Chapter 60: Throwing a Tantrum

She almost forgot, today was the Lantern Festival.

Ah, on a day like this, all the men and women in the capital would be out and about, with the old women smiling and chatting, a lively scene.

Would Ling Xiao also celebrate this festival?

Suddenly, a servant came to announce: The Princess has arrived.

Jiang Yao was stunned, and Huaining excitedly came in: Yao! Yao!

Why did the Princess come? Jiang Yao asked in surprise.

Huaining pulled her towards the door: The Lantern Festival is so lively tonight, I sneaked out of the palace to have some fun!

Ah.

Jiang Yao hurriedly pulled her back: It’s not convenient to go out.

A widow shouldn’t be joining in this kind of fun.

Huaining dragged her towards the door: What are you afraid of? We’ll just stroll around! We’ll wear veils, who will recognize us?

Huaining was determined to join in the fun, and she must have gone through a lot of trouble to sneak out of the palace.

…

Alright, alright!

Huaining directly pulled her out.

The carriage slowly drove out of the Marquis Manor’s gate. The quiet alleyways were instantly filled with noise. It was already dusk, but it was even livelier than before. Everywhere was decorated with colorful lanterns, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares were everywhere, making the crowd even more bustling.

Huaining excitedly pulled Jiang Yao around: Look, there’s a game of throwing darts, throwing darts is fun, let’s win a lantern!

Jiang Yao was pulled by Huaining into the crowd, and soon they were at the front.

Jiang Yao was wearing a veil, and she was still a little nervous. After all, according to the rules, she should stay at home. But this was the first time she had seen such a lively scene. Even the Lantern Festival in Yunzhou was not as lively as this one in Yanjing. She couldn’t help but be curious, and her eyes lit up.

Come on, try it! Huaining handed her a few feathered arrows.

Jiang Yao tried, but she didn’t hit a single target. The people around her all booed, and Jiang Yao’s face flushed red. She stammered: I’m so embarrassed.

Don’t be afraid! Let me try! Huaining said aggressively, picked up a handful of feathered arrows, and then threw them one after another, hitting every single target.

The people around her clapped and cheered, and Jiang Yao also clapped excitedly: You’re amazing!

Huaining was very pleased with herself, and she handed the lantern given by the shopkeeper to Jiang Yao: Here, take it.

Jiang Yao happily held the lantern, and Huaining’s eyes were full of admiration. Huaining was very pleased with herself, and her back straightened even more.

Okay, let’s go eat something. I’ll tell you, the roasted rabbit at that restaurant is the best!

Huaining said, pulling her towards the restaurant.

Jiang Yao was pulled against the flow of people, and finally they reached the door of the restaurant.

I told you, this roasted rabbit is amazing. I’ve never had such a good rabbit before. I heard that their chef came from Ningzhou, and they…

Huaining’s footsteps suddenly stopped, and her chattering voice came to an abrupt end.

Jiang Yao blinked, a little confused, and turned her head to look, but she saw Huaining staring at the upstairs in shock.

Jiang Yao followed her gaze and saw that a private room on the second floor was open, and there were a man and a woman inside.

Ling Xiao.

And the woman opposite him was beautiful, wearing a jade green smoke-colored halter dress, with a light gauze shawl draped over her shoulders, revealing a glimpse of her shoulders and a half-exposed collarbone, her beauty was captivating.

This kind of attire was like that of a courtesan.

Jiang Yao paused, her eyes slightly fixed.

Ling Xiao seemed to sense their gaze and turned his head. When he saw Jiang Yao, his brows furrowed slightly.

He then looked back, scanning the crowd, and saw the sword hidden in the crowd, disguised as a palace guard. His expression softened slightly.

Huaining’s face turned a little pale, and she rushed in angrily.

Princess! Jiang Yao hurriedly chased after her, afraid of trouble.

Huaining rushed into the restaurant, greeting the waiter enthusiastically: Are you here for dinner, gentlemen? It just so happens that all the private rooms in our restaurant are booked, only the main hall has seats left…

Huaining pushed past the waiter angrily and rushed towards the stairs. The waiter hurriedly stopped her: Miss, this restaurant is full, and these are all distinguished guests, you can’t just barge in!

Huaining didn’t care about any of this, she simply dodged the waiter and went upstairs.

The waiter was still trying to stop her, and behind him, several disguised palace guards rushed forward and pressed the servant down, scaring him so much that he didn’t dare to speak.

Jiang Yao also hurriedly followed Huaining’s footsteps upstairs.

Princess. The sword was guarding the door of the private room, and when he saw Huaining coming, he bowed and asked, at the same time stopping her.

