No matter how deep or shrewd the Crown Grandson seemed, in the end he was still only a fifteen-year-old boy — and one whom everyone indulged and deferred to, never daring to cross him in the slightest.

What people called his moodiness was simply because, whenever he turned cold, it meant someone was about to suffer for it.

What they called his unpredictable temper was because his moods, good or bad, could decide the fates of those around him.

When someone, unafraid of his status, struck back with a sharp tongue, he felt nothing but anger — and for a moment, he didn’t even know how to react.

He couldn’t very well treat her the way he treated guards and palace maids, ordering a beating at the slightest provocation!

Nor could he lose his temper the way he did when scolding officials of the Eastern Palace!

And Ling Jingshu had deliberately acted humble, hiding her mockery behind a mask of respect… He couldn’t even find a reason to be angry!

The Crown Grandson pressed his thin lips together, his face betraying not a trace of extra expression. “As long as you know your place and when to advance or retreat, it’s fine.”

His voice was flat and even, betraying not the slightest hint of anger.

Wang Tong silently groaned inwardly.

Ling Jingshu seemed not to notice the surging anger beneath the Crown Grandson’s calm surface, and said with humble politeness, “My brother and I will take our leave now, so as not to disturb Your Highness’s good mood.”

The Crown Grandson remained expressionless. “This prince grants you leave.”

Anyone could see that His Highness the Crown Grandson was thoroughly displeased.

An invisible pressure made it hard to breathe. Even the air seemed to stop moving, stagnant and oppressive.

Ling Jingshu smiled, bowed in farewell together with Ling Xiao, then turned and left.

Although Ling Jingshu was the one to leave first, everyone present knew clearly that in this contest of words, composure, and even breadth of heart, she was certainly not the one who had lost!

Jiang Shi and Ling Ji exchanged a quick glance, each seeing in the other’s eyes the same helplessness and wry smile.

Ling Ji steeled himself and offered an apology. “Your Highness. A’Shu was born and raised in Dingzhou, and rarely leaves the inner household. Our grandmother has spoiled her into a willful temper, and her words went too far just now, causing Your Highness displeasure. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness, and ask that you not hold it against her…”

It was over!

How could he plead like that!

Wasn’t this practically telling the Crown Grandson outright that everyone had seen him come out on the losing end just now? The Crown Grandson was proud and arrogant, valuing face above all else… it would be a miracle if he didn’t truly lose his temper now!

Wang Tong broke into cold sweat down his back as he listened, repeatedly trying to signal Ling Ji with his eyes.

“Wang Tong. Did you get sand in your eye? Or are you having a cramp?” The Crown Grandson’s cold voice suddenly sounded right beside Wang Tong’s ear.

Well, that was that. The fire hadn’t been aimed at the Ling family after all — it had landed squarely on him, the innocent bystander.

Wang Tong groaned inwardly, but his body reacted faster than his mind. He immediately dropped to his knees with a thud. “It’s all this subordinate’s fault. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”

The Crown Grandson looked over at him with something between a smile and a smirk. “Oh? And where exactly did you go wrong?”

“This subordinate made faces and signaled behind Your Highness’s back, losing the dignity and decorum befitting an Eastern Palace guard. I deserve severe punishment, as a warning to others!” Wang Tong’s tongue moved nimbly, and his manner of confessing guilt was all the more sincere.

The Crown Grandson’s expression eased slightly. “Given how sincerely you’ve admitted your fault, I’ll go easy on the punishment. Within half a day, scrub this ship’s deck clean.”

The mighty guard commander of the Eastern Palace’s Crown Grandson, kneeling to scrub the deck… it was simply too humiliating!

Wang Tong sighed inwardly at his bad luck, but didn’t dare hesitate aloud for even a moment. He immediately thanked him for the mercy. “This subordinate accepts the order, and thanks Your Highness for sparing my life.”

Ling Ji, Jiang Shi, and Ling Jingyan: “…”

With this lesson fresh in mind, Jiang Shi didn’t even dare exchange glances with Ling Ji in front of the Crown Grandson. Summoning her courage, she spoke up. “Your Highness, the ship should be setting off again shortly. We will take our leave first.”

The Crown Grandson gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, which counted as permission.

Ling Ji and his wife led Ling Jingyan, drenched in cold sweat, away.

“A’Shu, you suffered another wrong because of me.”

The moment they were back in the cabin, Ling Xiao, who had been holding it in the whole way, couldn’t wait to blame himself. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to beg anyone, and you wouldn’t have had to suffer the Crown Grandson’s cold looks and petty anger.”

Ling Jingshu smiled gently and patted Ling Xiao’s shoulder lightly. “A’Xiao, you’ve got it wrong this time. The one left fuming isn’t me — it’s that exalted, moody Crown Grandson.”

Ling Xiao still looked downcast. “I know you struck back at him… but no matter how you look at it, he went too far in the end. If he didn’t want to help, fine, but to put on such a high-and-mighty face and mock us so coldly — it’s truly infuriating.”

The awkwardness and humiliation of that moment had branded itself deep in his heart; he probably wouldn’t forget it for the rest of his life.

Ling Jingshu chuckled lightly and said slowly, “That Crown Grandson is the one stewing in anger he can’t even vent. Think about that a little more, and your mood will improve.”

Ling Xiao thought about it, then broke into a grin.

After a moment, he murmured worriedly, “A’Shu, what if that Crown Grandson is the petty, narrow-minded sort, and uses this as an excuse to make trouble for us later on?”

Saying such things was admittedly rather defeatist.

But the gulf between their statuses was as vast as heaven and earth — with just the flick of a finger, he could make the two siblings suffer endlessly. That much was an undeniable fact.

Ling Jingshu’s tone remained calm and unhurried. “Don’t worry. The Crown Prince is in poor health and has been quietly recuperating all along. The Crown Grandson has to manage the Eastern Palace, guard against threats both open and hidden, learn to handle state affairs, and contend with a whole host of imperial uncles harboring ill intentions… where would he find the spare time to bother with us?”

Besides, in her view, although this Crown Grandson’s temper was bad, he wouldn’t easily lose it in front of outsiders — he had to maintain his lofty, dignified airs…

How could a Crown Grandson of such standing bring himself to quarrel and squabble with a mere young lady from an inner chamber?

Simply put, he was someone who cared desperately about face.

She had responded that way on purpose just now. First, to vent her own frustration. Second, to test this Crown Grandson’s temper. And more importantly, to use the incident to deepen her impression and weight in his mind.

She wanted him to see her sharpness and edge — only then might she have a chance of being accepted should she seek to align herself with the Eastern Palace in the future, to borrow its strength for revenge. Otherwise, what kind of talent could a Crown Grandson of such standing not have at his disposal? Why would he ever spare her a second glance?

Of course, there was no need to tell Ling Xiao about these hidden thoughts.

“For the next few days, we’ll just keep our distance and avoid him,” Ling Jingshu said, smiling to reassure Ling Xiao. “He’s hardly going to come running to our ship to settle scores with us.”

That was true enough.

Ling Xiao nodded, a smile returning to his face. “Good. We’ll reach the capital in a few more days. Once we’re staying at our eldest uncle’s house, we won’t have much chance to cross paths with the Crown Grandson anyway. Given enough time, he’ll naturally forget about this little grudge.”

Ling Jingshu agreed offhandedly. “Right, as long as we don’t cross paths with him from now on, it’ll be fine.”

As if not crossing paths were even possible!

It was only that she’d need to wait until she’d thoroughly figured out this Crown Grandson’s temper and weaknesses, before looking for the right opportunity to approach and offer her allegiance.