This unfamiliar flutter of emotions left him momentarily unsettled.
"Brother Xiao!" Huaining dashed over, blocking his path.
He lowered his gaze, concealing a trace of panic in his eyes, his voice calm. "Why has the Princess come?"
"How could I miss your housewarming? Even the Crown Prince is here, and no one told me!"
"It was never a grand affair. His Highness only came to discuss important matters," Ling Xiao replied, subtly glancing at Jiang Yueyao, who trailed behind Huaining.
Yueyao, noticing his gaze, assumed he meant to pick a fight and quickly explained, "The Princess came to congratulate you, so I offered to show her around the garden."
Ling Xiao coldly averted his eyes, offering no response.
"Then please enjoy the garden, Princess. I have matters to attend to," Ling Xiao said dismissively.
Huaining hesitated, reluctant to let him go. "I barely get to leave the palace..."
But she swallowed her words and nodded obediently. "Very well."
She knew he never altered his plans for anyone or anything.
Ling Xiao gave a curt nod and walked away without so much as another glance at Yueyao.
Yueyao blinked in confusion. Had she offended him again?
Ling Xiao strode off, his expression tense, that inexplicable restlessness gnawing at him.
Huaining watched dejectedly as Ling Xiao disappeared without a backward glance, her previously lively demeanor deflating.
Noticing the Princess's low spirits, Yueyao consoled her, "The Marquis has indeed been busy lately, leaving early and returning late. Even when he’s back, he’s often in his study discussing affairs. He likely has little free time."
Huaining brightened slightly, pouting. "Fine. I’m used to it anyway."
Yueyao was taken aback. Used to it? Could someone really grow accustomed to his foul temper?
Perhaps she just lacked the patience.
Huaining suddenly asked with curiosity, "What is Brother Xiao’s elder brother like?"
Yueyao blinked. "My husband... is gentle and kind. He never loses his temper or scowls at anyone. He’s endlessly patient, courteous to all."
Huaining looked surprised. "Such a stark contrast between brothers."
Yueyao thought of Ling Xiao’s perpetually icy expression and smirked. "Who knows why?"
Huaining kicked a pebble at her feet, muttering, "Brother Xiao always ignores people."
"Then why does the Princess like him?"
"But Brother Xiao is incredible! No girl could dislike him!"
Yueyao tilted her head. "But his achievements are his own. What does that have to do with me?"
No matter how accomplished he was, if he treated her poorly, how could marrying him bring happiness? His military honors and glory belonged solely to him—none of it would ever be hers.
Huaining froze.
"But is liking someone only about how they treat you?"
Yueyao asked blankly, "Why would I like someone who treats me badly?"
Huaining faltered, suddenly at a loss for words.
After a long pause, she stubbornly insisted, "I just like Brother Xiao, no matter what!"
She met Yueyao’s gaze firmly. "Liking someone doesn’t need a reason!"
Yueyao was momentarily stunned by such a grand declaration of love.
Nodding, she conceded, "The Princess makes a fair point."
Huaining finally brightened, lifting her chin. "In any case, in this lifetime, I’ll marry no one but Brother Xiao!"
Yueyao smiled. "Then I’m sure the Princess will get her wish."
"Of course!"
Just then, a palace attendant reminded her, "Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Huaining’s face fell. "Oh no!"
The Crown Prince approached from a distance.
Yueyao quickly curtsied. "This humble wife greets Your Highness."
The Crown Prince smiled. "You must be the First Madam. No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
He turned to Huaining, scolding, "Did you sneak out of the palace again? Always causing trouble."
"I didn’t! How could I miss Brother Xiao’s housewarming?" Huaining grumbled unhappily.
"Enough. It’s late—we’re returning to the palace." With outsiders present, he couldn’t reprimand her further.
Reluctantly, Huaining bid Yueyao farewell. "I’ll visit you again next time."
"This humble wife will await the Princess."
Huaining frowned. "Are you just humoring me?"
"..."
Yueyao widened her eyes earnestly. "Of course not."
Still doubtful, Huaining suddenly remembered something. "Next month is the spring hunt! You’ll be there, right?!"
"I..." Yueyao hesitated.
She wasn’t keen on attending. The imperial hunt would involve even more pomp and bustle than today, and she found such events exhausting.
Moreover, she knew her place. Though she was addressed as "First Madam" out of respect for Ling Xiao, she lacked the pedigree to mingle with noblewomen from prestigious families.
She’d much rather stay quietly at home, tending to her own affairs.
But Huaining pressed on. "You have to go! Promise me!"
Having finally found someone she could talk to, Huaining wasn’t about to let her slip away.
The Crown Prince chuckled. "Naturally, she’ll attend. The Marquis will be there, so the First Madam may as well join to keep the Princess company."
"Yes! Exactly!" Huaining’s eyes sparkled with delight.
Cornered, Yueyao could only agree. "As you wish."
Only then did Huaining leave contentedly with the Crown Prince.
Once they were out of earshot, the Crown Prince chided, "You’re becoming more reckless. Sneaking out of the palace? If Father finds out, you’ll be punished."
Huaining pouted. "You’re the ones who hid it from me!"
