Chapter 29 Dressing up as a Man, Ning Xueyan Offends Prince Yi (1/2)
Ning Xueyan had a nightmare again! She lifted her quilt, smiling ruefully, and stood up. Then she walked toward the table to grab a cup of cold tea, pouring in her mouth. But she was too weak to swallow the cold water. She poured in quickly, so she had to grasp her chest for a slight cough. Although she tried to do exercise every day, it seemed that she hadn't get better.
Ning Xueyan was lost in thought, standing in the front of the window. She looked at the lightful dawn with frowning.
She had been at Cold Mountain Temple for half a month. Several days ago, Mother Han wrote a letter to tell her that her uncle was about to come to the capital and today was the day of his coming. Ning Xueyan never met this uncle before, but Mother Han guaranteed to her this uncle would protect her.
Therefore, Ning Xueyan planned to meet this uncle today, to verify whether Mother Han told the truth. Moreover, if she didn't go to see him, her uncle would inquire about her from Lord Protector's Manor, which would cost more time unnecessarily. In addition, she needed to tell him something in person.
She must meet him before Madam Ling, making sure she and her uncle were on the same boat.
It was early, so she went back to bed. However, she couldn't fall asleep. Ning Xueyan replayed the scene of her death in her mind for no reason. Blood, suffocating, struggling, the pain... She lay on the bed remaining stock still with eyes closed, but she could still sense the smell of fear and the despair caused by death.
Grabbing her quilt tightly, Ning Xueyan took a deep breath to relax. But even her breathing was smelt like the blood. She sat straight again, abruptly trying to memory other things for distracting her thought. It came to her mind suddenly that her dowry was sent to Shangshu Manor at the beginning.
Something was wrong!
Looking back at her previous life, her father died on duty and her mother followed his step after being sick for three years. Her mother told her to turn to Ning Zu'an, the family patriarch. She came to the capital taking all her belongings with the old housekeeper. After she moved to Lord Protector's Manor, Shangshu Xia visited her and Madam Xia came to console her with Xia Yuhang.
The Ning and Xia families had already made the decision of her marriage, which would settle down when she was 16.
They had been engaged since they were kids. However, she knew Xia Yuhang. He would constantly give her father some gift in person when her father was in the office. It seemed Xia family didn't plan to go back on their word. As soon as Ning Xueyan arrived in the capital, Xia Yuhang and Madam Xia went to see her immediately.
Observed in any aspect, Xia Yuhang showed great affection for her. It could be told from his bright smile.
When did he begin to change?
Ning Xueyan's mind was full of doubts. Almost one or two years ago, even earlier, maybe it was at the time when she reached here... But she couldn't remember what she did to piss him off. The only thing she remembered was some stuff was sent from her family when Xia Yuhang and Ning Ziyan were at her place. They left hurriedly after seeing the things.
Ning Xueyan also inquired about the rumor in these days. The story that Xia Yuhang and Ning Ziyan had been engaged since they were little, started to spread from then on.
If Madam Ling and Ning Ziyan wanted to replace her long ago, why did they keep her alive until the night before her wedding? Was there any difference?
Did they really keep her for her dowry? But Ning Ziying was alone without any immediate family living in Lord Protector's Manor temporarily, so if she died early, the manor could have all her property. Madam Ling and Ning Ziyan didn't need to wait, then what was the truth behind? Ning Xueyan had a sneaking suspicion that something was hidden.
She might be overthinking so that she forgot her fear of death. In the end, she fell asleep.
When Lanning came to wake Ning Xueyan up, Qingyu had prepared the breakfast well. Because she was going out today, Ning Xueyan didn't climb the mountain. She took the clothes of some manservant style from Lanning's hands. The clothes fit her perfectly. It must be made by Qingyu and Lanning according to her size.
”My lady, do you really want to go alone?” Lanning was a mature girl and worried about her. After all, her lady hadn't been outside of Bright Frost Garden in her previous life.
”It's okay; I know the way.” Ning Xueyan straightened her clothes and said,” If someone of the manor wants to visit me today, please tell them I am ill and can't greet them.”
Ever since the last time she defended Ning Ziyan in public, even though it couldn't eliminate Madam Ling's doubts, she showed great sisterhood to people. This could prevent Madam Ling from being harmful to her provisionally providing her some time to prepare other things. And this duration was important to her.
Madam Dowager sent people to inquire after her now and then. This was for showing her concern about Ning Xueyan. Since that time, Ning Xueyan was no longer the quiet Fifth Young Lady. Instead, she became the one who could defense Lord Protector's Manor's dignity. Of course, Madam Dowager needed to show her respect.
”Yes, I'm aware. But please be careful, my lady.” Lanning said as nodding.
After arranging it all, Ning Xueyan didn't go out of the room without delay. Cold Mountain Temple was the suburban district, not far from Shili Pavilion. Whoever coming from that direction, must pass Shili Pavilion if they wanted to go to the capital. She would see her uncle there.
She struggled to climb the mountain for exercise every day. Not only her body but also her complexion got better these days. So it wasn't difficult for her to walk for a while after the downhill.