“…On that day, when we encountered bandits aboard the ship, we were fortunate that His Highness the Crown Grandson arrived in time to subdue them. Otherwise, all of us in the Ling household would have been hard-pressed to escape unscathed.”
“However, since this matter touches on A’Shu’s reputation as an unmarried young lady, it is not something to be spoken of publicly. His Highness the Crown Grandson also instructed that it need not be spread around. And so, after returning to the capital, we never formally paid our respects to give thanks. Very few people know of this matter at all.”
Sun Shi wore an expression of genuine gratitude — it was no performance — and continued:
“His Highness the Crown Grandson is magnanimous and benevolent, and he went so far as to bestow a name card upon A’Xiao. The two siblings used His Highness’s name card to visit Huichun Hall, where they were seen by Imperial Physician Wei without needing to queue for a number. This kindness is something the entire Ling household holds dear in our hearts.”
The Crown Prince’s Consort’s eyes flickered repeatedly, her expression growing subtly complex.
The matter of saving their lives — the Crown Grandson had never mentioned it to her.
The matter of bestowing the name card — she had not known a thing about that either.
But none of that was the main point. The main point was: since when had that cold, heartless son of hers become so kind-hearted? First rescuing people, then giving out name cards…
Was it out of regard for the Ling Family, or was it out of regard for this exceptionally beautiful Ling young lady?
The Crown Prince’s Consort’s gaze came to rest upon Ling Jingshu’s face, and without realising it, there was a noticeably more appraising quality to her look.
Ever since the Crown Grandson had passed his fourteenth year, the matter of his future had become the foremost concern of the Crown Prince’s household.
The Crown Prince’s Consort had long been discreetly searching for a suitable Crown Grandson’s Consort, and she already had a favoured candidate in mind.
Beauty and talent were of course indispensable, but even more importantly, the candidate would need to be of distinguished birth and exceptional family standing, so as to be worthy of the position of Crown Grandson’s Consort — and worthy, in time, of becoming the future Crown Prince’s Consort, and of the dignity of becoming mother to the realm.
Even the palace maids who served at the Crown Grandson’s side had been carefully selected. Unblemished family background, loyal and trustworthy, refined in appearance — not a single quality could be lacking.
How could the Crown Prince’s Consort not harbour private misgivings toward this Ling young lady who had appeared so suddenly?
Ling Jingshu, who had been gently lowering her head, now raised it, her gaze clear and sincere: “His Highness the Crown Grandson has the merit of saving my life; toward A’Xiao, he has the virtue of having lent his aid. The two of us siblings are grateful beyond words. We truly should not have come to impose upon you again. Yet for the sake of A’Xiao’s illness, we have no choice but to presume upon your generosity and come forward to ask.”
“A’Xiao’s condition requires acupuncture once every five days. Imperial Physician Wei ordinarily stays within the palace and seldom ventures out. We have heard that every five days, Imperial Physician Wei comes to the Crown Prince’s household to take His Highness the Crown Prince’s routine pulse. It would be most fitting for A’Xiao to come to the Crown Prince’s household and wait for Imperial Physician Wei to finish examining His Highness, and then have him administer the acupuncture treatment.”
As she spoke, she pulled Ling Xiao forward, and the two siblings knelt together.
“I know full well that this request is abrupt and presumptuous, but I have thought it over from every angle and truly cannot think of another way. And so I have gathered my courage to presume upon your kindness and come to make this petition. I humbly beg the Crown Prince’s Consort to grant her approval.”
When she had finished speaking, she bowed her head to the ground three times, solemnly and respectfully.
Jiang Shi also stepped forward and gave a curtsy: “The Crown Prince’s Consort is known for her benevolent heart; surely she could not bear to turn these two siblings away at the door. As the saying goes, saving a single life surpasses building a seven-storey pagoda. For the Crown Prince’s Consort, this is but a trifling matter; yet for her younger cousin, it is a matter of treating his eye condition — something that concerns an entire lifetime. I implore the Crown Prince’s Consort to show her compassion and mercy!”
The Crown Prince’s Consort did not agree immediately.
Her gaze passed over Ling Jingshu’s beautiful face, her expression unfathomable, giving away nothing of her thoughts. After a long moment, she spoke slowly: “Since this is a matter of treating an illness and preserving a life, this palace shall grant it.”
