Chapter 3: When Kneeling, Kneel

The ceremonial official began to ask for the ritual, and Mo Yuhou only glanced at her when he stepped into the door, then turned his gaze to the bride with her head covered, his eyes soft and gentle again.

Ji Man couldn't help muttering to herself, "What a difference in treatment. No wonder Nie Sangyu was driven to madness." Look at the bride standing over there, elegant and graceful, dressed in a delicate bright red wedding gown, probably made by countless skilled embroiderers. The empress above, looking at the couple, seemed much more pleased, apparently very satisfied with this marriage.

The bride, Wen Wan, was from a standard small family, and had gone through some hardships with Mo Yuhou before her appearance as the second female lead. From an objective perspective, she was now the supporting role in the development of the relationship between the man and woman, adding twists and turns to the novel's plot.

Having the right perspective, Ji Man had nothing to worry about. Nie Sangyu was condemned to death for harming others, and she had no interest in scheming and plotting, so she should be able to keep herself alive.

After the ritual of welcoming good fortune, the empress returned to the palace. Mo Yuhou took Wen Wan to the main seat and began to receive the greetings of the various maids and concubines.

The hierarchy in this dynasty was very strict, with no room for disrespecting those of higher status or humiliating those of lower status. Even the once favored concubine, Nie Guifei, had to respectfully perform the proper etiquette when meeting the empress. As the lowest-ranking concubine, Ji Man was prepared to kneel and kowtow.

Qi Siling and Qian Lianxue, who currently held slightly higher positions in the marquis's residence, first knelt and offered tea to Wen Wan. After presenting the tea, they respectfully addressed her as "Madam." Wen Wan accepted the tea graciously, but remained silent.

Next, the concubines had to offer tea to the maids before presenting it to Wen Wan. Ji Man obediently took the teacup handed to her by the maid, feeling a cold gaze fall on her once again.

"I am Suiqing, offering tea to Miss Xue and Miss Ling."

"I am Hanyun, offering tea to Miss Xue and Miss Ling."

The two concubines knelt down and offered the tea. Whether it was an illusion or not, Ji Man felt as though the guests in the hall and the person in the main seat were all focusing their attention on her for a moment.

What's so interesting? Isn't it just offering tea? Mimicking the two concubines, Ji Man knelt down with them and said, "I am Sangyu, offering tea to Miss Xue and Miss Ling."

Ning Yuxuan's eyebrows twitched slightly, surprised that she could kneel down so calmly, and his expression became somewhat complicated. The guests also whispered among themselves, expressing their astonishment that the usually arrogant Nie Sangyu would actually offer tea to the maids.

"Please rise." Qi Siling smiled gently and reached out to help her up.

As Ji Man slowly stood up, Musuiqing also looked at her with some surprise, followed by a hint of disdain. If Nie Sangyu dared to climb back to their position with her malicious intentions, she wouldn't allow it.

Although the new Madam's family background was not impressive, and she was not even worthy of being the marquis's wife, it was precisely because of this that it showed the marquis's different feelings towards this woman. If Nie Sangyu still wanted to bask in the glory of Nie Guifei, it was wishful thinking!

As she picked up the second cup of tea, Ji Man comforted herself with the thought of getting a discount on the second cup, and then followed suit to offer tea to the new Madam in the main seat.

"I hate her... I hate her..."

The voice that she thought she wouldn't hear again echoed in her mind, and Ji Man was stunned, her gaze falling on the embroidered skirt of Wen Wan. Nie Sangyu's hatred ran so deep, how could it be dispelled? Hearing such a sinister background sound in this festive hall was not a pleasant experience.

"I offer tea to Madam." While lost in thought, the two maids had already presented the tea. Sangyu came to her senses and quickly offered the tea.

Wen Wan reached out to accept the tea, but carefully looked at her through the gap in her head covering. "You are Nie Sangyu, right?"

Ji Man was taken aback, nodded, and said, "Yes, I am."

"I heard that you entered the residence the earliest. If there's anything Wen Wan doesn't understand in the future, I will have to ask for your guidance."

The main female lead was indeed the main female lead, to have a lowly concubine offer her guidance. Ji Man smiled and said, "I dare not offer guidance. If Madam has any instructions, I will carry them out."

Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow slightly and couldn't help but look at her again. After a month of not seeing her, what had happened to make the fiery Nie Sangyu become so quiet and obedient?

Liu Mama had been monitoring her in the courtyard and reported that nothing unusual had happened in the past month, yet today she appeared like this. Ning Yuxuan didn't quite believe it. If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, he would have wanted to tear Nie Sangyu's face off to see what kind of demon she had become.

Wen Wan nodded and said nothing more, reaching out to accept the tea. Ji Man was about to stand up, but suddenly felt a pain in her knee, and then she lunged towards Wen Wan.