Chapter 5: She Needs to Stay Away from Him

Jiang Yao’s heart clenched, and goosebumps erupted all over her body. She was more terrified than a demon crawling out of hell.

She shrank her neck and took a step back, trying to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t hide the slight flush on her face.

When she raised her head, her red eyes met his, but her expression was resolute. “Of course, what should I do?”

He was slightly stunned. He hadn’t expected her to dare to talk back. She had quite the nerve. He had always thought she was gentle, helpless, and obedient to her mother-in-law.

He chuckled, took a step forward, and walked away without looking back.

Two days later, Ling Xiao packed his belongings and left in a carriage.

The villagers watched from afar, whispering among themselves.

“Brother Ling is really impressive. He’s earned great military merit and been appointed as a Military Marquis. Even the county magistrate has never seen him.”

“Jiang Yao is really lucky. She was originally going to be a widow after marrying a sickly man, but now she’s become the Military Marquis’s wife.”

“Who knows? Brother Ling is kind, he can actually tolerate her.” Jealousy made their words sour.

“If I had a daughter, I would have married her off long ago.”

Ling Chen had been sickly since childhood, so naturally, his family wasn’t willing to marry their daughter to a sickly man. Ling Chen also didn’t want to delay another girl’s life, so he remained unmarried until he met Jiang Yao.

He married her to completely sever Jiang Yao’s ties to her past.

Women were in a difficult position. They were subservient to their fathers before marriage and to their husbands after marriage. Only by marrying would Jiang Yao have no reason to be unruly.

Because of this, people gossiped behind their backs, waiting to see her downfall.

After all, Jiang Yao had a beautiful face, but it was a pity that she was destined to be a widow.

Who would have thought that Brother Ling would be so impressive, and that she would be able to be a widow in the Military Marquis’s mansion? What good fortune she had!

No one dared to say anything bad about her anymore. They knew that Ling Xiao was no longer the same man he used to be, and their children wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.

Ling Xiao rode his horse at the front, and Ling Shen, who knew how to ride, followed behind in the carriage.

Jiang Yao was in the carriage with Mrs. Lin. She held Ling Chen’s spirit tablet in her arms and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain with her slender fingers, watching as their home gradually faded into the distance.

She felt a little lost. What should she do?

Ling Xiao, who was riding his horse in front, suddenly turned his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over her, and he immediately dropped the curtain.

She held her breath, her heart pounding. Her arms tightened around the spirit tablet in her arms, as if even this cold piece of wood couldn’t give her any comfort.

Suddenly, she felt not only lost but also very dangerous.

She had never imagined that her gentle and kind husband would have such a murderous brother.

She needed to stay away from him.

The carriage reached the county, and then turned towards the capital. Ling Xiao had booked a carriage for Mrs. Lin to travel to Yanjing.

For the first time, Jiang Yao stood at the bow of the ship and looked out at the vast expanse of the sea. For the first time, she felt how vast the world was.

She couldn’t help but stretch out her hand, and the cool breeze brushed past her fingertips, like the breath of freedom.

Her eyes brightened, and a glimmer of color finally appeared in her dull eyes.

For a moment, she was lost in thought. Such a beautiful wind, if her husband were still alive, he would have enjoyed it too.

At this thought, her eyes dimmed again, and she felt a little depressed. She leaned against the railing and lowered her head.

The cabin door opened, and Ling Xiao entered, dealing with urgent official documents that had been sent by courier. He raised his eyes and saw the woman at the bow.

She was still wearing mourning clothes, and a white flower was pinned in her hair. Her back was slender and thin, as if she could be blown away by the wind.

He saw her childishly reaching out to touch the wind, and then he saw her eyes brighten, only to dim again as she lowered her head.

Whether on the battlefield or in the court, it was taboo to show one’s emotions. It was good that she could change her expression so quickly.

“Your Highness, a secret letter from the capital has arrived by carrier pigeon, instructing you to return to the capital as soon as possible. The situation in the court is unstable.” The guard rushed in to report.

Ling Xiao withdrew his gaze, “Send a message back, I will return to the capital within half a day.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, a voice came from behind.

“Sister-in-law, why are you standing in the wind? You’ll catch a cold if you don’t go back. You’ll get sick.” Ling Shen asked.

Yao shook her head, “I’ve never seen a sea like this before.”

“I haven’t seen it either. It’s so stable, it doesn’t sway at all. Mother also said that it’s very reassuring.”

Yao felt a little depressed, “My husband never got to see it.”

Ling Shen comforted her, “Brother will be happy that we’re taking his spirit tablet to the hot springs. He’ll definitely be happy.”

“Okay.” Yao smiled slightly, and a glimmer of color returned to her eyes.

Ling Xiao’s brows furrowed, and he gave the guard a stern order, “Call Ling Shen here.”

“Yes.” The guard was a little confused. Why was His Highness suddenly interested in him?

The guard hurried out of the cabin and brought Ling Shen in.

“Your Highness wants to speak to you upstairs.”

Ling Shen nodded immediately when he heard this and followed the guard upstairs.

Yao turned her head in confusion and saw that the cabin door was open. The man who looked like a demon was now drinking tea, seemingly relaxed. She felt as if she were being watched.

She frowned and quickly left the bow, returning to her cabin.

