Yue Yao looked at him sincerely: "Thank you, Marquis, for saving me."
For the first time, he saw the crystal-clear sincerity in her eyes, untainted by any pretense, like a refreshing spring that soothed the soul.
His thin lips pressed tightly together as he averted his gaze. "I only wanted to ease my elder brother's peace in the afterlife."
"I know, but I still want to thank you."
After all, for Ling Xiao, there was another way to bring his brother even greater peace—by sending her down to join him.
But he hadn’t. He had chosen to save her instead, so she owed him her gratitude.
Ling Xiao stared at her earnest eyes, and a sudden thought crossed his mind: When Ling Chen had saved her back then, had she merely thanked him like this?
Clearly not.
His gaze turned cold. "I have matters to attend to."
With that, he turned and left.
Yue Yao was taken aback. Why did he seem suddenly displeased?
But then again, when was he ever in a good mood?
This man was truly difficult to get along with.
"Madam, shall we board the carriage?" Chun'er asked.
"Mm." Yue Yao didn’t dwell on it further and let Chun'er help her into the carriage.
The carriage was spacious enough for two people to lie down comfortably, and the gentle rocking was almost hypnotic. Yue Yao dozed off and woke only when they had arrived home.
She returned to her courtyard to rest, and soon Madam Lin hurried over to see her.
"How did you end up injured like this out of nowhere? Is it serious?" Madam Lin fretted anxiously.
Yue Yao leaned against a soft pillow and took Madam Lin’s hand. "Mother, the imperial physician said it didn’t hit any vital points. I just need to rest for a while, so please don’t worry."
"How can I not worry? It’s sheer luck that it wasn’t worse. If something had happened to you, what would I have done?"
Madam Lin’s eyes reddened again. "Before Dalang passed, he repeatedly reminded us to take good care of you. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t know how to face him in the afterlife."
At the mention of Ling Chen, Yue Yao’s eyes dimmed.
Madam Lin wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and patted her hand. "Forgive me for bringing this up. Just focus on recovering now. Don’t strain yourself, and don’t trouble yourself with other matters."
"Thank you, Mother." Yue Yao forced a smile.
From the sound of it, Ling Xiao’s marriage arrangements were no longer her responsibility.
Just then, a maid entered to announce, "Madam, the Marquis has returned."
Madam Lin quickly said, "Tell him to come to Fushou Garden. I have questions for him."
"Yes."
Given the severity of the incident, Madam Lin was naturally worried about whether Ling Xiao had been injured. Her second son had always been independent, keeping his troubles to himself and only sharing good news.
The assassination attempt had reportedly caused quite a stir, nearly harming the princess and leaving Yue Yao seriously injured. She needed to see him with her own eyes to be at ease.
Madam Lin gave Yue Yao a few more words of advice. "Rest well, then."
"Mm, don’t worry, Mother."
Only then did Madam Lin leave for Fushou Garden.
Ling Xiao had allowed Yue Yao’s carriage to return directly to the estate while he escorted the Emperor back to the palace first.
Upon his return, hearing that Madam Lin wanted to see him, he headed straight for the inner courtyard.
As he passed by Bright Moon Pavilion, his steps unconsciously slowed. He stared blankly at the maids and servants bustling in and out of the courtyard.
Jian Shuang, ever perceptive, chimed in, "After the young madam returned, she had the imperial physician and a female doctor stay in the estate. The female doctor just came to change her bandages and said the wound is healing well. It should be fully recovered within a month."
Ling Xiao shot him a glance. "Did I ask about her?"
"Ah?"
Jian Shuang belatedly realized his mistake. "My apologies, my lord."
Ling Xiao’s irritation only grew. He quickened his pace, unwilling to linger.
He should stay away from her. These chaotic thoughts only arose because he had been around her too much lately.
There should never have been any connection between them in the first place.
His expression darkened as he strode into Fushou Garden.
Jian Shuang followed behind, silently wiping the sweat from his brow. The Marquis’ temper had become rather unpredictable lately.
"Mother, you wanted to see me?" Ling Xiao entered briskly.
Madam Lin hurriedly motioned for him to sit. "Erlang, come, sit. I heard about the incident during the hunt. Yue Yao was badly injured, and I was afraid something had happened to you too."
Ling Xiao took a seat across from her. "I’m fine. Don’t worry."
