As they passed each other, Ling Jingxian shot Ling Jingshu a resentful glare.
Ling Jingshu’s mind was full of weighty concerns, and she had absolutely no inclination to pay attention to Ling Jingxian’s inexplicable provocation. She quickened her steps into Yonghe Hall and paid her respects to Old Madam Ling.
Old Madam Ling had just swallowed a bellyful of aggravation, and her tone was somewhat sharp: “Shu Jie’er, what important matter have you come about this time?”
Ling Jingshu caught the word “this time” with sharp sensitivity, and piecing it together with the crestfallen appearance of Yue Shi and Ling Jingxian, she could guess at the general shape of what had just transpired: “Did Second Aunt and Cousin Xian say something just now that displeased Grandmother?”
Old Madam Ling gave a light, disgruntled snort, her voice laden with discontent: “It isn’t anything particularly significant. The two of them wish to follow your Second Uncle to his official posting. If they had only opened their mouths and asked sincerely, that is a small thing — I would not have gone out of my way to obstruct them. But instead, in front of me, they resorted to roundabout schemes and machinations, truly taking me for a confused old fool!”
As the most senior person in the Ling household, highest in generation, status, and standing, Old Madam Ling’s temper was naturally nothing small. Though she appeared amiable and kind in ordinary times, once she was genuinely roused, all her sons and daughters-in-law would tremble with trepidation, ears bent to receive her admonitions.
Ling Jingshu had come today with a matter of the utmost urgency to request of Old Madam Ling. Only if Old Madam Ling gave her assent could what she had in mind become reality. It was naturally necessary to coax Old Madam Ling into a good mood first, so she immediately responded: “Second Aunt’s manner of going about things truly lacked all propriety. Grandmother has always been kind-hearted — provided one comes with sincere entreaty, there is absolutely no reason you would refuse.”
These words were considerably more pleasing to the ear.
Old Madam Ling’s mood eased considerably, and her tone grew much warmer: “Well, enough of that vexing business. Shu Jie’er, have you come with something to say to me?”
Ling Jingshu did not beat about the bush, and replied with candid directness: “Yes, your granddaughter has something very important to discuss with Grandmother — and these words can only reach Grandmother’s ears. Would you please first have Mo Kui and the others withdraw?”
Now this was how family ought to speak to each other — directly and without pretense!
Old Madam Ling nodded with pleasure and instructed Mo Kui and the others to withdraw.
In the vast expanse of Yonghe Hall, only Old Madam Ling and Ling Jingshu remained.
Old Madam Ling smiled: “What is this important matter? Surely you can say it now?”
“I have come today about A’Xiao’s affairs…” Ling Jingshu repeated, word for word, everything she had said to Ling Wuye earlier.
Old Madam Ling had been smiling at the start; gradually her expression grew grave. When she heard of the physician Wei at the capital who was particularly skilled in treating difficult and rare conditions, she could not help but be moved: “Shu Jie’er, is what you say true? There is a real possibility this physician Wei could restore A’Xiao’s sight?”
“Whether he can truly heal him, I cannot say with certainty yet. But so long as there is even the slimmest hope, I want to bring A’Xiao there and try.” A resolute light shone in Ling Jingshu’s eyes: “I have already obtained Father’s approval. In a few days I will set out for the capital along with First Uncle’s family. I only hope Grandmother will give her blessing as well.”
Old Madam Ling considered for a brief moment, then said slowly: “If A’Xiao’s eyes could truly be healed and he could see the light of day again — that would naturally be a joy of the highest order. However, the thought of you alone accompanying A’Xiao to the capital puts me ill at ease. You are a delicate young woman who has never traveled far from home. The hardships of a long journey and appearing in public would be most inconvenient. It would be better for your father to take A’Xiao there himself. You stay here quietly by your grandmother’s side.”
The words had barely fallen when Ling Jingshu dropped to her knees with a thud: “Grandmother’s consideration for me moves me deeply. But I have a reason I cannot not go.”
