Jiang Shi’s pregnancy had passed the third month. Her morning sickness had subsided, and the pregnancy had settled. Her belly had begun to swell slightly, her cheeks had filled out, and her complexion glowed with health.

At that moment, Jiang Shi was leisurely working at some needlework.

“Sister-in-law, you really should focus on resting and caring for the baby! The household keeps so many seamstresses — just let them make the baby’s clothes.” Ling Jingyan could not bear to see Jiang Shi tiring herself. “Stop doing needlework, or you’ll strain your eyes.”

Ling Jingshu added with a smile, “Cousin Jingyan is right. Cousin-in-law, please don’t wear yourself out.”

Jiang Shi set down her needlework and smiled radiantly. “Before this, I just lay around resting all day with nothing to do — it was both boring and stifling. Now that things have settled, doing a little needlework to pass the time doesn’t take much effort. Don’t worry, the two of you — if I feel the slightest discomfort, I’ll stop at once. The baby’s safety matters most of all.”

At the mention of the child in her belly, Jiang Shi’s face glowed with tenderness.

Watching her, Ling Jingshu could not help but think of herself in her previous life.

Back then, when she had been pregnant, she too had felt this same happiness and joy. But her husband, Lu Hong, had not been able to stay by her side. Just as her belly had begun to swell, he had left her to go to the capital for the imperial examinations.

She had endured the pain of childbirth alone. The moment the wrinkled little baby was placed before her, she had been so moved that tears filled her eyes. She had given almost all her love to that child…

But what came after?

In the capital, Lu Hong had grown entangled with Princess Changping, and the Lu family had set their hearts on climbing into the dragon’s favor. The treacherous and ruthless Ling Shi had had the child taken from her, then used the child’s life to threaten and coerce her, again and again!

After being placed under house confinement, she had almost never seen her child again. That small little face had begun, she knew not when, to grow blurred in her memory.

After being reborn, she rarely thought of that child she had been fated never to truly have.

She would never marry Lu Hong again, and that child could never come into the world now.

A nameless bitterness and sorrow rose in Ling Jingshu’s heart. The happiness on Jiang Shi’s face suddenly felt too dazzling to look at, and she turned her eyes away.

No, it was more than that!

Her illness, most likely, could not be cured. In this lifetime, she would never marry, and never have a child of her own again…

“Madam, the Young Master has returned,” a pretty maid came in to report with a smile. “The two young masters from the Lu family came along with him too. They heard that Madam is with child and have come especially to offer their congratulations!”

Jiang Shi was somewhat surprised, and instinctively glanced at Ling Jingshu.

Both Lu Hong and Lu Qian had come!

Ling Jingyan said quietly, “A’Shu, if you don’t want to see them, just don’t go out. We can hide here a while, and go out once they’ve left.”

It was rare for Ling Jingyan to be so thoughtful.

A warmth rose in Ling Jingshu’s heart, and she replied softly, “There’s no need for that. Since they’ve come, there’s no harm in seeing them.”

…

Before coming, Lu Hong and Lu Qian had truly only meant to congratulate Jiang Shi. They had never expected Ling Jingshu to be there as well — quite an unexpected joy.

As always, Lu Hong gave Ling Jingshu a reserved, tender glance. “It’s been some days since I last saw Cousin Shu. You look to be in very good health.”

Such tenderness and devotion had once left her utterly enchanted.

But seeing it now, there was none of the old thrill or joy left — only coldness and disgust.

Thinking again of that small, blurred face, Ling Jingshu felt an even deeper hatred for Lu Hong. Her voice was icy. “I haven’t been well lately and have been resting quietly in my chambers. What good health could I possibly have? Cousin Lu must be mistaken.”

Lu Hong: “…”

Cold indifference or open disgust — which, in the end, was more discouraging?

The answer was: impossible to say! Both were equally hard to bear!

Of everyone present, only Lu Hong did not know about Ling Jingshu’s illness — everyone else understood perfectly well. Now that Lu Hong had been rebuffed so plainly, Ling Xiao and the others only felt satisfied, and no one moved to smooth things over.

As for Lu Qian, caught up in a tangle of joy, hesitation, and conflicted feelings at seeing Ling Jingshu, he had no attention to spare for Lu Hong at all.

Jiang Shi coughed once, breaking the silence. “Everyone, sit down and talk — don’t just stand there.” She then told the maids to bring tea and refreshments.

That finally smoothed over the awkward moment.

Having been rebuffed, Lu Hong felt too embarrassed to speak to Ling Jingshu again, and turned instead to talk with Ling Ji about matters at the Academy.

Ling Xiao found the topic of great interest and listened with his ears pricked.

Lu Qian hesitated for a moment, then finally summoned his courage and called out, “Cousin Shu…”

Ling Jingshu turned to look at him coldly.

The undisguised coldness and disdain in her eyes were like a basin of cold water, instantly snuffing out the small flame in Lu Qian’s heart. He suddenly lost all courage to speak.

Lu Qian lowered his head and fell silent.

Ling Jingshu kept a cold expression on her face, but inwardly she was somewhat surprised.

Had Lu Qian really backed down just like that?

That was not like him at all.

Lu Qian was stubborn and self-assured, never one to listen to others. In her previous life, she had refused him many times, yet he had clung on regardless. Compared to the thin-skinned, easily managed Lu Hong, Lu Qian was the truly troublesome one.

She had not expected Lu Qian to be so easily put off today… And before this, he had not come to visit her even once under the pretext of concern for over two months. Together with his strangeness today, it all seemed quite out of the ordinary.

Could something have happened that she didn’t know about?

… For now, this question could only be set aside, kept down in her heart.

Everyone chatted idly for a while, and the atmosphere gradually grew much more relaxed.

“Oh, that’s right, tomorrow is Prince Yan’s wedding,” Ling Ji said, changing the subject with great enthusiasm. “All the officials of the court, civil and military alike, are to send gifts and congratulations. Father has to attend his duties at the Ministry of Works, so he’s left the task of presenting our gift to me. A’Hong, what about you — are you going to Prince Yan’s residence tomorrow?”

Lu Hong replied with a smile, “I hadn’t originally planned to go. But Second Uncle insists on bringing the two of us along, saying it would broaden our horizons and that it’s good to meet more people.”

… Poor Lu Hong had no idea what Lu Ping was truly scheming.

With Prince Yan’s wedding, Empress Xu could not conveniently leave the palace to preside, so Princess Changping was certain to attend at Prince Yan’s residence. Having Lu Hong show his face before her would keep him from slipping out of her mind as time went on.

Ling Jingshu, however, sensed something was off, and could not help glancing at Lu Hong.

In her previous life, Lu Hong had not come to the capital until several years later, and only then had he met Princess Changping. She did not know what twists and turns had led them there, but in the end, they had become entangled.

In this life, Lu Hong had come to the capital early. Could it be that his “fated bond” with Princess Changping had also come early?

What role, she wondered, was Lu Ping playing in all this?