Ning Yuwang's moon-like eyes were as bright as ice, sending a chill to the very bottom of one's heart.
Yet, she was extremely beautiful. Her slender, arching eyebrows added to her aloof and haughty air, making her seem flawless.
At a glance, there was a clear distinction between her and others, highlighting the vast gap.
Liu Ruyi couldn't help but think of Yuan Qingrong, who had been so angry that she left. Yuan was also a great beauty, but unfortunately, she was a bit stupid. With just a few provocations from Liu, she had run away from home.
She was completely different from Ning Yuwang in front of her.
"Is this the eldest miss?"
Liu Ruyi was very shrewd. She quietly tugged at Ning Yuqin, who looked unhappy and was about to argue, and said, "She is truly as beautiful as a flower that shames the moon and has peerless grace."
Ning Yuwang showed no emotion at her flattery. She just stared at her calmly, waiting for her to continue.
Liu Ruyi felt embarrassed. She first pretended to look wronged at Ning Fengnian, but saw that since Ning Yuwang's return, the latter's eyes had only been on her.
He didn't care at all that she and Yuqin were losing face. Liu felt bitter and resentful in her heart.
She rolled her eyes and slightly raised her voice, as if trying to catch Ning Fengnian's attention. In fact, because of this, Ning Fengnian did look at her a few more times.
"It's okay if the eldest miss doesn't like me, but Yuqin is the eldest miss's younger sister after all. You shouldn't be so intolerant of her."
After saying that, she seemed to be worried that she had said something wrong and suddenly covered her mouth, as if she was extremely afraid that Ning Yuwang would take revenge on her because of this.
Ning Yuwang smiled playfully. "Younger sister?"
She didn't say anything else, just repeated the words "younger sister" over and over again. Her misty eyes were full of insight.
Liu Ruyi was startled by her. She even forgot all the words that had been swirling in her mind. For a moment, she stood there stunned and didn't say a word.
But Ning Yuqin couldn't bear it anymore. "Father has already admitted that elder sister and I are biological sisters. For the peace and prosperity of the family, elder sister might as well help persuade father to let my mother enter the mansion."
The word "elevate" was used ingeniously.
Normally, the word "take in" was used for concubines, while "elevate" was only used when a concubine was "elevated to a secondary wife".
She really had a clever mind and used the right words!
Ning Yuwang pressed her tongue against her teeth. "You're about to get married. You'll move out of the mansion then. Father doesn't want Liu to enter the mansion. The Yongning Marquis Mansion will still be a harmonious and peaceful family."
"I don't agree to marry someone of a lower status!" Ning Yuqin covered her ears and didn't want to listen. "That was Yuan's decision. Now that I have my own mother, how can she decide my marriage for me!"
"Ning Yuqin!" Ning Yuwang's eyes were cold and fierce. "The Yuan you mentioned is also my mother. She is the mistress of the Yongning Marquis Mansion."
Then she coldly glanced at Liu Ruyi. "Even if father is confused and takes in Liu Ruyi as a concubine, at most there will be one more humble servant in the mansion. Your marriage is not up to her to decide."
If Liu Ruyi really entered the Yongning Marquis Mansion, she would only be a concubine. Concubines were no different from servants.
Even Ning Yuqin would change from a legitimate daughter to a concubine's daughter.
No matter how big or small the matter was, it should be arranged by the mistress.
How dare she think she could decide things on her own.
Although Ning Yuwang had mocked her as well, Ning Fengnian wasn't angry. Instead, he felt guilty towards his precious daughter and covered his face, unable to speak.
Liu Ruyi naturally understood the meaning behind Ning Yuwang's words.
Originally, she had planned to enter the Yongning Marquis Mansion first, gain a foothold, and then take the opportunity to sow discord between Ning Fengnian and Yuan Qingrong. Finally, she would succeed in rising to a higher position.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Qingrong was so angry that she left the mansion, and her progress suddenly accelerated.
Even more unexpectedly, Ning Yuwang had stepped in. Not only did she mock her, but she also blocked her path to a higher position.
