Chapter 15: Mean Sisters

Ning Xueyan propped herself up to get back on her feet and adjusted her clothing before walking out to the mourning hall. Since she had to put on a show, she must act until the end. Those around the noble guests were no ordinary people. If she accidentally made a mistake, she would be bringing trouble to herself instead... "My, Fifth Sister! You've finally shown up!" Ning Lingyun couldn't help mocking Ning Xueyan after seeing her. This was the first sentence that Ning Lingyun said to her today. She was a concubine's daughter, but her beauty made her believe that she was just as good as her sisters, who were merely fortunate to have grown inside First Madam's belly. On the other hand, she was unfortunate enough to have a concubine for a mother. Her birth lowered her status by a significant degree. Ning Ziyan and her sister were daughters of Madam Ling, who was the First Madam of the Lord Protector's Manor. Madam Ling could kill her as easily as she could squash an ant, which was why she didn't dare to retaliate. Thus, she vented her anger on Ning Xueyan instead. She was a frequent accomplice of the Second Young Miss, Ning Yuling, in bullying Ning Xueyan. She thought of herself as much nobler than Ning Xueyan. She was long stewing in anger after being told to keep watch while Ning Xueyan went off to rest. Gripping her handkerchief tightly, she harshly rebuked Ning Xueyan when she saw her. "Fourth Sister, you could have left if you didn't want to keep watch," Ning Xueyan said indifferently as she kneeled down again. She didn't want to concern herself with Ning Lingyun, who was busy licking the soles of Madam Ling's boots. "Leave? Of course, I want to! Had your damned mom not died, do you think I'd be forced to keep watch?!" Ning Lingyun retorted furiously. She had been kneeling since this morning and was so tired that she was close to collapsing. Currently, she was in an incredibly poor mood. Moreover, she had never possessed any respect for Madam Ming. To think that she would be ordered to keep watch of this woman's coffin! Ning Xueyan's face fell after hearing Ning Lingyun slandering Madam Ming and her voice was cool as she said, "Fourth Sister, would you dare to repeat such words in front of Grandmother?" "Repeat such words in front of Madam Dowager?” “Wouldn't you be digging your own grave?" Ning Lingyun had taken note of Madam Dowager's protection of Ning Xueyan today. Even though she didn't know why Madam Dowager showed Ning Xueyan such respect today, she knew now wasn't the time to provoke the latter. She’ watched the fate of the servants with fear. "What do you mean? Are you deliberately criticizing me?" Having always considered Ning Xueyan a pushover, Ning Lingyun was furious at this disrespect. Unable to control herself, she yelled, "Who allowed you to speak in such a manner? How dare you talk to me like that!" "Fourth Sister, are you protesting against me or the Madam Dowager?" Ning Xueyan asked coolly, with an unwavering gaze. She raised her head to look at Ning Lingyun. Her pupils were so cold and unfathomable like two deep, natural ponds. They sent a shiver down one's heart. Ning Lingyun, took in Ning Xueyan's stare. She opened her mouth, but no words came. She felt resentment rise in her and glared at Ning Xueyan. After making sure that no one was around, she rose to her feet with her maid's help and went to rest in the side room. This was exactly what Ning Xueyan wanted. If Ning Lingyun was around, she couldn’t act freely. The next step would be the most crucial step in seeking justice for Madam Ming. She could only hope that the noble guest would be of high enough standing and reputation that Ning Zu'an wouldn't be able to protest. Now would be the time for the noble guest to come if they intended to pay respects to Madam Ming. A guest like that wouldn't stay long in the Lord Protector's Manor for something like this. She picked up the cup next to her and poured the powdered medicine that Qingyu had brought back into the tea. The tea emanated a faint fragrance. It wasn't a strong smell, but enough to alert those with a keen sense of smell when they entered the hall. After downing half of the teacup, she leaned sideways and quietly rested. The medicine kicked in nearly immediately; it barely took any time for her to feel its effects. Qingyu ran in from the front hall. When she saw that no one else was inside the mourning hall, she went to Ning Xueyan and whispered into her ear, "Young Lady, the marquis is on his way here. I ran here after seeing him showing the way from afar. They didn't see me." "Hmm. Stop running around and kneel here." Ning Xueyan opened her eyes and pointed behind her as she spoke, suppressing the stabbing pain that demanded its presence be felt. "Alright. Let me get a sip of water first." An exhausted Qingyu reached out for the teacup by Ning Xueyan's foot but the latter swiftly caught her hand and stopped her. "You can't drink this water. Go and kneel!" "Young Lady…" Qingyu looked at Ning Xueyan in surprise, noticing that her master's lips were so pale as to be nearly colorless. She knelt next to Ning Xueyan and supported her arm. In a panicked voice, she said, "What's wrong, Young Lady? Are you ill? I'll look for Madam Dowager now and ask her to find a way to call for a physician." There was no way that Ning Xueyan would allow her to look for Madam Dowager, rendering her effort in drinking that cup of "medicine" in vain. She clutched Qingyu's sleeve. "You don't have to look for Grandmother. It's alright. I'll be fine after resting for a while. I suppose it's my old illness acting up. It's no big deal; nothing a little rest won't fix." Qingyu's expression changed drastically after hearing that it was Ning Xueyan's old illness. "Are you sure you're fine, Young Lady? Your old illness has been dormant for a long time, so why is it acting up now? What should we do?" In the past, Second Madam would find a way to get Ning Xueyan some pills. Now that she was gone, where could they find medicine? A cold glint crossed Ning Xueyan's pupils. Sure enough, Madam Ling had poisoned her! It was no wonder that her health would be so poor that she would die after crying in front of her mother's coffin. "Old illness? What old illness? What kind of old illness can a young girl have?" came a bellow from the door.