When Eunuch Ding came personally to find Ling Jingshu and told her she was to be transferred to serve in Lingbo Palace, Ling Jingshu could barely believe her own ears.
“Eunuch Ding, is this truly real?” Ling Jingshu’s voice trembled uncontrollably. “Worthy Consort Wei truly petitioned the Emperor to have me serve in Lingbo Palace?”
She could truly escape this prison at last?
The undisguised joy in Ling Jingshu’s eyes was impossible to misread.
At this point, if he still could not see that she had never had any desire whatsoever to receive the Emperor’s favor, then all his years in the palace would have been wasted.
“This is a direct oral decree from His Majesty — there could not be anything more genuine.”
Eunuch Ding gave a reply with an indecipherable expression, then paused and added with implicit meaning, “I hear it was Worthy Consort Wei who personally petitioned His Majesty and asked for you, after which His Majesty agreed without hesitation. This servant has long heard that Worthy Consort Wei holds Female Official Ling in particular favor. Who would have expected Female Official Ling to have such good fortune as to be transferred to Lingbo Palace? When you see Worthy Consort Wei shortly, Female Official Ling must not forget to express your gratitude.”
Ling Jingshu composed herself in the shortest possible time, gathered her scattered thoughts, and replied respectfully, “Eunuch Ding’s reminder is well taken.”
Eunuch Ding had been on the verge of saying something more, but upon reflection — the Emperor himself had already given the word to release her, so what purpose would his venting serve. Worthy Consort Wei had already become Worthy Consort; who knew what greater prospects she might yet attain. To make an enemy of Worthy Consort Wei over a single Ling Jingshu would not be worth it.
Thinking on this, Eunuch Ding’s manner became genial again. “Go back and pack your clothing and bring Bai Yu and Qiao Yun along.”
Ling Jingshu thanked him and, suppressing the jubilant excitement rising inside her, walked back to her room at a measured, unhurried pace.
……
Bai Yu and Qiao Yun were also startled by this piece of sudden wonderful news.
Very quickly, Bai Yu reacted, rushing forward to throw her arms around Ling Jingshu. With tears in her eyes she choked out, “Miss — you have finally made it through this ordeal.”
How wonderful. How truly wonderful!
Thank heavens for Imperial Physician Wei. Thank heavens for Worthy Consort Wei.
Miss had at last been able to leap out of this pit of fire. No longer would she need to make herself ill trying to avoid the Emperor’s attentions — two whole months of illness……
Ling Jingshu had never openly stated the truth of it, but the perceptive, careful Bai Yu had long since half-guessed. Mistress and maid had both known perfectly well yet kept the pretense between them, never breaking that unspoken agreement.
Qiao Yun was less demonstrative than Bai Yu, but her face was also alight with delight. “Now that Worthy Consort Wei has spoken up and asked for Miss, from now on Miss can remain in Lingbo Palace and will not need to return to Zichen Palace.”
The smile on Ling Jingshu’s face reached all the way to her eyes. “All right — there will be time to talk later. Let’s get packed quickly and go to Lingbo Palace.”
She wanted to stay in Zichen Palace not a moment longer.
Bai Yu quickly wiped her tears, and together with Qiao Yun they began packing.
Not a single thing in the room was taken; in less than an hour all clothing and accessories had been packed and were ready.
The three of them had only just pushed open the door when they came face to face with Female Official Qian.
Female Official Qian had come expressly upon hearing the news. Whatever she felt inwardly, her face was all smiles. “Little Sister is heading to Lingbo Palace now, I take it! Congratulations indeed.”
Ling Jingshu replied with a gracious smile, “Thank you for coming specially to see me off, Older Sister Qian.”
Female Official Qian took Ling Jingshu’s hand warmly and said, “Little Sister has not even been in the palace a year, yet first you served at Her Majesty the Empress’s side, then came to Zichen Palace, and now are going to serve Worthy Consort Wei. What remarkable fortune — even I can only look on with envy when I see it. There must be any number of people within this palace secretly admiring Little Sister!”
