“A’Shu, this brocade is both slippery and soft — it truly is beautiful.”

Ling Jingyan’s attention had long since been drawn away by those three bolts of brocade. She stroked them again and again, her eyes filled with envy. However, these were items bestowed upon Ling Jingshu by Empress Xu, and no matter how much she liked them, it would not be proper to ask for one.

Ling Jingshu said with a soft laugh: “The jade bracelets bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress came as a single pair, so I shall keep those for myself. These brocades are three bolts in total, all in very vivid colors. I’ll give you one bolt, give our elder sister-in-law one bolt, and keep one bolt for myself — that will do just fine.”

Ling Jingyan’s eyes lit up: “Really? You truly have the heart to give the brocade to me and Elder Sister-in-law?”

“What is there to be reluctant about?” Ling Jingshu said with great generosity: “The dress and jewelry you sent over for me to wear into the palace today — giving you one bolt of brocade in return is nothing at all.”

But how could the two things be compared?

These bolts of brocade were all tribute items, their fabric light, thin, and supple. Moreover, they had been bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress herself — no amount of silver spent outside could buy such things. Made into a dress and worn on one’s person, they would be both dignified and radiant.

Though Ling Jingyan was filled with a thousand willing emotions, she demurred aloud: “These were bestowed upon you by Her Majesty — how could I properly take one away?”

So she said, yet her gaze lingered on the bolt of pale-pink brocade.

Ling Jingshu couldn’t help but laugh, and simply picked up the pale-pink bolt of brocade and pressed it into Ling Jingyan’s hands: “This pale pink is vivid and lovely — it suits you best. Take it quickly.”

She then picked up another bolt in the color of a sky clearing after rain and presented it to Madam Jiang: “Sister-in-law, your complexion is fair and bright — a brocade in this color will certainly look wonderful on you.”

The last bolt remaining was in the color of moonlight white, and that one she would keep for herself.

Madam Jiang smiled and said: “Very well. You’ve offered this out of genuine feeling, so I won’t refuse — I’ll accept it shamelessly.”

Hearing Madam Jiang say so, Ling Jingyan’s heart finally settled, and she hugged the brocade in her arms with a delighted air.

For a moment, every face was wreathed in smiles, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

After returning to her private chamber, the smile on Ling Jingshu’s face gradually faded. A weariness showed between her brows.

Today’s visit to the palace had seemed calm and without danger on the surface, yet in truth she had been strung taut the entire time. Especially during the audience with Empress Xu — she had exerted every last ounce of thought and care, not daring to relax for even a moment.

The sudden summons and favor from Empress Xu, the implied hints and reminders from Imperial Physician Wei — every part of it brimmed with something strange.

Once she went to Huichun Hall the day after tomorrow, everything ought to be laid bare at last!

……

Two days later.

After paying her respects to Sun Shi, Ling Jingshu then brought up the matter of going out: “Elder Aunt-in-law — that day in the palace, Imperial Physician Wei instructed me that he had newly formulated a medicinal ointment to be applied to Ling Xiao’s eyes. He asked me to go to Huichun Hall today.”

Sun Shi reflexively spoke out in opposition: “For such a small matter, why must you go out in person? Simply send one of the household stewards.”

Ling Jingshu’s tone was gentle but firm: “I had best go in person. Imperial Physician Wei has been treating Ling Xiao’s eye ailment for some time now. There may be some things he finds inconvenient to tell Ling Xiao directly, and he may wish to take this opportunity to tell me instead.”

Seeing her so insistent, Sun Shi had no choice but to nod and agree. She also specifically added a reminder: “Take more guards and household attendants with you today.”

She didn’t quite know why, but whenever Ling Jingshu went out, one thing or another always seemed to happen. Especially the incident with the fall into the water last time — that had truly made one’s heart leap with fright.

Ling Jingshu acquiesced obediently.

Sun Shi thought for a moment, then lowered her voice: “A’Shu — since you’re going to Huichun Hall alone this time and will be seeing Imperial Physician Wei, you may as well quietly ask him about something. If Imperial Physician Wei is able to cure your strange illness, that would be a good thing for you as well.”

