The Crown Grandson naturally understood Ling Jingshu’s purpose.

She had come to give her thanks!

“Apprehending traitors and purging the court of treacherous enemies — all of this falls within the scope of this prince’s duties; there is nothing hard about it.” The Crown Grandson answered with a double meaning: “And speaking of which, you saved my royal father, yet I have never had the chance to thank you properly.”

Bringing down the Lu Family — that is the reward you are owed. There is no need to thank me.

Through her veil, one could not make out Ling Jingshu’s expression, only her voice, warm and composed: “Your Highness is too gracious. Without Your Highness’s protection and care, I would not be where I am today. I should have gone in person to present my thanks. However, as I am presently a bride awaiting her wedding, it would no longer be convenient for me to call upon you privately. I ask that Your Highness forgive me.”

The Crown Grandson’s breath faltered for a moment.

She was telling him that she was about to marry Wei Yan. To avoid any impropriety, from now on there could not be even the slightest private connection between them.

He had long anticipated that this day would come, and had long steeled himself to make a clean and final farewell with her.

But now that the moment had truly arrived, his heart still ached as though it were being torn apart.

“Congratulations to you and Imperial Physician Wei.” He heard himself reply with a composure that surprised even him: “My royal mother, upon hearing the happy news, has already prepared a bridal gift to be delivered to the Ling residence in the coming days. This prince also has a congratulatory gift to send.”

Ling Jingshu did not decline, and bowed in acknowledgment: “I thank Your Highness in advance.”

A gentle breeze drifted past, lifting one corner of the soft, delicate veil and revealing half of her beautiful and captivating face.

He and she stood so close — close enough to make out the trace of bitterness at her lips and the apology in the depths of her eyes.

He and she were also so very far apart — separated by a deep and impassable divide, forever beyond reach.

The Crown Grandson’s hands trembled faintly; he clenched them tight, not allowing himself to betray a single hint of reluctance: “This is an execution ground — it is not a fitting place to linger. If there is nothing further, you and your brother should take your leave and return home.”

Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao answered in unison, bowed their farewell, and withdrew.

The Crown Grandson watched as Ling Jingshu’s figure grew distant, and felt as though something within his heart had gone with her — departed forever.

…

An hour later.

Crown Princess, upon hearing that the Crown Grandson had returned to the residence, hurried out to receive him.

With Prince Yan locked in the Imperial Clan Court awaiting sentencing, the Crown Prince’s position could no longer be threatened by anyone. The Crown Princess’s days had grown more comfortable and contented with each passing one. Even though she was kept busy every day without pause, it did nothing to conceal the deep and abiding satisfaction radiating from within her.

“A’Yao, why did you go running off to the execution ground.”

Seeing her son, the Crown Princess was pleased and could not help but fuss at him a little: “Heads rolling, blood everywhere — what is there to look at? If you have leisure time to spare, you would do far better spending it keeping Nian’er company.”

At the mention of Nian’er, the stiff, icy handsomeness of the Crown Grandson’s face softened somewhat: “I am usually occupied with court affairs, and Nian’er relies entirely on your care, Mother. You have worked hard.”

The Crown Princess sighed: “With nurses and maids looking after him, and me keeping an eye on him from time to time — it’s really not so burdensome. It’s been more than a year since Jiang Shi passed, and Nian’er is already walking now, gradually learning to talk. It would still be better to have someone devoted to caring for Nian’er. You’ve been in mourning for Jiang Shi for over a year — that is already enough loyalty to have shown her. Now that the great affairs of state are settled, you ought to consider taking a new wife!”

To observe mourning for a deceased wife for a full year, during which time there had not even been a personal serving concubine in his chambers — even Jiang Shi’s own family could find no fault with the Crown Grandson’s deep devotion and faithfulness.

In these past two months, the Crown Princess had raised the matter of a second marriage for the fifth time.

An inexplicable surge of irritation rose in the Crown Grandson’s heart, and he replied curtly: “I am preoccupied with court affairs and have no mind for this. Let us speak of it at a later time.”

