Ling Jingshu acted as though she had not caught the unfriendly edge in Princess Changping’s tone, and replied with respectful composure: “Yes. This humble girl’s given name is Jingshu. I was born an hour before my younger brother A’Xiao.”
Princess Changping raised an eyebrow with an expression that was not quite a smile: “Jingshu — now that is a fine name. Just hearing it, one knows it belongs to a young lady of noble household who is extraordinary in beauty and exceptional in talent.”
The words were ostensibly a compliment, yet coming from Princess Changping’s lips, they had a distinctly uncomfortable ring to them.
The Crown Princess Consort knew Princess Changping’s temperament better than anyone. She heard the words and her brow creased ever so faintly, almost imperceptibly.
This Changping — beautiful and prone to jealousy, with a narrow and petty heart. She could not bear the sight of any woman whose beauty surpassed her own. What she had done in private — the Crown Princess Consort had some idea.
This was the Crown Prince’s residence. If she allowed Princess Changping to make things difficult for the Ling family here, where would she, the Crown Princess Consort, put her own dignity?
What was more, this Ling Jingshu — it was unclear what connection she had with A’Yao.
The Crown Princess Consort’s thoughts moved swiftly, and she was just about to open her mouth to defuse the situation —
When she heard Ling Jingshu say with a smile: “For Your Highness the Princess to bestow such lavish praise upon me — I am truly undeserving of it. In the past, living in Dingzhou City, I also thought myself possessed of some small measure of talent and looks. Yet today, having seen Princess Changping’s Highness in person, I finally understand what it means to be a peerless beauty among all under heaven — a face that would make fish sink and wild geese alight. Compared to Your Highness the Princess, I am nothing more than an unremarkable green leaf beside a peony in full bloom.”
Flattery was something anyone could offer.
To say such saccharine words with such genuine sincerity and earnest conviction — that was not something just anyone could manage.
The color of Princess Changping’s expression brightened considerably all at once, and she let out a delighted, melodious laugh: “Your tongue is sweet indeed — sweet enough to make people’s hearts bloom with joy.”
“I am naturally clumsy of tongue and slow of speech — how would I know how to flatter anyone?” Ling Jingshu’s expression remained earnest: “Every single word I have said comes straight from the depths of my heart. There is not half a syllable of falseness in it.”
Princess Changping listened, her mood fully at ease, her eyes and brows all suffused with smiles.
Jiang Shi: “…”
Sun Shi: “…”
Ling Jingshu had shown neither deference nor softness toward the Crown Grandson nor Prince Yan. Yet now, facing Princess Changping, she seemed like an entirely different person. How had she suddenly changed so much?
The Crown Princess Consort beside them felt a measure of surprise as well.
This Ling Jingshu — earlier she had seemed gentle and reticent. Now she was proving herself honeyed of tongue and nimble of speech, coaxing Princess Changping into such genuine delight.
The wariness that had largely dissipated before now gathered and reassembled itself.
Ling Jingshu noticed the guarded look in the Crown Princess Consort’s eyes, and quietly sighed to herself. All the effort she had made earlier had apparently been for nothing.
Still, the most pressing matter right now was to first manage the situation with Princess Changping.
Ling Jingshu spoke again, with respectful and gentle compliance: “To have been fortunate enough to meet Your Highness Princess Changping today is truly the good fortune of three lifetimes. I hope there will be opportunity to see Your Highness the Princess again in the days ahead.”
Princess Changping was in a good mood. She replied with an offhand smile: “What difficulty is there in that? In a few days, this palace intends to hold a lotus-viewing summer banquet at the residence. I shall have someone send an invitation to the Ling family in due course.”
Ling Jingshu showed a perfectly measured expression of delight and surprise, and quickly curtsied: “Many thanks to Your Highness the Princess.”
Ling Jingshu’s look of pleasantly surprised elation made Princess Changping find her genuinely agreeable. Whatever slight displeasure she had felt earlier had long since been cast to the back of her mind.
As for Sun Shi and Jiang Shi — they had been so stunned by this exchange that they were at a loss for words entirely.
Once the Ling family party had departed, Princess Changping was still smiling as she remarked: “That Ling Jingshu — she has quite a clever tongue on her. She makes people feel genuinely pleased.”
Was it not simply speaking with brazen flattery and saying whatever would please the listener?
