Chapter 57: Her Lipstick

Jiang Yao’s pupils widened. This madman!

He dared to make a move. She had been so obedient, but he pulled her into his arms, deepening the kiss, their lips intertwined, stealing all her breath.

She couldn’t bear it anymore and turned her head, silently resisting. His lips slid from her lips to her chin, then lingered around her neck, his hot breath tickling her skin. Her whole body felt a surge of heat, he tightened his grip on her waist, his breathing becoming rough.

Suddenly, she felt a burning sensation all over. His hand, gripping her waist, was scorching hot, even through her dress, it burned her skin. She raised her head in confusion, but she suddenly met his eyes, filled with desire.

Like a wild wolf in the forest, his eyes were filled with a dark green glow, ready to tear her apart and devour her.

Her whole body trembled, she was a little afraid, her voice trembled slightly: “What are you doing?”

His dark eyes stared at her, his hand gripping her waist tightened into a fist, the desire raging within him, unable to be quelled.

He endured.

“Madam, the banquet is about to start, Mrs. Lin is waiting for you.” A voice came from the door, it was A’er.

Jiang Yao hurriedly pushed him away.

He was filled with a sense of panic, but he finally loosened his grip.

Jiang Yao immediately took two steps back, glared at him fiercely, and quickly pulled open the door, afraid that he would change his mind.

Ling Xiao stood there, watching her slam the door shut. He swallowed, trying to calm his breathing.

The sudden withdrawal from his arms made his body feel empty.

He lowered his eyes and saw a faint trace of lipstick on his fingertips. His thumb had brushed against her lips during the kiss, leaving a mark. It still held a trace of warmth.

He gently rubbed it, a little greedy.

“Madam, you look a little flushed, is everything alright?” A’er noticed that Jiang Yao’s face was not right, it wasn’t the usual blush.

Jiang Yao’s eyes flickered: “Nothing, it’s just too hot.”

A’er was a little confused. The tea and snacks were prepared in a cool place, but this pavilion was always cool, why would it be so hot?

Jiang Yao was afraid that others would notice something unusual, so she quickly adjusted her appearance before returning to the banquet.

The banquet was already prepared. When Mrs. Lin saw her return, she chided her: “A’er, the banquet has already started.”

Jiang Yao twitched her lips: “The maid was clumsy and ruined the prepared snacks, so I had to rearrange them.”

“You don’t have to do these things yourself.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Yao had just taken her seat when Ling Xiao also came in. He looked calm and composed, his brows were indifferent, a stark contrast to the man just now.

Men and women sat separately. Ling Xiao first offered his greetings to Mrs. Lin. Jiang Yao kept her head down, not daring to look at him.

He glanced at her, then turned and sat down elsewhere.

The banquet finally began, with clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries, it was naturally another round of lively chatter.

And the most lively place was naturally by the Crown Prince and Ling Xiao, with people constantly coming to offer toasts.

Mo Shikang seized the opportunity and hurriedly took Mo Zichen to offer a toast to Ling Xiao.

“We were able to clear our name, we still have to thank Lord Ling for his investigation! Today, on Mrs. Lin’s birthday, I must personally offer a toast to Lord Ling!” Mo Shikang smiled eagerly.

Ling Xiao looked indifferent: “Old Master Mo, you’re too kind. I was just upholding justice, the Mo family is innocent, naturally, you were wronged.”

Mo Shikang thanked him again and again: “Lord Ling’s judgment is like a god! I truly admire you!”

As he spoke, Mo Shikang finished his cup of wine.

Ling Xiao didn’t move.

Mo Shikang didn’t give up, instead, he pulled Mo Zichen over: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and offer a toast to Lord Ling!”

Mo Shikang had always been indifferent to this son. This son was a complete disappointment.

Mo Zichen’s mother was a concubine, she was brought into the mansion when Mo Shikang was young, and later, she lost her voice and became old. Mo Shikang completely disliked her, and he didn’t like this son either.

But Mo Zichen was good at business, he had some skills, and he was able to make more profits by being placed in the right position. Old Master Mo naturally made good use of him, but he didn’t really care for him.

Until this time, Ling Xiao had specially shown favor and released Mo Zichen. Mo Shikang had realized something was amiss. It seemed that Mo Zichen was lucky, he had gained Lord Ling’s favor!

So Mo Shikang specially brought Mo Zichen with him today, to curry favor with Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao scanned Mo Zichen, his eyes were full of disdain.

Mo Zichen raised his cup with both hands: “Thank you, Lord Ling, for clearing the Mo family’s name.”

His demeanor was respectful, but he was also humble.

Ling Xiao’s lips curled up slightly: “It was just a small matter.”

Mo Zichen finished his wine, and Ling Xiao, for once, gave him face and picked up his cup, taking a sip.

Mo Shikang was overjoyed. “Lord Ling really favors Mo Zichen! This son wasn’t a waste after all!”

But Mo Zichen suddenly noticed the faint red lipstick on the cup he was holding, his pupils constricted.

He quickly raised his head and saw that Ling Xiao’s eyes were cold, a smile playing on his lips.

Mo Zichen’s sleeves tightened, his face froze for a moment.

He had an excellent memory, he never made a mistake in any of the accounts he had handled over the years. He remembered, this was Jiang Yao’s lipstick.

Mo Shikang didn’t notice the undercurrent flowing between the two, he was still thanking him profusely: “It’s our good fortune to have Lord Ling clear our name. The Mo family will be forever grateful! In the future, if Lord Ling needs anything, the Mo family will definitely do our best!”

Ling Xiao looked at Mo Zichen, with a hint of warning: “Just mind your own business.”

“Yes!” Mo Shikang replied repeatedly, and then he continued to ask after him with a lot of enthusiasm.

Ling Xiao had no patience to deal with them anymore, he didn’t say anything else. Mo Shikang, on the other hand, was very eager to see his son, so he pulled Mo Zichen away.

Ling Xiao watched Mo Zichen’s retreating back, his eyes sharp.

“You’ve been a little quiet since you came back.” Huaining asked.

Jiang Yao twitched her lips: “Nothing, I’m just a little tired.”

She said that she shouldn’t take on everything, she would tire herself out. This Marquis’ Mansion needed someone to support it, who would be tired if not her? Ling Xiao’s marriage hadn’t even been mentioned.

Jiang Yao pursed her lips, looking at Huaining’s innocent eyes, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

If Ling Xiao did something to her, she was afraid she would never forgive him.

“Let’s go back and rest for a while, there’s nothing else to do after the banquet anyway.” Huaining said with concern.

Jiang Yao suddenly asked: “Your Highness, what if, what if I lied…”

Huaining blinked: “Why would you lie?”

“Just say if.” Jiang Yao was a little hesitant.

Huaining furrowed her brows: “I hate it when people lie! Lying is betrayal! I will never forgive you!”

Jiang Yao’s face froze.

But Huaining then took her arm and smiled: “But if it’s just a little white lie, I’ll reluctantly forgive you this time, after all, you’re my best friend!”

Jiang Yao stared at her blankly, her heart suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

When the banquet was halfway through, the Crown Prince left. When it was over, Ling Xiao also left the table.

“I still have things to do.”

He left the pavilion and went directly to his study. He suddenly noticed someone following him, he stopped and swept back with sharp eyes: “Who is…”