He had spoken of it earlier with absolute certainty, but now that the moment of receiving the acupuncture had actually arrived, Ling Xiao found himself unable to suppress the panic rising in his chest. His hand shot out on instinct: “A’Shu!”

“Don’t be afraid — I’m right here.” A familiar hand clasped his, and Ling Jingshu’s soft voice sounded by his ear.

The anxious, unsettled feeling in Ling Xiao’s heart settled considerably at once.

Imperial Physician Wei spread open the bundle containing the golden needles, then turned his head and saw the siblings holding hands and leaning on one another in quiet mutual dependence. Rather than feeling moved, he frowned.

“Miss Ling, please step out to the outer hall for the time being.”

Ling Jingshu startled, and the words sprang from her lips before she could stop them: “Why?”

The previously somewhat mild Imperial Physician Wei’s expression turned stern, a flicker of displeasure entering his eyes: “When I administer acupuncture to a patient, the greatest taboo is having someone nearby to cause distraction. The patient must not lose focus, and I must concentrate with undivided attention.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Ling Jingshu made her assurance: “From this moment on, I promise I shall not make a single sound — I will not even breathe audibly. I absolutely will not disturb your needling…”

Imperial Physician Wei cut her off with quiet indifference: “You have made similar declarations no fewer than several times since you arrived. The fact is, every single time you have been unable to hold to them, and every single time you have wasted my words and my time.”

Ling Jingshu: “…”

It had been a very long while since Ling Jingshu had felt this particular sensation of mortified indignation.

There was a certain beauty to life — it always carried a few special privileges. Men in particular could not help but extend a little extra leniency toward a beautiful young woman.

This Imperial Physician Wei, however, was exactly as rumour described: he showed women no special consideration whatsoever.

Ling Xiao shared such a close understanding with Ling Jingshu that he naturally sensed how embarrassed and furious she must be feeling at this moment. He hastened to murmur words of comfort: “A’Shu, just step out and wait for me. I trust Imperial Physician Wei — you should trust him too.”

The anger simmering in Ling Jingshu’s heart was instantly extinguished: “Very well. I’ll go out and wait for you.”

With that, she rose and walked out.

From beginning to end, she did not spare Imperial Physician Wei a single glance.

This mildly petulant gesture of provocation did not move Imperial Physician Wei in the least. He picked up a slender golden needle and instructed in a low, measured voice: “Young Master Ling, please be calm and at ease. There is no need to be anxious, and you must not move. There will be some stinging. Bear with it for a little while.”

Ling Xiao drew a deep breath and gave a solemn nod of agreement.

The moment Ling Jingshu stepped out of the inner hall, she instantly drew the gaze of everyone present.

Princess Fumin, who had long since grown restless and impatient, fixed her captivating eyes on Ling Jingshu without blinking. Had a person’s gaze been capable of killing, Ling Jingshu would by now have been flayed alive by hers.

Ling Jingshu had no interest in entertaining the provocative, trouble-seeking stare of Princess Fumin, and walked quickly to stand beside Ling Ji and Jiang Rongyue.

“Why have you come out alone?” Ling Ji asked at once, unable to hold his curiosity: “Where is A’Xiao? Why didn’t he come out with you?”

Ling Jingshu replied with a touch of awkwardness: “Imperial Physician Wei is administering acupuncture treatment to him and would not permit me to remain at his side.”

So Ling Jingshu had been driven out?

Jiang Rongyue was somewhat surprised, and somewhat amused. She murmured with a light laugh: “This Imperial Physician Wei truly has no appreciation for loveliness. He actually drove A’Shu out.”

Any other man faced with a beauty like A’Shu would have wished nothing more than to steal a few extra glances and linger close. Imperial Physician Wei, on the contrary, had simply sent Ling Jingshu away like that.

Ling Jingshu had grown up all her life and had probably never encountered such an unromantic man before.

Ling Ji was equally taken aback, then broke into a smile. “Rumour has it that Imperial Physician Wei keeps to himself and pays no heed to women. No matter how beautiful a young woman may be, she would not turn his head. It seems the rumours were all true.”

