From that day on, Ling Xiao no longer applied the ointment or wrapped his eyes in cotton bandages, and every day he kept his eyes open, looking all around. Everything he saw seemed novel and fascinating to him.
That layer of mist was gradually growing lighter and thinner, and the scenery before his eyes was becoming clearer and clearer.
The world was truly wonderful!
Ling Xiao sighed in genuine wonder, then continued wandering eagerly around the Ling residence, as though trying to make up for all the years of regret at not being able to see.
His vision hadn’t fully recovered yet, so Ling Jingshu, unable to set her mind at ease, accompanied him as he wandered the residence, reminding him from time to time, “A’Xiao, there’s a rock garden ahead—remember to turn left.”
Ling Xiao couldn’t help laughing. “A rock garden that big—how could I possibly miss it?”
This feeling of being able to see was truly wonderful beyond words!
Ling Xiao’s face shone with a brilliant smile, more dazzling than sunlight, radiating the vibrant energy and spirited brightness unique to youth.
Watching Ling Xiao in such high spirits, Ling Jingshu pressed her lips together and smiled too.
“A’Shu, these past few days I’ve already explored all of the Ling residence. Some other time when we’re free, can we go out and have a look around?” Ling Xiao’s tone was full of longing. “I’ve been in the capital so long, but I’ve never seen what it looks like outside.”
Now that he could finally see, he wanted to take in the whole capital with his own eyes!
Ling Jingshu nodded with a smile. “All right. In a few days I need to go to Huichun Hall—why don’t you come along with me?”
Ling Xiao grinned broadly and nodded vigorously.
After walking for a good while, they grew a little tired. Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao reached a pavilion and sat down to rest.
It was the depths of winter, in the twelfth lunar month, and the flowers and plants in the garden had withered and faded. But beside this pavilion grew a few plum trees, now in full bloom, giving off a crisp, biting fragrance.
Sitting in the pavilion, with the fragrance of plum blossoms lingering in the air, Ling Xiao happily let out a deep breath.
Ling Jingshu gazed with a smile at Ling Xiao’s glowing profile, then suddenly asked, “A’Xiao, your eyes have recovered now. What do you plan to do next?”
Ling Xiao was taken aback, his face full of confusion. “What do you mean, what do I plan to do?”
Now that his eyes had recovered, all his past difficulties had been resolved at once. He could live a normal life like any other young man—what was there left for A’Shu to worry about?
Ling Jingshu said slowly, “What I mean is—do you plan to go back to Dingzhou with Father?”
Ling Xiao caught the strange undertone keenly, and his smile faded. “A’Shu, why are you asking this? Do you not want to go back?”
In the past, Ling Jingshu had hinted that she didn’t want to return to Dingzhou, but the two siblings had never seriously discussed the matter.
Ling Jingshu’s expression was calm and composed. “That’s right.”
Ling Xiao was rather puzzled. “Why? Are you staying in the capital to treat your illness?”
“Treating my illness is only one reason. I have a more important reason as well.”
Ling Jingshu looked at Ling Xiao and said in a low voice, “Don’t ask what exactly it is. In any case, this matter is extremely important to me. Until it’s accomplished, I will absolutely not leave the capital.”
“This matter carries enormous risk—one misstep, and it could cost a life. If you stay in the capital, you too would be in danger…”
Before she could finish speaking, Ling Xiao cut her off resolutely. “I’m not leaving! A’Shu, I’m staying to be with you.”
His unhesitating response sent a wave of warmth through Ling Jingshu’s heart, but her expression only grew more solemn. “A’Xiao, I understand your feelings clearly, and I’m deeply moved. But this matter really is more dangerous than you imagine. My enemies are far more powerful and terrifying than you could imagine too. Acting alone, I’d be no more than an ant trying to topple a tree, a mantis trying to block a chariot. If I’m the one putting myself in danger, I shouldn’t drag you down into this mire with me.”
“What you’re saying is utter nonsense!”
Ling Xiao’s brows furrowed tightly, and his voice deepened. “We’re brother and sister—the closest people in the world to each other. Would you really have me abandon you here in the capital and flee back to Dingzhou alone? Say nothing more. I’ve already made up my mind to stay in the capital with you. As siblings, we’ll share both fortune and hardship together, never abandoning each other, living and dying as one!”
His words were firm, his resolve unwavering.
Ling Jingshu’s eyes grew faintly warm with tears, a current of warmth surging through her heart, leaving her momentarily speechless.
After a long while, Ling Jingshu finally regained her composure. “All right, then stay in the capital.”
Only then did a hint of a smile appear on Ling Xiao’s tense face. “I’ll tell Father tomorrow that I want to stay in the capital to study. The Imperial Academy here has many learned scholars—studying there would surely be far better than in Dingzhou. I imagine Father won’t stop me either.”
Ling Jingshu hummed in agreement, then reminded him, “What I’ve told you today, once you’ve heard it, you must never tell anyone else—including Father.”
Ling Xiao agreed solemnly.
···
As expected, when Ling Xiao brought up wanting to stay in the capital to study, Ling Wuye nodded in agreement without much hesitation, and even praised him for it. “It’s a good thing that you have this diligent, ambitious spirit toward learning. I’ll have a word with your eldest uncle—with him putting in a word for you at the Imperial Academy, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
The Imperial Academy was the highest-ranking academy in the Dazhou dynasty, and most of those who taught there were learned and accomplished Hanlin Scholars.
The Imperial Academy admitted students collectively every year in the second month. To enter mid-term required a sponsor who was an official of the sixth rank or above, as well as passing the Academy’s own examination.
For an ordinary commoner to gain admission to the Imperial Academy was nearly impossible.
Seeing that Ling Wuye had agreed readily, Ling Xiao felt much more at ease, and quickly said with a smile, “Then I’ll leave everything in Father’s hands.”
Ling Wuye laughed it off easily. “If you want to study, as your father, it can only make me happy.”
Of his three sons, Ling Xiao was the only one born of his principal wife. Ling Xiao had been clever since childhood, and Ling Wuye had once held the highest expectations for him. It was only a pity that after Ling Xiao’s fall left him blind, he became, in effect, a useless cripple. Amid his disappointment, Ling Wuye’s concern for Ling Xiao had gradually faded.
Now that Ling Xiao’s eyes had recovered, and Ling Jingshu’s own bright future seemed within reach as well, the weight the two siblings carried in Ling Wuye’s heart had risen sharply—there was simply no comparison to before.
Ling Wuye thought it over again and said, “It’s already near the end of the year, and the Imperial Academy will soon be on break. There’s no need to rush about getting in right this instant—why not wait until the second month of next year?”
“Besides, although you haven’t neglected your studies these past few years, your foundation isn’t all that solid yet. While there are still more than two months left, go through the Four Books and Five Classics once more. That way, you’ll do better when the Imperial Academy holds its examination next year.”
Under Ling Wuye’s gentle, affectionate gaze, Ling Xiao felt little of the warmth that might have been expected—rather, he felt quite awkward and uneasy, replying in a low voice, “Father is right.”
After so many years of disappointment after disappointment, of indifference and neglect, how could a few pleasant words from Ling Wuye possibly undo all of that?
Seeing Ling Xiao’s reaction, Ling Wuye felt a touch of disappointment in his heart, and waved a hand to dismiss him.