Prince Yan’s manor was only the time of a cup of tea’s distance from the Crown Prince’s manor, and they soon arrived.

Compared to the dignified solemnity of the Crown Prince’s manor, Prince Yan’s manor seemed far more casual. Its extravagant, grand architectural style was identical to that of Princess Changping’s residence.

The difference was that handsome eunuchs could be seen everywhere at Princess Changping’s residence, whereas Prince Yan’s manor was filled with beauties like clouds.

The moment they stepped through the gate of Prince Yan’s manor, a slender, alluringly beautiful woman came toward them, her eyes especially seductive, her dress and adornments exquisite — clearly not an ordinary maid.

“Ping’er pays respects to Your Highness.” The woman bowed gracefully, her eyes brimming with tender affection.

Prince Yan, for once, felt a rare twinge of guilt, instinctively glancing at Ling Jingshu before saying with a blank expression, “No need for formalities, rise. Why aren’t you staying properly in your own courtyard? What are you doing running over here.”

Prince Yan’s manor kept quite a few such beauties, none of whom even held the status of a concubine. However, since Prince Yan had not yet formally married and there was no princess consort to oversee the household, these beauties led a fairly carefree life.

This Ping’er was one of the more favored among the beauties.

Ping’er stepped forward twice, drawing very close to Prince Yan, her soft voice carrying a trace of grievance. “Your Highness has been so busy lately, it’s been so long since you came to Ping’er’s courtyard. Ping’er has nothing to do, so she often waits by the gate, only hoping that whenever Your Highness comes and goes, she might catch a glimpse of you — that alone would satisfy her heart.”

Prince Yan: “……”

Prince Yan wished he could order someone to sew her mouth shut!

This tactless fool! Why did she have to pop up at this exact moment!

He had so eagerly invited the Ling siblings on their first visit, and yet the moment they walked in, the first thing they saw was a concubine fawning for his attention……

No matter how thick-skinned Prince Yan was, his face burned with embarrassment at that moment. He simply didn’t have the courage to turn and look at what expression was on Ling Jingshu’s face right now!

Watching this scene, Ling Jingyan felt only the bitterest sorrow in her heart. The longing and admiration she had once held suddenly seemed utterly absurd and laughable, the moment Ping’er leaned against Prince Yan in front of everyone.

A’Shu had been right!

Prince Yan and she simply did not belong to the same world. What she had liked was merely the young man of her own imagination! Having dreamed for so long, it was time to wake up……

“Your Highness……” Ping’er tried to draw closer still, but Prince Yan, his face dark, dodged aside.

Caught off guard, Ping’er stumbled a step and nearly fell.

Everyone present, being rather considerate, each held back their laughter and turned their heads away.

Prince Yan glanced quickly at Ling Jingshu, only to catch the corners of her lips curving upward. His anger flared even more, and he snapped sharply, “Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough already? If you disturb this Prince’s guests, I will hold you responsible!”

Prince Yan’s anger was by no means feigned.

Ping’er had been in the manor for less than half a year and was used to seeing Prince Yan’s carefree, dissolute charm — never had she seen him turn so harsh. She was instantly frightened into a shiver and dropped to her knees with a thud. “It was Ping’er’s rashness and recklessness. I beg Your Highness’s mercy, please forgive Ping’er this once. Ping’er will never dare again……”

As she pleaded, she began to sob softly.

Prince Yan’s expression turned even uglier.

No one expected that Ling Jingshu would speak up at this moment to plead on Ping’er’s behalf. “Please, Your Highness, calm your anger. Miss Ping’er’s longing simply ran too deep for her to restrain her feelings. For Your Highness to reproach her so harshly would surely humiliate Miss Ping’er, and chill the hearts of the other beauties around you as well.”

Her tone was plainly gentle and soft, yet Prince Yan somehow caught a note of mockery in that last sentence.

And yet there was no way for him to vent his anger over it!

