“Your Highness, Imperial Physician Wei has arrived.” Wang Tong reported quietly.
The Crown Grandson was bent over the recent official dispatches from the Six Ministries. He did not look up at the announcement, merely giving a faint sound of acknowledgement.
After a moment, Wang Tong came to report again: “Your Highness, the Ling family has arrived.”
The Crown Grandson’s hand paused briefly in its motion. He still did not look up: “Understood.”
“Miss Ling has come along with Young Master Ling.” Wang Tong kept his expression and gaze studiously neutral as he continued: “Also, Miss Ling and Young Master Ling’s father has come to the residence today as well. He is presently waiting outside, and requests an audience with Your Highness the Crown Grandson.”
By Ling Wuye’s standing, he would normally have had no right even to step through the gates of the Crown Prince’s residence under ordinary circumstances, let alone request an audience with the Crown Grandson.
However, Ling Wuye was Ling Jingshu’s birth father. Even out of deference to Ling Jingshu alone, the Crown Grandson would not turn Ling Wuye away at the door.
The Crown Grandson finally looked up. His face carried little expression: “Let him in.”
Wang Tong’s face took on an expression of exactly as expected. He acknowledged the order and turned to instruct the guards to bring Ling Wuye inside.
A moment later, Ling Wuye walked in with a face full of reverence and was just about to kneel in obeisance.
The Crown Grandson gave a light, measured cough: “No need for such formalities — rise and speak.” He also gave a mild instruction: “Wang Tong, bring Ling Wuye a seat.”
Ling Wuye felt a secret surge of delight.
On their very first meeting, the Crown Grandson was treating him with such courtesy and politeness. It was enough to prove that the Crown Grandson truly held Ling Jingshu in exceptional regard. Otherwise, a man of his lowly standing as a mere licentiate — how could he possibly be received with such distinction?
“Many thanks, Your Highness.” Ling Wuye smiled broadly, cupped his hands in a bow of gratitude, and then settled himself carefully into the seat.
Ling Wuye stole a discreet glance at the Crown Grandson, and could not help offering him a silent inward admiration.
What a remarkably handsome young man!
His features were perhaps slightly sharp and cold, but even seated, his bearing was commanding and imposing. Under such a weight of authority, even a man like himself felt a subtle chill in his heart.
While Ling Wuye was taking stock of the Crown Grandson, the Crown Grandson was also quietly observing Ling Wuye without letting it show.
Ling Wuye was in his mid-thirties — fair-complexioned, handsome, and dashingly graceful. In the lines of his brow and eyes one could faintly trace the likeness of Ling Jingshu and her brother. In terms of bearing and appearance, he was genuinely impressive.
What a pity that Ling Wuye had long been accustomed to an unbridled and carefree lifestyle, and had never entered officialdom. He lacked, in the end, a measure of steadiness and gravity.
“This humble subject has only just arrived in the capital, and today has the honour of calling upon Your Highness the Crown Grandson at the Crown Prince’s residence — it is truly this humble subject’s great fortune.” Ling Wuye’s face was wreathed in an ingratiatingly warm smile: “Your Highness has extended care and consideration to A’Xiao and A’Shu at every turn — this humble subject is deeply, deeply grateful.”
The Crown Grandson replied with mild composure: “For this humble prince, it was no more than a trifling effort. There is no need for thanks.”
Ling Wuye kept his face full of gratitude: “To Your Highness, it may be a trifling matter of no consequence. To the entire Ling household, it is of the utmost importance. Should Your Highness have any use for this humble subject in the future, I will devote myself with all my strength — not a word of dissent.”
As he spoke, he rose and bowed deeply, his expression one of great solemnity.
Wang Tong stood to one side and could not help inwardly curling his lip with contempt.
Was this man here to express thanks or to seek a post? A mere ordinary licentiate who had failed to pass the examination for the advanced degree all these years and had never set foot in officialdom — what possible use could the Crown Grandson have for him? What could he possibly do for the Crown Grandson?
It was truly inconceivable. That composed, wise, and strong-willed Ninth Miss Ling — to have a father like this…
A flash crossed the Crown Grandson’s eyes. He said offhandedly: “This prince has received your good intentions. As this prince has just said — it is a small matter and there is no need to trouble yourself over it.”
