Chapter 168 Suspect of being a wall
"Madam, how could you be so careless?" The nanny who was serving the child noticed Ning Ran's cut finger and quickly stepped forward to wrap it with white cloth.
The nanny advised distressedly: "Madam, no matter what the old lady says, you still have the Duke's Mansion behind you. Why worry about what they say? The Wei Mansion still relies on the Duke's Mansion. Will the young master really divorce you?"
During the day, Ning Ran took her children to pay her respects to her mother-in-law. She accidentally heard her mother-in-law talking to her aunt about taking a concubine for Wei Xiao.
The girl has already been chosen. She is the seventh daughter of the Lin family. Although she is not a legitimate daughter, she is well-behaved and honest, and not as difficult to serve as Ning Ran.
The aunt said: "I advised you not to marry Ning Ran at the beginning. Now you regret it, don't you? Not only does she act like an ancestor every day, but she also brings benefits to the Wei Mansion. Our Wei Mansion has not enjoyed any of her blessings."
The mother-in-law sighed and snorted coldly, "Who would have thought that the Duke's Mansion would be so stingy? But there is no need to worry. Xiao'er's future is now settled. He will definitely be promoted when he comes back from his work. If A'ran gives him the cold shoulder again, I will let her go back to the Duke's Mansion in the future. I will just divorce her if I want to."
"You can't divorce a girl from the Duke's Mansion whenever you want," said the aunt.
"As long as she has committed a serious mistake, it doesn't matter if she is a daughter of the Duke's Mansion. If Xiao'er really wants to divorce her, there is naturally a way." said the mother-in-law.
Ning Ran was so angry that she was shaking. What else could this mean? The internal fighting in the harem was always an enduring topic. Even if she did nothing wrong, as long as Wei Xiao wanted to divorce her, he could put the blame on her.
As long as her reputation was ruined, it would not be difficult to divorce her, but it was the reputation of the Duke's Mansion that was ruined, and the Wei Mansion became the victim.
Ning Ran was not a person who would endure things for a long time, but she still went back to her bedroom without saying a word. Everyone in the Wei Mansion hated her so much, even her mother-in-law thought that Wei Xiao was right to find a way to divorce her. She was still somewhat hurt and had been sitting alone until now.
After being hurt, all that's left is resentment.
She, Ning Ran, had never done anything sorry to the Wei family.
Since the Wei Mansion is like this, don't blame her.
The next day, she did not go to pay her respects to her mother-in-law. Now that her aunt had returned home, she was ignoring her mother-in-law, obviously not giving her face.
Mother-in-law Xiao was embarrassed and sent someone to invite her.
Ning Ran did not listen to Xiao's instructions, but thoroughly checked all the beautiful maids in the courtyard. As expected, there were quite a few who had climbed into Wei Xiao's bed. Ning Ran found a letter written by Wei Xiao after he left Beijing from a maid.
Most of the letters were flirting, and those dirty words made Ning Ran feel nauseous. The letter also mentioned that when he returned to Beijing and got a promotion, he would find a way to divorce Ning Ran and take the maid as a concubine. He also praised the maid for being prettier and younger than Ning Ran, and said that after Ning Ran gave birth to a child, he would no longer have any interest in her. He flattered the maid to the skies.
Ning Ran couldn't help but sneer. The humiliation she felt when Wei Xiao belittled her while flirting with others was even worse, not to mention that he did it in front of a maid, and belittled her to no avail.
"You serve in my courtyard, but you can't follow the rules and talk about your master without permission. Drag her away and give her thirty lashes." Ning Ran looked at the maid coldly.
When mother-in-law Xiao arrived, Ning Ran was sitting leisurely on a chair. Her condescending attitude made Xiao frown.
Looking at the maid again, her lower body was also covered in blood and flesh, and she had lost her life.
Xiao knew this maid. Xiao'er liked her very much recently. She was angry at Ning Ran's behavior and couldn't help but say, "You are too vicious. Xiao'er just wanted to take a concubine, but you stopped her again and again. How can you be such a jealous woman?"
