Ling Jingshu took the prescription, folded it, and tucked it into her purse.

To avoid drawing attention, every time she came to Huichun Hall for a “consultation,” she had to stay for a good while — nearly half an hour — before going back out.

Reckoning that enough time had passed, Ling Jingshu rose with a smile. “I’ve held things up for so long again — the patients outside must be getting anxious waiting.”

Every time she came, she never needed to take a number tag; she was always seen first. Such special treatment wasn’t even afforded to the family members of court officials.

Wei Yan didn’t let the reluctance in his heart show on his face, and he too stood up with a smile. “Alright, I’ll see you out.”

Ling Jingshu hummed in acknowledgment. When she reached the doorway, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned and asked, “Have things been alright for you in the palace lately? Empress Xu hasn’t been giving you trouble, has she?”

It couldn’t quite be called trouble, but being summoned every few days to check her pulse for routine health was unavoidable.

Wei Yan didn’t want to dwell on it and answered casually, “Don’t worry, I’ve managed to handle it these past few years. No need to fret over my chastity.” There was a touch of self-mockery in how he said the word “chastity.”

Ling Jingshu couldn’t help laughing despite herself, but then thought that laughing out loud like that was disrespectful to Wei Yan. She quickly coughed and forced back her smile, comforting him instead. “The Emperor’s health remains sound, so Empress Xu must still have some restraint in her actions — she would never dare to openly force the issue with you.”

Wei Yan’s lips curved slightly, and he said flatly, “I’m well-versed in medicine, so she would never dare use any underhanded substances on me. Furthermore, His Majesty holds me in considerable regard and trust. If Empress Xu’s conduct becomes too overbearing, I’ll risk everything in a final confrontation and expose all her filthy schemes.”

He had never gone that far yet, simply because the situation hadn’t deteriorated to that point.

Moreover, Wei Yan had many concerns weighing on him as well.

Consort Wei and her daughter were both within the palace, every word and action of theirs under Empress Xu’s watchful eye. Outside the palace, there was also Prince Yan, whose power grew ever more formidable. Without certainty of success, he absolutely could not act rashly.

He could disregard his own life, but he could not disregard Consort Wei and Princess Anning.

These things, Wei Yan didn’t need to say aloud — Ling Jingshu could sense them all the same.

Trapped in such difficult circumstances, burdened with so many concerns, forced to endure and survive against his will — such a life was heavy and helpless. But to protect the people closest and most important to him, he had no choice but to keep enduring.

Compared to recklessly settling scores without regard for consequences, this kind of forbearing strength was all the more moving, and all the more worthy of respect.

Ling Jingshu gazed deeply at Wei Yan for a long moment before saying softly, “In any case, please be careful and take care of yourself in everything.”

Wei Yan hummed in response. “You take care too.”

Over these past two months or so, Empress Xu had been acting far too calm.

When Consort Wei had summoned Ling Jingshu into the palace, Empress Xu had neither inquired about it nor summoned Ling Jingshu to Jiaofang Hall, as though nothing had happened before at all.

Given Empress Xu’s cunning, suspicious, treacherous, and ruthless nature, letting Ling Jingshu off so easily simply didn’t make sense. It felt more like the calm before a coming storm.

He had been quietly on guard all along, watching for any move from Empress Xu. If that day truly came, no matter what, he would protect Ling Jingshu and keep her safe.

···

The look in Wei Yan’s eyes — calm on the surface yet holding complicated emotions beneath — lingered in Ling Jingshu’s heart, refusing to fade for a long while.

After walking out of Wei Yan’s line of sight, Ling Jingshu stopped in her tracks. She stood still for a moment, and after a while, let out a soft sigh.

Bai Yu’s voice rang out beside her, interrupting Ling Jingshu’s train of thought. “Miss, you’re finally out. Qiao Yun and I have been waiting here for ages.”

Ling Jingshu snapped back to herself and gave a somewhat apologetic smile. “Imperial Physician Wei prescribed me a new remedy today, which took a bit more time. Let’s go. A’Xiao and the others must be getting anxious waiting too.”

Bai Yu agreed with a smile.

Stepping from the inner hall into the outer hall of Huichun Hall, Ling Jingshu quickly composed herself. Just as she was about to call out to the others, she suddenly noticed something amiss.

Strange — why did Ling Jingyan look so cross?

And who was that unfamiliar young man standing beside her?

Ling Jingshu calmly looked the young man over. He appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, young and handsome, with the corners of his mouth curved upward — even when not smiling, his face carried a hint of an endearing grin.

“Father, A’Xiao, Cousin Jingyan.” Ling Jingshu stepped forward and greeted each of them in turn, then asked Ling Jingyan in a low voice with feigned curiosity, “Who is this young master? How did he come to be here?”

Ling Jingyan couldn’t help pursing her lips. “This is the son of Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice, named Zhang Jian.” As for how this Zhang Jian had come into the picture, it was such a vexing matter she didn’t want to mention a single word of it.

Ling Jingyan’s expression was wonderfully expressive, written all over with disdain for Zhang Jian.

Ling Jingshu, holding back a smile with effort, looked toward Zhang Jian. “So this is Young Master Zhang.”

The instant he got a clear look at Ling Jingshu’s face, a flash of astonished admiration passed through Zhang Jian’s eyes — a perfectly normal reaction any man would have upon seeing a beautiful young woman.

However, after that brief moment of admiration, Zhang Jian didn’t lose his composure. He quickly returned to normal and said politely, hands clasped in greeting, “This humble one is Zhang Jian. Greetings, Miss Ling.”

Ling Jingyan pursed her lips again to the side.

Men really were all drawn to beauty after all. This Zhang Jian had been scowling and deliberately teasing her, but the moment he saw Ling Jingshu, he instantly transformed into a model gentleman!

Hmph!

Ling Jingshu asked with a smile, “I wonder how Young Master Zhang came to know my cousin Jingyan?” Given Ling Jingyan’s temperament, nine times out of ten she had caused some trouble.

Zhang Jian glanced at Ling Jingyan with an expression of feigned reluctance, as though it were too awkward to bring up. “This story is rather long in the telling. Perhaps it’s best left unsaid!”

Ling Jingyan’s almond eyes went wide, and she glared fiercely at Zhang Jian. “Who asked for your false kindness? At the start of this matter, I admit I was in the wrong, but I never tried to weasel out of it! I already said I’d pay you back the silver. It was you who deliberately played a trick on me — and you have the nerve to put on such a wronged expression!”

She herself was the one full of grievance!

Zhang Jian watched Ling Jingyan’s lively, flushed face and her wide round eyes, finding it more and more delightful the longer he looked.

He had never before encountered such a lively, straightforward, and adorable young woman!

In terms of looks and bearing, the Miss Ling who had just appeared was clearly the more outstanding of the two. Yet strangely, his entire attention had been captured by the other one.

Zhang Jian looked at Ling Jingyan and said earnestly, “It’s not right for you to put it that way. I already explained earlier that what I said before was just an offhand joke — I never expected you to actually believe it. In the future, if you encounter something similar, you should first understand the full situation before stepping in. That way you’ll avoid wrongly accusing good people, or meaning well and ending up doing something wrong.”

No matter how you put it, he always seemed to be in the right.

Ling Jingyan gave a resentful little snort. “So by that logic, I should thank you properly, then.”

Zhang Jian grinned. “If you really wish to thank me, why not treat me to lunch?”

Ling Jingyan: “…”