Chapter 46: Say it again

Lin Shi was stunned: “Why are you moving out? What’s wrong?”

Yao quickly shook her head: “No, I just feel that the shop is getting better and better now, and Qinghe is taking care of everything. It’s like I’m running it myself…”

She paused, then bit her lip: “Besides, I was originally worried about taking on the title of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion. I always felt like I wasn’t worthy of the name.”

“The Hou Mansion is after all your own. From the beginning, you’ve been enduring it. It’s fine. Now that Ling Xiao is eyeing you, it’s simply unbearable. You can’t handle it at all.”

“You say you haven’t been wronged? What kind of grievance is this? Ling Zheng actually married you into the family, wrote a marriage contract, and entered you into the family tree. Who can say you’re not worthy of the name?” Lin Shi’s tone was reproachful.

Yao shook her head: “I’m just worried about taking on such a burden. Besides, the Hou Ye is also happy. In the Hou Mansion, my position is awkward. I’m only Ling Chen’s wife, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion.”

Lin Shi listened to these words, furrowed her brow, and sighed: “To be honest, it’s still your husband. Don’t blame him. Your husband is the best. He just came back, and you’re already moving out. He’s bound to be resentful.”

Yao heard the word “husband” and her face tightened slightly. She reluctantly replied: “Yes.”

“Forget it. If you really can’t stand it, moving to the shop is fine. After all, it’s far away. Maybe after a while, your husband will gradually let go of his resentment and let you move back.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Lin Shi patted her: “Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. We’re still having a banquet. Let’s talk about it after we finish the reunion dinner.”

Yao went to wake Ling Xiao up for dinner. Inside, she was still a little hesitant, but she nodded in agreement: “Yes.”

“This meal will be the last time I have anything to do with the Hou Mansion!”

Lin Shi had already ordered the servants to prepare the meal, but until dusk, it was getting late, and Ling Xiao still hadn’t returned.

“Mother, Sister-in-law, let’s start the banquet!” Ling Shen rushed in, his favorite red date dumplings in his hand.

Lin Shi lightly glared at him: “Your brother hasn’t come back yet. Wait a little longer.”

Ling Shen pulled up a stool and sat down, casually picking up an apple to munch on: “Why hasn’t Brother come back yet? He’s been busy again.”

“Your brother is busy with court affairs. It’s hard work. You should be more relaxed.” Lin Shi said.

“It’s hard work for me to study all day too, Sister-in-law. You’re saying I’m relaxed?” Ling Shen complained.

“Hmm.”

Yao came back to her senses and forced a smile: “My younger brother is studying hard now, so naturally it’s hard work.”

She looked towards the door, her heart filled with anxiety. She secretly hoped that he would be busy all day and come back late.

In reality, she was afraid of facing Ling Xiao.

Lin Shi smiled: “Wait a little longer. He said before that he would definitely be back for the banquet today. He wouldn’t be late.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw a servant rushing in: “Old Madam, the Hou Ye is back.”

Lin Shi raised a smile: “I told you, your husband would definitely come back.”

Ling Shen was excited: “That’s great! Let’s eat.”

Yao pulled at the corners of her lips, her smile a little stiff.

At that moment, Ling Xiao stepped in with a leisurely pace: “Mother.”

Lin Shi smiled happily: “We were just waiting for you.”

Ling Xiao went to the empty seat next to Lin Shi, glanced at Yao beside Lin Shi, and said calmly: “There were some changes in the case I was investigating, so I had to deal with some things temporarily, which delayed my time.”

“Court affairs are busy. You’ve been waiting for a while. Let’s have dinner.” Lin Shi smiled.

As soon as she finished speaking, the maidservants came in carrying trays, carrying various delicacies and placing them on the round table.

“It’s a holiday today. It’s rare for us to have a reunion dinner.” Lin Shi said with emotion.

Ling Xiao said: “The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and court affairs are complicated. Once things settle down, I’ll have more free time.”

Yao frowned, not wanting to talk about his busy schedule.

She felt like she was in a no-win situation.

Ling Xiao suddenly looked at Yao, causing her to bury her head deeper into her chest, like a quail.

He couldn’t help but curl his lips.

Ling Shen was eating dumplings and said: “When Brother is free, Sister-in-law will be hard to get together with.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly: “What?”

Ling Shen said: “Mother said that Sister-in-law is busy with the shop and plans to move to the shop. She won’t be coming to the Hou Mansion anymore.”

The smile on Ling Xiao’s lips suddenly disappeared, and his cold gaze swept over Yao: “What?”

Lin Shi said: “The shop is doing well now, and she’s busy with it. It’s like she’s running it herself. She said that she’ll wait until the shop is stable and then move back. She won’t be too busy then.”

Ling Xiao looked at Yao, his voice calm: “Moving out?”

His aura, though invisible, was already pressing down on her.

Yao felt her scalp tingling, but she still forced herself to meet his gaze, her lips tightly pressed together: “Mother has already agreed.”

She didn’t need to report to him about staying or leaving.

In her heart, she thought, “Shop, shop, it’s all just an excuse. I’m just trying to avoid you.”

He stared at her, his eyes already filled with coldness.

Yao’s fingers holding the chopsticks were sweating, but she still stood firm, not backing down.

There was no reason to stop her from moving out. She just wanted to draw a clear line!

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Even Ling Shen felt a chill and couldn’t help but shiver. He almost dropped his chopsticks.

After a moment, Ling Xiao withdrew his gaze and said in a flat voice: “Let’s eat.”

Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her stiff face relaxed a little. This time, she had won the gamble.

As long as she moved out of the Hou Mansion, she would be far away from him and never have any more entanglement.

Everyone continued to eat the reunion dinner, and the atmosphere returned to a happy one, as if the previous incident had never happened.

After dinner, Lin Shi was tired, so Yao first sent her back to the Fushou Garden to rest, and then returned to her own courtyard.

In the Fushou Garden, she went straight back to her room. She had only walked halfway when she suddenly saw a tall figure standing in the shadows.

Her face changed, and her steps stopped.

He slowly walked towards her, the dim light illuminating his face, making him look too distracted.

She was alert: “What’s the matter?”

He didn’t even dare to address her properly.

She really had been too lenient with him.

He stared at her with deep eyes.

Yao stiffened her neck and said: “I don’t need to report to you.”

She had only seen him for half a day, and now his attitude was as distant as if he were facing a stranger.

He lifted his lips: “Say it again.”