Chapter 6: Duke's Residence's Miss 1
“Miss, just now your servant heard from Qiu’er, a maid from the main house, that Old Madam plans to finalize your marriage with the Young Master before the New Year.”
It was early March, and for a prominent family to hold a wedding, at least six months of preparation were needed, so a wedding before the New Year would be just right.
Ning Yan lightly chastised Cui'er when she heard her words, “Don’t talk nonsense. It’s an unfounded rumor. If others hear it, they’ll think your Miss is desperate to marry.”
The Original Host, the legitimate daughter of the Pingnan General, was originally doted on and raised by her parents. Three years ago, Ning General died in battle, and her mother, upon hearing the news, passed away from shock.
Pingnan General had only one wife, and his wife bore only the Original Host, a daughter.
The Twelve-year-old Original Host became an orphan and was taken in by her maternal grandparents, which was Duke Dingguo's Mansion.
Dingguo Duke's Young Master, Song Rui, was fifteen three years ago and fell in love at first sight with the Original Host, who was beautiful enough to overthrow cities. He pestered his grandmother to betroth his cousin to him.
Unfortunately, the Original Host had a short life and died in Duke Dingguo's Mansion's pond before the two could marry.
Changning Commandery Princess of Prince Jin's Residence took a liking to Song Rui. Upon learning that he already had a fiancée, she bribed the servants of Duke Dingguo's Mansion to harm the Original Host, pushing her into the pond.
By the time she was pulled out, she had long since stopped breathing.
Ning Yan transmigrated at that time.
Song Rui feared that their marriage might encounter further complications, so he requested his grandmother to expedite their wedding.
It seemed his maternal grandmother had agreed.
Frankly, Song Rui had no flaws. He was handsome, scholarly, held a position in the Ministry of Personnel at a young age, and was also a companion reader to the Crown Prince. As long as the Crown Prince could ascend the throne smoothly, Duke's Residence would certainly flourish for another thirty years.
However, he had a birth mother who disliked the Original Host.
How could the dignified Young Master of Duke's Residence marry a mere orphan girl?
This was the reason the Duke's wife looked down on the Original Host.
In Ning Yan's opinion, if the Duke's wife hadn't been involved, she wouldn't believe for a second that Changning Commandery Princess could have succeeded so easily!
Ning Yan was not the soft-hearted Original Host. If the Duke's wife and Changning Commandery Princess conspired against her, then neither of them would have an easy time. As for Song Rui, he could marry whomever he pleased; she would not marry him.
The next day, Ning Yan left the Duke's Residence with a few maids.
When the Original Host sought refuge in the Duke's Residence, she brought all the property from General Cheng's Residence. Aside from some commemorative items, the Original Host, with the help of the old butler, converted everything else into bank notes.
Ning Yan was now a small rich woman.
With nothing to do in the residence, she took Cui'er and went to the street. She found a middleman and bought a three-courtyard residence in the noble district of the West City.
She then selected some servants to clean the entire residence, and thus, she had her own home in Kyoto.
The next day, Ning Yan received an invitation from Changning Commandery Princess. Her family had a villa in the Capital Suburbs, where peach blossoms were in full bloom, and she was hosting a flower appreciation banquet.
Ning Yan knew what she was up to, so she dressed up nicely and arrived on time.
Though it was called a flower appreciation banquet, Changning Commandery Princess also invited many young talents. Those who found each other appealing would pair up.
Ning Yan had a pair of beautiful, expressive, watery eyes, a graceful figure, a slender waist that could be encircled with one hand, and a full bosom. A subtle fragrance lingered wherever she walked, making it difficult for her not to be noticed.
Even with a veil covering most of her face below the nose, she still attracted many gazes.
This scene greatly displeased Changning Commandery Princess, who wished she could disfigure Ning Yan's incomparably beautiful face on the spot.
Fortunately, she still had her wits about her. Thinking of her arrangements, she smiled triumphantly.
Because of Ning Yan’s arrival, several young ladies felt some dissatisfaction towards Changning Commandery Princess. They weren't jealous of Ning Yan’s appearance, but everyone in Kyoto knew that Ning Yan had a fiancé. The invitations they received stated that it was for noble ladies to appreciate flowers together, yet she also invited outside men. And if inviting outside men wasn't enough, she didn't even invite the Duke of Ning's Young Master, which was a bit unconventional.
The Great Yan Dynasty was relatively open-minded. It was acceptable for young men and women to gather for poetry gatherings, outings, and flower appreciation. However, with Changning Commandery Princess acting this way, it felt like today's flower appreciation banquet wouldn't be peaceful.
After greeting the Commandery Princess, maids led them to the peach blossom garden.
These young ladies from prominent families were lively when gathered, always chattering and finding topics to discuss.
Soon after, Changning Commandery Princess also arrived. Everyone bowed in unison, but as they rose, the legitimate daughter of Censor Shi, who was beside her, seemed to lose her balance and, with a casual swipe, pulled off Ning Yan's veil.
Ning Yan: ...
“I’m sorry, Miss Ning, I didn’t mean to. Please forgive me. How about I put it back on for you?”
Over a dozen young ladies and twenty to thirty servants all looked at Ning Yan’s face in unison, asking, what was with that large black mark on her face?
It was the size of a palm, covering half her face, even staining her lips a bit. Truly, it was uniquely ugly!
No wonder she had to cover her face with a veil. She really should cover it; it wouldn't be good to scare people.
Ning Yan understood from the expressions of the crowd. The mark on her face was something she had intentionally created. In just one day, Changning Commandery Princess had received the news and orchestrated this whole scene just to make her look foolish in public.
After all, everyone knew that Miss Shi was Changning Commandery Princess's shadow. It was obvious that Changning Commandery Princess had instigated this.
She thought this would make her uncomfortable. How childish!
“Forget it, it’s already off, just leave it.”
At the back gate of the villa.
A well-dressed maid quietly instructed the black-clad person in front of her: “The most beautiful one in the garden is the target. The remaining payment will be delivered immediately after the deed is done.”
The black-clad person nodded, then with a light tip of his toes, he flew into the courtyard.
Royalty produces beauties; after all, they have been refined through generations. Prince Jin was known for his beauty when he was young, and the Princess he married was also dignified and elegant. It was understandable that Changning Commandery Princess was also beautiful, but she was overshadowed by Ning Yan, that enchantress.
At this moment, she felt a hidden sense of pleasure, even thinking that it would be wonderful if the black mark on Ning Yan's face could remain forever.
Then she remembered that she could deal with her today, and her heart secretly rejoiced even more.
Just then, a dark figure burst into the woods. The person was masked, and after circling among the noble ladies, he directly targeted Changning Commandery Princess. The next second, he abducted Changning and flew away, stepping on peach branches.
The terrified maidservants only reacted then, but the Commandery Princess was nowhere to be seen!
“Help, the Commandery Princess has been kidnapped! Quick, someone help!”
The entire villa immediately fell into chaos. Ning Yan was supported by two maidservants, all three of them pale with fright. The commotion here was heard by the male guests' side. The two sides weren't far apart, and two young masters from military families quickly gave chase.
With such a major incident at the villa, the flower appreciation banquet naturally dispersed. The news of Changning Commandery Princess's abduction quickly spread.