Chapter 91

Chapter Ninety-One: The Jade Pendant Ling Jiayue walked out of Ling Yuwan’s room with Lingxue and Danyun, slowly making her way back to her own courtyard. Along the way, Ling Jiayue said nothing, and Lingxue and Danyun remained silent as well. The Ling Jiayue before them was becoming increasingly unfamiliar—not only was she decisive and ruthless, she also showed no mercy whatsoever toward her enemies. “Go back and prepare the water for my bath. I want to bathe,” Ling Jiayue ordered calmly. “Yes, Miss,” Lingxue and Danyun replied in unison. Ling Jiayue returned to her courtyard and slowly entered the inner room. Lingxue went to prepare the bathwater, while Danyun brewed a pot of tea for her. Ling Jiayue sat listlessly at the table. When Danyun presented her with the freshly brewed tea, Ling Jiayue accepted it and suddenly asked, “Danyun, am I very cruel?” Danyun was startled by the question and did not know how to answer for a moment. She could only ask, “Miss, why would you suddenly say that?” Ling Jiayue sighed and set down her teacup. “Ever since I returned, they have all wanted me dead. Everyone who tried to kill me was sent to hell by me first. But they are still people related to me by blood. Thinking about it now, I feel that I truly am cruel.” Danyun was accustomed to seeing Ling Jiayue’s decisiveness and ruthlessness. It was rare to see her so vulnerable. Looking at the young woman before her, Danyun felt a pang of sympathy. She was clearly only sixteen, yet she had to live such a difficult life. The young ladies of ordinary households were either learning embroidery or playing carefree games at this age. Danyun sighed and consoled her. “Master, they wanted to harm you. If you had not fought back, the one lying dead now would be you. After succeeding, they certainly would not have thought themselves cruel. If you refuse to protect yourself, you will only bring grief to those who love you and delight to your enemies.” Ling Jiayue had been listless at first, but after hearing Danyun’s words, her mood inexplicably brightened. “You’re right. If I don’t protect myself, I will only bring grief to those who love me and delight to my enemies.” Just then, Lingxue entered carrying the bathwater. Ling Jiayue drank the tea in her cup in one go, set it down, and rose to her feet. “Come help me bathe. Later, we’ll go pay our respects to Mother.” “Yes, Miss,” Lingxue and Danyun answered. After Ling Jiayue finished bathing, Lingxue and Lingzhu helped her change clothes. Because Ling Jiayue disliked elaborate hair ornaments and clothing, Lingxue arranged her hair in a simple yet distinctive style, while Lingzhu selected a plain white dress for her. Once dressed, Ling Jiayue looked fresh and elegant. She admired herself in the mirror and was extremely pleased. She then set off for Madam Liu’s courtyard. As soon as Ling Jiayue entered the courtyard, she heard Madam Liu’s voice, apparently discussing various rewards. Curious, she approached the room and first bowed to Madam Liu. “Your daughter pays her respects to Mother.” Madam Liu immediately pulled Ling Jiayue to her feet and chided her, “How many times have I told you that you don’t need to stand on ceremony when you come to Mother? Why are you so formal every time you visit? It makes us mother and daughter seem distant.” Ling Jiayue smiled. “How could we be distant? It is merely because your daughter respects Mother, so I observe the proper etiquette. I had only just entered when I heard Mother talking about rewards, which made me curious.” Madam Liu smiled. “Your ears are quite sharp. You were just named a First-Rank County Lady, so the emperor bestowed gold, silver, treasures, calligraphy, paintings, antiques, and other things upon you. A set of official uniform was sent along with them as well. After Yuwan was injured, the Empress also sent down some nourishing supplements. All in all, it was quite a large pile of things.” That was right. At the peach-blossom banquet, Ling Jiayue had been named a First-Rank County Lady because of her excellent calligraphy. Since the title had been personally bestowed by the emperor, the rewards were naturally generous. In addition, Ling Yuwan had been injured and would never be able to stand again, so the rewards were especially lavish. That was why Madam Liu had spent so long sorting through them. Although Madam Liu had not wanted Ling Jiayue to become a First-Rank County Lady and involve herself in the treacherous imperial court, she would certainly support anything Ling Jiayue wanted to do. Madam Liu picked up Ling Jiayue’s official uniform and held it against her, looking it over as she muttered, “The color of this uniform is so dull and lifeless. How is it suitable for a young girl to wear? Come and try it against yourself. See if it fits anywhere poorly, and I’ll have it altered for you.” Ling Jiayue took the uniform and held it against herself, laughing as she said, “Mother, how can you tell whether an official uniform fits just by holding it against me? I’ll have to try it on to know where it needs altering.” Madam Liu thought about it and decided that made sense. She pushed Ling Jiayue toward the inner room. “Then go try it on.” Ling Jiayue took the uniform into the inner room, with Lingxue and Danyun following to help her change. Madam Liu had been busy sorting through the rewards for half the day and could finally sit down to rest. Although she disliked the idea of Ling Jiayue entering government service, she still hoped that her daughter would rise to greatness. Ling Jiayue emerged after changing into the official uniform. Hearing the sound, Madam Liu set down her teacup and looked over. Ling Jiayue wore the official uniform with an impressive, spirited bearing. A heroic air shone through her delicate face, and for a moment, her beauty seemed almost androgynous. “Mother, do I look good in this official uniform?” Ling Jiayue asked. “You look wonderful. My daughter looks good in anything,” Madam Liu replied. “This uniform fits unexpectedly well. The person who tailored it certainly put a great deal of thought into it. Mother, tomorrow I’ll be wearing it when I officially begin my post,” Ling Jiayue said seriously. “Forget it. If you insist on going, I can’t stop you. Just go, then. Your Father will look after you carefully. He will certainly protect you and keep you safe,” Madam Liu said. “Mother, don’t worry. I won’t put myself in danger. I promise I’ll return safe and sound every day. Please rest assured,” Ling Jiayue said. “Ah.” Seeing that she could not change Ling Jiayue’s mind, Madam Liu could only sigh. Ling Jiayue looked at Madam Liu apologetically. She knew that her mother truly cared for and protected her. However, only by entering the imperial court could she better accomplish what she wanted to do. Ling Jiayue changed out of the official uniform and chatted and laughed with Madam Liu. The time passed quickly. Before long, it was time for the meal to be served, and Madam Liu went to instruct the steward matron to prepare the food. Ling Jiayue suddenly beckoned Danyun over. She whispered, “There’s a jade pendant in my dressing box. Cheese Lord gave it to me. Find an excuse to return to my courtyard later and take out the jade pendant. Then go find Cheese Lord and tell him that I need him to do something for me. I want him to train a group of people who will be loyal to me.” After receiving Ling Jiayue’s instructions, Danyun quietly returned to retrieve the jade pendant, while Ling Jiayue stayed behind to dine with Madam Liu. Danyun found the jade pendant in Ling Jiayue’s dressing box and set out with it.