Chapter 8: A Missed Beat

She was still in mourning for Ling Chen, but because she was organizing the banquet, wearing white was inappropriate, so she chose a jade-green dress.

Actually, the emperor had already ordered the end of the mourning period for Ling Chen. It was supposed to last for a full year, but now that the emperor had ascended the throne and the court was stable, there were many things to deal with, and the emperor couldn’t let Ling Xiao stay idle.

But she was still silently observing.

The Crown Prince saw her expression and chuckled, “You’re really interested in Yi girl.”

Ling Xiao snapped out of his thoughts and quickly withdrew his gaze, “No.”

“We’re not hiding anything. Why are you being so secretive?” The Crown Prince bumped Ling Xiao’s arm playfully.

The Crown Prince had been stationed in Youzhou with Prince Jing. Ling Xiao had been promoted step by step because of his repeated feats of valor, and he had entered Prince Jing’s service, becoming his trusted aide. Naturally, the Crown Prince knew him well, and their relationship was excellent.

No one in the pavilion noticed them, but the noble girls were whispering and turning their heads to look at them.

Yao saw them looking over, so she curiously turned her head as well. Then, she saw Ling Xiao standing on the other side of the bridge, and their eyes met.

Her back suddenly felt cold, and she quickly turned her head back. The smile on her lips vanished.

Ling Xiao’s eyes turned cold, and a strange pain shot through him.

“Nothing.” He said calmly.

The male guests were having their banquet in the Lingyun Pavilion across the pond, so he could naturally go over there. But he wasn’t in the mood to deal with a bunch of women, so he turned and quickened his pace, leaving quickly.

At that moment, the pavilion became restless, and whispers filled the air.

“Just now, the Military Marquis was so casual…”

“Of course, the Military Marquis is a rare talent, a brilliant general. I heard that he earned his first merit at the age of 15.”

“Such a powerful brother, and he’s still fighting like a child at the age of 20.”

“The Military Marquis is so handsome, but I’ve never heard of him before.”

They had finished listing his military achievements, and they still had to talk about…

Yao listened to their whispers and couldn’t help but frown. Was Ling Xiao handsome?

She thought back carefully. He was indeed handsome, his eyebrows were similar to her husband’s, but their temperaments were completely different. Her husband was gentle and refined, while Ling Xiao was full of murderous aura. When his gaze swept over her, she would be terrified and would want to hide. Who would care about his looks?

Only someone as gentle as her husband would she dare to look at closely and smile at his eyebrows.

“Old Madam, the Military Marquis should get married. His Majesty often asks about it.”

The noble wives were bold enough to ask this question directly.

These words instantly silenced the pavilion. Everyone waited for the Old Madam’s response.

In this world of aristocratic marriages, everything had to be arranged by parents and matchmakers, unless the Military Marquis had someone he liked. But he didn’t.

At this juncture, who could snatch this marriage? Ultimately, it depended on the Old Madam’s favor.

Ling Xiao was a rising star, and he had quickly risen to the top of the court, wielding immense power. All the noble girls in Yanjing wanted to marry him.

The Old Madam smiled and shook her head, “I’m getting old, and I can’t handle this anymore. Brother Ling is busy now, so I’ll leave this matter to my daughter-in-law. Let her help choose.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they looked at Yao with even more kindness, “That’s right. Old Madam, you should enjoy your time. It’s good to let your daughter-in-law help choose for this marriage.”

Yao smiled politely, “I’ll just offer some suggestions. The final decision is still up to the Military Marquis.”

But everyone knew that this was just a polite remark. Who in all of Yanjing didn’t know that the Military Marquis had never been interested in women? He had no time for women. Ultimately, the final decision would still be his.

Soon, the banquet began. The noble wives surrounded Mrs. Lin, chatting with her. Yao was just about to sit down when someone approached her.

“You’re from Yunzhou too?”

The speaker was Chen Shiyun, the eldest daughter of Chancellor Chen. She was wearing a blue silk dress, elegant and dignified. She stood beside Yao, smiling and chatting with her.

Yao shook her head, “I’m from Yizhou. I only married into the Ling family later.”

Chen Shiyun didn’t ask about her past. She guessed that it was not appropriate to bring it up, so she changed the subject, smiling, “The Military Marquis is such a talented man. He must be surrounded by many talented women because of his abilities.”

Yao chuckled dryly. She couldn’t handle such praise.

It was fine for the Old Madam to be praised, but Ling Xiao would never be bothered by such things.

Besides, she was actually the one who was managing the inner mansion, not the mistress. She was also getting old, and once the Military Marquis’s wife entered the family, she would definitely have to hand over the management of the household to her.

Yao spoke sincerely.

Of all the matchmaking cards, this Miss Chen’s was the most prestigious. She was the daughter of the Chancellor, and she was well-educated and beautiful. There was nothing to criticize about her.

Although Ling Xiao was in charge of choosing a wife, he would definitely have to choose the best, otherwise, people would say he was biased.

