Festive music soon came from the front, and Zhanxiang peeked outside. Grandmother Ning smiled and waved her hand, saying, “You can all go and watch the excitement. I won’t need anyone for now.” Zhanxiang immediately pulled Fuyi and the others to go watch the festivities.
Noticing Ning Wanwan still sitting beside her, Grandmother Ning asked, “Won’t you go take a look?” Ning Wanwan replied, “Wanwan has never liked such excitement. I’ll just stay here and chat with Grandmother.” Grandmother Ning smiled and nodded, glancing at Xu Manmiao sitting stiffly at the other end of the room.
After noticing Grandmother Ning’s gaze, Xu Manmiao quickly stood up and said to Ning Wanwan, “Sister, Manmiao will go see the excitement.”
Ning Wanwan nodded slightly. After Xu Manmiao left, Grandmother Ning asked, “Why did you bring her along?”
Ning Wanwan, sensing Xu Manmiao’s strange behavior and desire to get close, suspected she might take some action and wanted to observe her. However, not wanting to worry Grandmother Ning, she casually replied, “I thought she seemed pitiful being alone in the mansion, so I brought her out for a change of scenery.”
Grandmother Ning was perceptive enough to notice Ning Wanwan was hiding something but didn’t press further. They chatted for a while, and soon it was noon. The temple master had lunch delivered to the meditation room.
While they were eating, Si Zhan came from the palace after his classes to join them, and the three of them shared a meal together.
Meanwhile, Xu Manyao hurriedly got up, accidentally rolling the fire stick to the ground. When she turned her head, she saw Ning Wanwan staring at her fiercely. Frightened, she instinctively wanted to run outside but stepped on the fire stick and fell, knocking herself unconscious.
Ning Wanwan glanced at Xu Manyao, then quickly jumped out of bed to help Old Madam Ning off the bed and carry her out the door. Thankfully, the door was not locked.
Fu Yi, Zhan Xiang, and Nanny Chang, who lived next door, heard the commotion and rushed out without putting on clothes. They saw Ning Wanwan carrying Old Madam Ning out of the room engulfed in flames.
Everyone hurried to support Old Madam Ning. Nanny Chang asked nervously, “What happened to the old madam? How did the room catch fire?”
