Before entering the palace, Ling Jingshu had been acquainted with Jiang Rongyue. She had always held considerable goodwill toward the sweet and endearing Jiang Rongyue. Although she was not sure of Jiang Rongyue’s purpose at this moment, she still gave a willing nod.
Ling Jingshu led Jiang Rongyue out of the side hall, and found a more secluded corner of the covered walkway to stop at.
The two stood facing each other and looked one another over.
“The Crown Grandson Consort’s color doesn’t look very well.” Though rouge had been applied to conceal it, at this close distance with careful attention, one could still detect a slight pallor suggesting insufficient vitality.
Looking at Ling Jingshu’s expression of concern, Jiang Rongyue felt a nameless tangle of complex feelings pass through her heart, though she smiled outwardly: “Your perception is still so sharp. I am with child, and suffered a threatened miscarriage a few days ago — my body has inevitably weakened a little. I lay in bed for several days, and my spirits improved somewhat today, so I came with His Highness to the palace to pay respects to the Imperial Grandfather.”
Jiang Rongyue was pregnant?
Ling Jingshu was somewhat surprised, then smiled and gave a small curtsy: “Congratulations to the Crown Grandson Consort.”
Jiang Rongyue’s gaze rested on Ling Jingshu’s face, as though trying to determine whether the smile on that face was genuine or feigned.
Ling Jingshu was perceptive as ever, and quickly noticed Jiang Rongyue’s unease.
A guarded manner, a scrutinizing gaze — both were so different from the warm and pleasant Jiang Rongyue of before. In just these few short months, why had Jiang Rongyue changed so greatly?
Could it be…
A thought flashed swiftly through Ling Jingshu’s mind. She probed: “Crown Grandson Consort, you specifically sought this servant out — it cannot simply be for idle conversation. If you have something important to say, Crown Grandson Consort may as well speak plainly.”
Jiang Rongyue exhaled deeply, as though making some kind of decision, and whispered rapidly: “A’Shu — I know your situation is difficult right now, and my heart is very clear about that. But I’m afraid I cannot help you, and the Crown Grandson has no standing to help you either. I’m sorry!”
Ling Jingshu: “……”
In just those few short sentences, far too much information was revealed.
It seemed that Jiang Rongyue already knew everything!
That pretty and charming face seemed to have taken on a mask that kept the world at a thousand miles’ distance — unusually cold. Only the tightly clasped hands betrayed that her feelings were not as calm as her outward appearance.
Yet no matter how her feelings ran, Jiang Rongyue had ultimately expressed the attitude befitting a Crown Grandson Consort.
Ling Jingshu felt a tangle of complex emotions within her — she could not have said for the moment quite what they were — yet her outward expression did not change: “I’m afraid the Crown Grandson Consort has somewhat misunderstood this servant. This servant has never harbored any thought of reaching above her station toward the Crown Grandson. Not before, not now, and not in the future.”
Yes! It was all the Crown Grandson’s one-sided attachment!
If she were rational enough and clear-headed enough, she should not be transferring blame onto Ling Jingshu.
But when one is inside a situation, who can truly be entirely indifferent?
Jiang Rongyue tugged at the corner of her lips, no warmth in her eyes: “A’Shu — in this matter, I owe you an apology. Before all of this, I never stood in the way of the Crown Grandson liking you. But now that you’ve entered Zichen Palace, and no one knows what the future holds — I cannot stand by and watch His Highness be pulled into this whirlpool.”
People are always self-interested.
Jiang Rongyue was no exception. In fact, her ability to speak this openly about what was in her heart was already remarkably candid and commendable.
Ling Jingshu composed herself and answered respectfully: “Crown Grandson Consort, please be at ease. This servant has never had any plan to seek help from His Highness. Life and death are matters of fate; wealth and rank are determined by heaven — none of it is within a person’s control. Whatever circumstances this servant may fall into in the future, she will not complain against heaven nor blame others.”
Having said this, she gave Jiang Rongyue another small curtsy: “If there is nothing else, this servant will take her leave first.”
