“A’Shu, did you notice that the Crown Princess seems to regard the Second Young Miss Su with particular favor?”

“Mm.”

“A’Shu, what do you think — is the Crown Princess’s intention for the Second Young Miss Su to become the Crown Grandson’s principal consort?”

“Mm.”

“A’Shu, it seems Third Young Miss Jiang also has feelings for the Crown Grandson!”

“Mm…”

“Hey, hey, hey — I have said so much to you, and all you do is ‘mm, mm, mm.’ Is there truly nothing else you have to say?” Ling Jingyan protested with dissatisfaction.

Ling Jingshu shrugged her shoulders and looked up with a trace of helplessness: “All of these things are plainly obvious — what is there left to discuss?”

After a long pause, Ling Jingyan managed to squeeze out one sentence: “But… the person the Crown Grandson likes is clearly you…”

Before she could finish, Ling Jingshu deflected her with unhurried ease: “Cousin Yan, one must not say things without basis. Which ear of yours heard His Highness the Crown Grandson say he likes me?”

Ling Jingyan: “…”

Ling Jingyan pressed her lips into a disgruntled pout, then muttered in displeasure: “There is nobody else here — just the two of us. Why are you still being evasive in front of me? Anyone with decent eyesight can see that His Highness the Crown Grandson is smitten with you.”

Ling Jingshu was quiet for a moment, then said with candor: “Cousin Yan, I came to the capital to bring A’Xiao here to have his eye ailment treated — not to seek a marriage.”

She had long since resolved never to let her heart be moved by any man again. Even if that man were a Crown Grandson of great rank and power — it made no difference.

Seeing that Ling Jingshu’s expression had turned serious, Ling Jingyan set aside her teasing as well, and said in a straight, earnest tone: “A’Shu, I can see it clearly now — you truly have no such thoughts where His Highness the Crown Grandson is concerned. But this trouble is something you cannot escape from even if you try. A woman’s lifelong affairs are ultimately decided by her elders. If Grandmother and Fifth Uncle were to hear of this matter, how could they possibly remain unmoved? They might very well force you into a marriage with the Crown Prince’s residence whether you will it or not. I do not know what you are relying upon in your heart, but in any case — you must take great care.”

It was rare for Ling Jingyan, who was usually all smiles and playful mischief, to be this serious and earnest.

Warmth rose in Ling Jingshu’s heart. She nodded and smiled: “Very well — I have taken your warning to heart.”

That evening, Sun Shi and Ling Daye, who had returned home late, also spoke of the day’s events.

“The Second Young Miss Su came of age today. The Crown Princess personally led the Crown Grandson there and served as the primary presider. She gave the Second Young Miss Su considerable face.” Sun Shi said in a low, somewhat worried voice. “By all appearances, the Crown Princess clearly intends for the Second Young Miss Su to become the Crown Grandson’s principal consort.”

Ling Jingshu’s talent and beauty were no less than anyone else’s, but her family background fell far short. And Su Ying was moreover the Crown Princess’s own niece from her maternal family — naturally her standing in the Crown Princess’s heart was altogether different from the rest. Ling Jingshu fell even further behind in that regard.

Ling Daye laughed with an air of unconcerned ease: “Let Su Ying become the Crown Grandson’s principal consort — that is her affair. For A’Shu to enter the Crown Prince’s residence as secondary consort is already quite remarkable. Does she still wish to be principal consort?”

“As long as she can marry the Crown Grandson, with A’Shu’s talents, beauty, and character, she will certainly be the one the Crown Grandson favors and cherishes most. Whether a man likes a woman or not — it has nothing to do with family background.”

From the very beginning, what they had schemed for was the position of the Crown Grandson’s secondary consort.

After Ling Daye put it that way, Sun Shi’s spirits lightened considerably. She thought it over and said with a quiet smile: “This girl A’Shu — she looks quiet and restrained on the outside, but is actually quite clever and sharp-witted. She met the Second Young Miss Su only once and already made a connection. The Second Young Miss Su even specifically sent a formal invitation card, inviting her to come as a guest.”

This was clearly A’Shu paving the way for herself for the future!

