Chapter 29: A Slap

Why Can’t He

No matter how much he restrained himself, it was useless. Instead, the suppressed restlessness in his heart burned more and more fiercely. Letting go, he was only deceiving himself.

Why let her go?

Fate had brought her to him, he should take her!

“Mmm…”

Yao stared in terror, her mind went blank, she struggled to push him away, but she couldn’t move at all. Instead, he kissed her more fiercely.

She bit her lip hard, a sharp pain shot through her, Ling Xiao opened his eyes, seeing her eyes full of fear, a little rationality returned, his restraint faltered slightly, and he released his strength.

He pushed her away violently, and raised his hand to slap her face.

Immediately, fear crept back into her head, she hurriedly took two steps back, and ran away like she was escaping for her life, back to her own bedroom.

When Ling Xiao came to his senses, she was already far away. He turned his head and looked at her fleeing back, he raised his hand and touched his lip, which had been bitten.

Her lips were softer than he thought.

Yao ran back to her own bedroom, she slammed the door shut, her whole body was trembling, her mind was filled with a buzzing sound.

Ling Xiao had just… kissed her!

The maid heard the commotion and came to knock on the door: “Madam, what’s wrong?”

Yao didn’t dare to make a sound.

Yao leaned against the door, clutching the belt of her cloak, her face was still pale: “Nothing, you guys go.”

“Madam, rest for a while.”

Yao leaned against the door for a while, making sure that Ling Xiao hadn’t followed her, she finally felt relieved.

But she was still terrified, she couldn’t calm down.

How could she admit to such a thing? He was so crazy!

Besides, Ling Xiao disliked her, and he respected her brother the most, he even spared her brother’s life because of Ling Chen’s last words, and he even brought her to the capital.

How could he…

“I must be mistaken! I smelled alcohol on his breath, I must be mistaken!”

“Otherwise, why didn’t he chase after me and slap me again? He didn’t even say anything, if it were according to his temperament, he should have thrown me into the dungeon immediately.”

“Yes, it must be like this.”

Yao repeated this in her heart,

as if she was desperately trying to convince herself.

As soon as she closed her eyes, Ling Xiao’s beast-like eyes, which made her hair stand on end, appeared, firmly locking onto her, she couldn’t escape.

Yao didn’t sleep all night.

The next morning, Er waited until Yao’s usual waking time, and then came to knock on the door.

“Madam.”

Yao responded, her voice hoarse: “Okay.”

Er brought two maidservants in, she smiled: “This servant will help Madam wash up.”

As soon as she lifted the curtain and came in, she was startled: “Madam, you don’t look well.”

Yao’s face was pale, her complexion was sallow, her face was filled with fatigue, she obviously hadn’t slept all night.

Yao pulled the corners of her lips: “I had a nightmare last night.”

Er dipped a towel in the water basin, then handed it to her: “Madam, you had another nightmare? Find a doctor for Madam, how can you not sleep at night? How can you endure this?”

“It’s alright.”

Yao didn’t say anything, she was a little listless, she washed up, and let Er help her with her makeup, because she hadn’t slept last night, her complexion was also bad, she let Er press some powder on her face, otherwise Lin Shi would ask questions when she saw her.

After she finished her makeup, she went to see Lin Shi as usual.

She came out of the Xuan Pavilion, she looked up and saw the pavilion where she had stayed last night, it was bright now, the pavilion was bright and clean, there was nothing unusual, and she didn’t see Ling Xiao.

Her sleeves were still tightly clenched, her steps were unsteady, as if she was walking on air.

When she arrived at the Fushou Garden, Lin Shi was having breakfast.

“Mother, you’re here, the lotus seed soup made by Cai Pozi today is very good, come and try it.”

Yao didn’t have any appetite, but she still accompanied Lin Shi.

Er added a bowl of lotus seed soup for her, she took a spoon and scooped a spoonful, she fed it into her mouth, it tasted like wax.

Lin Shi smiled: “It’s good, right?”

Yao forced a smile: “Yes, it’s good.”

“Why do you look so listless and unwell today?” Lin Shi asked with concern.

Yao pursed her lips: “I had a nightmare last night, I’m a little listless.”

“This is a minor illness, don’t let it get worse, find a doctor to prescribe some medicine for you, don’t let yourself be exhausted.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Suddenly, a maid came in to announce: “Old Madam, the Marquis has arrived.”

Yao clenched the spoon tightly, her face changed.

Ling Xiao almost never came to see Lin Shi, he was busy with state affairs, he often didn’t return to the mansion for several days, it was common for him to not return for several days, he was a busy man.

She thought that after last night’s incident, he would definitely be embarrassed, he would avoid her and hide, and when enough time had passed, they would all forget about this matter.

But he actually came to see Lin Shi?

“What’s going on!”

Lin Shi was delighted when she heard this, she hurriedly said: “Invite him in.”

The curtain was lifted by the maid, Ling Xiao walked in, his dark blue sleeves were straight and neat, his silver crown held his hair, his leather belt was tied around his waist, his expression was calm: “Mother.”

His gaze swept over, then he looked at Yao, Yao lowered her head, she clenched the spoon in her hand, she wanted to bury it in the bowl, her nervousness was written all over her face.

She thought he was going to punish her for last night’s kiss.

Lin Shi smiled: “Why are you free to come for breakfast today?”

“I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

Lin Shi hurriedly told the maidservants to add another set of bowls and chopsticks.

“The lotus seed soup made by the chef today is very good, Mother also said it was good, it’s just right that you’re here, come and try it.”

“Okay.”

Ling Xiao casually sat down beside her, the maidservants set the bowls and chopsticks, and added a bowl of lotus seed soup for him.

Yao looked at the lotus seed soup in the bowl, she picked up the spoon, it was too sweet.

“He loves these things, no wonder he’s so sweet.”

She put down the spoon: “I came today to tell Mother something.”

Yao’s hand was suddenly clenched tightly, she stiffened, holding the spoon, her heart was pounding.

Lin Shi asked: “What’s the matter?”

“I’m breaking off the engagement.”

“What!” Lin Shi was shocked, her face changed, “This, this, the wedding is only a month away, why are you breaking off the engagement?”

“Chen Fengliang, Miss Chen is not a good match, marriage is a major event, one should be more cautious.”

Ling Xiao’s voice was flat, but his tone was不容拒绝 (不容拒绝 – not allowing any refusal).

Lin Shi was so angry that she couldn’t breathe: “Marriage is not a child’s play, you can’t just break it off when you want to. We discussed this with you before we decided, now you’re breaking off the engagement, you’re ruining the girl’s reputation…”

“I’ve already told Chen, the letter of annulment will be sent by us, it’s also a way to save face for Chen.”

“You!”

Lin Shi glared at him, but she suddenly discovered that her lip was broken: “What’s wrong with your lip?”

The maidservant beside Yao heard this, she was startled, cold sweat broke out on her back, she raised her head abruptly, and met Ling Xiao’s bottomless black eyes.