"Like a mother to her brother-in-law?"
Ling Xiao's face remained expressionless, but a faint trace of mockery flickered in his pitch-black eyes.
He must be sneering inside, she thought.
Ling Xiao tilted his head slightly, his expression turning eerily unreadable for a moment before he replied coldly, "As you wish."
Yue Yao's pupils constricted—had he actually agreed?
Madam Lin patted Yue Yao's hand cheerfully. "Then you must choose carefully. Family background and status are secondary—what matters most is finding someone who can live a steady life with him. A marriage isn't like other relationships; it's meant to last a lifetime. The outside world may admire glamour, but in the end, the couple themselves are the ones who have to live the days together."
When the eldest son had first proposed marrying Yue Yao, Madam Lin hadn’t been entirely pleased either. They had spent a considerable sum of silver, and on top of that, Yue Yao had been a runaway—exceptionally beautiful, yes, but Madam Lin had doubted whether she was the type to settle down peacefully.
Yet after Yue Yao entered the Ling Family, the household atmosphere had improved. The eldest son was no longer as despondent as before; he smiled more often. Yue was sensible and took good care of her mother-in-law. Seeing the couple so devoted to each other, even knowing her son had only a year or two left to live, Madam Lin found some comfort in her heart.
Ling Chen, unlike his imposing younger brother, was gentle by nature—yet distant and indifferent. Even his own mother struggled to get close to him. It was only after Yue arrived that he showed a little more vitality.
At the very least, Yue had brought fulfillment to the eldest son’s life.
So Madam Lin also hoped that Ling Xiao would marry a warm and considerate wife, settle down, and find his own happiness.
Yue Yao clutched the stack of name cards in her hand, feeling as though she were holding a scalding hot potato—one she couldn’t even throw away.
She swallowed hard and stiffly replied, "Understood."
Madam Lin then turned to Ling Xiao. "The most important thing is that you like the girl. Tell us, what kind of woman do you prefer? That way, Yue can help you choose."
Ling Xiao glanced at her, his tone laced with sarcasm. "As long as she’s well-behaved, speaks and acts honestly, and isn’t two-faced—any will do."
Yue Yao met his dark, fathomless gaze, her face stiffening. Was he mocking her?
Madam Lin, oblivious to the hidden meaning in Ling Xiao’s words, nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Someone simple and down-to-earth, capable of living a stable life."
Yue Yao forced a dry response. "I understand."
After accompanying Madam Lin for the meal, Ling Xiao left.
He was currently occupied with court affairs and had little free time. The Marquis's Mansion had been bestowed by the Emperor, and he had never bothered with its management. Now that Madam Lin had taken charge, the household affairs naturally fell to her.
But Madam Lin was getting on in years and illiterate—how could she handle such matters? So she handed everything over to Yue Yao.
Yue Yao had never managed such a large estate before, but fortunately, she had learned accounting in the past. With Steward Wang’s help, she spent several days sorting out the household affairs.
While she could gradually figure out the basics of managing the household, the intricacies of social etiquette—which gifts to accept, which to refuse, and how to handle invitations—were entirely beyond her.
If she didn’t know, Madam Lin certainly wouldn’t either.
The only option was to ask Ling Xiao.
But the thought of dealing with him again made her uneasy. After some hesitation, she sought out Ling Shen instead—only to find that he had suddenly become studious, claiming he needed to focus on his studies and leaving the matter to her discretion.
After wrestling with her nerves for half a day, Yue Yao finally mustered the courage to approach the study in the front courtyard.
Ling Xiao had been buried in court matters these past few days, and they hadn’t crossed paths at all. She had only heard how busy he was.
"Madam, what brings you here?" Jian Shuang, standing guard outside, stepped forward and bowed when he saw Yue Yao.
Yue Yao pressed her lips together before speaking hesitantly. "There’s something I need to discuss with the Marquis."
"I’ll announce you at once."
Jian Shuang turned and pushed the door open. Inside, Ling Xiao was reviewing case files at his desk. With the new Emperor recently ascended to the throne, various factions in the court were secretly stirring trouble. As the one maintaining order in the capital, suppressing these forces required considerable effort.
