Chapter 31: Come Over

The familiar scent suddenly approached, Yao clenched her sleeves tightly.

She was startled, when did she become so familiar with Ling Xiao’s scent?

“Hmm.”

She turned her head away, she didn’t respond, her tone was a little perfunctory, she obviously didn’t want to chat.

“I’ll go back to rest first.” She was impatient to continue the conversation, she turned around and left.

Ling Xiao was impatient inside, he frowned slightly.

“Marquis.”

Jian rushed over.

He glanced at him: “What is it?”

“Chen Xiang and Mo Lao Ye are here, they’ve been waiting, they want to see the Marquis.”

Ling Xiao was a little impatient, he had just finished dealing with the mess yesterday.

He turned his head and looked at Yao’s back, she was walking very fast, she turned and entered the courtyard, it was as if she was being chased by a dog.

His face was a little difficult, he took a deep breath, turned and left the inner courtyard, heading towards the courtyard hall.

In the hall, Chen Xiang was waiting inside, Mo Lao Ye was standing, both of them looked anxious.

They finally heard the announcement: “The Marquis has arrived.”

Chen Xiang stood up, he hurriedly got up, he politely put on a smile: “Ling Hou is busy with state affairs, we’re bothering you.”

Ling Xiao walked in, his expression was indifferent: “What is it, Chen Xiang?”

“I just heard that yesterday, your wife held a banquet, there was an accident, she almost harmed Madam Ling, and angered the Marquis, I’m here today, on behalf of my daughter, to apologize, she was really careless, she didn’t handle things well…”

Before Chen Xiang could finish, Ling Xiao interrupted him directly: “Since she was careless, then let her be disciplined for a few days, the mistress of the Marquis’ mansion can’t make such a mistake.”

Chen Xiang’s face stiffened, but he still said: “I will definitely discipline her strictly, I won’t let this kind of negligence happen again, the wedding date will be postponed,…”

Ling Xiao looked at him, his eyebrows were sharp: “Chen Xiang, do you think that the only noble ladies in Yanjing are from your family?”

“Are you waiting for us Chen family to teach our daughter?”

Chen Xiang choked, he couldn’t speak for a moment.

“If you hadn’t arrived in time yesterday, Ling would have lost face, now that everything is fine, it’s all thanks to the Chen family.”

Ling Xiao’s tone was sharp, there was no room for negotiation: “The matter of breaking off the engagement has been decided, I’m giving you face, so I’ll let you send the letter of annulment, within this period, if the letter of annulment is not delivered, I will not consider the Chen family’s face.”

Chen Xiang’s face turned pale, he had come to beg with all his might, just to keep this easily obtained marriage contract, but it was useless.

“Jian, see them out.”

Jian came over and said to Chen Xiang: “Chen Xiang, please.”

Chen Xiang looked at Ling Xiao’s face again, but he saw that there was no room for negotiation, it seemed that he was really angry about yesterday’s incident, he could only nod his head and leave with a sullen face.

As soon as Chen Xiang left, Mo Lao Ye hurriedly came over, he flattered him with a smile: “Ling Hou, such a disgraceful thing, it’s really unforgivable, this old man has no face to put on, the Marquis is also angry, I can’t save him, please be merciful, spare his life.”

Ling Xiao lifted his robe and sat down on the grandmaster’s chair, he casually picked up a teacup and scraped the tea leaves: “Mo Lao Ye’s son, he’s probably not much different from his father.”

Mo Lao Ye hurriedly said: “After all, he’s the eldest son, alas, I’ve spoiled him too much, and he’s made a mistake, please be merciful, Marquis, spare his life.”

Mo Lao Ye said, and directly knelt down.

Ling Xiao’s face was expressionless, he put down the teacup: “Mo Lao Ye loves his son dearly, naturally, I understand.”

Mo Lao Ye said eagerly: “If the Ling Marquis can spare his life, Mo will be at your beck and call in the future, I will have no complaints!”

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, he suddenly felt a little thoughtful.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, Mo Lao Ye was anxiously waiting, he didn’t dare to urge him.

After a long time, Ling Xiao finally said: “Since that’s the case, I’ll give you face, and spare his life.”

“Thank you, Marquis! Thank you, Marquis!”

Mo Lao Ye thanked him repeatedly.

Ling Xiao didn’t stay long, he got up and left.

Immediately, Mo Shu Jie was released from the Imperial Prison, he was sent back to the Mo family, he was alive, but his limbs were all broken, he was already a cripple.

The next day, Chen also obediently sent the letter of annulment, the engagement was annulled.

