Chapter 64

Chapter 64: No Detours Early the next morning, Ling Jiayue woke up before dawn. Knowing that today was the day of the peach-blossom banquet, Lingzhu and Lingxue had brought in the washing things early. Lingzhu soaked a cloth in rosewater, wrung it out, and handed it to Ling Jiayue, who wiped her face. “Miss, we’re attending the peach-blossom banquet today. Would you like me to arrange your hair in an elegant and refined style?” Lingxue asked. “There’s no need. Just do it as usual.” “Yes, Miss.” Lingxue set to work and twisted Ling Jiayue’s hair into a simple, casual bun. However, Ling Jiayue had such naturally beautiful features that even with such a plain hairstyle, she looked fresh and lovely. Danyun brought over the dress sent by the Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng, and respectfully said, “Miss, please change.” Ling Jiayue looked at the exquisite and luxurious dress and hesitated. She usually dressed plainly, so she felt somewhat unaccustomed to the dazzling bright-red garments before her. Moreover, judging from the embroidery on the dress, every stitch seemed to have been made by a master. She had no idea why Mu Yuheng had sent her such clothes. Danyun was a martial artist and failed to notice Ling Jiayue’s little schemes, assuming only that she was not fully awake yet. She repeated, “Miss, please change.” Only then did Ling Jiayue change clothes with Lingzhu and Lingxue’s assistance. As she put on the last outer garment, she slowly turned around. Lingzhu and Lingxue were instantly stunned. Every fold of the dress’s skirt shimmered with a rainbow-colored glow beneath the light. Layer upon layer of embroidery covered the entire garment, making it both magnificent and free of clutter. As Ling Jiayue moved lightly, the dress swayed and shifted, producing a dazzling play of colors. Seeing that Lingzhu, Lingxue, and Danyun were all staring blankly, Ling Jiayue frowned and asked, “Is this outfit too ugly on me? Perhaps I should change.” “No, no, no! Miss, don’t change! You look especially beautiful in this,” the three of them hurriedly urged, afraid that she really would take it off. Seeing their strange reactions, Ling Jiayue looked suspiciously toward the mirror. In it, the young woman’s skin was as smooth and lustrous as congealed cream, delicate enough to be broken with a touch. Although her hair was arranged in a simple bun, she gave off an air of dignified elegance. Ling Jiayue could only conclude that Mu Yuheng had gone mad. She had clearly wanted to keep a low profile, but after Mu Yuheng sent her this dress, how could she possibly remain inconspicuous? She reached out to take the dress off. Just then, Madam Liu entered the room. The carriage had been prepared, and she had come to hurry Ling Jiayue along to the banquet. When she saw Ling Jiayue dressed in such an elegant and luxurious outfit, she exclaimed admiringly, “Yue’er, when did you have this dress made? It’s truly beautiful.” Ling Jiayue could only smile bitterly. “Mother, I’m going to change out of it now. Wait for me.” She was just about to change when Madam Liu grabbed her by the hand. “You’re not allowed to change. I wondered why you refused to have new clothes made when I told you to—so you already had this dress. That’s even better. You look so beautiful in it, so don’t take it off. Come, let’s go out and let everyone see how lovely my daughter is.” Without giving Ling Jiayue any chance to object, Madam Liu led her outside. Ling Jiayue was usually quite headstrong, but she simply could not win against Madam Liu and was dragged out with her. The moment Ling Jiayue stepped outside, the young male servants and maids in the courtyard were stunned. They were used to seeing her dressed plainly and had never imagined that she would look so beautiful once she put on makeup. Madam Liu brought Ling Jiayue to the main gate, where Madam Wan, Madam Chen, and the others had already been waiting. Their eyes lit up when they saw her. “Usually, Miss Ling dresses so plainly. Who would have thought she would look this beautiful today?” Madam Wan praised. Ling Jiaxuan said proudly, “Of course. Yue’er was beautiful to begin with. Now that she’s dressed up, she looks even better.” Ling Yuwan also said softly, “Yes, Older Sister looks so beautiful after dressing up.” However, no one noticed the trace of viciousness that flashed through Ling Yuwan’s eyes as she spoke. It was entirely out of place on a girl her age, making her expression look almost ferocious. Yet it lasted only an instant before Ling Yuwan quickly returned to normal. “Older Sister, did you bring the embroidered purse I gave you? I specially went to pray for it on your behalf,” Ling Yuwan asked just as Ling Jiayue was preparing to board the carriage. Ling Jiayue frowned. “Oh, my! If you hadn’t reminded me, I really would have forgotten. Lingzhu, go back and get it, then catch up with us.” “Yes, Miss.” Lingzhu turned around and went to fetch the embroidered purse. “Yuwan is so thoughtful,” Madam Liu praised. Madam Wan merely snorted, as though she looked down on Madam Chen and Ling Yuwan for ingratiating themselves with Ling Jiayue. Looking at all the members of the Ling family before her, Ling Jiayue was thinking instead about who had leaked the news of her trip to Cold Mountain Temple to the Third Prince, Mu Yuyang. Ling Ziqi and Ling Zixue had only just been driven out, yet someone else was already making a move against her. Her days truly had not been peaceful for even a moment. Ling Jiayue, Madam Liu, and the others boarded the carriage, which creaked and rolled toward the imperial palace. Since Ling Jiayue had risen far too early that morning, she leaned against the carriage wall to rest. She knew she would not have a chance to rest once she reached the imperial palace, so she took advantage of the journey to sleep for a while. The carriage proceeded steadily, and judging by the time, they were nearly at the imperial palace. Suddenly, however, it came to a stop. Because of the inertia, Ling Jiayue lost her balance and fell to one side, waking fully. Madam Liu lifted the curtain and instructed, “Coachman, go see what’s happened.” “Yes, Madam.” The coachman hurried off. At that moment, Lingzhu also returned with the embroidered purse. Ling Jiayue took it from her and fastened it to her clothing. The coachman quickly learned what had happened and returned to report, “Madam, the carriage from the Third Prince’s Residence is blocking the road ahead. When I went to ask them to move, one of the Third Prince’s servants even struck me with a whip and told us to take a detour.” The coachman aggrievedly showed Madam Liu the whip mark on his arm. Madam Liu flew into a rage. “The Third Prince is far too overbearing! This road is for court ladies entering the palace. There’s no reason for us to take a detour. They’re the ones blocking the road, yet they’re acting as if we’re in the wrong. What nonsense!” Ling Jiayue also stated firmly, “There is no reason for us to take a detour. Go tell the Third Prince that if he delays us from entering the palace on time today, he can explain himself to the Emperor. If he still refuses to clear the way, we’ll turn around and go home!” The coachman received orders from both ladies and went back to convey them to the Third Prince. Mu Yuyang remained seated inside his carriage and said, “So what if this prince is blocking the road? What can your masters do to me? If you won’t take a detour, then get lost and go back!” The coachman was about to argue a few more words when a pleasant male voice sounded. “Third Brother, what are you doing? The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, Chu Chaoci, is attending the peach-blossom banquet today. If word of this gets out, won’t people laugh at us? You should clear the way.” Knowing that he was in the wrong, Mu Yuyang did not argue with Mu Yuheng. He ordered his carriage to leave. Only then did Mu Yuheng instruct the coachman, “Go back and drive.”