The Devious First Daughter

Chapter 104. Madam Dowager's Anxiety

Before they had gone much farther, they met Qingyu, who had brought Mother Chen to look for Ning Xueyan. Seeing that Ning Xueyan and Ning Zu'an were together, Mother Chen hesitated for a moment. She and Madam Ling planned to lure Ning Xueyan in first, and then let Ning Zu'an witness Madam Ling's miscarriage. Then, whether she did it or not, Ning Xueyan would not be able to explain it.

"Qingyu, the Fifth Young Lady is talking with Marquis. Let us wait for a while, so we will not interfere with the affairs of the masters." Mother Chen reached out to stop Qingyu, who was about to go over. Mother Chen said this with a smile.

"Mother Chen, didn't you come to see my Young Lady? Is this not important? Did Madam Ling ask you to come here to tease my Young Lady?" Qingyu said coldly, as her face darkened.

Mother Chen was struck dumb by her question. Moreover, the undisguised disdain on Qingyu's face and the lack of respect she had for Madam Ling, were like a slap in Mother Chen's face. She had always been Madam Ling's trusted subordinate and was one of the most influential people in the inner courtyard. She had never been mocked like this by a maid.

She forced a smile and said, "What are you talking about, Miss Qingyu? My Madam will not slight the Fifth Young Lady. She really wants to apologize to the Fifth Young Lady."

"Since you sincerely want to apologize, you do not need to worry about getting in their way. And Mother Chen, remember that Madam Ling is not the Marchioness now. She is just a maid in name and a concubine in reality, so she does not deserve to be called a madam. You are doited, so you should remember it next time. Otherwise, if someone else finds out, they will think that our Marquis is dissatisfied with His Majesty's order."

After being scolded, Mother Chen's face changed color, and became both spiteful and angry.

Qingyu rebuked her impolitely. She intentionally raised her voice, which attracted Ning Zu'an's attention. He frowned and his face darkened. He walked toward them. He was dissatisfied with the emperor's order; this was something that could not be said casually.

Ning Xueyan walked over with him.

"Marquis and Young Lady." Qingyu, who had taken note of their arrival, hurriedly greeted them, when she saw Ning Zu'an and Ning Xueyan coming over. Only then did Mother Chen come to her senses and bowed to them.

"What is the matter?" Ning Zu'an asked, with a gloomy face. Ning Xueyan stood behind him and looked at Mother Chen. Although she kept her head low, Ning Xueyan could tell that she was anxious, as she kept kneading her hands. Ning Xueyan wore a cold sneer on her face. "So Madam Ling is trying to frame me again."

"Marquis, Mother Chen said that Madam Ling is the Marchioness. I told Mother Chen that she should be careful about what she said. Otherwise, she will arouse others' suspicions," Qingyu said archly. She was no longer the timid little maid who had followed Ning Xueyan and shivered, because she was being bullied by others.

"If you address Madam Ling as such next time, you will be punished!" Ning Zu'an's voice suddenly became sharper as he stared at Mother Chen coldly.

When Madam Ling's scandal was exposed, the Lord Protector's Manor had been rebuked again. Ning Zu'an put all the blame on Madam Ling and even disliked the people around Madam Ling. If Madam Ling had not been pregnant now, he would have sent her away and forbidden her to come back.

"Yes... yes, I know." Being stared at by Ning Zu'an, Mother Chen immediately nodded, as her body trembled. She only hoped that Ning Zu'an would let her go now, and then leave first, so that she could talk to the Fifth Young Lady and try to trick her.

However, she was not as good as Ning Xueyan at scheming. Seeing Mother Chen gritting her teeth and not revealing her intention, Ning Xueyan, who stood behind Ning Zu'an, took the initiative to ask softly.