The series of farces finally came to an end.

But Ling Xiao was still not happy, he hadn’t seen Jiang Yao yet.

For the past few days, he hadn’t even gone to see the old lady, he said she was sick.

But he knew very well that she wasn’t sick, she was deliberately avoiding him.

He thought that after they had cleared things up, they would be able to turn over a new leaf, but he forgot that she was extremely cautious, even a slight breeze could make her nervous.

This Marquis’ mansion was too big, she was hiding everywhere, he was afraid that he wouldn’t even be able to see her face.

Ling Xiao was getting restless again.

Jian and Chi were guarding the study, their expressions were cautious, the Marquis’ face had been gloomy these past few days, they didn’t know what was going on.

“Everything is settled.”

“The master is getting harder and harder to guess, we can only wait and see.”

But there was one thing that was difficult to handle.

The eunuch from the Le Palace had just been here, he sent a post, saying that Princess Huai Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony, he invited the Marquis to attend.

But the Marquis was in a bad mood now, how could he care about these trivial matters?

But, after all, this was a post sent by the palace, he had to let the Marquis see it.

Jian took the post and took a deep breath, he pushed open the door and entered: “Marquis.”

Ling Xiao was sitting on a mat, his fingertips were lightly pressing a jade piece on the mat, he didn’t raise his head, the aura around him was slightly cold.

Jian’s voice was a little hesitant: “Princess Huai Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony is coming, the palace specially sent a post to invite the Marquis to attend the ceremony.”

Ling Xiao paused slightly, he raised his eyes.

Jian immediately answered: “This subordinate will decline this matter.”

But Ling Xiao asked: “Has it been sent to Madam?”

Jian paused, he was a little confused: “Not yet.”

“The palace specifically instructed that the Marquis and Madam should be invited, of course, we have to ask the Marquis first, Marquis, Madam must go, otherwise it would be disrespectful.”

“But Madam is still sick…”

Ling Xiao threw the jade piece in his hand: “Send the post to the Xuan Pavilion.”

Jian swallowed, why did the Marquis always care so much about Madam?

“Yes.”

Jian didn’t dare to ask, he responded and turned to leave.

But Ling Xiao suddenly called out: “Wait.”

“Marquis, do you have any other instructions?”

Ling Xiao looked at him, his words were clear: “If Madam asks, just say, I’m not free.”

Jian was stunned: “Yes.”

Jian then sent the post to the Xuan Pavilion, and then had Er deliver it to Yao’s bedroom.

Yao had been staying in her own courtyard these past few days, she had specially tidied up a room, she would be bored if she just stayed in the courtyard.

She was already feeling better, she was waiting for her illness to recover, she would go to see the old lady as usual, but when Ling Xiao was on leave, she would pretend to be sick, this way she could avoid him, it would be difficult to meet him in the future.

Although the incident was just a misunderstanding, she couldn’t pretend it never happened, she didn’t want to have any more contact with him.

“Madam.”

Er pushed open the door and came in, she was holding a post: “The palace sent a post, Princess Huai Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony, they invited Madam to attend.”

Yao wiped her hands and took the post to look at it carefully.

“The Princess is very kind to Madam, she must be looking forward to Madam’s arrival, Madam has been cooped up for a few days, you should go out, don’t be afraid, Mo Shu Jie has already become a cripple, he can’t do anything.” Er said.

Yao hesitated a little, holding the post, Princess Huai Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony, such an event, if she went, the Princess would probably be happy.

“… What about the Marquis?” she asked.

Er blinked: “The Marquis, Jian just sent it over, he said that the Marquis is busy with matters and doesn’t have time, so he sent the post to Madam.”

Yao guessed that he wouldn’t go, since she arrived in the capital, except for the banquet at the East Palace, and the matters discussed with the Crown Prince, she hadn’t attended any other banquets, he was impatient.

Hearing his words, Yao felt a little relieved: “Okay, I’ll go when the time is right.”

“Okay!”

Two days later, Yao got up early, she had Er help her with her makeup and prepare, she wore a jade-colored brocade double-breasted tunic, it was both elegant and refined, her cloud bun was adorned with two jade orchid hairpins, she applied rouge, her makeup was simple, but it couldn’t hide her extraordinary beauty.

After she finished her makeup, she finally went to the Xuan Pavilion.

The carriage was already prepared and waiting at the front gate of the Marquis’ mansion, she stepped over the threshold, she was about to get into the carriage directly, but when she looked up, she saw a black carriage beside her.

Yao’s steps suddenly stiffened.

She turned her head, her black eyes were filled with emotions: “Come over.”