Long though the account may be in the telling, the entire scene from start to finish had taken no more than a few exchanges.

Only now did Ling Ji and the others react, each one’s expression shifting; they swiftly gathered around.

Ling Xiao was both upset and frantic. He reached out and found Ling Jingshu’s hand, inwardly shaken: “A’Shu, your hand is so cold.”

It was the sixth month; the weather was warm and stifling. His own hand was a warm, steady presence. Yet Ling Jingshu’s soft hand had lost its usual warmth — her fingertips and palm alike were cold.

Ling Jingshu’s mood was unsettled and low, but she forced a carefree smile onto her face: “It’s nothing.”

Ling Ji was also burning with anger.

The whole matter was plainly an instance of Princess Fumin picking a quarrel and throwing her weight around. Ling Jingshu had not been willing to bear the humiliation, so she had struck back with words. A little verbal quarrel between two young women was nothing particularly significant — but Princess Fumin had ordered the lady’s maid at her side to physically strike someone…

If Bai Yu had not thrown herself forward as a shield, if Steward Han Yi had not intervened, that slap would have landed squarely on Ling Jingshu’s face.

This was not only a humiliation to Ling Jingshu — it was a humiliation to the Ling Family.

But what could they do? The other party was an imperial consanguine, a princess of the realm. The Ling Family was no match for her, and could only swallow this injustice and endure the indignity.

Jiang Shi knew her husband’s heart was heavy with resentment and quietly took hold of Ling Ji’s hand.

From a rational standpoint, the best course of action now would have been to offer Princess Fumin an apology — in other words, to back down and make a conciliatory gesture. But people have their pride, and in this moment every one of them was seething; no one could bring themselves to perform that sort of cringing, placating act.

Jiang Shi thought for a brief moment, then said in a quiet voice: “A’Shu, there are quite a few people here and it’s a little crowded. Let us go wait over there.”

“A little crowded” — neatly and elegantly phrased.

Under any other circumstances, Ling Jingshu might have been amused by Jiang Shi’s tactful wording. But today she had come to accompany Ling Xiao for treatment; she had no desire whatsoever to become entangled with Princess Fumin. Moving further away would bring some peace.

Princess Fumin watched the group retreat to a distance, gave a cold snort through her nose, but said nothing further.

True to form, the number of patients outside Huichun Hall kept growing. The attendants were busy handing out number tokens and registering patients’ names; Han Yi, as head steward, had to attend to matters both inside and out, and soon departed once more.

In the spacious outer hall, Princess Fumin occupied one half; Ling Jingshu and her group waited on the other side. At least ten metres separated them — a clean divide, like the Jing and Wei rivers that never mingle.

With that much distance between them, quiet conversation carried no risk of the other party overhearing.

Ling Ji lowered his voice, his words full of remorse: “A’Shu. You were treated unjustly today. I, as your elder cousin-brother, was unable to stand up for you or vent your grievance…”

“Elder Cousin-Brother, please don’t say such things.” Ling Jingshu smiled bitterly: “I am the one who feels sorry. My temperament is proud, and I could not hold myself back. I provoked that Princess Fumin — I fear I may have brought trouble upon the Ling Family.”

Jiang Shi, perceptive and understanding, offered reassurance: “How could any of this be your fault? She was clearly the one who provoked you first. If it had been me, I could not have swallowed that either. And if A’Yan were here, she would have made an even bigger scene.”

After a brief pause she added: “You need not worry too much either. Even the Prince Rong Manor, no matter how imperious, must still observe reason. They would not come looking for trouble with the Ling Family over something this trivial.”

The words of Ling Ji and Jiang Shi warmed her heart considerably.

Ling Jingshu finally began to settle.

Thinking it over carefully, what had happened today was not actually an accident.

In her previous life, her temperament had been far too meek and yielding. She had endured humiliation after humiliation and died a wretched death. Being reborn was for her like shedding her old skin and emerging transformed; her character had changed enormously. She refused to endure even the smallest slight, refused to bow to power and authority. At times her words and actions had indeed been too extreme.

