Ling Jingxian raised her brow, smiling with a trace of arrogance. “The peonies of Luoyang are renowned throughout the land. I’ve been living in the capital all these years and have attended many a flower-viewing banquet. I’ve seen no small number of famous varieties, and have learned a fair amount of cultivation techniques from the household’s gardeners — I even managed to grow a few rare specimens myself. Since Jingshu meimei is also skilled in this regard, I shall have to ask for your guidance sometime.”

She spoke of asking for guidance, yet the expression on her face made clear she intended nothing less than a contest.

Ling Jingshu had been about to decline, but then reconsidered. She planned to follow Ling Daye’s family to the capital, so dealings with Ling Jingxian would be unavoidable.

“Since Jingxian jiejie has such an interest, I would not be so bold as to refuse. I can only humbly keep you company.” Ling Jingshu offered a faint smile. “Please do not hesitate to enlighten me.”

Her manner was deferential, and the goodwill in her tone was understated but unmistakable — pleasant to hear without being obsequious.

Ling Jingxian’s mood improved considerably, and she looked at Ling Jingshu with far less displeasure than before. “Very well, I shall come and find you tomorrow.”

“Jingxian jiejie has traveled a long way — you are the honored guest here. It would not be right for me to make you go to the trouble. I will come and find you tomorrow instead,” Ling Jingshu said with a smile.

Ling Jingxian nodded, pleased.

Ling Jingwan, who had witnessed this entire exchange: “…”

She had deliberately stirred the pot, hoping Ling Jingshu would get a sharp rebuff from Ling Jingxian — a bit of satisfaction for herself, and a little entertainment to watch. How had it ended up like this?

After the long journey, everyone was weary, and the banquet ended with each person retiring to their room.

Ling Shi had been staying in Yonghe Hall, but with Lu An’s arrival, it would no longer be appropriate for her to remain there. Her belongings were moved to a guest room, which had been kept spotlessly clean with fresh bedding — ready for occupancy at any time.

Lu An sat in a chair. Lu Hong and Lu Qian stood side by side before him.

Lu An’s expression was serious as he asked, “A’Hong, A’Qian — have you been comfortable these past days at the Ling household?”

Lu Hong felt more awe than closeness toward this father of his, and answered respectfully: “To answer Father — the Ling household has been warm and welcoming, and they have taken thorough care of every need. I have had no complaints.”

Lu An gave a murmur of acknowledgment, then looked toward Lu Qian.

Facing his youngest son, who was still young and slight in frame, Lu An’s expression softened somewhat. “A’Qian, this is your first time visiting your maternal grandmother’s family. Have they treated you well?”

Lu Qian lowered his head. “Grandmother is very kind. The uncles and aunts have been attentive and considerate. The cousins have all been quite pleasant toward me as well.”

“Don’t spend all your time playing and neglect your studies.”

“I review my books every day and have not slacked off. Please rest at ease, Father.”

The answers were perfectly proper, with nothing to fault.

Yet Lu An’s brow creased.

Lu Hong was his eldest son, and Lu An had always been strict with him — it was only natural that Lu Hong stood stiffly on ceremony in his presence. But Lu Qian was lively and a little spoiled, and he had always known how to charm and cajole his way around his father. He had never been this restrained before. This stilted, formal exchange made the distance between father and son uncomfortably palpable.

Lu Hong noticed Lu An’s slight displeasure, and inwardly puzzled over it as well, casting a glance toward Lu Qian.

Lu Qian’s head remained bowed, his expression unreadable. Yet this bore no resemblance to how he normally behaved.

Lu An waited a moment longer. Seeing that Lu Qian remained in that listless, half-dead manner, irritation stirred in his chest, and his face darkened, a note of displeasure entering his voice. “Very well. I am tired from today’s journey. You two brothers go to bed. We can speak again tomorrow.”

Lu Hong and Lu Qian received the dismissal and withdrew together.

Once they were outside the main hall, certain that their voices could not possibly reach their father’s ears, Lu Hong lowered his voice and asked, “Second Brother, what has gotten into you today? When Father spoke to you, why didn’t you engage him properly?”

On any other day, Lu Qian would have deployed all his arts of coaxing and sweet-talking to put his father in a cheerful mood.

The night had long since fallen. The lanterns hanging beneath the covered walkway flickered with a dim, wavering light.

Lu Qian’s delicate features seemed to dissolve into the darkness, his expression vague and remote. “Father asked me something, and I answered every question. What of it?”

Lu Hong was left with nothing to say to that. His refined brows drew together slightly, and in the faint light, his features looked all the more striking.

Lu Qian looked at his brother’s tall, extraordinarily handsome figure, and felt as if something had lodged itself in his chest, pressing the air from him. He tossed out, “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep,” and turned and walked away.

Lu Hong: “…”

This Lu Qian — ever since he had fallen ill that day on the boat and recovered, his manner had been strange and off in some way. He would occasionally go cold and sulky for no apparent reason. And now, inexplicably, he was sulking at their father as well.

He was probably just getting older and no longer wished to be treated like a child, which accounted for the growing temper.

Lu Hong thought it over, smiled, shook his head, and returned to his room.

