Chapter 19: Distance

Yao nodded, “I’ll just take a stroll around.”

She added, “Mother said so. Just in case.”

Ling Xiao was cautious, lowering his eyes, “Your shoulder, is it better?”

Yao was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to be concerned.

“It’s much better now. The imperial physician sent some ointment, and it’s very effective. Even the scars are fading.” Yao smiled, “I should thank Your Highness for summoning the imperial physician.”

Although Ling Xiao had a bad temper, he had saved her life, and he had even summoned the imperial physician to treat her. Yao wasn’t ungrateful.

She suddenly smiled, her clear eyes seeming to sparkle with color.

His fist clenched and then loosened. He averted his gaze, his voice sharp, “Even though your wound is better, don’t wander around. You’ll get hurt again.”

Yao’s smile faltered slightly. Why was he angry again?

She bit her back teeth, swallowing her anger, “Yes.”

“Just because I came out for a walk, I’m wandering around?”

“Your Highness is in the mansion now, and I’m disturbing you.”

“This path leads directly to the mansion.”

It was already dusk, and he was rushing back to the mansion. He must have something urgent to attend to. She didn’t want to delay his time.

She was just being polite.

She was being perfunctory, her eyes darkening, but she didn’t say anything else.

Ling Xiao didn’t respond. He turned and walked away.

The maid saw Yao’s expression and tried to comfort her, “Your Highness might be concerned about Madam.”

Did she even believe that?

She had never met anyone more difficult to get along with!

The maid: “…”

Yao turned her head, and Ling Xiao was already far away. She took a deep breath, “Whatever.”

She wouldn’t see him often anyway.

She suddenly thought about Chen Shiyun, who was full of herself. Was Ling Xiao’s bad temper just for her?

Yao suddenly felt a little relieved, “This Miss Chen should be too busy to bother Your Highness once she enters the mansion.”

She would probably be too preoccupied with her own affairs.

It was Ling Xiao who would suffer with his unpredictable personality.

Ling Xiao walked into the Marquis’s Mansion, and Sword followed behind, “Your Highness, what are your orders now?”

Ling Xiao’s footsteps paused, his face taut.

The case was almost solved, and there was nothing else to do. He really had nothing to do.

The suppressed restlessness in his heart, however, was still there, unable to be calmed.

He should forget about her, but he was inexplicably drawn to her.

Ling Xiao hated this feeling of being controlled. He was used to being in control of everything, never allowing any deviation. How could he be so easily swayed by a woman?

His lips pressed together, his fist clenched, “The Imperial Prison.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

–

Over the next few days, Yao didn’t see Ling Xiao again. He seemed to be busy again.

Yao was also busy. Her fabric shop was opening, and she had entrusted the maid, Qinghe, to handle the daily affairs, but she personally made a few signature fabrics.

Later, Ning Ge officially opened.

The response from Xi Lou was good. Customers actively asked about the fabrics, and Xi Lou was happy to have exclusive access to them for free. They were willing to promote Ning Ge, so they directly pointed customers to the shop.

Therefore, Ning Ge was very prosperous from the start.

“It’s good that Madam mentioned Xi Lou for advertising. I was worried that we would lose money by giving Xi Lou so many fabrics for free. But now that our shop has opened, it’s so lively. Other shops are even jealous of our customer flow! They can only stare at us with envy.”

Yao walked around the shop, “Xi Lou is such a famous brand, why do they need our advertising?”

“It’s not just advertising, they’re also paying a higher price.”

After all, Xi Lou would definitely not lose money. Their customers were all wealthy, and they wouldn’t mind paying a little extra. It would even make them feel more prestigious.

The money lost to Xi Lou would be easily earned back.

“Your Highness is truly thoughtful!”

Yao smiled, “Qinghe, tell the shop manager to handle everything according to the instructions. Take good care of the shop. If anything happens, come and tell me immediately.”

Qinghe responded happily, “Yes, Madam!”

