Chapter 14: She Didn’t Call Him

He had just loosened his grip, and the restraint he had built in his mind crumbled in an instant.

Instinctively, he tightened his arms, holding her closer.

He lowered his gaze, looking at her, his voice slightly hoarse, “Jiang Yao.”

She leaned against him, her pale lips devoid of any color, still murmuring, “Husband, don’t leave me.”

Ling Xiao’s movements faltered, his face stiffening slightly.

She called him “husband.”

The shattered rationality that had been forced back into place just now was like a dream.

His brows furrowed tightly, and she continued to murmur, “Husband, husband.”

Each word, like a question to the heavens.

Ling Xiao’s face was taut, and his arms holding her were stiff.

How could he be so reckless with Jiang Yao?

How could he face his late brother?

From the slope, Sword and the others were still calling out, “Your Highness, have you found the Military Marquis’s wife?”

Ling Xiao pressed his lips together, forcing himself to calm down. He responded in a low voice, “Lower a rope.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sword and the others, receiving his response, quickly lowered the rope.

Ling Xiao grabbed the rope, looped it twice, held Jiang Yao in his arms, and stepped on the slope, using his strength to allow them to pull them up.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Sword asked anxiously.

“Prepare the sedan chair.”

“Yes!”

The sedan chair was already prepared, as Jiang Yao was injured and would definitely need it.

The sedan chair was brought over, and Ling Xiao placed her inside.

He released her, but she still clutched his robe tightly.

She raised her eyes, still unconscious, her face pale, mistaking him for Ling Chen.

A nameless anger welled up in his chest, anger at her, and anger at himself.

Reason told him that he shouldn’t be indulging in this, that he should be noble and upright, that he should be doing this out of a sense of righteousness.

Moreover, she was still calling out for Ling Chen.

He scowled, pried her fingers open, stared at her porcelain face for two breaths, and resolutely stepped back from the sedan chair.

“Take her back, and have the imperial physician come to treat her.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Sword saw the sudden change in his master’s expression, his face turning incredibly dark, and he quickly responded.

The sedan chair was lifted, and she was quickly taken back to the hunting grounds.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has urgently summoned you. Please go to the palace to discuss matters.”

Today’s assassination attempt was a serious incident, and it couldn’t be easily resolved.

Ling Xiao’s face was dark, “I’ll go now.”

Palace.

With a bang, the emperor slammed his hand on the desk, his voice filled with anger, “How dare they! I have just ascended the throne, and these people dare to cause such chaos. They think I’m a fool!”

The hall was filled with kneeling officials. The prince quickly said, “Father, please calm down.”

“Your Majesty, please calm down!”

The emperor said, “Find out who is behind this!”

Several officials looked at each other, not daring to speak, “We, we haven’t been able to find out yet. The assassins were all skilled warriors. They swallowed poison and committed suicide after failing to assassinate. We…”

“Useless!” The emperor rebuked.

The hall fell silent.

Until a eunuch rushed in to announce, “Your Majesty, the Military Marquis has arrived.”

The officials in the hall secretly breathed a sigh of relief, silently wiping the sweat from their foreheads.

The emperor’s expression softened slightly, “Announce him.”

The eunuch called out, “Announce the Military Marquis to see His Majesty!”

Ling Xiao strode into the hall, “Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

The emperor nodded, allowing him to rise.

“I heard that your eldest sister-in-law saved the princess. Have you found her?”

The word “eldest sister-in-law” sounded particularly jarring when it came from Ling Xiao’s mouth.

It felt like a mockery.

Ling Xiao lowered his eyes, his expression calm, “I have found her. She was only injured, and I have already summoned the imperial physician to treat her.”

The emperor nodded, “That’s good. You always loved your elder brother, and you would definitely take care of his widow.”

Ling Xiao’s lips tightened, his eyes slightly narrowed, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

“Jiang Shi saved Huaining’s life. I should reward her properly. Leave this matter to the Imperial Household Department.”

Zhang Gonggong immediately bowed and responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor finally returned to the topic at hand.

“What about today’s incident?”

Ling Xiao concealed his emotions. When he raised his eyes again, his expression was calm, “Your subordinate will investigate the mastermind behind this incident.”

The emperor finally nodded in satisfaction. Ling Xiao was always the most reliable.

Those useless officials were just like a bunch of useless farts, good for nothing.

“Good, I’ll wait for the results of your investigation.”

