He had set out in high spirits, filled with pleasant anticipation. He returned distracted and weighed down with a heart full of troubled thoughts.
Seated in the carriage, the laughter and chatter of Ling Jingyan, Jiang Shi, and the others drifted to her ears from time to time. Ling Jingshu paid them little mind and scarcely heard a word. The words the Crown Grandson had spoken kept circling through her thoughts without end.
When had Wei Yan gone to find the Crown Grandson?
What exactly had he said to the Crown Grandson?
What did he intend to do?
Although the Crown Grandson had been vague and unwilling to say plainly, her instincts told her that this matter must have something to do with her…
“A’Shu, A’Shu,” Ling Jingyan pressed in with animated enthusiasm, giving Ling Jingshu’s sleeve a firm tug: “You haven’t said a word since you got into the carriage — what are you thinking about?”
Ling Jingshu came back to herself and smiled in concealment: “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about how many guests came today to celebrate the coming-of-age ceremony for Third Miss Jiang — it was truly lively.”
Ling Jingyan was inattentive by nature and did not at all notice that Ling Jingshu’s words did not match her heart. She chimed in with an envious look: “Indeed! Her coming-of-age ceremony was so grand and prestigious! I wonder whether our own ceremonies next year will be as festive.”
Sun Shi gave Ling Jingyan a reproachful look: “Stop dreaming your impossible dreams. Our Ling Family has shallow roots in the capital — we simply don’t have that many relatives and friends.”
The Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and the Crown Grandson had all come to attend the ceremony — that kind of honor and glory was something only Third Miss Jiang could lay claim to.
Ling Jingyan stuck out her tongue and said with a grin: “Mother, I was just saying it casually!”
With the lively and lovable Ling Jingyan around, the atmosphere could not help but be light.
Sun Shi then looked with a meaningful smile toward Jiang Shi and said, with an air of veiled implication: “It goes without saying that the Crown Princess and the Crown Grandson came to the Duke of England’s manor. But the Crown Prince also showed his face today — that was quite unexpected.”
Jiang Shi had clearly also guessed at something, and replied ambiguously: “Indeed. I was surprised as well!”
Sun Shi smiled with a knowing air and quickly changed the subject.
…
The carriage came to a stop before the Ling estate.
Everyone alighted one by one.
The head of the gatehouse hurried forward with an eager smile: “Madam, you’ve finally returned. Distinguished guests came to the estate today. The master is on duty and not at home, but fortunately Ling Wuye and young Master Xiao are here to receive them…”
Sun Shi raised an eyebrow: “And who are these guests?”
The head of the gatehouse replied with a smile: “The two young masters from the Lu Family have come.”
Lu Hong and Lu Qian?
Ling Jingshu’s steps faltered, and she knitted her brows slightly. Just as she had anticipated — Lu Qian had indeed followed Lu Hong to the capital. And the moment they arrived, they had come straight to the Ling estate.
A’Shu’s illness had its origins in the Lu brothers. One could only marvel that those two still had the face to come here.
Thinking of this, Ling Jingyan’s heart grew all the more indignant. She moved to Ling Jingshu’s side and whispered in her ear: “A’Shu, if you don’t want to see those two, don’t go to the inner hall. Just take the back path and go around.”
Ling Jingshu said calmly: “There’s no need for that. I’ll still go to the inner hall and make an appearance.”
Lu Hong had somewhat more of a sense of shame — if she avoided him, he would not be so thick-skinned as to linger without leaving. Lu Qian, however, was a different matter. If he did not see her today, she feared he would refuse to go.
The trouble had already come. There was no avoiding it.
…
Just as everyone stepped across the threshold of the inner hall, the two young men who had been seated both rose to their feet with looks of pleased surprise.
One was dressed in a sapphire blue brocade robe, tall and upright in bearing, with a face as fine as polished jade.
The other wore an indigo blue brocade robe and had fair skin and handsome, refined features.