“Cousin-Brother, Cousin-Sister-in-law, please stop teasing me,” Ling Jingshu said with a helpless smile, and quickly redirected the conversation: “Imperial Physician Wei says that A’Xiao’s eye ailment was caused by a head injury sustained years ago, leaving stagnant blood that has remained blocked and unresolved. After being delayed for six years on top of that, even with Imperial Physician Wei undertaking the treatment, there is only a thirty-percent chance of recovery.”

Once the matter turned serious, Ling Ji and Jiang Rongyue shed their playful demeanour and each of them sobered.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ling Ji said, “Imperial Physician Wei is skilled beyond compare and has cured many conditions previously thought incurable. With him saying there is a thirty-percent chance, it is worth attempting regardless. Even if it does not succeed, things cannot be any worse than they are now, can they?”

Who could say that they could not?

Ling Jingshu’s smile grew more bitter and helpless: “Needling must be administered to the head, and that carries its own risks. But A’Xiao has made up his mind to have his eyes treated, and I had no means of dissuading him, so I could only go along with his wish.”

Jiang Rongyue offered words of comfort: “Imperial Physician Wei likely deliberately made it sound more serious than it is, so as to prevent our expectations from running too high and ourselves from being unable to bear the disappointment if things do not go well. You need not worry so much — A’Xiao will certainly come through unscathed.”

Ling Jingshu gave a nod, then said with an apologetic lowering of her voice: “Cousin-Sister-in-law, I have one more thing to ask of you.”

“Whatever it is, just say it plainly. We are family — what is all this talk of imposing?” Jiang Rongyue said with a smile. “So long as it is within my means, how could I possibly refuse?”

Ling Ji wore an equally curious expression.

Ling Jingshu relayed in full detail everything Imperial Physician Wei had said: “He says that A’Xiao’s eye ailment must be treated on three fronts — herbal decoctions taken internally, medicinal salve applied externally, and acupuncture administered once every five days. But his regular duties keep him within the palace, and he has absolutely no time to come to Huichun Hall frequently…”

Ling Ji and his wife listened with particular attentiveness, seeing how gravely she spoke.

When Ling Jingshu mentioned the Crown Prince’s Residence, Ling Ji and Jiang Rongyue exchanged a glance instinctively, and knowing smiles touched their faces.

The imperial palace was not easy to enter, and the gates of the Crown Prince’s Residence were not open to just anyone who wished to pass through them. However, having formed this connection with the Crown Grandson on the journey to the capital, it would not be asking too much to present themselves at the door and make the appeal.

Who was to say that the Crown Grandson might not be rather glad to see members of the Ling family come calling…

Ling Jingshu pretended not to notice the slightly mischievous smiles on the faces of the two of them, and with a composed countenance and steady voice, concluded what she had to say: “…And so I must trouble you, Cousin-Sister-in-law, to lead us siblings to the Crown Prince’s Residence after today and to request an audience with the Crown Princess.”

Jiang Rongyue smiled, her lips pressed together: “Would it not be better to request an audience with His Highness the Crown Grandson directly?”

Why go through the Crown Princess?

Ling Jingshu appeared not to detect the teasing undercurrent in Jiang Rongyue’s words, and replied with a straight face: “His Highness the Crown Grandson manages the affairs of the Eastern Palace and is certainly very occupied day to day. A small matter such as this — it would be too presumptuous to trouble His Highness with it.”

“Moreover, affairs of the inner household are properly managed by the Crown Princess. If we are to present ourselves at the Crown Prince’s Residence, it is only proper that we seek an audience with the Crown Princess. It would also prevent idle gossip — the kind that arises when the situation appears improper.”

Ling Jingshu spoke with such earnest propriety that Jiang Rongyue could no longer continue teasing her, and answered with matching gravity: “You speak rightly. Once we return today, I shall first inform my mother-in-law of the matter. Tomorrow I will accompany you to the Crown Prince’s Residence.”

She paused, then added: “However, you should also prepare yourself somewhat. Though I have some relation by marriage to His Highness the Crown Prince, the connection is admittedly rather distant. Presenting ourselves at the door will not result in being turned away outright. But whether the Crown Princess gives her consent — that I cannot guarantee.”

Ling Jingshu let out a quiet breath of relief and offered a small smile: “Whether we succeed or not, I must thank you, Cousin-Sister-in-law.”