Prince Yan’s expression shifted, then quickly returned to normal. Feigning indifference, he replied with a smile. “Very well. Since Ninth Miss Ling has spoken up to plead for you, this Prince will forgive you this once. Now hurry and thank Ninth Miss Ling for her kindness.”

Ping’er let out a breath of relief and hurriedly rose to bow. “Many thanks to Ninth Miss Ling for speaking up for Ping’er. Ping’er is endlessly grateful in her heart.”

“Please rise, Miss Ping’er.” Ling Jingshu replied with a smile, her voice soft and pleasant to the ear.

As she rose, Ping’er swiftly sized up Ling Jingshu. The instant she looked, her heart turned cold.

This Ninth Miss Ling was so strikingly, exquisitely beautiful!

Given Prince Yan’s fickle nature of favoring the new and tiring of the old, he had clearly been captivated by this Ninth Miss Ling, which was why her own appearance had displeased him so particularly……

Even as Ping’er observed Ling Jingshu, Ling Jingshu was likewise sizing up this Ping’er.

She wasn’t very old, appearing to be around sixteen or seventeen, yet she carried a striking allure. Such allure was clearly not something a proper, well-bred young lady would possess — it seemed instead like that of a girl raised in the brothels and pleasure houses.

Considering Prince Yan’s unrestrained, dissolute nature, it really wasn’t surprising that he kept concubines and beauties in his household.

Back when she had married into the Lu family, Lu An too had been surrounded by beauties. This was perhaps a common ailment among men who held power. Given the chance to sample every beauty, who would still choose to keep themselves pure?

“Ping’er, you may withdraw for now.” Prince Yan gave Ping’er a warning glance, the meaning of which was quite clear.

If she babbled nonsense again, she shouldn’t blame him for being unkind!

Ping’er quickly grasped the warning in Prince Yan’s gaze and, not daring to linger any longer, immediately took her leave.

With this little episode having occurred, Prince Yan felt rather awkward inside, and lost some of his previous arrogant, commanding air. He coughed once and said, “The people of my household are poorly disciplined. I’m afraid we’ve made a spectacle for everyone.”

Ling Jingshu raised her eyes and smiled faintly. “Miss Ping’er’s deep devotion to Your Highness is what led to her improper conduct. We all understand. Your Highness need not take it to heart!”

Having made such a fool of himself in front of the woman he fancied, how could he possibly not take it to heart!

What was even more infuriating was that Ling Jingshu clearly hadn’t taken the matter to heart at all — nor had she taken him to heart either.

Hmph! Sooner or later, she would willingly submit to him and become his woman!

Prince Yan gave Ling Jingshu a deep, lingering look, then said with a casual smile, as if nothing had happened, “It’s getting late, and I’m sure everyone is hungry. Ruomo Hall is just ahead — follow this Prince inside!”

With that, he set off ahead of the others.

Everyone had no choice but to follow behind.

Ruomo Hall was where Prince Yan resided day to day; its lavish furnishings needed no elaboration.

The maids worked with brisk efficiency, having already arranged the dining hall. The spacious hall held two round tables, separated in the middle by a folding screen — this way, the seating was divided yet remained within close reach of one another.

Prince Yan nodded inwardly with satisfaction. The guard who had gone back to deliver the message was quite clever — a talent worth using!

Ling Xiao and Imperial Physician Wei sat at one table with Prince Yan, while Ling Jingshu and the other two sat at the other table, separated by the screen.

The two tables were separated only by a single screen, very close together — any voice raised even slightly would carry to the ears at the neighboring table. As a result, Ling Jingshu naturally had no inclination to talk.

Ling Jingyan and Jiang Shi were much the same, eating their lunch in silence.

The imperial chefs at Prince Yan’s manor truly possessed superb skill, using only the finest, most precious ingredients, and the dishes were excellent in color, aroma, and flavor alike.

Unfortunately, Ling Jingshu was in no mood to savor good food, and everything she ate tasted as bland as chewing wax.