Chapter 278 Enjoying the Tea, Changing the Carriage Observantly

“Your Highness, do you want Fifth Young Lady of Lord Protector’s Manor to enter your manor?” At this time, an elegant young man was sitting in the Third Prince’s private room. He picked up the chess pieces and slowly put it down. It seemed that he asked this question nonchalantly.

“My father will choose a legal wife and two co-consorts for me this time. It should not be difficult for me to ask for another concubine.” Sitting opposite the young man, Ao Mingyu looked relaxed, as if he was talking about a mere dog or a cat. Of course, in his eyes, it was not difficult.

She was a co-wife’s daughter. Since he took a fancy to her, he was determined to marry her.

As a prince, he could have a consort, two co-consorts, and two concubines. At most, the women in his manor were only madams and maternal aunts. These positions had always been vacant. He would not sell them off if he did not derive anything from it.

The ones in the running for the co-consort’s position were Ning Qingshan and Ya Moqin.

After today’s incident, both of them had lost their credibility. Even if they were of noble lineage or rumored to be his legal wife, there would inevitably be many objections. Mother had said earlier that Father valued him very much, and would not allow such a woman to become his wife and ruin his reputation.

As for Ning Xueyan, he felt that he was being kind to her. At least, he had given her the title of a concubine. She had been officially taken into the imperial family, and her son would also be a direct descendant of the imperial family. Even if she could not help him, he felt that he had not mistreated her, because he was interested in her.

After all, no woman could become his concubine that easily.

His gaze fell on the Fifth Young Lady of the Lord Protector’s Manor, who was said to be of no significance before. Although she was childish, her eyes were cold and deep, and were filled with intelligence and indifference. Even if he was standing in front of her, he could not get her full attention.

When had a woman been able to resist his charms?

“Your Highness, you’re too impulsive. I heard that the Fourth Prince also took a fancy to her.” The young man gave a faint smirk. He moved his chess piece and swept away a piece in Ao Mingyu’s hand, blocking his move.

“She can only be Fourth Brother’s co-consort at most. It’s obvious that she has no status in the Lord Protector’s Manor. Honored Consort Shu won’t allow Fourth Brother to marry her officially. I’m also trying to help her. Otherwise, if she enters the palace and fails to join the Beauty Contest, and irritates the Honored Consort Shu, she will be doomed forever.”

Ao Mingyu took that for granted. Without looking at his blocked piece, he took the opportunity to place the chess piece in his hand to stop Xia Yuhang’s moves. His movements seemed like that of a big dragon, timely and decisively.

He meant that he had done Ning Xueyan a favor. With her status, Ning Xueyan was not good enough to become Ao Mingwan’s wife. If Ao Mingwan insisted on it, the Honored Consort Shu might have her killed. Then, the Beauty Contest would be held. For a while, she would live in the imperial palace. With her status as one of the four imperial concubines, it would not be a problem for her to kill a powerless woman in the emperor’s harem.

It was Xia Yuhang who was playing chess with him. The day before yesterday, the incident between Ning Ziyan and Xia Yudong had occurred. Everyone thought that Xia Yuhang lost his temper in his own house. Nobody would have thought that the person who was playing chess with the Third Prince, Ao Mingyu, was Childe Xia?

Of course, no one expected Childe Xia, whose official career had been blocked, because of his blemished reputation, was now the best friend of the Third Prince, Ao Mingyu. He was also the chief adviser.

“Your Highness, there might be a change if you act in haste.” Xia Yuhang said meaningfully, with a deep and serene look in his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a woman.” Ao Mingyu said with disdain, indicating that he would not abandon official business for personal reasons.

The horse pulling Ning Xueyan’s carriage was shocked and tried to rush away before it turned a corner. The driver pulled the reins desperately and managed to avoid hitting anyone. The two maids screamed in fear after a few rumbles. Everyone was shocked by this incident and looked at the carriage. They did not know who was in the carriage.

“Young Lady, what’s the matter? “The guard dismounted from the front and asked hurriedly.

“Sir, can you go to the tea shop in front and get us a bowl of hot water? Our Young Lady was so frightened that she fainted.” Xinmei pulled the curtain aside, poked her head out, and said anxiously.

There was indeed a tea house in front of them, but it was quite a distance away. One could see it from afar, but it was still a long way to go. But when the guard heard that Fifth Young Lady was unconscious, he had no choice, but to go to the tea house and ask for a bowl of hot water.

As soon as he left, Qingyu and Xinmei lifted the curtain and supported Ning Xueyan, who seemed about to faint, to the front of the first car.

“Third Young Lady, our Young Lady is afraid. Can we stay in your carriage?” Qingyu stepped forward and asked.

