Chapter 34: Private Desires

“Take it.” Ling Xiao said flatly.

Qin Yu Jun hesitated before taking it.

Ling Xiao was already impatient: “If you want it, take it.”

Qin Yu Jun hurriedly took it: “Thank you, Marquis.”

Ling Xiao didn’t say anything else, he wasn’t happy to be interrupted, it was a lot of trouble.

Qin Yu Jun didn’t dare to bother him anymore, she hugged the painting and hurried away.

After Qin Yu Jun turned around, Ling Xiao’s eyes swept over: “Hiding there?”

Yao and Huai Ning were startled, they came out from behind the bushes.

Huai Ning calmed down, then became sad again: “This morning, Brother Xiao gave me a gift, but he gave it to someone else.”

Ling Xiao’s voice was flat: “The Marquis’ mansion has already sent a congratulatory gift, Princess, if you want to see it, please ask the palace to check the gift list.”

“He also sent one! Sister Yao prepared it!”

“There’s a difference.”

Huai Ning’s eyes immediately turned red, she angrily turned around.

“Princess…” Yao hurriedly chased after her.

But Ling Xiao grabbed her wrist: “Don’t spoil her too much, she’ll become even more unruly.”

“The Princess is unruly?” Yao was annoyed, “She’s a princess, even when she’s watching the ceremony, she’s…”

The corner of her lips curled up, with a hint of sarcasm.

“What are you trying to deceive me with? This time, it’s just a careless mistake.”

Yao stiffened, this kind of self-deception would only make the Princess sink deeper.

It would be better to let her face reality.

“The Princess is very sad…”

“What’s sad about this world? Who isn’t sad? She’s still living a better life than you, right?” Ling Xiao’s tone was indifferent.

“You still care about him?” Ling Xiao looked at Jiang Yao, “You’re just wasting your time caring about him, you should care about yourself.”

“…”

“Is he mocking her for her hard life?”

Yao bit her back teeth hard, this man, she really hated him!

Yao turned around angrily, Ling Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, he followed her footsteps.

Now that the coming-of-age ceremony was over, it was time to leave the palace.

Yao still hadn’t looked at Huai Ning, maybe Ling Xiao was right, some of the pain of reality should be faced alone, the Princess saw the loving scene between Ling Xiao and another woman today, she was bound to be sad, it was time for her to face reality.

But she couldn’t help but think, since Ling Xiao liked this girl, why did he agree to marry the Chen family in the first place?

Could it be that they had a fight at the time?

Now he’s breaking off the engagement and giving gifts, is he trying to make up for it?

Yao pondered in her heart, she felt that this guess was far-fetched.

She seemed to have seen this girl before, she should be the daughter of General Qin, but she had only met her briefly at a palace banquet, they had never interacted before.

What would Ling Xiao be like if he liked this girl?

Ling Xiao was walking beside her, he was half a step behind, his expression was unpredictable, he was always like this.

His eyes were bright, he was completely different from the angry man just now.

He was always so easy to get angry, but he also had a good temper, he was forgetful.

“Jiang Yao.”

He suddenly called out.

Yao’s footsteps stopped, she frowned slightly, why did he keep calling her by her name?

She turned her head: “What?”

Ling Xiao’s black eyes looked at her: “Did you have a coming-of-age ceremony?”

Yao was stunned, her eyes dimmed slightly, “When I was coming-of-age, my hometown suddenly had an outbreak, my parents both died of the plague, and then my uncles and aunts were eager to sell me to get money, so we escaped from them.”

She had been wandering around, she had forgotten about her coming-of-age ceremony.

Seeing her silence, he seemed to be pricked.

Ling Xiao pursed his lips, he looked away, hiding a hint of unnaturalness: “If you haven’t had one, let your mother make up for it, it’s not too late.”

But Yao smiled again, she shook her head: “No need, my husband already made up for it.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes paused slightly.

“My husband invited Aunt Cao to be the virtuous woman, he held a banquet, and gave me a coming-of-age ceremony.”

When she mentioned Ling Chen, her eyes were bright, she had never looked so happy.

Ling Xiao clenched his fist, he looked away, his tone was a little hesitant: “Oh.”

Yao was still immersed in her memories, she didn’t notice the change in Ling Xiao’s emotions.

