Chapter 80

Chapter Eighty-One: Sister’s “Concern” Time passed in a flash, and Ling Jiayue and the others had finished their meal. They picked up the mouthwash prepared beside them, rinsed their mouths, and then tucked some cardamom between their teeth so that their breath would not offend anyone while they spoke. This was a reflection of Dayi’s emphasis on etiquette. As for Empress Su Wanrong, Mu Yuye, Chu Chaoci, and the others, they only ate a few symbolic bites. After all, they were busy with “diplomacy.” Empress Su Wanrong set down her chopsticks and issued an order. “All my honored officials, and all the young masters and ladies of Ye Kingdom, let us proceed to Mulan Horse Ranch at once. The breeze is gentle and the sun is not too harsh today, making this the perfect time to visit the ranch. I imagine the peach blossoms must be in full bloom by now. We should go take a look.” Ling Jiayue and the others rose and saluted. “We respectfully obey Your Majesty’s imperial decree.” “Your Majesty, Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, shall we also be on our way?” Empress Su Wanrong said gently to Mu Yuye and Chu Chaoci. Mu Yuye rose and turned to help Empress Su Wanrong to her feet. Seeing his thoughtfulness, Empress Su Wanrong blushed slightly. She stood beside him, and the two of them presented a picture of imperial marital affection and harmony. Chu Chaoci teased, “I have long heard that the Sovereign of Dayi and the Empress are deeply in love. Seeing it today, I can say the rumors are indeed true.” Mu Yuye smiled. “If the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom is envious, then you should seek a kindred spirit soon. My Empress is shy and cannot withstand being teased by the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom.” “Indeed, indeed. It was I who misspoke. I hope the Empress will forgive me.” Chu Chaoci laughed heartily. Empress Su Wanrong merely smiled faintly without replying. Mu Yuye and Su Wanrong walked ahead, while Ling Jiayue and the other court ladies and young ladies followed behind. Together, they arrived outside the palace gates, where the carriages were waiting. Emperor Mu Yuye and Empress Su Wanrong departed in one carriage, and Chu Chaoci boarded another immediately afterward. Murong Xi and the Third Prince Mu Yuyang both turned to glance at Ling Jiayue, thinking, This journey will be an excellent opportunity. Whether Ling Jiayue has such good luck this time remains to be seen. The two of them each whispered a few instructions to the guards beside them before boarding their respective carriages and leaving. Ling Jiayue followed Madam Liu to their carriage. She helped Madam Liu board first, and just as she was about to get in herself, a sweet female voice came from behind her. “Elder Sister, I want to ride in the same carriage as you.” Ling Yuwan walked over to Ling Jiayue’s side and spoke softly. “Why?” Seeing Ling Yuwan clinging to her again, Ling Jiayue suspected that she was harboring yet another scheme to harm her. She did not agree at once, instead asking in return. “Because Elder Sister is so amazing! I want to follow you and be your little shadow.” Ling Yuwan put on her usual adorable expression. “Yuwan, I’m afraid that won’t do. Dayi has always placed great importance on etiquette. If you ride in the same carriage as me, that might be fine under ordinary circumstances, but today is a state banquet. If others found out, they might say that the members of the Ling family do not understand proper etiquette. How would Elder Sister and Father conduct ourselves at court after that?” Ling Jiayue patiently guided her. “No, I want to sit with Elder Sister.” Ling Yuwan tried every possible tactic, all for the sake of riding in the same carriage as Ling Jiayue. She was truly unwilling to accept that Ling Jiayue had received so many honors. She wanted to stay at Ling Jiayue’s side and take the opportunity to ruin her. Ling Yuwan’s thoughts were truly laughable. A mere glimmer of starlight dared to compete with the bright moon. Not to mention whether she could ride in the same carriage as Ling Jiayue—even if she did, Ling Yuwan would only serve as a foil. Madam Liu had waited in the carriage for quite some time. Seeing that Ling Jiayue had not boarded, she lifted the carriage curtain and asked, “Yue’er, why haven’t you gotten in?” Outside the carriage, Ling Jiayue and Ling Yuwan were still speaking. Ling Jiayue replied to Madam Liu, “Mother, my younger sister Yuwan wants to ride in the same carriage as us. I was trying to persuade her that it would be improper and damage our dignity, causing others to laugh at the Ling family.” Before Madam Liu could say anything, Madam Wan, who happened to be passing by, spoke sourly. “I thought it was something serious. It turns out that the eldest young lady looks down on Yuwan because she is of concubine birth and is afraid of losing face. Yuwan, listen to your Aunt Wan’s advice. You should obediently go back and stay with your birth mother. The carriage of a legitimate daughter is not one you can board whenever you please.” “Elder Sister, is that really true?” Ling Yuwan asked pitifully. Madam Liu had already been worried that they would be late and incur the Empress’s displeasure. Hearing Madam Wan deliberately stir up trouble, she said, “Madam Wan, I have already told you to watch your words and conduct yourself cautiously. If you still cannot remember, I will make sure you remember when we return home.” Madam Wan pouted, and Ling Pingzhang spoke up to plead for her. “Mother, please calm down. Aunt Wan is simply not good with words. I hope Mother will not blame her.” “Forget it. You are indeed a filial son. I will not make things difficult for her. Madam Wan, you should be grateful to have such a considerate son.” As soon as Madam Liu finished speaking, Ling Pingzhang saluted and led Madam Wan to their carriage. “Yuwan, if you wish to come up, then come up. But remember this one thing: when we are outside, do not forget your place.” Ling Jiayue saw that Madam Liu had spoken and no longer tried to stop Ling Yuwan. “Thank you, Mother. Yuwan will be good and will not bring shame upon the Ling family.” Ling Yuwan cheered. “Quickly, get in. Do not keep everyone waiting. We should set off as soon as possible,” Madam Liu instructed. Only then did Ling Jiayue and Ling Yuwan board the carriage one after the other. The moment Ling Jiayue climbed in, Ling Yuwan followed. She nestled tightly against Ling Jiayue, looking as obedient as could be. Seeing the two of them so close, Madam Liu felt comforted. Ling Jiayue, however, felt conflicted. If only Ling Yuwan were truly as obedient and adorable as she appeared on the surface. What a pity, what a pity. “Let us depart,” Madam Liu ordered. “Yes, Madam,” the coachman replied. He urged the horses forward, and the carriage began to move slowly. The coachman exchanged a glance with Danyun. Only then did Danyun realize that he was one of the hidden agents Mu Yuheng had planted many years ago. He had most likely been activated today for Miss Ling’s sake. Madam Liu said to Ling Jiayue and Ling Yuwan, “When we reach Mulan Horse Ranch, you must both be careful and make sure to stay safe. Although we are going horse racing, horses are naturally wild and difficult to tame. Do not hurt yourselves.” “Yes, Mother,” Ling Jiayue and Ling Yuwan replied. “Mother, do I have to race horses too?” Ling Yuwan asked. “Yes, you do. But don’t worry. The horses prepared for girls your age are all young horses, and their dispositions are very gentle.” Seeing Ling Yuwan’s question, Madam Liu answered patiently. Ling Jiayue thought to herself: If you weren’t going to ride, why would I have changed your clothes? Why would I have sprinkled that poison powder on you? My dear little sister, when you race horses later, you had better “enjoy” the care your elder sister has shown you.