Ling Xiao glanced at her, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Very soon, Ling Shen came in. As soon as he entered, he took a deep breath nervously.

“Brother.” He smiled awkwardly as he walked in.

Ling Xiao raised his eyes and said sternly, “I heard you’re planning to take the imperial examinations.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’ll try it out, but I’m not sure if I’ll pass.” Ling Shen scratched his head.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, you should be determined. Don’t be so hesitant.” Ling Xiao reprimanded him.

Ling Shen was already sweating profusely, “Yes, Brother.”

“Since you’re preparing for the imperial examinations, you should continue to study these next few days. Come here every hour.”

“Ah?”

“How could you be so lazy?” Ling Xiao’s voice was sharp.

“No, no! I’ll study!” Ling Shen quickly stood up, afraid of being scolded.

“What are you still standing there for?”

“I’ll go get my books!” Ling Shen rolled his eyes and ran out, afraid of being scolded.

Ling Xiao watched him leave in a hurry, his brows furrowed. How could his brother have raised him to be so impetuous?

Ling Xiao’s father had passed away when Ling Shen was only a few years old.

Ling Xiao’s father had also been a scholar, but he had only passed the county examination. He had tutored Ling Chen and Ling Xiao, hoping that they could fulfill his dream of becoming a top scholar.

Ling Chen actually had some talent, but unfortunately, he was sickly, so his dream of becoming an official was naturally shattered. Therefore, Ling Xiao’s father had placed more hope on Ling Xiao, because Ling Xiao was both intelligent and agile. He believed that with time, his son would surely achieve great things.

But studying required a lot of money. After Ling Xiao’s father passed away, Ling Chen was sick, and Ling Shen was still young, so the burden fell on Ling Xiao. He was only a few years old when he passed the county examination, but he had to give up studying and help his mother support the family.

From then on, he had been wandering around, doing all sorts of things.

When he was a few years older, the government levied taxes on all able-bodied men. He took the money and joined the army without hesitation.

That was how he had been until now, when he finally returned home.

He had been living a life of danger, surrounded by blood and violence, all for himself.

And Ling Chen, naturally, had to take on the responsibility of raising his younger brother. But in the past, his brother had been too lenient.

He was not only lenient with Ling Shen, but also with Jiang Yao.

At this thought, Ling Xiao frowned.

Yao’s room was next to Mrs. Lin’s, so it was convenient to take care of her.

As dusk approached, Yao went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, but she was stopped by the cook.

“The Military Marquis has ordered that you don’t need to do this. Let us servants do it.”

Yao was used to being called “Madam,” so she was stunned for a moment before she reacted, “I’m afraid of Mother.”

“The Military Marquis has instructed us to do this. We’ll remember.” The cook smiled awkwardly.

“Okay…”

When the delicious food was ready, Yao called Mrs. Lin to come to the dining room for dinner.

The maids went upstairs and invited Ling Xiao and Ling Shen to come down.

Mrs. Lin felt that the atmosphere was a little strange. She picked up Yao’s favorite dish and said, “Daughter, don’t work too hard. You’ve been up all night.”

She raised her head and saw Ling Xiao and Ling Shen coming over. They bowed respectfully and retreated to the side.

Ling Xiao was in front, and Ling Shen was behind him. As they entered, the atmosphere in the room became tense.

Even Mrs. Lin felt a little nervous.

“Are you feeling better, Madam?” Ling Xiao lifted his robe.

“I’m feeling much better. I’m busy with things, so I’ll definitely take good care of myself. Yao’er will accompany me, so you don’t have to worry.”

Ling Xiao looked at Yao, and Yao lowered her head and continued to eat.

Mrs. Lin turned to Ling Shen and said reproachfully, “Brother Ling is so busy, why are you still bothering him?”

Ling Shen looked dejected, but he forced a smile, “Brother asked me to study in the study, and he also taught me some things about the court.”

Mrs. Lin smiled happily, “That’s good. Brother Ling is smart, just like his father. Brother Ling might even become a top scholar!”

Yao couldn’t help but secretly glance at Ling Xiao. This murderous man had actually studied hard?

She couldn’t imagine it.

She thought that scholars should be like her husband, gentle and refined, after all, studying was all about etiquette.

Ling Shen smiled awkwardly, “I’ll try my best to study hard.”

Ling Xiao nodded, “My brother is very diligent.”

Ling Shen swallowed and forced a smile.

He didn’t dare to slack off in the slightest.

If he had to endure this for another half a year, he would rather die.

Mrs. Lin sighed, “It’s good that you’re back. Otherwise, if Brother Ling were gone, this place would be…”

“Mother, don’t worry. Everything will be fine in the future.” Ling Xiao said in a deep voice.

Mrs. Lin wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, “I’ve always been most worried about you. When we get to the capital, we’ll finally be reunited and live a good life. Brother Ling, you should study hard and pass the imperial examinations. You’ll be able to achieve great things.”

Mrs. Lin said, and she felt a glimmer of hope, “You’re getting older now. You should get married. Find a warm and kind wife, start a family, and have grandchildren.”

Yao thought, who would be crazy enough to marry such an icy man? What a poor girl, her life would be miserable.

Ling Xiao’s eyes happened to sweep over Yao, and he frowned, a hint of coldness in his eyes.