The Devious First Daughter

Chapter 166. Coming-of-age Ceremony

The news of Ning Zu'an's death shocked everyone in the Lord Protector's Manor. Even though the title had been passed onto Ning Huaijing, Ning Zu'an was the patriarch of the family. Even without the title, he was still the most authoritative figure in the manor.

Madam Dowager collapsed as soon as she heard the news of his death. She became ill and bedridden, unable to get up.

Ning Xueyan couldn't leave the palace freely due to her status as the Empress. She sent Qingyu and Mother Han to the manor and had them inquire about Madam Dowager's health in her place. Mother Han returned to Prince Yi's Manor afterward while Qingyu entered the palace to report to Ning Xueyan.

It was inconvenient for Mother Han to live in the palace because she had a son to take care of. Instead of entering the palace with Ning Xueyan, she stayed in Prince Yi's Manor as the housekeeper. Ning Xueyan was prepared to release her from the manor when the situation stabilized in the future. There were too many rules in the palace that would make life inconvenient for Mother Han.

"Your Highness, Madam Dowager is bedridden now. Even though she's still sane, the imperial physician that came with me said that she had suffered a terrible shock. Even if she makes a full recovery, she'll be confined to bed for the rest of her life." Qingyu had taken an imperial physician from the palace with her when she visited the Lord Protector's Manor.

The physician was there to examine Madam Dowager. No matter what, Madam Dowager was still Ning Xueyan's grandmother. Even if she couldn't leave the palace, it was still basic manners to send someone to check on Madam Dowager.

When Ning Huaijing became the new Lord Protector, his biological mother Madam Yu became the new Madam Dowager as well. The original Madam Dowager became Madam Dowager Senior instead.

Ning Xueyan nodded and asked, "How is Second Brother doing?"

Madam Dowager had lived her life centered around Ning Zu'an and the Lord Protector's Manor so much so that she could sacrifice conscience and familial ties for them. However, everything that had supported her to this point was gone. Lord Protector's Manor was no longer in its heyday and the title ended up with Ning Huaijing, a grandson whom she wasn't at all close with. And now, even Ning Zu'an was dead.

Therefore, her breakdown came as no surprise.

Ning Xueyan had never liked Madam Dowager. After all, she had watched and done nothing as people bullied and poisoned Madam Ming and Ning Xueyan. Even so, Ning Xueyan wasn't going to pursue it now. It wasn't necessary anymore.

"The Lord Protector is very calm. He told me to pass on a message to you, saying not to worry about the manor. He'll take care of everything. Madam Dowager is taking care of Madam Dowager Senior," Qingyu replied.

Qingyu and Mother Han had the matter investigated very well. It was true that the entire manor was thrown into chaos after receiving news of Ning Zu'an's death. Madam Dowager fell ill shortly after and everyone in the manor fell into a panic. Afterward, Ning Huaijing stepped forward to bring the situation under control. It didn't take long for everything to return to order.

His actions had relieved Ning Xueyan of her troubles. No matter what had happened, Lord Protector's Manor was still her family. If her family was in tumult, she wouldn't be able to perform her duties as the Empress with confidence.

"Oh, Your Highness, I ran into Madam Dowager Liu today. She told me to bring this letter to you." Qingyu took out a sealed envelope from her bosom and presented it to Ning Xueyan.

Ning Xueyan took the envelope, tore it open, and fished out a letter from within. To her surprise, this was a letter within a letter.

This surprised her. She thought that Madam Dowager Liu wanted to talk to her about Madam Dowager Senior but the former was sending her another letter altogether. The letter within a letter in her hands was visibly old. Even the edges of the letter had yellowed and the ink marks on top of it were somewhat faded.