Over the following half month, Ling Jingshu remained entirely within the inner quarters, staying in her private chambers to rest and recuperate.

Aside from the half-days devoted to acupuncture, Ling Xiao spent the rest of his time in Ling Jingshu’s chambers keeping her company, as did Jiang Shi and Ling Jing’yan who took turns attending her — so Ling Jingshu’s days of recuperation were far from lonely.

Su Ying and Jiang Rongyue each paid a visit to call on her, Princess Changping sent someone to the household to enquire after her health, and even Wei Jieyu from within the palace sent a female official from her own side to deliver tonics.

Sun Shi, both flattered and overwhelmed, could not help but say to Ling Daye in private: “My lord, A’Shu’s circumstances are truly out of the ordinary. Without much effort at all, she has made the acquaintance of those of golden branch and jade leaf, and has become the one who saved Princess An’ya’s life. How did such good fortune not fall upon our A’yan instead?”

Ling Daye stroked his beard and laughed, unperturbed: “Each person has their own destiny — this is simply A’Shu’s good fortune. As for A’yan, she does not have the same blessings, nor that kind of quick-wittedness. In time, finding her a good husband and marrying her off to a comfortable life will be enough.”

Sun Shi also let it go without much trouble.

Ling Jing’yan was the sort with a clever face but a slow mind — whatever cleverness she had was all worn on the surface.

She was not made of that stuff; it was best she remain steady and sensible.

Ling Daye laughed again: “A’Shu is my closest niece by blood — if she has a brilliant future ahead of her, it reflects well on me as her elder uncle too.”

Ling Wuye spent most of his years residing in Dingzhou; with Ling Jingshu now making her long-term home in the capital, it was only natural she would be close with him, her elder uncle.

Sun Shi smiled knowingly and said quietly: “Speaking of which, my lord — Dingzhou has finally sent word. Fifth younger brother has begun setting his affairs in order and will be arriving in the capital before long. Should we tell A’Shu about this first, do you think?”

Ling Daye considered for a moment before saying: “There is no harm in telling A’Shu.”

Ling Wuye’s coming to the capital had already been settled. He was very likely already on the road at this very moment — even if Ling Jingshu were unwilling in her heart, this was a fact she could not change.

Sun Shi nodded in agreement.

Sun Shi walked into Ling Jingshu’s chambers wearing a smile, looked her over, then said with gratified pleasure: “Your colour is rosy — you must be nearly fully recovered.”

Ling Jingshu set down the leisure reading she had been holding and rose to greet her with a smile: “These past days I have been resting in bed every day — drinking tonics by the pot, eating and sleeping in turns. Being kept this way, of course one recovers quickly.”

After half a month of such care, not only had she recovered her health, but she had even filled out slightly — a rosy bloom showing through the fair of her complexion, her spirits looking excellent.

After asking after her wellbeing with a few warm words, Sun Shi soon got to the point: “…A’Shu, a letter has come from Dingzhou — your father will be arriving in the capital before long.”

Ling Jingshu’s smile stiffened.

What? Ling Wuye was coming to the capital?

Sun Shi continued affably: “You and A’Xiao have been in the capital for several months now. And you have managed to secure Imperial Physician Wei’s care for the eye condition. Fifth younger brother is worried in his heart, and wants to come to the capital so he can witness A’Xiao’s sight being restored with his own eyes.”

Well, that was easy to say!

If Ling Wuye had truly cared so much about A’Xiao’s eyes, he would have accompanied them to the capital from the very beginning. How could it possibly have taken until now? His coming this time clearly had another purpose!

And thinking further on Ling Daye’s ambitions and calculations — what more was there left to guess?

Ling Wuye’s coming to the capital would certainly be for the sake of her “future marriage.”

Ling Jingshu’s mind moved swiftly, yet not a trace of it showed on her face. She smiled with calm composure: “Father is coming? Then that is truly most welcome. I am a young lady on my own, and constantly accompanying A’Xiao outside the household is indeed inconvenient. If Father were to come to the capital, things would be considerably more manageable.”

