Chapter 39: Her Handkerchief

It was made of satin brocade, very soft, the handkerchief had a faint jasmine-like fragrance, a simple design.

His fingertips caressed the soft handkerchief, but the restlessness in his heart was gradually becoming unbearable.

It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough.

Ling Chen had only been gone for a few years, it was just that he hadn’t been there yet, in a few more years, all the regrets would be fulfilled, the memories would gradually fade, and the one who would always be by his side would only be… her.

He just needed a little more patience, a little more time.

Ling Xiao’s fingers tightened, he clenched the handkerchief in his palm, forcefully suppressing the restlessness that was surging in his heart.

–

Yao also returned to the Xuan Pavilion, Ling Xiao was in a good mood again, he didn’t even get angry at the bookstore today.

“Madam.”

Er brought a cup of tea over, she called out twice before Yao came to her senses.

Yao took the teacup, Er smiled: “Madam, are you spacing out again?”

“Nothing.”

Yao sipped her tea, but she inexplicably felt a sense of peace, she didn’t know why, she had felt very peaceful before, but she always felt a sense of hidden reassurance in her heart.

The next morning, Yao went to see Lin Shi as usual, Ling Xiao was also there, without any hesitation.

“Marquis.” Yao was a little cautious, although she didn’t know why he was suddenly in a good mood yesterday, she was afraid that he would cause trouble again.

But Ling Xiao was still casual: “Have you had breakfast?”

Yao was stunned, he didn’t seem to be in a good mood at all, it seemed that yesterday’s good mood was just an illusion.

“Not yet.”

“Let’s have breakfast.”

The maidservants brought the breakfast in.

Lin Shi looked at Ling Xiao, he was getting more and more attentive to her mother, she was also happy: “We should live a good life like this.”

Yao looked at Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao personally served Lin Shi a bowl of porridge, then he gently served Yao a bowl, and placed it in front of her.

Yao was stunned, Ling Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly: “Lotus seed porridge, you like it.”

Yao hurriedly picked up the spoon: “Thank you, Marquis.”

Lin Shi chided: “You’re so busy with state affairs, you still come to see me, you should say that you’re busy, your husband is now studying and preparing for the exams, you should let him focus on his studies, don’t bother him.”

Ling Xiao said casually: “The court is busy now, I don’t have time to spare to accompany Mother for breakfast, the imperial examinations are coming soon, it’s time for him to study diligently, he will definitely come.”

Lin Shi said again: “Since you’re so busy with state affairs, this marriage should be postponed, even if the Chen family is very satisfied, we can find another…”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Lin Shi frowned, she didn’t want to say anything more, but she knew her son’s temperament, he had always been his own master, he was not someone who could be persuaded, she, as a mother, could only nag him.

Anyway, she was content, she was satisfied with this child, she was satisfied with everything.

Ling Xiao said flatly: “Mother, don’t worry.”

He raised his eyes, he suddenly looked at Yao, his black eyes were bottomless.

Yao suddenly clenched the spoon tightly, her heart felt like it was being squeezed.

Jian hurried in, he said in a low voice: “His Majesty has summoned the Marquis.”

Ling Xiao put down the spoon, he said to Lin Shi: “I’ll go to the palace, you eat.”

“You’re busy with state affairs, go ahead.” Lin Shi hurriedly said.

Ling Xiao looked at Yao again, then he got up.

Lin Shi said: “This child’s temperament is too indifferent, you should find a wife for him who is more lively.”

Yao pulled the corners of her lips: “Mother, don’t worry, there are so many young ladies in the capital, he will definitely find one he likes.”

She thought of Qin Yu Jun, she remembered how she was hugged by another man, Ling Xiao didn’t seem to react at all.

She thought that Ling Xiao was just trying to save face, but it had been a few days, and Ling Xiao hadn’t shown any signs of being angry.

She suddenly felt confused.

After breakfast, Yao returned to the Xuan Pavilion and continued to work on her own things.

Now she was not only in charge of the shop, but also the affairs of the mansion.

When dusk arrived, Er brought a gift list.

“This is the gift list and the post, Madam.”

Yao opened it, she was now familiar with the famous families in the capital, she knew that Wang Guan Shi had personally introduced them.

She first screened them, she had to decline some gifts, and she also had to decline some banquets, she screened out half of them.

“These gifts will be returned, and the posts will be kept for now.” Er took them over.

Yao flipped through them again, she suddenly saw the posts sent by Chen and Qin, she frowned.

These two were really determined, one had broken off the engagement, and the other was entangled with Ling Xiao.

“This still needs Ling Xiao to decide.”

“I’ll go to the study.”

Actually, she was also confused, she didn’t know what Ling Xiao’s attitude towards Chen and Qin was.

When she arrived at the study, Jian saw her and hurriedly greeted her: “Madam, you’re here.”

“Has the Marquis returned?”

“He’ll be back soon, Madam, the Marquis…”

“I have something to ask him, I’ll come back later…”

“Please come in, Madam, the Marquis will be back soon. It’s rare for Madam to come, this servant will do whatever I can to help.” Jian was very attentive.

Yao hesitated, she should have returned to the mansion at this time, she should be back by now, she shouldn’t have to wait long.

Jian invited Yao in, he asked her to sit down: “I’ll get you some tea, Madam.”

“Thank you.”

Jian retreated, Yao sat in the study and waited.

She looked up, she saw “East Wind Ode” on the study desk, she picked it up, the pages had been flipped through, she saw that it was complete.

“It’s finished, but it’s still…”

Yao frowned, she was about to put the book back, but she suddenly noticed that a drawer on the study desk wasn’t closed properly, there was a gap about two fingers wide.

And in the corner of the gap, she saw something familiar.

Her eyes paused slightly, she suddenly remembered her missing handkerchief.

She impulsively pulled open the drawer, the silk handkerchief with embroidered flowers was lying quietly inside.