Of course, Xiao was not angry because of the maid, but she was angry that Ning Ran didn't even come to pay her respects in the morning. Now that Xiao'er didn't have to rely on the Duke's Mansion, she naturally didn't have to be so humble to Ning Ran.
Ning Ran smiled and said, "Mother knows my personality, so if I want to marry Miss Lin Qi, mother should think carefully. If something happens to that girl in the Wei Mansion, I dare not blame the Duke's Mansion, but I dare not blame the Wei Mansion."
Xiao's face froze, and her aunt chimed in: "Sister-in-law, where did you hear these rumors? How could you possibly accept Lin as your wife?"
Ning Ran had never taken the girls of the Wei Mansion seriously. This aunt was the same. She said calmly, "Your husband is now working under my father. The Wei Mansion has not received any favors from the Duke's Mansion. Your husband's future depends on your mouth. I advise you not to interfere in the affairs of the Wei Mansion."
An awkward look inevitably appeared on my aunt's face, but Ning Ran was telling the truth, so she didn't dare to say anything more for a moment.
Xiao was so angry at her threatening attitude that she trembled and said without thinking: "I don't know how your mother taught you to be this way. You are so arrogant and don't know the order of hierarchy. No wonder your fifth sister is always thinking about other people's husbands."
Ning Ran herself, although she sometimes looked down on Ning He's petty behavior, could not tolerate others slandering her, so she stood up and said, "Mother-in-law, please explain clearly, whose husband is my fifth sister thinking about?"
Xiao sneered: "She is thinking about Xiao'er's cousin. If not, why would she stay every time Zhi'er comes to the house?"
"Ah He looks down on your nephew." Ning Ran said, "The lady of our Duke's Mansion would never do anything to have an affair with someone else's husband."
"Zhi'er is the second son of the Xiao family."
Ning Ran, however, was unwilling to even look at her. Not to mention that he was the second legitimate son of the Xiao family, even the eldest legitimate son of the Xiao family was not worthy of her, the concubine's daughter of the Duke's Mansion.
This small family just lacks tact. The difference between the legitimate sons of different mansions is huge.
Xiao was provoked by her contemptuous attitude and said: "How can your Duke's Mansion be so arrogant? Zhier told me personally that your fifth sister likes him, how can it be false?"
She deliberately spoke very loudly, hoping that everyone would hear it and spread the news that the lady of the Duke's Mansion was shameless.
Now the worst that can happen is that I have to break up with the Duke's Mansion. I can't rely on him anyway.
Ning Ran was not someone to be trifled with, and said, "I think it's your nephew. He's a toad that wants to eat swan meat, and he's crazy about Ah He. He's just like your son, a useless person who can't control his lower body."
She is actually throwing dirty water on her own Xiao family's bloodline.
Xiao was so angry that she almost fainted.
My aunt said distressedly: "Sister-in-law, how can you say that?"
Ning Ran said calmly: "I have always been like this. If someone makes me unhappy, she won't be happy either."
Xiao couldn't stand it any longer and said, "My Wei family can't tolerate a daughter-in-law like you. Go back to your Duke's Mansion!"
Ning Ran raised a cold smile: This person who came from a small family is so short-sighted. Now that Wei Xiao's future is not settled, he dares to tear his face off. It's so stupid: "Mother-in-law thinks that you, the Wei Mansion, now have a backer, don't take me seriously. Mother-in-law, don't regret it."
"I want to see who regrets it!" Xiao said with disgust. Ning Ran left the Wei Mansion and became nothing more than a worn-out slut, a broken flower and a withered willow. How could she expect someone to want her in the future?
Ning Ran had not finished speaking for long when someone from the Duke's Mansion arrived.
When Mrs. Wei and Old Lady Ning heard about this, they were extremely angry. Without saying a word, they asked Ning Zheng, who was at home, to come and take Ning Ran back.
"Second sister, I will take you back home." Ning Zheng got off the horse and personally helped her into the carriage without paying any attention to the people from the Wei Mansion.
Only then did Ning Ran's eyes turn red, and she could hardly hold back her aggrieved feeling.
