan’s fingers gripping the silver chopsticks stiffened, his cold face filled with disbelief. He seemed not to have expected Xue Ning to outright reject his gesture.
Madam Wen asked with concern, “Mingzhu, why are you eating so little today?”
Xue Mingzhu bit her lip, hesitating to speak. “Mother, I…”
With just one glance at Xue Ning, she drew the entire family’s cold stares toward her.
Yet Xue Ning’s stunning face showed no emotion—only cold indifference, devoid of sorrow or joy.
With graceful composure, she wiped her lips, stood up, bowed lightly to Madam Wen and her father, and silently took her leave.
“Xue Ning!” Xue Yulang couldn’t hold back, staring at her retreating figure as he called out to her.
Since he entered, Xue Ning hadn’t spared him a single glance. Did she really intend to disown him as her second brother?
Anxious and angry, he said, “Where are your manners? No one else has left yet. As a junior, how dare you walk away?”
Only then did Madam Wen and Xue Youdao notice Xue Ning. Xue Youdao was also displeased. “Let her go if she wants to leave! Ever since she arrived, she’s made it impossible for the family to enjoy a meal!”
Madam Wen patted Xue Mingzhu, who was leaning against her. The two exchanged a glance, and Madam Wen nodded helplessly while Xue Mingzhu’s eyes lit up.
Then, Madam Wen walked over to Xue Ning and stopped her. “Ningning, don’t leave just yet. Come to my room and sit with me. I have some heartfelt words to share with you.”
Xue Ning would not refuse her mother. In fact, at this moment, she felt a flicker of anticipation.
Her mother had never before taken the initiative to share intimate, private conversations with her. In the past, she had often envied Xue Mingzhu for being in their mother’s room.
“Yes, Mother. I’ll wait for you inside.”
Madam Wen’s room was filled with the pleasant scent of Yunshuixiang, an incense Xue Ning had personally blended to soothe her mother’s nerves.
Xue Ning stood properly to the side, her delicate face flushed with a rosy hue. It seemed her mother liked the incense she had made.
A moment later, when Madam Wen entered, she saw Xue Ning standing gracefully beside the intricately carved silk screen, her delicate beauty impossible to conceal.
Madam Wen’s gaze was complex. She admitted she was a biased mother—every time she saw Xue Ning’s stunning appearance, she couldn’t help but regret why such a face hadn’t been given to Mingzhu instead?
Even though Xue Mingzhu wasn’t her biological daughter, years of companionship had long since tilted her heart in that direction.
“Mother!”
When Xue Ning saw Madam Wen, her eyes shimmered with affection, filled with childlike adoration.
Madam Wen smiled as she walked over and took out the most popular floral rouge from Furongfang in Jingdu.
“Ningning, you’re almost of age now. You shouldn’t always dress so plainly from now on—take care with your daily grooming and makeup. After all, you’re the legitimate daughter of an official family; don’t disgrace our household.”
Xue Ning clutched the exquisite rouge case tightly. She knew this small box of rouge was incredibly valuable and all the rage in the capital. Her gaze toward Madam Wen grew even more dependent.
“Thank you, Mother. Ningning likes it very much.”
Seeing Madam Wen’s affectionate smile, Xue Ning couldn’t help but throw herself into her embrace, seeking the only warmth she had felt in days.
Madam Wen stiffened slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes as if she hadn’t expected Xue Ning to initiate such closeness. After all, she hadn’t been particularly close to this daughter in the past.
A hint of discomfort mingled with the tenderness on Madam Wen’s face.
She patted Xue Ning’s back and continued, “I heard about what happened yesterday. Ningning, you were wronged—your brother was at fault. No matter what, how could they force you to drink cold wine? And today, they didn’t even come to comfort you on their own. You were angry, so you wanted to return your second brother’s gift, right?”
Xue Ning looked up at Madam Wen from within her embrace, the pent-up grievances finally blurring her vision.
“Mother, you believe me…”
Xue Ning choked up. Before, she couldn’t cry because no one believed her, but now, she felt like a child who was loved—she finally had someone to confide in and complain to.
Mother hadn’t scolded her like Father did. Did that mean… Mother believed her? If she told Mother she was afflicted with Qingsigu, would Mother believe her and help her?
“Silly child, of course Mother believes you.”
After saying this, Madam Wen coaxed her with a somewhat helpless tone, but her next words poured cold water over Xue Ning’s newly warmed heart.
Madam Wen said, “Mother wants harmony in the family for everything to prosper, so listen to Mother and don’t hold grudges against them anymore. Tomorrow, return the Linglong Jiu Zhen to your second brother. Also, for the next few days, move to the Buddhist hall and let your cousin stay in your Xiyan Yuan. She’s about to take the examination to become the princess’s study companion, and she says your courtyard is quiet, perfect for her to practice the qin. Ningning is Mother’s most sensible child, so you won’t make things difficult for Mother, right?”
The tears in Xue Ning’s eyes halted as she stared blankly at her. “Mother…”
So, Mother was only coaxing her like this for the sake of Xue Yulang and Xue Mingzhu?
Xue Ning remembered what Madam Wen had said to Xue Mingzhu when she first arrived at her courtyard earlier: “Alright, alright, Mother will do whatever my darling wants…”
So, her mother had already agreed back then to let Xue Mingzhu have her courtyard for qin practice, hadn’t she?!
Xue Ning’s heart felt as cold as ashes. She raised her hand and numbly wiped away the icy tears.
Madam Wen thought Xue Ning was unwilling and felt displeased at her lack of understanding, her brow furrowing slightly. “If you are unwilling…”
She was about to say more when she heard Xue Ning speak, her voice hoarse.