Chapter 92

Chapter Ninety-Two: A Force of Her Own Danyun left the courtyard carrying the jade pendant. The steward matrons guarding the gate were keeping a close watch. Ever since the gatekeeper who had slacked off last time was punished by Ling Jiayue, the matrons on duty had not dared to show the slightest negligence. It seemed that Ling Jiayue’s actions had thoroughly intimidated the servants in the courtyard. Danyun carried the jade pendant all the way to the rear gate of the Ling Residence. She looked left and right, and after confirming that no one was around, she used her lightness skill to leap into the air and headed for the outskirts in search of Cheese Lord. At that moment, Ling Jiayue was accompanying Madam Liu at a meal when a servant suddenly announced that Ling Jiaxuan had arrived. Madam Liu immediately ordered, “Quickly invite Young Master Ling in.” The moment Ling Jiaxuan entered, he spoke like a mischievous rascal. “Your son was starving, so I came here to freeload a meal from Mother.” Madam Liu smiled fondly. “Then come and eat. See whether the dishes suit your taste. If you don’t like them, I’ll have the small kitchen prepare another portion.” As she spoke, Madam Liu also ordered the servants to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks. Ling Jiaxuan picked them up and said, “The food here at Mother’s is always the most delicious. How could it possibly not suit my taste?” Then Ling Jiaxuan said to Ling Jiayue, who was seated at the same table, “I haven’t congratulated you yet, little sister, on being named a First-Rank County Lady. I’ll make up your gift later.” Ling Jiayue merely smiled. “We’re siblings. Why bother with all that nonsense? I know Older Brother always keeps me in his heart.” Ling Jiaxuan, however, said seriously, “That’s different. You’ve brought glory to the family, so Older Brother absolutely has to give you a gift.” Seeing the siblings refuse to yield to each other, Madam Liu interrupted, “Just eat in peace at the table. Whatever it is, you can give each other gifts after the meal.” After Madam Liu said this, Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan exchanged a smile and settled down to eat. Meanwhile, Danyun had already found Cheese Lord’s location. She was preparing to pay him a nighttime visit with the jade pendant when she discovered that his defenses were exceptionally tight, leaving her almost no opening to slip through. It turned out that ever since a traitor had appeared among Cheese Lord’s men, he had kept his subordinates under even stricter control. It was night, and Cheese Lord was a man of the greenwood who feared a government crackdown, so the guards were especially vigilant. Seeing that the security was simply too strict, Danyun had no choice but to reveal herself. The guards immediately took her for an enemy and surrounded her. The atmosphere grew tense, and it looked as though a fight was about to break out. Danyun had no desire to fight them. She took out the jade pendant and said, “This is a jade pendant given to my master by Cheese Lord. I have come today carrying it to call in a promise Cheese Lord made back then. Please trouble one of you gentlemen to go inside and announce my arrival.” The heroes surrounding her had assumed that Danyun was a thief, but they had not expected this explanation. They exchanged puzzled looks. One burly leader said, “Then hand over the jade pendant first. We’ll examine it. If it’s genuine, we’ll naturally go in and announce you to our master.” Danyun handed over the jade pendant without hesitation. After examining it, the burly leader confirmed that it did indeed belong to Cheese Lord. He said to Danyun, “Please wait here a moment, young lady. I’ll go in and announce your arrival.” After saying this, the burly man turned and went inside. Danyun waited outside in peace. By then, Ling Jiayue had finished her meal with Madam Liu and Ling Jiaxuan. She rose to return to her courtyard, and Ling Jiaxuan also stood up. He escorted Ling Jiayue back and had another gift to give her. The siblings walked side by side along the path. Ling Jiaxuan said, “Little sister, have you thought this through? You’re really going to become an official?” “Brother, I’ve thought it through. There are things I must do, and I have to do them. Becoming an official is a shortcut.” “Very well, then. Since you insist on going, go ahead. If you suffer any grievances, come back and find Older Brother.” Ling Jiaxuan spoke with complete seriousness. “Thank you, Older Brother.” Although Ling Jiayue thanked him, she knew how deeply Ling Jiaxuan cared for her. Those two words were far too light to express what she felt. Before long, Ling Jiaxuan escorted Ling Jiayue to her courtyard. Ling Jiayue was about to return to rest when Ling Jiaxuan raised his hand. The young male servant following behind him came forward carrying a cloth bundle, which Ling Jiaxuan pressed into Ling Jiayue’s hands. Seeing Ling Jiaxuan act so childishly, Ling Jiayue could not help laughing. She was just about to open the bundle to see what he had given her, but Ling Jiaxuan reached out to stop her and said solemnly, “Don’t look yet. Go back and open it.” Ling Jiayue then turned and left. She could not help laughing again as she entered the courtyard with Lingxue. Since Ling Jiayue had only just entered, the courtyard lamps had not yet been lit, and it was pitch-black. For a moment, she could not see what was inside the cloth bundle. Lingxue went to light the candles. Soft candlelight filtered through the lampshade, filling the room with warmth, and only then could Ling Jiayue see the object inside. It was a piece of gold-thread soft armor. Its texture seemed to reflect rippling waves of light, yet it was light and thin in her hands. Ling Jiayue’s eyes grew moist. That silly Older Brother—was he afraid she would be injured, and had he specially prepared this for her? Her expression seemed both joyful and sorrowful, but her heart was filled with even greater warmth. Danyun had been waiting outside for a long time, but the burly leader who had gone inside seemed never to be coming back. Danyun assumed that Cheese Lord had no intention of honoring his promise and planned to wait a little longer before leaving. Just then, Cheese Lord personally came out to welcome her. “Sorry to keep you waiting, young lady. I’m late.” Cheese Lord strode toward Danyun with his hands clasped in apology. “You’re too kind, Cheese Lord. My master sent me today solely because of the promise you made back then. If you can lend my master your assistance, Danyun will be deeply grateful,” she said. “The night wind is strong, young lady. Let’s go inside and talk.” Cheese Lord turned sideways and ushered Danyun in. Although she was a woman, she was a woman with formidable martial arts skills and had nothing to fear, so she followed Cheese Lord inside. “Miss, it’s late. Let’s retire for the night. You still have morning court tomorrow,” Lingxue urged. “There’s no hurry. Wait a little longer. You should go rest first. If anything happens, I’ll call for you,” Ling Jiayue instructed. “No, Miss. This servant will keep you company.” Lingxue was rarely stubborn, but this time she insisted. “Very well, sit down too. You’ve been running around with me all day and must be tired. Don’t stand on ceremony.” “This servant wouldn’t dare…” Lingxue had served others since she was young and had never been treated so gently. For a moment, she actually did not dare sit. “Sit,” Ling Jiayue insisted. “Thank you, Miss.” Lingxue’s eyes reddened slightly. The mistress and maid sat there together, waiting for Danyun to return. By then, Danyun had also finished negotiating with Cheese Lord. He agreed to train a group of people for Ling Jiayue, but Ling Jiayue would have to cover the expenses. Carrying Cheese Lord’s answer, Danyun returned to the Ling Residence and entered Ling Jiayue’s courtyard. “This servant pays her respects to Miss,” Danyun said with a bow. “How did it go?” “Cheese Lord agreed, but we’ll have to cover the expenses.” “What a shrewd man. Tell him tomorrow that I agree to it, and have him train them well for me. I must have a force of my own.” “Yes, Miss.”