Ling Daye arrived at the same thought as Sun Shi. With satisfaction, he stroked his beard and nodded with a pleased air: “Our Ling family can be said to have raised a capable and promising one.”

The husband and wife exchanged a look of delight.

“By the way, my Lord. The letter home was sent to Dingzhou a long while ago — why has there been no reply from Dingzhou all this time?” Sun Shi said, her brow furrowing as she spoke. “Could it be that Mother-in-law does not agree?”

Ling Daye considered briefly and shook his head decisively: “It will not be so. I know Mother’s character better than anyone. If there is an opportunity for the Ling family to restore its glory and bring honor to the clan, she would never let it slip away so easily.”

“But…” Sun Shi thought of what the Old Mistress Ling had said to her that day, and her brow furrowed even tighter.

Seeing Sun Shi hesitating and faltering, Ling Daye could not help but feel puzzled: “What is it? Do you know something and have been keeping it from me all this time?”

Sun Shi steeled herself and finally gave voice to the secret she had kept buried in her heart: “…When the Old Mistress spoke with me about this matter at the time, she made me absolutely swear to keep it secret — that it must not come to others’ knowledge. And so I never brought it up to my Lord. Moreover, I secretly observed A’Shu, and her behavior and conduct were no different from anyone else’s. There was simply no way to detect any trace of that strange illness. When my Lord wished to write the letter home, I therefore did not stop him. Thinking about it now, the Old Mistress must surely have her reservations at heart…”

The most important thing was that this strange illness had no way of being verified.

Ling Jingshu was still a young woman who had not yet been betrothed. On ordinary days, apart from A’Xiao, she would never allow any male other than him near her side. Who could see whether or not she actually had this strange illness?

Upon hearing this matter abruptly, Ling Daye’s expression shifted several times. His tone also grew urgent and anxious: “Preposterous! How could such a strange illness possibly exist in this world!”

He also shot a stern glare at Sun Shi: “A matter this important — why have you kept it hidden without saying a word?”

Knowing herself to be at fault, Sun Shi did not dare argue back.

Ling Daye drew several deep breaths to steady himself, then said: “Very well — what is done is done. For now, let us wait a while longer. At the very least, we must wait until Mother’s reply arrives before discussing further.”

The day for the acupuncture treatment had arrived once more.

The moment she stepped into the Crown Prince’s residence, Ling Jingshu sensed that something was amiss.

Wang Tong, the head commander of the Crown Grandson’s personal guards, was actually waiting at the gatehouse. The moment he caught sight of their party’s silhouettes, he at once came forward to meet them.

What was this about?

Ling Jingshu’s mind raced through possibilities in an instant, yet her outward demeanor remained completely composed. She greeted him with a smile: “Commander Wang — what a coincidence to encounter you here.”

Wang Tong wasted no time on pleasantries and went straight to the point: “Ninth Young Miss Ling — I am here specifically at His Highness the Crown Grandson’s orders, awaiting your arrival. I ask that the young gentleman please go wait in the guest room, while the Ninth Young Miss follows me.”

Everyone was taken aback.

A glint flashed in Ling Jingshu’s eyes, and she asked evenly: “Might I know what matter His Highness the Crown Grandson wishes to see me about?”

Wang Tong’s lips were sealed tight: “That I also do not know. His Highness gave the order, and I follow it — I ask that the Ninth Young Miss please come with me, and do not make things difficult for me.”

Ling Xiao frowned and spoke up: “Men and women are not to have undue contact — it does not seem entirely proper for His Highness to summon A’Shu alone. Allow me to accompany A’Shu.”

Wang Tong gave a brief pull at the corner of his lips, his words concise: “His Highness instructed only the Ninth Young Miss Ling to come and pay her respects — no other persons are permitted to go. I ask that the young gentleman please understand.”

Just because he was the Crown Grandson, did that make him above reproach?

Was that reason enough to disregard the proper boundaries between men and women and summon Ling Jingshu just like that?

The fire within Ling Xiao’s heart shot straight upward.

He was just about to say something further when Ling Jingshu gripped his hand firmly, signaling him to be calm and composed. She then looked toward Wang Tong with equanimity: “Please lead the way, Commander Wang.”