When Ling Shi entered and found Lu An sitting there with a dark expression, her heart gave a nervous lurch. Thinking he was still displeased over what Old Madam Ling had said at dinner, she smiled ingratiatingly and spoke in a soft, accommodating tone. “Mother meant nothing pointed by what she said earlier. Please do not take it to heart, my lord.”

Mentioning what had just transpired only fanned the embers of Lu An’s suppressed anger. He fixed Ling Shi with a sardonic look. “If you hadn’t been filling Mother’s ears with your grievances, how would she have known you suffered any hardship at the Lu household?”

A flash of alarm crossed Ling Shi’s eyes, and her voice became even softer. “My lord has always been exceedingly good to me. I manage the inner household, and I want for nothing — clothes, food, all of it more than comfortable. I have nothing to complain of. Mother said what she said out of a mother’s love for her daughter, nothing more. Please do not misread her intentions.”

One cannot raise a hand against a smiling face.

With Ling Shi making such efforts to appease him, Lu An gave a light snort and let the matter drop.

Ling Shi swallowed her private grievances and then quietly raised the subject of Lu Hong: “…I have been here at the Ling household with A’Hong and A’Qian for several days now. They have both settled in well. A’Hong in particular has gotten along splendidly with his cousins here.”

At the word cousins, she paused ever so slightly — with deliberate intent.

Lu An, sharp as a blade, caught the implication at once and looked over at her. “You mean A’Hong has taken a liking to one of the Ling girls?”

A breathtakingly beautiful young face flashed through his mind.

“Ling Jingshu?” Lu An was phrasing it as a question, yet his tone carried certainty.

If even a man like himself — who had wandered through no shortage of female company — had felt a jolt of admiration at one glance, how much more so a young man just awakening to such feelings.

“My lord sees things with extraordinary clarity — it is indeed Shu Jie’er that I had in mind.”

Seeing that Lu An appeared interested in the subject, Ling Shi felt a quiet wave of relief, and quickly picked up the thread with a smile: “Whether A’Hong has truly set his heart on Shu Jie’er, I cannot say for certain. But he does seem to notice her in everything. Today he even followed Shu Jie’er on his own initiative to the garden. Speaking of which, A’Hong is already sixteen. It is time to give some thought to his future.”

Lu An’s expression revealed nothing, and he made no comment.

But Ling Shi knew his temperament well. If he had been against the idea, he would have darkened already. The fact that he was still listening with patience meant that he too had been turning it over in his mind.

Lu Hong was the first legitimate son by his first wife — brilliantly gifted, already holding a Scholar degree at his young age, with limitless prospects ahead of him. Lu An might appear to favor his younger son Lu Qian, but it was his eldest son he valued most.

In all the years since Ling Shi had come into the household, she had worked diligently to win Lu Hong’s goodwill. The results had been modest at best. Lu Hong treated Lu Qian with genuine warmth, but toward her as his stepmother he remained cool and detached. If this match could be arranged, and Lu Hong were to marry her own niece, he would naturally grow closer to her as a result.

With Ling Jingshu as her daughter-in-law and also her niece, the two of them would naturally be of one mind.

The more Ling Shi thought about it, the more she felt this was an excellent arrangement, and she continued: “I have not raised any of this with A’Hong — it has only been a private consideration of mine. This visit for Mother’s birthday will keep my lord at the Ling household for several days. You may use this time to observe Shu Jie’er more closely. If you feel the match is suitable, I can raise the matter with Mother.”

Lu An considered for a moment, then said slowly, “A’Hong is the first legitimate son of the Lu family. He will one day be the head of this household. His wife will be the matriarch of the entire clan, and must be chosen with great care — a woman of composed temperament, gentle and virtuous. Shu Jie’er is undeniably beautiful, but as for her character, I cannot yet say. There is no need to settle anything hastily. These next several days, keep a quiet eye on Shu Jie’er yourself.”

He paused, then added: “If the opportunity presents itself, I will take a look at her myself and judge her learning and character.”

This was, in effect, preliminary approval of the match.

Ling Shi’s spirits lifted immediately, and she agreed with a smile.

Ling Shi attended carefully to Lu An as he washed and prepared for bed.

Lu An had been worn from the long journey and ought to have rested early, yet tonight, for reasons he could not quite explain, he was in unusually high spirits. He kept Ling Shi occupied through two rounds before the restlessness in him finally stilled.

Ling Shi lay against Lu An’s side afterward, her whole body languid and deeply content.

This sort of intimacy had not come in a very long time.

Ever since Lu An had taken that slim-waisted, deeply alluring Willow Yiniang into the household, she had become his new favorite. For the past year, Lu An had spent the better part of his nights in Willow Yiniang’s room. He came to the main chamber very rarely, and on the occasions that he did, it was to see his son — he never stayed the night.

As the mistress of the household who had lost her husband’s favor, she still managed the inner chambers, but her authority had quietly diminished.

She had swallowed a bellyful of bitterness, and in front of Old Madam Ling, she had let only a fraction of it show.

It had not occurred to her that this visit home would bring her such a fortunate turn. She would seize this opportunity with both hands and do everything in her power to see this match through.

What did talent and virtue matter — a face that could topple cities was the only thing that truly counted.

Had not Lu Hong already been utterly enchanted by Ling Jingshu?

Lost in her hopeful imaginings, Ling Shi did not know that the man lying beside her with his eyes closed was thinking of the very same person.