So that was the real reason Sun Shi was willing to nod and let her go out alone!

This was also the first time since arriving in the capital that Sun Shi had brought up her strange ailment.

Ling Jingshu lowered her head and said softly: “Thank you for Elder Aunt-in-law’s concern.” She had the look of someone unwilling to speak more of it.

Seeing her reaction this way, Sun Shi found it difficult to say anything further.

……

On this outing from the residence, apart from the coachman driving the carriage and the attending maidservants, six guards accompanied them as well.

Ling Jingshu sat inside the carriage, her brow faintly furrowed, her thoughts unknown.

Bai Yu sat beside Ling Jingshu and gently broke the silence: “Miss, you seem to be in rather low spirits today.” Going to Huichun Hall to see Imperial Physician Wei — shouldn’t that be cause for happiness?

Ling Jingshu had a heart full of thoughts, yet no way to put them into words. After a long moment she gave a wry smile: “There are some things I cannot work out in my mind, and I feel a heaviness in my heart.”

What exactly those things were, however, she did not elaborate.

Bai Yu was perceptive as a hair’s breadth, and having waited upon her closely day and night, she had some sense of what lay behind things she had seen. But she had never been the talkative or inquisitive type — if Ling Jingshu did not wish to speak, she would not press.

Today there were no outsiders present, so Bai Yu also took the courage to speak a few words from her heart: “Miss has to worry every day about the young master’s illness, and still has to manage the Crown Grandson, Prince Yan, and Princess Changping. In a few more days, the Master will also be coming to the capital — I’m afraid there will be even more things to worry about!”

Indeed!

Once Ling Wuye arrived, many troubles would come crowding one after another.

Ling Jingshu pressed her lips together and said lightly: “The cart will find a way through when it reaches the mountain — thinking about these things now only adds to one’s troubles. Wait until Father arrives, then we’ll see.”

Bai Yu thought for a moment and ventured tentatively: “If the Master wishes Miss to attach herself to the Crown Prince’s household, what would you do?”

Ling Jingshu tugged at the corners of her mouth, but there was no real amusement in her eyes: “I will not be a chess piece for others to move about as they please.”

That time at the Crown Prince’s residence she had decisively refused the Crown Grandson — and now more than half a month had passed. The Crown Grandson still had not reacted at all. It seemed he had been thoroughly angered by her refusal. She supposed he no longer had any mind to accept her pledge of allegiance anyway……

So be it!

If that path was blocked, she would seek another way.

The carriage drew to a stop outside Huichun Hall.

Ling Jingshu put on her veiled hat and stepped down from the carriage. She had barely planted her feet by the carriage when a familiar figure appeared before her.

Steward Han, whose features were handsome and whose bearing was calm and steady, clasped his hands in greeting: “Miss Ling, Imperial Physician Wei has already arrived and is waiting for you in the rear hall. Please follow me inside.”

Ling Jingshu gave a nod.

They passed through the main hall and entered the inner hall, yet Steward Han did not stop — he continued walking inward. The so-called “rear hall” was the back courtyard of Huichun Hall itself. There were a number of empty rooms here, set aside specifically to shelter patients who had come from far away or who were impoverished and had nowhere to rest.

Besides these, patients afflicted with contagious and virulent diseases would also be led to the empty rooms in the rear courtyard.

Steward Han came to a stop before a secluded room, and knocked lightly on the door: “Imperial Physician Wei, Miss Ling has arrived.”

A sound of assent came from inside the room, and then the door was opened.

Tian Dong, having long since received Imperial Physician Wei’s instructions, smiled brightly: “Miss Ling, please come in.”

Ling Jingshu felt an inexplicable nervousness rise in her. She steadied herself, gave an assent, and stepped inside the room.

Bai Yu was just about to follow her in when Tian Dong swiftly stepped out ahead of her and neatly closed the door: “Miss Bai Yu, Imperial Physician Wei has something important to say to Miss Ling. We had better not go in and disturb them.”

Bai Yu’s brow furrowed slightly, but she made no sound and stood guard quietly outside the door.