The Devious First Daughter

Chapter 136. The right crossroad of the three

She remembered how she had been scolded when she tried to stop Concubine Yun from letting Heng Yuqing marry into Prince Yi's Manor. Concubine Yun said that a man of Prince Yi's temper would never fall for Heng Yuqing. Now that she had seen what great beauties Commandery Princess Xianyun and Consort Ning were, it was obvious that Heng Yuqing was far inferior to them.

If even such charming and beautiful women failed to win Prince Yi's heart, Heng Yuqing wouldn't stand a chance.

Still, she was worried. Lord Guardian's Manor was a great example. Heng Yuqing's mother was much prettier than Concubine Yun, but the latter still won Lord Guardian's favor. She had once overheard her nanny secretly telling others that appearances were important when it came to liking someone, but other factors were too.

Who knew if Heng Yuqing would somehow get Prince Yi to fall for her?

Thus, upon receiving Concubine Yun's order to follow Heng Yuqing to the Prince Yi's Manor and watch her closely, Heng Yuwan agreed without hesitation. She watched Heng Yuqing enter without a word. She, too, was curious about the kind of person Prince Yi was and whether he would be interested in Heng Yuqing.

According to the maids in the manor, their father decided to give Heng Yuqing to Prince Yi after hearing that he liked her. This meant that Heng Yuqing might have very likely earned the prince's favor. If Heng Yuqing were able to win the prince's heart, it would spell disaster to her and Concubine Yun.

No, she must watch Heng Yuqing closely and go home to warn Concubine Yun. She must not let Heng Yuqing hit this jackpot.

In order for her and her mother to flourish, Heng Yuqing and her mother must be doomed.

Thus, Heng Yuqing's bashful and timid question was particularly noteworthy to Heng Yuwan. She was curious if Prince Yi would treat Heng Yuqing differently.

"Prince Yi treats us very well. Look, we haven't even been here for long but we're allowed to invite guests. He even said that when he's free, he would take the Princess and me for a stroll in the palace and meet the royal consorts there. After all, we can't harm the reputation of Prince Yi's Manor."

Ning Xueyan wore a bright smile when she spoke in a very soft voice. From where Heng Yuwan was, she could see Ning Xueyan lowering her head with a bashful expression.

She was stunned.

Wasn't it said that both the princess and consort weren't favored? How much more was expected from the prince if this level of concern wasn't satisfactory?

"His Highness is so kind to you two," Heng Yuqing said enviously.

"Well, yes. It wasn't until I married him that I found out how well he treats his family. The time I returned to my family manor... Well, you know what happened..." Ning Xueyan's voice became softer toward the end. Heng Yuwan stole a glance at her and noticed that the two of them were almost whispering into each other's ears. Still, she could hear their conversation because of their proximity.

The maids weren't around so only three of them were in the room. She could still hear them if she strained her ears.

"Do you know what my second sister did? When I went home the other day, she tried to cook up a scheme to restore her mother's position. My grandmother and father had her beaten up and sent back to Xia Manor like the embarrassment that she was. Later, I heard that... she was gone!"

Ning Xueyan's words were soft and cheerful even, but they managed to elicit cold sweat from Heng Yuwan.

What happened to Ning Yuling was a scandal among the noble ladies and Heng Yuwan was no stranger to it. The Lord Protector's Manor had caused so many scandals that it was hard not to notice. The woman that Ning Xueyan was talking about was Madam Ling, Ning Yuling's biological mother and the former mistress of Lord Protector's Manor. It was said that she was removed from her position because of her malicious plot to frame her predecessor.