Your brother is inside.

The Marquis is busy and has no time to see the Princess. Please forgive him. The sword’s tone was respectful, but his attitude was also firm.

Huaining was angry: Busy? Busy having a private meeting with a woman?

The sword shook his head: I wouldn’t dare.

Huaining tried to barge in, but the sword didn’t budge an inch, and the palace guards who followed him also didn’t dare to let her in.

The scene was tense.

Jiang Yao was about to persuade her, but suddenly she heard Ling Xiao’s calm voice from inside the private room: Let them in.

The sword heard this and personally opened the door, letting them in, bowing: Princess, please.

Huaining stormed in, and the woman opposite Ling Xiao was still pouring tea, her expression calm: What is the matter, Princess?

Huaining stared at the beautiful woman opposite her: Who is she?

The woman was a little surprised, she gently covered her lips with her handkerchief, and smiled sweetly, her charm was like silk: My surname is Liu, my given name is Rumeng.

Liu Rumeng.

Such a familiar name, Jiang Yao thought carefully, and then remembered. This Liu Rumeng was a famous courtesan in Yanjing. It was said that her beauty was breathtaking, and men would be willing to spend thousands of gold to see her.

Huaining glared at Ling Xiao, her eyes were already red, and her voice was a little choked: You’re actually having a private meeting with a courtesan?

Even men who were not sleeping with Liu Rumeng, even those from noble families, would go to the brothel, and they would be tainted with something unclean.

Ling Xiao didn’t say anything, but in his heart, he felt that Ling Xiao had always been untouchable. From the time he was young, he had achieved military merit, entered enemy camps, killed rebels, and purged the court.

He was upright, his aura was strong, and he was a womanizer. He should stand at the top, looking down upon all the ordinary mortals.

How could he, be so infatuated with this kind of woman?

Liu Rumeng’s eyes flickered, she looked at Ling Xiao, seeing that he didn’t explain, she smiled charmingly: On a night like this, it’s a time for talented men and beautiful women to meet. I admire the Marquis, and today I am honored to be invited by the Marquis to have dinner with him. I am very happy.

Huaining was so angry that she was about to burst, her eyes were red, and she kept looking at Ling Xiao, hoping that he would deny it. She was afraid that if he said a word, she would believe that he would actually do such a thing!

Ling Xiao didn’t refute a word.

His eyes were calm, and his tone was faintly reproachful: Princess, you sneaked out of the palace today, you should go back.

Huaining stomped her foot angrily: I won’t talk to you anymore!

Then she turned around and ran away, covering her face with her back.

Princess! Jiang Yao hurriedly chased after her.

Ling Xiao watched Jiang Yao follow after her, his brows furrowed slightly, and he glanced at the sword: Follow her.

It was the Lantern Festival, and the crowd was bustling, it was hard to guarantee that something might happen, so he let the sword follow them.

… The sword hurriedly followed.

Princess! Jiang Yao caught up with Huaining at the restaurant.

Huaining cried angrily: Your brother has changed, he’s actually doing this kind of thing, I can’t believe it!

Jiang Yao pursed her lips, speechless for a moment. This was a shameful thing.

I’m afraid even Huan Qin Yu Jun wouldn’t be so sad. He’s like an ordinary, vulgar man, infatuated with a woman from the brothel. How could he, how could he do this! Huaining choked back a sob, full of disappointment.

Jiang Yao silently took out her handkerchief to wipe her tears. He was even worse than an ordinary, vulgar man.

She didn’t know how to comfort her, and after a long silence, she could only say softly: Princess, don’t be sad.

Huaining wiped her tears fiercely with her back: I am sad, from now on, I won’t talk to him anymore!

Jiang Yao was stunned, she hadn’t expected this.

A palace guard in disguise came over and said: Princess, it’s time, you have to go back to the palace.

Huaining was sullen, and she didn’t have any interest in playing anymore, so she could only say: Okay, I’ll go back.

Jiang Yao nodded lightly: Princess, go back.

I’ll send you back… Before Huaining could finish her sentence, she saw Ling Xiao coming out of the restaurant, followed by Liu Rumeng.

She bit her lip fiercely: Go ahead.

Then she turned around and immediately got into the carriage, dropping the curtain, unwilling to see them anymore.

The palace guards immediately drove the carriage to escort the Princess back to the palace.

Jiang Yao turned her head and saw Ling Xiao standing in the distance, looking at them with a clear expression.

But she didn’t seem to be coming to reprimand her, after all, she had come to the manor without permission.

She pursed her lips, taking slow steps towards him, her tone distant: Marquis.

