“Take the opportunity” — two words, both tactful and subtle. They would not wound the Crown Grandson’s pride nor his dignity as a man.
Wang Tong felt a quiet flash of private satisfaction.
Having served at the Crown Grandson’s side for so long, who could claim to understand the Crown Grandson’s heart better than he did?
Miss Ling had not appeared for an entire month, and while the Crown Grandson said nothing, the low mood that had settled over him was plain for anyone to see. Now that Miss Ling had finally come today, there had to be some fitting reason found to go see her — something that might ease a little of the longing the Crown Grandson had been carrying.
What a pity that this particular attempt at flattery landed wide of the mark.
Far from brightening at Wang Tong’s words, the Crown Grandson’s expression darkened. He said coldly, “Wang Tong, do I appear to have nothing better to do? Ling Xiao is a nobody — what does it matter to me whether his eye ailment can be cured? Why would I bother going to see him specifically?”
Wang Tong: “……”
Wang Tong could have slapped himself. See what your loose mouth has done!
The Crown Grandson’s temperament was simply like this — stubborn and contrary. Even if that was exactly what he wanted, he would never allow anyone to say it aloud.
“It is this subordinate who spoke out of turn.” Wang Tong immediately lowered his head in apology. “Offering Your Highness such a haphazard suggestion — Your Highness is occupied with a thousand and one affairs, and has no free time to see Young Master Ling.”
The Crown Grandson was silent for a moment, then said mildly, “In any case — today I need not attend court, and there are no pressing matters. It would be no great matter to drop by and have a look.”
Wang Tong: “……”
A young lady’s heart was like the needle at the bottom of the sea — impossible to fathom. The Crown Grandson’s thoughts were equally changeable and unpredictable.
He had better say nothing more at all.
The Crown Grandson seemed also to sense the contradiction in his own words, and added an explanation — entirely superfluous: “Lu Cai has placed a number of people within the Ling household, and there is also a spy at Ling Jingshu’s side. I want to see with my own eyes how Ling Jingshu reacts.”
Wang Tong bowed respectfully in acknowledgment, quietly turning things over in his mind.
Even his covert operatives had been deployed. Not a single move Ling Jingshu made could escape the Crown Grandson’s eye and ear.
And yet, clearly so consumed with thoughts of her, he still had to pretend he did not care. How thoroughly dishonest — and how entirely un-endearing!
……
Ling Jingshu was speaking quietly with Ling Xiao when Bai Yu leaned over with a smiling reminder: “Miss, Imperial Physician Wei has arrived.”
Ling Jingshu reflexively raised her head — and met Wei Yan’s gaze, which held a trace of surprise.
Strange — why had she come to the Crown Prince’s estate again today?
That day he had already made a particular point of cautioning her to be careful in how she conducted herself. And yet here she was, making no effort whatsoever to avoid appearing at the Crown Prince’s estate and meeting him openly. If Empress Xu were to find out, her resentment toward her would only deepen……
“Imperial Physician Wei,” Ling Jingshu rose to her feet, her lips curved in a warm smile.
Wei Yan gave a slight nod and said with a gentle smile, “I did not expect Miss Ling would be here today as well.”
The implication beneath those words was lost on others, but Ling Jingshu understood it perfectly.
Wei Yan was concerned for her safety.
“My health has already recovered, and I had nothing to do at home. So I came along to accompany A’Xiao.” Ling Jingshu, knowing she was somewhat in the wrong, quickly offered a few smiling words of explanation.
With Sun Shi and Ling Xiao present, Wei Yan could not say more. He only gave a light smile, though his eyes still held a trace of disapproval.
As their gazes met, it was as though a weightless feather had drifted across the tips of their hearts — light, and soft, and carrying with it a strange, inexplicable delight. The whole body felt faintly unmoored……
This feeling was far too dangerous.
Ling Jingshu was no sheltered, inexperienced young girl. In her past life, she had shared deep affection, vows, and passionate love with Lu Hong. She knew full well the flavor of such feelings.