Earlier encounters with the Crown Grandson and Prince Yan — she had also provoked them with her words then. But the Crown Grandson and Prince Yan were, after all, men; even if somewhat displeased, they could hardly bring themselves to make an issue of it with a girl raised in the inner quarters. She had slipped away lightly from those encounters.

The Princess Fumin she had met today was petulant and domineering, her temperament wilful and overbearing, never relenting a single measure.

Coming up against someone like that, how could she possibly come out unscathed?

That encounter was like a bucket of cold water poured over her, and it woke her up in a way she had truly needed.

A mere princess, and she commanded such intimidating authority. If in the future she were to meet Princess Changping, who held an even more exalted standing — what then?

If she continued on in this self-assured, reckless manner, never mind exacting vengeance and righting her wrongs — she might not even be able to protect herself. She might even bring disaster upon the Ling Family…

A light, brisk set of footsteps broke through Ling Jingshu’s wandering thoughts: “May I ask which of you is Ling Xiao, Young Master Ling? You may now come through to the inner hall.”

Every tangled thread in Ling Jingshu’s mind instantly dissolved. Without a second thought she responded: “I will accompany A’Xiao inside right now.”

“Wait!”

No need to even think about it — the one speaking up to stop them was none other than Princess Fumin.

She was seen striding over, her expression displeased, directing an overbearing glare at the attendant: “I have been waiting here all this time. Why are they going in first instead of me?”

The attendants of Huichun Hall had encountered countless anxious and short-tempered family members of patients; every one of them had developed a steady composure. This attendant replied without the slightest fluster: “These are Imperial Physician Wei’s express instructions. This servant does not know the reason. If Your Highness wishes, you may ask Imperial Physician Wei directly when the time comes.”

The moment Imperial Physician Wei was mentioned, Princess Fumin seemed to have her air let out of her entirely, and she immediately stood down.

The attendant then added: “Imperial Physician Wei also specified that only one person may accompany Young Master Ling into the inner hall. The others will need to wait here.”

Any renowned physician always had particular customs when treating patients. Imperial Physician Wei’s dislike of being watched and disturbed was perfectly understandable.

Ling Jingshu said at once: “I will accompany A’Xiao inside.”

Ling Ji and Jiang Shi raised no objection.

Ling Jingshu took hold of Ling Xiao’s hand, and they entered the inner hall together.

It was only a short walk, but Ling Xiao’s emotions were in a state of intense agitation. Patches of red rose across his fair face, and his palm was damp with perspiration. Ling Jingshu smiled despite herself and murmured in a low voice: “Don’t be nervous.”

Ling Xiao nodded, keyed up: “Yes, I’m not nervous.”

As if he possibly wasn’t!

Ling Jingshu knew perfectly well that nothing she said at this point would help; truth be told, her own heart was pounding just as rapidly.

The gold needles had already all been removed from Liu Laoshi’s head; the young apprentice was washing them with a specially prepared medicinal solution.

Liu Laoshi’s expression had fully returned to normal, and he was kneeling on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing toward Imperial Physician Wei: “Many thanks to the divine physician Wei for saving this worthless life of mine.”

Imperial Physician Wei was quite warm toward his patients, and smiled gently: “People may differ in rank and standing, but lives carry no such distinction of noble or base. There is no need to belittle yourself. Saving your life today is also a matter of your own fortune. Had it been even half an hour later, even I could not have saved you.”

Liu Laoshi, deeply grateful, kowtowed a few more times before being helped up by an attendant and escorted out.

Imperial Physician Wei raised his gaze and looked over: “Young Master Ling, please come take a seat.”

Those dark, luminous eyes were warm and tranquil.

Ling Jingshu helped Ling Xiao forward, and they sat down in the chairs set before Imperial Physician Wei.