The next day, Ling Wuye once again accompanied Ling Xiao to the Crown Prince’s residence.

Upon seeing Wei Yan, Ling Xiao couldn’t wait to share the good news with him. “…Imperial Physician Wei, will I really be able to see normally again soon?”

His tone was filled with hope and anticipation.

Hearing this good news, Wei Yan smiled slightly. “After more than half a year of acupuncture, it’s about time for results. Since you can see now, you no longer need to apply the ointment starting today. Keep your eyes open more, let them get used to the light, so they can adapt sooner. Within a month, your eyesight should be fully restored.”

Ling Xiao nodded vigorously again and again, saying with delight, “Good, I’ll stop using the ointment as soon as I get back, and throw away the cotton bandages too.”

Wei Yan had spent more than half a year with Ling Xiao and had always thought well of him. Now, with the added connection through Ling Jingshu, he cared even more about Ling Xiao’s condition. Seeing this, he smiled and said, “There’s no need to rush either. It’s only natural that things will look blurry at first. Given time, your vision will gradually grow clearer.”

Ling Xiao laughed and gave an affirmative reply.

Ling Wuye stepped forward and bowed solemnly to Wei Yan in thanks. “That A’Xiao’s eyes have finally recovered is all thanks to you, Imperial Physician Wei. And as for A’Shu’s condition, you’ve also gone to great trouble on her behalf. The Ling family will never forget this great kindness of yours.”

Although there had been no sign of improvement in Ling Jingshu’s condition, Wei Yan had always done his utmost to treat her, refusing to accept even the smallest consultation fee, and not even a single coin for the medicine.

Even as ungrateful as Ling Wuye could be, he had to admit that Wei Yan truly had the benevolent heart of a healer—though, of course, Ling Wuye had secretly suspected at times that Wei Yan harbored “improper intentions” toward Ling Jingshu. Every time Ling Jingshu went to Huichun Hall, Ling Wuye was especially on guard, and made sure to go along with her every time.

But no matter how closely he watched, he never noticed anything out of the ordinary, and so the suspicion in Ling Wuye’s heart gradually faded.

“There’s no need for such courtesy, Ling Wuye.” Wei Yan was especially polite to Ling Wuye, saying with a smile, “As a physician, saving lives and treating illness is simply my duty. Getting to know Miss Ling and Young Master Ling is both a matter of fate and a blessing for me.”

These words were truly pleasing to the ear.

Ling Wuye’s spirits lifted, and his fondness for Wei Yan grew even more. He sighed with a smile, “Meeting you, Imperial Physician Wei, is truly a blessing for my children, and a blessing for the Ling family as well. As for this great kindness of yours, speaking of gold and silver would indeed seem vulgar, and could never express the Ling family’s sincere gratitude. But I really have no better way to show it.”

As he spoke, he pulled a stack of silver notes from his sleeve. “These are notes worth one thousand taels each, twenty of them in total. It’s a small token of thanks, hardly adequate, but I hope Imperial Physician Wei will accept it. Once A’Shu’s illness is cured, there will be an even greater reward.”

Wei Yan naturally refused to accept it. “Please put these notes away, Ling Wuye. I absolutely will not take them.”

Ling Wuye insisted on giving them. “Could it be that Imperial Physician Wei thinks it’s too little? Just name a sum, and I’ll spare no effort to provide it.”

Ling Wuye’s attitude was unusually firm, as though he wouldn’t give up until Wei Yan accepted the notes.

Wei Yan thought for a moment, then changed the subject. “Ling Wuye, I spend my days in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, where my food, clothing, and lodging cost me nothing. The palace often grants rewards as well. To be honest, I truly have no shortage of money or worldly goods. I won’t take these notes. Instead, there’s something important I wish to ask of you. I hope you’ll agree to it.”

Ling Wuye was taken aback, and asked reflexively, “I wonder what matter Imperial Physician Wei wishes to ask of me? Whatever is within my power, I will certainly do my utmost and never go back on my word.”

Wei Yan was a physician currently in great favor, deeply trusted by the Emperor, and acquainted with countless officials and nobles. What could he possibly need to ask of someone like himself?

Wei Yan seemed to sense the doubt in Ling Wuye’s mind, but he didn’t explain further, only saying with a smile, “The time isn’t right just yet—allow me to keep you in suspense for now. When the time comes, I will speak up.”

What on earth could it be, to be spoken of so mysteriously!

Ling Wuye muttered to himself silently, then couldn’t help probing, “I currently hold no official position, and I don’t have many relatives or friends in the capital. I’m not sure I’d be able to help Imperial Physician Wei.”

“For you to say that, Ling Wuye, is to underestimate yourself,” Wei Yan said with a meaningful smile.

This matter, after all, absolutely required Ling Wuye’s consent!

Before Ling Wuye could press further, Wei Yan turned his gaze toward Ling Xiao. “Young Master Ling, please get ready—I’m about to begin the acupuncture.”

Ling Xiao acknowledged him and quickly sat down.

Wei Yan opened his medicine box, took out the gold needles, and began the acupuncture on Ling Xiao.

Ling Wuye, unable to press the matter further, silently put away the stack of silver notes.

···

Half an hour later.

The acupuncture session ended, and Ling Xiao’s forehead was once again covered in sweat. A young servant nearby hurried over to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead.

If Ling Jingshu had been there, she would surely have been the one busy wiping away the sweat.

The thought flashed unbidden through Wei Yan’s mind, and as he pictured her calm, composed face, ripples stirred quietly in his heart.

Over the past two months, he had seen her four times at Huichun Hall, and twice more at Lingbo Palace, where Wei Jieyu resided. The feelings in his heart had been quietly growing, but he couldn’t let any of it show on his face, lest it arouse Empress Xu’s suspicion…

Footsteps sounded at the doorway.

Wei Yan turned to look, and a familiar face came into view.

It was the Crown Grandson!

Wei Yan was somewhat surprised. Ever since their last private conversation, the Crown Grandson hadn’t set foot in this courtyard again. His sudden appearance today was truly unexpected.

Ling Wuye, even more flattered and flustered, hurried to lead Ling Xiao forward to pay their respects.

“There’s no need for ceremony, rise.” The Crown Grandson’s voice was fairly gentle. His gaze passed over Ling Wuye’s joyful face and settled on Ling Xiao. “It’s been about half a year since Young Master Ling began the acupuncture treatment for his eyes, hasn’t it? Has there been any improvement?”

Every few days, Qiao Yun would secretly pass along news. The Crown Grandson was fully aware of the movements of Ling Jingshu and those close to her. The reason he had come specially today was because he had learned that Ling Xiao’s eyesight was about to be restored.

Ling Xiao, utterly unaware of all this, answered with a smile, “Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Grandson, yesterday when A’Shu applied my ointment, I could already see the outline of her figure. Imperial Physician Wei said that within a month, my eyes will be fully restored.”

At the mention of this long-unheard name, a complicated emotion flickered through the Crown Grandson’s eyes.

Ever since that meeting at the Duke Ying’s residence, he had not seen Ling Jingshu again.

His wedding date with Jiang Rongyue had been set for the third month of next year, and the Crown Prince’s residence was busy preparing for his grand wedding. He was about to take his principal consort into the household—at a time like this, he absolutely should not still be thinking of another woman.

He’d kept himself busy all day, too occupied to let his thoughts wander.

Before today, he had believed he was gradually letting go.

It was only now that he realized that figure was firmly etched into his heart, and he had never truly forgotten her, not even for a moment.