Chapter 24: Who Dares to Provoke the King of Hell

Yao suddenly opened her eyes, her face was pale with fright, she gasped for breath, and couldn’t calm down for a long time.

Er heard the commotion and lifted the curtain to come in: “Madam, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Yao’s pale face, her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, Er hurriedly wiped her sweat: “A nightmare?”

Yao’s spirit was stiff, her voice was hoarse: “Yes.”

“Why would you dream of Ling Xiao?”

She didn’t even dare to recall the dream just now.

Er gently stroked her back, comforting her: “Madam must have had a nightmare because of Mo Shu Jie’s harassment, don’t worry, Madam, you have your status, if you are really scared, you don’t need to keep it in your heart.”

Yao pursed her lips and calmed down, “It must be because of Mo Shu Jie.”

“Otherwise, why would you have such a dream out of the blue?”

After calming down for a while, she finally managed to calm down, and nodded slightly: “Yes.”

Er smiled: “Madam, rest.”

“Okay.”

Er retreated, Yao was stunned, she raised her hand and touched her neck, it was cold.

Later, the tea banquet.

The banquet was held in a separate villa in Ling Yan, by the side of the mountain, it was very elegant.

The carriage slowly moved forward, Yao lifted the curtain of the carriage, and saw the beautiful scenery along the way, the air was filled with the sweetness of the spring.

Yao took a deep breath, dispelling the anxiety that had been lingering in her head for the past few days.

“The scenery of Ling Yan is really beautiful.”

“Naturally, this is the Emperor’s villa, ordinary people can’t enter.” Er said.

Yao was surprised: “Miss Chen can actually hold a tea tasting banquet in the Emperor’s villa?”

“Madam, you forget, Miss Chen is our Marquis’ fiancée, the Emperor’s villa is next door, our Marquis’ mansion can enter.”

“Even Chen Xiang, now the court officials are all trembling with fear, afraid of being liquidated by the Emperor, only after marrying into the Ling family did they finally feel at ease, otherwise Chen Shiyun wouldn’t dare to be so flamboyant.”

Hearing the word “Marquis,” Yao’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, she couldn’t help but ask: “Is the Marquis coming today?”

Er shook her head: “It seems he’s not coming, this servant heard from Wang, the steward, that the Marquis didn’t even accept the post.”

Yao felt a little relieved.

Because of that inexplicable dream, she had been subconsciously avoiding Ling Xiao, she was a little afraid of him, and also a little afraid of herself.

The carriage slowed down, the coachman shouted: “Madam, we’re here.”

Er got out of the carriage first, pulled the curtain for Yao, and helped her out of the carriage.

There were already many luxurious carriages parked here, it was clear that Chen Shiyun’s invitation was indeed sincere.

“Madam Ling.” The maidservants greeted her warmly and invited Yao in.

Yao entered the villa, there were bridges and streams inside, accompanied by the sound of the stream, mixed with some laughter and chatter.

In the pavilion by the pond, Chen Shiyun was surrounded by people, chatting and laughing merrily.

“We can come to this imperial villa for tea tasting today, thanks to Shiyun.”

“Yes, besides Shiyun, who else can have such face? In a few days, we’ll have to go to the Ling Marquis’ mansion to congratulate him on his marriage.”

Chen Shiyun blushed slightly: “Don’t tease me.”

“Why are you still shy? We’re just telling the truth.”

Then she suddenly asked: “Hey, is Ling Hou coming today?”

Chen Shiyun’s smile froze slightly, she had specially sent a post, after all, she was the one who organized this gathering, of course she hoped he would come.

But the steward of the Marquis’ mansion came back and said that he was busy with matters and couldn’t come.

She had a feeling that Ling Xiao didn’t seem to care.

Indeed, their marriage was just a political marriage, her father had also warned her to be cautious, to marry into the Ling Marquis’ mansion, to ensure the stability of the Chen family, and not to have any extravagant hopes.

Now she was being praised by everyone, envied by the ladies of the capital, and even able to suppress Princess Huai Ning, she was already in a good position, she really should be content.

But she was greedy.

She also hoped that Ling Xiao would love her, she remembered the first time they met at Zhu Que, Ling Xiao rode back to the capital, he passed by her carriage, raising a cloud of dust, she caught a glimpse of him, and was immediately struck by his extraordinary talent and beauty.