"But isn't Yuan going to divorce father?"
Ning Yuqin rolled her eyes and finally got to the point.
"If she divorces father, my mother will naturally be able to decide my marriage."
"Shut up! I don't agree!"
The one who said this was Ning Fengnian. He glared angrily at Ning Yuqin, and even gave Liu Ruyi a bad look. "I've said that no matter what, I won't let you enter the mansion."
"My lord."
Liu Ruyi lowered her eyes, looking so pitiful that one couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "I don't ask for a status. I just want to accompany Yuqin. Is my lord really so heartless?"
"It's just a small wish. If father doesn't agree, it's really unreasonable."
Surprisingly, Ning Yuwang actually helped her speak.
Especially after she had just been mocking them, and then suddenly changed her tone.
Liu Ruyi was half shocked and vigilant, and half secretly happy. Could it be that she had really been deceived by her acting?
After all, she was Yuan Qingrong's daughter. Although she seemed cold on the surface, in fact, she was the softest-hearted.
Ning Fengnian obviously didn't expect Ning Yuwang to help Liu Ruyi speak either. "Wanwan?"
Ning Fengshen reacted quickly. He patted Ning Fengnian's shoulder and laughed. "Cousin, it's still Wanwan who is sensible and considerate. She knows you're in a difficult situation, so she simply agreed for you."
Then he turned back and hinted at Liu Ruyi. "Ruyi, why don't you quickly thank the eldest miss!"
Liu Ruyi bowed excitedly. "Thank you, eldest miss!"
Ning Yuwang raised her finger faintly. "Thank me for what? It's just one more servant in the family."
She had always called concubines servants, and Liu Ruyi didn't object for a moment.
"Since you don't care about your status, you can stay and be Yuqin's personal maid."
Her delicate finger gently twirled the long hair by her ear. As she moved, the golden hairpin on her head sparkled, making her look even more charming. But the words from her mouth were really cold.
"Ning Yuwang, you actually want my mother to be a servant!"
Ning Yuqin pointed at her and shouted. "Why?"
"Slap!"
The hand she had arrogantly stretched out was suddenly slapped down. It was Lianzi, who had come with Ning Yuwang.
She had been silent all this time because she knew that the young mistress was smart enough to deal with these few insignificant people.
But Ning Yuqin's repeated disrespectful shouts made her unhappy.
"Presumptuous! If you dare to offend the young mistress again, I'll chop off your two claws!"
As soon as Lianzi spoke, Liu Ruyi remembered that this beautiful woman in front of her was not only the eldest legitimate daughter of the Yongning Marquis Mansion, but also the young mistress of the cold-blooded young master Yan Zhao, who had married her in a proper ceremony.
Ning Yuwang smiled lightly. "Just because you have a humble status, and just because I have a noble status!"
Ning Yuqin cared most about her status, so Ning Yuwang used her status to suppress her.
"A maid who climbs into the master's bed. Giving her a status is a favor. Not giving it is also reasonable." She suddenly stood up and walked towards Liu Ruyi step by step. The latter was so frightened by her actions that she couldn't stand steadily and took a step back.
She lifted Liu Ruyi's chin with her slender finger, making her not dare to move. Then she sneered. "Stay or leave. You choose for yourself!"
Liu Ruyi nodded with difficulty, but Ning Yuwang's slender finger didn't move at all. She felt that she was completely under her control.
Not only now, but even in the future.
She had no choice. She had said with her own mouth that she didn't care about her status. If she asked to be a concubine again.
Ning Fengnian didn't agree in the first place, and it would only consume his sense of guilt.
"As long as I can be with Yuqin, I'm willing to stay."
Ning Yuwang let go of her. Her sarcasm turned cold. "Since you're willing to stay as a servant, follow the rules."
She took a sip of tea. "You used to be a maid, so you should know how to address yourself and how to address the young ladies of the master's family. I'll forgive you this time. If there's a next time, you'll be punished lightly or driven out of the mansion heavily."
Every word was extremely heartless.