So, she had been paying attention to this Miss Chen. Since this was the case, Yao naturally wanted to be sincere and say some kind words to her. It would be easier to get along with her after she entered the family.

Chen Shiyun smiled, she was a smart woman.

Chen Shiyun pulled Yao’s hand and said with a smile, “You’re right. This banquet is very well organized. Madam, don’t be so modest.”

Yao just complimented her politely, “Thank you for the compliment, Miss Chen.”

Just then, a spoiled voice interrupted them, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this lively banquet?”

Yao looked over in surprise and saw a girl of about 16 years old walking in. She had a slightly round, oval face, beautiful and spoiled. She was wearing a pink silk dress with a lotus-colored satin sash, showing off her noble status.

Chen Shiyun’s face changed slightly, but she still smiled and stood up to greet her, “Princess Huaining.”

Yao quickly stood up and bowed as well.

Huaining pressed her hand down, excitedly rushing over, “Xiao brother, Sister-in-law, you two are together!”

Yao nodded dumbly, “…”

“I recognized you!” Huaining said, and she took the seat next to Chen Shiyun.

Chen Shiyun had only politely stood up to greet her, and she was about to sit back down, but she was pushed aside.

Her lips tightened, but she didn’t say anything. She just sat down on a chair next to her.

Yao asked curiously, “How did Your Highness recognize me?”

Huaining smiled mischievously, “I guessed.”

Actually, as soon as she entered, she saw Chen Shiyun talking affectionately to a woman, and Chen Shiyun was pretending to be aloof. Why would she suddenly be so warm to a stranger?

Unless she was a relative of Xiao brother!

Huaining chatted with Yao warmly, “I knew Xiao brother when I was in Youzhou. I often heard him talk about his brother. I didn’t know he was married. Oh, no wonder I feel like I’ve known you for a long time! Xiao brother, Sister-in-law, I’ll call you Sister-in-law too!”

“Princess, be careful what you say!” The old lady-in-waiting warned.

Huaining snorted, then giggled and asked Yao, “What’s your name?”

“I… I’m called…”

“Just call me Sister!”

“Okay…”

Yao was a little overwhelmed by her warmth and familiarity.

“It’s nothing, Xiao brother has known me for a long time. We’re like family! Even my brother has sworn brotherhood with him!” Chen Shiyun smiled, “I’ve often heard that the Military Marquis doesn’t have any women in his life. Since Your Highness knows the Military Marquis so well, he must treat you like his own sister.”

Huaining’s eyes widened, “You’re not even blood relatives, how can you be like a sister?”

She snorted, “I haven’t even spoken to Xiao brother, and I’ve only heard a few rumors, but you think you’re the leading lady? You’re so naive.”

Chen Shiyun’s face instantly became a little awkward.

Yao quickly changed the subject, “Your Highness, have you had a chance to walk around the garden?”

If they started arguing, they would ruin the banquet. She was afraid that Ling Xiao would skin her alive today.

Huaining was indeed distracted, “Not yet! Today is Xiao brother’s housewarming banquet, I’m here to have a look around. Sister-in-law, come with me!”

“Okay.” Yao quickly stood up.

She couldn’t let Princess Huaining stay here any longer.

Yao apologized to Chen Shiyun with a smile, “Miss Chen, please have dinner first. I’ll be back soon.”

Chen Shiyun regained her composure and smiled, “It’s fine, Madam, please go with the Princess first.”

Huaining directly pulled Yao towards the pavilion.

The palace maids followed behind, but they couldn’t catch up.

“Where is Xiao brother’s courtyard?” Huaining asked excitedly.

Yao pointed to a building on the other side, “It’s over there.”

“That’s right, Xiao brother loves to climb high and look far!” Huaining said, her eyes shining when she mentioned Ling Xiao.

“Xiao brother is the bravest and most skilled warrior I’ve ever seen. Once, he led a mere hundred men into the enemy camp and burned their supply depot!”

“When he was 15, he was the first to climb the enemy’s tower and plant the flag. He was the bravest of them all!”

“He once led a thousand soldiers and fought his way out of a siege by tens of thousands of enemy troops.”

Huaining recounted his feats of valor, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Yao couldn’t help but smile, “So Your Highness admires him?”

“Of course!” Huaining was first shocked, then she blushed shyly, “I can’t tell anyone else.”

Yao smiled, “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Of course, everyone in the world knows about this.”

But Yao found it strange. None of the matchmaking cards mentioned Princess Huaining.

Huaining continued to chat, then she turned her head and looked at a tall tree by the shore, seemingly telling someone something, her expression serious.

Huaining exclaimed in surprise, “Xiao brother!”

Ling Xiao frowned when he heard this and turned his head. He saw Yao standing on the bridge, her jade-green dress fluttering slightly in the wind, like the shimmering water in the pond. She reached out to tuck a strand of hair that had been blown by the wind behind her ear, and a faint smile lingered in her almond-shaped eyes.

Ling Xiao’s eyes widened slightly, and he suddenly missed a beat.