Chapter 328 Scheming, a Show by the County Princess Yuanyun

Even if she stood there and did not leave, the two people were already headed straight for her.

Walking in front of her was the slender and graceful County Princess Yuanyun, who had been sitting beside Commandery Princess Mingya. Although she seldom spoke, she gazed at Ning Xueyan frequently. Although she had a curious look when she stared at Ning Xueyan, her slightly raised lips and mocking expression showed her disgust and disdain toward Ning Xueyan.

The reason why County Princess Yuanyun disliked Ning Xueyan so much was because Ning Xueyan was Prince Yi’s favorite concubine. The news had secretly spread from the palace that she would be one of the two co-consorts of Prince Yi. Speaking of Prince Yi, County Princess Yuanyun used to be “scared.”

That was what most people thought. Hearing that she was going to marry the bloodthirsty demon king, she paled on the spot. The Great Elder Princess, who came to deliver the news, told her not to be afraid. Men like Prince Yi would be so fierce to outsiders, but treated his women kindly.

It was said that now he had a concubine whom he doted on solely. He even killed the beauty sent from the palace for her. If such a woman could win his heart, there was nothing she could not do.

Then she talked about Ao Chenyi’s appearance. Compared with the Princely Heir of Commandery Prince Min, Ao Chenyi was no less good looking. In terms of facial features, they were about the same. Wen Xueran was a startling gender-neutral beauty, while Ao Chenyi was a masculine beauty.

The reason why few people liked him was that his presence was so incredible. His momentum suppressed people even before they could even see his face. How would they dare to raise their eyes to judge whether he was handsome or not?

After hearing the Great Elder Princess’s words, County Princess Yuanyun spent a whole night thinking carefully. She immediately changed from sorrow to joy. Although she was a co-consort, she felt she was as pretty as Commandery Princess Xianyun. With her talent and delicacy, she might be the only one who would be favored. Thus, she prepared her dowry happily.

It was said that not only Prince Yi, but his favorite concubine would also be attending the banquet. The County Princess Yuanyun immediately agreed after receiving the invitation card. This mysterious favorite concubine had nothing to do with her, before but now it mattered to her. Especially when she saw this enchanting favorite concubine daring to speak without showing any respect, she immediately came to pick on her.

She was a plaything and dared to be so presumptuous. So, she must let her know who the master at Prince Yi’s Manor was.

At this time, when she turned around and saw Ning Xueyan standing at the side, her face suddenly turned cold.

“How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation with the County Princess?” The maid behind her saw her face and immediately stepped forward. She raised her hand and swiped at Ning Xueyan’s face, cursing fiercely.

She wanted to deal her a head-on blow at their first encounter.

Ning Xueyan took two steps back to avoid the maid’s hand and said coldly, “County Princess, does this road belong to your family? If you take it, why can’t I?”

“How dare you talk to the County Princess like this? Kneel!” The maid did not manage to slap Ning Xueyan. Seeing that Ning Xueyan dared to talk back and her master’s face turning pale, she immediately came over and tried to force Ning Xueyan to kneel.

“A maid dares to speak on behalf of her master. I don’t know whether you treat your master as your master or not.” Ning Xueyan sneered and stepped back a few steps, with a smile on her face.

Since she was here to cause trouble, Ning Xueyan was not afraid of trouble.

The maid was about to drag Ning Xueyan to force her to kneel. After listening to what she said, she dared not make a decision on her own. She turned around and said timidly, “County Princess.”

She knew her own family business. The County Princess looked delicate and was a well-known, talented woman. But if someone offended her, she would definitely deal with him or her severely. Therefore, she dared not make her own decision this time.

“Are you the plaything from Prince Yi’s Manor?” The County Princess sized Ning Xueyan up arrogantly, and sneered.

She deliberately said “a plaything” to make Ning Xueyan aware of her status.

“You’re right, County Princess. But even if I’m a plaything, it’s much better than being an unfavored woman.” Ning Xueyan smiled and stared at the County Princess from head to toe.

The County Princess Yuanyun was furious that a “plaything” dared to laugh at her. She always thought highly of herself, so she felt humiliated to be mocked by an unimportant “plaything”. Fortunately, she was rational and knew that Ning Xueyan was Ao Chenyi’s favorite concubine.

“I believe that Prince Yi will be willing to exchange an annoying ‘plaything’ for four fresh ones. Sister Mingya kept those four beautiful ladies. Prince Yi said that they would be swapped in a while.” The County Princess Yuanyun had seen Ning Xueyan’s trembling face before. She knew how this woman’s heart was tied in a knot, so she sneered mercilessly.

She did not believe that this despicable woman would not be afraid of being exchanged. If so, no one would protect her. Until then, she could do whatever she wanted.

“Impossible. It’s impossible. Prince Yi won’t exchange me for them.” Ning Xueyan became nervous. Even though she was covered with a veil, one could see her trembling slightly. Her voice unconsciously became high-pitched and excited.

