The Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace residence was situated very close to the Imperial Palace.

Reckoning the distance — from the palace gate to the main entrance of the Crown Prince’s residence — it was no more than the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.

The Prince Yan Residence, the Prince Kang Residence, and the Prince An Residence were all near the Imperial Palace as well, not far from the Crown Prince’s residence. Princess Changping’s mansion and the Rong Imperial Prince’s mansion were also located in the vicinity of the palace.

Within the inner city of Luoyang, land was worth its weight in gold. Ordinary commoners could not afford residences there and mostly dwelt in the outer city. Those who could afford to own property in the inner city were either wealthy or of noble station. For an official of the fourth rank, such as Ling Daye, heading a large household of family members and residing in a courtyard of three connected compounds, was entirely commonplace in this quarter.

The streets and road surfaces here were more than twice as wide and level as those of ordinary wards and markets. Every residence occupied an enormous tract of land, with ornately carved beams and intricately painted rafters of surpassing splendor.

In this realm where imperial power reigned supreme, the Yang family had become the most honored bloodline of the Great Zhou dynasty. The imperial princes, imperial princesses, imperial grandchildren, and all the various imperial relatives had become the most honored and singular class of people in all the world. They possessed all manner of privileges that placed them above the laws of Great Zhou…

And among them dwelt her enemy.

Ling Jingshu lifted the carriage curtain, looked out through the window for a moment, then quietly let the curtain fall.

Madam Jiang studied the serene profile of Ling Jingshu’s face, and could not divine what was passing through her mind.

A young girl of this age, living comfortably with every want provided for — should she not be passing each day in high spirits, her greatest concern no more than longing for the young man she fancied, just like little sister-in-law Ling Jingyan—

Ling Jingyan indignantly protested: Hey — if you must use an example, why must I always be the cautionary tale—

Ling Jingshu was several months younger than Ling Jingyan, yet showed not the slightest restlessness or flightiness. With a smile on her face and a calm, settled expression, her thoughts were impossible for anyone to penetrate.

Today they were to call upon the Crown Prince’s residence and seek an audience with the Crown Princess, yet she showed hardly a trace of anxious nervousness…

“Sister-in-Law, you have been watching me quite intently this whole time.” Ling Jingshu’s smiling voice broke through Madam Jiang’s reverie.

Madam Jiang came back to herself and said teasingly with a smile: “In this carriage, you are the most pleasing to look at — who else should I look at?”

Ling Jingshu smiled warmly: “Sister-in-Law must not flatter me so. In my eyes, Sister-in-Law is clever, kind, gentle, and thoughtful — you are truly wonderful.”

Madam Jiang pressed her lips together and smiled: “And here I thought I was the one who knew how to give a fine compliment. You are the true expert — every word goes straight to my heart.”

Just as they were talking and laughing, Sun Shi spoke up unexpectedly: “Yu Niang has been well since she married into the family these past few years — there is truly nothing to find fault with. If only she could conceive and add a plump, rosy grandchild to our Ling Family, that would be even better.”

Here it was again.

The smile on Madam Jiang’s face stiffened ever so slightly.

Every time this subject came up, it was like being struck in a weak spot — she dared not utter a word.

Ling Jingshu deliberately diverted the conversation to rescue Madam Jiang, saying with a smile: “Great-Aunt, we must be nearly at the Crown Prince’s residence? The carriage has been traveling for almost an hour now.”

Sun Shi lifted the carriage curtain and looked out, then replied with a smile: “Just ahead.”

The Crown Prince’s residence was a grade above those of imperial princes and princesses in terms of its official status and scale.

Mighty stone lions sat on either side of the main gate. Eastern Palace guards armored in full military dress and holding long spears were arrayed in two orderly rows at the entrance, emanating a stern and forbidding air.

Naturally the carriage could not halt at the gate — that would be a grave disrespect to His Highness the Crown Prince. When still dozens of meters away, the carriage had to stop, and the head of household servants was dispatched to present the visiting card at the side gate.

The gatekeeper of the Crown Prince’s residence received the visiting card and went inside to announce the caller. Only after the Crown Princess had given her consent and approval would visitors be permitted to enter.

