Jiang Shi had been married into the family for over four years. The couple lived in loving harmony, and their only regret was the absence of children. Having longed for good news day and night, the joyful tidings had finally arrived, and the delight in Jiang Shi’s heart went without saying.

Such an important matter naturally could not be concealed.

That morning, after paying her respects to Sun Shi, Jiang Shi shyly brought up the matter of her pregnancy.

Sun Shi was overjoyed beyond all expectation and immediately summoned a physician to take her pulse again.

Once the happy pulse was confirmed a second time, Sun Shi’s face lit up with elation, her smile so wide she could not close her mouth. She rewarded the physician with a generously weighted purse, then immediately dispatched someone to send the glad tidings to Jiang Shi’s maternal family, and also instructed someone to send word to Ling Ji at the Imperial Academy.

“Congratulations, Elder Sister-in-law.” Ling Jingyan offered her delighted congratulations.

Ling Jingshu was also happy for Jiang Shi, and said with a smile: “Elder Cousin Sister-in-law is now carrying a child; from now on, she must not tire herself or worry too much. Nurturing the pregnancy properly is what matters most.”

Jiang Shi’s heart brimmed with joy, a radiance dancing in the corners of her eyes and brows as she gave a soft sound of agreement.

Reminded by Ling Jingshu’s words, Sun Shi also came to her senses and earnestly urged Jiang Shi: “What A’Shu said is right. Yuniang, now that you are with child, do not concern yourself with trivial matters — the pregnancy must come first and foremost. Starting today, you are also exempt from the morning and evening greetings. Whatever you wish to eat each day, simply tell the kitchen. Oh yes, nourishing tonics are absolutely necessary as well. I still have some fine bird’s nest at my place — I will have someone bring it to you shortly…”

Unable to decline, Jiang Shi accepted everything with a slightly flushed face.

Ling Jingshu and Ling Jingyan exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing smile.

Jiang Shi had finally endured to this day of joy after all her hardships.

That very afternoon, Ling Ji rushed back from the Imperial Academy — without even having time to pay his respects to Sun Shi, he hastened straight back to his courtyard to see Jiang Shi.

How the couple rejoiced goes without saying.

When Sun Shi learned of this, she was not the least bit displeased, and thought to herself with quiet happiness: it would be best if this pregnancy produced a stout, healthy son. Then the Ling family would have an heir.

……

Because of this joyful event, everyone in the Ling household was in high spirits.

Unfortunately, a most unwelcome visitor arrived.

“Greetings, Aunt-in-law.” Lu Qian respectfully cupped his hands in salute, performing the courtesy of a junior.

Sun Shi gathered herself and smiled: “No need for formality among family — sit and speak.”

After thanking her, Lu Qian sat down, the very picture of simple, well-behaved innocence.

Sun Shi smiled and asked: “How is it that you came alone today? Did your elder brother not come with you?”

“Elder Brother came to the capital to study. Second Uncle smoothed the way for him, and sent him into the Imperial Academy to study just yesterday.” Lu Qian answered obediently: “I had nothing to do staying at Second Uncle’s manor, so I came over.”

He seemed like quite an honest and guileless young man — one who inspired not the slightest dislike. And yet this very young man before her was one of the culprits behind Ling Jingshu’s strange affliction.

It was no wonder the Ling family regarded the two brothers with such little warmth. But evidently he did not know of this matter. Nor did he realize he was an unwelcome guest.

Sun Shi was inwardly musing on this when she casually asked with a smile: “A youth who does not study wastes his youth. A’Hong is so diligent and hardworking — he will not find it difficult to achieve success in the future. You must be almost thirteen now. At your age, you are old enough to study at the Imperial Academy as well. Why did you not have your Second Uncle arrange for you to enter alongside him?”

Lu Qian smiled with a touch of awkwardness: “I hope Aunt-in-law will not laugh at me for saying so. I was simply born with no interest in studying, and my ambitions lie elsewhere. Second Uncle did suggest it, but I declined his offer.”