Madam Lin frowned. "How can I not worry? You’re always involved in dangerous affairs. I thought leaving the border would mean fewer risks, but it seems trouble follows you everywhere."
"The new Emperor has just ascended. It’s natural for the court to be unstable. It will take time to settle."
"I don’t understand these political matters. I just want you safe and sound—our entire family safe and sound."
Then, she brought up the topic again. "Your marriage must be arranged soon."
A man needed to settle down. Only then would he have something to live for, rather than treating life and death so lightly.
Afraid he might refuse, she added earnestly, "Once you marry, I can finally hold a grandchild. Besides, your younger brother is already eighteen. If you delay, his own marriage will be postponed too. This estate needs a proper mistress, and children to bring it to life!"
Ling Xiao replied indifferently, "You decide, Mother."
Madam Lin was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. "Then… is there any young lady you favor?"
Ling Xiao showed no preference. "Whatever you think is best."
Madam Lin brightened. "In my opinion, the Chen family’s daughter is quite suitable—well-educated, refined, and from a good family. Even Yue Yao spoke highly of her."
That last sentence struck a nerve.
Ling Xiao’s lips tightened, his gaze icy. "Then her."
Madam Lin beamed. "Wonderful! I’ll send word to the Chen family at once!"
The Chens had been sending gifts frequently, and Madam Chen had even visited personally, showing great enthusiasm for the match.
But without Ling Xiao’s approval, Madam Lin had been unable to give a definitive answer. Now, at last, everyone would be satisfied!
When Ling Xiao left Fushou Garden, he didn’t so much as glance at Bright Moon Pavilion as he passed.
Everything needed to return to its rightful course. He wouldn’t allow any deviations.
He wouldn’t look at her again.
—
"The Marquis chose the Chen girl?" Yue Yao was astonished.
Hadn’t he been dissatisfied and critical just a while ago?
How had he become so agreeable now?
"Perhaps Madam Lin persuaded him. The Marquis is filial, after all. Besides, Miss Chen is well-mannered, comes from a good family, and is quite beautiful. It’s only natural he’d choose her."
Chun'er and Qing He chatted by her bedside.
Yue Yao’s expression was wooden. Of course—if Madam Lin suggested it, he would agree. The problem was that she had been the one to propose Miss Chen initially, so naturally, he wouldn’t have accepted then.
"At least the marriage is settled now. It’s one less thing for me to worry about."
Yue Yao had grown weary of navigating the social circles of noble ladies. Once the new mistress entered the household, the Ling estate would have a proper lady to manage affairs, and she wouldn’t have to shoulder every responsibility.
"Madam is always looking for ways to slack off," Chun'er teased.
Qing He pinched her cheek. "How bold of you to jest at Madam’s expense!"
Yue Yao couldn’t help but laugh.
It wasn’t entirely out of laziness, but also because she was acutely aware of her awkward social standing—she didn’t belong among the noblewomen and young ladies of high birth. Though they wore polite smiles, she could see the disdain in their eyes.
She was merely fortunate, basking in Ling Xiao’s reflected glory.
Rather than forcing herself into a circle that wasn’t hers, she preferred to live her own quiet life and pursue things that truly mattered to her.
Ling Xiao was busy again, investigating the mastermind behind the recent assassination attempt. For several days, he didn’t return to the estate.
Three days later, Master Chen and Madam Chen personally paid a visit, and with the elder madam’s mediation, the betrothal was settled.
Bound by parental decree and matchmaker’s words, the marriage contract was signed, and the wedding was set for July.
On the same day, Ling Xiao cracked the case and entered the palace to report to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I located the hideout of these assassins and captured a suspect hiding there. After two days of interrogation in the imperial prison, he confessed everything. They are all followers of the Lotus Sect, and this assassination was long planned, waiting for the right moment during the hunt."
"How audacious!" The Emperor slammed the table in fury. "Such a heretical cult dares to extend its reach into Yanjing City! I refuse to believe they act without backing."
Ling Xiao clasped his hands. "The Lotus Sect is nothing more than a rabble, hardly worth fearing. What truly demands investigation are those within the court who collude with them. I will continue pursuing this case—every last conspirator will be exposed."
The Emperor nodded. "I trust your competence in this matter. Handle it discreetly. If anything arises, you have my permission to act first and report later."
"As you command."
Ling Xiao threw himself into his work, deliberately suppressing those improper thoughts in his mind.
Given time, they would surely fade away.