"Don't cry." Ning Zheng wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said in a deep voice, "With the Duke's Mansion and me here, I won't let Second Sister suffer this in vain."
"Send someone to take Ah He to the Xiao Mansion to confront Xiao Zhi. He slanders Ah He for having feelings for him." Ning Ran said. If this matter is not handled properly, the lady of the Duke's Mansion will be gossiped about.
Ning Zheng frowned, and laughed in disbelief and contempt: "His Xiao Fu is really fanciful. How could Ah He like that old man?"
This old man is looking for death.
After Ning Zheng sent Ning Ran back home, he went out to find Xiao Zhi.
When Ningfu learned about this, she was furious.
"He, Xiao Zhi, is thirty-five years old. How can he be so shameless? Ah He is only sixteen years old. How can he look down on this old man?" Ning Fu said. Besides, he is not handsome at all.
Ning He was so angry about the slander that her eyes turned red and she burst into tears.
She was just curious about why he had a mole on his face, so she was curious every time they met, but she didn't expect that the story would be spread so badly.
Madam Ning was also very angry. While coaxing Ning He, she said, "Ah He, don't be afraid. We are doing the right thing. I will take you to the Xiao Mansion to seek justice. Any normal person will know that you can't possibly like Xiao Zhi. You don't have to worry about rumors outside."
Madam Ning was unwilling to delay even a little on such an important matter, so she took Ning He to the Xiao Residence that very day. Ning Fu was worried, so she also followed.
As soon as Ning Fu arrived at the Xiao Mansion, she saw Zong Si and Xiao Zhi, whose face was covered with bruises.
"Zhi'er, who was so cruel to you?" Mrs. Xiao felt distressed.
"It's General Ye's son, Ye Sheng." General Ye holds the military power outside the Great Wall. More importantly, Ye Sheng has a very good relationship with Ning Zheng.
As for Ye Sheng beating him, Xiao Zhi was also puzzled. He said that he wanted to compete in a duel, so he could only accompany him, but he didn't expect that he would beat him to death.
Xiao Zhi thought about it all the way, but didn't know how he had offended him.
"Fortunately, the prince was kind-hearted and sent me back when he saw that I was injured." Xiao Zhi said.
Zong Si glanced at Ning Fu and saw that she was glaring at him. He was afraid that she would misunderstand that he was turning his elbow outward, so he kept a distance from Xiao Zhi and said coldly: "I am just afraid that Master Xiao will die on the road."
He was just afraid that his brother-in-law might cause a death, so after making sure that his life was not in danger, he sent him back.
Otherwise, how would Zong Si have the energy to care about other people's life and death.
"Thank you, Prince." Madam Xiao said enthusiastically.
Zong Si glanced at Madam Ning, standing still without moving, and did not respond to Madam Xiao's enthusiasm. He said indifferently: "I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave first."
The Xiao family warmly invited him to stay. When Zong Si saw Ning Ran with red eyes, he stayed for a while.
For a moment, Xiao Zhi felt that this situation was a bit strange. The prince seemed to be quite afraid of Madam Ning. However, when he saw Ning He, he had no time to think about it.
Xiao Zhi lowered his head somewhat guiltily.
Madam Ning said, "I want to ask you today why Lord Xiao wants to ruin the reputation of my Ah He. Madam Wei was in the Wei Mansion today and swore that Ah He liked you. She made the lady of my mansion so vulgar. I hope Lord Xiao can give me an explanation."
Although Madam Ning's words sounded polite, they were powerful. As the wife of a powerful official and Kang Yang's mother, Madam Ning was destined to be no ordinary female ruler.
Xiao Zhi said: "I thought Fifth Miss always looked at me because she was interested in me. I guess I misunderstood."
Ning He quietly defended herself, "I saw that his mole was a bit big and I was a little curious. I have never seen a mole this big."
This made Xiao Zhi feel a little embarrassed.
Ning Fu couldn't help but look at Xiao Zhi's mole, and then she felt that it was no wonder that Ah He was curious, and she would probably take a few more glances at it as well.
