Ling Daye’s gaze flickered, and he smiled with meaningful implication: “The way I see it, A’Shu is destined for great fortune. Fifth Brother has raised such a fine daughter — his own rise is bound to follow.”
This was not a hint — it was as explicit a statement as could be made.
If Ling Jingshu were to marry the Crown Grandson, and the Crown Grandson were one day to become Crown Prince and then Emperor, Ling Wuye would be a bona fide imperial relative of the highest standing. That would indeed be a meteoric rise.
Ling Wuye’s heart burned with restless longing at these words, but then the matter of Ling Jingshu’s strange ailment crossed his mind, and he could not help but furrow his brow, lowering his voice to say: “Elder Brother, I understand what you mean. But A’Shu’s illness… that really is a complication. Unless she is cured, there is simply no way to discuss marriage.”
Otherwise he would not have made this journey all the way from Dingzhou.
Indeed — Ling Jingshu’s condition was a thorny issue.
Ling Daye also knitted his brows, though they quickly smoothed out again: “The capital is full of eminent physicians, many of whom specialize in difficult and unusual conditions. We could quietly invite a few to the residence, and perhaps A’Shu’s ailment might be cured in no time.”
He paused, then continued with earnest weight: “Fifth Brother, this elder brother of yours has always hoped with all his heart to see A’Shu rise to a good life. But this is ultimately her lifelong matter, and it is not for me to decide. You are A’Shu’s father. Matters concerning A’Shu’s lifelong happiness — you must make up your mind soon.”
Ling Wuye’s heart blazed with eager ambition. He nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
Children’s marriages — naturally, they should follow the wishes of their parents.
At this very moment, Jiang Shi and the others came in through the doors, gathered around Ling Jingshu.
Although the bond between father and daughter had grown distant, these were still several months since they had last met. Seeing his daughter now, Ling Wuye felt a genuine surge of gladness. He stood up of his own accord and called out: “A’Shu!”
Ling Jingshu raised her eyes to look, but her face carried little sign of excitement or warmth. She performed a proper curtsy: “Your daughter greets Father. After so long a journey on the road, taking nearly a full month, Father has truly labored.”
It was not improper — but it was also utterly devoid of affection or happiness. And upon closer consideration, the words carried a faint undercurrent of unmistakable mockery.
It was like a bucket of cold water thrown over him.
Ling Wuye’s smile froze on the spot. A flash of anger crossed his eyes. His voice turned stiff and sharp: “I’ve been traveling by boat and by carriage and only arrived in the capital today — I am truly exhausted. I have been holding on without resting, purely to wait for you to come back.”
There was a thinly veiled note of reproach in his tone.
Ling Jingshu’s expression did not change. She replied with mild evenness: “Had I known Father would arrive in the capital today, I would certainly have declined Lady Jieyu’s summons and waited for Father at the residence.”
Ling Wuye’s expression shifted. Fury surged to the fore, and he said icily: “Ling Jingshu. Is this how you speak to me, your father? Where has all the feminine propriety and courtesy you were taught gone? Do not think that because you have cultivated ties with the ladies of the palace, I would not dare to discipline you!”
Ling Jingshu tugged at the corner of her mouth: “If Father is displeased, then your daughter is truly remorseful. Should Father wish, I will no longer go out freely from this day on. I will stay in the residence every day.”
Ling Wuye felt as though a fist had hit him square in the chest.
Ling Jingshu had this connection and had caught the eye of a noble patron — for the Ling family, that was a great blessing. He had been counting on Ling Jingshu to visit the Crown Prince’s residence more often, to cultivate a deep feeling with Crown Grandson, and then let matters unfold of their own accord… Under such circumstances, he could hardly command Ling Jingshu to stay shut away in the inner quarters.
Ling Jingshu seemed to have seen through Ling Wuye’s thoughts entirely. The contempt in her eyes only grew more pronounced.
…
Father and daughter, reunited after a long separation — there was no warm exchange of concern and care. Instead cold words flew between them, creating a most awkward atmosphere.
Everyone exchanged glances with one another, each harboring their own thoughts.
Sun Shi gave a cough and stepped in to smooth things over: “Fifth Brother has been traveling a great distance and has not yet rested since arriving at the residence. A’Shu has just returned from the palace as well, and must also be weary and tired. Why not each rest for a while, and then gather again for a family banquet this evening to enjoy each other’s company?”
Ling Daye also added his agreement: “There is plenty of time ahead — there is no hurry to have this conversation.”
Ling Wuye reined in the anger roiling inside him and assented with a blank face.
Watching Ling Wuye fume with suppressed rage while being forced to hold himself in check, Ling Jingshu felt the gloom she had been stifling for so long dissolve completely. She smiled and bid farewell to everyone, then returned to her inner chamber.
Ling Xiao followed her in, looking rather cautious. He seemed to want to say something but held it back.
When Ling Jingshu turned and saw Ling Xiao’s hesitant expression, she let her face soften: “A’Xiao, are you wondering why I made Father lose face the moment we met?”
Ling Xiao nodded honestly: “Yes. Father may have many failings, but he is still our father. He has even made this special journey all the way from Dingzhou — to be too cold to him, would that not wound his feelings?”
Ling Xiao had no knowledge of what had transpired in a past life, and naturally still harbored some filial attachment to Ling Wuye as his father.
“A’Xiao, do you know why Father has come to the capital?”
Ling Jingshu’s face was expressionless, her voice a few degrees colder than usual: “I accompanied you to the capital to have your eyes treated. He was unwilling to leave the comforts of Dingzhou and did not come with us. The reason he is willing to come now is because Great-Uncle wrote a letter back to Dingzhou informing Father that Crown Grandson has shown an interest in me. Father has come to the capital intending to decide my marriage himself — to secure an alliance with the Crown Prince’s household, that great tree whose shade reaches to the heavens. And then the Ling family will rise overnight to become imperial relatives and bring glory to their name.”
“Given that — do you think such a father is still deserving of my wholehearted sincerity?”
Ling Xiao’s face showed plain shock. The fair, delicate features of his face gradually flushed with anger: “No wonder that ever since we met today, Father has been asking us about the circumstances of our acquaintance with Crown Grandson, and repeatedly pressing for details about the occasions when Crown Grandson and you were together. So that was what he was planning…”
This was their own father.
Cold, mercenary — chilling to the bone.
Ling Xiao grew more furious the more he thought about it and sprang abruptly to his feet.
Ling Jingshu swiftly caught his arm: “A’Xiao, where do you think you are going?”
Ling Xiao’s face was flushed with indignant anger: “I am going to find Father right now and ask him to his face. Let us see whether he has the face to admit it. And if he disregards your wishes and decides your marriage for you without a thought — then we will leave the Ling residence, the two of us.”
“Don’t be impulsive.” Warmth stirred in Ling Jingshu’s heart, and her tone softened: “You need only be aware of this in your own heart — confronting him directly will get nothing out of him. He will never admit it.”
“But what if he insists on pursuing this marriage alliance?” Ling Xiao’s face was full of anxiety.
Ling Jingshu smiled and reassured him: “Do not worry. He will not do that. I have my own plan.”
Ling Xiao was taken aback and asked instinctively: “What plan?”
Ling Jingshu considered for a moment, then said slowly: “A’Xiao, there is actually something very important that I have been keeping from you all this time. Now that Father has come to the capital, there is no longer any need to hide it…”