"A housewarming isn’t important enough for you to rush over."
"Don’t lie! You used it as an excuse to arrange matches for Brother Xiao, didn’t you?"
"What does his marriage prospects have to do with you? With Father newly enthroned, the court is unstable. Merging old and new factions is the priority. The Marquis is influential—marrying a daughter of the old nobility would ease tensions."
Huaining was furious. "How dare you dictate Brother Xiao’s marriage?!"
The Crown Prince laughed dryly. "Dictate? This was his own decision."
To Ling Xiao, any bride would do—he had no woman he truly cared for.
The Crown Prince was well aware of Huaining’s feelings, but Ling Xiao had only ever seen her as a little sister.
Huaining stomped her foot angrily. "You never take my side!"
With a resigned sigh, the Crown Prince followed her. "Regardless, you’re forbidden from leaving the palace without permission again. Understood?"
"Hmph!"
By the time the banquet ended, Yueyao had finally finished her duties. The last guest departed as night fell.
The sheer volume of trivial matters was exhausting enough, but what truly wore her out were the young noblewomen who, upon learning that she was responsible for selecting candidates to become Ling Xiao’s wife, swarmed around her, probing for information. She dared not offend any of them, and by the end of the day, her face ached from forced smiles.
Utterly drained, she returned to her quarters, hastily washed up, and collapsed into bed.
Meanwhile, in the main estate’s Qingshan Pavilion, the lights still burned brightly.
In the courtyard, a tall figure clad in dark martial attire twirled a red-tasseled spear with practiced ease. His movements were swift and powerful, the spear’s edge slicing through the air with such force that it sent bamboo leaves trembling to the ground in a rustling cascade.
Ling Xiao’s mind was restless—an agitation that hadn’t begun today but had grown increasingly unbearable in recent days. He never bothered to dwell on the source of such moods; he had no time for idle melancholy.
Yet tonight, the moment he closed his eyes, Jiang Yueyao’s face surfaced in his mind—her smile as she stood on the wooden bridge, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with delicate fingers.
Startled, his eyes flew open, and sleep abandoned him entirely.
Jian Shuang and Chi Ying stood guard nearby, their expressions solemn but their backs damp with cold sweat. Years of serving the marquis told them one thing: his mood today was foul. Exceptionally so.
An hour later, Ling Xiao fluidly sheathed his spear. Jian Shuang hurried forward to take it.
"My lord, shall we summon the advisors for discussion?"
Jian Shuang assumed the marquis’s foul temper must be tied to court affairs—hence the need for counsel.
Ling Xiao tossed the spear to him and replied coldly, "Unnecessary. All of you, withdraw."
Jian Shuang hesitated but knew better than to question further. "As you command."
Striding back to his chambers, Ling Xiao’s turbulent thoughts had settled somewhat.
Perhaps it was merely the recent passing of his elder brother weighing on him, stirring memories—hence the fleeting thought of Jiang Yueyao.
---
The next morning, Yueyao went to Fushou Garden to pay her respects to Madam Lin.
"Mother," she greeted as she entered.
Madam Lin brightened at the sight of her. "Yue, you’re here."
Yueyao took a seat beside her, and Madam Lin eagerly pressed, "After yesterday’s gathering, did you find any suitable candidates?"
After a moment’s consideration, Yueyao nodded. "I believe Princess Anning is spirited and genuine, while Miss Chen is gentle and dignified—both would make excellent choices."
Madam Lin nodded in agreement. "Miss Chen does seem like a fine young lady, so well-mannered and refined. As for the princess… she does seem a bit childish, but if Second Son takes a liking to her, that would be splendid! Still, we must hear his thoughts."
Just then, a servant announced, "The marquis has arrived."
Madam Lin’s eyes lit up. "Bring him in at once."
Yueyao blinked in surprise. Since when did he have time for morning greetings? Lately, he’d been leaving early and returning late, buried in work.
Ling Xiao strode in. "Mother."
Madam Lin smiled warmly. "Second Son, what brings you here today? Has court business eased?"
"It’s my day of rest." His gaze flickered briefly toward Jiang Yueyao, who sat with her eyes demurely lowered, just as she always did.
Madam Lin chided him gently, "You rarely get a day off—you should be resting! No need to trouble yourself with formalities. Don’t overexert yourself; sit down."
Ling Xiao swept his robes aside and took a seat.
Madam Lin then added cheerfully, "Actually, there’s something we must discuss. Yesterday’s banquet brought many fine young ladies to the estate. Since you couldn’t attend, Yue spent the entire day carefully evaluating them on your behalf!"
Ling Xiao turned his attention to Jiang Yueyao. She pressed her lips together subtly, as if gathering courage, before finally meeting his gaze. Her seemingly docile eyes were filled with wariness and caution.
She always looked at him like this.
With measured politeness, Yueyao said, "I believe both Princess Anning and Miss Chen are excellent candidates, but the final decision rests with you, my lord."
Under his piercing scrutiny, Yueyao’s scalp prickled. His fathomless dark eyes seemed to strip her bare, leaving no thought concealed.
As Ling Xiao studied her clear, bright gaze, the agitation he had barely subdued the night before flared anew—stronger than ever.
