Imperial Physician Wei seemed to have perceived the Crown Grandson’s carefully concealed intentions, and said lightly, “A physician’s heart is that of a parent — this humble subject will do his utmost to treat him. As for the outcome, I cannot offer any guarantees.”

The Crown Grandson fell silent for a moment, then said, “As it happens, I have nothing else to attend to. I shall accompany you to the guest quarters.”

Imperial Physician Wei: “……”

The Crown Prince: “……”

Imperial Physician Wei’s eyes flickered faintly, and he curved the corners of his lips in a smile that was not quite a smile. “Since Your Highness is so inclined, please do come along with this humble subject.”

The Crown Grandson tugged at the corner of his mouth and said nothing further. He turned to take his leave of the Crown Prince: “Father, your son will withdraw first.”

Only then did the Crown Prince finally catch on. He cleared his throat and said, “Come to think of it, I have nothing pressing today either. Hearing the two of you speak of the Ling siblings, I find myself rather curious. I shall go along with you for a look.”

The Crown Grandson: “……”

Imperial Physician Wei: “……”

Everyone exchanged glances, and for a moment no one spoke.

After a brief pause, the Crown Grandson finally opened his mouth, his expression twisted: “Father’s constitution is frail, and you need rest and quiet. It is raining outside today — it would be better if Father did not go out.”

The Crown Prince laughed softly. “Though my health is not exactly robust, I will not collapse from a bit of rain.”

As he spoke, he rose to his feet and waved at the Crown Grandson with easy warmth. “Come, walk with me.”

No matter how gentle the Crown Prince’s temperament, he had been the Heir Apparent for many years, and there was an innate dignity in his every word and movement.

The Crown Grandson, however stubborn, could not defy his own father. He nodded with distinct reluctance.

“A’Shu, it has been so long — why has Imperial Physician Wei still not come?”

Ling Jingyan was not one to sit still. Having drunk two cups of tea without any sign of Imperial Physician Wei, she had begun to grow anxious, craning her neck and shifting restlessly in her seat.

Ling Jingshu, by contrast, was quite patient. She smiled and said, “Imperial Physician Wei needs to take the Crown Prince’s pulse — he may well be performing acupuncture and writing prescriptions too. That always takes time. Did he not say before that he would ask us to wait half an hour?”

Jiang Shi smiled and teased, “A’Yan, if you find the waiting so intolerable, you need not come next time.”

Ling Jingyan immediately changed her tune with a cheerful grin. “Who said I find it intolerable? Sitting here drinking tea — I have never been more at ease.”

Ling Jingshu burst out laughing despite herself. She was just about to say something when a palace maid dressed in a jade-green skirt walked in and curtsied. “Young masters and young misses, the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson have arrived.”

Everyone: “……”

What was this about?!

They were waiting for Imperial Physician Wei. How on earth had the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson come here? Jiang Shi was quietly astonished and could not help casting a glance at Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu was equally bewildered. It was just about conceivable that the Crown Grandson might come — but why would the lofty Crown Prince himself stoop to come and see them?

Yet there was no time to dwell on that now.

Meeting the Crown Prince in person — one could not afford to neglect the proper courtesies.

Ling Jingshu composed herself and quickly took Ling Xiao’s hand, pulling him to his feet. She whispered in his ear, “A’Xiao, there is no need to panic. Follow me and bow in greeting.”

Ling Xiao had indeed been thrown into a panic upon hearing that the Crown Prince was coming. Hearing that familiar voice beside his ear, the turbulence in his heart quickly settled, and he nodded firmly.

In the span of those few short words, the Crown Prince’s party had already entered.

Ling Jingshu kept her gaze lowered, her expression composed and demure. Together with Jiang Shi and the others, she stepped forward to pay her respects: “This humble young woman pays her respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

A male voice rang out — authoritative yet tempered with warmth. “Rise. There is no need for ceremony.”

Everyone expressed their gratitude together and stood upright.

As she rose, Ling Jingshu stole a swift, discreet glance.

This Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was, just as rumour had it, strikingly handsome and bearing an extraordinary air — commanding without anger. It was a pity that the grave injuries he had sustained years ago had damaged his vital energy beyond repair, leaving his complexion with an unnatural pallor.

The Crown Grandson stood at the Crown Prince’s side. Father and son bore some resemblance in their features, yet their temperaments were entirely different.

Imperial Physician Wei stood just behind the Crown Prince. He possessed neither the Crown Prince’s dignified authority nor the Crown Grandson’s cold and cutting sharpness — his manner was warm and composed, yet impossible to overlook.

The Crown Prince was also looking everyone over.

The woman with her hair pinned in a married woman’s style was Jiang Shi; the young man whose eyes were swathed in layers of gauze was naturally Ling Xiao. The other two young women both appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years of age.

One wore a pink dress, with fine and delicate features — vivacious and charming.

The other young woman was dressed simply and plainly, yet her brows and eyes were exquisitely lovely, luminously beautiful. Particularly those clear, dark, bright eyes — they were like a pool of tranquil spring water, and with a single glance one could not help but be drawn in.

Even the Crown Prince, accustomed as he was to great beauty, felt a sudden brightening of the eyes.

This young woman must be the ninth young miss of the Ling family.

After a brief appraisal, the Crown Prince asked, “You are the Ninth Young Miss of the Ling Family?”

Could the Crown Prince have come all this way specially to see her?

When this notion flashed through Ling Jingshu’s mind, she found it utterly absurd. Yet apart from this absurd reason, what other explanation was there?

“Yes, this humble young woman happens to rank ninth among the children in her family.” Ling Jingshu lowered her head slightly and answered with gentle, respectful compliance.

This Ninth Young Miss — she appears soft-tempered and well-mannered, answering with propriety. She seems quite proper. Why on earth does the Crown Princess hold such a strong prejudice against her?

The Crown Prince thought this privately, and the warmth in his expression deepened further. “You have travelled a thousand li to accompany your younger brother to the capital for medical treatment. Such wholehearted devotion in protecting a sibling is truly moving.”

“From now on, once every five days, the two of you siblings shall come to the Crown Prince’s residence. After I have had my pulse taken by Imperial Physician Wei, he will perform the acupuncture treatment for your brother.”

Ling Jingshu was overjoyed beyond her expectations and quickly bowed to express her gratitude. “This humble young woman is deeply grateful for Your Highness the Crown Prince’s benevolence.”

With the Crown Prince’s word behind them, their future comings and goings from the Crown Prince’s residence would carry far more standing — a few more degrees of confidence. Even if the Crown Princess harboured prejudice and ill will toward her, it would no longer matter.

Ling Xiao reacted a beat slower, but also stepped forward two paces, clasped his hands in a bow, and expressed his thanks. “Ling Xiao is grateful for His Highness the Crown Prince’s gracious favour.”

The Crown Prince looked Ling Xiao over, and sighed with regret. “At this age, one ought to be full of youthful vigour and rising spirits — yet you are unable to see because of this eye ailment. It is truly lamentable.”

He then turned to look at Imperial Physician Wei and said, “Imperial Physician Wei, I hope you will be able to cure Young Master Ling’s eye ailment and restore his sight.”

The same sentiment, spoken by the Crown Grandson, could not help but carry a slight air of condescension and cutting pressure.

The Crown Prince’s manner and tone were far gentler — leaving no room for any trace of resentment or displeasure, and making it all the more impossible to refuse.

To have become the Heir Apparent of the Eastern Palace, to have gathered the allegiance of so many civil and military officials — this Crown Prince was indeed no ordinary man.

Even Ling Jingshu, who since her rebirth had harboured wariness and vigilance toward everyone, could not help but feel a measure of goodwill toward this Crown Prince.

Imperial Physician Wei cupped his hands and answered with grave sincerity, “This humble subject will do everything in his power and will not fail Your Highness’s expectations.”

The Crown Grandson stood at the Crown Prince’s side and had not uttered a single word throughout. His gaze swept past Ling Jingshu’s face, alight with joy, and then quickly moved away.