Jiang Yueyao's heart clenched abruptly, her entire body prickling with fear—he was more terrifying than a demon crawling out of hell.
She shrank back, retreating another step, struggling to maintain her composure but unable to hide the pallor of her face.
Yet when she lifted her head, her red-rimmed eyes met his with unwavering resolve: "I know exactly what I should do."
He paused, surprised she dared to talk back. So she had courage after all—was this the same fragile, helpless woman his elder brother had described? The obedient and docile girl his mother had praised?
With a cold sneer, he strode past her and left without another word.
Two days later, the Ling Family packed all their belongings and departed by carriage.
Villagers watched from a distance, murmuring among themselves.
"That second son of the Ling Family has truly made something of himself. Now he’s been granted the title of First-Rank Marquis for his military exploits—I’ve never even laid eyes on a county magistrate in my life!"
"Jiang Yueyao is the lucky one. She married a sickly man, expecting to become a widow, and now she’s suddenly the eldest daughter-in-law of a marquis’s household?"
"Exactly! Who would’ve thought the Ling Family would still tolerate her?" someone muttered, green with envy.
"If I’d known this would happen, I’d have married my own daughter to him instead."
Ling Chen had been frail since birth, so no one in the village wanted to wed their daughter to a man waiting for death. Nor did Ling Chen wish to burden another family’s daughter, which was why he remained unmarried at twenty-five.
That was, until a year ago, when he encountered Jiang Yueyao fleeing her home. To sever her family’s control over her, he married her.
For a woman, life was harsh—obedient to her father before marriage, and to her husband after. Only by wedding him could she escape her family’s tyranny.
The villagers had whispered behind their hands, waiting for the day she’d become a widow.
After all, Jiang Yueyao was beautiful, but what use was beauty when she’d soon be mourning?
Yet who could have predicted that Ling Xiao would rise so high? Even as a widow in a marquis’s household, she’d be living a fortune most could only dream of.
Now, the villagers dared not speak too loudly—the Ling Family was no longer the same. Who would dare provoke them?
Ling Xiao rode at the front of the procession, while Ling Shen, who couldn’t ride, traveled by carriage behind him.
Jiang Yueyao and Madam Lin shared a carriage at the front. Clutching Ling Chen’s memorial tablet, she lifted the curtain slightly, watching the village where she’d lived for a year fade into the distance.
A sense of uncertainty settled over her—what lay ahead?
Suddenly, Ling Xiao glanced back from his horse, his icy gaze sweeping toward her. She immediately dropped the curtain.
Her breath hitched, heart pounding as she tightened her grip on the cold wooden tablet. But even that offered no comfort.
The road ahead seemed not just uncertain, but perilous.
How could her gentle, kind-hearted husband have such a ruthless younger brother?
She needed to stay far away from him.
The journey led them to the county town, then onto a waterway. Ling Xiao chartered a large ship to take the entire Ling Family to Yanjing.
It was Yueyao’s first time on a boat. Standing at the bow, the vast river stretched before her, making her realize for the first time how immense the world truly was.
She couldn’t resist reaching out, letting the breeze slip through her fingers—cool, carrying the scent of freedom.
Her eyes brightened, a spark of life returning after days of gloom.
But then, a thought struck her—if only her husband were still alive, he could have seen this with her.
The light in her eyes dimmed again. She leaned against the railing, head bowed, lost in melancholy.
Upstairs, through the wide-open window, Ling Xiao sat reviewing urgent documents when his gaze fell on the woman at the bow.
She still wore white mourning robes, a small white flower pinned in her hair. Her slender frame looked as if the wind might carry her away.
He watched her childish attempt to touch the breeze, the fleeting joy in her eyes, and the way her expression darkened just as quickly.
In both war and court, showing emotions was a weakness. Yet here she was, her face shifting through a hundred moods in a single day.
"Marquis, a secret missive from the capital via carrier pigeon. You’re urged to return—the court is unstable," Jian Shuang reported hastily.
Ling Xiao withdrew his cold gaze. "Send word that I’ll return within half a month."
Jian Shuang bowed. "Understood."
Just then, voices drifted in from outside.
"Sister-in-law, why are you standing out here? The wind is strong—you’ll catch a chill," Ling Shen called as he approached.
Yueyao shook her head. "I’ve never seen such a large ship before."
"Neither have I! It’s so steady, not even rocking. Mother says she can finally sleep well."
Yueyao sighed softly. "My husband never saw it either."
Ling Shen comforted her, "Brother must know. We brought his tablet, didn’t we? He’s surely happy for us, wherever he is."
"Mm." Yueyao managed a faint smile, her eyes regaining a trace of light.
Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed. "Summon Ling Shen upstairs," he ordered coldly.
Jian Shuang was puzzled—why was the Marquis suddenly displeased?
He hurried down to the deck and escorted Ling Shen up.
"The Marquis requests your presence."
Ling Shen swallowed nervously before following.
Yueyao turned, catching sight of the open window where the intimidating man sat sipping tea. Though his gaze wasn’t on her, she felt it like a blade against her back.
Frowning, she quickly retreated to her cabin.
Ling Xiao watched her go, his eyes frostier than before.
Soon, Ling Shen entered, pausing to take a deep breath before stepping inside.
"Second Brother," he greeted with an awkward smile.
Ling Xiao fixed him with a stern look. "I hear you plan to take the provincial exams next year?"
