Chapter 15: Has He Not Loved Her Enough?

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Ling Zhao flipped through the case files at his desk, but not a single word could capture his attention.

“Achoo!”

“Master, could it be from being cold by the water pavilion yesterday?”

“No matter. Don’t worry about it.”

Jin Sheng hurried over to the table, pouring him hot tea while watching his reaction.

“To be honest, your health isn’t what it used to be. You used to be able to squat all night on that big tree branch in Miss Ming’s courtyard without issue, then the next day you'd be full of energy to squat some more…”

As Jin Sheng spoke, he suddenly felt a chill shoot through him, growing colder by the second. Swallowing nervously, he asked, “Master, is something wrong?”

Ling Zhao irritably tossed the files onto the desk, sinking back into his grandmaster chair.

Is that Mo Shichang good enough?

He’s just a bit more refined in appearance and gentler in speech.

Is he really worth a lazy girl like her—who spends her days eating, sleeping, and feeding fish—getting up early, dressing up, and throwing herself at him?

He had even noticed earlier that she was wearing the lip balm he gave her.

Ling Zhao’s hand, resting on the desk, clenched tightly into a fist. The restless, fiery anger swelling in his chest was barely contained.

Having grown up by his side, Jin Sheng could guess some of Ling Zhao’s thoughts. Seeing the murderous gloom radiating from him, Jin Sheng shivered from head to toe and couldn’t help but speak up for Xiao Ming.

“Master, our Miss Ming has no parents. If you keep being angry with her and don’t care for her, she’ll truly be pitiful.”

Does he not care for her enough?

He had secretly sent clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics—all that was missing was a dowry!

Does he now have to personally send her to another man’s bed to prove his care?

If anyone, it should be sending her to his own bed.

Seeing Ling Zhao’s expression darken even further, Jin Sheng feared he had said the wrong thing and hurriedly bowed his head.

“I was just speaking casually.”

Ling Zhao forced himself to calm down, his expression unusually serene.

“Continue.”

Cold sweat broke out on Jin Sheng’s back.

“I think you should be more proactive like Young Master Mo...”

He paused, then added more precisely, “More proactive while Miss Ming is awake.” After saying this, he fell silent immediately.

Ling Zhao glanced at him and recalled the kiss Mo Shichang had pressed on Xiao Ming’s brow yesterday. His face instantly darkened.

Yesterday a kiss on the face—what about today?

He was a man himself; did he not understand a man’s thoughts?

Just thinking about it made his molars grind almost to dust.

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“Let’s go, we’ll—”

Before he finished, a knock came at the door, and Suifeng whispered, “Young Master.”

“What is it?”

“Someone from the Eastern Palace has arrived. The Crown Prince requests your presence for a meeting.”

It seemed that someone among the rebels captured from the Southern Frontier had confessed.

Though this treason case appeared impenetrable and layered like mountains, once someone spoke, even a small crack would expose the whole.

Ling Zhao’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Prepare the horses. To the palace!”

“Yes!”

—

Peach Grove on the Outskirts of the Capital

Xiao Ming and Ling Huaixi alighted from the carriage. Willows gently brushed the lakeside, and the water rippled like silk. The soft breeze was refreshing and uplifting.

Xiao Ming took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling much lighter and more at ease.

“Second Sister, let’s hurry over!”

Ling Huaining got out of another carriage, waving vigorously at Huaixi.

The water pavilion by the lake was already bustling. Today’s banquet was originally just a birthday celebration for young ladies, but nearly all the noble daughters and sons of the capital had arrived.

Due to Mo Yuan’s engagement to the Second Prince, the formerly modest Mo family had risen in status, attracting endless sycophants.

As soon as Xiao Ming entered the pavilion, she saw Mo Yuan and Meng Qingxuan sitting on either side of a young lady, all three smiling warmly and chatting animatedly.

The young lady’s dress was embroidered with gold and colorful threads depicting dancing butterflies; on her wrist hung a string of delicate gold bracelets, and even her hair exuded an air of nobility.

A circle of prominent society girls clustered around them.

“Neither the Mo family nor the Meng family were notable before. The Meng family only held a hereditary honorary title. Now, thanks to these advantageous marriages, they’ve turned their fortunes around. Even Princess Lingqing has started mingling with them.”

Ling Huaishu had somehow appeared beside Xiao Ming and the others. Though she complained about Mo Yuan and Meng Qingxuan, Xiao Ming could see the envy and longing in her eyes.

“Huaining, Huaixi, you’ve finally arrived!” Meng Qingxuan greeted them with a bright smile as she stepped out of the pavilion.

Huaixi slightly nodded and returned the polite smile.

“Sister Qingxuan! Your dress today is so beautiful!” Ling Huaining exclaimed, bouncing as she grabbed her hand.

“Seeing you busy, we didn’t want to bother you.”

“Sister Qingxuan,” Ling Huaishu also smiled ingratiatingly and gave a slight bow.

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Meng Qingxuan patted Ling Huaining’s hand and warmly pulled Huaixi back into the pavilion.

“Today, Mo Yuan even invited the best opera troupe from the capital. The stage is set by the lake—we’ll go watch in a little while.”

“How wonderful! I love watching opera!” Ling Huaining eagerly followed along. Ling Huaishu, feeling neglected, flushed red with anger but couldn’t lash out, so she reluctantly followed behind.

Xiao Ming was accustomed to the awkwardness. She knew her status was embarrassing and she didn’t deserve to socialize with these noble daughters. Rather than forcing herself in, she preferred to wander freely and enjoy herself.

After all, she had come today to see Mo Shichang.

Just as she was about to head toward the peach grove, Meng Qingxuan called out, “Miss Xiao, come here. Let’s chat.”

Xiao Ming was taken aback; she hadn’t expected an invitation.

Meng Qingxuan smiled. “Miss Xiao, how can you be so unfamiliar with Qingxuan? We’ll all be sisters from now on. Come, let’s talk. This circle is small; we’ll get to know each other soon enough.”

Xiao Ming smiled lightly. It seemed they still regarded her as Ling Zhao’s concubine. But once she entered, they would learn the truth. For now, it was better not to explain.

“Miss Meng, I noticed the peach blossoms are at their best. I want to take a walk by the lake and won’t disturb you.”

Ling Huaishu’s face darkened terribly.

It was one thing to be behind Ling Huaining and Ling Huaixi, but what was Xiao Ming to them? How could she deserve a personal invitation from the future sister-in-law?

“Very well, we won’t insist then. Miss Xiao, please enjoy yourself,” Meng Qingxuan said regretfully.

After Xiao Ming left, she gave a signal to a waiting maid outside the pavilion. The girl quickly understood and slipped away.

Ling Huaishu was left cold and miserable in the corner. She was ignored at home by the Ling family and overlooked outside as well. Though a Ling daughter, she lived worse than a merchant’s daughter!

Watching Xiao Ming’s figure fade away by the lakeside, Ling Huaishu clenched her teeth in hatred.

Why did she have grandmother’s favor?

Why did the future sister-in-law treat her better than her?

Why did that lowly wretch dare to challenge her?

Why!?

Her body trembled as she dug her nails harshly into her flesh.

As for Xiao Ming, she would never have it easy!

—

The vast peach blossoms by the lake bloomed brilliantly, captivating the heart.

Xiao Ming slipped to the lakeside, entranced by the sight. Before she could fully register the presence behind her, someone suddenly wrapped their arms tightly around her waist from behind. The warmth of his breath whispered in her ear, sending a delightful shiver through her body.

“Ming’er, you finally came. Why so late?”