Chapter 44: Can’t Stay Mad at Her for Long

Ling Xiao’s face turned pale.

How dare she speak up for Mo Ziqian!

He glared at her, his voice a warning: “Jiang Yao.”

But she was fearless, her eyes bright and unwavering: “I have a clear conscience, and I’m not afraid of anyone’s scrutiny. What about you, Lord Hou?”

She bit her lip: “Even if I were to be wrong, Ling Chen was your brother’s lawfully wedded wife, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Ling family. Since you respect your elder brother, you should also respect her. You shouldn’t indulge your own desires and ruin your reputation, nor should you chill the hearts of the Ling family.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left decisively.

His eyes were fixed on her, his face growing increasingly grim.

Her audacity was truly growing, now she dared to lecture him with the Ling family’s name!

Jian, trembling, approached him, saying: “Lord Hou, Prime Minister Chen wishes to see you. He said there are matters to discuss.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes were dark and fixed on Jiang Yao’s retreating back. His fist clenched in his sleeve, he suppressed his emotions, his face grim: “Let him in.”

“Yes.” Jian hurriedly invited him in.

A quarter of an hour later, when Prime Minister Chen arrived, Ling Xiao had regained his composure.

“Lord Hou.” Prime Minister Chen bowed politely.

“What brings you here, Prime Minister Chen?” Ling Xiao was in a good mood, and he had no patience for beating around the bush.

Prime Minister Chen sighed: “Although our two families were not destined to be related, I admire Lord Hou’s talent. In fact, it was because of this marriage that our two families have developed a rift.”

Ling Xiao had heard these kinds of hypocritical words countless times, and his expression remained indifferent: “Prime Minister Chen is thoughtful.”

Prime Minister Chen observed Ling Xiao’s face, but he couldn’t discern his emotions. He tentatively asked: “I hear that Lord Hou is still investigating the case of the Lotus Sect’s collusion.”

“The case has already been closed. What do you want to know?” Ling Xiao didn’t reveal any information.

Prime Minister Chen was smooth as oil: “It’s nothing, I just heard some rumors. They say that Lord Hou is still digging deep into the Lotus Sect’s colluding accomplices, and you’ve found some leads.”

Ling Xiao understood. This old fox, Prime Minister Chen, was afraid that they had discovered something, so he came to inquire about the situation.

“Prime Minister Chen.”

“Lord Hou is a noble of the court. Although our two families were not destined to be related, I still admire Lord Hou. I truly wish to befriend you. If Lord Hou is willing to give me some face, in the future, I can offer some support in the court.”

Prime Minister Chen’s words were veiled, but his meaning was clear.

He hoped that Ling Xiao would continue the investigation, and even more so, he hoped that Ling Xiao would find evidence against him.

Ling Xiao’s tone was indifferent: “Since Prime Minister Chen is so kind, I will naturally give you face. I will thoroughly investigate this case, and I will definitely make Prime Minister Chen disappointed.”

Prime Minister Chen’s smile froze on his face.

–

Jiang Yao, still fuming, walked a long distance before bumping into a flustered Huai Ning.

“Yao! You’re just in time!”

Huai Ning pulled Jiang Yao aside and poured out her grievances: “My brother actually wants to marry me off to someone else! Not Zheng Shizi or Wang Shizi, but someone else! He keeps saying he loves me, but he can’t wait to marry me off!”

Jiang Yao was stunned: “Marry you off?”

“That’s right! We were being so secretive, and he had to let everyone know! He had to make sure everyone knew!” Huai Ning stomped her foot in anger.

Jiang Yao wanted to comfort her, but the words got stuck in her throat. It was already hard enough for Huai Ning to accept Ling Xiao’s affection, how could she possibly persuade her to accept another man?

Jiang Yao turned her head: “They didn’t follow us, did they?”

“No, no. It’s such a big banquet today, even my brother wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.” Huai Ning laughed.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but ask: “How is this other Shizi?”

“He’s tall, he looks the part, but he’s just a pretty face! He’s far inferior to Brother Xiao.”

Just as they were talking, they heard a greeting: “Greetings to the Princess.”

Huai Ning turned her head and saw a group of noble ladies walking towards them from the shore, smiling and greeting the princess.

Huai Ning recognized the leader as Chen Shiyun, and there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice: “Miss Chen, your illness is cured? I thought you wouldn’t be able to come today.”

Chen Shiyun still smiled, but it was clearly strained. After the broken engagement, her position in the noble circle had been lowered, and now she was being mocked by Princess Huai Ning. How could she not be angry?

She blamed Jiang Yao for everything. It was all because of her!

Chen Shiyun forced a smile and raised her chin: “It’s nothing serious, just a bit of rest and I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me, Princess.”

