The following day, Ling Xiao sent his personal page boy, Shuangxi, to attend the family school in his stead.

The matter put him in excellent spirits. He stayed in Qiushui Pavilion chatting with Ling Jingshu for a long while, an excited flush blooming across his fair, handsome face. Ling Jingshu listened with patient, smiling attention, not the least bit restless.

All the male cousins in the household studied together at the family school. Ling Xiao spent his days confined to the inner courtyard — comfortable enough, but profoundly lonely. The only people he ever truly interacted with were the women of the inner quarters, and the only one who ever had real patience for his conversation was her.

“…Oh, by the way — I ran into Cousin Lu on my way here,” Ling Xiao said, suddenly mentioning Lu Hong. “He was very warm and friendly. He even stopped to talk with me for a while!”

The warmth in Ling Jingshu’s expression cooled by a degree.

Fortunately, Ling Xiao couldn’t see her face, and noticed nothing. He went on smiling. “When Cousin Lu heard I’d sent a page boy to attend the school in my place, he praised me up and down. I told him it was your idea, and he said you were extraordinarily clever. He also said the peonies you’ve been growing are especially beautiful, and that you have the heart of an orchid…”

Ling Jingshu had no desire to hear anything connected to Lu Hong. She cut Ling Xiao off: “A’Xiao — Grandmother’s seventieth birthday is nearly upon us. The invitations have all gone out, but Eldest Uncle’s family still hasn’t arrived in Dingzhou. Do you think something may have happened to delay them on the road?”

Ling Xiao’s attention shifted at once. He sighed, his brow knitting with worry. “You’re right. Grandmother has been fretting about them these past two days.”

From the capital to Dingzhou was thousands of li. If anything went wrong along the way, it could easily hold up the journey — a genuine cause for concern.

“Perhaps they’ll arrive today.” Ling Jingshu smiled to reassure him. “Eldest Uncle’s family traveled on an official vessel, along the official road. Bandits and those with ill intentions would never dare go near. You needn’t worry so much.”

Ling Xiao nodded obediently.

Ling Jingshu was quiet for a moment, then lowered her voice. “A’Xiao — there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Ling Xiao laughed softly. “Just say it outright. That formal tone of yours — I’m not used to it.”

The two of them had been born less than half a shichen apart, yet Ling Jingshu had always looked after him the way an elder sister truly would. After he lost his sight, Ling Xiao had come to trust and depend on her even more. When Ling Jingshu spoke, he almost always listened.

Ling Jingshu’s gaze softened. “A’Xiao — when you fell as a child, the injury to your head was what took your sight. Over the years we’ve consulted no small number of physicians, yet none of them have been able to restore it. The doctors in Dingzhou are not especially skilled; the finest healers in the realm are mostly in the Imperial Physicians’ Court. So I want to take you to the capital to seek treatment — to restore your sight.”

Ling Xiao looked both startled and bewildered. He took a long moment to process it, then began to stammer: “B-but — would Father and Grandmother ever allow us to travel to the capital on our own? And even if we got there, how would we find the right physicians?”

Since her rebirth, Ling Jingshu had been turning this problem over in her mind. She spoke now with calm confidence. “We could go with Eldest Uncle’s family, and stay at their residence for a time. With Eldest Uncle and his wife looking after us, Father and Grandmother shouldn’t have any real objections.

“As for finding physicians once we arrive — leave that to me. You don’t need to worry. In the worst case, nothing changes and we’re back where we started. But if it works — you’d be able to see again. Don’t you want to study and sit the examinations like anyone else?”

Of course he did.

For years, he’d had the same dream almost every night: his sight returned, the world coming back into view. He could read and write. He could take the examinations. He would no longer be the household’s burden, no longer a weight around Ling Jingshu’s neck…

Color flooded Ling Xiao’s fair face. His breathing grew unsteady, and he murmured to himself, uncertain: “Could I really — could there truly come a day when I can see again?”

Ling Jingshu felt a rush of fierce, tender sorrow. She quietly wrapped her hands around his trembling ones and said, with absolute certainty: “Yes. That day will come. A’Xiao — trust me.”

Ling Xiao nodded hard.

“For now, keep what I’ve said between the two of us,” Ling Jingshu said quickly. “Don’t breathe a word of it to anyone. I have it in hand — don’t let it trouble you.”

Ling Xiao nodded again on instinct, then let out a guilty sigh. “A’Shu, if it weren’t for me dragging you down — you could be like Cousin Jingwan and Cousin Jingxian, spending your days at leisure, with nothing to think about except how to look your best. It’s all because of me…”

“You are not dragging me down.” Ling Jingshu’s voice was fond, lightly chiding. “We are brother and sister. In all this world, we are the people closest to each other. As long as your sight can be healed, there is nothing I wouldn’t do willingly.”

Going to the capital served two purposes. First, she wanted to find treatment for Ling Xiao. Second, she wanted to find a way to take her revenge.

But her enemy’s position was untouchably lofty. Trying to retaliate on her own would be an ant pushing against a mountain, an egg hurled against a stone wall. She had to go to the capital and find another path.