She forced a smile: “The Marquis is busy with state affairs now, he doesn’t have much free time to come.”

Everyone echoed: “Yes, I heard that the Marquis is investigating the assassination case at the hunting ground now, he must be very busy, after all, he has to finish the case and prepare for the wedding!”

Chen Shiyun blushed and smiled.

Just as they were talking, a maid came in to announce: “Miss, Madam Ling has arrived.”

Chen Shiyun smiled: “Please invite her in.”

“Yes.”

Ling Hou was still inside, although she could come, she still had to let Ling Xiao come to give her some face. A noble lady is very attentive.

“Madam, don’t tease me.” Chen Shiyun said lightly.

She had specially prepared two posts, one for Ling Xiao and one for Jiang Yao, although she didn’t like Jiang Yao, but she was still Ling Xiao’s wife.

Now that they haven’t gotten married yet, she’s holding a banquet, if Ling Xiao doesn’t come, wouldn’t she lose face?

Ling Xiao coming was just a bonus for Jiang Yao, letting her see the world.

Yao came in and smiled: “I’m here, Miss Chen, please forgive me for being late.”

“It’s alright, I just arrived too, Yulan, get a seat for Madam.” Chen Shiyun didn’t get up, she was sitting in the main seat, and ordered the maid to get a seat for Yao.

The maid led Yao to a seat by the circle, and poured her a cup of tea.

Chen Shiyun smiled and asked: “Madam, have you ever tasted this tea?”

Yao shook her head: “I’m not good at tea.”

Chen Shiyun smiled inwardly, she slightly raised her chin, showing off her status.

The people around Yao also looked at her with disdain, who was this Marquis’ wife, she was just lucky, she climbed the branch of the Marquis’ mansion.

Chen Shiyun’s tone was tinged with a hint of arrogance: “This is Dongting Biluo, this tea is clear and refreshing, cool and sweet, it’s a tribute tea from the palace, haven’t you ever had it?”

The coldness in Yao’s eyes gradually deepened, she had already given Chen Shiyun face several times, even if she was really ignorant, she should have given her a response.

But Chen Shiyun obviously didn’t think so, she was given face, but instead she stepped on her face.

Originally, she had offended her, and the other party was putting on airs, she didn’t have the obligation to accommodate her.

Yao smiled: “I’ve never had it, I’m actually quite interested in tea, I was planning to come today, but when I heard that Miss Chen specially invited me, I didn’t want to refuse your kindness, so I came.”

Yao’s words were neither humble nor arrogant, she was calm and composed, she didn’t show any embarrassment about not knowing tea, instead she said with a hint of sarcasm: “Please, come in.”

Hearing these words, the expressions of the people around them flickered.

“Could it be that the Ling Marquis asked his wife to take his place?”

Yao was surprised: “Did Miss Chen also invite the Marquis? I didn’t hear the Marquis mention it.”

She looked at Chen Shiyun, her eyes full of confusion.

Face is a matter of mutual respect, if you give face, don’t expect to be held in your hands.

At these words, the expressions of the people around them changed subtly.

“The Ling Marquis didn’t even mention it? Chen Shiyun is so flamboyant?”

Chen Shiyun’s face changed slightly, she was afraid that Jiang Yao would say something else that would make her lose face, she hurriedly interrupted with a forced smile: “It’s alright, Madam, it’s a pleasure to have you here.”

But she was annoyed, Jiang Yao dared to undermine her!

Feeling the awkward atmosphere, a noble lady also warmly tried to smooth things over: “The scenery in this villa is beautiful, we haven’t had a good look around yet.”

Yao didn’t want to play games with Chen Shiyun, she casually walked around and then went back to the mansion.

This way, it would be difficult for Chen Shiyun to maintain a decent relationship with her.

Chen Shiyun forced a smile, she still had to put on airs as the hostess: “Feel free to walk around, don’t be restrained.”

Everyone dispersed in twos and threes, Yao naturally followed suit.

Chen Shiyun watched Yao walk away, her face involuntarily became difficult: “This Jiang Yao is really bold.”

“Such a lowly woman, she should be flattering her, but she dares to undermine her.”