But with Princess Changping in such high spirits, the Crown Princess Consort naturally would not pierce through that pretense. She smiled and said: “It is not that she was deliberately flattering you. Are you not precisely the most radiant peony blossom in all of the capital? All the noble young ladies of famous families in this city — standing before you, every last one of them is fit only to be a green leaf.”
Princess Changping listened, well pleased, and said with a bright smile: “Imperial Sister-in-Law, do stop teasing me. Oh, that’s right — what was the point of that Ling family coming to the Crown Prince’s residence all of a sudden? Surely they were not here to seek an official post! “
The Crown Princess Consort’s eyes flashed briefly, and she replied in a half-joking tone: “Seek an official post — one must not say such things carelessly. If word were to reach Father Emperor’s ears, Father Emperor’s heart would very likely be displeased.”
In his youth, the Emperor had been considered a wise ruler, but as he grew older, his temperament became increasingly volatile, unpredictable, and difficult to read. As long as the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne, the position of crown heir within the Eastern Palace remained like walking on thin ice — one had to be ever more cautious and careful in all things.
Princess Changping looked entirely unconcerned: “I was only speaking in casual jest. Even if Father Emperor were to hear of it, he would not be put out over such a trivial little matter.”
That was far from certain!
If someone with ulterior motives seized upon those words and fanned the flames, it would be another matter entirely.
Princess Changping was born of Empress Xu, and she had a fair amount of dealings with the Crown Prince on ordinary days — yet it could not be said they were especially close. There were clearly things that were inconvenient to say in front of Princess Changping.
The Crown Princess Consort responded with a noncommittal smile, invited Princess Changping to take a seat, and had tea brought out.
The two of them — the imperial aunt and her sister-in-law — sat down together and fell to chatting idly.
“Imperial Sister-in-Law, how has Imperial Elder Brother been feeling lately?” Princess Changping asked with a note of genuine concern.
Those born within the imperial family could not compare to ordinary siblings — familial affection inevitably ran thinner. Yet Princess Changping was, after all, a woman, and she posed no threat to the Crown Prince. They kept regular contact with one another on ordinary days.
The Crown Princess Consort let out a light sigh: “Still the same as before. He cannot bear the cold and must not be exposed to drafts. The moment he catches a chill, he breaks into fever and suffers headaches, coughing through entire nights.”
During those years when the Crown Prince had led troops on campaign, his lungs had sustained a grave injury. After receiving treatment and convalescing over the years, his health had recovered to a reasonable state. Still, he remained physically frail — when winter arrived, he would not easily leave his rooms, lest he catch a cold and fall ill.
Now that summer had set in and the weather was dry and sweltering, one dared not place too many ice basins in the rooms to cool them.
Princess Changping offered a few words of comfort to the Crown Princess Consort, though they barely touched on what mattered: “Imperial Sister-in-Law need not worry. The Eastern Palace’s affairs are now in A’Yao’s capable hands. Imperial Elder Brother need not exhaust himself over such concerns — he need only rest and recuperate properly.”
The Crown Princess Consort nodded with a smile, and as she thought of her son, a surge of pride rose naturally from the depths of her heart.
A’Yao was mature beyond his years, sharp of mind, resolute in his methods, and possessed of considerable depth — surpassing the Crown Prince in all these qualities, if anything. He also enjoyed much favor from the Emperor.
With A’Yao here, the Eastern Palace’s position was as steady and immovable as Mount Tai — no one could shake it.
Princess Changping smiled again: “Speaking of which, A’Yao is already fifteen this year. It is time to give thought to his marriage. Imperial Sister-in-Law, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?”
The Crown Princess Consort had her own deliberations, but was unwilling to speak plainly, and deflected with a perfunctory answer: “Among the young ladies of the capital who are exceptional in both talent and beauty and whose family background is fitting, the candidates are no more than a handful in any case. Besides, A’Yao’s marriage must ultimately be decided by Father Emperor and Mother Empress — neither his father nor I can make the choice on his behalf.”
“What is more, A’Yao has strong views of his own. For a matter of such importance, one must naturally obtain his assent.”
Princess Changping glanced at the Crown Princess Consort — who was playing her part with elaborate pretense — with a teasing smile: “Oh, come now, Imperial Sister-in-Law. There is no need to be so evasive with me. Do you truly think I know nothing at all?”
“The Second Miss of the Su family is refined and graceful; the Third Miss of the Jiang family is pure-hearted and kind. Whichever one is taken as a bride, it would be a double joy — a marriage that draws the family even closer.”