In Ling Jingshu’s eyes there flickered a vulnerability and helplessness, which ultimately resolved into steadfast determination.

Those clear and luminous eyes simply looked at him in silence — a wordless perseverance, and an unspoken entreaty.

Even a heart of iron could not bring itself to say no to those eyes.

Whether married to the Crown Grandson or into Prince Yan’s household — either of these was a wealth and splendor that ordinary people could scarcely dare to dream of. It was the cherished dream of countless young ladies of good family. Yet Ling Jingshu fled from it as though from something fearsome……

Just like his elder sister, all those years ago.

The difference was that back then, there had been no one to help his elder sister. She had no choice but to helplessly become one among the many in the Emperor’s rear palace, enduring each passing day until now.

Ling Jingshu was far stronger and braver than his elder sister had been at the time. And fortunately, she had met him — someone who could reach out a hand to help her just this once.

Wei Yan was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh: “Very well — I agree.”

The heart that Ling Jingshu had been holding up high came crashing back down into its rightful place, and her eyes lit up with gratitude and joy: “Thank you.”

That glimmer of light illuminated her already radiant and captivating face, and the relieved smile that rose to her lips was enough to set one’s heart swaying.

Wei Yan’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily. He forced his gaze away — fortunately his voice was still steady enough that nothing betrayed him: “I can cover for you. However, I have a condition.”

Ling Jingshu replied without hesitation: “Whatever the condition is, I agree.”

The words had barely left her mouth when she felt something was not quite right about them. She cleared her throat and said: “I came to the capital this time with a considerable sum of silver. For Imperial Physician Wei, this sum amounts to nothing — and yet it represents my sincere and heartfelt gratitude……”

Wei Yan couldn’t help but laugh, and swiftly cut Ling Jingshu off: “That’s enough — do you think I’m asking you for payment?”

Was he the sort of person who could be bought with silver and gold?

This much Ling Jingshu knew very well. Yet silver was the only form of thanks she could actually offer.

Ling Jingshu smiled apologetically: “Silver and gold are indeed rather vulgar. But you are treating Ling Xiao’s illness, and you are concealing the truth of my condition as well — a debt this great I truly have no way to repay, so I could only offer this as a small token of goodwill.”

This Ling Jingshu wasn’t really offering silver as a gift of thanks — she was clearly trying to use it to stop his mouth, to keep him from stating his “condition.”

Wei Yan had no more patience for roundabout talk. He spoke directly and plainly: “I do not want silver and gold. I have only one condition. If you agree to it, I will cover for you. Otherwise, please seek someone more capable.”

Said as plainly and directly as this, it was impossible for Ling Jingshu to play dumb even if she wanted to. She had no choice but to ask: “Might I ask — what exactly is the condition Imperial Physician Wei speaks of?”

Wei Yan said evenly: “I have never before encountered an illness like yours. Having encountered it, I must at least try to treat it. You are presently guarded and reluctant, unwilling to speak of all your hidden circumstances. But once you have thought things through and come to a clear understanding, you must allow me to treat you as I see fit.”

……

Ling Jingshu had not expected at all that the so-called condition would be this — and her heart gave a fierce, deep tremor.

Within Wei Yan’s calm and unhurried tone lay something that came through as genuine concern.

No selfish desire. Concern that sought nothing in return.

Ling Jingshu felt a faint stinging in her nose, and without quite knowing why, felt the urge to cry.

She drew a deep breath and commanded herself to be calm: “Imperial Physician Wei’s good intentions — if I do not accept them, I truly would not have the face to meet his gaze again.”

Wei Yan laughed with a touch of self-deprecation: “I have studied and practiced medicine for many years. This is the first time I have ever pressed myself upon someone who did not ask for treatment. This must absolutely not get out — if it did, I, a physician of my reputation, would have no face left at all.”

Ling Jingshu couldn’t help but press her lips together in a smile.

Every time she saw him, he was distant and courteous, keeping everyone at arm’s length. To see him like this — light and witty, at ease — was the first time.

A Wei Yan like this had shed that air of unattainable remoteness and had suddenly become warm and approachable.

Wei Yan gazed at Ling Jingshu with her smile full of warmth, and asked with an easy laugh: “Oh? Have you already thought it through and are willing to let me treat you?”

Ling Jingshu curved the corner of her lips upward: “That I haven’t. I must still think it over carefully — perhaps several months, perhaps three or five years — but there will surely come a day when I work through it.”

Those unbearably painful memories were the deepest and most aching wound in her heart. Every time they surfaced, it was like tearing a scar open again — nothing but the raw, bleeding anguish.

And yet, in this moment, her heart felt unexpectedly light.

Wei Yan smiled faintly: “Very well — I will wait for the day you work through it. I will wait for you to open your heart and tell me all of your hidden secrets.”

Ling Jingshu did not think too much of it and gave a soft hum of assent. Then, as she turned the words over more carefully in her mind, a flush quietly crept back onto her face.

Those words just then hadn’t sounded like what a physician would say to a patient at all — they had sounded more like intimate words whispered between lovers……

Wei Yan, no sooner had the words left his mouth than he felt a twinge of regret. The words had been entirely too frivolous!

The two of them fell silent at the same time.

An odd and subtle atmosphere drifted in the air between them — as though they had sunk into something soft and yielding, their minds perfectly clear while their bodies seemed without the strength to move. Caught within it, without the power to pull themselves free.

This cannot go on!

Ling Jingshu and Wei Yan opened their mouths to speak at the exact same moment: “I……”

And at the exact same moment, they both changed course: “You go first!”

In the midst of the mutual awkward staring, both of them burst into laughter at the same time.

With that laugh, the strange atmosphere in the room was instantly swept away.

Ling Jingshu rushed to speak first: “I have been here such a long time — I must have taken up a great deal of yours already. There is still a whole crowd of patients waiting in Huichun Hall. I won’t impose any longer.”

Wei Yan did not try to keep her either, and gave a nod.

Ling Jingshu walked to the table and carefully picked up the medicine vial, then said a quiet farewell: “Imperial Physician Wei, do take good care of yourself — I’ll be going first.”

Wei Yan suddenly remembered something important: “Wait — there is something I must tell you.”

Ling Jingshu paused mid-step and turned her head back in puzzlement: “What is it?”

Wei Yan set aside his earlier lightness, and his expression grew grave: “You must be on your guard against Empress Xu.”

Something stirred in Ling Jingshu’s heart, and the cloud of suspicion she had pressed down into the depths of her mind rose immediately to the surface. She probed with a neutral air: “Her Majesty the Empress has shown me special favor, and it is likely she will summon me into the palace again in the future. Such fortune — others cannot even envy it enough. Why do you say I must be on my guard?”

A faint glimmer passed through Wei Yan’s eyes, and his voice was even and calm: “The day you entered the palace, Empress Xu summoned Prince Yan to dine with her at noon. With Empress Xu’s shrewdness, she has certainly already perceived Prince Yan’s feelings.”

“Though you had no such intention, Prince Yan does. In Empress Xu’s eyes, all of this is your doing. She summoned you to come and meet her — partly to see you for herself, and partly as an understated warning.”

“Empress Xu is ruthless and calculating. You must take great care whenever you enter the palace. Otherwise, you will not only bring trouble upon yourself, but will also draw calamity down upon the Ling family.”

Every word of this was measured and reasonable, far from empty talk.

And yet — was that truly all of it?

No. There was certainly more than this.

Ling Jingshu turned around and fixed her eyes on Wei Yan’s face, not missing a single shift in his expression: “Imperial Physician Wei — beyond what you have said — is there another reason?”