Yao couldn’t personally manage the shop. Ling Xiao had many businesses, including fields, shops, and more, all of which needed to be managed. Now that Ling Xiao didn’t have a mistress yet, Yao was in charge of everything.

She could only wait for Chen Shiyun to enter the mansion before she could unload these responsibilities.

Yao was leaving the shop when she saw a carriage at the door.

A tall figure lowered the window curtain and bent down.

“Young Master Mo.” Yao smiled.

“Congratulations on your shop’s grand opening, Madam.” Mo Zichen smiled from the carriage.

“I have to thank Xi Lou for their help with the advertising. Otherwise, the opening wouldn’t have been so lively.”

“Your fabrics are truly unique. The customers at the restaurants have been giving good feedback. With your management skills, Ning Ge will surely flourish.”

This was a compliment, but it was also the truth. Jiang Yao’s management skills were indeed clever, and she had achieved twice the results with half the effort.

Mo Zichen was also happy to help. He had agreed to this deal because it was a sure win. He had tried the incense at the restaurant, and if the feedback was good, he would immediately switch to using it. If the feedback was not good, he would continue using it.

“I’ll take your good words as a blessing.” Yao smiled.

The maid rushed over, “Madam, the Old Madam sent word asking you to return to the mansion.”

Yao turned to Mo Zichen, “I have something to attend to. I’ll go first. If you come in, please ask the staff to take care of you.”

“It’s alright, I’m just passing by. Please go ahead with your business.” Mo Zichen was very polite.

Yao hadn’t met anyone so easy to talk to in a long time. She felt refreshed.

“Okay.”

Yao lifted her skirt and got into the carriage, leaving.

Mo Zichen watched the carriage leave, his casual phoenix eyes filled with a hint of scrutiny. She was an interesting woman.

–

Yao returned to the Marquis’s Mansion and went directly to Fushou Garden.

“Mother.” Yao rushed in.

Mrs. Lin was leaning against a soft couch. When she saw Yao enter, she smiled and asked, “How was the opening of Ning Ge today? Was it alright?”

Yao smiled, “It was pretty good, Mother, don’t worry.”

“That’s good. Otherwise, all the reward money would have been wasted.”

“It’s a thousand taels.”

“It’s alright, we didn’t use the mansion’s money. It’s all from the emperor’s reward. It’s better to keep the reward money for yourself. Your Highness wouldn’t care about these things. He’s very clear about public and private matters.”

Yao held her arm, “After all, it’s my own business. I’m afraid he would think I’m not separating public and private affairs. Besides, although I’m managing it now, once the mistress enters the mansion, I will definitely hand it over.”

The shop was hers, though.

Moreover, Ling Xiao didn’t care about money.

It was useless for him to manage it now, so he naturally let her manage it. He had warned her to be careful and remember it. She wouldn’t dare to forget it for a moment.

Besides, she had invested her own money in this shop.

Yao was always sensible, and Mrs. Lin was very fond of this daughter-in-law.

“A message just came from the palace. The emperor’s grandson’s birthday is coming up, and the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet.”

Mrs. Lin handed the invitation to Yao.

Yao looked at the invitation, a little surprised, “This invitation is for me?”

Usually, these invitations were sent to Ling Xiao. Yao, as a widow, wouldn’t be invited to such events. She had never used Ling Xiao’s name to flaunt her status.

“Yes, the eunuch who delivered the invitation said that the Crown Prince wanted to thank you for saving the princess, so he specifically invited you to the banquet. The Crown Prince and Princess Huaining are siblings, so naturally, they would invite you.”

Yao nodded, “Okay, Mother.”

“You’ll be entering the palace for the first time. A lady-in-waiting will teach you some palace etiquette. Be careful and don’t make any mistakes. If you don’t understand anything, ask Your Highness.”

Yao pursed her lips. She remembered that he didn’t seem to like talking to her the last time they met. She didn’t dare to ask him anything.

Why was he so distant towards her now?

