Chapter 32: What Did You Call Me?

Yao moved stiffly, her voice not quite natural: “Are you going too, Marquis?”

“I just happened to have some free time.”

Yao pursed her lips, her face was tense, she still had time to say something.

“Still standing there? Get in the carriage.” His tone was commanding.

Yao opened her mouth, but she didn’t know what to say. She looked at his cold eyes and swallowed her words.

She lifted her skirt and got into the carriage.

Ling Xiao watched her bend down and get in, a slight curve appeared at the corner of his lips, his gloominess suddenly brightened.

He mounted his horse, the coachman immediately raised his whip, and the carriage slowly started, driving into the imperial palace.

Today was Huai Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony, the Empress had specially allowed a banquet to be held at the Phoenix Terrace.

After all, it was the princess’ coming-of-age ceremony, half of the famous families in the capital were invited, almost everyone who was invited came, the palace gate was already filled with carriages and horses.

But when the carriage of the Marquis’ mansion arrived, everyone voluntarily gave way.

The eunuch who was guarding the palace gate and welcoming guests saw Ling Xiao, he quickly greeted him, his face full of surprise: “This servant welcomes the Ling Marquis!”

He obviously didn’t expect Ling Xiao to actually grace them with his presence.

Ling Xiao dismounted, and Yao got out of the carriage.

“Madam Ling!” The eunuch was attentive: “The Princess specially ordered this servant to wait here, to welcome Madam into the palace.”

Yao nodded lightly: “Thank you, Eunuch.”

“Oh, you’re too kind, this servant is honored, please this way!”

The eunuch led them in, Ling Xiao walked in front, Yao followed behind, she was a little uneasy.

She was really embarrassed to see Ling Xiao now.

But Ling Xiao seemed to be fine, he could calmly and confidently go to see Lin Shi after what happened, and he didn’t change his expression when he faced her.

“He really has a thick skin.”

Yao muttered to herself, she didn’t pay attention and suddenly bumped into Ling Xiao, her forehead hit his directly.

She was startled, she hurriedly took a few steps back.

“When did you get here? You were waiting here?”

Yao was a little embarrassed: “Just now.”

He looked at her: “If you dawdle any longer, you’ll be late.”

“Oh…” she responded perfunctorily.

She had indeed been a little slow, she was too careless.

“What else? You’re always in a hurry, when did you get here to wait?”

She was already so anxious, but he still called her names, he was deliberately making her look bad!

She was a little annoyed, her apologetic eyes were hidden with a hint of resentment.

Ling Xiao’s emotions were unpredictable, he was always changing, he was really energetic.

“Let’s go.” When Yao looked up again, her face was already calm,

as if she had no complaints.

He looked at her, “Is she going to curse me in her heart?”

They finally arrived at the Phoenix Terrace, Huai Ning saw Yao and excitedly rushed over: “Yao, you’re here!”

Yao was knocked off balance, she took two steps back before she caught herself, she smiled: “I’m a little late.”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly.

Huai Ning looked up, she suddenly saw Ling Xiao, she was even more surprised: “Brother Xiao, you’re here too!”

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

Ling Xiao bowed: “Princess.”

Huai Ning beamed: “Brother Xiao, it’s so great that you’re here!”

Ling Xiao went to the men’s seats in the inner hall: “I’ll go see the Crown Prince first.”

“Okay, okay!”

Huai Ning blinked at Ling Xiao as he left, she didn’t turn back to Yao until he was far away, she excitedly said: “Did you hear? Brother Xiao broke off the engagement!”

Yao was startled, she pursed her lips: “Yes.”

“Of course, ah, what a fool! Huai Ning pulled her, she bit her ear, “Anyway, I’m telling you, I’m going to get him, Brother Xiao will definitely get rid of that kind of woman like Chen Shiyun!”

Yao looked at Princess Huai Ning’s excited expression, she had been crying her eyes out a while ago, it was as if she was a different person, she had already come back to life, and her hope had been rekindled.

She inexplicably felt a pang of guilt.

“No, Ling Xiao actually admitted his mistake, he didn’t really want to marry her, it was a loss for her.”

Yao’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, time was really a good healer.

Huai Ning was completely immersed in her joy, she didn’t notice the change in Yao’s expression, she excitedly said: “Today, Chen Shiyun didn’t even come, she said she was sick, hmph, she’s pretending, she’s afraid of losing face! She was so arrogant before, she hadn’t even gotten married yet, she was already putting on airs as the Marquis’ wife! She’s so arrogant!”

“By the way, I heard that she held a tea tasting banquet, and she was almost harassed by that beast Mo Shu Jie, are you alright?”

Yao finally came to her senses, she shook her head lightly: “I’m fine.”

Huai Ning snorted: “Chen Shiyun’s tricks are really low, maybe she’s behind this, Brother Xiao must have seen through her true face, that’s why he broke off the engagement without any hesitation!”

Yao was a little confused, why did Ling Xiao decide to break off the engagement?

Huai Ning beamed again, she shared her joy with Yao: “Anyway, Brother Xiao broke off the engagement now, it’s fate, luckily I didn’t give up! I’m definitely going to marry Brother Xiao!”

Yao looked at Huai Ning’s clear eyes, she clenched her sleeves tightly.

“The Princess is so sincere, I should reciprocate, I can’t let her down.”

She had already made a mistake that couldn’t be undone, but in the future, she would definitely not make the same mistake again.

She curved her lips and nodded: “Yes.”

“There are many other noble ladies who have come to the palace to congratulate her,” Huai Ning said to Yao, “I’ll go and have a look around first, I’ll come back when the banquet starts!”

“Princess, go ahead, don’t worry about me.”

Huai Ning fluttered away like a butterfly.

Yao walked around the garden, then sat down in a pavilion to have some tea.

In the hall, the door was open, Ling Xiao was talking to the Crown Prince, but his eyes were always on Jiang Yao.

“He’s still so careless, he’s letting his guard down a little.”

He was completely focused when the Princess was talking, he rarely smiled, he only smiled when he was facing her.

“When he smiles, there’s a dimple on his cheek, it’s sweeter than lotus seed soup.”

“Why are you so absent-minded today?” the Crown Prince suddenly asked.

Ling Xiao came to his senses: “Nothing.”

The Crown Prince said meaningfully: “Could it be because of the matter of breaking off the engagement? If you really like her, don’t be stubborn.”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly: “Your Highness, who told you that?”

“Ji Huai said so.”

“…”

“He should have his tongue cut out first.”

Your Highness.

After a while, Ling Xiao looked up again, he saw Yao alone in the pavilion in the garden, feeding the fish.

“Why does she love feeding fish so much?”

“She smiles more at the fish than she does at me.”

Ling Xiao pursed his lips, he was a little annoyed, he moved silently, he left the inner hall, followed the path, and entered the pavilion.

Yao was happily feeding the fish, a group of fish surrounded her, vying for food, they even jumped out of the water to beg for food.

She suddenly heard familiar footsteps, she looked up and saw Ling Xiao.

The smile on her face faded a little, “Why are you here again?”

“What are you doing?” Ling Xiao asked.

Yao pursed her lips, she put the fish in her hand aside, as if she was gathering her courage, she raised her head: “Feeding fish, is there anything else?”

Ling Xiao’s usually calm and composed face suddenly froze for a moment.

He looked at her, his black eyes gradually became cold: “What did you call me?”