My Lord, My Love Novel - Chapter 14

4/ Chapter 14 They Desire Her By the time the vessel reached the pier, the horizon was brushed in gold. The autumn wind carried a sharper chill beneath the fading light. Wrapped in a heavy cloak, Ma Ting descended the gangplank slowly with Ding Jie's support. The breeze tugged at her skirts, and her distant beauty seemed even more untouchable. "My lady, look." Following Ding Jie's gaze, Ma Ting saw the carriage curtain of Marquis Sunfair lift. A face appeared within, and her eyes wavered briefly. He Xinying, sensing her stare, offered a delicate smile.

The smile, however, held only pretense and no warmth. Ma Ting remained silent. She withdrew her gaze, turned, and faced her own carriage. "Let us return home." After such a day, weariness pressed down on her. As her carriage rolled past Marquis Sunfair's, she faintly heard Madam Feng's sharp voice, chastising Li Han and ordering him to remain at home in reflection before the poetry gathering. Once they had gone some distance, Ma Ting leaned back with her eyes closed. Yet the young maid at her side could not hold back her indignation. "My lady, it is clear Master Han's plot was aimed at you.

How could such a light punishment suffice?" "He remains a son of Marquis Sunfair. The Eldest Princess' judgment was not wrong. And for one so obsessed with his reputation, confinement is the greatest disgrace." Ma Ting knew too well that Marquis Sunfair and his family still reigned as leader among the civil officials. She had once knelt before the palace gates, clutching her father's memorial tablet, just to gain the smallest favor from the emper to fight against them. If it ever came to a direct confrontation, she would not prevail. "There is no need to linger on their affairs.

We will go to Greenpeak Temple in two days for the ancestral rites. Begin preparing no and do not be careless as you were last year." Ma Ting ended the matter, unwilling to spend another thought on the household of Marquis Sunfair. She added, "Also, bring me t poetry collections I once read from the study." Ding Jie's eyes brightened with delight. "My lady, as you are reading poetry again, do you mean to claim the poetry gathering's first prize?" Ma Ting nodded. "The victor earns His Majesty's spoken praise. If I triumph, I can request His Majesty to add to my dowry.

Then, Marquis Sunfair's Residence will not dare belittle me." 1 Her gift with words had always been unmatched. Her parents had poured all their knowledge into her education. They had never once believed their daughter should be spared such learning. In the past, for Li Han's sake, she had restrained herself due to her reluctance to draw any attention to herself. Now, she would fight for the crown of poetry. "I shall fetch them at once!" While peace and order reigned within the Ma Residence, Marquis Sunfair's household erupted with furious tumult. "You unfilial son!