Chapter 2: Once the task is accomplished, I am willing to be the young master’s warmth beside his bed

The Xiao family was once a renowned merchant house in the capital. By a twist of fate, the Xiao family patriarch had saved the life of the Ling family patriarch many years ago. To repay this debt, the Ling family made a marriage pact with the Xiao family: if the Xiao family had a daughter, she would be wed to a son of the Ling family as his wife.

However, the Xiao family was, after all, a merchant family, and the gap in status between them and the Ling family—the head of the century-old noble clans—was vast. The Xiao patriarch, being a magnanimous man, had only joked about the verbal contract and never truly intended for it to be taken seriously.

A year ago, just after she had come of age, Xiao Ming’s parents met with an accident while traveling to Yuhang for business and never returned. Overnight, she lost both parents. The vast Xiao estate was left with only her, and her clansmen, holding her in no regard, attempted to seize the opportunity to plunder the family fortune. Before her parents’ funeral rites were even concluded, a paternal uncle had already arranged a marriage for her, selling her to an old widower for five hundred taels of silver.

After failing to threaten them with her own death, she suddenly recalled that marriage pact her parents had once told her about in jest. Thus, she set her sights on the Ling family’s eldest son, Ling Zhao, a young general the likes of which the Great Zhou Dynasty had not seen in a century.

In the dead of night, Xiao Ming fled in a sorry state, running to the Ling estate to intercept Ling Zhao’s horse. Dressed in a simple white gown, she removed her hairpins and knelt before him. "I beg the young master of the Ling family, for the sake of the life-saving grace provided by the Xiao family in the past, to take me in and help me uncover the cause of my parents' death!"

He gazed down at the person before him—her face streaked with tears, looking pitiful and endearing. His heart was struck with a sudden, searing warmth. Suppressing the agitation caused by this inexplicable pulse of emotion, he said in a deep voice, "That depends on what you can do for me."

She bowed respectfully. "As a slave or a servant, I would face any peril without complaint."

But he replied, "The Ling estate is not short of servants." He paused, then added, "Nor is it short of corpses."

Xiao Ming was stunned. He possessed power, while she had no wealth. But to carve out a path to survival, to preserve her inheritance, and to ensure her parents' spirits could rest in peace, she bit her trembling lips, tears shimmering in her eyes, and prostrated herself. "Once the task is accomplished, I am willing to warm your bed and serve you!"

Upon hearing this, his ice-cold face remained expressionless, save for a slight downward tilt of his chin, which served as a nod. He had agreed.

***

There were so many women eager to climb into his bed; why had he chosen her? She did not want to dwell on it, knowing only that for her, the dead-end situation that had threatened to crush her world had been resolved by Ling Zhao with just a few words.

The next morning, bright sunlight spilled into the room through the small window. A few soft knocks sounded at the door. "Miss, it is time to rise and dress. We must pay our respects to the Old Madam today, and the Eldest Young Master will be there as well," Qingzhu said from outside.

At the mention of "Eldest Young Master," Xiao Ming woke up instantly, all drowsiness vanishing. She rubbed her aching temples and her stiff neck, then sat up. After a hasty wash, Xiao Ming and Qingzhu hurried through the winding corridors of the Ling estate to the Shou'an Hall, where the Old Madam resided.

Six months ago, Ling Zhao had been appointed Grand General of the South and had followed his father to the southern borders to quell a rebellion. They had returned to the capital three days ago after a resounding victory. After resting for a day and performing his coming-of-age ceremony yesterday, today was his first time paying respects to the Old Madam.

The members of the Ling family had already gathered. As she reached the door, Xiao Ming heard the lively laughter from within. She stepped inside, adjusted her breathing, and curtsied. "Greetings, Old Madam. Ming’er is lazy and has arrived late; I hope you will not take offense."

The Old Madam, sitting smiling on the soft couch at the head of the room, feigned anger. Though her face was stern, her tone was filled with partiality and doting. "Ming girl, how many times must I say it? The Xiao family has a debt of kindness to our Ling family. If you do not call me Grandmother from now on, this old woman will truly be angry."

Xiao Ming smiled and nodded, her eyes bright and obedient. "Yes, Grandmother. Ming’er knows she was wrong."

The Fourth Miss, Ling Huaining, who was acting spoiled beside the Old Madam, grew jealous. "Grandmother is favoring Sister Xiao even more! And I am your own flesh-and-blood granddaughter!"

The Old Madam hugged her, laughing heartily. "Look at this girl, such a temper, always so prone to jealousy. If her future husband isn't to her liking, she might even strike him!"

"Oh, Grandmother!" Ling Huaining’s face turned red. "Big Brother hasn't even married a new sister-in-law yet, why are you talking about me..."

The Eldest Mistress covered her mouth with a smile. "Mother, look, our Huaining has grown up; she knows how to blush now."

The hall erupted in laughter. Xiao Ming felt a burning gaze fixed on her profile. She glanced up inadvertently and met Ling Zhao’s inscrutable eyes. He was dressed in a long, silver-white satin robe with a small crown, the moonlight-like jade luster softening his usual sharp, murderous aura, making him appear more like a cold, noble, and elegant young gentleman. It was highly deceptive.

Suddenly, the image of being held tightly in his arms last night flashed through her mind. The warmth of his chest seemed to linger, and Xiao Ming’s cheeks turned crimson. She quickly lowered her eyes to hide her panic and retreated to a seat in the corner.

The Old Madam hugged Ling Huaining. "Alright, alright, stop teasing our Ning’er. She is still young; she will naturally become more steady as she grows. For now, Zhao’er’s marriage truly cannot be delayed any longer."

The Eldest Mistress immediately spoke up. "During Zhao’er’s ceremony yesterday, almost all the prominent families in the capital attended. I have been observing, and the young ladies from the Marquis of Yongchang’s house, the Chancellor Chen’s house, and Princess Lingqing’s house are all quite good."

The Old Madam looked at Ling Zhao. "Did you take a look at those young ladies yesterday? Was there anyone you favored?"

Ling Zhao nodded slightly, his voice calm. "I leave it to Grandmother and Mother to decide."

The Old Madam smiled. "Even so, for a lifelong commitment, one should find someone to one's own liking."

The Eldest Mistress seized the opportunity. "The Meng family of the Marquis of Yongchang is a family friend, and I have watched Qingxuan grow up. That child has been steady and sensible since she was young, and you have even praised her appearance..."

The Old Madam leaned back against her cushion, pondering for a moment. "Now that you mention it, I remember. That girl was bright as ice and snow when she was little; she must be graceful and poised now. Although their status is not as high as the Chancellor’s house, they are well-matched to us. It wouldn't be bad for her to be Zhao’er’s wife."

"Does the Old Madam like her too?"

The Old Madam looked at Ling Zhao. "What does Zhao’er think?"

"I trust my mother's judgment."

The Eldest Mistress beamed with joy, her excitement undisguised. "Then let us choose an auspicious day and settle the marriage early. We can begin the preparations, and it would be best if the new bride could enter the house this year. The Ling family hasn't held a wedding in a long time."

The Eldest Mistress agreed with a smile, "Mother is right, I will attend to it immediately."

Ling Zhao’s expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. He did not care who the bride was. His marriage was merely a matter of selecting a mistress for the Ling clan. His mother had been a mistress for half her life; naturally, she understood better than him who was the most suitable.

However... if the marriage pact his grandfather promised back then still held, would she be his wife?

Ling Zhao tilted his head slightly and cast a faint glance toward the corner. The girl sat quietly with her eyes lowered, lost in thought. She showed no signs of disappointment, nor did she look at him.