Ling Jingshu’s assessment proved entirely correct.

That very afternoon, the Ling household’s steward accompanied Qiao Yun to her second uncle’s home and made clear that they wished to purchase Qiao Yun as a maidservant. Qiao Yun’s second uncle and aunt, seeing that the indenture payment was somewhat more than what selling her to a brothel would have fetched, immediately signed the bond of indenture.

Upon returning to the estate, the steward respectfully presented the indenture contract to Ling Jingshu.

And so, a maidservant named Qiao Yun quietly and without fuss joined Ling Jingshu’s household.

Aside from Bai Yu, who knew the truth and felt deeply aggrieved inside, no one harbored any suspicion about Qiao Yun’s origins.

When Ling Xiao learned of the matter, he gave it no further thought and simply smiled. “A’Shu, you really do have a naturally kind heart. You go out once and come back having rescued someone. This is all for the better — you’ll have one more person at your side who can be of use.”

Ling Jingshu smiled and replied offhandedly, “Indeed. I saved Qiao Yun’s life, so naturally she will be devoted and loyal to me from here on.”

Bai Yu lowered her head, quietly worrying to herself.

Out of nowhere, why would the Crown Grandson send a spy to Miss’s side? And Miss showed not the slightest anxiety, simply accepting Qiao Yun like that. Let us only hope it doesn’t stir up any trouble in the future……

“A’Xiao, I went to Hui Chun Tang today and collected your new medicinal ointment.” Ling Jingshu quickly changed the subject. “Come here — let me re-apply it now and see how the progress looks.”

Ling Xiao agreed cheerfully.

With a soft strip of gauze dampened in warm water, she gently wiped all around Ling Xiao’s eyes until they were clean, then carefully spread the new ointment on. She wrapped it once more with a strip of clean, soft white cotton cloth.

“How does it feel now?” Ling Jingshu asked with a warm smile.

Ling Xiao answered with a smile. “Cool and refreshing — it’s very comfortable.” Then, lowering his voice in excitement, he said, “A’Shu, just now while you were wiping my eyes, I opened them slightly. It was blurry, but I could make out white light.”

Ling Jingshu first went still — then broke into great joy. She clutched Ling Xiao’s hand tightly. “A’Xiao, is what you’re saying true?”

Even without knowing medicine, one could tell this was a good sign.

Ling Xiao grinned. “Something this important — why would I lie to you? Before, even with my eyes open, everything was gray and murky, and I couldn’t make out a thing. Now I can faintly see light. It seems that in a few more months, my eyes will truly recover……”

“A’Xiao, I look forward to that day coming as soon as possible.” Ling Jingshu’s eyes shimmered with moisture as she gently drew Ling Xiao into an embrace.

Being held like that, Ling Xiao’s young face abruptly flushed red.

He was already so old, and here he was being cradled like a child — it was genuinely embarrassing. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to pull away, and so he sat there awkwardly, face burning red.

Fortunately, Ling Jingshu quickly came to her senses. She released Ling Xiao and smiled encouragingly. “A’Xiao, the acupuncture treatments are painful, but they’re clearly working. Bear with it a little longer, and do as Imperial Physician Wei says.”

Ling Xiao smiled. “I’m not a child anymore — I know better than that.” He paused, then said with sincere admiration, “Imperial Physician Wei’s medical skill is truly remarkable. And he is so gentle and patient. What a pity I’m a bit too old — otherwise I would shamelessly beg Imperial Physician Wei to take me as a pupil and teach me medicine!”

The depth of his respect and admiration was unmistakable in his tone.

At the mention of Wei Yan, Ling Jingshu felt an inexplicable prickling of unease inside. She cleared her throat. “We can speak of all that after your eyes have fully recovered. It’s getting late. Let us go eat dinner together.”

……

After dinner, Ling Jingshu returned to her chambers.

Bai Yu was heavy with unspoken thoughts, brow furrowed in silence.

Ling Jingshu glanced at her and asked with a half-teasing smile, “Bai Yu, what’s the matter with you? You’re wearing such a long face.”

Bai Yu’s eyes went wide. “Miss, a Qiao Yun has appeared out of nowhere, and we don’t even know what the Crown Grandson intends. Aren’t you worried in the least?”

Ling Jingshu thought for a moment and decided to share part of the truth with Bai Yu. “Actually, I’m rather glad that the Crown Grandson was willing to send a spy to my side.”

Bai Yu: “……”

“Bai Yu, you are the person closest to me. There are things I can conceal from others, but not from you.” Ling Jingshu said slowly, “And I don’t wish to conceal them from you either. My coming to the capital is not only to seek treatment for A’Xiao — there is another matter, far more important.”

“But that matter is immensely difficult, and beyond what I alone can accomplish. The Crown Grandson has shown interest in me and once expressed his feelings. However, I had no wish to marry him as a secondary consort, and I refused him at the time. I would rather offer him my allegiance — willingly becoming a source of information and service for the Crown Prince’s household — and in exchange, borrow the strength of the Crown Prince’s household to accomplish what I need to do.”

“Having been refused by me, the Crown Grandson must have felt both humiliated and furious inside. He might not necessarily be willing to accept my offer of allegiance either. These past days I have waited and waited, thinking all hope had vanished. To my surprise, Qiao Yun appeared today. I feel both astonished and relieved.”

Saying this, Ling Jingshu lifted the corner of her lips in a smile. “So you needn’t worry.”

Bai Yu set aside her look of shock and slowly grew calm.

Although Miss had not said what that “more important matter” was, it was clearly something of great consequence. To have the support of the Crown Grandson was naturally a good thing.

Thinking of it this way, there was no need to be so wary of Qiao Yun either.

Bai Yu considered for a moment, then said, “If that is the case, then from now on this servant will let Qiao Yun attend upon Miss more. Whenever Miss leaves the estate, she will be brought along as well. This will also show His Highness the Crown Grandson Miss’s sincerity.”

Bai Yu was indeed clever — she understood with just a little prompting.

Ling Jingshu nodded approvingly. “So long as you understand. Go now and call Qiao Yun in. I still have some things to ask her.”

……

Qiao Yun arrived shortly.

She had bathed and changed into the plain green cloth dress worn by the Ling household’s maidservants. She bowed respectfully. “This servant Qiao Yun pays her respects to Miss.” Her manner was entirely proper and unremarkable — indistinguishable from any ordinary maid.

Ling Jingshu shot a glance at Bai Yu. Bai Yu immediately withdrew, pulling the door shut behind her.

“There are only the two of us here. Speak plainly.” Ling Jingshu said calmly. “The Crown Grandson sent you to my side — I imagine you must have some exceptional ability to show for it.”

This was an interrogation about her true capabilities.

Qiao Yun straightened slightly and replied, “This servant has some training in martial arts — dealing with three to five ordinary men would be no trouble. What I excel at most is lightness techniques and concealing my movements. My hearing and eyesight are both sharp.”

Understanding clicked into place in Ling Jingshu’s mind. “In other words, what you are best at is covert observation and eavesdropping?”

Which were, after all, the most essential skills for a spy and internal informant.

Qiao Yun did not appear the least bit flustered by this. She answered briskly: yes.

Ling Jingshu thought for a moment and asked further, “Is your background story true? Will it hold up if someone investigates?”

Qiao Yun smiled faintly. “There is a real Qiao Yun. This servant has simply assumed her identity. Please set your mind at ease, Miss — this servant will not slip up.”