Going alone, Grandmother and Fifth Master Ling would never agree. Using Ling Xiao’s eyes as justification was far more likely to sway them. And besides — the road ahead was long and uncertain, and she had no idea how much time and effort it would consume. How could she possibly leave Ling Xiao alone in the Ling household?

Having persuaded Ling Xiao, Ling Jingshu quietly exhaled with relief.

The two of them talked of small things to pass the time. Near noon, Nanny Liu arrived from Yonghe Hall with a summons from the Old Madam — the siblings were to come for the midday meal.

To share a meal with the Old Madam at Yonghe Hall was an honor many envied. The small kitchen there prepared food that far surpassed the main kitchen’s, and it was a sign of the Old Madam’s particular affection.

Under ordinary circumstances, it would have been a welcome occasion. But when Ling Jingshu thought of Madam Ling and the two Lu brothers being there as well, she found it impossible to feel anything but dread.

Yet the Old Madam’s summons was never to be refused.

Mo Kui delivered the message and noticed at once that Ling Jingshu showed no gladness — puzzling, though she kept her expression carefully smooth. She smiled and said, “The Old Madam is already waiting. Might the Ninth Young Miss and Tenth Young Master set off now, so as not to keep her waiting?”

Ling Jingshu steadied herself. “Understood,” she said, her voice flat.

Though Ling Xiao’s eyes could not see, his perception was exceptionally keen. He sensed her unease almost instantly, and leaned close to murmur, “A’Shu, are you sure you want to go? I can go alone and tell Grandmother you’re not feeling well…”

Warmth moved through Ling Jingshu’s chest, softening her gaze. “Grandmother asked for me because she cares for me. How could I refuse? Don’t worry. I feel perfectly fine.”

She would simply be unable to eat, once she laid eyes on Madam Ling and her sons — but that was a separate matter.

When they arrived at Yonghe Hall, Madam Ling and her sons were indeed already present.

Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao went forward together to offer their greetings to the Old Madam and Madam Ling.

The moment Lu Hong caught sight of Ling Jingshu, a flash of delight crossed his eyes. He rose and gave a bow between equals. “Cousin Jingshu.”

With the Old Madam watching, Ling Jingshu had no choice but to suppress what she felt. She met his bow with composed courtesy. “Cousin Lu Hong.”

Lu Qian likewise rose, his clear, handsome face brimming with smiles, his manner bright and lively. “Cousin Jingshu! I was just telling Great-Grandmother — that Luoyang Brocade peony of yours is extraordinary. Our Lu family’s peony garden has nothing half so beautiful.”

Ling Jingshu curved her lips faintly. “You flatter me, Cousin Lu Qian.”

Lu Qian seemed entirely oblivious to her cool reception and continued with warm enthusiasm. “Cousin Jingshu, I’d love to ask you about how to cultivate peonies. When might you have a moment to spare?”

Cousin Jingshu this, Cousin Jingshu that — he used the address with a familiarity that Ling Jingshu found frankly unwarranted.

Were they really that close?

She frowned ever so slightly and gave an evasive answer. “You’re too kind, Cousin Lu Qian. The truth is that the peonies were grown by the gardeners — I only stood nearby and watched, and have quite undeservedly received all the credit. If you’re curious about cultivation, you’d do well to spend time in the peony garden yourself. The gardeners will be happy to tell you everything they know.”

Lu Qian met this polite rebuff without any sign of deflation. He turned to the Old Madam instead and appealed to her with a coaxing tone. “Great-Grandmother, you were just praising Cousin Jingshu’s skill with peonies! I asked sincerely, and she won’t hear any of it!”

Ling Jingshu thought: …Has he taken leave of his senses?

The Old Madam had doted on this long-unseen grandson without reservation these past few days, indulging his every whim. Now she shot Ling Jingshu a mildly reproachful look. “Shu Jie’er, since A’Qian is genuinely curious, you could at least give him some guidance.”

Once the Old Madam spoke, Ling Jingshu could no longer deflect with the same words. She adopted a hesitant expression. “Grandmother — it has always been said that boys and girls of seven years and older should be kept apart. Cousin Lu Qian is twelve now. For the two of us to go to the peony garden alone together would be somewhat improper…”

“Cousin Jingshu raises a perfectly fair point.” Lu Hong’s eyes lit up. He stepped in immediately. “I’ll go along with them. That should put any idle gossip to rest.”

Ling Jingshu stared at him.

Madam Ling, seated nearby, had read the situation well enough. She gave a meaningful smile. “Very well. After the meal, you young ones can go to the garden together.”

Ling Jingshu pressed her lips together, wanting to object. In the end she said nothing.

Ling Xiao couldn’t make out Lu Hong’s expression, but he could sense clearly that Ling Jingshu’s mood had grown dark. He puzzled over it quietly. Cousin Lu Hong was so kind and amiable, and Cousin Lu Qian was lively and endearing enough. Yet Ling Jingshu seemed genuinely put out by both of them…

“A’Shu, I have nothing else to do. I’ll come along to the peony garden with you all and get some air.” Ling Xiao smiled and tugged at her sleeve.

Surely having him there would help lift her spirits a little.

The small gesture was not lost on Ling Jingshu. She gave a quiet sound of assent, and the tension eased from her brow.