The tension in Ling Jingshu’s heart eased slightly, and she and Ling Xiao bowed their heads to the ground together three more times: “Many thanks for the Crown Prince’s Consort’s gracious favour.”
The Crown Prince’s Consort tugged lightly at the corner of her lips, though her eyes held little warmth: “It is a trifling matter, no great trouble at all. It is nothing more than preparing an empty guest room. There is no need for you to remain kneeling. Please rise.”
Once Ling Jingshu and her sibling had risen, the Crown Prince’s Consort smiled again: “Miss Ling is not yet old, and yet she speaks and conducts herself with composure and good measure, thinking wholeheartedly of her younger brother. She is quite a clever and pleasing young lady.”
When she came to the words “clever and pleasing,” her tone grew faintly, almost imperceptibly, more weighted.
Ling Jingshu let out an inward sigh.
It was evident. The Crown Prince’s Consort had taken her for the sort of girl who harboured ulterior motives and was deliberately drawing close to the Crown Grandson.
She had anticipated this very concern before coming, and had deliberately dressed in plain, unobtrusive attire. After entering the Crown Prince’s household today, she had kept her head lowered and stayed silent the entire time, striving to keep a low profile. Yet even so — unexpectedly — she had still drawn the wariness and displeasure of the Crown Prince’s Consort.
For A’Xiao’s treatment, she would be frequenting the Crown Prince’s household over the coming months. Interactions with the Crown Prince’s Consort were inevitable. Leaving such an impression was naturally not ideal.
Ling Jingshu simply acted as though she had not detected the hidden meaning in the Crown Prince’s Consort’s words, and replied with humble sincerity: “The Crown Prince’s Consort honours me with such extravagant praise; this lowly girl dares not accept it. I harbour no other thoughts whatsoever — I only hope that Imperial Physician Wei can restore A’Xiao’s sight. As long as A’Xiao can see daylight again, I shall be entirely content.”
No other thoughts whatsoever. Entirely content.
The Crown Prince’s Consort raised an eyebrow. She looked at Ling Jingshu deeply for a long moment, then said with a mild smile: “Those who know contentment are always at ease. For one so young, Miss Ling possesses this sort of wisdom — it is truly uncommon.”
The heart that Ling Jingshu had been holding in suspense settled just a little.
It seemed her declaration just now had been of some use after all.
This Crown Prince’s Consort appeared gentle and approachable, but her thoughts were unfathomable — she was absolutely not someone to be trifled with.
The Crown Prince had personally led troops into battle on several occasions in his younger years. He had few children — only two sons and one daughter. The Crown Grandson was the son born of the principal wife, the Crown Prince’s Consort. The other son and daughter had both been born of a side consort.
Now that the Crown Prince’s health was failing and required quiet recuperation, leaving him unfit for the worries of managing affairs, the bulk of the East Palace’s business had fallen to the Crown Grandson. Young though he was, he had already become the pillar of the East Palace.
His lifelong affairs were absolutely not a minor matter.
Small wonder that the Crown Prince’s Consort paid particular attention to any unmarried young ladies the Crown Grandson came to know.
Their purpose having been achieved, it was not appropriate for anyone to linger further.
Sun Shi proactively rose: “We have intruded greatly by coming today. I shall lead them to take our leave.”
Given the Crown Prince’s Consort’s standing, she had no real need for courtesies toward the Ling Family. She did not even utter a token phrase such as “do stay for luncheon before you go,” and simply nodded her assent.
Sun Shi did not take it to heart.
What was her own station? And what was the Crown Prince’s Consort’s station? Could she possibly dare to hope that the esteemed Crown Prince’s Consort would be warm and effusive toward them?
Just as everyone was about to bow in farewell and take their leave, a palace maid came rushing in to report: “Your Highness the Crown Prince’s Consort, Princess Changping has arrived.”
Princess Changping?
Ling Jingshu’s heart lurched violently several times, and hot blood rushed surging through her mind. A startling flush rose across her lowered face, and a brilliance frightening in its intensity flashed through her eyes.
Princess Changping!
It was actually she who had come!
Ling Jingshu instinctively clenched her fists tight, then slowly, gradually, released them.
The other party’s standing was exalted — far beyond what she, in her current position, could hope to match. If she intended to seek revenge, she absolutely could not reveal the slightest trace of her true feelings. She could not even let a single hint of anything unusual show.