Chapter 7: Who to Blame?

Hearing the Madam Dowager's inquiry, Madam Ling hurried to cry out her grievances! "Mother, I arranged for food to be sent. Maybe the servants were too busy to serve the Fifth Miss — there were so many guests, and I can't always be with the Fifth Miss! It really has nothing to do with me." Madam Dowager looked at Madam Ling unhappily for a while, then said in a deep voice, "You've been in charge of this manor for some time. How can these servants deceive and bully their masters? Although Xueyan lives in a remote house, she is also a mistress of the Lord Protector's Manor. Later, you will arrange for more servants in her Bright Frost Garden. She can't be slighted any further." "Yes, Mother. I was too busy and neglected Xueyan. Xueyan, it's my fault. I am sorry." Madam Ling made an apology quickly, then turned to Ning Xueyan and began a formal bow of apology. Ning Xueyan saw this and knew that if she were to accept Madam Ling's bow, she would be criticized for acting above her station and disrespecting her elders. Ning Xueyan glanced at her father, whom she did not hold out any hope for. In order to achieve their goals, the Madam Dowager and Madam Ling used the carrot and stick. They wanted Ning Xueyan to know that they were a family. This time, they were wrong. She already had a solution. Ning Xueyan stepped away and avoided Madam Ling's bow with a cold smile. Then she looked up and said in surprise, her smile gone, "Mother, you are the First-Class Marchioness and my elder. You don’t have to apologize to me.” Madam Dowager Liu frowned and said in an unpleasant tone, "Madam Ling, don't embarrass Xueyan. What's important is what to do next. As the Marchioness, you know it's a scandal to hold a wedding ceremony when a member of our family has died!" Madam Ling could not answer for a moment then turned to the Madam Dowager. The Madam Dowager coughed. Before she could say anything, Madam Dowager Liu asked, "Sister, you don't know about it, do you?" Caught off-guard, the Madam Dowager kept coughing. With the help of the maids, she drank some tea and said, "Madam Ling must have covered that up. I didn't know." Madam Ming had died the night before, but the Madam Dowager found out about it this morning. At that time, the wedding ceremony had started and the bridal sedan chair had left. At this point, the Madam Dowager did not want to hide it anymore. She told Ning Xueyan her purpose directly. "Now we have to come up with an idea to make up for it. It's not good for anyone if the reputation of Lord Protector's Manor is destroyed. Xueyan, just tell people that your mother told you on her deathbed not to announce her death until after your sister's wedding. This will show also your mother's love for the younger generation." Someone had died in the family, but they held a wedding instead of a funeral. Now they wanted Ning Xueyan and Madam Ming to be responsible for that. The Madam Dowager and Madam Ling distorted the facts, but thought it was justified! Ning Zu'an, who sat on one side, stopped looking at Ning Xueyan with guilt on his face. So that was why they’d called her here! She clenched her hands in her sleeves and tried her best to suppress the rising anger as hatred flashed in her eyes. How shameful of them! She wasn’t going to let it happen. Ning Xueyan nodded with a smile and said, "Grandmother, I understand your difficult position. I'm willing to do as you ask." Seeing that the Madam Dowager had been relieved, Ning Xueyan smiled and continued to speak. "But now the entire city knows that we held a big wedding while hiding the news of someone's death. If we change the story, I'm afraid people will think that we spare no effort to slander the dead to cover up the scandal. If anyone should expose it to His Majesty..." The Madam Dowager became fearful, her gaze wandering, and Ning Xueyan knew she’d won. Realizing that the Madam Dowager was going to change her mind, Madam Ling said hurriedly, "How would His Majesty find out about such a trifle? Xueyan, don't talk nonsense. You've frightened your grandmother!" "Mother, do you think His Majesty doesn't know? Or do you think this kind of thing won't be exposed to him? Don't doubt His Majesty's ability. If he finds out..." The cold smile Ning Xueyan gave Madam Ling sent chills down her spine. Then Ning Xueyan said slowly, "The crime of deceiving the monarch is unforgivable!"