Imperial physicians moving about the palace were required to wear the official robes of the Imperial Medical Bureau without exception.

When Imperial Physician Wei walked in wearing the green official robes, Ling Jingshu stared for a moment.

This was the first time she had seen Imperial Physician Wei dressed in his official robes.

Those green official robes were by no means particularly handsome, yet on him they looked somehow inexplicably right. They also lent the ordinarily mild and unassuming Imperial Physician Wei an entirely different kind of striking presence.

“This official pays his respects to Her Ladyship the Jieyu.” Imperial Physician Wei gave Wei Jieyu a respectful bow of greeting.

Wei Jieyu smiled: “Please, rise at once.” She glanced at Imperial Physician Wei, then said with a meaningful smile: “You’ve come at just the right time — today I happened to summon Miss Ling into the palace.”

“Quite a coincidence indeed.” Imperial Physician Wei seemed not to catch the implication in Wei Jieyu’s words, and replied with an air of composure.

Then his gaze fell upon Ling Jingshu’s pretty face, and a faint glimmer of surprise flickered in his eyes: “Miss Ling, it has been half a month since we last met — have you recovered?”

Ling Jingshu composed herself and replied: “I have been taking the medicine according to the prescription each day, and rested in bed for a full half month. I am well now.”

Her skin held a healthy flush, and her eyes shone with vitality — she had indeed fully recovered.

Imperial Physician Wei looked her over quietly for a moment before withdrawing his gaze: “Good that you are recovered.” He then looked toward Wei Jieyu: “Your Ladyship, how is Princess An’ya feeling today?”

Wei Jieyu answered with a smile: “An’ya was able to get out of bed two days ago. When I went to see her early this morning, her color had already improved considerably. Her appetite has also returned to normal — she drank a full bowl of plain congee at breakfast.”

Having the appetite to eat was a sign that one’s body was soon to be fully well again.

Imperial Physician Wei’s eyes also took on a warm expression: “This official shall go and take her pulse now.”

With that, he was just about to bow and take his leave.

But Wei Jieyu rose with a smile: “I’ll go along as well.” She then looked at Ling Jingshu with a kind and gentle expression: “An’ya has been mentioning you often these past days — come and see her too.”

Ling Jingshu agreed at once.

……

Princess An’ya was lying on her bed in complete boredom, and when she saw Wei Jieyu and her party arrive, her heart was filled with delight. She immediately moved to throw back the covers and get out of bed.

“That’s enough — stay lying down properly. No moving about.” A gentle note of unmistakable authority had entered Wei Jieyu’s voice.

Princess An’ya was by nature obedient, and at these words she lay back down compliantly. Her gaze passed over Imperial Physician Wei’s familiar face and landed on Ling Jingshu’s radiant countenance — her eyes instantly lit up: “Miss Ling — how are you here?”

Her voice was filled with delighted surprise!

That undisguised joy was contagious to Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu walked to the bedside and gave a smiling bow: “Greetings to Your Highness the Princess. Today Her Ladyship the Jieyu graciously summoned me to the palace, and seeing Your Highness safe and well is a true cause for joy.”

Princess An’ya’s eyes curved into crescents as she gave a sweet smile: “Seeing you, my heart is also very glad! That day at my elder sister’s residence, I fell into the water by accident. Fortunately you saved me in time. I have held this life-saving grace in my heart ever since, and today I can finally thank you in person.”

Ling Jingshu quickly replied with a smile: “Your Highness is far too gracious. The situation at that moment was urgent. I was the closest and responded a little faster than the others. Unfortunately, my swimming was not strong enough, and in the end I ran out of strength too. It was entirely thanks to the two palace maids from Princess Changping’s residence who jumped into the water and pulled Your Highness to safety. To speak of saving your life — I truly have no right to claim such credit, much less to accept Your Highness’s thanks.”

“Of course you have the right!”

Princess An’ya said with a light smile, unconcerned: “When those two palace maids jumped into the water, I had already lost consciousness. What I remember is that it was you who held me tightly the whole time. Without that, I would have sunk to the bottom long ago. There is no need to be so modest. In my heart, I have recognized you as my life-saving benefactor.”

“Indeed — we mother and daughter will always hold this kindness in our hearts.”

Wei Jieyu took up the thread: “If ever you find yourself in difficulty in the future, come to me. Whatever lies within my power to help, I will never refuse.”

These words, spoken by Wei Jieyu herself, were a promise not to be taken lightly.

Ling Jingshu felt quiet joy inwardly. When she had saved Princess An’ya, it had been entirely on instinct — she had not had time to think of anything else. In hindsight, that act had indeed brought her considerable benefit.

Ling Jingshu was just about to say something appropriate in return when Wei Jieyu suddenly said to Imperial Physician Wei: “A’Yan, Miss Ling is An’ya’s life-saving benefactor. Unfortunately, I am confined to the palace all day, and it is no easy matter for Miss Ling to see me. You go out of the palace often — look after Miss Ling on my behalf.”

Wei Jieyu’s expression was earnest and her tone perfectly serious.

However, Wei Yan and she had been sister and brother for many years and knew each other’s character well — how could he fail to hear the teasing and implication in those words?

Wei Yan inexplicably felt heat rise to his face, and accepted with an air of forced composure.

Wei Jieyu’s luminous eyes made a little sweep across Wei Yan’s face, then cast a meaningful glance at Ling Jingshu, the corners of her lips curving upward.

Under Wei Jieyu’s gaze, Ling Jingshu felt a strange, subtle discomfort as well — as though she had been caught doing something she ought not…

Wei Yan gave a small cough and broke the silence: “Your Highness the Princess, this official must take your pulse. Please extend your right hand to the side of the bed.”

Princess An’ya gave a compliant hum and stretched out one hand — her wrist slim and delicate, almost pitifully so.

Wei Yan seated himself at the bedside and carefully took Princess An’ya’s pulse.

Wei Jieyu knew this was not the moment to speak and stood quietly to one side. Ling Jingshu was equally silent. She watched Princess An’ya for a while, then her gaze drifted, without her noticing, to Wei Yan’s profile.

He was quite handsome — the lines of his profile gentle and fine, his expression serious to the point of near solemnity.

A man who is serious and wholly absorbed in what he does always radiates a particular kind of compelling quality.

Ling Jingshu looked for a little longer than she had intended without realizing it.

Though Wei Yan appeared outwardly calm, his inner state was far from tranquil. She was quietly watching him — how could he be unaware of it? The heart that was ordinarily still and unruffled could not suppress the ripples spreading through it.

Princess An’ya waited and waited, yet still heard no word from Imperial Physician Wei, and finally could not help asking: “Imperial Physician Wei, have you not finished taking my pulse yet?” Today the pulse-taking had lasted more than twice as long as usual!

Imperial Physician Wei: “……”

He had let his mind wander while taking a pulse!

Imperial Physician Wei withdrew his hand with a composed expression: “Your Highness’s pulse is fairly steady. Your condition has improved considerably. You should rest for a few more days and you will be well.”

This face-saving performance was convincing enough that even Wei Jieyu had not caught Imperial Physician Wei’s moment of embarrassment, and said with a smile: “Good that all is well.”

Just at that moment, Xin Yun walked in quickly and reported in a low voice: “Her Majesty the Empress has heard that Her Ladyship the Jieyu summoned Miss Ling into the palace, and has sent someone with a verbal edict, requesting Miss Ling to come to Jiaofang Palace for an audience.”

Empress Xu wished to summon her?!

Ling Jingshu’s heart tightened.

Beside her, Imperial Physician Wei’s expression changed abruptly.