When this sensation — at once unfamiliar and oddly familiar — rose and swept over her, she instinctively averted her gaze.
Wei Yan also quickly looked away. He turned to Ling Xiao. “Young Master Ling, please be seated. I will begin the acupuncture now.”
Ling Xiao answered with a smile and sat up straight.
Wei Yan pressed that ripple of disorder down into the depths of his heart and walked to Ling Xiao’s side, opening his medicine case and drawing out his gold needles.
When treating a patient with acupuncture, complete and undivided focus was essential — not the slightest lapse could be permitted. No matter how many things weighed on one’s mind, the moment those slender gold needles were lifted, every stray thought had to be banished. All attention flowed entirely to the needles in his hand.
This time was no different.
Wei Yan took up the needles, and his expression at once became grave and focused.
Ling Xiao had gradually grown accustomed to the pain of the treatments. The swelling, soreness, and aching were ever-present, and cold sweat kept breaking out across his brow — yet Ling Xiao bore it all without a single sound.
After a full month apart, Ling Jingshu was once again witnessing the suffering Ling Xiao endured during the acupuncture, and her heart clenched again and again with a dull, gnawing ache. Quite naturally, her gaze drifted to Wei Yan’s face.
From this angle, she could only see his profile — his focused attention on the needles, his straight nose, the fine line of his lips, the firm set of his jaw……
Ling Jingshu bit down hard on her lip. The sharp flash of pain brought her back to herself in an instant.
What was she doing?
Had she not already resolved, in this lifetime, that she would never allow her heart to move for any man? Then what was this fluttering restlessness inside her now?
Ling Jingshu rose lightly to her feet and said to Sun Shi, “Grand-Aunt, it feels a little stifling in here. I’ll step outside for some air under the eaves.”
Without waiting for Sun Shi to respond, she walked swiftly out.
Sun Shi was left entirely bewildered.
Wei Yan naturally heard Ling Jingshu’s voice and the sound of her footsteps. But the situation allowed him not even a sliver of distraction — let alone turning his head to look.
……
Ling Jingshu walked briskly out of the room and only stopped when she reached the covered walkway beneath the eaves.
Bai Yu and Qiao Yun both followed her out.
Even Qiao Yun could sense that Ling Jingshu’s mood was unsettled. Bai Yu, who knew Ling Jingshu far better, saw it all the more clearly.
“Miss, what has come over you today?” Bai Yu drew close, her voice low and full of worry and concern. “You seem far more restless and ill at ease than usual.”
Ling Jingshu gave a concealing smile. “Not at all. I just felt a little short of breath for a moment, so I wanted to step out and get some air. I’ll go back in a little while.”
The words had barely left her lips when the sound of footsteps came from the entrance to the courtyard.
It was the Crown Grandson, who had “incidentally” come by on account of having nothing else to do.
The moment he stepped through the gate, Ling Jingshu’s figure caught his eye. He felt a flash of surprise — and then, beyond all containment, a welling of quiet joy rose up inside him.
Had she, sharing some unspoken connection with him, known that he would come and deliberately waited here for him?
……Most esteemed Crown Grandson, you are very much overthinking things.
The Crown Grandson instinctively quickened his pace and arrived before Ling Jingshu in short order.
“Paying respects to Your Highness the Crown Grandson.” Ling Jingshu instantly gathered every scattered thought and composedly performed a respectful bow. “It has been many days since we last met — I trust Your Highness has been well?”
She had refused him so unhesitatingly, with not a trace of reluctance — how could he possibly have been “well”?
Over this past month, his spirits had sunk to their lowest point. Each day he still had to force himself to manage his affairs with composure and show nothing amiss. At night, he was often unable to sleep and had spent many grueling hours lying awake in the dark.
The Crown Grandson’s gaze swept over the face he had been yearning for, his look carrying a faint edge of eagerness and hunger, though his voice was coldly aloof. “Thank you for Miss Ling’s concern. This Prince is doing very well.”