She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Young Master Is a Woman 32

”Elder sister, second sister, what’s the matter?”

Even though the days were busy, Ah Chen would visit Prince Ning Mansion daily. She would mostly return at noon to have a meal with her sisters. They were her charges, and naturally, she had to check on them every day to feel assured.

During lunch today, Ah Chen noticed that Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei seemed to have something to say. Since they were at the table, they kept silent, likely fearing it would spoil the mood.

Once lunch was over, true to her suspicion, the two didn’t get busy with their tasks but had that hesitant expression on their faces.

Ah Chen had some guesses; besides that matter, what else could it be?

Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei exchanged a glance and then looked outside. Considering the current state of Prince Ning Mansion, as long as Ah Chen didn’t want it, who could come here and eavesdrop?

Even Ning Xiaoguai, who was lying at the doorway resting, was enough to give spies a hard time.

”Ah Zhen.” Ning Yulan called out, appearing troubled, yet as Ah Zhen’s elder sister, no matter the difficulty, she had to ask about it. The rumors were shocking, but she didn’t care. She was only concerned with one thing: Was it what Ah Zhen wanted, or was she coerced, or had she no choice but to use such a method to maintain the prominence of Prince Ning Mansion?

As for what change could be made after knowing the truth, Ning Yulan hadn’t thought that far.

She just didn’t want Ah Zhen to bear it alone.

However, asking could result in an awkward outcome if the answer wasn’t good.

Ning Yulan found her words stuck in her throat, unable to voice them no matter how she tried.

If it wasn’t Ah Zhen’s wish, would asking as her elder sister be harming her?

Ning Yumei shared the same thoughts, and both had conflicted expressions.

Ah Chen, however, laughed lightly, sipping some tea as she relaxed leisurely against her chair, looking very at ease.

”Elder sister and second sister want to ask about me and His Majesty?” Ah Chen decided to speak up for them, saving them from worrying over the matter, which wasn’t good for their health.

Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei instinctively looked up, seeing Ah Chen’s indifferent face, even with a smile, they began to breathe easier.

It seemed Ah Zhen wasn’t harmed after all?

With this lead, Ning Yulan finally gathered the courage to ask, ”Ah Zhen, did you do it willingly?”

Facing the worried gaze of two pairs of eyes, Ah Chen responded seriously, ”Of course, if I didn’t want to, who could force me?”

Ning Yulan felt slightly reassured but still held onto her handkerchief, inevitably worrying about Ah Zhen’s future.

To be favored by the Emperor was glorious today, but living with a ruler was like living with a tiger, and when the Emperor lost interest, what would become of Ah Zhen?

Who would dare approach someone who had been involved with an Emperor? Let alone marrying and bearing children, which was utterly impossible. Even if the Emperor didn’t pursue the matter, outsiders wouldn’t dare to invite trouble.

But Ning Yulan quickly reasoned that she was Ah Zhen’s sister, with so many sisters, they should educate their children to take care of Ah Zhen in the future.

Ning Yulan regained her thoughts and found Ah Chen still smiling, a bit exasperated, ”Fine, as long as you’re not being forced.”

She and Ning Yumei exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other’s thoughts.

”Second sister,” seeing them about to leave, Ah Chen suddenly stopped Ning Yumei, ”Come with me to handle something.”

Ning Yumei was puzzled but turned back, ”What is it?”

”Second sister’s body has already healed, Jiang Weiming is already fine.” Ah Chen hadn’t forgotten to return the pain inflicted on Ning Yumei by Jiang Weiming tenfold.

It’s better to bring the person involved along.

Since their marriage, Ning Yumei was beaten numerous times, even lost two children, so breaking a few of Jiang Weiming’s ribs last time amounted to nothing.

”Second sister, it’s time to collect the debt.” Ah Chen put down her cup, stood up, with a smile that grew cold in her eyes.

Ning Yumei hesitated for a moment but didn’t forget to follow her out.

Jiang Family, now civilians, still lived in the original place but without nobility, not as glorious as before. Due to Jiang Weiming’s issues, the Jiang Family fell into ruin, Jiang Changtong’s eldest and second sons were bitterly resentful and had long caused a split. Initially, they wanted to push Jiang Weiming out, but Jiang Changtong loved his son too much and was unwilling, as this was his legitimate heir.

Besides, Jiang Family’s downfall wasn’t entirely the third son’s fault; the real culprit was that Ning Zhen.

If it weren’t for seizing his momentary slip of the tongue, how could the Emperor have dealt with it leading to Jiang Family’s misery?

The elder and the second were simply selfish, wanting to take this chance to force out the third.

Jiang Family’s eldest and second eventually had to take their wives and daughters, along with a small amount of property, and leave, interacting only when necessary.

After recovering from his injuries, Jiang Weiming left Jiang Family, immediately feeling the disparity, harboring deep hatred for Ah Chen, but seeing Jiang Family’s current situation, he couldn’t deal with his enemy. He did think of using underhanded means, but those who used such tactics against Ning Zhen all met a bad end.

He didn’t dare.

Jiang Family still had some assets, and Jiang Weiming began indulging in wine and women but was soon pulled back by Jiang Changtong, timely preventing it.

Jiang Weiming was disheartened for a while, but just as Jiang Changtong was extremely disappointed, he revived.

As reported by Ah Chen’s people, Jiang Weiming was able to perk up due to new friends.

This person was a merchant with a caravan trading between Beixia Country and Ximo Dynasty, unremarkable among many merchants.

But this boss of the merchant caravan named Xiao Changsheng was not a simple person.

He not only contacted Jiang Weiming but also Ah Chen’s former brother-in-law Yuan Bingjun. Their contacts weren’t frequent, but Ah Chen kept a close eye, knowing all this.

Inside the carriage, Ah Chen rested her head and pondered, Commissioner that sixth brother-in-law He Zheng’an was also tricked by this Xiao Changsheng.

He Zheng’an wasn’t particularly malevolent but had many small vices, gambling, and infidelity, though not deeply addicted, all were controlled by the two elders of the He Family. Coming from a business family, he had little talent in commerce.

He was overly arrogant and was trapped, ruining the entire He Family.

Coincidentally, the He Family was a grain merchant with some background, doing quite well. After associating with Prince Ning Mansion, they expanded further.

If not for being a grain merchant, Ning Guangjun probably wouldn’t pay attention. Considering harboring dreams of rebellion, controlling food supply was crucial.

Noticing Ah Chen deep in thought, Ning Yumei didn’t speak, just lifted the curtain to gaze at the street scenery.

The carriage stopped slightly inside an alley entrance, bringing Ah Chen back from her thoughts, ”He’ll pass through here in a moment, second sister, just watch.”

No matter what Jiang Weiming and Xiao Changsheng were plotting, they’d first have to get beaten and pay the debt.

She intentionally waited until Ning Yumei was fully recovered to collect the debt.

Ning Yumei nodded gently. These days, she lived very well, learning to ride and gaining some martial skills, the psychological shadow cast by Jiang Weiming had faded considerably. The remaining bit, she believed would gradually disappear.

After all, she was no longer the helpless weak girl she once was.

If she kept practicing, while one punch might not break someone’s ribs, multiple punches would do just fine.

Voices and footsteps could be heard nearby, among them a very familiar voice—wasn’t it Jiang Weiming? He sounded rather pleased.