Liu Rumeng laughed sweetly: Marquis, who is this…

Ling Xiao glanced at her, Liu Rumeng’s face changed, and she immediately became respectful, not daring to show off anymore.

I’ll take my leave first. Liu Rumeng said timidly.

Ling Xiao didn’t say anything, and she wisely left quickly.

The crowd was still bustling, the children’s laughter and the vendors’ cries were still loud, but they were on the bluestone path, and it was unusually quiet.

You came to the manor without permission. Ling Xiao’s voice was low.

Jiang Yao lowered her eyes and didn’t say anything: I’ll be more careful next time.

Ling Xiao’s brows furrowed, his anger was even more arrogant. She was so perfunctory, saying “I’ll be more careful next time,” did she really think he didn’t have a temper!

You should have told me before you came to the manor. His tone was stern.

The capital seems peaceful now, but in fact, the undercurrents are surging, and all the forces are in a stalemate. After what happened before, you can’t just come and go as you please.

Jiang Yao raised her head: Marquis, you’re right, I did come to the manor without permission today, and I also disturbed your enjoyment.

Ling Xiao was choked, her indifferent and arrogant attitude made the anger in his chest surge.

Then, he seemed to sense something, his sharp eyes paused slightly, and a strange light flickered in them.

His tone also changed: Jiang Yao, are you throwing a tantrum at me now?

Because of Liu Rumeng, he took two steps forward, his two black eyes locked on her:

Jiang Yao’s sleeves tightened, and she turned her head away: With your status and power, Marquis, what’s a few women? It’s nothing unusual.

Ling Xiao’s face tightened slightly, then he felt a little happy. The anger that had just flared up dissipated completely, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips, but he suppressed it.

His tone was calm: You’re talking back to me now, I thought you had turned over a new leaf.

Jiang Yao saw through his calm and indifferent demeanor, and her heart suddenly felt a pang of pain.

She clenched her sleeves, pursed her lips tightly: I dare not overstep my bounds, you are the Marquis, and you have great power. For me, women like this are just a passing fancy. Besides, I am humble, and I am a widow. There are very few people in this world who can tolerate me. Now that the Marquis has found another love, please let me live.

The smile on Ling Xiao’s face suddenly disappeared.

What are you saying?

She raised her head and met his gaze, her tone respectful: The Marquis has found his happiness, I should congratulate you, please, for the sake of your late brother, be magnanimous and let me live. From now on, we will go our separate ways, and I will not mention this matter again. I will definitely not disturb your enjoyment again.

Jiang Yao turned and walked towards her carriage: I’m going back to the manor.

The coachman, who was still standing by the Marquis, was hesitant and didn’t know what to do.

Ling Xiao remained in place, his face was already extremely gloomy.

Marquis, please, let’s go back to the manor first. The coachman said nervously.

Ling Xiao stared at the carriage for a long time, his face dark, and he didn’t answer.

The sword quietly gestured to the coachman, telling him to hurry up.

If the Marquis really wanted to keep Madam Jiang, there was no way she could get into the carriage.

The coachman got the signal and whipped the reins, driving the carriage back to the manor.

Jiang Yao was in the carriage, her face still stiff. It wasn’t until the carriage started to move slowly that she leaned against the wall of the carriage, and all her strength seemed to be drained.

He didn’t force her to stay.

It was also true, now that he had found his happiness, why should he be obsessed with her?

She was already a widow, and he should be tired of her. This Miss Liu was a national beauty, both charming and alluring, and she was very good at pleasing men. With such a beautiful woman by his side, why would he need to keep her?

She had already anticipated this outcome.

She tugged at the corner of her lips. The Princess was disappointed and angry because Ling Xiao was having a private meeting with a courtesan, and she was replaced by a courtesan. What did it matter?

Her fingernails dug into her flesh, but she didn’t feel any pain.

The carriage finally stopped, and the coachman said respectfully: Madam Jiang, we’re here.

Jiang Yao had already composed herself, she bent down and got out of the carriage, stepping into the manor.

Things had come to this, she had no regrets. This outcome was already a blessing for her. Ling Xiao had finally found his happiness, and they were finally over.

She walked through the courtyard, entered the long corridor, and followed the winding corridor directly to the inner courtyard. Her steps were hurried, but they were also increasingly firm and steady, and her footsteps were getting lighter.

The past was a sinking ship, and the future was bright.

She was going to start over.

At the end of the corridor was a hanging door. She entered the hanging door, and she was in the inner courtyard. She lifted her skirt and stepped in, but suddenly she was grabbed by a strong force on her arm, and she was pulled back.

She exclaimed in surprise, and she raised her head in panic, colliding with a pair of dark black eyes.