Chapter 59

Chapter 60: Subduing “Thank you for giving me a name, Miss.” The woman—now called Danyun—rose and followed behind Ling Jiayue, protecting her and her two maids as they slowly made their way toward the city. “Miss, we still have several li to go before we reach the city. How about we have the coachman go back and inform Madam, then send a carriage to pick us up?” Lingzhu suggested. “Forget it. Didn’t you hear what Cheese Lord said just now? Someone in the Ling Residence leaked the news to the Third Prince, which was why we were ambushed again.” Thinking of how there were still people in the Ling Residence working for the Third Prince, a vicious glint flashed through Ling Jiayue’s eyes. Why did they insist on conspiring to harm their own family? “Miss, should we tell Madam and Master about this?” Lingxue had been trained by Madam Liu, after all, and was always thinking of informing Madam Liu and the others of everything. That was precisely why Madam Liu had placed Lingxue at Ling Jiayue’s side. “There’s no need. Mother already has plenty to worry about, so there’s no need to tell her everything. Don’t you agree?” Ling Jiayue said. Although Lingxue had been trained by Madam Liu, she ultimately served Ling Jiayue. Her life, death, honor, and disgrace all depended on a single thought from Ling Jiayue. Lingxue gritted her teeth, as though she had made some sort of decision. “Miss is right. This maid will listen to you.” Ling Jiayue smiled. Suddenly, the wind began to blow. Though it was early spring, a desolate feeling filled the air. Ling Jiayue walked back one firm step at a time. No matter how difficult this road was, no matter how thickly covered in thorns, she had to keep walking! Lingxue and Lingzhu both sensed that Ling Jiayue had undergone some sort of change. They silently followed her back, while Danyun observed Ling Jiayue from behind, a faint smile brushing across her lips. It seemed that the new master her master had found for her really was an interesting person. She was growing more and more expectant. Ling Jiayue, her two maids, the coachman, and Danyun gradually made their way back into the city. The coachman bowed his head and asked, “Miss, would you like this servant to go back and report first, then have a soft sedan chair prepared to receive you?” “There’s no need. It’s rare for us to come out for a walk, so it’s good to clear our minds. You go back first and tell the family what happened. The four of us will stroll around and return shortly,” Ling Jiayue instructed indifferently. “Yes, Miss. This servant takes his leave.” The coachman then turned around and returned to the residence. Ling Jiayue led Lingzhu and the other two aimlessly around the streets. She had gone to battlefields in her previous life, and although she had walked several li along a mountain road to return, she did not feel tired. Lingzhu and Lingxue, however, were different. Their legs felt as though they had been filled with lead. Danyun, on the other hand, was full of energy, her stance steady and grounded. Seeing this, Ling Jiayue began to make plans. Just then, a flower seller accidentally bumped into a richly dressed young master from a wealthy family. The young man was thoroughly unreasonable. He grabbed the girl and demanded that she pay him, insisting that she had dirtied his clothes. Filthy abuse poured from his mouth without end. Though the people on the street were disgusted, not one of them stepped forward to stop him. Ling Jiayue had always been strong-willed and could not stand seeing men bully women. She stepped forward to intervene, but the wealthy young master shoved her aside and began cursing at her as well. Seeing this, Danyun immediately drew the flexible sword at her waist. After a few moves, the man’s clothes were slashed to pieces, leaving him barely covered. “How dare you show disrespect to my mistress? Scram!” Danyun shouted furiously at the wealthy young master. “Yes, yes, I’ll leave right now!” After being thoroughly intimidated by Danyun, the wealthy young master was scared out of his wits. He scrambled to his feet and ran away. Danyun sheathed her sword and stood behind Ling Jiayue with a heroic air. Everyone passing by praised her, and even Lingxue and Lingzhu showered her with compliments. Danyun could not hide the smugness in her heart. She was as proud as a peacock. A glint flashed through Ling Jiayue’s eyes. After comforting the flower seller, she left with Lingzhu, Lingxue, and Danyun. The four of them wandered along the street and happened to pass Huibin Tower. Ling Jiayue led the three women inside, ordered a private room, and had several dishes brought up. “You should all sit. You’ve been walking all day and must be tired,” Ling Jiayue instructed. “We wouldn’t dare,” Lingxue and Lingzhu replied after exchanging a glance. Danyun, however, said nothing, neither agreeing to sit nor refusing. Ling Jiayue reassured Lingzhu and Lingxue. “You’ve been tired all day. Sit down. There’s no need for formalities among the few of us.” Only then did Lingzhu and Lingxue sit down stiffly, though they did not dare settle fully into their chairs and perched only on the edges. Danyun, meanwhile, sat down solidly and casually. Ling Jiayue said nothing. She simply waited for the food and wine to arrive, then the four of them ate slowly. Since they were all girls, they had ordered only light dishes. The meal was comfortable and easy on the stomach. When they had finished eating, Lingxue asked, “Master, shall we return?” Ling Jiayue did not answer Lingxue. Instead, she said to Danyun, “Go back to the Seventh Prince. I have no need of you here.” Danyun was shocked. She knelt before Ling Jiayue and said, “This servant doesn’t understand what you mean, Master. Why are you suddenly refusing to keep me?” “When I didn’t tell you to act on the street just now, you acted anyway. You have neither me nor your master in your heart. My temple is too small to accommodate such a great Buddha as you. Since your martial skills are impressive, you must be a proud person as well. I imagine you would not willingly work for me.” Ling Jiayue spoke calmly. “This servant knows her mistake. I won’t dare do it again. Please forgive me, Master.” Danyun was utterly horrified. When she had first met Ling Jiayue, she had thought her nothing more than a down-and-out young lady with some martial ability—not someone worth taking seriously. She had never expected Ling Jiayue’s thoughts to be so meticulous. It truly astonished her. “The Seventh Prince sent you here. Surely he didn’t send you to act on your own authority. As my maid, there is only one thing that matters most: loyalty. If you cannot be loyal, I absolutely cannot tolerate you.” Ling Jiayue still refused to keep Danyun and insisted that she leave. Danyun’s eyes turned dull and lifeless. Before she had left, the Seventh Prince had told her that if Ling Jiayue did not want her, she was to end her own life. Danyun already knew that the matter was settled and could not possibly be changed. She said only to Ling Jiayue, “Master, this servant takes her leave.” Danyun rose and staggered toward the door. Seeing how dejected she looked, Ling Jiayue knew that she had achieved the effect she wanted. Lingzhu spoke at just the right moment. “Miss, Danyun didn’t do it intentionally. Let’s let it go this time. Besides, she meant well.” When Danyun heard Lingzhu speaking on her behalf, she turned around and looked at Ling Jiayue hopefully. Lingxue also spoke up. “Miss, let’s keep Danyun.” Ling Jiayue picked up the teacup on the table and took a slow sip before finally speaking. “Forget it. I’ll let it go this time. If there’s a next time, you can go back.” “Thank you, Master.” “However, you can’t return to the Ling Residence with me just like this. Tomorrow, I’ll have Mother choose another maid for me. You come as well. Once you’ve been properly registered, I’ll be able to keep you.” “Yes, Miss.” Ling Jiayue then returned with Lingxue and Lingzhu.