He had come to the capital for Ling Jingshu — he had no heart for studying.

Sun Shi’s eyes were filled with disapproval, yet it was not her place to say anything.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lu Qian could no longer hold back and asked: “Aunt-in-law, are Cousin Xiao and Cousin Sister Shu both at the manor? I have nothing to do and would like to have a chat with them.”

Sun Shi gave a casual smile: “A’Xiao is indeed at the manor — if you want to find him to chat, go right ahead. However, A’Shu happened to have an errand to run today and is not at home.”

Lu Qian was momentarily stunned and instinctively pressed: “Where did she go?”

Sun Shi glanced at Lu Qian and said mildly: “She went to Huichun Hall.”

Without waiting for Lu Qian to press further, she continued: “You are new to the capital and may not know what Huichun Hall is. Huichun Hall is a charitable clinic founded by Imperial Physician Wei from the Imperial Medical Institute. Though Imperial Physician Wei is young in years, his medical skills are exceptionally brilliant, and he possesses the compassionate heart of a bodhisattva devoted to saving people. Patients suffering from difficult and rare ailments mostly seek treatment at Huichun Hall.”

Lu Qian’s heart gave a sudden lurch as he looked up in anxious bewilderment: “Why would Cousin Sister Shu, who is perfectly well, go to Huichun Hall? Could it be that she is seeking treatment on Cousin Xiao’s behalf?”

Sun Shi had been waiting for exactly this question and replied with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes: “A’Xiao’s eye condition has long since been entrusted to Imperial Physician Wei for treatment. A’Shu’s visit to Huichun Hall today is not on A’Xiao’s account — it is for her own treatment.”

For her own treatment?

For what ailment?

Lu Qian’s face filled with shock as the words burst from him: “What has happened to Cousin Sister Shu?”

Sun Shi suppressed the urge to scoff, and let a note of reproach seep into her voice: “If it were not for you two brothers, how would A’Shu have come to suffer from such a strange affliction?”

And he still had the nerve to ask!

Lu Qian’s mind was thrown into utter confusion, his voice urgent: “What strange affliction has Cousin Sister Shu contracted? How could it have anything to do with us brothers? Aunt-in-law, what is the meaning of all this?”

The very thought of Ling Jingshu’s condition made Sun Shi’s anger flare, and her tone could not help but reflect it: “This matter all started from when you two brothers arrived in Dingzhou…”

Sun Shi recounted the entire sequence of events from beginning to end, talking until her mouth ran dry, yet her anger only grew rather than subsided: “…A’Shu is still an unmarried young woman. Having contracted an ailment like this, how is she to marry in the future? The affection you two brothers showed and your inability to restrain yourselves have truly caused her tremendous suffering.”

The color drained from Lu Qian’s face bit by bit. His fair features slowly turned ashen, his eyes flooding with anguish, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

No one in this world understood Ling Jingshu’s innermost wound more clearly than he did.

Her affliction was not caused by the two of them — it was caused by their father, Lu An!

The humiliating ordeal of her past life had left her as though trapped in hell. Even after being reborn, she could not forget it. The touch of any man was something she found intolerable.

Seeing Lu Qian’s haggard, desolate expression, Sun Shi felt somewhat unsettled within herself as well. She forced herself to harden her heart and said: “I have spoken plainly today because I hope that you two will not come to see A’Shu anymore, so as not to stir up the distress buried deep in her heart. What I am saying is admittedly difficult to hear, but it is all for A’Shu’s sake. If you wish to place blame, then blame your Aunt-in-law…”

The corners of Lu Qian’s eyes stung with sourness. After a moment of silence, he replied in a hoarse voice: “Aunt-in-law, I do not blame you. I will take my leave now.”

With those words, he even forgot to bow — he rose and fled from the Ling family’s inner hall.

His steps staggering, his soul adrift.

Sun Shi watched Lu Qian’s retreating figure and could not help but let out a long sigh.