The emperor then scanned the officials in the hall, waving his hand, “You may all retire.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The officials wiped the sweat from their foreheads, trembling with fear, and then retreated.

Ling Xiao was about to leave, but the emperor stopped him, “Stay.”

Ling Xiao stayed, and after the officials had all left, the emperor asked, “Now that everyone else has left, tell me, who do you think is behind this?”

Ling Xiao said in a low voice, “Regardless of who sent the assassins, the mastermind behind this is likely one of the old factions of Prince Yong or Prince Qi. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the court is still unstable. This is the perfect time to stir up trouble.”

The struggle for the throne was cruel and ruthless. Although the winner had been decided, there was always a chance for a comeback.

The emperor sighed heavily, “It’s true. My throne is now coveted by many.”

Ling Xiao bowed, “Leave the investigation of the assassination to your subordinate. Your Majesty doesn’t need to worry. Stabilizing the court is a matter of urgency. These things will take time.”

“Of course, I understand. The various factions in the court are still vying for power, and it will inevitably lead to more chaos. It’s not easy to stabilize the situation. It’s also urgent to integrate the old officials into the new court.”

The emperor paused, then said, “I plan to arrange a marriage for Huaining with the eldest son of the Duke of Mu.”

Ling Xiao bowed, “The Duke of Mu’s family has served the court for generations. They have a strong foundation. The Duke of Mu has many students, and he has a lot of influence among the old officials. The Duke of Mu’s eldest son and the princess would be a perfect match.”

The emperor asked again, “Do you really think so?”

The emperor had been thinking about Huaining’s marriage since he was still Prince Jing. He had planned to arrange a marriage for her with Ling Xiao after she came of age.

But now that the court was stable, the marriage of Huaining and Ling Xiao would be a powerful tool to consolidate the old officials. Their marriage would be useless for stabilizing the court.

If Ling Xiao and Huaining truly loved each other, he would consider fulfilling their wishes and give the Crown Prince a few more women.

After all, Huaining was his most beloved daughter, and Ling Xiao was his most trusted aide.

He had nearly been killed by Prince Yong’s assassins, and it was Ling Xiao who had fought his way out of the encirclement, saving him.

He had watched Ling Xiao grow up and considered him as his adopted son.

Ling Xiao showed no hesitation, “Your subordinate truly believes so.”

The emperor didn’t ask any further. He had already given them a chance.

“Since that’s the case, we should consider this marriage. Don’t say that you’re old and lonely. It’s not a good look. Besides, getting married will also help Huaining grow up.”

Ling Xiao’s voice was sharp, “Your Majesty is right. Your subordinate should get married.”

The emperor was stunned. Why was he suddenly so agreeable?

Ling Xiao had always avoided the topic of marriage, finding it troublesome.

The emperor had mentioned it several times before, but he had always put it off.

Could it be that…

The emperor asked, “Have you chosen a candidate?”

“I have already asked someone to help me choose.”

The emperor frowned, “This… you haven’t even told me?”

Why was he suddenly in such a hurry?

But there was no point in digging deeper. As the emperor, he couldn’t gossip about his inner court with a woman.

“Alright, you can handle this yourself.” The emperor paused, then added, “Marriage is not a trivial matter. You have to think it over carefully. You have to choose someone you like.”

If it were anyone else, the emperor would definitely say this. But Ling Xiao was different. Although he was suggesting a marriage with an old official’s daughter, he also hoped that he would marry someone he wouldn’t resent.

He wanted the best of both worlds.

That’s why he didn’t interfere with the selection of his wife. There were thousands of noble families in the capital, and he could choose whoever he liked.

…

Ling Xiao lowered his eyes.

He thought.

Jiang Yao’s face appeared in his mind.

His eyes darkened, and he forced her out of his thoughts.

He should, he could.

He should get married, and he should end this absurdity.

Yao was having a dream.

She dreamed of Ling Chen, and just like before, he was in danger, and he was saved.

She was afraid of leaving him, she grabbed him, begging him not to leave.

But he still pulled away.

“Yao’er, in the future, I won’t be able to accompany you anymore.”

He was still gentle, as he had always been, but his words were so cruel.

Yao shook her head desperately, trying to turn around and leave, but she was trapped, she grabbed him, and he disappeared into the misty forest.

“Husband!”

She suddenly woke up with a start, her forehead covered in sweat.