“Don’t underestimate her, after all, she was properly married into the Ling family as the elder sister-in-law.” Zhao Yalin said.

“It doesn’t matter if she’s the elder sister-in-law, the Ling Marquis doesn’t care about her at all, haven’t you heard? This woman harmed the Ling Marquis’ elder brother, the Ling Marquis hates her.” Chen Shiyun said disdainfully.

“She’s still safe and sound in the Marquis’ mansion.” Zhao Yalin smiled, with a hint of sarcasm, “I heard that this Jiang family’s old man is very close to her, the Ling Marquis is filial, otherwise he wouldn’t let this woman live so comfortably, after all, now the power to manage the affairs of the Marquis’ mansion is in her hands, when she enters the mansion, who will be above whom, who knows?”

Hearing these words, Chen Shiyun’s heart suddenly rang an alarm bell.

She had overlooked this, no wonder Jiang Yao dared to be so bold.

If she really entered the mansion, and was suppressed by such a lowly woman, what would her face be?

Moreover, this Jiang Yao is close to Princess Huai Ning, she will definitely cause trouble later.

Yao walked out of the pavilion and strolled along the edge of the pond.

She was feeling restless, because of the few inexplicable dreams, and also because of Chen Shiyun’s repeated provocations.

Er said: “Miss Chen’s attitude, she’s secretly targeting us, when we enter the mansion, she’ll be like this, like this, Madam, you should have chosen…”

Yao shook her head: “The Marquis didn’t necessarily choose me because of my talent.”

“In the future…”

Just as she was talking, she suddenly heard a greasy voice: “Oh, this lady is here too!”

Yao turned her head, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

It was Mo Shu Jie, he was waddling towards her, his fat face was covered with a greasy smile, his two green bean eyes were shining with lust, and his drool was dripping.

He had also come to the banquet, he was originally bored, after all, the guests at this banquet were all noble ladies and ladies, he couldn’t cause trouble, he could only restrain himself.

Until he saw Jiang Yao, it was as if he had found a treasure.

“How dare you be disrespectful to our Madam!” Er scolded.

Mo Shu Jie stopped in his tracks, the eunuch beside him hurriedly stopped him: “This is Madam Ling, the elder sister-in-law of the Ling Marquis.”

The eunuch deliberately emphasized the word “Ling Marquis,” Mo Shu Jie’s green bean eyes, which had been squinting just now, suddenly widened.

He knew that the most powerful and influential official in Yanjing now was definitely Ling Xiao.

“Who dares to provoke the King of Hell?”

Mo Shu Jie was so frightened that his face turned pale, he didn’t dare to move anymore, he hurriedly bowed and saluted: “It turns out to be Madam Ling, I’m being rude! Madam Ling, please forgive me!”

Yao was disgusted and didn’t bother to respond.

Er scolded: “If you dare to be disrespectful to our Madam again, I’ll dig out your eyeballs!”

Last time at Xi Lou, she was harassed by this beast, Er had been holding back her anger, Madam had told her to use the name of the Marquis’ mansion as much as possible, to teach him a lesson!

“Yes, yes! Madam, please don’t be angry!”

Yao didn’t pay any attention to him, she took Er and turned to leave.

Mo Shu Jie wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face was pale with fright.

The commotion over here was a little loud, Chen Shiyun heard it in the pavilion, she was a little impatient and asked: “What’s going on again?”

The maid Yulan hurriedly came in to report: “Mo Gongzi was being reckless again, he dared to provoke Madam Ling, he was scolded by the maid beside Madam Ling, and now he’s behaving himself.”

Chen Shiyun was also disgusted: “Mo Shu Jie is a good-for-nothing drunkard, he’s always causing trouble.”

If it wasn’t for Chen Shiyun’s desperate plea for a loan, she was still counting on Mo Shu Jie to send money, she wouldn’t have let him come to the banquet.

In the past, Mo Shu Jie was still a little afraid, he was so frightened that he didn’t even dare to look at Jiang Yao secretly.

“It’s alright, Jiang Shi has a fox-like appearance, she really has the ability to seduce men, she made Mo Shu Jie forget everything.” Chen Shiyun said contemptuously.

A strange smile appeared on the corner of her lips: “Since that’s the case, I might as well push the boat along, and make it happen.”