"My Lord, the Madam is here to see you," Jian Shuang reported.
Ling Xiao’s hand, resting on the documents, paused briefly before he replied coolly, "Let her in."
"Yes."
Yue Yao waited outside the door, her heart uneasy. She half-expected him to outright dismiss her.
Perhaps that would be for the best—then she could wash her hands of household management and simply live quietly with Madam Lin, free from all these responsibilities.
Jian Shuang emerged with a smile. "Madam, please come in."
Yue Yao blinked in surprise. She had expected at least some resistance from him.
Without further thought, she stepped inside.
"My Lord."
Ling Xiao leaned back in his armchair, one hand resting on the desk as his fingers tapped lightly against the surface. His dark eyes regarded her with indifference. "What is it?"
Yue Yao placed a gift register on his desk. "These are the gifts sent by various families recently. Do you wish to keep them all?"
Ling Xiao glanced at it, then casually circled a few names with his brush. "Keep these. Return the rest."
He looked up at her. "These are all former officials tied to the previous dynasty or Prince Yong. Draw a clear line—if they send anything else, throw it out immediately."
Yue Yao nodded carefully, committing his words to memory.
"And then there are the banquet invitations from various households..."
Ling Xiao didn’t even bother looking. "Handle those as you see fit. Aside from those doomed remnants tied to Prince Yong, you may attend whichever you please."
Given his current standing in court, his presence at any banquet would be considered an honor to the host. There was no need for excessive caution.
As if she had any interest in attending.
Yue Yao then placed a booklet on his desk.
Ling Xiao flipped through it—a compiled list of women’s name cards. "What’s this?"
"I’ve organized the name cards of eligible young ladies from the capital, filtering them according to your requirements. The remaining candidates are bound here for your convenience in reviewing and selecting."
Ling Xiao lifted his gaze, eyeing her. "Since the old madam values your judgment, why show these to me?"
Yue Yao tensed under the weight of his oppressive aura. She answered cautiously, "Since it’s your marriage, you should choose someone you like."
If she picked a bride and he ended up disliking her, wouldn’t the blame fall on Yue Yao instead?
The corner of his lips curled with a hint of roguishness. "With Eldest Sister-in-law making the selection, there’s no chance of a mistake."
Yue Yao’s face burned. He was mocking her again—he was still holding a grudge over that "like a mother to her brother-in-law" remark!
How petty could he be?
It wasn’t even her who had said it!
Fed up with the stifling atmosphere, Yue Yao replied woodenly, "Understood. I’ll handle it."
She reached for the booklet, ready to leave.
But he didn’t let go.
Yue Yao tugged once, but it didn’t budge. She looked up at him, her clear eyes betraying a flicker of irritation.
His brow arched slightly. So she had a temper?
He hadn’t seen any trace of the demure obedience she supposedly possessed.
Yue Yao took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Is there anything else, My Lord?"
"In a few days, the mansion will host a banquet to invite the noble families of the capital. You handle the arrangements. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Steward Wang."
Yue Yao was taken aback. A banquet for all the distinguished families of Yanjing City? Such a grand affair was being entrusted to her?!
Ling Xiao released her hand. "Do you have something else to attend to?"
Truth be told, there was no one else in the Ling Family capable of managing such matters. If she didn’t do it, could they possibly expect the elderly Madam Lin to take charge?
She could only hope he would marry soon and pass all these responsibilities to his wife.
"No," Yue Yao replied, taking the ledger back. "Then I’ll take my leave first."
Ling Xiao had expected her to make excuses, but she agreed surprisingly readily.
After leaving the study, Yue Yao went to find Steward Wang to arrange the banquet.
When Madam Lin heard that the family would be hosting the capital’s elite, she was delighted. "This way, the young ladies on the list will likely attend. It’ll be easier to evaluate them, and perhaps we can settle on a match for our Second Master soon, welcoming a new bride into the household."
Yue Yao nodded in agreement. "Mother, rest assured. Nearly all the noble families of the capital will be present this time. We’re sure to find a suitable daughter-in-law."
