Chapter 55: Lawless

She was being polite, exchanging a few pleasantries before quickly giving him the space he needed.

Ling Xiao’s voice came from behind, a little chilly. Jiang Yao stiffened a little, pretending not to hear, and continued walking.

She smiled: “It’s better to be straightforward with this kind of person. It’s easier to talk to someone who is direct.”

He really did turn his back on her. Back then, he had personally chosen his fiancée, and when they met for the first time, he had praised them as a perfect match. But then he said he wanted to break off the engagement, and it had only been a few days, and he had already given her the position of mistress.

Her father had always taught her that men relied on their own strength, and it seemed that was true.

He was now being cold to her, but she was afraid that it wouldn’t last long.

Jiang Yao remained silent and just kept walking.

Ling Xiao’s anger was building up in his chest, he was very annoyed: “Jiang Yao.”

Jiang Yao stopped and turned around, her expression emotionless: “Is there something, Your Lordship?”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“I heard.” She nodded. “Are you going to kneel down and apologize now?”

“…”

Ling Xiao’s face froze for a moment.

Seeing that he didn’t react, Jiang Yao turned around and quickly got into the carriage.

Ling Xiao watched her get into the carriage, his face turned completely cold. Now she was truly lawless!

Jian said awkwardly: “Your Lordship, are we going back to the mansion now?”

He flipped onto his horse with a gloomy face: “Back to the mansion.”

In the following days, Jiang Yao was busy preparing for Mrs. Lin’s birthday celebration. It was rare for the Marquis’ Mansion to hold a banquet. The last one was the housewarming banquet when they first arrived in the capital. This time, for Mrs. Lin’s birthday, there would definitely be a full house of guests, she couldn’t afford to be negligent.

But she had been managing things for half a year now, and she had made progress. She was able to handle everything with ease.

Only, she still had to report to Ling Xiao every day. It was strange, he seemed impatient with these trivial matters, but he still insisted on listening to her reports. In the past half a month, their relationship seemed to have entered a strange kind of harmony.

Jiang Yao also felt that this was a good thing, after all.

Soon, the day of Mrs. Lin’s birthday arrived. Half of the prominent families in the capital came to offer their congratulations. The Marquis’ Mansion was unusually lively.

The banquet was held in the garden, a stage had been set up in the pavilion, and the ladies were gathered around Mrs. Lin, exchanging pleasantries and watching the play.

Jiang Yao was greeting the guests. Since Ling Xiao and Chen Shiyun’s engagement was broken off, people were trying to curry favor with Jiang Yao again.

Who wouldn’t want to be the mistress of this Marquis?

“Your Lordship’s marriage, the selection process has been delayed. I’ve been waiting for Madam to make a decision.” Jiang Yao probed.

Jiang Yao pursed her lips and shook her head with a smile: “Your Lordship’s affairs are not something I can decide.”

She would definitely not take on this mess again.

“Madam, don’t be modest. I heard that Your Lordship is very fond of you now. You are the rightful mistress of this Marquis’ Mansion. If you recommend someone for selection, Your Lordship will definitely consider it.” Mrs. Zhao flattered her.

Jiang Yao’s eyebrows twitched, a hint of naturalness flashed in her eyes, and she forced a smile: “Mrs. Zhao is too kind.”

Mrs. Zhao was still talking, but suddenly a cheerful voice came from behind: “Yao!”

Jiang Yao turned her head and saw Princess Huaining running towards her.

She raised a smile and quickly went to greet her: “Your Highness.”

Huaining rushed into her arms: “I haven’t seen you for so long!”

Jiang Yao had become accustomed to this: “Oh my.”

“Nonsense! ” Huaining let go of her, her voice fierce. “You promised to let me into the palace to play, you also promised!”

Because Huaining was currently being considered for marriage, the Empress was now very strict with her, not allowing her to leave the palace at will.

Jiang Yao pulled her and shook her head: “I’ve been too busy with things at the mansion lately, I haven’t had time to go out.”

“Just the matter of Mrs. Lin’s birthday banquet, I’m still helping Ling Xiao.”

At this point, Jiang Yao’s brows furrowed.

“Alright, alright, I forgive you.” Huaining snorted. “It’s good that it’s Mrs. Lin’s birthday today, at least I can come out of the palace to play!”

Jiang Yao nodded happily: “Yes!”

Across the wooden bridge, Ling Xiao was talking to the Crown Prince by the side gate of the pavilion. Ling Xiao’s eyes shifted to Jiang Yao, it was rare to see her so lively.

Since the engagement was broken off, the Crown Prince hadn’t mentioned the marriage again.

Ling Xiao said calmly: “The rebels haven’t been dealt with yet, the marriage can’t be rushed.”

This marriage couldn’t be rushed either. This mansion didn’t even have a mistress to manage things, what kind of appearance was that?

“It’s alright.”

The Crown Prince followed his gaze and happened to see Jiang Yao, he said: “This elder sister-in-law is quite capable, I heard that she has been managing the affairs of the mansion these past few days, and Huaining likes her very much.”

Ling Xiao’s lips curled up slightly: “She has always been virtuous.”

A maid hurried across the wooden bridge and arrived at the pavilion: “Madam, Miss Chen has arrived.”

Huaining snorted: “She’s really shameless.”

Jiang Yao said: “Although Ling Xiao and Miss Chen broke off their engagement, their relationship is still not bad. It’s Mrs. Lin’s birthday banquet, it’s only right for Miss Chen to come and pay her respects.”

Although Jiang Yao also didn’t know how Ling Xiao and Chen Shiyun’s relationship was like this.

But in fact, according to the rules, she should have avoided this, even if they hadn’t broken up now, but since they had broken off the engagement, Chen Shiyun should have come, but she still came, obviously, she was still trying to mend their relationship.

Chen Shiyun came with a smile: “Your Highness, Madam.”

Jiang Yao also smiled politely: “Miss Chen, please come in.”

Huaining directly snorted and turned her head away, not wanting to talk to her.

“The birthday banquet is so lively today, I love the drama troupe’s performance, did Madam specially invite them?” Chen Shiyun became enthusiastic again.

Jiang Yao was still polite, but also distant: “Mrs. Lin loves to listen to it, she’s the one who decides.”

She hadn’t forgotten about the incident at the tea party.

“Since Miss Chen likes it, why don’t you go inside and watch the play?” Jiang Yao clearly intended to dismiss her.

Chen Shiyun’s smile froze slightly: “Okay.”

As she turned to go in, the maid beside her couldn’t help but mutter angrily: “Jiang Shi actually dares to put on airs. After being rejected, she’s become so arrogant.”

Chen Shiyun’s face was a little embarrassed, she turned her head and looked at Jiang Yao again. Ah, she dared to contradict her, she was indeed arrogant. Was it really just because she was rejected?

Jiang Yao was about to take the princess for a walk, but she was interrupted by someone coming towards them on the wooden bridge.

Jiang Yao was stunned: “Young Master Mo?”

She hadn’t seen Mo Zichen since he was released, and now they met again after a while. He looked a little thinner, his face was also a little pale, but the smile in his eyes was still warm.

“Madam Jiang.”

Jiang Yao quickly nodded.

Huaining stood there, tilting her head curiously, she didn’t follow.

“Why is Young Master Mo here?”