There was truly nothing more for the two of them to say.
Jiang Rongyue murmured her assent, watching as Ling Jingshu turned and walked away. A touch of bitter smile spilled from the corner of her lips.
Jiang Rongyue — oh, Jiang Rongyue — so it turns out you too have a day of being so unsightly.
……
In the side hall.
The Crown Grandson cupped his hands toward Prince Yan: “Sixth Imperial Uncle comes every day to attend to the Imperial Grandfather’s illness — this display of filial devotion truly commands respect.”
Prince Yan raised an eyebrow and returned a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “Imperial Elder Brother labors over government affairs, and you too cannot rest — you must share Imperial Elder Brother’s burdens. I am idle all day with nothing to do; coming to the palace to accompany Father is the least I should do.”
The Crown Grandson tugged at the corner of his lips: “Sixth Imperial Uncle is being too modest. It is simply that the Imperial Grandfather cannot bear to go a single day without Sixth Imperial Uncle.”
As long as they had not yet broken openly with each other, they were still uncle and nephew.
Even if in their hearts each was desperate to do away with the other this instant, they maintained a perfectly harmonious appearance on the surface.
That, however, in no way prevented the two of them from saying things that stabbed each other to the heart.
“I hear Consort Xu’s illness has grown increasingly serious, and the physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy are at a complete loss.” The Crown Grandson sighed with feigned concern: “Why has Sixth Imperial Uncle not appealed to the Imperial Grandfather to have Imperial Physician Wei treat Consort Xu?”
Bringing up precisely what was most painful!
A flash of cold light crossed Prince Yan’s eyes. He said with a placid tone: “Father’s imperial health requires attention, and Imperial Physician Wei cannot be spared. Although Mother Consort’s illness is grave, she is not presently in mortal danger. With slow recuperation, there will surely come a day when she recovers.”
The Crown Grandson first nodded, then sighed again: “It is a pity that Aunt has gone to the Ciyun Convent — otherwise she could be at Consort Xu’s side now, offering at least some consolation to the Consort. Perhaps the Consort’s illness might even recover more quickly.”
Another sharp cut!
Prince Yan was hardly an easy mark either. His gaze flickered, and he said with a half-smile: “With so many palace attendants to serve her, the absence of my elder sister matters little. By the way — you came a little late today and did not get to see with your own eyes how delighted Father was just now.”
“Female Official Ling is beautiful and clever, and also so perceptive and considerate. Now that she is serving at Father’s side, his spirits have been greatly lifted.”
That cut was returned fast and ruthless!
The most vulnerable place in the Crown Grandson’s heart was struck hard, and a crack appeared in the mask of calm indifference.
Having finally won back a point verbally, Prince Yan’s mood brightened considerably. He deliberately glanced toward the doorway: “Madam Jiang and Female Official Ling went out to talk — why have they still not returned?”
The Crown Grandson had no desire to let his composure be disturbed, and replied with an unruffled expression: “Rongyue and Female Official Ling were acquainted before. Naturally, they have some words to exchange when they meet. By the way, Sixth Imperial Uncle — you came into the palace alone. How is it you did not bring Sixth Aunt? Could it be that Sixth Aunt is already with child and needs to rest quietly at the residence, making it inconvenient to enter the palace?”
Prince Yan raised an eyebrow: “Nothing of the sort. Wang Shi caught a chill a few days ago and has not yet recovered, so it’s inconvenient for her to come to the palace. Speaking of which — you are the fortunate one. Madam Jiang has only been married into the household a few months, and there is already good news. Father likely does not yet know about this. In a moment, lead Madam Jiang to pay respects to Father and take the opportunity to share the good news — Father will certainly be very pleased.”
Prince Yan stated the purpose with which the Crown Grandson had brought Jiang Rongyue to the palace, with an air of casual understatement.
The Crown Grandson made no denial of it, and said with a faint smile: “One only hopes that the Imperial Grandfather’s spirits may improve, and that his imperial health may also recover soon.”