Chapter 101

Chapter 101: So What? Ling Jiayue slowly made her way back toward the courtyard with Danyun. Afraid that Ling Jiayue might have been mistreated while she was at risk of fainting, Danyun hurriedly asked, “Miss, this servant was inferior just now. Did you get hurt? If you truly were injured, even dying ten thousand times would not atone for my crime.” Ling Jiayue instead comforted her. “I’m not hurt. Murong Xi is, after all, a general who leads troops into battle. It’s only natural that you couldn’t match him in strength. But what about you? Did Murong Xi injure you?” Seeing that Ling Jiayue not only did not blame her but was also concerned about her, Danyun felt a warmth in her heart. She said, “Thank you for your concern, Miss. This servant was simply incompetent and caused you to fall into another’s hands. Please rest assured, Miss. I’m not seriously injured.” “That’s good, then. Let’s hurry back and change clothes, and then return to Star-Seizing Tower. We mustn’t keep everyone waiting too long.” As she spoke, Ling Jiayue hurried back to the courtyard with Danyun. Afraid that the road would be slippery in the dark and that Ling Jiayue might accidentally fall, Danyun devoted herself to supporting her all the way there. Ling Jiayue hurried back to the courtyard with Danyun, changed her clothes, and then rushed back to Star-Seizing Tower. There was no other reason for her haste—she had been away from the banquet for too long as the hostess, and it would not do to make all the young ladies wait. After all, Ling Jiayue was the host. The Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng, had also returned to the banquet by this time. Chu Chaoci and Mu Yuyang were drinking together, appearing exceptionally cordial. When Mu Yuyang saw Mu Yuheng return, he called out loudly, “Seventh Brother, where did you go? Could it be that the spring scenery at the Prime Minister’s Residence was so alluring that you couldn’t bear to leave?” Mu Yuheng merely smiled. “Third Brother, I don’t understand what you mean. The scenery at the Prime Minister’s Residence is indeed beautiful, but what does this ‘spring scenery’ refer to?” Mu Yuyang set down his wine cup and said, half teasingly and half seriously, “You’ve helped Ling Jiayue time and again, and this time you even brought her a piece of warm jade meant for a woman’s use. What else could this ‘spring scenery’ be? Still, Seventh Brother, you really aren’t picky. Ling Jiayue is someone Third Brother discarded, yet you can bring yourself to take a liking to her.” Mu Yuheng replied solemnly, “Third Brother, please watch your words. Miss Ling is, after all, a First-Rank County Lady personally conferred by Father. No matter how dissatisfied you are with her, you must not slander her so. Besides, Miss Ling and I are entirely innocent. I cannot bear such words from you.” Mu Yuyang merely snorted and said nothing more. Chu Chaoci continued drinking on his own, watching Mu Yuheng and Mu Yuyang trade barbs as though he were enjoying a show. Mu Yuheng ignored the two of them as well, simply sitting there and drinking while eating his food. Yet his mind remained fixed on what Ling Jiayue had just said. Feng Yan quietly whispered into Mu Yuheng’s ear, “Master, this subordinate has confirmed it. The people who have repeatedly tried to harm Miss Ling were sent by the Third Prince.” When Mu Yuheng heard this, his expression shifted slightly, and a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. But it quickly vanished without a trace, as though nothing had happened. By this time, Ling Jiayue had finally hurried back to Star-Seizing Tower. When the young ladies saw her return, they all began teasing her. “We thought Miss Ling was afraid of us and had simply gone off to be lazy. We were just talking about you, and then you appeared. It seems the saying is true—one really shouldn’t speak of people behind their backs.” Ling Jiayue smiled and replied, “The wine in spring is intoxicating. I didn’t even realize how much I had drunk just now, and when I returned, I actually fell asleep. If Danyun hadn’t woken me, I’m afraid I would still be sleeping. It seems I truly did go off to be lazy.” Miss Luo had the most forthright personality. Hearing this, she giggled and replied, “Exactly! That proves we were right to say you went off to be lazy. You really did abandon your duties. You’re such an incompetent hostess. If you ask me, you should drink another cup as punishment.” At Miss Luo’s words, the other young ladies also began cheering. “That’s right. Miss Ling should drink another cup as punishment.” Unable to withstand everyone’s demands, Ling Jiayue helplessly raised her wine cup and drank another cup. Only then did the young ladies let her off. At that moment, the watchman’s clapper sounded. It was already quite late. Judging by the time, the young ladies would also be leaving with their family elders. Ling Jiayue said to them, “It’s already quite late today. Why don’t we return to the banquet first? In the future, I’ll certainly send invitations to all of you, and we can come back to Star-Seizing Tower to enjoy the scenery together. How does that sound?” Miss Luo said, “Wonderful. Then we’ll return to the banquet for now. The scenery at Star-Seizing Tower is truly beautiful, so Miss Ling must remember to invite me here often in the future. Though even if you don’t invite me, I’ll be coming back anyway.” Ling Jiayue smiled and agreed. She then led the young ladies back to the banquet. By then, Ling Jiaxuan had also returned with the young masters from the various families. Seeing that it was getting late, Ling Taian and Madam Liu began seeing the guests off as well. The birthday banquet had been a delight for both host and guests, but there were still several people who were not pleased. Ling Jiayue accompanied Madam Liu in seeing the guests off at the entrance. The guests all departed with smiles on their faces. Only the Third Prince continued to regard Ling Jiayue with a sinister gaze as he left. Seeing this, Madam Liu instinctively pulled Ling Jiayue behind her. Chu Chaoci and Murong Xi also looked at Ling Jiayue thoughtfully. Ling Taian took note of all of this. Madam Liu and Ling Jiayue finally saw off every guest, but Ling Taian called Ling Jiayue to the study. Madam Liu intended to go as well, but Ling Taian said indifferently, “You don’t need to come. Yue’er alone will do.” Madam Liu found his words baffling. Why would he insist that she not go? Ling Jiayue comfortingly patted the back of Madam Liu’s hand and gave her a smile before following Ling Taian to the study. After entering the study, Ling Taian initially wanted to pick up a cup of tea, but after thinking it over, he sighed and set it back down. Ling Jiayue followed him inside. Seeing him so restless, she could not help asking, “Father, what’s wrong?” Ling Taian sighed. “Yue’er, I’ve wanted to have a talk with you ever since you returned from the peach-blossom banquet.” Seeing how serious and solemn he was, Ling Jiayue also replied earnestly, “Father, please tell me what happened.” “Yue’er, the Third Prince refuses to let you go. I’m afraid he came to today’s banquet with ulterior motives as well. If you continue serving in the imperial court, won’t you be obstructed at every turn in the future? I’m deeply worried about you,” Ling Taian said anxiously. “Father…” Ling Jiayue was about to speak, but Ling Taian interrupted her. “Yue’er, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, Chu Chaoci, also came to our residence today. The way he looked at you when he left has made me even more worried. Why don’t you resign from office?” Ling Jiayue absolutely had no intention of resigning. Her eyes were filled with determination. “Father, I will not resign. Even if none of them are willing to let me go, so what?” Ling Taian was shaken by the resolve in Ling Jiayue’s eyes. He thought to himself: Forget it, forget it. Even if I have to stake my position as Prime Minister, I will protect my daughter.