“Okay, let your young lady get in the carriage. Be careful and don’t bump against her.” How could Ning Qingshan not know what had happened? Knowing that the people in Ning Xueyan’s carriage were frightened, she was taking pleasure in her calamity. When she heard what Qingyu said, outside the carriage, she quickly restrained her joy and said softly.

There were so many people outside the carriage. Even if she did not want to, and she could not say it. Ning Xueyan had guessed this point.

Qingyu and Xinmei helped her get on the carriage and she leaned against the seat. The carriage was not big. For Ning Qingshan and her maid, it was spacious. But now, there were three of them. Ning Xueyan slumped against the seat and occupied more than one seat, so the carriage looked crowded.

Ning Xueyan coughed twice in a low voice. It seemed that she was not in a good condition. Her face had always been too pale. She looked very weak and seemed to be about to faint. “Qingyu, Third Sister’s carriage is too crowded. We… we’d better go back.”

When she said that, even though she was about to climb into the carriage, it seemed that she was going to get off. How could Ning Qingshan let her get off? She had just entered the carriage and clearly said that she came over because she was afraid. How could she get off again in such a short time? Others would only think that she could not tolerate her sister.

“Fifth Sister, don’t go. Just come with me. Let the two maids go to the carriage at the back.” She made the necessary arrangements.

If there were two fewer people in this carriage, of course, it would be much more spacious.

“Third Young Lady, don’t drive us away. If we leave, who will take care of her? Please don’t drive us away.” Qingyu had just climbed into the carriage, suddenly knelt on the front seat next to the driver, and pleaded loudly. Xinmei, who was beside her, also knelt directly.

“Hey, wasn’t this elder sister feeling well just now? Why is she getting rid of her younger sister’s maids in such a short time?”

“Could it be that she did it on purpose? Her younger sister is seriously ill, but she does not want to let anyone take care of her. What does she want to do?”

“Isn’t she a femme fatale who is superficially generous, but makes stealthily attacks?”

“Which manor are they from? Look at how fierce this elder sister is. She’s really…” The horse became frightened, which had attracted everyone’s attention. Now, they saw what was happening. So, there were indeed various contentions. In the carriage, Ning Qingshan felt regret and was angry.

“You, get off and go to Fifth Young Lady’s carriage.” She gritted her teeth and pointed at Caifen.

Although no one knew that she was the one in the carriage now, it would probably be known by tomorrow.

“Yes, Young Lady. Be careful.” Caifen glared at Qingyu angrily and raised her head as if she was trying to provoke her. However, she still got out of the carriage helplessly. The situation forced them to accept reality. In this case, she was the only one who had to get out of the vehicle. She rushed over angrily, lifted the curtain, and sat inside.

“Thank you, Third Sister.” Holding Qingyu’s hand, Ning Xueyan tried her best to sit up and thanked Ning Qingshan. At this time, Xinmei squeezed herself in.

“We are sisters, you don’t have to be so polite.” Ning Qingshan suppressed her anger, and pretended to be her gentle and generous self.

At this time, the guard brought a bowl of water and handed it through the door of the second car. He said respectfully, “Young Lady, please have some water.”

Caifen was sulking inside. She took it and said snarled out her thanks, “Thank you, Sir!”

She poured the water from tea bowl into her mouth and did not give it to the vicious woman. She pushed the maid away from the Young Lady. Although she believed that she would not do anything to the Young Lady, she felt it would be very humiliating to separate her from the Young Lady.

The guard saw nothing unusual and rearranged the seating arrangements. The three carriages continued on their journey, toward the secluded path at the junction.

This time, not far away, the lights on the side gradually went off. Suddenly, there was a noise from the outside. The driver suddenly pulled the reins and stopped. The guard rushed up with his horse. But before he could ask check into the matter, a fight had started. Ning Qingshan and Ning Xueyan pulled the curtains aside and looked outside.

Several figures rushed toward the carriage, holding sharp swords in their hands, but could not get near it because the guard was standing near the first carriage. They did not succeed and rushed to the two carriages behind them. With a flash of swords, the two coachmen behind were injured, and then they toppled off the carriages immediately.

In the morning, two masked men whipped the horse hard, and the horse carriage seemed about to go off the side road. However, the side road was merely a lane. The horse could not turn around, but instead stumbled and stopped. In the last carriage, Ning Lingyun suddenly rushed out in a disheveled state. She screamed in horror, while running toward the first horse carriage.

“Young… Young Lady.” In the second carriage, Caifen also dashed out in panic and rushed to Ning Qingshan.

When the masked men saw the two of them coming over, they grabbed them and dragged them back. Their shrill screams could be heard even at a distance.

Ning Xueyan held Xinmei’s hand tightly, trying hard to suppress the cold fear in her heart. If she had been in the two carriages behind, she would almost certainly have been captured by the masked man and lose her reputation. She did not know what she had done to provoke Ao Mingyu, who wanted to ruin her like this.

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