Chapter 56: Have the Guts to Shout

Mo Zichen was here. When the invitations were being finalized, Ling Xiao had given her the guest list, and Mo Zichen’s name was on it.

At the time, she had found it strange. Mo Zichen and Ling Xiao had no prior interactions, why would he suddenly add Mo Zichen’s name?

But Ling Xiao’s affairs were never questioned, and she didn’t care. She thought that even if Mo Zichen came, it would be Old Master Mo who would come, but she didn’t expect Mo Zichen to come as well.

“Are your injuries better?” Jiang Yao saw his pale face and couldn’t help but feel a little concerned.

Mo Zichen twitched his lips: “It’s better, Madam Jiang, you don’t have to worry. I’ve been lying down and recuperating, and I came out to get some fresh air, so I followed my father to offer my birthday wishes to Mrs. Lin.”

He was actually a little relieved.

He hesitated for a moment before asking: “I heard that when you were in prison, you wrote a letter to plead for me.”

Jiang Yao smiled: “The letter was just to protect my master, don’t blame me.”

“You pleaded with Lord Ling?”

He wasn’t stupid. Logically speaking, he should have been convicted this time. His father had already pushed him forward as a scapegoat, and he should have been able to live in the Imperial Prison.

But he wasn’t released without charges.

Jiang Yao pursed her lips, hiding a hint of naturalness in her eyes: “It was just that Lord Ling mentioned that Young Master Mo is upright and would never engage in treasonous activities. The fact that you were released must be because Lord Ling investigated the truth.”

Mo Zichen’s sleeves tightened, his already slightly pale face became even more pale.

He knew that the reason he was released was because his father had given Lord Ling ten thousand taels of silver.

And he, who should have been used as a scapegoat, was also released. He guessed that it must be because of her.

Ling Xiao, a man so ruthless and decisive, how could he be moved by a single plea and release him out of kindness?

There must be another reason.

But what was that reason? He had been thinking about it ever since he came out, it was a knot in his heart, making it difficult for him to sleep.

He was still recovering from his illness, and he hadn’t seen her much, so he couldn’t ask these questions out loud.

“Lord Ling…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a voice: “Young Master Mo is here to offer his birthday wishes to Mrs. Lin, why are you standing at the door?”

Jiang Yao raised her eyes and saw Ling Xiao walking towards them with a cold expression.

He was wearing a dark blue wide-sleeved robe with embroidered patterns, his hair was tied up in a crown, and his imposing presence was palpable.

Mo Zichen’s expression tightened slightly, but he still bowed: “Your Lordship.”

Jiang Yao suddenly realized that Ling Xiao thought she was being too close to Mo Zichen, she quickly said: “Yes, Mrs. Lin is watching the play inside, Young Master Mo, please come in.”

Ling Xiao snorted, his eyes became even colder. “She’s quite protective of him.”

Mo Zichen looked at Jiang Yao’s earnest expression, but he didn’t say anything else. He nodded and entered the pavilion: “I’ve come to offer my birthday wishes to Mrs. Lin.”

Jiang Yao watched Mo Zichen go in, she breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to go in as well, but Ling Xiao called out to her: “A’er.”

“Accompany me to watch the play.”

“Today, avoid any contact with him, lest you be seen and rumors spread.”

His tone was perfunctory, his eyes were dark, and his gaze was chilling.

Jiang Yao’s back felt cold. What had she done wrong again? This man was more difficult to please than anyone else!

“Is there anything else you want me to do?” She asked patiently.

He smiled: “So eager to accompany Mo Zichen?”

Jiang Yao’s face also turned cold: “Today is Mrs. Lin’s birthday banquet, it’s a big event, please be mindful of your actions, Your Lordship.”

“If anyone hears about it, it will be a scandal.”

He was about to pester her again, but she turned and went directly into the pavilion.

Ling Xiao stared at her retreating back with a gloomy expression, his face darkened even more.

Jiang Yao entered the pavilion, Mo Zichen was offering his birthday wishes to Mrs. Lin.

Huaining pulled her over: “You’ve been waiting for so long.”

Huaining had been waiting in the pavilion after seeing Mo Zichen talking to Jiang Yao, she was eating fruit while watching the play.

Jiang Yao pressed down on her annoyance and forced a smile: “Something delayed me.”

Mo Zichen had just finished offering his birthday wishes and was presenting a birthday gift, a peacock and hundred birds embroidered screen, exquisitely crafted, a fine piece of Suzhou embroidery.

Mrs. Lin was very happy and praised it repeatedly.

Mo Zichen presented the gift, then turned and sat down, his eyes swept over Jiang Yao, seeing that she had already taken her seat, he felt a little relieved.

Huaining pulled Jiang Yao and said in a low voice: “When did you get to know this Young Master Mo?”

“We just have a few interactions.”

Huaining stroked her chin: “I feel like you…”

A maid hurried over and said to Jiang Yao in a low voice: “Madam, there’s a slight problem with the snacks, please come and take a look.”

Jiang Yao frowned, she quickly stood up: “What’s wrong?”

This banquet was naturally a lot of work, there could be a few hiccups.

“Go ahead, Madam.”

Jiang Yao said to Huaining: “I’ll be right back.”

Huaining nodded, and Jiang Yao hurried away.

The stage was set up in the main hall of the pavilion, and the guests were all accompanying Mrs. Lin to watch the play. There were two side halls on either side of the main hall, and the tea and snacks were prepared in the side hall next to the main hall.

Jiang Yao hurried through the door and said: “What’s wrong?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Ling Xiao inside.

Her face changed: “What are you doing here?”

Ling Xiao looked at her, his dark eyes were filled with a dark glint: “Mo Zichen came, he’s so attentive.”

“He just asked how your injuries were, and made some casual conversation. Your Lordship, you’re so sensitive to his attentiveness.”

Jiang Yao was also annoyed. If he was really attentive, he would have visited Mo Zichen after he was released from prison.

She had already avoided him, but he still insisted on pestering her.

She stared at him: “Young Master Mo is open and honest, it’s Your Lordship who is being suspicious. You’re quick to criticize others, but you’re always doing things that you shouldn’t be doing.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes became even colder, a sarcastic smile curled his lips.

“You say Mo Zichen is honest?”

“Do you really think Mo Zichen is a fool? If he were, why would he drag his sick body, which hasn’t fully recovered, to come and offer his birthday wishes?”

“He’s upright and courteous, he has never crossed the line. Your Lordship is worried, you should be worried about yourself.”

Jiang Yao turned to open the door, but before her hand touched the door, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm and pulled back. She raised her head and met his extremely gloomy eyes, her scalp tingled.

She struggled to break free, glaring at him and said in a low voice: “What are you doing!”

Today was Mrs. Lin’s birthday banquet, prominent families from all over the capital were here. They were just separated by a door, and she could still hear the actors singing on the stage, and the guests chatting and laughing.

His grip on her arm didn’t loosen at all, a cold smile curled his lips: “You’re upright and courteous, you’re not as mindful as Mo Zichen.”

Jiang Yao’s whole body trembled, she tried to back away, but his other hand directly circled her waist, preventing her from retreating.

He lowered his head, his dark eyes fixed on her lips.

Jiang Yao’s face flushed red, she said in a low voice, filled with anger: “Ling Xiao! Let me go!”

He pressed his lips against hers, his voice was a seductive whisper: “Have the guts to shout.”