They were none other than the Lu brothers, Lu Hong and Lu Qian.
Nearly half a year had passed since their last meeting. Lu Hong showed little change — still graceful and handsome as before. Lu Qian, however, had filled out somewhat in build. He had grown considerably taller as well, with the budding handsomeness of a young man coming into his own.
Both brothers’ gazes fell, as if by unspoken agreement, upon Ling Jingshu’s face. Lu Hong was still somewhat more restrained — he looked once and then shifted his eyes away. Lu Qian’s gaze, however, was burning with an ardor bordering on hunger.
Ling Wuye noticed this and felt rather displeased. He gave a forceful cough: “Sister-in-law, A’Hong and A’Qian arrived in the capital just yesterday. They came to pay a visit first thing this morning. Regrettably, you had all gone as guests to the Duke of England’s manor. The two brothers have been waiting here all this while for you to return.”
Sun Shi came forward with a warm smile: “Had I known you two were coming, I would have stayed at the estate no matter what today.”
Though she had no fondness in her heart for the Lu brothers, they were after all the sons of Ling Shi — and the own nephews of Ling Daye. As their aunt by marriage, she could not afford to let propriety slip on the surface.
Lu Hong replied courteously with a smile: “It is we brothers who came too abruptly and without notice — how could we fault our aunt? Before coming, we ought to have sent a calling card ahead.”
“We are all family — what need is there for a calling card,” Sun Shi continued with polished pleasantries. “In the future, come whenever you wish.”
The words were warm, and the smile on her face was quite cordial.
Yet Lu Hong was perceptive enough to detect something slightly off. Sun Shi’s warmth was entirely on the surface — she did not truly welcome the two of them.
He had felt this from the very morning.
When he and his younger brother arrived at the Ling estate, Ling Wuye and Ling Xiao, father and son, had accompanied them for most of the day. Ling Xiao spoke little to begin with and had been glumly silent all day. Ling Wuye, though appearing amiable, was not truly warm either. The two of them had been thick-skinned enough to wait until now…
There must be some situation here that they were unaware of.
Lu Qian’s heart was entirely fixed on Ling Jingshu — he had not noticed any of this at all. Having endured through the lengthy pleasantries of the elders, he made his way impatiently to stand before Ling Jingshu: “Elder Cousin Shu, since our parting in Dingzhou, nearly half a year has passed without a meeting. How have you been getting on in the capital?”
Ling Jingyan stepped forward and positioned herself in front of Ling Jingshu: “Elder Cousin Shu has been doing very well in the capital. Thank you for your concern, Younger Cousin Qian.”
He was speaking to Ling Jingshu — why was Ling Jingyan butting in?
Lu Qian muttered inwardly with annoyance, shifted two steps to the left, and continued to look at Ling Jingshu directly: “Elder Cousin Shu, Elder Brother is coming to the capital to study. I asked Father and Mother for their permission and came along with Elder Brother. We’ll be staying at Second Uncle’s house — it’s not far from the Ling estate. Since we’ll be in the capital together from now on, we’ll be able to see each other often…”
Ling Jingyan interrupted with a smile that did not reach her eyes: “With men and women kept separate in propriety, seeing each other too often would invite gossip — I think that had better not happen.”
Lu Qian: “…”
Even someone as thick-headed as Lu Qian could see the hostility Ling Jingyan bore him.
Being protected by Ling Jingyan in this way made Ling Jingshu feel deeply warmed. The gloom and irritation that had come over her when the Lu brothers appeared also dispersed.
“Younger Cousin Qian, I had not expected that you would come to the capital together with Elder Cousin Lu,” Ling Jingshu said with an unhurried and indifferent air. “You are always welcome to come visit the Ling estate. However, what Elder Cousin Yan said is correct. Men and women observe propriety and keep their distance — even between cousins, one must be mindful of appearances.”
The words carried an unmistakable coolness and detachment.
Lu Qian could no longer keep up a smile.