Sun Shi led the group, following behind the gatekeeper’s head servant as they entered the Crown Prince’s residence.

At the thought of imminently meeting the Crown Princess, Sun Shi was both excited and beset by an inexpressible nervousness.

Madam Jiang had come to the Crown Prince’s residence before and appeared considerably more composed than Sun Shi after they entered. She spoke quietly to Ling Jingshu: “There is no need to be nervous when you see the Crown Princess. Simply follow my lead in paying your respects.”

Having already passed through something as inconceivable as death and rebirth, Ling Jingshu had long since settled into a composed and tranquil state of mind, with a patience and self-possession that far surpassed what she had once possessed.

In truth, she genuinely felt no nervousness about seeking an audience with the Crown Princess. Yet this manner of composure was absolutely not something to be shown openly. Otherwise, in others’ eyes, it would appear as disrespect toward the Crown Princess.

Before she had the power to exact her vengeance, what mattered far more was biding her time, concealing her capabilities, and keeping herself safe.

Ling Jingshu nodded compliantly.

Madam Jiang felt a faint, indefinable sense of something being different.

Ling Jingshu seemed to have changed somewhat — the barely perceptible stubborn determination and the unconscious sharp edge in her eyes had quietly dissolved away. In their place was something soft and yielding…

This Ling Jingshu, who appeared gentle and fragile, inspired not the slightest wariness or defensiveness in those around her.

This was more what a well-bred young lady of the inner chambers ought to look like.

Beyond the inner gate, the gatekeeper’s head servant halted and said to the maidservant standing guard with a pleasant smile: “The family members of Ling郎中 have arrived. Would you be so kind as to go announce them?”

The gatekeeper’s head servant of the Crown Prince’s residence, when dealing with officials or household members coming to call, was accustomed to projecting a degree of the Crown Prince residence’s own pride. Toward the Ling Family members just now, he had been neither warm nor cold. Yet now, upon seeing a mere junior door-guarding maidservant, he smiled as brightly as a flower in bloom…

A flicker of quiet amusement passed through Ling Jingshu’s mind. She lowered her head ever so slightly.

After waiting a moment, a female official of about twenty years of age walked out — it was none other than Ye Female Official, the Crown Princess’s trusted attendant.

Ye Female Official’s bearing was restrained and proper. A faint smile touched her lips as she gave a graceful, perfect demonstration of what it meant to be courteously superior and condescendingly polite: “The Crown Princess awaits in the inner hall. Please follow me, everyone.”

Sun Shi hastily smiled and offered her thanks: “Many thanks. I wonder how I ought to address you?”

Ye Female Official replied with a smile: “My surname is Ye. You may simply address me as Female Official Ye.”

A maidservant’s duty was to run errands, deliver messages, and attend to clothing and grooming. As a female official, she naturally did not perform such minor tasks — she assisted the Crown Princess in managing the affairs of the inner residence and received the female guests who came to call.

This Ye Female Official was evidently one of the Crown Princess’s closest and most trusted attendants.

The smile on Sun Shi’s face grew a shade more gracious: “We are much obliged, Female Official Ye.”

Ye Female Official smiled faintly. Her gaze swept over Madam Jiang, then passed to Ling Jingshu, who stood with her head slightly bowed… and her smile paused for just a moment.

She had arrived to seek an audience with the Crown Princess dressed this simply and casually?

Ye Female Official suppressed the slight displeasure that rose within her, swiftly casting an appraising glance at Ling Jingshu’s face — and could not help but be quietly astonished by her stunning beauty.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess — the family members of Ling郎中 have come to pay their respects.”

Ye Female Official went ahead into the inner hall and announced them respectfully.

The Crown Princess made a soft sound of acknowledgment and raised her eyes. Her gaze swept across the room, carrying with it the quiet, self-possessed authority of one long accustomed to high station.

Sun Shi steadied herself and stepped forward, performing a respectful curtsy: “Your servant Sun Shi pays her respects to the Crown Princess.”

Madam Jiang and Ling Jingshu and her brother all stepped forward together to pay their respects as well.

The Crown Princess pulled faintly at the corners of her mouth, her voice quite warm: “Rise. No need for such formality.” She then said to Ye Female Official: “Have Ling Furen seated, and bring tea.”

