Chapter 95

A group of people entered the Ling Residence amid laughter and conversation. Madam Liu had already prepared the meal, while Ling Jiayue had returned to her own courtyard to change out of her official uniform and into one of her usual skirts. She then brought Danyun, Lingzhu, and the others to Madam Liu’s courtyard for dinner. As soon as Ling Jiayue entered the courtyard, she saw that Madam Wan and Ling Pingzhang had also arrived. She was curious. Today was neither the first nor the fifteenth of the month, nor any other important occasion, so why had everyone gathered so neatly? Still, Ling Jiayue courteously bowed to Madam Liu, Father, and Madam Wan. “Yue’er pays her respects to Mother, Father, and Madam Wan.” Madam Liu helped Ling Jiayue up and said with a smile, “Now that Yue’er is a First-Rank County Lady, I hardly dare accept such a bow from you.” “Mother, what are you saying?” Ling Jiayue replied. “You are my mother and my elder. It is only right that Yue’er bow to you.” “All right, sit down and eat. What nonsense are you talking about?” Father spoke up. Only then did Madam Liu lead Ling Jiayue to her seat. Madam Wan waited until Madam Liu and Ling Jiayue had sat down before taking her own seat. Once the whole family was seated, Madam Liu instructed the steward matron to serve the dishes. Today was Ling Jiayue’s first return from court, so Madam Liu had prepared an especially sumptuous spread. The large table was filled with delicious food, all of it Ling Jiayue’s favorites. Seeing that everything had been served, Madam Liu said, “Everyone, start eating.” The group began their meal. Madam Liu continued speaking as she ate. “I called everyone here today because there is something I need to arrange. In another month, it will be Master’s birthday. This year is different from previous years—our Yue’er has become an official as well. We must celebrate the birthday properly and make it a lively occasion.” Only then did Ling Jiayue understand why everyone had gathered today. Madam Wan spoke up. “Madam, Master, this year’s birthday should indeed be celebrated properly. Your concubine will certainly do everything in her power to celebrate it for Master and Miss.” Madam Liu looked at Madam Wan with satisfaction. “I have always thought you were rather unforgiving. It is rare to see you being so reasonable. Since you are willing to think this way, that is the best thing of all. This year, then, you can assist me. We will work together and arrange a lively birthday celebration.” “Yes, Madam,” Madam Wan replied. “Yue’er, Jiaxuan, don’t leave after you finish eating. Stay behind and help me write the invitations.” Madam Liu instructed Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan. Seeing that everything had more or less been arranged, Ling Taian finally spoke. “You should all eat first. The food won’t taste good once it gets cold, and eating it later will upset your stomachs.” Only after hearing Ling Taian’s instruction did everyone stop discussing the arrangements and return to their meal. Before long, Ling Taian finished eating first. He set down his bowl and chopsticks and returned to his study to attend to his work. Madam Liu then instructed the steward matron to clear away the food and bring out the four treasures of the study. Everyone began to get busy. The steward matron brought out bright-red paper decorated with gold foil. It had a wonderfully substantial texture. She also brought over a row of large and small brushes, inkstones, and other items. Madam Liu worked with Madam Wan to cut the invitation paper while instructing Ling Jiayue to begin writing. Watching Madam Liu and Madam Wan carefully cut the paper, Ling Jiayue said with a smile, “There are servants in our residence. Why do Mother and Madam Wan have to do these things yourselves? If necessary, I could simply have Lingxue do it.” Ling Jiayue gave Lingxue a meaningful glance, and Lingxue stepped forward to take the paper from Madam Liu’s hands. Madam Liu shook her head at Lingxue. “It’s not as though I’m so delicate that I can’t cut some paper. Have Lingxue grind ink for you instead. Madam Wan and I can manage this.” Seeing that Madam Liu insisted, Ling Jiayue did not press the matter. She instructed Lingxue to concentrate on grinding ink for her. Madam Liu and Madam Wan cut the paper while Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan wrote the invitations. Working in an orderly fashion, they soon finished preparing the invitations for the birthday banquet. Madam Liu picked up one of the invitations Ling Jiayue had written and examined it. “Yue’er’s handwriting is truly beautiful. When you become a Hanlin compiler in the future, I’ll be at ease with handwriting like this. You certainly won’t bring shame to our Prime Minister’s Residence.” Ling Jiayue had been carefully examining the invitation she had written, thinking about whether there was anything that needed correcting. But the moment she heard Madam Liu mention becoming a Hanlin compiler, she remembered that she would still have to take up the post, and her head began to ache. Seeing her miserable expression, Madam Liu could not help laughing. She instructed the steward matron to put away the invitations, then released Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan to return to their own courtyards. Ling Jiayue seemed to be in quite a hurry today. She did not even stop to speak with Ling Jiaxuan, merely saying, “Older Brother, I have something to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first.” Before Ling Jiaxuan could react, Ling Jiayue had already rushed away like a gust of wind. Ling Jiaxuan stood where he was and shook his head. “What’s happened to Yue’er? Now that she’s become an official, she’s becoming even less composed. I wonder what she’s rushing off to do.” Ling Jiayue, meanwhile, was thinking about having Cheese Lord train a force for her. She hurried back to her courtyard with Danyun and instructed Lingxue to close all the doors and windows. Then she had Danyun remain alone with her in the room. “Danyun, have you told anyone about Cheese Lord training a force for me?” “Replying to Miss, this servant has not,” Danyun answered. “Very good. This force must not attract anyone’s attention. At a critical moment, it will be a force capable of saving our lives.” Ling Jiayue spoke solemnly. Danyun opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but quickly swallowed the words. Ling Jiayue appeared to notice that Danyun had something to say and said, “If there’s something you want to say, then say it.” “Please forgive this servant, Miss. I was merely curious—does this matter have to be kept from even the Seventh Prince? After all, His Highness the Seventh Prince is sincerely good to you.” Danyun hesitated before finally voicing what was in her heart. “I know that the Seventh Prince treats me well, but I cannot rely on him for the rest of my life. The more cards I have in my hand, the more confidence I will have. Do you understand? There is something I must do. I can only rely on my own strength. Even if it is the Seventh Prince, I do not intend to rely on his power.” Ling Jiayue spoke with great solemnity. Danyun was simply curious as to why, when there was a shortcut available, Ling Jiayue refused to take it and insisted on walking a more difficult path herself. However, Ling Jiayue was her master. No matter how curious or doubtful she might be, she would follow Ling Jiayue’s instructions. Ling Jiayue continued, “Go to Cheese Lord’s place once more. Show him the silver I prepared and the things I wrote. They contain my requirements for him. Tell him to proceed without restraint.” “Yes, Miss,” Danyun replied. Ling Jiayue took a large bundle of silver and handed it to Danyun, then gave her the things she had written. After receiving them, Danyun set out.