Duan Yu glanced at Concubine Li beside him and said with a toothy smile, "Auntie is worried that the servants in the gatehouse might not obey my orders and that they might block my second sister from entering the gate when she returns. Auntie asked Yu'er to go and tell them that if anyone dares to disobey my orders or pretends to obey but actually disobeys, I will not scare them with my sword."
He raised the sword in his hand and said, "If anyone dares to stop my elder sister from entering the mansion, I will chop off his head if he even says no!"
"Let him know how powerful I am!"
Jian Ning rubbed his forehead secretly, thinking that he looked sunny and cheerful, and he thought he was a gentle person, but after a few words, his true colors were revealed, and he turned out to be a fool like Ma Xiaomai.
"It's better to scare the people, but don't really chop off the head." Jian Ning said with a smile, "It's easy to chop off the head, but it may not be usable if you put it back."
Duan Yu grinned and said, "I can save myself the trouble. If I really chop it off, I have to hide it from everyone. I won't let anyone know and report it to the police. I'll chop it off quietly."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell the story quickly!" Concubine Li slapped him on the shoulder.
"Yes, I obey your command!" He clasped his hands together, then waved to the group of young and strong servants behind him, and led them to the front yard with high morale.
Some of the maids brought by Concubine Li guarded the entrances and exits of the main hall, while the other maids and maids gathered everyone in the main hall to the courtyard. Several maids also brought three armchairs and placed them on the corridor for Concubine Li, Jian Ning and Old Madam Huo to sit on.
After everyone was present, Concubine Li stood up, her eyes as sharp as knives, slowly sweeping over the faces of the people in the courtyard. Some people below didn't know what had happened, and some old people stared at Jian Ning intently. Although they didn't make loud noises, they kept whispering to each other. This was because Concubine Li was usually a good-tempered person, and even though she looked heroic and different from the past, they still dared to whisper to each other.
Concubine Li gave a look to a maid beside her. The maid straightened her back, took a few steps forward, and clapped her hands. "Everyone, be quiet and listen carefully to what Concubine Li says. If any ignorant people make noise again, no matter if they have dignity or not, they will be dragged away and beaten with sticks. Don't blame me for not warning you then."
"Shut up first!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd immediately quieted down.
Seeing that everyone was quiet, Concubine Li pointed at Jian Ning and said, "I don't need to tell you about the old people in this mansion. You can tell at a glance that this is the eldest daughter who was lost in her childhood and has returned."
There was an immediate commotion below, but she glanced over and everything was quiet again.
"Even those who came into the mansion later know that the eldest daughter of the family has gone missing. I don't need to say more. Just look at the eldest daughter's face and you will know that it is our eldest daughter who has returned."
"You all have to meet the young lady first and pay your respects. Then we can move on to other matters."
Jian Ning knew very well that if she could calm the people below, the princess would be safer, so she put on the airs of a young lady and sat there steadily to accept their greetings.
After she finished, she stood up and went down the stairs.
"I am already a wife and a mother. The palace is my family home. As a married woman, I will no longer interfere in the affairs of the palace. However, from now on, all matters concerning my mother's palace will be handled by Concubine Li until the prince returns to the capital. If you disobey, you will be in my sight."
After Jian Ning finished speaking, she walked to the edge of the garden flower bed, where there was a rockery made of dripping stones. She aimed at a flat stone, secretly gathered the energy in her dantian, raised her right leg above her head, and kicked down. The stone was split in half, fell to the ground, and smashed heavily into the ground.
Her action startled Old Madam Huo so much that she jumped off her seat. Concubine Li's face also changed slightly. She had taught Xiao Xinning boxing, kicking and swordsmanship in the past, and she thought she had forgotten them since she was wandering around. Who would have thought that she had some kind of fortuitous encounter and became a disciple of a famous teacher? Even Concubine Li herself might not be able to break the stone with that kick.
The servants were stunned.
"Did you all see that? If anyone disobeys me, dares to go against my will, you might as well give it a try and see whether you are stronger than this stone. Don't blame me for turning my back on you then!"
Jian Ning had a murderous look on her face at the moment. She intended to show this skill. No matter whether Concubine Min and the man surnamed Geng were in the same group or not, it would also allow the people Concubine Min had planted in the main hall to inform her, so that if she had any evil thoughts again, she would consider whether she had the courage to provoke her.
If Jian Ning had not taken the princess's pulse, she would not have dared to confirm whether Concubine Min was good or bad. After all, in Jian Ning's memory, Concubine Min was a kind and amiable person.
How could Xiao Ning, who was only three or four years old, know how to distinguish good from evil in people's hearts? She had some idea in her mind when she beat Madam Huo and slapped Concubine Min. Madam Huo's three wives and four concubines were all subdued. Such a master of house fighting had her own rules to identify vixens.
Seeing Jian Ning's imposing manner, Madam Huo nodded repeatedly. Concubine Li was secretly relieved after realizing what she had done. After she sat down again, Concubine Li called out the names of the people in charge of the main hall and asked them to bring the roster.
After the booklet was brought, Concubine Li asked those whose names were called to stand on the left and right. Jian Ning stayed until she finished calling the names and made arrangements one by one. No one dared to say anything. Those who should leave left, those who should stay stayed, and those who should go to other courtyards went back to their rooms to pack up their things. Only then did she enter the main hall.
Jian Ning entered the main hall and sat down in front of the princess's couch. His gaze just lingered on the princess's face for a moment when the princess opened her eyes as if she had sensed something.
"You are... my An'er?" When she opened her eyes and saw Jian Ning, she actually recognized her, but for some reason she always mistook her for Duan Xin'an.
"Mom, I'm Xinning, Ning'er."
"Ning'er?" She looked at Jian Ning, "How did you grow so big all of a sudden? Stand up quickly and let mother see you."
Jian Ning stood up as she was told. "Mom, you've been ill for many years. I've grown up a long time ago and learned medical skills from my master. Can I press your head for you?"
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