The Devious First-Daughter

“Yes, Elder Sister Feng, I will not dare to do that anymore.”

“It’s good that you remember. Don’t forget how that person died last time… Don’t you know what the Young Master’s temper is like?” The sharp voice softened a little.

Then an echoing sound was heard. The sound of the footsteps gradually faded away, until they could not be heard anymore.

Heng Yuqing took a deep breath and looked at the peach blossoms. She could not see clearly from where she was. It was not far away, but she could only hear the sound of voices, but could not see the person. “This maid sounds fierce. How could Childe Yueming hire such a fierce maid?”

Feng Lian?

Ning Xueyan touched a peach branch gently. The rough bark pricked her hand, and the corners of her mouth quivered slightly. Brother Hua’s first maids were Feng, Hua, Xue and Yue. And the person who shouted just now should be Feng Lian.

She did not see anyone else, except Feng Lian. She had heard Feng Lian talking about the others by chance. At that time, she even asked about them deliberately. But from Feng Lian’s embarrassed look, she could tell that she had made a slip of the tongue. So, she did not continue to ask. She thought that Hua Yunheng had done something too embarrassing to mention.

In her memory, Feng Lian was a gentle maid. She had never heard her speaking in such a harsh manner before. She did not expect her to lecture others in such an imposing way.

She had not heard from him since Hua Yunheng left Ning’s Mansion. Ning Xueyan was angry because she always treated him as her brother, but he left without saying goodbye. But now, she thought that there must be something complicated going on.

Ning Ziying was the former emperor’s daughter. Her adoptive parents knew that. For this reason, they grounded her deliberately. She had never been allowed to go outside. Instead, she stayed at home most of the time. But what about Brother Hua? How could prudent people like her parents raise an irrelevant person in her mansion for two years?

It made Ning Xueyan think too much. She was even sure that Brother Hua was aware of her identity. But if so, why did they keep him in her family for two years? What was in the minds of her adoptive parents? What was going on in the Hua’s Mansion, the old and well-known family in the Regions South of the Yangtze River?

“Brother Hua has been talented since he was a child. At that time, he should have been famous as well. Why did he live in the Ning Manor quietly?” Ning Xueyan had a feeling that this matter had something to do with her. A thousand, confused thoughts ended in her death. But she still had a lot of doubts.

She could do nothing about the change of the dynasty, but she would find out what had happened. It was not only related to her family background, but also her birth mother. Whether she had escaped or not at that time, where was she now? She had to find her.

“Look, it’s over there.” Heng Yuqing was not aware that there was something strange about Ning Xueyan. She suddenly pointed to the front and said to Ning Xueyan with a smile. After passing by a few peach trees, she suddenly became excited. The island in the middle of the river was close to this side, and they could reach it in a few steps. In the shallow river, there were a few stones. If they jumped over them, they could reach the opposite shore. There was no need to get a boat at all.

Clear and rippling rivers and mountains, protruding smooth pebbles, and falling peach petals reflected the flourishing peach trees.

“We can just go over like that?” Ning Xueyan left her worries behind, and looked with surprise at the smooth stones in front of her. She looked down and found that the water was knee-deep.

“Don’t be afraid. The stone is big enough. You can jump up and walk on it, one at a time.” Heng Yuqing took a look and said this indifferently. She looked around and found that there was no one else. So, she lifted up her skirt, dragged Ning Xueyan with one hand, and went forward.

“Let go of my hand, I’ll go by myself.” Looking at her action, Ning Xueyan felt afraid. She hurriedly pulled her hand away. It was not stable for a person to walk on the stones alone. If they were dragging each other, wouldn’t they fall into the river together?

There were not many stepping stones. Heng Yuqing went forward nimbly, jumped on the rocks after lifting her skirt, and arrived at the opposite shore in a few steps. Then, she looked back and said to Ning Xueyan, “Don’t be afraid. Come over quickly. It’s not smooth on the top. Since we’re already here, we should visit this place. This is the most beautiful place in the Peach Blossom Island. Otherwise, the name of the courtyard would not be this.”

Looking at the peach blossoms on the opposite side and the stones on this side, Ning Xueyan was quite hesitant. She had never done such a thing. Heng Yuqing was so agile and able that she did not look like a novice at all. Looking around, she saw no one. It seemed that the two maids were still some way behind.

Ning Xueyan calmed down and tried to overcome the fear in her heart. She followed Heng Yuqing’s example, picked up a corner of her long dress, and stepped carefully on the stones in front. Maybe she was too nervous, so she swayed and almost fell. Her heart nearly jumped out of her throat. She tried hard to maintain her balance and her forehead was covered with sweat.