Huai Ning laughed: “I’m afraid you’ll overexert yourself and get sick again.”

Chen Shiyun gritted her teeth, her face stiff.

Jiang Yao didn’t pay attention to Chen Shiyun, but she suddenly met Qin Yu Jun’s gaze and quickly looked away.

Both of them felt a little awkward.

Huai Ning followed Jiang Yao’s gaze and saw Qin Yu Jun. The proud look on her face instantly dimmed, and she turned her head and left in a huff.

Jiang Yao wanted to chase after her, but Er rushed over: “Madam, Lord Hou said to return to the manor.”

“I’ll be back later.” Jiang Yao was impatient, everyone was calling her!

Er lowered her voice: “Lord Hou said that if Madam doesn’t come back now, he will come and get you himself.”

Jiang Yao’s face changed.

Huai Ning mumbled: “Let’s go back first. We’ll play in the palace next time.”

Jiang Yao’s heart sank, but she didn’t know how to refuse the princess.

“Let’s go.”

As Jiang Yao hurried away, she saw Ling Xiao waiting for her with a dark face.

Facing his gloomy eyes, she felt a chill run down her spine. She had been afraid of him in the palace, but now that she was back, would he beat her up for her outburst?

She suddenly regretted speaking up for Mo Ziqian.

Ling Xiao scanned her: “Still standing there? Get in the carriage.”

He didn’t mention the incident earlier, and he naturally wouldn’t ask. His face was tight as he got into the carriage.

Jiang Yao was so nervous that she clutched her skirt as she got into the carriage. She was still afraid.

She thought he was ruthless and heartless.

As they waited for the carriage, Ling Xiao mounted his horse and headed straight back to the manor.

Jiang Yao sat in the carriage, her heart still unsettled. She was afraid that Ling Xiao would hold a grudge against her. His face was so grim, he must still be remembering what happened.

Would he follow her back?

Ling Xiao rode ahead, his expression also somewhat凝重. That old fox, Prime Minister Chen, had come to probe him today. Who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up?

He was worried, but he was even more worried about Jiang Yao. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have insisted on bringing her back today.

He wouldn’t allow her to leave the manor for the next few days.

Just as he was thinking, the wind stirred, his eyes narrowed, and he drew his sword and swung it horizontally. A feathered arrow that had pierced the air was split in two.

Jian, with his red sword, flew into the air, following the direction of the arrow and charging into battle.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Yao suddenly heard the sound of swords clashing, and the carriage was pulled violently. Her face turned pale.

The carriage curtains were suddenly pulled open, and she barely recognized the person who drew a dagger hidden in the carriage and stabbed at her.

Ling Xiao arrived, ducked to avoid the blow, and grabbed her wrist.

Jiang Yao was so frightened that her face turned pale. She raised her head and saw Ling Xiao’s face.

Her pupils constricted, and her face turned even paler.

Ling Xiao pulled her out of the carriage: “It’s dangerous here, hold on tight.”

They were surrounded by a group of assassins. He held her waist, his sword in hand, and leaped from the carriage, charging into battle.

Jiang Yao clung to his waist, afraid that if she loosened her grip, she would be thrown into the midst of the assassins.

Ling Xiao protected Jiang Yao in his arms, slashing through the assassins, and carrying her towards the dense forest.

If he hadn’t brought her along, he could have dealt with these assassins easily. But now, he couldn’t afford to fight. He was afraid of what might happen to her, after all, these assassins were probably just the first wave. He could only gamble with his life.

The assassins were still in pursuit, and Jian, with his red sword, was fighting to block them.

Ling Xiao carried Jiang Yao into the dense forest, hiding behind a thick tree before turning to ask: “Are you alright?”

Jiang Yao’s face was still pale, and she shook her head: “I’m fine, just a little scared.”

Ling Xiao turned his head towards the sound of swords clashing in the forest, his expression icy: “Damn it.”

“Will Jian and the others be able to hold them off?”

Ling Xiao turned back, but he saw that Jiang Yao was still a little shaken, her eyes fixed on the sound of swords clashing in the forest, and she hadn’t recovered yet. She didn’t realize that he was still holding her.

She was soft and warm, her fingers clutching the leather belt around his waist, her soft body pressed against him.

He lowered his head and looked at her porcelain face, her soft lips, his eyes darkening.

The anger that had been building up in his stomach all day suddenly dissipated. It seemed like he couldn’t stay mad at her for long.

He just wanted to kiss her.

Seeing that he didn’t answer, Jiang Yao raised her head and met his eyes, which were filled with a desire to devour her. Her whole body froze.

She leaned her head against his chest, her body trembling.