Ling Wuye then made a remark laden with insinuation: “A’Shu, that girl, has had a stubborn streak and a reckless impulsiveness since she was small. Sometimes her words and conduct do not meet with expectations. Should she have said or done anything to give offence to Your Highness, please do bear with her generously.”
Wang Tong’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He could barely stand to listen.
The Crown Grandson tugged at the corner of his lips: “Ninth Miss Ling is exceptionally clever, and there is nothing lacking in her words or conduct.”
Ling Wuye met with another polite brush-off, yet rather than taking offence, a flicker of delight passed through his eyes. He went on to say a few more things of little real substance by way of gratitude, then took his leave.
The moment Ling Wuye had gone, Wang Tong could not help muttering a few remarks: “How is it that Ninth Miss Ling has a father like that.”
He looked presentable enough when he kept his mouth shut, but the moment he opened it, everything was laid bare. Even with all that eagerness to attach himself to someone of higher standing, that fawning expression was truly a bit much to stomach.
The Crown Grandson was born to an exalted station, with a proud and lofty nature. From the depths of his heart he too looked down on Ling Wuye. Yet, on reflection, if Ling Wuye truly harboured such intentions, he was bound to “devise schemes and plan strategies” to secure a connection with the Crown Prince’s residence.
In that way, perhaps he might yet get what he wished for after all…
When this thought flitted through his mind, the Crown Grandson could not help but curl his lips with a self-deprecating inward mockery.
When had he become this wretched and pitiable?
Ling Jingshu had rejected him plainly and clearly. Was he truly going to force her into a marriage against her will?
The moment these thoughts arose, the Crown Grandson’s mood turned utterly flat: “All right. Whatever sort of man Ling Wuye may be — that is the Ling family’s affair. Do not speak ill of people behind their backs.”
Wang Tong gave a sheepish acknowledgement and said no more.
Ling Wuye returned in high and glowing spirits.
Before Ling Jingshu could even open her mouth to ask, Ling Wuye said with bright delight: “His Highness the Crown Grandson is truly approachable — not even the slightest air of superiority about him.”
Approachable?
Ling Jingshu slanted a glance at Ling Wuye, her lips curling with a smile that was not quite a smile: “Father, please do mind your words carefully when in the presence of His Highness the Crown Grandson. There are certain things that are absolutely not to be said carelessly.”
Meeting Ling Jingshu’s gaze made Ling Wuye feel somewhat guilty. He cleared his throat and replied: “As if I would not know the proper limits. I only expressed gratitude to His Highness the Crown Grandson for looking after the two of you — not a single word beyond that.”
Look at that guilty expression — as if he had said nothing more. That was hardly believable!
Ling Jingshu did not bother to argue the point with him, and simply said in a flat tone: “So long as Father knows what ought and ought not to be said.”
Ling Wuye felt utterly put-upon inside. For a daughter to comply with her father’s directions was a matter of natural propriety. And yet, in his case, it had been turned on its head entirely!
After a short while, Wei Yan arrived.
When that unfamiliar face of Ling Wuye came into view, Wei Yan was somewhat taken aback.
Looking more carefully, there was a certain resemblance between Ling Jingshu, her brother, and Ling Wuye. After a moment’s consideration, he surmised Ling Wuye’s identity.
“Imperial Physician Wei, this is my father, the fifth in his generation in the family,” Ling Jingshu said by way of introduction. “Father, this is Imperial Physician Wei, the physician who has been performing acupuncture treatments on A’Xiao for his condition.”
“Imperial Physician Wei, you have gone to so much trouble for my son’s eye ailment.” Ling Wuye greeted Wei Yan warmly and effusively, while at the same time marvelling inwardly.
He had just been in the presence of the Crown Grandson, and had thought the Crown Grandson a one-in-a-thousand specimen of a handsome young man. He had not expected that this Imperial Physician Wei — young and strikingly handsome, with a bearing of exceptional distinction — would yield nothing to the Crown Grandson in comparison whatsoever.