“Quickly, come over, I’ll pull you.” Heng Yuqing jumped neatly onto the stone and reached out her hand to pull her to the opposite side. After standing still, she still felt dizzy and her legs were wobbly, as if she had not stepped on the ground yet.

“Ha, ha, ha!” A pleasant voice rang in their ears. They looked in the direction of the sound and saw a handsome man standing under a blossoming peach tree. He had an enchanting smile on his handsome face. His face, which was more beautiful than a woman’s, revealed a somewhat mischievous look.

A pair of amorous eyes shining with affection and enchanting lips made one’s face blush, and one’s heart beat faster.

With fallen flowers scattering and drifting around him, the indescribably beautiful and striking man was as handsome as a painting. Ning Xueyan, however, was stunned. She dropped the hem of her skirt and frowned slightly. What a coincidence!

She shook the stupefied Heng Yuqing and awakened her wandering soul. It seemed that the dissolute Princely Heir of Commandery, Prince Min’s charm was not to be underestimated. It had only been a while, but Heng Yuqing, who was usually efficient and able, was already blushing. She put down the hem of her skirt, seemed to be at a loss, and specially smoothed it, looking like a shy little girl.

“Princely Heir, why are you here?” Looking at Wen Xueran striding over, Ning Xueyan asked impatiently. It was rare for her to be in a good mood today, but she did not expect to meet this person. It was not because Wen Xueran had done something terrible, but because of his appearance, Heng Yuqing lost her composure, which made her quite uncomfortable.

The dissolute Princely Heir was a wet blanket. However, she could not say such words at this time. After all, this was not the backyard of the Lord Protector’s Manor. They could not protest when Wen Xueran showed up here, as this was not their place. However, it was unbecoming for the two Young Ladies to show up at someone else’s house to enjoy the flowers, without a master to accompany them.

“I heard that the peach blossoms here are beautiful, so I deliberately told Childe Yueming and came over to see them. I did not expect that I would meet two beautiful girls here. What a coincidence!” Wen Xueran raised his eyebrows as if he was a little surprised. But his amorous eyes showed that he did not seem at all surprised.

Ning Xueyan even heard a hint of mockery in his words. It seemed as if they had come over to wait for him on purpose. He regarded himself as a sweet pastry. He thought that any Young Lady would be infatuated with him, and had deliberately come over to wait for him.

“Can you stop being so narcissistic?”

“Yes. What a coincidence! If you had not spoken, we would have thought that a fairy had fallen into the mortal world!” Ning Xueyan did not show any weakness. Her long eyelashes fluttered and there was a trace of anger in her eyes. It was a hassle to meet the Princely Heir of Commandery Prince Min. However, he was not aware that he was troublesome at all.

Did this mean that he looked like a girl? A fairy? This kind of praise for a woman was most complimentary, but for him, it was abuse! He had long known that the Fifth Young Lady, who looked so slender and delicate, was not what she looked like. It seemed that since the first time he met her, she had avoided him as if he was a snake or a scorpion.

Women had always looked at him with admiration. However, there was no obsession or shyness, only vigilance in her eyes. Yes, it was vigilance! How could he cause a woman to be so vigilant?

“Since we are destined to meet, let’s admire the beauty of the flowers together!” Wen Xueran said with a relaxed smile. He kept fanning himself, showing his good mood. Compared with Ning Xueyan’s depression, he was truly in a good mood.

How could he be as bold as brass, ignoring her sarcasm? Ning Xueyan was speechless. It was rare for her to be in such a good mood today. She could enjoy the flowers, walk around, and relax. She did not expect that she would meet Wen Xueran, who was intent on sticking to her like a piece of plaster. She was now in a bad mood.

“Okay, let’s go together. It’s rare for Princely Heir to have a walk with us together. We have some peach blossom wine. Let’s have a drink together later?” Before Ning Xueyan could say anything, Heng Yuqing said this shyly, as if it was coincidental. Ning Xueyan did not know what to say.

“Thank you, Miss Heng. What a coincidence! Just now, I asked my young male servant to order some dishes, including a crucian carp. Peach blossom, flowing water, and fat crucian carps. This is the time to invite two beautiful ladies to enjoy the feast.” Wen Xueran said, with a smile on his handsome face, and his bright eyes became more and more charming.

“We can have crucian carp. That’s great. We can enjoy the flowers, the scenery, good wine, and delicious food. Xueyan, we’re in luck today.” Hearing that there was delicious food, Heng Yuqing lost her initial suspicion of the handsome man. She swallowed hard and pulled excitedly at Ning Xueyan’s sleeve.

It seemed that she had consented on Ning Xueyan’s behalf, without her permission. What else could Ning Xueyan say now?

Since Heng Yuqing had acted so obviously, how could she refuse her?