Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Ling Ziqi “What? Ling Ziqi escaped?!” Ling Taian said incredulously. “Yes. According to the guards’ report, it seems she headed in the direction of the capital,” Madam Liu said. “Ling Ziqi fled back to the capital? Where could she go?” Ling Taian asked suspiciously. “Master, no matter what, we should send people to find her and bring her back first, lest she do something that damages the reputation of our Ling family.” “What Madam says is very reasonable. I’ll arrange for Jiaxuan to search the entire city and bring Ling Ziqi back.” As he spoke, Ling Taian ordered Ling Jiaxuan to pursue Ling Ziqi. Ling Jiayue was just preparing to retire when she heard the commotion outside. She asked, “Lingxue, go ask what’s happening out there.” Lingxue went outside and called over a guard. “Stop. What are all of you making such a commotion about?” The guard replied, “Young Lady Lingxue, Ling Ziqi escaped from the nunnery. Master ordered us to capture her and bring her back.” “All right, go on with your work.” After speaking, Lingxue turned around and went back to report to Ling Jiayue. “Ling Ziqi escaped from the nunnery?” “Yes, Miss. That’s what the guard said.” “Where could Ling Ziqi go?” “Miss, who cares where she goes? She committed a grave offense and has been abandoned by the family. Even if she’s captured and brought back, she won’t have any good days ahead of her. And even if she remains outside, what kind of good life can a lone woman hope to have?” Lingxue said. “Enough. Let’s retire.” With Lingxue’s help, Ling Jiayue went to bed. Mu Yuheng, however, had not yet retired. He was painting in his study, stroke by stroke depicting the same woman. Perhaps the painter had feelings for her; every smile and frown of the woman on the paper was vivid and captivating. Feng Yan carried in a tray of pastries and said, “Your Highness, take a rest. Painting at night is bad for your eyes.” Mu Yuheng said, “Sometimes I really suspect that you’re a woman in disguise. You serve tea and water, and you never stop nagging. You’re the spitting image of a little wife.” “Your Highness, that’s a heartless thing to say. I’m only doing my duty and serving you loyally,” Feng Yan said aggrievedly. “All right, all right. I know.” “Your Highness, something has happened.” Feng Yan deliberately put on a solemn expression. “What happened?” Mu Yuheng asked without looking up, concentrating on his painting. “Ling Ziqi escaped from the nunnery. Ling Taian is searching for her throughout the entire city.” “Is that so? What about Yue’er?” “Yue’er? Which Yue’er? Master, do you mean Miss Ling?” Feng Yan asked. “Are you allowed to call her Yue’er? From now on, she is your mistress, on equal footing with me.” “Oh, Miss Ling. She has retired for the night. She must be exhausted after everything that’s happened recently.” “Understood. Feng Yan, come with me.” Mu Yuheng set down his brush and rubbed his eyes. “Where are we going, Master?” “Would you like to go see Lingxue?” “Master, if you want to see Miss Ling, just admit it. Don’t use going to see Lingxue as an excuse,” Feng Yan said disdainfully. “Fine. Then don’t come.” Mu Yuheng stood and walked away. “Master, I was only joking. I’m coming, I’m coming.” Feng Yan immediately followed him obsequiously. Master and subordinate then headed for the Prime Minister’s Residence. At that moment, Ling Ziqi was waiting in her room for Mu Yuyang to arrive. But just as Mu Yuyang came out of his study, one of his subordinates came to report, “Master, Ling Taian already knows that Ling Ziqi escaped from the nunnery. He is searching the entire city for her.” “I understand. You may leave.” Mu Yuyang was not surprised by the news. After dismissing his subordinate, he went to Ling Ziqi. When Mu Yuheng entered the room, Ling Ziqi had already come forward to attend to him. As she knelt to help Mu Yuyang remove his shoes, she deliberately revealed her alluring curves and pressed herself against him. She knew that this man before her was her only chance to avenge herself and Madam Zhang. She had to serve him well. Ling Ziqi’s teasing stirred Mu Yuyang’s desire, and the two of them shared another intimate encounter. Lying on the bed with Ling Ziqi in his arms, Mu Yuyang said, “Today, your father learned that you escaped from the nunnery. He is searching the entire city for you.” “Your Highness, you absolutely must not hand me over to my father. I already belong to you. You can’t abandon me.” Ling Ziqi nestled in Mu Yuyang’s arms and sobbed. Mu Yuyang gently patted her. “Don’t worry. I naturally wouldn’t be so heartless as to treat you that way. But now that you’re with me, our relationship can’t remain improper and unacknowledged. Your father, Ling Taian, must formally recognize it. How about this? Tomorrow, get your things together and return to the Ling Residence as a prince’s concubine. Consider it your return visit to your family home.” Ling Ziqi said, “Your Highness, you know that I escaped from the nunnery. Fortunately, I encountered you on the road, and you spared me the hardship of wandering from place to place. I beg Your Highness to take pity on me. If I return to the Prime Minister’s Residence, Father certainly won’t let me off easily.” “Rest assured. You are my woman. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone escort you home. I imagine Ling Taian won’t dare say anything. Just go without worry.” Mu Yuyang held Ling Ziqi in his arms. Ling Ziqi was still unwilling, and she said coyly, “Your Highness…” Mu Yuyang was growing impatient. “Are you going to obey me or not?” Only then did Ling Ziqi stop protesting. Mu Yuyang held her and said, “Good girl. As long as you serve me well, how could I bear to let you suffer or be bullied at the Prime Minister’s Residence?” Mu Yuyang rose and blew out the candle. Returning to the bed, he embraced Ling Ziqi, and the two of them engaged in another “hard-fought battle.” The next morning, as Ling Ziqi helped Mu Yuyang dress, she asked unwillingly, “Your Highness, do I really have to return to the Ling Residence?” “I know you don’t want to go, but once you stay by my side, your identity can’t remain unclear. It must be formally acknowledged. I’ll have the steward accompany you,” Mu Yuyang said. “All right, then I’ll go.” Ling Ziqi knew that she had no choice but to return to the Ling Residence, so she could only resign herself to it. After Mu Yuyang and Ling Ziqi finished breakfast, Mu Yuheng went to court. Ling Ziqi, meanwhile, went to prepare the things she would take home. Perhaps if she brought more gifts, Father wouldn’t be quite so angry with her. That was what Ling Ziqi thought. Ling Jiayue had also just woken up. Once again, she felt as though someone had stood quietly beside her bed, watching her all night. Yet whenever she awoke, the space beside her bed was always empty, and she could only mock herself for imagining things. In truth, Mu Yuheng always left quietly before Ling Jiayue woke. Before leaving, he would also close the window that had been blown open by the wind. The winter wind was too biting; he was afraid it would harm the delicate young woman on the bed. Feng Yan had also settled Lingxue in and then followed his master, Mu Yuheng, away. Lingxue and Lingzhu helped Ling Jiayue rise. After washing and dressing, Ling Jiayue went to Madam Liu’s courtyard for breakfast. Normally, she did not need to eat breakfast with Madam Liu every day, but Ling Jiayue had spent many years being raised at a Buddhist temple. Madam Liu naturally wanted to see her often, so she simply moved Ling Jiayue’s breakfast to her own courtyard. Ling Taian, Madam Liu, Ling Jiayue, and the others were eating breakfast when the steward entered to report: “The Third Prince’s Residence’s concubine, Ling Ziqi, has returned to the Ling Residence for her return visit to her family home.”