After having the card presented, Sun Shi felt a trace of nervousness: “I wonder whether the Crown Princess has time today, and whether she would be willing to see us.”

Properly speaking, when seeking an audience with the Crown Princess, one ought to have sent a calling card at least two days in advance. Only after the Crown Princess had signified her agreement would one then call. This time, circumstances had pressed them to act hastily, arriving unannounced in this manner — if they were turned away at the door, the humiliation would be considerable.

Compared to Sun Shi, Madam Jiang was far more composed, and said with a calm smile: “The Crown Princess is of an easy and gentle temperament. As long as she has time, she should agree to see us.”

As a daughter of the Jiang family — even as a daughter of a concubine — the blood of a distinguished noble family flowed in her veins, and the pride that came with it. The natural ease of her tone when speaking of the Crown Princess was far removed from Sun Shi’s.

With this reassurance from her daughter-in-law, Sun Shi’s nervousness at once settled. She could not help thinking inwardly that the Old Master had spent a great deal of effort forging this marriage alliance all those years ago — and it had indeed been the right decision.

If only her daughter-in-law could produce a grandchild a little sooner—

The gatekeeper’s head servant could not enter the inner residence, so he handed the visiting card to a maidservant standing guard at the gate. The maidservant then conveyed the card to the Crown Princess’s lady-in-waiting, Ye Female Official.

Ye Female Official was about twenty years of age, with an oval face and considerable beauty. As she walked, her skirts did not so much as stir, and her steps made no sound at all. She glided silently into the inner hall:

“Your Highness the Crown Princess — a family member of Ling郎中 of the Bureau of Works has presented a calling card and requests an audience.”

The woman seated in the inner hall had been bowing her head over the household accounts, but lifted her eyes upon hearing the announcement and asked without great interest: “Have they sent a calling card before?”

This woman was none other than Crown Princess Su Shi.

The Crown Grandson was fifteen years of age this year. The Crown Princess had given birth to him at the age of eighteen — which meant the Crown Princess was now thirty-three. Yet she had lived in such comfort and preserved herself so well that her face, lightly touched with cosmetics, was beautiful and graceful, with an air of exceptional bearing. She appeared to be no more than in her mid-twenties.

The Crown Princess was of scholarly lineage, born into a family of letters. Her father, Su Yu, was a great scholar of the present dynasty, who had served as the Rector of the Imperial Academy and as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. His students could be found throughout the civil service, and his reputation for integrity in scholarly circles was outstanding.

Ye Female Official replied with respectful deference: “No, Your Highness. They are likely in urgent need and came hastily, forgetting this formality in their hurry.”

The Crown Princess said nothing, merely furrowing her brow slightly.

Ye Female Official, clearly well acquainted with the Crown Princess’s disposition, ventured with a probing tone: “If Your Highness does not wish to receive them, I shall have the gatekeeper return the calling card.”

“Never mind — since they have already come, let us receive them.”

The Crown Princess said in an even tone: “The Ling Family is of no particular consequence. Yet if His Highness the Crown Prince’s supporters come and are refused by this palace, that would only chill their hearts. Moreover, the Ling Family’s eldest daughter-in-law is surnamed Jiang — a distant relation of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

In the end, it was Madam Jiang who carried the greater weight.

Ye Female Official understood clearly, quickly assented with a smile, turned and went out to relay the instructions, then returned.

“By the way — Changping sent word several days ago that she would come to the residence today. How is it that there is still no sign of her?” The Crown Princess seemed to recollect something and asked offhandedly.

Ye Female Official replied promptly: “Perhaps something has come up and delayed her. Shall this servant go and send someone to inquire?”

The Crown Princess pulled faintly at the corners of her mouth: “That will not be necessary.”

Knowing Princess Changping’s willful and capricious temperament as she did — if the princess had found some new amusement, she had likely long since forgotten the matter entirely.

If she truly did arrive, that would be the real inconvenience.

One look at the fact that she had not been specially awaited, and with the Ling Family’s household members already in attendance, Changping would certainly throw a tantrum.