Chapter 98

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Who Are You, Really? Ling Jiayue led the way, and the young ladies from the various families followed behind her. Along the way, their lively chatter made the atmosphere seem especially animated. Ling Jiayue rarely found herself in such a lively setting, and she appeared much more vivacious than usual. Ling Jiayue instructed Lingxue, “Lingxue, go prepare some wine and refreshments. Also prepare some fruit, and bring everything to Star-Seizing Tower once it’s ready. That way, the young ladies can enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content.” “Yes, Miss. Should I use peach-blossom wine, or the green-plum wine from a few days ago?” Lingxue asked. Ling Jiayue thought for a moment, then sought the young ladies’ opinions. “May I ask what sort of wine everyone prefers?” “The peach blossoms of this season have only just passed, so wine brewed from them should not be too strong. Why not ask Miss Ling to prepare peach-blossom wine for us? That way, we can all have the pleasure of tasting it,” the young ladies discussed among themselves. “Then go prepare some peach-blossom wine, along with fruit to sober us up and some food,” Ling Jiayue instructed Lingxue. “Yes, Miss.” After receiving Ling Jiayue’s orders, Lingxue went to make the preparations. Mu Yuyang, Mu Yuheng, and Chu Chaoci, who were seated at the head table, had all noticed Ling Jiayue leading the young ladies toward the inner residence. They now seemed distracted. Mu Yuyang lifted his wine cup and said to Mu Yuheng and Chu Chaoci, “Seventh Brother, Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, this prince offers you both a toast!” As he spoke, Mu Yuyang raised his cup and drained the wine. Mu Yuheng and Chu Chaoci also lifted their cups and drank them dry. “May I ask what brings Seventh Brother and the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom here today?” Third Prince Mu Yuyang asked. Mu Yuheng smiled. “Naturally, we came to offer Prime Minister Ling our birthday congratulations. Or did Third Brother not come for the same reason?” “Seventh Brother’s words truly leave Third Brother puzzled. If I did not come to offer Prime Minister Ling my congratulations, why would I attend this birthday banquet? But as for the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom—a dignified ruler of an entire country—why would he come to celebrate the birthday of the prime minister of Dayi? This prince truly cannot make sense of it.” As Mu Yuyang spoke, he turned his attack toward Chu Chaoci. Chu Chaoci merely smiled without saying anything. Grand General Murong, who stood beside him, spoke instead. “Miss Ling’s title of County Lady was proposed and bestowed by our sovereign. There is nothing improper about our sovereign coming to pay her a visit.” “Oh? Is that so?” Mu Yuyang said with an inexplicable smile. Chu Chaoci simply continued drinking. On the surface, the three men seated at the head table appeared to be enjoying themselves harmoniously, but beneath that calm exterior, turbulent currents were surging. Ling Taian had also noticed the strange atmosphere between them. Though he found it headache-inducing, he had no choice but to keep up a cordial exchange with all three. After all, he could not afford to offend any of them. By then, Ling Jiayue had already led the young ladies to the top of Star-Seizing Tower. Lingxue brought over the wine, refreshments, and various fresh seasonal fruits, and the young ladies settled down in the tower to admire the scenery and enjoy the food. Miss Luo of the General’s Residence stood on Star-Seizing Tower for the first time and looked down over the entire Ling Residence. She could not help exclaiming, “This Star-Seizing Tower truly lives up to its name. One can almost pluck the stars from the sky! Standing so high above the entire Ling Residence, it fills one with an incomparable sense of boldness.” Ling Jiayue smiled. “I’m glad you like it, Miss Luo.” Miss Luo was lively and uninhibited. After looking around, she praised the tower again. “Star-Seizing Tower was built so wonderfully. From here, we can see the banquet, the young masters from the various families in the outer residence, and even the bustling scenery outside. Being able to see all of that whenever we wish is truly wonderful.” The young ladies had all grown accustomed to behaving with restraint at home. It was rare for them to meet someone as lively and adorable as Miss Luo, so they could not help laughing. The atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed. It was as if everyone had set aside their barriers and defenses, bringing them all a step closer together. Seeing that the atmosphere had warmed up, Ling Jiayue suggested, “Why don’t we play finger-guessing games and drink by the rules? It would be boring to sit here doing nothing.” At that moment, one of the young ladies pleaded, “Please spare me! I’m terrible at drinking. Once I start, I’m afraid there won’t be a single person here who can restrain me.” The moment she finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter. Even Danyun, who was usually so stern and unsmiling, laughed. Ling Jiayue said, “If you can’t drink, then compose a poem instead.” And so, the young ladies from the various families began to enjoy themselves on Star-Seizing Tower. At that moment, Mu Yuyang quietly instructed one of the guards beside him about something. Mu Yuheng happened to see it and could not resist teasing him. “Third Brother, what are you whispering about? Seventh Brother is very curious too.” Mu Yuyang replied, “It’s nothing more than some miscellaneous affairs in my residence. They aren’t worth reaching Seventh Brother’s ears. Come, let’s drink.” When Mu Yuheng heard this, he grew concerned that something might happen to Ling Jiayue. He gave Feng Yan a meaningful look, signaling for him to go protect Ling Jiayue. Feng Yan understood Mu Yuheng’s order and immediately went to protect her. Chu Chaoci, however, remained seated with an air of complete composure. He narrowed his eyes, as though pondering something. Ling Jiayue and the young ladies were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Ling Jiayue had also become slightly tipsy, and she accidentally spilled wine onto herself. Although it was already spring, the wine clinging to her clothes still felt cold when the night wind blew. Ling Jiayue rose and pleaded, “I’m not very good at holding my liquor. May I return to my room first to change?” Seeing this, Miss Luo said, “Go quickly. Don’t catch a chill, or that would be bad.” Ling Jiayue apologized to the other young ladies, then returned to change her clothes. She left Lingxue behind to entertain the guests and took only Danyun with her. The mistress and maid walked along the path. Ling Jiayue had drunk quite a bit, so she could not help swaying as she walked. Danyun simply supported her and helped her along slowly. At that moment, a black-clad assassin leaped out of the darkness and was just about to attack Ling Jiayue when Feng Yan appeared and engaged the black-clad agent in combat. Danyun immediately supported Ling Jiayue toward the courtyard. The sudden appearance of the black-clad agent had startled Ling Jiayue so badly that she had already sobered up halfway. She hurried back to the courtyard with Danyun. As they passed a pond, Chu Chaoci appeared like a ghost. He reached out, intending to seize Ling Jiayue by the throat, but Danyun moved to stop him. However, Murong Xi, who stood beside Chu Chaoci, restrained her. Danyun struggled with all her might to break free of Murong Xi’s hold. Murong Xi grew impatient with her relentless struggle and simply knocked her unconscious. When Ling Jiayue saw Danyun collapse, she drew the dagger from her waist and stabbed at Chu Chaoci. Chu Chaoci stopped her with one hand and examined her closely. “She really does look alike,” Chu Chaoci murmured to himself. Those words shocked Ling Jiayue. Yet she thought, I absolutely cannot let him discover who I am. The more Chu Chaoci looked at Ling Jiayue, the more he felt that she resembled his former Empress. His grip gradually loosened. He stroked her face and asked, “Who are you, really?”