… Yao nodded and agreed, reassuring Mrs. Lin.

Over the next few days, the lady-in-waiting taught Yao some basic palace etiquette. She wasn’t good at etiquette, but she could barely manage.

She wouldn’t have many opportunities to enter the palace.

Later, Yao got up and carefully dressed. After all, she was entering the palace, so she had to dress formally. She wore a plain silk dress with a satin sash, and her hair was tied up in a bun, revealing her slender neck.

She was still in mourning for her husband, so she didn’t wear any jewelry or hairpins. She usually wore silver hairpins, but for the palace, she changed to pearl hairpins, simple yet elegant.

When she was done dressing, she went out, and the Marquis’s Mansion carriage was already waiting.

Manager Wang came forward enthusiastically, “Madam.”

Yao looked around, but she didn’t see Ling Xiao.

“Your Highness is busy with affairs at the Ministry of Rites. He has already set aside time for the banquet, so Madam will go to the palace first.”

Yao nodded. She didn’t mind. He was really busy, and she was too lazy to go with him anyway.

Ling Xiao had been deliberately distancing himself from her, and she wasn’t interested in forcing herself on him. She would just stay away from him.

The maid helped Yao into the carriage, and the carriage slowly drove towards the palace.

When they arrived at the palace gate, Yao got out of the carriage and walked into the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace was very lively today. The banquet was held in the garden. It was the season of a hundred flowers blooming, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and the sounds of laughter and conversation.

The palace maid led Yao into a pavilion by the side.

The Crown Princess was there with the emperor’s grandson. All the guests who attended the banquet would first come to greet her.

“Your Highness, the Military Marquis’s wife has arrived.” The eunuch bowed and announced.

The Crown Princess smiled, “Please invite her in.”

“Yes.”

“Your subordinate pays her respects to the Crown Princess.” Yao walked in slowly and bowed.

“No need for formalities, please have a seat.” The Crown Princess smiled. “I’ve heard Huaining mention you, but I haven’t had a chance to meet you. I’m glad to finally meet you at this banquet in the Eastern Palace.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

“You saved Huaining, I should be thanking you.” The Crown Princess said, then looked up, “Where is the Military Marquis?”

Yao said, “Your Highness seems to be busy with some affairs. He hasn’t returned to the mansion for a few days. He probably rushed over directly after finishing his work.”

The Crown Princess was slightly surprised. She had just heard the Crown Prince say that the Military Marquis had already dug out the officials who were colluding with the heretical sect and sent them to trial.

He was still so busy that he didn’t even return home?

The Crown Princess didn’t ask further. She just smiled, “Come, Huaining will be here soon. She’s been waiting for you.”

Yao nodded slightly, then asked the maid to present the gift, “Today is the emperor’s grandson’s birthday. Your subordinate has chosen a jade lock as a gift.”

She took out another box, “And this box contains some incense, made by myself.”

Jade locks were common gifts, and the Crown Princess had seen many of them, so she wouldn’t be too impressed. But the incense was more eye-catching.

“You make incense?” The Crown Princess was a little curious. She took the box and opened it.

“Your subordinate has learned a few skills. Please don’t dislike it, Your Highness.” Yao smiled.

“This smells good, sweet and not greasy. I like to use incense, and I think this is very good.”

The Crown Princess was very happy.

Yao was overjoyed, “Your Highness likes it, that’s good.”

Just then, they heard a voice announcing from outside.

“The Military Marquis has arrived.”

Yao turned her head and saw a tall figure standing on the long bridge in the distance. He was wearing a long robe with black patterns on the sleeves, his hair tied with a crown. His steps were casual and relaxed, but his presence was imposing and powerful.

He was accompanied by Chen Shiyun, his fiancée.

Chen Shiyun was wearing a jade-green silk dress, her figure graceful and elegant. She stood beside him, her features dignified, but her cheeks flushed slightly, hiding her nervousness.

They both stood up, like a pair of perfect matches.