That very evening, Ling Daye was occupied with a social engagement outside, and did not return until the hour of the Rat.

By his usual habit, returning to the residence so late, Sun Shi would long since have retired for the night, and Ling Daye would spend the night in his study.

Tonight, however, Sun Shi had not yet slept. She had been deliberately waiting for Ling Daye’s return.

After many years of marriage, husband and wife had grown deeply familiar with each other’s temperaments. One look at Sun Shi’s expression told Ling Daye she had an important matter to discuss. He immediately dismissed the servants.

Alone in the room, Ling Daye asked at once: “A’Xiao went to Huichun Hall today — did he manage to see Imperial Physician Wei? Can the eye condition be cured?”

“Imperial Physician Wei was seen. He took A’Xiao’s pulse and administered acupuncture and prescribed medicine, and said there is a thirty-percent chance of recovery.”

Sun Shi then gave a careful account of the entire situation: “But there is a complication in all of this. I waited for your return specifically to tell you about it, Old Master, and to hear your thoughts…”

The complication Sun Shi referred to was precisely the matter of calling upon the Crown Prince’s residence the following day to request a favor.

Upon hearing it, Ling Daye not only did not furrow his brow — he positively brightened and slapped the table: “What is the difficulty in this! This is a blessing!”

A blessing?

Sun Shi was taken aback, and did not at first understand his meaning: “Old Master, what do you mean by that?”

“All this while, I have wanted to cultivate ties with the Crown Prince’s residence but never found a suitable occasion. Is this not a heaven-sent opportunity?” Ling Daye’s eyes gleamed shrewdly as he stroked his beard with a self-satisfied air:

“Come to think of it, A’Shu and A’Xiao are something of a lucky star for us. On the road back to the capital, although they ran into a little trouble, they made the acquaintance of the Crown Grandson as a result. The Crown Grandson is known to be cold-faced and heartless, yet he was willing to give them his visiting card on his own initiative — clearly A’Shu has caught the Crown Grandson’s eye.”

“This visit to the Crown Prince’s residence on account of A’Xiao’s illness affords a fine opportunity to appear before the Crown Grandson again and build rapport. If they grow close through continued contact in the future, the advantages would be beyond reckoning…”

Ling Daye grew more and more pleased with himself as he spoke.

Sun Shi interrupted him with an expression of helpless resignation: “Old Master, you have misunderstood. When I lead A’Shu to the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow, we are not going to seek out the Crown Grandson — we are going to seek an audience with the Crown Princess.”

Ling Daye shot Sun Shi a slanted glance: “How shortsighted — a woman’s limited perspective. As long as you set foot in the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Grandson will surely come to know of your visit to see the Crown Princess. If the Crown Grandson is inclined, he will naturally make an appearance.”

“And even supposing the Crown Grandson does not appear — being received by the Crown Princess is still a favorable outcome. The Crown Grandson is growing older by the year, and is nearly of age for marriage. The Crown Princess certainly has his matrimonial prospects greatly at heart. Given A’Shu’s beauty and bearing, and the prior acquaintance with the Crown Grandson, the Crown Princess, upon seeing A’Shu, will most certainly take particular note of her.”

And once she took particular note, would not the opportunity have arrived?

There was no eligibility for the position of the Crown Grandson’s primary consort. But even as a secondary consort of the Crown Grandson, one would be assured of glory and wealth for a lifetime.

As Ling Daye savored his own cleverness, he could not help but feel a quiet pang of wistful regret.

What a shame that A’Yan was not so fortunate in this regard…

Sun Shi suddenly understood completely and nodded repeatedly: “You are quite right, Old Master. Your concubine was too narrow in her thinking — your deliberation is far more thorough. Please set your mind at ease, Old Master. When I visit the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow, I shall certainly make a point of mentioning how the Crown Grandson once came to A’Shu’s rescue.”

Ling Daye nodded with approval: “Yes — you must mention it, and mention it clearly and in full. Also, prepare a generous and substantial gift for the visit.”

Sun Shi assented to everything.