“Impossible? Do you want to ask him now? When I came out, the Prince was talking about this with Sister Mingya.” Seeing Ning Xueyan like this, the County Princess Yuanyun squinted at her and shook the handkerchief in her hand as if Ning Xueyan had something dirty on her body. She sneered and said, “From now on, you will be in Sister Mingya’s hands. A woman like you who likes to seduce a man, it is better that we send you to that dirty place.”

“You’re talking nonsense… you’re talking nonsense.” Ning Xueyan seemed to be greatly agitated. She was so flustered that her hands trembled slightly. She took two steps forward and watched the County Princess Yuanyun intently, as if she wanted to force her to eat her words.

“What are you doing? Stop.” The maid came over and tried to pull Ning Xueyan away. A sharp hairpin in her hand dropped into Ning Xueyan’s hand. Ning Xueyan was so worked up that she did not notice it. She held the hairpin tightly and looked agitated.

“Am I wrong? You’re going to be sent to that dirty place soon. Prince Yi won’t want you because you’re just a plaything. Someone will take you away. Keep away from me. Don’t contaminate me.” Seeing Ning Xueyan’s emotions getting so worked up, the County Princess Yuanyun lowered her voice and spoke even more sinisterly.

She stood at the back, just round the corner of the road. From a distance, she saw a few people coming over. It seemed that the Third Prince had brought Prince Yi to the garden to have a look. How could she let this good opportunity go? Since she saw Ning Xueyan in Ao Chenyi’s arms, she was both jealous and angry.

Although he looked impassive, Ao Chenyi seemed to treat Ning Xueyan differently. He looked at her gently, so she wanted to get rid of Ning Xueyan. Anyway, she couldn’t keep this coquette. She was a co-consort. If she was not favored, she would live a miserable life in the Manor, for the rest of her life.

The first time she looked directly at Prince Yi, who was as handsome as what Great Elder Princess said, she had already fallen in love with him. She could not think about the position of the legal wife. Thus, she wanted to be doted on by Prince Yi alone. With her appearance and talent, she could quickly win Prince Yi’s favor.

When Princess Mingya proposed to exchange Ning Xueyan, she clearly heard Prince Yi’s refusal.

Therefore, she was more than eager to get rid of Ning Xueyan. Seeing the people behind her approaching, Ning Xueyan rushed in front of her. Suddenly, she slipped and pushed the hairpin in Ning Xueyan’s hand.

The maid had intentionally left the hairpin in Ning Xueyan’s left hand, which was against her right chest.

She screamed as she brushed against the hairpin in Ning Xueyan’s hand. Her maid cooperated as well and shouted, “How dare you hurt the County Princess? Help! Come and save our County Princess! Someone is trying to hurt our County Princess.”

A few people who were not far away heard the cries and rushed over.

In a flash, Ning Xueyan’s hand fell. She threw the hairpin in her hand away to avoid scratching the County Princess Yuanyun’s chest. However, she was hit and staggered back two steps and fell heavily on the stand beside her. Then, the flower stand dropped on her, layer after layer. Ning Xueyan could not avoid it and curled her body in a ball. She only had time to protect her head and was directly buried under the shed.

The crowd came over in the blink of an eye. The one with the gloomy face was Ao Chenyi. “What’s going on? Who’s trying to assassinate the County Princess?” As the master, Ao Mingyu, the Third Prince, hurried over and asked.

“I… I…” The County Princess Yuanyun was stunned. She managed to avoid the attack in time, so she was uninjured, but her hair was a little messy. The current situation was beyond her control, which made her speechless for a moment. How could she frame that bitch?

The maid was even more frightened. She pointed at a bundle of clothes lying under the flower stand, unable to speak.

“Where is my favorite concubine?” Ao Chenyi’s face turned cold, and his cold eyes fell directly on the maid. Even the County Princess Yuanyun could not stand his anger, let alone the maid.

“Bump!” The maid knelt and pointed at the bundle of clothes at the corner, trembling. “It’s… it’s inside.”

“Hurry up and remove the flower stand.” Looking at Ao Chenyi’s pale face, Ao Mingyu immediately gave the order to his servants. On the flower stand, there were only a few wooden racks and mats, made of reeds and straw. When he pulled away the mats, he saw Ning Xueyan sitting on the ground in a daze.

“My beloved concubine, what’s wrong?” Ao Chenyi got up and picked Ning Xueyan who seemed to be totally dazed up. Any weak girl in the Boudoir would behave like this, in such a situation.

Ning Xueyan seemed to be scared. As Ao Chenyi held her in his arms, she swayed slightly and then fainted.

“Take her away and investigate into this matter!” Ao Chenyi pointed at the maid kneeling on the ground, with a trace of bloodlust in his eyes.

Hearing that she was about to be taken away, the maid said anxiously, “Please spare my life, Your Highness!”

If she was put into the prison of the Imperial Guards, she would die. The maid kowtowed to Ao Chenyi. Her head hit the ground heavily, and immediately there was blood on her forehead.