In truth, there was nothing really to be angry about.

The Crown Grandson occupied an exalted position, accustomed to issuing commands. A person like that could never understand what it felt like to be coerced by power and authority — nor would he ever know how arrogant and repellent such conduct was.

And besides — she too had hoped to see him alone.

It had already been over two months since arriving in the capital, and she had been busy all this time with having A’Xiao’s eye ailment treated. Her plan for revenge had not yet had a chance to begin. Today was precisely a good opportunity.

Wang Tong was tall and imposing, his features stern and cold. Being moreover the head commander of the Crown Grandson’s personal guard, he commanded considerable prestige within the Crown Prince’s residence — wherever he walked, he drew people’s attentive gazes.

With Ling Jingshu and Bai Yu following behind Wang Tong, they naturally also drew the curious glances of the palace maids and inner attendants.

Word of the Crown Grandson’s private summons would certainly reach the Crown Princess’s ears very quickly. Given the Crown Princess’s temperament and character, her prejudice against her was likely to deepen yet another layer… but none of that was anything worth caring about.

She had no intentions of climbing toward power and influence, and harbored absolutely no ambition to marry the Crown Grandson.

Whether the Crown Princess liked her or not made not the slightest difference.

Wang Tong led Ling Jingshu and her maid into Haohantang Hall, saying as they went: “This is His Highness the Crown Grandson’s private residence.” He paused, then added with a meaningful note: “His Highness the Crown Grandson has always disliked having outsiders come and go from this place. The Ninth Young Miss is the first woman ever to walk into Haohantang Hall.”

And so, she was supposed to express overwhelmed, trembling gratitude?

Ling Jingshu gave a slight pull at the corner of her lips. A trace of quiet mockery flickered in her eyes, and she replied evenly: “I wonder where His Highness the Crown Grandson will see me.”

Her voice was placid and undisturbed.

A flash of surprise crossed Wang Tong’s face, and he quickly answered: “His Highness the Crown Grandson has made arrangements in advance. The Ninth Young Miss need not worry — please follow me.”

An unmarried young man and woman ought not to be alone together in a closed room.

The Crown Grandson had specifically chosen an open garden pavilion. Guards, both visible and concealed, were stationed roughly seven or eight meters away. This arrangement meant they could not hear what was being said inside the pavilion, yet they could at any moment ensure the Crown Grandson’s safety.

More importantly, with so many guards present, it was sufficient to dispel any suspicion of improper seclusion.

Walking along the covered walkway, Ling Jingshu caught sight of the Crown Grandson’s silhouette in the distance.

The Crown Grandson stood with his back toward her, hands clasped behind him.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, he turned around. The moment her figure fell into his field of vision, a peculiar glint flashed abruptly through his deep and cool eyes.

A young man with newly awakened feelings, who has caught sight of the maiden his heart is set upon — no matter how composed and steady he is, he cannot fully control the surge of emotion rising within him.

Thinking of what he was about to say to her, his heartbeat also suddenly quickened.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

She raised her eyes and looked over, her gaze carrying a certain complexity. Her steps remained unhurried and composed. Her graceful silhouette was extraordinarily captivating.

Wang Tong stopped several meters away and also timely called out to the ever-loyal Bai Yu: “Bai Yu, wait here.” Though Bai Yu was not entirely willing, she nonetheless stopped in her tracks.

Ling Jingshu stepped forward and performed a bow: “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Grandson.”

Blood pulsed warmly through his temples, leaving his mouth slightly dry. His body felt strangely stiff as well. After a moment, the Crown Grandson finally exhaled a long breath, his voice slightly husky: “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Ling Jingshu straightened gracefully: “Might I know why Your Highness has summoned me? What matter is it?”

What matter?

How was he supposed to put that into words?

The Crown Grandson’s mind was in a certain degree of disarray.

Suddenly a scene from their first meeting surfaced in his mind — her face pale, her expression stubborn and unyielding. She had killed the bandit with a single stroke, searing a deep imprint upon his heart.

Her quick wit and sharp cleverness when she had argued back at him had also left a strong impression on him.

It was a pity that after arriving in the capital, the distance between the two of them had inexplicably grown much wider. When they next met, the swords-drawn tension of their earlier sparring was gone — all that remained was deference and distance…

It must be because of the need to avoid impropriety.

She was that clever — how could she not see that his mother consort did not like her? And with that pride and stubbornness of hers, how could she bring herself to lower her dignity and seek to please his mother consort?

Thinking of what his mother consort had said to him after they returned from the Su household yesterday, the Crown Grandson’s eyes dimmed.

“A’Yao, you are no longer so young — you are also at the age for selecting a consort and taking a wife. Your father-prince and I are fond of Ying’er and Rongyue. Ying’er’s beauty and talent are unmatched, and her disposition is gentle. Rongyue is the sole legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying’s household, and has moreover a sweet and adorable character. Both of them grew up with you. Whichever one you marry, it would be a fine match.”

“Which of them are you partial to?”

No!

For Su Ying, he felt only the affection of siblings. For Jiang Rongyue, he had likewise never had any other thoughts. The one he liked, the one he wished to marry, was not either of them!

He had pressed his lips tightly together and after a long while finally wrested out a few words: “Mother Consort, I…”

His mother consort seemed to anticipate what he was about to say and quickly cut him off: “A’Yao, you are the Crown Grandson. You will one day be heir to the throne, and then Son of Heaven. Your proper wife and original consort must be a lady of distinguished family — that she possesses both talent and beauty is secondary. What matters more is that her family background is sufficient to be worthy of you.”

“Others see only the great power and prestige of the Crown Prince’s residence, and know nothing of the dangerous situation we face. Countless people are watching the Crown Prince’s residence’s every move from the shadows, and more plots and schemes than anyone can count are lying in wait for you and your father-prince.”

“At a time like this, you are not permitted to be willful. I will absolutely not allow you to take as a wife some young woman of low and obscure origins who appeared at your side out of nowhere! Your father-prince would not allow it either!”

“If you truly cannot let her go, I will reluctantly concede one step — I will permit you to take her into the household as a secondary consort. However, that must wait at the very least until after your principal marriage. Once you have married Ying’er or Rongyue, and once your wife is with child — only then may this matter be considered. Otherwise, I will never agree.”

After returning from his mother consort’s side, his mind had been in complete turmoil — he had spent nearly the entire night without sleep.

It was only as dawn broke that, knowing that today was again the day Imperial Physician Wei would enter the residence to take the pulse of his father-prince and that she would certainly come with Ling Xiao, he finally surfaced from the murky confusion.

He had to see her!

He had to pour out everything in his heart!

He had to tell her — even though he was unable to take her as his principal consort, the person he truly liked was her. He would make it up to her many times over in the days ahead.

So she must not allow herself to fall for anyone else. She had to have faith in him — she had to wait for him!

He had waited for her full of joyful anticipation yet anxious unease. But now, with the two of them face to face, he suddenly found that beneath her clear and tranquil gaze, the words in his heart simply could not be spoken.

The Crown Grandson went a long while without speaking.

Ling Jingshu waited with patience — neither pressing him nor showing the slightest impatience.

The Crown Grandson steadied himself, and at last mustered the courage. Yet the words that came out of his mouth had nothing to do with what he had intended to say: “My Sixth Imperial Uncle is aware that you are coming today. Given his character, he will very likely be here soon.”

Wait — why had he said that!

The Crown Grandson’s brow knitted. He was quite irritated and dissatisfied with his own performance.