"Ah—yes. My tutor says I might as well try, though I’m not confident." Ling Shen scratched his head.
"If you commit to something, do it with conviction. This hesitation is unbecoming," Ling Xiao reprimanded.
Ling Shen broke into a cold sweat. "You’re right, Second Brother."
"Since you’re preparing for the exams, you’ll spend the voyage studying. Report to me at dawn every day."
"What?"
That meant being under his brother’s watch from morning till night. Ling Shen paled.
Ling Xiao’s gaze sharpened. "You don’t wish to learn?"
Ling Shen stiffened. "N-no! I do!"
"Then why are you still standing there?"
"I’ll fetch my books now!" Ling Shen bolted out, terrified of delaying another second.
Watching his younger brother’s frantic exit, Ling Xiao frowned. How had their elder brother raised him to be so undisciplined?
Their father had passed when Ling Shen was only three.
Ling Chen and Ling Xiao’s father was once a scholar, though after years of attempts, he never advanced beyond the rank of a Tongsheng (child scholar). Still, he ensured his sons received an early education, hoping they might fulfill his unachieved dream of attaining the highest honor in the imperial examinations.
Ling Chen showed some natural talent, but he had been frail since birth, rendering scholarly pursuits impossible. Thus, their father pinned greater hopes on Ling Xiao, who was both clever and quick-witted. He believed that, given time, his second son would surely achieve greatness.
However, education was a costly endeavor. After their father’s passing, with Ling Chen bedridden and Ling Shen still young, the burden of supporting the family fell upon Ling Xiao’s shoulders. He was only nine then, having already passed the preliminary exams. Yet he cast aside his brush without hesitation, abandoning his studies to help his mother keep the household afloat.
From then on, he dabbled in all walks of life, mingling with people from every stratum of society.
At fourteen, when the court issued a conscription decree—offering exemption from five years of taxes in exchange for a male recruit—the family, unable to pay the levy, saw him enlist without a second thought.
That decision took him away for ten years, and only now had he returned.
The decade that followed was one of bloodshed and peril, a life balanced on the edge of a blade—known to none but himself.
In his absence, Ling Chen naturally took on the responsibility of raising their youngest brother. It seemed, however, that the eldest had been far too lenient.
Not just with Ling Shen, but with Jiang Yueyao as well.
At this thought, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
Yueyao resided on the first floor, next to Madam Lin, making it easier to care for her.
As dusk approached, Yueyao stepped into the kitchen to prepare a meal, only to be stopped by the cook.
“Madam, you mustn’t trouble yourself with such chores. Leave them to us servants.”
The address took Yueyao aback, and it took her a moment to respond. “I was only concerned that Mother might not find the dishes to her liking.”
“Then perhaps Madam could instruct us instead? We’ll remember your preferences,” the cook offered with an awkward smile.
“Very well…”
Once the meal was ready, Yueyao went to rouse Madam Lin, inviting her to dine in the hall. Meanwhile, a maid ascended to the second floor to summon Ling Xiao and Ling Shen.
Madam Lin, having rested, looked much better. Yueyao served her favorite dishes, gently chiding, “Mother, you shouldn’t sleep too long, or you’ll struggle to rest tonight.”
Just then, Ling Xiao and Ling Shen entered. The servants bowed and retreated to the side.
Ling Xiao led the way, his presence alone tightening the air in the room. Even Madam Lin seemed to tense slightly.
“Has Mother’s health improved?” Ling Xiao asked as he took his seat.
“Much better after a nap. You needn’t worry about me—Jiang Yueyao keeps me company.”
Ling Xiao’s gaze flicked toward Yueyao, who kept her eyes downcast as she picked at her food.
Madam Lin turned to Ling Shen with a reproachful look. “Your brother is already burdened enough. Must you trouble him further?”
Ling Shen forced a smile, though his expression was strained. “Second Brother allowed me to study in his study. He even teaches me about court affairs.”
Madam Lin’s face brightened. “That’s good. Your second brother was always brilliant. Had your father lived longer, he might have already earned the title of Zhuangyuan!”
Yueyao couldn’t help stealing a glance at Ling Xiao. This man, so steeped in an aura of lethality, had once been a diligent scholar?
It was nearly impossible to picture.
In her mind, scholars were supposed to be gentle and refined, like her late husband—after all, men of learning prized propriety above all.
Ling Shen gave a weak laugh. “Yes, I’ll study hard.”
Ling Xiao nodded. “Third Brother is indeed diligent.”
Ling Shen swallowed hard, maintaining his strained smile.
Under his second brother’s watchful eye, he dared not slacken even slightly.
The thought of enduring this for another half-month filled him with despair.
Madam Lin sighed. “Thank heavens you’ve returned. With your eldest brother gone, I don’t know how this family would have managed otherwise.”
“You needn’t worry, Mother. From now on, I’ll handle everything,” Ling Xiao said firmly.
Madam Lin dabbed at her eyes. “You’ve always been the most dependable. Once we settle in our new home, we can finally live together in peace. Ling Shen must focus on his studies, and you—it’s time you married.”
Her voice lifted with renewed hope. “You’re already twenty-four. It’s high time you found a wife—someone warm and caring. Start a family, give me grandchildren to hold.”
Yueyao thought to herself, What kind of warm-hearted girl would willingly marry such an icy man? I can’t imagine the poor woman’s misery.
Just then, Ling Xiao’s gaze swept past her, catching her faint frown. His eyes chilled.
