Chapter 55

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Envoys Are Coming “What are the Ye Kingdom’s envoys coming to our country for?” Ling Jiayue asked. Ever since her rebirth, all Ling Jiayue had thought about was becoming stronger as soon as possible so that she could avenge her family and soldiers. As a result, she had paid less attention to diplomacy between the various nations. Hearing suddenly that the Ye Kingdom was sending envoys, she was momentarily stunned. “Yue’er, you were raised in a Buddhist temple all these years, so there are some things you don’t know. Ever since the Ye Kingdom and Dayi ceased hostilities ten years ago, the two countries have had a custom. Every two years, they hold a peach-blossom banquet, where eligible men and women from both nations can form marriage ties. It is also meant to allow the two countries to coexist peacefully for a long time.” Seeing that Ling Jiayue was confused, Madam Liu took the initiative to explain. That was right. After she and Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng had fought that battle, the two countries had begun living in peace. When she had once worried about whether the Ye Kingdom and Dayi could truly maintain peaceful relations, Chu Chaoci had already stripped her of her authority, claiming only that women of the imperial harem were not permitted to interfere in politics. So there was a peach-blossom banquet after all. Ling Jiayue thought of how Chu Chaoci had used the prohibition against women of the harem participating in politics as an excuse not only to deprive her of her military authority, but also to gradually weaken the Ling family’s power. In the end, he had even beheaded them all. It was utterly unforgivable. “Speaking of which, the eligible young masters and ladies of every family will have to attend. Our Yue’er and Jiaxuan will be going as well. Mother really doesn’t know whether you two will find someone you like at the peach-blossom banquet. Still, perhaps it would be better if you don’t. I’d like to keep you both by my side for a few more years.” Madam Liu placed a piece of meat in Ling Jiayue’s bowl as she spoke. Ling Jiayue only smiled. Marriage was too far removed from her. It was impossible in this life. That was what she was thinking when Mu Yuheng suddenly popped into her mind. Ling Jiayue shuddered and quickly shook her head before continuing to eat. After the meal, Ling Jiayue returned to her own courtyard. Madam Liu did not insist that she stay and let her leave first. Ling Jiayue was walking along the path with Lingzhu and Lingxue when a thought suddenly struck her, and she headed toward the garden. Spring was approaching, and the plum blossoms were no longer in season. Almost all of them had already withered. As Ling Jiayue gazed at the flowers and trees filling the garden, she thought of everything that had happened since her rebirth. What a succession of twists and turns it had been. Although things were slightly more peaceful now, she still had to overturn Dayi and fasten the rope of vengeance around Chu Chaoci’s neck. Ling Jiayue unconsciously clenched both hands into fists. Seeing the same chilling aura radiating from her once again, Lingzhu and Lingxue did not dare speak. They merely stood silently behind her, holding their breath as they waited. “Yue’er, I knew you would be here.” Ling Jiaxuan’s voice suddenly came from behind her. Ling Jiayue turned around in surprise. “Older Brother, why are you here too?” “I knew where you were, so naturally I came. What do you think of this peach-blossom banquet?” “What is there to think about? I’ll just attend when the time comes.” “I heard that the Emperor of Dayi, Chu Chaoci, is coming this time as well.” “The late Empress of Dayi passed away not long ago. I heard that he was overcome with grief and wanted to come out for a change of scenery,” Ling Jiaxuan said. “Wow, then the Emperor of Dayi must truly be devoted. The late Empress of Dayi was so fortunate. If only someone loved me that much.” Lingxue sighed in admiration, sinking into a beautiful fantasy about love. How ironic—overcome with grief. While she was alive, she had fought on his behalf in every direction. In the end, she had been left with a ruined family. Even after her death, he had used her to create the image of a devoted man. It was truly sickening. Ling Jiayue smiled mockingly. “Miss, what do you think of the Emperor of Dayi?” Lingzhu asked playfully. Ling Jiayue only smiled without answering. Seeing that she had no response, Lingzhu stopped speaking as well. “Older Brother, let’s go back. Although winter is almost over, the weather is still so cold.” Ling Jiayue gathered her cloak around herself as she spoke. “How many times have I told you to bring a hand warmer when you come out? Look, you’re cold again.” As he muttered, Ling Jiaxuan removed his own cloak and draped it over Ling Jiayue’s shoulders. Ling Jiayue dodged it, however, and said with a smile, “Older Brother, you should wear it yourself. Don’t let the cold wind hit your warm body. If you fall ill, just see how Mother will nag you.” The siblings returned together, chatting and laughing. Mu Yuheng had also learned that Dayi was sending envoys to visit. At that moment, he was sitting in his study, asking Feng Yan, “How did your investigation into Dayi’s late Empress go?” “Reporting to you, master, Dayi’s late Empress was also named Ling Jiayue. She looked exactly like Miss Ling, except that their ages were different,” Feng Yan answered honestly. “Then how did your investigation into Miss Ling go?” Feng Yan scratched his head. “Master, when did you ask me to investigate Miss Ling? Weren’t I supposed to investigate Dayi’s late Empress?” Mu Yuheng shot him a sideways glance. “When you investigated Dayi’s late Empress, couldn’t you investigate Miss Ling as well?” Feng Yan gave two disgruntled snorts before talking back. “Your Highness, are you planning to marry Miss Ling?” Mu Yuheng set down the brush in his hand and was just about to deal with Feng Yan when Feng Yan slipped away. As he ran, he called out, “Master, I’ll definitely help you marry Miss Ling as soon as possible!” Mu Yuheng muttered to himself, “You certainly run fast.” He turned and walked back to the desk. Picking up his brush again, he set the characters he had just written aside and spread out a fresh sheet of xuan paper. He wondered: If Ling Jiayue really was her, what would she do when the Emperor of Dayi arrived? As Mu Yuheng continued thinking, the image of a beauty had already emerged vividly on the paper. Her beautiful eyes seemed to gaze expectantly, her bearing graceful and refined, her figure light and captivating. It was unmistakably Ling Jiayue. It seemed Mu Yuheng must have etched Ling Jiayue’s appearance into his heart countless times to be able to paint her so vividly and alluringly. By then, Ling Jiayue had returned to her room. Knowing that Ling Jiayue had always been afraid of the cold, Lingzhu had placed several extra braziers inside. The moment one entered, warmth enveloped the body; it was practically a warm chamber. The charcoal fire crackled and burned fiercely, making one feel warm even in the heart. “Lingzhu, the Ye Kingdom and Dayi have coexisted peacefully for ten years now, so I imagine the peach-blossom banquet has been held several times. Do you know when it is held each year?” Ling Jiayue asked. “Answering Miss, the peach-blossom banquet is naturally held when the peach blossoms bloom, usually around March or April. This year, spring seems to have arrived a little late, so it may be delayed by a few days. Still, the peach-blossom banquet is always held when the peach blossoms are at their most magnificent,” Lingzhu said. “Then do you know when the Ye Kingdom’s envoys usually arrive?” “They should probably be setting out in the next few days. The peach-blossom banquet has always been held at the border between the Ye Kingdom and Dayi, but we’re conveniently located nearby.”