Chapter 14: The Once and Future Maid

"How can she not know who Lan Ning is?" Ning Xueyan thought, gripping her lapel. In her previous incarnation, Lanning was her close personal maid. Although Lanning was sent by Lord Protector's Manor to serve her, Ning Xueyan treated her well and they had a deep relationship. That night, however, Lanning wasn't there! "Maybe you don't know it, my lady." Qingyu said, "Lanning was the first class servant of Yunying courtyard. She had nowhere to stay after Lady Ziying left. She thought you might be a good master, so she begged me to ask you." Once, Qingyu was bullied by Xianghong and Miao'er, maids of the Second Young Miss, blocking the way to stop her moving. Lanning shouted that Madam Dowager had come, and the two bullies ran away. Besides, Lanning was nice to everyone. Most people in Lanning’s position would refuse to become a handmaid of the Fifth Young Miss, who was unfavored, But Lanning just wanted a master who would treat her well. Trying hard to repress her heartbeat, Ning Xueyan raised her head and said, "Qingrui was kicked out by Madam Dowager, and I need someone to be my first maid. You can tell Nanny Qin that I'm fond of Yunying courtyard's Lanning, and see if she can be sent to be my maid." Ning Xueyan smiled. "Oh, my lady, does that mean you agree to accept Lanning?" Qingyu didn’t bother to ask why Qingrui was driven away; she was thrilled because she really thought Lanning was a good girl who was smart and kind. "Yes, Qingyu, but we can talk about this later. First, do you know if there are any noble guests who will definitely be here and are good at medicine?" Ning Xueyan asked, frowning. "Noble guests with good medical skills...” Qingyu thought for a while and shook her head. “I have no idea." She wasn't pretending. She barely went out because Fifth Young Miss was never outside the yard. Knowing a few persons only, of course, she wouldn't know the kind of guests whom Ning Xueyan wanted. Noble guest! Qingyu suddenly opened her eyes wide and said, "My lady, I know such an honored guest in our manor who is in the marquis's Mingyue Pavilion now. When I met Lanning, she’d just come from there. She said that it had been heavily guarded with honor guards. But the marquis just returned to Lord Protector's Manor. He's talking with the guest in Mingyue Pavilion now." Mingyue Pavilion had the most sumptuous ornaments of Lord Protector's Manor. Ning Xueyan knew that only one with more valuable status than Ning Zu'an could be there. However, there weren't many such men in Chu State. Ning Zu'an had received this man with an honor guard, which showed the guest was more likely from the royal family. On a day like today, this noble guest must have come to the Lord Protector's Manor to pay respects to Madam Ming. An idea flashed in Ning Xueyan's mind. As far as she knew, the royals were noblest . So even though some of them were not familiar with medicine, when they went out they would take someone with medical skills. But now that the guest was a royal, it was impossible Madam Ling could get help from the guest . "Qingyu, are doctors of the Lord Protector's Manor all at First Madam's place?" Ning Xueyan questioned. She lifted her eyes slightly. The eyes were profound and black like dark jade was wandering inside. Madam Ling was almost beat to death. She likely had both doctors of the Lord Protector’s manner attending her. "Yes, my lady. I just heard that First Madam's condition wasn't so good. The doctors are in Yunxia courtyard and not allowed to leave," Qingyu said, nodding. “I want you to go to the front and stay there. If you see the marquis coming along with the guest, you need to run back here through the lane. Remember not to be noticed by anyone," Ning Xueyan ordered in a low voice, holding her hands. "If someone finds you, you just tell them I'm not feeling well and sent you for a doctor." With Madam Ling's temper, there's no way that the doctor would come to deal with Ning Xueyan's wounds. Seeing Ning Xueyan so calm and confident made Qingyu a bit distressed. There was something convincing about Ning Xueyan's smile, something beyond words. From now on, this young girl would never be bullied by anyone. Second Madam's soul could rest in peace. Qingyu nodded hard and said, "Don't worry, my lady. I will follow your order, and nobody will notice me." "Okay, then go, and remember to be careful!" Ning Xueyan said, standing up. After tidying up her clothes, she walked straight toward the mourning hall.