Husband and wife talked on by lamplight, deliberating carefully until everything had been settled, before finally retiring.

The next morning, Ling Jingshu and her younger brother followed their usual routine of rising early to pay their morning respects.

Ling Daye was present as well that day, and asked after A’Xiao’s treatment in a warm and kindly tone, to which A’Xiao answered one by one.

Sun Shi looked Ling Jingshu over and was somewhat displeased with the plain simplicity of her attire: “A’Shu, we are visiting the Crown Prince’s residence today to seek an audience with the Crown Princess. You cannot go dressed like this — hurry and change into something bright and new, and put on some fine jewelry. If you have no new clothes or jewelry, go to A’Yan’s room and select some…”

Her enthusiasm was rather excessive.

Since when had Sun Shi paid such close attention to her dress and adornment?

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly and replied: “Thank you for your concern, Great-Aunt. I brought quite a number of new garments and ornaments when I came to the capital. Going before the Crown Princess for the first time dressed too simply and carelessly would indeed be disrespectful. However, with A’Xiao’s eye condition uncertain of cure, my heart is filled with worry and I truly have no mind for dressing up. I believe the Crown Princess would not fault me over so small a matter.”

Sun Shi still would not abandon her persuasion: “That you have no heart for adornment, given your deep bond with A’Xiao — that is perfectly understandable. But the proper proprieties must still be observed. What if the Crown Princess were displeased and blamed you for it? Would that not be counterproductive?”

She paused, then added a meaningful remark: “On this visit to the Crown Prince’s residence, you may perhaps encounter someone familiar. As a young lady, presenting yourself more smartly would be more agreeable to others.”

What familiar person could be at the Crown Prince’s residence?

So after all that, this was the true intent!

An imperceptible furrow crossed Ling Jingshu’s brow, then she swiftly composed herself and said in an even tone: “I am going to the Crown Prince’s residence today to seek the Crown Princess’s audience on behalf of A’Xiao’s treatment. Arriving all dressed up and adorned would only invite misunderstanding from the Crown Princess — better to forget it.”

Her tone was calm, but her stance was resolute.

Sun Shi could find no further words to say.

Had it been Ling Jingyan in this situation, one could speak to her lightly or firmly without much consequence.

Ling Jingshu was after all a niece by marriage, and an exceedingly strong-minded one. Even if one spoke, she would not necessarily comply — it would only create awkwardness for both parties.

Sun Shi’s warmth and good intentions had come to nothing, and an uncomfortable chill descended over the atmosphere.

Madam Jiang was the most quick-witted of them all. Seeing the awkward turn of events, she quickly stepped in with a smile to smooth things over: “A’Shu is naturally beautiful — light or elaborate adornment suits her equally well. Even dressed in a plain cotton skirt she would be lovely and captivating. There is no need for you to worry about her, Mother-in-Law.”

Sun Shi suppressed the faint displeasure in her heart and said with a smile: “You make a fair point — I have been worrying unnecessarily. It is already growing late; we ought to set out.”

The party departing for the Crown Prince’s residence that day consisted of only Sun Shi, Madam Jiang, and the brother and sister pair of Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao.

Sun Shi went ahead at the front, while Madam Jiang intentionally slowed her pace to walk abreast of Ling Jingshu, lowering her voice to say: “What Mother-in-Law said was for your benefit. Why refuse her goodwill?”

Just now, Sun Shi had been rebuffed outright — how embarrassing!

After all, yielding to Sun Shi’s wishes was not so onerous. It was only a matter of changing into different clothes and wearing some additional jewelry — hardly a great expenditure of time.

Ling Jingshu made no pretense of failing to understand Madam Jiang’s implied meaning, and said quietly: “I have no ambition of climbing to greater heights.”

Since that was her position, better to make it clear from the very beginning.

It was also better to prevent Sun Shi and Ling Daye from forming misconceptions that might entangle matters later.

Madam Jiang fell silent, inwardly rather astonished.

So it seemed that Ling Jingshu truly had no designs on the Crown Grandson at all…