Chapter 43: Projecting Oneself

Yao finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, it was the Dragon Boat Festival Palace Banquet.

Since half a month ago, Huai Ning had reminded Yao that the Dragon Boat Festival Palace Banquet was fixed, and they had agreed to go together to watch the dragon boat races.

Yao got up early in the morning to dress up, she simply put on some makeup and went out.

“Madam, it’s almost time.”

“Are the carriages ready?”

“They’re already ready, we can go directly to the palace.”

Just as she reached the Xuan Courtyard, she saw a tall figure standing there.

Yao’s footsteps froze in place.

Hearing the footsteps turn towards her, he said casually: “Ready?”

Yao turned around, the maid hurriedly shook her head.

But it was reasonable for Ling Xiao to attend the Dragon Boat Festival Palace Banquet, it was reasonable, she was waiting for him to go together.

Yao pressed her lips together: “Marquis, you don’t have to wait for me in the future.”

He said nonchalantly: “I’ve never waited for anyone like that.”

Yao was speechless, she tightened her face and started walking.

Ling Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, he followed her, as if he had always been there, keeping a distance of half a step behind her.

Leaving the mansion, Yao got into the carriage and headed towards the Jade Belt River.

The palace was located on the Jade Belt River, this Jade Belt River ran through the entire Yanjing City. Today was the Dragon Boat Festival, and everyone had prepared their dragon boats to compete, the banks were already crowded with people.

On the Jade Belt River, several dragon boats were already lined up in a row, their momentum was magnificent, the drums on the shore were beating like thunder, the atmosphere was boiling.

The maid looked at it, unable to contain her excitement: “It’s so lively today, let’s go watch the dragon boat races too.”

Yao looked out, nodding: “It seems so.”

She had been ill for a few days, staying indoors, and hadn’t even inquired about these things.

“Madam, I heard from Wang Guan Shi that our Marquis’ dragon boat team is the most majestic in all of Yanjing! They’re all elite soldiers, and the Marquis personally picked them.”

“Our Marquis’ dragon boat team will definitely win first place this time!” The maid said.

Yao rode in the carriage, her brows furrowed slightly.

After a while, the carriage slowly stopped.

They arrived.

Yao bent down and got out of the carriage, the air was already a little hot, but the cool breeze by the river was refreshing. Yao hadn’t been out for a long time, the fresh air hit her face, she felt her breathing lighten a little.

Ling Xiao dismounted, he was right next to her, breathing the same air, his lips curved into a smile.

“It’s easy to get excited.”

“Yao! Princess Huai Ning rushed over, hugging her, “I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”

“Princess, why are you coming here so suddenly?” Yao was knocked off balance by the hug, she took two steps back and barely managed to stand steady.

Ling Xiao’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“It’s so lively today, how could I not come and tell you? The dragon boat races will start soon, the dragon boat races are exciting! Come on, I’ll take you!”

Yao nodded: “Okay!”

Now that it was summer, her skirt was also lighter, a cloud brocade skirt, her slender waist was tightly bound, the fabric of the skirt was even lighter, the breeze blew through it like clouds and mist.

Ling Xiao suddenly embraced her, her soft body felt boneless, his throat suddenly felt tight, a hidden restlessness stirred within him.

Yao suddenly turned her head: “Go watch the dragon boat races with the Princess.”

Ling Xiao lowered his eyes, he looked away, hiding the darkness in his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: “Okay.”

Yao blinked, why was he suddenly so easy to talk to?

Perhaps he felt guilty because of the Princess, so he was pretending to be nice?

Huai Ning was still in a huff, she snorted and pulled Yao towards the Jade Belt River.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, Ling Xiao turned his head and looked away, his suppressed rationality was on the verge of collapse.

He wanted to kiss her again.

Huai Ning pulled Yao to the edge of the Jade Belt River, but her excitement had faded.

Yao sensed her low spirits, her heart ached a little.

“Is the Princess still sad?”

The last time Huai Ning had her coming-of-age ceremony, she had witnessed Ling Xiao with Qin Niang, and she had been sad for a long time.

And now, facing Huai Ning, Yao always felt guilty.

Huai Ning immediately retorted: “I’m not sad!”

Yao was stunned, Huai Ning’s anger subsided, she kicked her feet, and mumbled: “Actually, it’s just that, Brother Xiao is happy.”

Huai Ning’s face was filled with a fresh sense of loneliness: “He’s never been happy with me, he’s always been willing to sacrifice himself, even if he’s happy, he’s happy with someone else. If that’s the case, why can’t he, Brother Xiao is now, it seems like he’s happy…”

Yao’s throat felt tight: “Princess…”

Huai Ning snorted, she became spirited again: “This Princess is also rare!”

Yao was stunned.

Huai Ning gritted her teeth: “Even if he comes to ask for me in the future, I won’t, I won’t…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the word “agree.”

Suddenly, a burst of drums sounded, the dragon boat races officially began.

Huai Ning exclaimed: “It’s starting, it’s starting! Let’s go over there!”

Huai Ning pulled Yao directly to the platform by the shore.

Ling Xiao was already seated on the platform, he saw Jiang Yao being pulled along the stairs towards him, her skirt billowing in the wind, like a butterfly.

“What’s going on?” Ji Huai followed their gaze, then turned his head and asked: “What about the Princess?”

He lowered his voice: “It’s too late to regret now, I heard that His Majesty has already chosen a husband for the Princess, and he plans to arrange a meeting for the Princess during the dragon boat races today.”

Ling Xiao retracted his gaze, staring at him: “Scram.”

