Ling Jingshu curled the corner of her lips and, without warning, asked another question. “The Crown Grandson sent you to my side — aside from watching my every move, were there any other instructions?”
Qiao Yun answered by carefully skirting around what mattered most. “Miss misunderstands. This servant would have no standing to appear before the Crown Grandson in person. The one who dispatched this servant was Commander Lu.”
She paused briefly, then explained further. “His Highness’s personal guard commander is Commander Wang. Covert operatives like myself answer to Commander Lu. Commander Lu told this servant that once at Miss’s side, this servant would be Miss’s person — to follow Miss’s instructions in all things.”
The words were quite prettily said.
Ling Jingshu smiled faintly. “That you have this intention gladdens me. Rest assured — as long as you give your best effort, I will not treat you poorly, nor will I put you in a difficult position. From now on, you will serve alongside Bai Yu in close attendance. Wherever I go, you come with me. Whatever you see or hear, you are free to report back to Commander Lu.”
Qiao Yun felt a quiet jolt inside. This Miss Ling, who appeared gentle on the surface, was in fact sharply perceptive and keen — she must never be underestimated.
“Miss is so understanding and magnanimous toward this servant. I am truly grateful.” Qiao Yun answered with care. “This servant does have duties to fulfill. Passing along word from time to time is unavoidable — as long as Miss does not take offense.”
What a clever and quick-minded Qiao Yun she was.
Ling Jingshu knew perfectly well that a few words alone could never move or buy the loyalty of someone like Qiao Yun. Nor did she have any such intention.
She had offered her allegiance to the Crown Grandson, and so she needed to demonstrate compliance and sincerity.
Qiao Yun was an intelligent person. Dealing with intelligent people was always simpler. Some things, when both parties understood them in their hearts, did not need to be spoken aloud.
“You are newly arrived and not yet familiar with the Ling estate — follow Bai Yu for a few days first to get your bearings.” Ling Jingshu said gently. “My body is tired and I wish to retire early. You may go rest as well. Come back tomorrow morning.”
Qiao Yun bowed respectfully in acknowledgment, then withdrew.
……
Over the following days, Bai Yu showed Qiao Yun around and helped her grow familiar with the affairs of the household, and Qiao Yun began attending on Ling Jingshu in earnest.
Ling Jingshu was accustomed to having only Bai Yu at her side. Having Qiao Yun suddenly added felt quite foreign. Fortunately, Qiao Yun was perceptive and, knowing she was not truly welcomed, spoke rarely. She took over all the minor tasks like tidying the room. When Ling Jingshu and Bai Yu were in conversation, she rarely interjected.
Night duty had always fallen to Bai Yu. Ling Jingshu never mentioned having Qiao Yun take a turn, and Qiao Yun was sensible enough not to push — each evening after dinner, she slipped away quietly and without a sound.
“Bai Yu, after spending these past few days together, what do you make of Qiao Yun’s character?” With only the two of them, conversation was far more relaxed.
Bai Yu thought it over and gave her honest assessment. “Her thinking is meticulous, her actions are efficient, and she is a woman of few words.” What a pity, truly — such a capable maid, and she had to be the Crown Grandson’s spy.
You couldn’t get too close to her, couldn’t push her too far away; she grated on the eyes, yet there was nothing to be done.
Ling Jingshu, seeing the look of wistful regret on Bai Yu’s face, couldn’t help a soft laugh. “I didn’t expect that in just these few short days, you would think so highly of her.”
Bai Yu was somewhat flustered by the laugh, then suddenly seemed to remember something, and lowered her voice. “By the way, Qiao Yun seems to already be quite familiar with the situation in the Ling household. These past few days when I’ve mentioned matters within the estate to her, she’s always acted fresh and curious. But watching her, I can tell that curiosity is entirely performed.”
“Since she came specifically on account of me, she must have thoroughly mapped out the Ling estate’s situation beforehand.” Ling Jingshu was unsurprised. “Moreover, she is only the visible spy. There must be others inside and outside this estate who are coordinating with her. Otherwise, she would have no way to relay her information out.”
She paused, then added, “Keep all of this to yourself. In her presence, simply act as though you know nothing.”
Bai Yu acknowledged this with a nod.
……
Before they knew it, the day for Ling Xiao’s acupuncture treatment arrived again.
The past several times it had been Sun Shi who had accompanied Ling Xiao to the Crown Prince’s estate. Today was naturally no different.
After Sun Shi had finished readying herself, she prepared to lead Ling Xiao out of the estate. Ling Jingshu, however, followed step by step right behind her. Sun Shi asked in surprise, “A’Shu, where are you going?”
Ling Jingshu answered as a matter of course, “I am naturally going to accompany A’Xiao to the Crown Prince’s estate. I was unwell and resting all this time before, but now that I have recovered, accompanying him out causes no great difficulty.”
Sun Shi furrowed her brow and gently tried to dissuade her. “It is enough for me to go with him. You are, after all, an unmarried young lady — it is not quite fitting for you to be going out and about so frequently.”
If they ran into the Crown Grandson that would be one thing, but what if that Prince Yan came to pester her again?
Ling Jingshu saw through Sun Shi’s concern at once and immediately softened her tone. “I know that Grand-Aunt is looking out for me, and does not want me leaving the house so as to avoid being plagued by trouble. But I cannot hide in the estate forever without ever appearing before people. Besides, Grand-Aunt will be going as well — having you by my side gives me great peace of mind.”
No matter what was said, she was set on going.
After all, this was not Sun Shi’s own daughter — there were limits to what could be said.
Sun Shi gave a helpless smile. “Very well. Since you want to go, come along with me. But you must promise me this: today at the Crown Prince’s estate, you stay by my side at all times and do not act rashly.”
Ling Jingshu had achieved her goal and at once agreed obediently.
She had her reasons for insisting on going to the Crown Prince’s estate today.
With how sharp the Crown Grandson’s eyes and ears were, he was certain to learn very quickly that she had brought Qiao Yun along. Without a word needing to be said, that act alone was more than sufficient to demonstrate her sincerity.
Half an hour later, the party arrived at the Crown Prince’s estate.
The gate steward of the Crown Prince’s estate was by now quite familiar with the Ling family, and his manner was all the more warm and attentive than before. He led the group to the reception room.
Shortly after, the news reached the Crown Grandson’s ears.
“Your Highness, Miss Ling has accompanied Young Master Ling and is currently waiting in the reception room for Imperial Physician Wei.” Wang Tong reported, quietly observing the Crown Grandson’s expression as he did so.
When the Crown Grandson heard Ling Jingshu’s name, his gaze dropped ever so slightly.
Since that last parting on bad terms, she had not set foot in the Crown Prince’s estate for an entire month.
Much had happened over this past month. She had visited Princess Changping’s estate and saved the fallen Princess An Ya from the water. Afterward she had been bedridden for half a month to recuperate. Once recovered, she had been summoned into the palace by Wei Jieyu, and Empress Xu had personally received her, showing her exceptional favor…… Then she had visited Hui Chun Tang, spending a considerable time alone with Wei Yan, and had emerged with a vial of medicinal ointment in hand. On the way back, she had rescued Qiao Yun, and Qiao Yun had since become the maidservant at her side……
Every single thing that had occurred around her — he knew it all.
Wang Tong watched the shifts in the Crown Grandson’s expression and ventured a carefully worded suggestion. “It is not known whether Young Master Ling’s eye condition has shown any progress. As it happens, Your Highness has some time available today — perhaps you might take the opportunity to look in?”