"Since it's just a misunderstanding, how could Lord Xiao make such slanderous remarks against the lady before he was sure about it?" Madam Ning said with a fake smile, "Does Lord Xiao not know the importance of the lady's reputation? Or does Lord Xiao think there is no one left in the Duke's Mansion?"
This is quite serious.
Madam Xiao was an honest person and apologized repeatedly. Xiao Zhi wanted to brush it off, but he didn't dare to offend the Duke's Mansion, so he said, "I don't know where Madam learned about this."
"It was your aunt who was at the Wei Mansion today and shouted so loudly that everyone in the mansion heard it." Madam Ning said, "Lord Xiao will handle this matter, but if Ah He's reputation is damaged, this matter will not be over."
Xiao Zhi blamed his aunt for talking too much in his heart, but he had to agree with her.
Madam Ning did not stay any longer. She came to the Xiao Mansion today just to show that Ning He behaved properly and sat upright for outsiders to see. As for this matter, whether Madam Ning came to the Xiao Mansion or not, it would only mean that Xiao Zhi behaved improperly and slandered the queen.
Xiao Zhi went to the Wei Mansion, but Xiao was unwilling to apologize. So what if she said it? It was not her who said it, and the fault could not be blamed on her anyway.
Moreover, she would not ask Ning Ran to return to the Duke's Mansion. When Ning Ran's mother, Wei, came to ask for an explanation, Xiao ignored her and instead spoke sarcastically to Ning Ran.
Wei said angrily: "My husband helped you a lot in Xiao'er's schooling in the early years. When your Wei family was short of money, I also lent you a lot of money and married my daughter to the Wei family. How is your Wei family different from ungrateful people for being like this?"
This is the case of "a little help will bring about a grudge". The Wei family had indeed contributed a lot to the Wei Mansion, but now they have become enemies just because they did not help Wei Xiao's future.
How can the Wei Mansion have the right to hate the Duke's Mansion? When has the Wei Mansion ever helped the Duke's Mansion?
Xiao smiled and said, "Since you think it's a good marriage, take her back. Our Xiao'er won't have to serve her humbly in the future. You don't have to worry about Xiao'er's future."
The relationship between the Duke's Mansion and the Wei Mansion has completely fallen out.
However, Xiao also said a lot of bad things about Ning Ran in private, saying that she was not faithful to her husband. Now that they are going to separate, she might as well throw the dirty water on herself instead of on her.
It was in such a dire situation in the Duke's Mansion that Ning Fu learned of Wei Xiao's death.
Although it was unexpected, it was not too surprising. Meng Ze would want him to die sooner or later. Originally, Ning Fu wanted him to get the imperial edict, hoping that Emperor Jingwen would stop him from mentioning anything against Meng Ze in order to seek promotion. Unexpectedly, Meng Ze still did not let him go.
I'm afraid he mentioned the incident of Meng Ze kidnapping him in front of Meng Ze again.
"He was washed away by the water on the way to find Zhang Heng. Now he can be considered a sacrifice in the flood control effort." Zong Si said.
Ning Fu wanted to save him from death because she was afraid that Meng Ze would ruin his reputation in order to kill him, which would affect the child and Ning Ran. Now that his cause of death was like this, it was not too bad.
"Since he went to find Zhang Heng, then this matter can still be blamed on Meng Ze." Ning Fu thought for a while and said, so it can be regarded as a sacrifice for flood control for the time being.
If we trace it back later, it could still be that Meng Ze sent him to find Zhang Heng and finally destroy the body.
Not long after they sat there, Ning Zheng arrived, and Ye Sheng was with him.
Zong Si looked at Ye Sheng. A long time ago, Ning Zheng had thought about introducing Ye Sheng to Ning Fu.
"Thank you, Prince, for Jiahui's matter." Ning Zheng had heard about Fu Jiahui being conferred the title of princess, and said gratefully.
Zong Si withdrew his gaze from Ye Sheng and said calmly: "Master Ning is taking Master Ye back to the mansion, but there is something wrong."
In fact, bringing someone back home is quite normal, but this question was asked somewhat deliberately.
What Zong Si was afraid of was that after he had done his best to help Ning Zheng and help him get married, he brought people back and planned to poach his girlfriend.
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