Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"Why can't I speak? Are you afraid that Song Yun and I will confront you and make the Marquis of Yongding lose face?"

Xiao Lin set down his chopsticks, his gaze fixed on her. "What do you mean by that? Am I now required to report my official duties to you?"

"You!" Ye Shuang glared back at Xiao Lin, neither willing to yield.

"I think you have something to hide!"

"I have the authority to make personnel decisions at this level. I am not obligated to consult anyone," Xiao Lin stated in an unchallengeable tone.

"It seems that for the Marquis, his own reputation truly matters most. What does it matter if others break their promises?" Ye Shuang sneered.

"That’s not what I meant," he said, his tone softening. "I will remember this matter and keep Miss Song in mind for the future. Should a suitable opportunity arise, I will recommend her."

"So, you’re absolutely determined not to help this time?"

"It’s not that I don’t want to help; it’s truly impossible," Xiao Lin insisted. "Aside from this one matter, I can promise you anything else."

Wen Xiang and Chun Tao stood by, exchanging silent glances, hardly daring to breathe.

"No need. I’ll find another way and not trouble the Marquis further." Ye Shuang stood up, preparing to leave.

Xiao Lin pursed his lips, as if wanting to speak but holding back. "This matter is already settled. No one you approach will be able to change it. Moreover, you should focus on domestic affairs. Do not involve yourself in such matters from now on."

"That is my concern and does not require the Marquis’s attention." Ye Shuang had no desire to prolong the argument and turned to leave.

Xiao Lin called out to stop her. "Wait. You should also limit your contact with the Song family. I’ve mentioned this to you several times. I know you are close with Song Yun, but Song Yuanshan has been opposing me at every turn in court. Lately, he has been applying even more pressure, and because of this, the Emperor has grown suspicious of me and deliberately distanced himself. Otherwise, why would I be assigned such tedious and trivial tasks as organizing ancient texts or handling meaningless chores?"

Ye Shuang grew angrier as she listened. "Who I befriend is my own business. The Marquis has no right to interfere! What happens to you in court has nothing to do with me!"

Xiao Lin was momentarily speechless.

Ye Shuang, in the heat of her anger, knew she had spoken harshly but had no intention of backing down. After a tense moment with Xiao Lin, she turned and left.

Just as she stepped out the door, Xiao Lin’s voice came from behind. "Make time to visit the palace in the next couple of days. When I entered the palace today, Her Highness summoned me and mentioned that she hasn’t seen you since the wedding. With the year drawing to a close, she wishes to see you, likely to ask for your help in managing the year-end palace banquet. Pick a time to visit. Also, select a few items from the storeroom to bring along."

Ye Shuang paused but said nothing, continuing on her way.

Still upset from breakfast, she invited Song Yun to a teahouse that morning for snacks and tea, and took the opportunity to tell her about the tutor position.

"I’m truly useless. You’ve helped me so much, and the one time you ask me for a favor, I can’t even manage this small thing."

Song Yun was a little disappointed but smiled, not wanting Ye Shuang to blame herself. "It’s alright. I only wanted to give it a try; it wasn't that important. Besides, didn’t the Marquis of Yongding say he would look for other opportunities? So you haven’t completely failed to help."

Ye Shuang remained sullen.

"By the way, when do you plan to go to the palace?" Song Yun asked, referring to the earlier mention of the palace visit.

"Tomorrow. I really should go. On our wedding day, Her Highness sent gifts and later sent Lady Liu to assist me. I haven’t yet gone to express my gratitude."

"Her Highness is like a mother figure to the Marquis of Yongding, so in a way, she’s your mother-in-law. It’s only proper to visit her and observe proper etiquette." Song Yun took a sip of tea and asked, "Will you bring Lady Liu with you?"

Ye Shuang nodded. "Of course."

"Shall I accompany you to the palace? Actually, no—tomorrow I have to go to the training ground to practice swordsmanship."

Ye Shuang smiled, placing a hand over Song Yun’s. "No need. You attend to your affairs. I’ll go on my own."

Song Yun repeatedly urged, "Alright then, be careful."

Song Yun had to pick up a newly made archery outfit that afternoon, so after sitting for a while, the two went their separate ways.

After lunch and a short nap, Ye Shuang opened the storeroom, selected a few items, and prepared the ceremonial robes she would wear the next day. This was her first official audience at the palace, so she had to dress particularly splendidly. Her clothing, hair, accessories, and makeup had to be flawless. Although Her Highness was easy to get along with, being in the palace required strict decorum and caution—she could not afford any mistakes.

After trying on the clothes and finalizing her hairstyle and makeup for the next day, the afternoon had passed.

Xiao Lin returned half an hour earlier than usual that day, in time for the evening meal. Perhaps he was worried she might make a mistake during her palace visit and had come back early specifically for that.

After dinner and a quick wash, Xiao Lin dismissed the attendants, clearly intending to speak with her.

After everyone had left, he remained silent for a long time.

Ye Shuang, still remembering the morning’s events, initially didn’t want to engage with him but knew he likely had something important to say, otherwise he wouldn’t be so theatrical. She asked directly, "If you have something to say, out with it. I need to wake up early tomorrow for the palace visit and should rest soon."

Xiao Lin cleared his throat. "It’s like this—there were some things left unsaid this morning. When you go to see Her Highness tomorrow, there’s one thing she will certainly ask you. Have you thought about how to respond?"

Ye Shuang looked impatient. "What is it?" Seeing Xiao Lin’s hesitant demeanor, she quickly guessed.

"If Her Highness asks whether we have consummated our marriage, what will you say?"

Ye Shuang was momentarily stunned, her cheeks slightly flushed. Xiao Lin also lowered his head deeply.

"What do you want me to say?" Ye Shuang asked as naturally as possible.

"What do you think?" Xiao Lin looked at her. When Ye Shuang didn’t respond, he added, "Her Highness is an exceptionally kind person. She treats me as her own. There’s nothing that can’t be said, but it still depends on your own wishes."

Ye Shuang understood Xiao Lin’s meaning. This matter was unavoidable. If she said they had consummated the marriage, but Her Highness later learned the truth from Lady Liu and discovered she had lied, she would feel she had betrayed Her Highness’s trust.

"Let’s just be straightforward."

Xiao Lin was surprised. "Are you sure?"

"After all, the truth will come out eventually. If we deceive her this time, we’ll have to keep deceiving her. I don’t want to feel guilty toward Her Highness. Besides, it’s not something unspeakable. Is the Marquis worried about losing face again? It seems the Marquis’s reputation is of utmost importance—perhaps even weightier than the imperial plaque above the entrance!"

Xiao Lin, for once, did not retort. After a moment of silence, he stood up. "If you’ve made up your mind, then it’s settled. Tomorrow, come with me. After court adjourns, I’ll meet you at Kunning Palace."

Ye Shuang was taken aback, seemingly surprised that Xiao Lin would go with her. But after a moment’s thought, she understood. "I understand. I will behave properly in front of Her Highness and not let her think there is discord between us. It’s late. The Marquis should rest early."

With that, she went directly to the adjoining room to bathe.

Xiao Lin sat in silence for a while, then looked up. Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a layer of thin frost upon the ground.

The night had grown deep.