“Precisely so.”

Sun Shi picked up the thread: “For a young lady to go out frequently is not proper — it invites trouble, and easily provokes gossip. Once your father arrives, you can set your mind at ease and simply remain peacefully in your chambers.”

A flicker of quick disdain crossed Ling Jingshu’s eyes, though she answered softly in compliance.

While they were still talking, a maidservant came hurrying in to report: “Your ladyship, a palace maid sent by Jieyu Consort from the palace has come, saying she is calling on behalf of Jieyu Consort to enquire after the Ninth Miss.”

Sun Shi did not dare be remiss. She said at once: “Quickly show her in.”

The palace maid who had come on Wei Jieyu’s behalf was called Xin Yun.

Xin Yun was around twenty years of age, with a clear and pleasing appearance and composed bearing, her speech soft and unhurried: “The previous time I came, Miss Ling was still resting in bed. I did not dare disturb her, so I delivered the tonics on Consort’s behalf and returned to the palace to report. This time, Consort gave special instructions: if Miss Ling’s health has fully recovered, please invite Miss Ling to enter the palace tomorrow — Consort wishes to meet Miss Ling in person, and to thank her face to face for the aid she rendered.”

Sun Shi, listening from the side, was secretly delighted.

Ling Jingshu had saved Princess An’ya this time — and indeed it had proved a tremendous boon. Wei Jieyu was going so far as to grant her a personal audience!

Ling Jingshu herself also gave a slight start, then quickly composed herself and replied with a face full of grateful feeling: “That Consort has kept this in mind all along is truly touching. Then I shall not presume to decline — I will accept this honour with deep gratitude.”

This was a summons — and an honour one could not refuse.

Xin Yun smiled: “Then it is settled. Miss Ling need only wait in the household tomorrow, and I shall come to escort Miss Ling into the palace.”

“I am entirely in your care, Miss Xin Yun.” Ling Jingshu thanked her with a smile.

Xin Yun did not linger, and took her leave quickly after stating her purpose.

Sun Shi and Ling Jingshu saw Xin Yun off together out of the household.

Once Xin Yun had gone, Sun Shi said with barely-contained joy: “A’Shu, you are entering the palace tomorrow to have an audience with Consort Jieyu. This is truly a gift that has fallen from the heavens!”

The imperial palace was not a place just anyone could enter. She, as the wife of an official, had lived in the capital for so many years, and even she had never had the opportunity to enter the palace. Ling Jingshu was truly blessed with fortune!

Ling Jingshu, however, quickly steadied herself, and said with measured calm: “The fortunes and misfortunes of life are difficult to predict. The palace is full of distinguished persons — I must take great care tomorrow and be cautious in all things, lest I bring trouble upon the Ling household.”

Sun Shi laughed at this: “You are so young, and yet you think so thoroughly and carefully about things. I was so busy rejoicing on your behalf that I had not even considered this side of it!”

Jiang Shi and Ling Jing’yan soon learned of the matter as well.

“A’Shu, you are entering the palace tomorrow — you must dress with care and propriety. To be too plain and understated would be a great discourtesy toward Consort Jieyu.”

Ling Jing’yan’s eyes shone brightly, and she was far more animated and excited than Ling Jingshu herself: “If you don’t have a suitable new outfit to wear, I still have a few new gowns I haven’t worn yet — and hair ornaments and accessories too. Whatever you fancy, just take it.”

Entering the palace for an audience with a consort was naturally quite different from calling on a private household for a social visit. Wei Jieyu had summoned only Ling Jingshu — no matter how envious Ling Jing’yan might be, there was no possibility of accompanying her into the palace.

Ling Jingshu smiled teasingly: “Elder cousin Yan, you are so very good to me. In that case, I shan’t stand on ceremony. Let me borrow that pearl hair set of yours.”

That pearl hair set had been crafted to order from the finest pearls — and she had not worn it even once yet!

Ling Jing’yan agreed with a look of pained reluctance, then immediately added an admonishment: “You must return it to me when you get back.”

This set everyone laughing heartily.