Chapter 3: I Want to Hold You—No, I Want to See You

After everyone had left, the venerable Lady Ling called out to Xiao Ming.

“Little Ming, I heard that the Mo family’s ancestors are connected by marriage to your Xiao family. I’ve already asked someone to keep an eye out for you.”

Xiao Ming looked up in surprise and met Lady Ling’s kindly smile. Her cheeks flushed, and a flicker of longing inadvertently shone in her eyes.

The Mo family, huh...

Suddenly, a sharp chill crept up the back of her neck, and she hurriedly lowered her gaze, composing herself. “Ming’er doesn’t want to marry. She only wishes to stay by grandmother’s side forever. Please don’t trouble yourself, grandmother.”

“You’re such a sensible child…” Lady Ling said, tears welling up and falling. “Rest assured, Little Ming, though your parents have passed, grandmother cares deeply for you. If the Mo family isn’t suitable, I’ll help you find someone better.”

Mentioning her parents, Xiao Ming’s nose reddened and her voice caught. “Grandmother’s kindness is deeply appreciated by Ming’er.”

As they left Shou’an Hall, Qingzhu hurried after Xiao Ming, pouting.

“Miss, why did you refuse the old madam just now? Though we come from merchants, we are imperial traders. The Xiao family ancestors were once illustrious—not like common peddlers. The venerable lady adores you so much. If you accept her, then the Mo family’s second young master would…”

Xiao Ming’s expression shifted, her voice cool and distant. “Polite words are never to be taken at face value.”

Qingzhu was taken aback, her steps slowing.

Xiao Ming grasped Qingzhu’s hand and led her down a secluded path. “Lady Ling has plenty of favorites. Even if she likes me, I am not a Ling. The tears she shed just now, we need not take them to heart.”

“I’ve been at the Ling residence for a year, and grandmother has never mentioned the betrothal between me and Ling Zhao. To outsiders, we’re only distant relatives seeking refuge.”

She sneered bitterly. “Qingzhu, can’t you see the meaning behind this?”

“You mean…”

“As distant relatives, I cannot marry a Ling son again. It seems Lady Ling’s concern is mere lip service—afraid of gossip accusing the Ling family of ingratitude. But as it stands, with my parents’ case unresolved and my promise to Ling Zhao unfulfilled, how could I calmly marry anyone?”

Qingzhu lowered her eyes, a bitter ache filling her heart, tears brimming.

Though the Xiao family’s status didn’t match the Ling’s, the young lady was raised in luxury, their ancestral home even more splendid than the Ling mansion. Yet now, to investigate her father and mother’s deaths, she was risking her own reputation.

“Miss Ming…”

A ghost during the day?!

The two girls shuddered, their spirits nearly fleeing, but relaxing upon seeing the visitor.

Xiao Ming smiled faintly, forcibly maintaining dignity. “Jin Sheng, what brings you to me?”

Jin Sheng lowered her head to suppress a smile, voice low. “Our master wishes to see you.”

Yesterday they met at the waterside pavilion, didn’t they? The kind of meeting where they were held close.

At night, it might be forgiven, but now in broad daylight, if others saw her too close to him, rumors would spread to Lady Ling that she, a dependent, was acting out of line by enticing the Ling family’s dashing eldest son. That would surely ruin her.

“Miss Ming, our master advises you to take the back path.”

“Understood. Please wait, young master.”

Since she was relying on him, she dared not disobey.

To avoid attention, she sent Qingzhu back to Lanyue Pavilion first, then circled around the bamboo grove south of Shou’an Hall, finally entering a more hidden path that wound through jagged rockeries. After fifteen minutes, passing through a side gate, she arrived at Ling Zhao’s courtyard.

—

Qingyun Pavilion

Sui Feng respectfully announced, “Miss Ming has arrived. Our eldest master is in the study.”

Xiao Ming gave a slight nod and entered Ling Zhao’s study directly.

Opening the door, she was greeted by a pleasant scent of herbs and wood, the same smell as at the nape of his neck. For some reason, her cheeks flushed inexplicably.

Ling Zhao was busy at his desk, flipping through files and occasionally making notes, not looking up at her entrance.

“Eldest master still busy with official business?” She stood by the desk, wondering why he had summoned her amid such work.

“Hmm. Although I spent months in the southern frontier, and the rebels are mostly eradicated with their leader Cao Chuan captured, the emperor suspects there are still conspirators within the court. There are many details to handle. This case is grave and cannot be taken lightly.”

He still did not look up.

Xiao Ming bowed slightly. “In that case, I won’t disturb you. Another day then—”

At last, he lifted his eyes to her but quickly dropped them again. “There’s new information about your parents’ case.”

Xiao Ming froze, her voice trembling slightly. “What was found?”

Ling Zhao set down his brush, crossed his arms, and leaned back casually. “Six months ago, before heading out on imperial orders, I entrusted Lord Yan of the Ministry of Justice to reopen your parents’ case files…”

Xiao Ming’s heart leapt to her throat.

The Ministry of Justice’s files were highly confidential—ordinary people couldn’t even dream of seeing them, let alone reading them in person.

Yet Ling Zhao spoke as casually as if he had asked an old friend to buy a travelogue at the chessboard street.

She had definitely put her trust in the right person!

“How did it go?” Xiao Ming’s tone tightened.

“The cause of death was indeed an accident. Nothing suspicious.”

Her brows furrowed sharply.

“Don’t believe it?” he asked.

Xiao Ming nodded. “To be honest, I thought it was an accident too. But a few months ago, a carriage driver came to me voluntarily. He said he was driving the carriage when my parents didn’t die in Yuhang as the case stated, but in Youzhou…”

“Youzhou?” Ling Zhao’s eyes flickered.

“Yes. The driver said he was carrying my parents through Youzhou when the horses were suddenly spooked and panicked. The carriage overturned and plunged into a ravine. The driver hung on a tree and survived, but my parents…”

Xiao Ming clenched her jaw, clutching the handkerchief to her chest. “The cause of death may have been an accident, but what about the truth? Even the location is unclear. If this case has no hidden secrets, I refuse to believe it!”

Though she spoke passionately, he remained impassive. After a long moment, he asked, “Where is this driver? How do you know he’s telling the truth? And why did he seek you out?”

Xiao Ming was momentarily speechless.

Ling Zhao glanced at her stunned look and smiled. “No matter. Since you have doubts, it means there’s more to investigate. We’ll continue. If there’s something hidden, this case is no small matter. It could be far-reaching and take time.”

Xiao Ming was pleasantly surprised. “You mean…”

“If I promised to help you, I won’t do it half-heartedly.”

She believed those words. Though arrogant and domineering, he was a man of his word and despised deceit. She had never expected him to offer to reopen her parents’ case on his own initiative.

Xiao Ming beamed. “Ming’er thanks young master for your help! In my next life, I shall serve you loyally to repay your kindness!”

Ling Zhao’s gaze lightly fell on her lips.

“No need to make it so complicated. This life will suffice.”