Once the new bride entered the household—as the rightful Marchioness—Yue Yao wouldn’t have to shoulder these burdens of household management anymore.
The thought reinvigorated her.
Over the next few days, Yue Yao was kept busy from dawn till dusk. The banquet was a grand affair, with twenty tables to arrange. The customs of the capital were far more elaborate than those of Xingfeng Village—men and women were seated separately, and everything from the opera stage to the food, pastries, decorations, and invitations had to be meticulously planned.
Five days later, the banquet at the Marquis's Mansion was finally underway.
Early in the morning, the mansion’s gates were already bustling with carriages and horses, as an endless stream of guests arrived with their invitations.
The banquet was ostensibly held to celebrate the family’s relocation, but in truth, it was an opportunity for both the new aristocracy and the old officials to visit the Ling residence.
With the new emperor on the throne, the political climate was unstable, and court officials were understandably anxious. A chance to gauge the winds and forge connections at the Ling Family’s home was too good to pass up.
The banquet was set in the West Garden, where spring was in full bloom. The lake shimmered under the sunlight, the flowering trees along its banks were radiant, and a gentle breeze carried laughter and chatter through the air.
Inside the lakeside pavilion, Madam Lin sat at the head of the gathering, with Yue Yao by her side. Many noblewomen had already arrived, engaging Madam Lin in lively conversation.
"What a blessed life you lead, Madam! The Marquis is renowned throughout the land for his valor—suppressing rebellions and aiding the new emperor’s ascension. Such great achievements!" The noble ladies flattered enthusiastically.
Madam Lin smiled and nodded. "He’s been clever since childhood, the most dependable of my children."
"That’s all thanks to your guidance, Madam."
"Oh, he’s always had a mind of his own," Madam Lin replied modestly, though inwardly, she swelled with pride. How could she not know how exceptional her son was?
"This flower cake is exquisite—sweet but not cloying. I’ve never tasted anything like it. Did the Marchioness arrange this?"
Yue Yao smiled demurely. "It was made by a cook we brought from Yunzhou. The flavors differ from those in the capital, so I thought it would be a novelty for everyone to try."
"The Marchioness is so thoughtful! I adore this cake."
Yue Yao smiled but didn’t elaborate, ensuring the conversation flowed naturally.
No wonder Ling Xiao had so casually entrusted the banquet to her without fear of failure.
When one’s status was high enough, everyone around became agreeable. No matter how the banquet turned out, there would always be those eager to praise it.
Meanwhile, on the opposite shore of the lake, a group of men strolled along the wooden walkway.
"Your relocation banquet is truly lively today. I hear nearly every noble maiden in the capital has come, all vying for the position of Marchioness. You’re quite the fortunate man."
The speaker, dressed in an emerald-green robe with a jade crown, exuded nobility.
"Does Your Highness find the consorts in the Eastern Palace insufficient?" Ling Xiao replied coolly.
The Crown Prince’s expression shifted. "Ah, don’t remind me. His Majesty is determined to stabilize the court and keeps sending women to my palace! You know how the Crown Princess is..."
Previously, the Crown Prince had only one wife and one concubine, and life had been harmonious. But now, with five additional women in his household, the drama was endless.
"Your situation is different from mine. You’re choosing a wife—whoever you pick will be a joyous occasion."
The Crown Prince steered the conversation back, nodding toward the lakeside pavilion. "All the eligible maidens are gathered today. Minister Zhong’s daughter is a prodigy in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—they say she’s the capital’s top talent. General Zhao’s youngest daughter excels in martial dances and archery, rivaling any man. And Chancellor Chen’s daughter is said to be as beautiful as a celestial maiden. So? Any caught your eye?"
Ling Xiao glanced over. The pavilion’s doors and windows were wide open, revealing the lively scene inside.
Amid the crowd of women surrounding Madam Lin, his gaze suddenly settled on a slender figure.
She wore a jade-green gown, her waist so delicate it seemed a mere handful. Lightly adorned, she sat quietly at the side, a faint smile gracing her lips. Though her attire was simple, she seemed to glow brighter than ever.