“He’s always so easy to get angry, I guess he’s used to it.”

“Anyway, I’ll be fine soon, he’s also forgetful.”

Perhaps because of the mention of Miss Qin today, the anxiety in Yao’s heart had been dispelled, her steps were a little lighter.

Ling Xiao was following behind, his face was already faintly gloomy.

Until today, he finally realized that Ling Chen, was not just a name, he was real.

A strange emotion spread through him, it was sour and strange, it blocked his chest, he was restless and uncomfortable.

At the palace gate, Jian was already waiting.

“Marquis.” Jian greeted him, seeing Ling Xiao’s face, his tone became cautious, he was afraid that the Marquis would lose his temper.

Yao had already gotten into the carriage on her own.

Ling Xiao looked at her gloomily: “Send her back to the mansion.”

Jian reacted, he hurriedly said, “Yes, Marquis, I’ll send Madam back.”

Ling Xiao directly mounted his horse and galloped away.

Jian obediently stayed behind, he first escorted Madam back to the mansion.

Yao lifted the curtain of the carriage, she saw Ling Xiao galloping away on horseback, she didn’t feel anything, he was free anyway.

As for whether he was busy or not, she didn’t need to ask.

After Yao returned to the mansion, she finally got a good night’s sleep.

The next morning, she decided to go to the Ning Ge, the fabric shop.

Because of the things in the mansion, she hadn’t been to the Ning Ge for a while, although she had let Qing He manage it, she couldn’t completely let go, after all, it was her blood and sweat.

She took her usual carriage, and went to the Ning Ge, the fabric shop.

“Madam, everything is fine in the shop, the business is good, especially the pear-shaped brocade, it sells the best, it’s good that Madam prepared a lot of goods, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to meet the demand.”

Yao flipped through the account books, a smile appeared on her face: “You’ve worked hard, you’re still managing the shop.”

“Madam, you’re flattering me, Madam is willing to entrust me with this shop, I’m honored!”

Just as they were talking, they saw a familiar carriage at the door.

The carriage door opened, and Mo Zichen came out.

“Mo Gongzi.”

Mo Zichen came in: “Madam Jiang.”

“Mo Gongzi, is there anything urgent?” Yao hurriedly asked.

Mo Zichen pursed his lips: “Not really, I just happened to pass by, I saw Madam’s carriage, so I came to greet you, Madam, how have you been since you returned to the mansion… are you alright?”

Mo Zichen asked hesitantly, there was a hint of ambiguity in his eyes, it was easy to notice.

Yao had been feeling comfortable these past two days, she had forgotten about the bad things, she smiled: “I’m fine.”

Seeing that her expression was normal, Mo Zichen’s hanging heart relaxed a little, he smiled: “The Ling Marquis’ complexion is good, I was worried.”

Yao was speechless, when had his complexion ever been good?

“Yes, I’ve been reading the manuscript you gave me, it’s really good, I specially took it to ask the scholars at the Lu Academy, they all said that your husband’s articles are exquisite and natural, they are truly worthy of being published.”

Yao’s eyes lit up: “Really!”

“I’ve already handed it over to the bookstore, they’re going to print it immediately, in a few days, it will be made into a book and sold in the bookstore.”

Yao was overjoyed: “Thank you!”

Mo Zichen smiled: “It’s nothing.”

Just as they were talking, they suddenly heard the sound of a horse neighing, Yao turned her head, and saw a handsome horse raising its hooves, it was at the door, and on the horse’s back was a tall figure in black, his eyes were sharp at this moment.

Yao didn’t expect Ling Xiao to suddenly appear here, she was stunned for a moment: “Marquis.”

He glanced at Mo Zichen.

Yao realized what was going on, she hurriedly explained: “I came to the shop, I just happened to meet Mo Gongzi…”

Mo Zichen’s smile disappeared, he bowed: “Ling Hou.”

Ling Xiao didn’t dismount, he just looked down at them: “Didn’t I tell you, stay away from her.”

Mo Zichen pursed his lips, he met Ling Xiao’s cold gaze: “I have a normal relationship with Madam Jiang, it’s clear and aboveboard, but Marquis…”

He lowered his voice, his usually gentle voice was a little cold: “This warning, is it really for your elder sister-in-law’s reputation, or is it for your own private desires?”