A faint trace of sourness, so light as to be almost undetectable, drifted through her words.
Ling Jingshu simply acted as though she had not caught it, and replied with a shallow smile. “How could I compare myself to Older Sister Qian, who has served in Zichen Palace for so many years and enjoys the Emperor’s trust and regard? There is no one else in this entire palace who could claim the same.”
A flicker of self-satisfaction crossed Female Official Qian’s eyes, and she offered a few modest denials.
After an exchange of insincere, drawn-out farewells, Ling Jingshu finally took her leave of Female Official Qian.
All along the path to Lingbo Palace, she encountered no small number of palace maids and eunuchs.
There were no secrets within the palace. News of Ling Jingshu being requested by Worthy Consort Wei to serve in Lingbo Palace had spread at the fastest possible speed. All along the way, those who were eyeing her — openly or covertly — were beyond counting.
Ling Jingshu seemed entirely unaware of them, and walked into Lingbo Palace with calm composure.
……
Upon seeing Worthy Consort Wei, Ling Jingshu immediately knelt without hesitation. “Jingshu greets Worthy Consort Wei.”
Worthy Consort Wei had been seated, but upon seeing her perform such a deep and formal obeisance, she quickly laughed and said, “What is the point of such a sweeping bow — come now, get up.”
Ling Jingshu would not rise and instead gave three more full kowtows. “Your Ladyship has given this servant a second chance at life. Great kindness speaks for itself without words. All that Jingshu can do is offer these few kowtows as a token expression of her heart.”
Worthy Consort Wei smiled helplessly. “Very well — you’ve knelt, you’ve kowtowed. You may rise now.”
Only then did Ling Jingshu stand.
Worthy Consort Wei smiled and beckoned Ling Jingshu over. “Come here, stand closer so we may talk. There is no one else present — you need not feel constrained. Just speak as you did before.”
Her manner was still as warm and kind as ever.
Just as it had been when they first met.
A warm tenderness welled up in Ling Jingshu’s heart. She answered softly and obediently, walking to Worthy Consort Wei’s side.
Worthy Consort Wei looked Ling Jingshu over carefully, then smiled and sighed softly. “You have suffered these past days. Two months of illness, and you have grown noticeably thinner.”
Wei Yan is watching you thin away — he doesn’t know how much it pains him.
This sentence, Worthy Consort Wei did not say aloud — but she expressed it entirely through her gaze.
Ling Jingshu’s cheeks grew quietly warm.
It seemed Worthy Consort Wei already knew everything about her and Wei Yan……Although Worthy Consort Wei remained as gentle and warm as ever, she inexplicably felt a new bashfulness and unease. “Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. This servant is young with a good constitution — my health will recover quickly. Your Ladyship need not worry.”
Worthy Consort Wei seemed to perceive her anxiety, and offered a gentle reassurance with a smile. “A’Yan has indeed told me everything about the two of you. He is my only younger brother, and I only wish for him to have what he truly wants.”
“Bringing you here to Lingbo Palace — I did not discuss it with A’Yan beforehand, and there was no time to give you any forewarning. Fortunately, the Emperor did not stand in the way. From now on, here by my side, just settle your heart and focus on your duties — you need not spend every day worrying any longer.”
The gentle words, like soft and warm spring air, drifted quietly across her heart.
For reasons she could not quite name, Ling Jingshu’s eyes grew suddenly wet.
When she had been ill-used, she had been able to swallow her anger and endure her humiliation. When she had encountered hardship, she had been able to straighten her spine and stand firm. She had not panicked in the prison cells. She had not wept in despair when facing the Emperor’s meaningful gaze in Zichen Palace.
Yet a few warm, caring words from Worthy Consort Wei made her recall every grievance and hurt she had ever suffered.
It was like a child who had endured a full measure of sorrow, and at last caught sight of the beloved family member who had been watching over them all along.