Ji Huai clicked his tongue: “You have such a bad temper, you’re lucky, otherwise who would put up with you?”

Ling Xiao’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, he noticed Jiang Yao’s constant vigilance.

“Hey, let’s talk about business, it seems like the Chen family has noticed something, they seem to know that we’re investigating them, that old fox is very cunning, he might put pressure on us.”

Ling Xiao’s expression was indifferent, he picked up his teacup and took a sip: “Just investigate, as for the Chen family, I’ll deal with them.”

“Okay.”

The drums sounded like thunder, the rhythm became increasingly urgent, a gong sounded, and several dragon boats charged forward like arrows leaving the bow.

Huai Ning was excited: “Go! Go! The blue team is the best!”

Yao blinked, then turned her head and asked the maid: “Which one are we supporting?”

“The blue team!”

The blue dragon boat was currently in first place, but it wasn’t by much.

If they lost, Ling Xiao would lose face.

Just as Yao was thinking, Huai Ning suddenly screamed: “Ah! The blue team flipped!”

It turned out that the current was too strong, and it was easy to flip when charging too fast. The blue team was charging at the front, and they ended up at the back.

Even the yellow team, which was in first place, was affected, and the dragon boat in first place easily surged forward like a fish, directly charging to the front.

“They won! They won!” Huai Ning excitedly stood up: “Brother Xiao is really the best!”

Yao stared blankly, she had just been scolding him.

This Princess’ emotions were changing too fast, they were all connected to him.

This round of dragon boat races ended, Huai Ning was sweating from excitement, she was more tired than rowing herself.

They came down from the platform, Huai Ning excitedly pulled Yao to row again.

“Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince is asking for you to go over there.”

“What?”

The maid stammered: “Anyway, anyway, he’s asking for the Princess to go over there, Princess, please go.”

Huai Ning was a little reluctant, but she still agreed.

“I’ll be back soon, when I come back, we’ll row together!” Huai Ning pulled Yao.

Yao smiled: “Okay.”

Huai Ning finally left.

Watching Huai Ning leave, Yao walked along the bank casually, the willows by the bank were swaying gently, the cool breeze was refreshing, it was indeed comfortable.

“Madam Jiang.”

Yao turned around in surprise, she smiled: “Mr. Mo, you’re here too?”

Mo Ziqian was wearing a blue wide-sleeved robe and a jade crown, he was dressed formally for a change, he smiled and said: “What a coincidence.”

It wasn’t really a coincidence, he had been here all along, accompanying the Princess, and only came to talk to her after the Princess left.

“Did you also participate in the dragon boat races?” Yao asked curiously.

Mo Ziqian smiled and shook his head: “I was on the blue team, don’t laugh at me.”

Yao laughed: “Why would I? Today, if there hadn’t been that current, you might have won first place.”

“In this world, there are always people who are better prepared, and they are always ready.”

Mo Ziqian paused, then said: “The Marquis’ mansion is stable, Marquis Ling must have anticipated this.”

Speaking of Ling Xiao, Yao’s brows furrowed slightly.

Yao suddenly remembered something: “I almost forgot to ask, how is Dong Feng Fu doing?”

Mo Ziqian smiled: “It’s not bad, it’s been gaining some fame these past few days, many people have come to read and buy books.”

Yao’s eyes lit up: “That’s great! Thank you!”

“Mr. Ling is a scholar, his articles are good, it’s just a business, pursuing profit, you don’t need to thank me.”

But Yao shook her head: “Although Mr. Mo is a businessman, you’re not just someone who pursues profit, you have a noble spirit.”

Mo Ziqian was stunned, then he laughed self-deprecatingly: “This is the first time I’ve heard someone praise me like that, you’re flattering me.”

“A bastard son, Mo Ziqian, I have no power or influence, I can only reach where I am today by avoiding intrigue and fighting among brothers.”

“I’m not worthy of the word ‘noble spirit.'”

“Actually, when I first got my husband’s manuscripts, I asked several bookstores, they all thought it was an unknown author, and they weren’t even willing to publish it. You were the first one to publish my husband’s manuscripts, and you even praised his articles. Back then, I was almost killed in the Imperial Garden, and you saved me. Although you’re a businessman, you have a noble spirit in your writing.”

Yao’s eyes were clear: “You shouldn’t belittle yourself, if you had taken the civil service exam and entered officialdom, you would definitely have achieved great things.”

Mo Ziqian was stunned.

The maid hurriedly came over, she said to Yao: “Madam, the Marquis is here.”

Yao turned her head, and she saw Ling Xiao in the distance, his face was gloomy.

Yao’s brows furrowed.

Mo Ziqian also turned his head and saw Ling Xiao, he bowed: “Marquis.”

Ling Xiao didn’t respond, he stared at Yao: “Come here.”

Yao clenched her handkerchief, she was a little afraid of being discovered, she hurriedly said to Mo Ziqian: “Mr. Mo, please go ahead, I… I have something to do.”

Mo Ziqian pursed his lips, he didn’t say anything: “Okay.”

Yao then hurried towards Ling Xiao: “Marquis, is there something you need?”

Ling Xiao glanced at Mo Ziqian, the sword-wielding guard immediately went over and politely invited Mo Ziqian to leave.

He then turned his head, his eyes filled with coldness: “It’s rare for you to go out once, you’re quite enthusiastic about meeting people.”

Yao heard the sarcasm in his words, she was angry, her face was also a little ugly: “I’ve always kept a clear distance from Mr. Mo, you’re picking on me.”

She glared at him: “Perhaps the Marquis is projecting himself, you have a guilty conscience, so you’re making assumptions about others.”