The Devious First Daughter

Chapter 156. Irrefutable Facts and Evidence

The banquet at the Lord Guardian's Manor was a bustling affair for two reasons: the status of the manor as well as the identity of the Madam Dowager herself. She was a female hero that was more respected than her counterpart in the Lord Protector's Manor. That was why she was able to receive everyone's approval even after so many years.

Ning Xueyan left for the Lord Guardian's Manor herself as Ao Chenyi had to stop by the palace first. Her timing was just right; she was neither early nor late when she arrived. One carriage after another entered the gate of the Lord Guardian's Manor. Twenty servants—ten older female servants and ten young servants—stood at the gate to receive guests.

The sharp-eyed servants immediately noticed the carriage from Prince Yi's Manor. A clever older female servant went up to the carriage at once. No ordinary family would arrive with such a lavish carriage, never mind the handful of imperial guards standing beside it. The servant noticed the sharp gazes of the guards and knew that the one inside the carriage must be Princess Yi.

She walked up to the carriage and asked respectfully, "Is this Her Highness, Princess Yi?"

Xinmei, who was walking beside the carriage, answered, "Yes, we're from Prince Yi's Manor. Our Princess is inside the carriage."

Upon hearing this, the carriages and servants beside Princess Yi's entourage slowed down and quietly made way. No one would be stupid enough to get in the way of Princess Yi's carriage.

"Greetings to Your Highness. Please come with me," the servant said, pointing to another gate. The gate was comparatively less busy, but everyone could see that it wasn't meant for regular guests entering through the main gate of the manor. It was natural that Princess Yi would be led there.

The coachman flicked his horse whip and followed the servant to the other gate. The carriage entered the manor and took several turns before stopping at a separate parking lot that the Lord Guardian's Manor had prepared. The lot was conveniently close to the second gate, the Chuihua Gate, allowing them to enter the inner and outer courtyards as they pleased.

Ning Xueyan exited the carriage with Xinmei's help. Before she could go anywhere, she heard a familiar voice. "Cousin!"

She turned around and saw Ming Yuanhua helping Mrs. Ming out of a nearby carriage. She immediately went up to them and said, "Aunt, Cousin, you're also here."

This was her first time running into Mrs. Ming at a banquet. Mrs. Ming had been living a half-secluded life all these years, turning every invitation sent her way. She stayed the same whether Ming Feiyong was around or not.

Mrs. Ming adored Ning Xueyan. She had met Ning Xueyan once when the latter was still a child, but afterward, Madam Ming became a concubine and grew estranged from her brother. The communication between Ming Manor and the Lord Protector's Manor was cut off. It wasn't until Ming Feiyong returned that they got in touch with Ning Xueyan again. Mrs. Ming liked her bright and sensible niece from the bottom of her heart.

Ning Xueyan did everything well when she stayed in their manor before her wedding. Now that they had met again, she felt nothing but joy.

The three of them exchanged a few words at the parking lot. Then, Ning Xueyan and Mrs. Ming entered the Chuihua Gate.

Two clever-looking maids were standing beside the Chuihua Gate. One of them was Heng Yuqing's personal maid, who had seen Ning Xueyan many times. When she saw Ning Xueyan, she immediately stepped forward and saluted her with another maid. Ning Xueyan nodded and told them to follow her. These two must be the maids that Heng Yuqing prepared for her.

This was the Lord Guardian's Manor, after all. She was a stranger to this place. If she needed to go somewhere or look for something, it was better to have someone familiar around.