The Crown Princess would not let him off so easily, frowning and shooting him a look: “What business could possibly be more important than your own lifelong happiness? Surely you don’t intend to go on like this indefinitely? Right now you have only Nian’er, this one son. It is better to take a worthy and virtuous Crown Princess’s Consort soon, so as to have more children.”

“I’ve already had people prepare portraits of several young ladies of distinguished families in the capital. I’ll have them brought out for you to look at right away. If you find portraits too stiff and lifeless, we could hold a banquet instead, and invite a number of young ladies of outstanding birth and exceptional talent and looks to come. You can observe them quietly from the side, and choose one who suits your taste and affection.”

The Crown Grandson’s brow grew more and more tightly creased, and his voice grew ever more remote and impatient: “Mother, I truly have no desire to take a wife at this time. Please do not concern yourself with this matter.”

The Crown Princess’s suppressed displeasure erupted at once: “How could I not concern myself! Look at you — are you still pining for the departed Jiang Shi, or are you pining for Ling Jingshu?”

The Crown Grandson: “……”

The Crown Grandson’s expression abruptly darkened.

It was just unfortunate that the woman standing before him was his own mother — the one and only person in all of Dazhou who could speak to him and act in his presence without needing to watch his expression.

“When Jiang Shi was alive, you were utterly indifferent to her. Now that she is dead, you seem so deeply sentimental and devoted.” The Crown Princess wore a look of furious exasperation: “You’ve already mourned her for a full year — do you intend to go on mourning indefinitely?”

“And then there is that Ling Jingshu — she saved your royal father’s life, and I am genuinely grateful to her for that. If you had been absolutely set on taking her as your second wife, I would have found it hard to refuse. But as it is, the Empress has already arranged her betrothal, and she is less than a month away from her wedding day. What do you intend to do about it? Surely you don’t mean to snatch her back and bring her into the residence by force?”

Each word of this was more blunt and cutting than the last, jabbing again and again at the wounds he had buried deepest in his heart, until they wept fresh blood.

Yes. Yes, he had wronged Rongyue!

While she was alive, he had not treated her well. After her death, he thought of her often, and every time he did, his heart ached all over again.

He had also wronged himself. He had clearly loved Ling Jingshu, yet for one reason and another he had missed the best moment to make her his wife.

And he had wronged Ling Jingshu most of all.

After Ling Jingshu had entered the palace, her fate had been adrift and precarious, and even he, the Crown Grandson, had been powerless to help.

In her most dangerous and most helpless moments, the one who had stayed by her side and pulled her from the fire had been Wei Yan!

She and Wei Yan were in love and of one mind. With the Empress’s arranged betrothal, she would wed Wei Yan in a grand and glorious ceremony — the envy of every young lady of noble family. They were lovers finally united. Between her and Wei Yan, there was simply no place for him. What right did he have to go on thinking of her?

The Crown Grandson’s face went pale, his lips pressed tightly shut, and he forced out a few words: “Mother, please say no more.”

Seeing the Crown Grandson’s face etched with pain, the Crown Princess was immediately filled with remorse: “A’Yao, I had no intention of making things difficult for you. I only hope that you can open your heart and live a little more easily. Do not always keep your troubles buried deep within.”

The Crown Grandson turned his head slightly to one side, and his voice dropped low: “I harbor no resentment toward you, Mother. As for the matter of a second marriage — let us wait until after this year has passed.”

It was rare for him to relent even this much.

The Crown Princess dared not press him any harder, and nodded in repeated agreement.

The Crown Grandson then said: “Mother, Ling Jingshu once saved royal father’s life, and Wei Yan spent half a year painstakingly attending to and nursing royal father’s health. Both of them have shown great kindness to our Crown Prince’s household. Mother’s bridal gift — please make it a generous one.”

The Crown Princess immediately smiled: “But of course. I had everything prepared long since; I will have it sent to the Ling residence tomorrow.”