Chapter 96

Chapter 96: The Birthday Banquet Following Ling Jiayue’s instructions, Danyun brought the items before Cheese Lord. After looking over what Ling Jiayue had written and weighing the large bundle of silver in his hand, Cheese Lord said, “Miss Danyun, rest assured. I will certainly fulfill Miss Ling’s request with all my heart. From now on, Miss Ling will also be my master.” Danyun was startled by this, but her expression remained calm as she replied, “Since that is the case, I shall return and report to my young lady. Please do your utmost to cultivate forces for her.” Cheese Lord answered, “I certainly will. Miss Danyun and Miss Ling may rest assured.” “I will convey your words to my young lady. In that case, I shall take my leave first.” After replying to Cheese Lord, Danyun rose and returned to the Ling Residence to report to Ling Jiayue. Danyun leaped into the air and activated her lightness skill. After a few bounds, she disappeared into the wilderness and flew toward the Ling Residence. She returned through the back gate, steadied her breathing, and went back to Ling Jiayue’s courtyard. “Young lady, your servant has returned.” Danyun bowed to Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue was holding a pair of scissors and tending to the flowers and plants. Hearing that Danyun had returned, she set down the scissors she had been using to trim the plants and turned around to ask, “You’re back. What did Cheese Lord say?” Danyun replied respectfully, “Reporting to you, master, Cheese Lord said that you will be his master from now on. He will do his utmost to serve you, so please rest assured.” Ling Jiayue smiled when she heard this. “He’s quite perceptive. He’s made a fine show of his loyalty.” “Master, please forgive my presumptuousness, but what exactly did you show Cheese Lord? How did you make him so utterly devoted to serving you—and even willing to acknowledge you as his master?” Danyun ultimately could not suppress her curiosity and voiced the question. Ling Jiayue smiled at her question. She merely looked at Danyun without saying anything further. Under her gaze, Danyun lowered her head and said timidly, “Your servant spoke out of turn. Please punish me, young lady.” “It’s nothing. I once sent someone to investigate Cheese Lord’s background. On the surface, he appeared completely spotless, and nothing about him could be uncovered. But by chance, I discovered that he had a younger sister who had been fostered with a farming family. I merely gave that family some silver and asked them to take better care of her.” Ling Jiayue spoke indifferently. Danyun was shocked upon hearing this and thought to herself that Ling Jiayue was truly formidable. Such skill in controlling people was enough to make her heart tremble. Ling Jiayue paid no attention to Danyun’s reaction. She simply picked up the scissors she had set down and continued trimming the flowers and plants, humming a little tune with ease. The days passed one after another. Ling Jiayue continued working as a Hanlin compiler at the Hanlin Academy, while Ling Taian continued serving as Prime Minister. Father and daughter went to and from court together every day, and soon Ling Taian’s birthday arrived—the following day. The entire Ling Residence had already made ample preparations for Ling Taian’s birthday banquet. The next morning, Ling Taian took Ling Jiayue to court. In the imperial court, when Mu Yuye learned that it was Ling Taian’s birthday, he bestowed generous rewards upon him. He also gave Ling Jiayue a reward and granted both her and Ling Taian a day of leave, allowing them to return home and celebrate properly. That evening, Madam Liu stood at the entrance, welcoming the guests who arrived. Ling Jiayue, meanwhile, sat in her own courtyard, preparing to change clothes. “Young lady, today is a festive occasion for the residence. We should change into something brightly colored so it looks more cheerful. Then we can have Lingzhu arrange a beautiful hairstyle for you,” Lingxue said. Ling Jiayue remained silent, sitting quietly. She truly disliked wearing brightly colored clothes and had always preferred garments in plain shades. Whenever she saw vividly colored dresses, she would think of herself standing atop the city wall in her bright red wedding gown, watching the entire Ling family being executed before leaping from the wall herself. Her heart always felt heavy at such times. Seeing that Ling Jiayue had not spoken for a long while, Lingxue tentatively called out, “Young lady? Young lady?” Only then did Ling Jiayue come back to herself. “What is it?” “Young lady, which color shall we choose for your dress? I prepared several sets. Please have a look,” Lingxue said. Ling Jiayue glanced over them indifferently. There was a bright-red set, a pink set, and one in jewel green. Most of the colors were suitable, but today was Ling Taian’s birthday. Judging by Madam Liu’s intentions, she also planned to celebrate Ling Jiayue’s investiture as a County Lady at the same banquet. Ling Jiayue sighed and said, “Wear the bright-red one.” “Yes, young lady.” Lingxue’s voice was full of delight. She thought Ling Jiayue looked best in red, and since it was such an important occasion for the Prime Minister’s residence, bright red was entirely appropriate. Lingxue picked up the bright-red dress and helped Ling Jiayue put it on. Lingzhu’s nimble hands then arranged Ling Jiayue’s hair into an elegant and dignified style, securing the ends with a dark-green gemstone hairpin. She looked both magnificent and graceful. Once she was dressed, Ling Jiayue left with Lingxue and Danyun to help Madam Liu manage the banquet. Ling Jiaxuan had been summoned by Madam Liu early on to help with the preparations as well. At that moment, he was arranging the dishes and ushering the high-ranking officials and ministers to their seats. Dressed in all her finery, Ling Jiayue slowly emerged in stately elegance. When Ling Jiaxuan turned around and saw how radiant she looked, a trace of amusement passed through his eyes. He had always said that his sister was the most beautiful of all. In bright red, she truly looked as beautiful as could be. It was just a pity that she usually refused to wear it. Today, she was sure to dominate the entire occasion. “Little sister, you look truly beautiful dressed like this today. This probably wasn’t your own idea, was it? Tell me who prepared this dress for you. I’ll have to raise her wages,” Ling Jiaxuan teased as he walked over to Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue said coquettishly, “Older Brother, you’re the only one who talks nonsense like that. Just wait—I’ll go tell Mother later and have her give you a thorough beating.” “Enough, enough. Your older brother is afraid of you. Please spare me.” Ling Jiaxuan pulled a funny face. Seeing him make such a face, Ling Jiayue burst out laughing. The siblings then went to busy themselves with the birthday banquet. When the court ladies and young masters from the various families saw how stunning Ling Jiayue looked, they all widened their eyes, completely captivated by her beauty. Ling Jiayue, however, frowned. She truly disliked being the center of attention like this. But today, she had no choice. Suddenly, the steward announced, “His Highness the Third Prince has arrived. His Highness the Seventh Prince has arrived. The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom has arrived.” When everyone at the birthday banquet heard that three such distinguished figures had arrived one after another, they all rose to salute. At the same time, they could not help feeling curious. It made sense for the Third Prince and the Seventh Prince to attend Prime Minister Ling’s birthday banquet, but why had the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom come as well? Could Prime Minister Ling and the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom have some indescribable relationship too? Close