Sun Shi was flattered and hastily offered her thanks: “Many thanks to the Crown Princess.”

Shortly after, a maidservant brought over an embroidered stool, and Sun Shi sat down upon it with trepidation. Madam Jiang and Ling Jingshu and her brother, having no standing to be seated in conversation, each took their places standing at Sun Shi’s side.

Madam Jiang had met the Crown Princess several times before. The Crown Princess gave her only a brief glance, then let her gaze come to rest upon the pair of twin brother and sister that were Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao. Her eyes lit up at once.

She had seen her share of beautiful young women and handsome young men, but those who stood out as remarkably as these two were truly rare.

The girl in particular — no cosmetics, simply dressed, yet her beauty was clear and brilliant, otherworldly and pure. Standing there in quiet stillness, she was like an exquisite ink-wash painting.

“Yu Niang,” — the Crown Princess’s memory was notably good, for she still recalled Madam Jiang’s childhood name — “are these two also of the Ling Family?”

Madam Jiang replied with a smile: “In reply to the Crown Princess — these two siblings are of the fifth branch of the Ling Family. My younger sister-in-law’s given name is Jingshu, and my younger brother-in-law bears the character ‘Xiao’ in his name. They are twins.”

The Crown Princess smiled and praised: “What a finely fashioned pair of siblings — this palace has truly broadened its horizons today.”

Ling Jingshu smiled slightly and replied with eyes gently downcast: “Your servant would not presume to merit such gracious praise from the Crown Princess.”

Beautiful in appearance, warm and pleasant in voice, and gentle and respectful in bearing.

The Crown Princess could not help but nod inwardly with approval, then turned to Sun Shi: “This palace has met Yu Niang several times, but this is the first occasion that Ling Furen has seen fit to call in person. There must certainly be something that has brought you here — speak freely, without reservation.”

That the Crown Princess had put it in these terms was still giving the Ling Family some face.

Seeing that the Crown Princess was fairly approachable, Sun Shi’s courage grew considerably, and she said with a smile: “Your servant has come today with the brazenness to trouble you, Crown Princess, and indeed has a matter to request. Since the Crown Princess has so graciously asked, your servant shall presume to speak.”

A request, as expected.

The Crown Princess was not in the least surprised, and asked with an unruffled expression: “Oh? And what matter might that be?”

Those who arrived to request favors came in an unbroken stream, nearly every day.

Some came to seek official posts; some came to plea for leniency in some matter. The Ling Family had no established connection with the Crown Prince’s residence, yet had rushed here to call, opening their mouths at once with a request — it was rather unusual indeed…

Sun Shi rallied herself and said with a smile full of deference: “In reply to the Crown Princess — this matter does have some connection to His Highness the Crown Grandson as well. Your servant would beg the Crown Princess’s patience as she explains it from the beginning.”

How had the Crown Grandson been brought into this again?

The Crown Princess felt a quiet flicker of surprise, and her expression shifted almost imperceptibly: “Ling Furen need not keep us in suspense — simply say what you have come to say.”

That composed voice carried the incontestable authority of one seated high above.

Sun Shi’s heart gave a startled jolt and she dared not draw out her audience any further: “The matter is thus. Several years ago, A’Xiao suffered a fall and an injury that rendered him blind. It has been six years now. Having heard of Imperial Physician Wei’s exceptional skill, we wished to bring him to Huichun Hall to seek treatment. One month ago, we returned to the capital from Dingzhou, and the two siblings accompanied us…”

The Crown Princess’s expression did not change, but her brows shifted ever so slightly.

Only Ye Female Official, who was well acquainted with the Crown Princess’s temperament, could tell — the Crown Princess was growing impatient with the account.

The Crown Prince’s residence had so many complicated affairs each day that the Crown Princess was already hard-pressed to manage them all. How could she be expected to have the leisure to listen to the Ling Family’s trifling matter of seeking a physician?

This Ling Furen was long-winded and rambling, talking at great length without getting to the point. Truly unpleasant.

Just as the Crown Princess was barely holding back her impatience, Sun Shi at last reached the part about the nighttime encounter with bandits on the river, and the Crown Grandson who had led his soldiers to the rescue.