Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Going to Star-Seizing Tower Seeing the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom enter, everyone set aside their speculations and hurriedly bowed to the three of them. “Greetings, Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Sovereign of Ye Kingdom.” Mu Yuyang still wore his usual lofty expression, disdaining to acknowledge anyone. Mu Yuheng and Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, both said, “Rise quickly. Today is Ling Taian’s birthday. You mustn’t let us steal the spotlight.” Ling Taian had still been in the inner residence entertaining guests. Hearing that the three had arrived, he hurried out and bowed to them. “This humble minister, Ling Taian, greets the Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. For my humble birthday banquet today to have the honor of welcoming all three of you truly makes the Ling family’s residence shine.” Mu Yuyang still looked arrogant. Chu Chaoci said nothing, merely smiling inscrutably, with Murong Xi following at his side. Mu Yuheng, meanwhile, spoke warmly. “Ling Taian, you are too modest. You are a pillar of Dayi. Since you are celebrating your birthday today, I naturally had to come and offer you my congratulations.” As he spoke, each of them presented the gift they had prepared. Mu Yuyang had brought a golden lotus fashioned entirely from pure gold. The lotus had always symbolized purity and elegance, but no one knew why it had been made from pure gold. Its originally graceful form had been rendered a garish gold, making it look rather incongruous. Mu Yuheng had brought a piece of warm jade. It was warm to the touch, beautiful in form, crystal-clear and lustrous. It did not seem like something intended for a man. When Ling Taian saw the warm jade, he instinctively glanced at Mu Yuheng, only to discover that Mu Yuheng was looking at Ling Jiayue. He understood at once. Compared with the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince could indeed be considered a suitable match. Chu Chaoci presented embroidered brocade fabric unique to Ye Kingdom. Although it could not be considered the finest of gifts, this embroidered brocade fabric from Ye Kingdom was famous throughout the world and had always been reserved as tribute for the imperial family. For Chu Chaoci to personally present such fabric today was enough to show how highly he regarded Ling Taian. With this group of people standing there in such dazzling fashion, Ling Taian himself felt nothing in particular. However, the officials and noblewomen who had come to attend his birthday banquet could clearly sense the imperial family’s regard for the occasion. Their attitudes toward Ling Taian immediately became even more enthusiastic. When Ling Jiayue heard that the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom had all arrived, her heart gave a jolt. It was one thing for the Seventh Prince to come—he had already formed an alliance with her. But why had the Third Prince and Chu Chaoci come as well? And Chu Chaoci had even brought Murong Xi with him! It was her father’s birthday banquet, yet it looked as though today would be difficult to endure. “Little sister, if you don’t want to face the Third Prince and the others, go into the inner room for now. I’ll deal with them,” Ling Jiaxuan whispered considerately to Ling Jiayue. “No, Older Brother. What is meant to come cannot be avoided. I can’t hide behind you forever, either. I can handle it, so don’t worry. I absolutely won’t bring shame upon the Prime Minister’s residence.” Ling Jiayue raised a resolute smile as she spoke to Ling Jiaxuan. Seeing his younger sister like this, Ling Jiaxuan felt distressed. She was clearly still a delicate young woman sheltered in her chambers, yet she had been forced to shoulder so much. But some things simply could not be helped. Born into this family, she had to take on its burdens, grow stronger, and learn to soar against the wind. Ling Taian led the three distinguished guests to their seats. Their places were arranged above the main seat. There was no other reason—the three were all members of the imperial nobility, and they could hardly lose their status and dignity merely because they had come to attend Ling Taian’s birthday banquet. By then, nearly all the guests had arrived. Madam Liu also returned to the banquet and sat beside Ling Taian in the main seat. Together, they offered words of welcome to the guests. Such formal remarks were always handled by Madam Liu. She rose with her wine cup and said, “Today is my husband’s birthday. Thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to come. We are grateful for your kindness. I hope everyone will eat and drink well today and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.” Madam Liu led everyone in draining their cups. She then gave the steward matron a meaningful glance, and the steward matron went to arrange for the dishes to be served. Under her direction, exquisite dishes and wine were brought out one after another, and the banquet proceeded in orderly fashion. At that moment, the songstresses and dancers Madam Liu had prepared in advance came forward to perform for the guests. Music and dance filled the Prime Minister’s residence, and all the guests enjoyed themselves together. Yet the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince, and Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, seated at the head table, each harbored their own thoughts. Although Mu Yuyang held a wine cup and drank, his pair of sinister eyes kept sweeping toward Ling Jiayue from time to time, as though he wished to put her to death. But the enmity between the two had never reached such a point. For the Third Prince to bear a grudge against Ling Jiayue to this day truly showed how narrow-minded he was. Ling Jiayue could also feel the Third Prince constantly watching her. She merely sneered inwardly and paid him no attention. Her indifference seemed to anger Mu Yuyang, and the look he directed at her grew even more sinister. The Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng, had come solely to offer birthday congratulations to Ling Taian and celebrate Ling Jiayue’s earlier appointment as a First-Rank County Lady. One only had to look at the warm jade Mu Yuheng had given to know that Ling Jiayue was the one occupying his thoughts. And now that the Third Prince had come as well, Mu Yuheng could only feel fortunate that he had come today. Chu Chaoci sat in the main seat with a genial smile. Yet the smile did not reach his eyes. Though he was smiling, he gave off the feeling of a smiling tiger. Chu Chaoci had originally planned to return to Ye Kingdom after the peach-blossom banquet. He had been preparing all along to claim the mineral deposit for himself. But he wanted to remain behind and find an opportunity to probe Ling Jiayue. He always felt that there was something inexplicably familiar about her. Taking advantage of the excellent opportunity presented by Ling Taian’s birthday banquet, he had come. By then, three rounds of wine had been served, and five courses of food had been eaten. Seeing how restrained the young masters and ladies of the various families were, Madam Liu instructed Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan, “Yue'er, Jiaxuan, take the young masters and ladies from the various families out to have some fun. You all look so constrained. It would be good for you to go and relax.” “Yes, Mother,” Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan replied. Ling Jiaxuan led the young masters to the outer residence, while Ling Jiayue took the young ladies to the inner residence. Because of Dayi’s rules regarding propriety between unmarried men and women, the unmarried young masters and ladies of the various families went separately to the outer and inner residences. Ling Jiaxuan led the young masters in a literary game resembling a poetry chain, while Ling Jiayue walked with the young ladies. She really could not decide what they should do, so she asked, “Sisters and younger sisters, what would you all like to play?” The young ladies laughed. “Miss Ling, this is your home, and you are the most familiar with it. Whatever you arrange for us to do is fine.” Ling Jiayue thought for a moment before saying, “There is a Star-Seizing Tower in the inner residence of my home. From the top, we can see the entire Ling Residence as well as the streets outside. Why don’t we go up and take a look? The weather is pleasant, and it won’t be cold in the breeze. If we prepare some wine, refreshments, and snacks as well, it would be perfect.” The young ladies all agreed, and Ling Jiayue led them there.