Chapter 65

CHAPTER 65: Too Many Admirers?! With the Third Prince no longer blocking the way, the Ling Residence’s carriage began creaking forward once more. Ling Jiaxuan had heard that the Third Prince was causing trouble and had just gotten out of the carriage, intending to reason with him. Unexpectedly, Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng had stepped forward and resolved the crisis for the Ling Residence. Ling Jiaxuan went over to thank him. Ling Jiaxuan walked up to Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng’s horse and respectfully bowed. “Thank you, Seventh Prince, for coming to our aid.” “There’s no need. Rise.” When Ling Jiaxuan looked up, he was startled. He discovered that Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng was dressed in black today. Although the color appeared somewhat somber, the intricate patterns embroidered on the black garment resembled those on his younger sister Ling Jiayue’s dress. Could it be a coincidence? Seeing Ling Jiaxuan’s surprise, Mu Yuheng merely said, “Young Master Ling, you should return to the carriage and accompany Madam Ling into the palace. Attending the banquet is more important.” “Yes. I shall take my leave.” Ling Jiaxuan bowed to Mu Yuheng before turning around and returning to the carriage. Yet his mind remained occupied by how similar the clothing and accessories worn by his younger sister Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng were. He hoped he was simply overthinking things. Inside the carriage carrying Madam Liu and Ling Jiayue, Madam Liu said indignantly, “The Third Prince is truly unbearably overbearing! Our Prime Minister’s Residence was on its way to attend a banquet, yet he actually stopped us on this official road. Another day, I must have Master make a complaint against him before the emperor!” Ling Jiayue thought to herself that the Third Prince’s actions were far more serious than merely blocking the road. Ever since her rebirth, everything she had experienced had been inseparable from the Third Prince’s covert manipulation. Although he was narrow-minded, his power was indeed unfathomably deep. None of the countless things that had happened could have been accomplished by a mere prince alone. Therefore, the Third Prince had to be eliminated! As Ling Jiayue thought this, a trace of killing intent flashed through her eyes. Ling Jiayue comforted Madam Liu. “Mother, don’t worry. In a little while, the Third Prince will no longer be any cause for concern.” Madam Liu sighed, her brows furrowed with worry. “I hope so.” Before long, the Ling Residence’s carriage drew closer and closer to the imperial palace. Inside the palace, Mu Yuye and the Empress were having breakfast with the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, Chu Chaoci. The Empress came from a noble family. She was a daughter of the Su family, and her maiden name was Su Wanrong. She had been married to the emperor for twenty years. The Empress had borne two sons: her eldest was Crown Prince Mu Yutian, while her second son was Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng. The Empress was dignified and composed, and greatly beloved by both the court and the people. At the dining table, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, Chu Chaoci, was also unceasingly praising the Empress, Su Wanrong, for being dignified and generous, the very model of a mother of the nation. Although Su Wanrong was over forty, she had taken excellent care of herself. The hurried passage of time had not left the slightest trace upon her face. Hearing Chu Chaoci’s endless praise, Su Wanrong merely smiled gently. “The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom praises me too highly.” Her gentle elegance became even more apparent. At the banquet, the wives and daughters of the various families had arrived early. The young ladies and masters from the households of Ye Kingdom’s high officials and nobles had arrived as well. Since Ye Kingdom’s young masters were not present at the banquet in their own country, they appeared especially restrained. The ladies of Dayi, however, had already begun chattering among themselves. They were talking about none other than Ling Jiayue, the daughter whom Ling Taian had only recently brought home. The Censor’s Wife sneered. “Miss Ling grew up in the wilderness. Who knows what she has turned into, or whether she learned any proper etiquette at all? Madam Ling actually dared to bring her here. She truly isn’t afraid of losing face.” The Censor’s Wife also laughed. “A mother naturally thinks all her children are wonderful. But a girl who was never properly raised can’t possibly compare with daughters whom we have educated since childhood.” Madam Luo, the wife of General Luo, happened to hear these words. Since Ling Jiayue had cured General Luo the last time, Madam Luo was exceptionally grateful to her and could not bear to hear anyone speak ill of her. She immediately said, “She is the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister. How could her status be something for you to criticize?” The Attendant’s Wife and the Censor’s Wife could only shut their mouths resentfully. At that moment, the carriage carrying Ling Jiayue and the others arrived at the Dismounting Stele before the palace gates. Madam Liu led Ling Jiayue and the others out of the carriage, and they proceeded into the imperial palace on foot. Madam Liu brought Ling Jiayue, Madam Wan, and the others to the women’s section, while Ling Jiaxuan took Ling Pingzhang to the men’s section. Before Ling Jiayue entered the banquet hall, the madams of the various families had all assumed that she was an untamed woman, perhaps with a bit of heroic spirit at most. But the moment Ling Jiayue entered, they knew they had been wrong. After all, Ling Jiayue had once been an Empress in her previous life. Her every movement was dignified and generous, and her etiquette in dealing with others was flawless. It was as if her noble bearing and refined manners had been innate. Madam Luo looked at the Censor’s Wife and the Attendant’s Wife as though she had won a victory. The two women lowered their heads in embarrassment and did not speak again. What astonished everyone even more was the dress Ling Jiayue wore today. The garments were magnificent and noble. As she moved with graceful steps, tiny halos of light appeared across the fabric, which shimmered faintly. Although Ling Jiayue had merely swept her hair into a simple, loosely arranged bun, she still appeared noble and elegant, giving off an air that made people feel she could only be admired from afar. After Madam Liu led Ling Jiayue into the hall and took their seats, she saw the astonished, admiring, and envious looks on everyone’s faces. Feeling rather pleased, she whispered to Ling Jiayue, “Yue'er, see? I told you to wear this outfit. Isn’t it beautiful? It has completely awed them all. The legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Residence should be this dazzling!” Ling Jiayue had already been the center of attention the instant she arrived, which made her uncomfortable enough. Hearing Madam Liu say this, she felt as though she had two heads to worry about. She replied in a low voice, “Mother, let’s keep a lower profile. I’m not used to this.” “What’s there to get used to? Good child, show them the bearing of the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter. You were born to shine brightly.” Madam Liu spoke earnestly to Ling Jiayue. Before Ling Jiayue could say anything else, the Prefect’s Wife came over with a wine cup and began exchanging pleasantries with Madam Liu. “Madam Ling, your daughter is truly beautiful. If I had a daughter like this, I’d probably wake up laughing even in my dreams. Unfortunately, I only gave birth to several sons who are as dull as blocks of wood.” Madam Liu replied, “Oh, your sons are all so outstanding! Just look at my Xuan'er and Zhang'er—they absolutely cannot compare with your young masters.” “Not at all, not at all. May I ask whether Miss Ling is betrothed?” “My daughter is still young. I can’t bear to part with her yet. I’d like to keep her by my side for a few more years.” Madam Liu had understood that the Prefect’s Wife was sounding her out about a marriage proposal, so she answered evasively. Who would have thought that before long, all the court ladies who had sons would come over to exchange pleasantries with Madam Liu? Without exception, they were all inquiring about Ling Jiayue’s marital status. Ling Jiayue sat to the side, dark lines appearing across her forehead. Was this… too many admirers?! When Madam Wan saw so many madams coming over to chat with Madam Liu, she gave an envious snort. It was neither loud nor soft, and Ling Jiayue happened to hear it. Ling Jiayue found it rather amusing. What Ling Jiayue did not know was that Ling Yuwan, seated behind her, was watching her with a venomous gaze that sent chills down one’s spine. Close.