A reason she cannot not go?
Old Madam Ling was first startled, then quickly said: “If there is something troubling you, tell your grandmother plainly. There is no need to kneel.”
At this moment, Old Madam Ling, in the presence of her juniors, was still that gentle and affectionate grandmother. She harbored genuine fondness and tenderness for Ling Jingshu.
It was only at the threshold of threats to the family’s survival that the iron-hearted, cold, and merciless face would emerge.
Ling Jingshu laughed inwardly in cold amusement, though she let a sorrowful expression show on her face: “Grandmother, I have fallen ill with a strange ailment. My wish to accompany A’Xiao to the capital is not only to tend to his eyes — it is also to quietly seek treatment for my own illness.”
Old Madam Ling was startled and, in her shock, forgot even to bid Ling Jingshu rise: “What did you say? What sort of strange illness have you contracted?”
Ling Jingshu did not need to feign the look of bitterness that came over her face: “Aside from A’Xiao, I cannot go near any man. Even the slightest touch — so much as a brush of fingertips — produces an abnormal reaction: my whole body convulses, and I am overcome by nausea and vomiting.”
Old Madam Ling: “…”
What manner of strange illness was this? What did she mean by not being able to go near any man?
Old Madam Ling stared in astonishment and pressed, incredulous: “Is all of this true? When did this come about?”
Ling Jingshu bit her lip, a glimmer of moisture welling in her eyes, her voice catching slightly: “Your granddaughter dares not conceal anything from Grandmother. It is only this very recent period that this strange ailment was discovered.”
“You foolish child — why did you not say something sooner?” Old Madam Ling furrowed her brow: “Tell me everything in detail, immediately, without the slightest concealment.”
Ling Jingshu put on an air of not knowing quite how to begin, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Old Madam Ling pondered for a moment and guessed at the reason for Ling Jingshu’s difficulty: “You are too ashamed to speak — is it because a man touched your hand?”
An unmarried young lady being alone with a man in private was already improper; the intimate gesture of holding hands was even more beyond the pale.
Ling Jingshu, her eyes reddened, gave a small nod.
Old Madam Ling, as perceptive as she was, almost immediately identified who it must have been: “It was Lu Hong, wasn’t it!”
Ling Jingshu ducked her head as though in shame and murmured haltingly: “Not only him — there was also Cousin Qian.”
Old Madam Ling: “…”
Old Madam Ling looked as though she had swallowed something that had gone down the wrong way, and several long moments passed before she managed to produce a few words: “There is no one else here. Say whatever you have to say without hesitation. Rest assured — this matter will not reach a single other person’s ears.”
This was precisely the assurance she had been waiting for!
Ling Jingshu wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeve and lowly disclosed the truth: “On the day of Grandmother’s birthday, A’Xiao had someone summon me back to Qiushui Pavilion. When I returned, I found that Cousin Lu was also there. The situation was improper — one ought to avoid any appearance of impropriety. I felt something was not right about Cousin Lu’s manner and wanted him to leave. But not only did he refuse to go, he began to say a number of… confused and improper things. I was both startled and frightened, and told him firmly to leave. In his agitation, he rushed forward and seized my hand. At that very moment, I was overcome with nausea and retched right where I stood.”
“Cousin Lu was apparently frightened by my reaction, and departed shortly after. After that, he did not speak of the matter to anyone. I too was ashamed to make it known, and told myself it was probably a one-time occurrence and did not think much of it.”
“But then, yesterday, Cousin Qian came to Qiushui Pavilion again…”
What followed seemed, apparently, to be truly difficult to say aloud.
Ling Jingshu bit her lip, her pretty face flushed red with the effort of suppressing the words.
But Old Madam Ling’s heart had already sunk, and she quickly guessed at what had occurred: “Did A’Qian say that he had fallen for you, and that he wanted your aunt to come to the Ling Family and propose a match on his behalf?”
Ling Jingshu fell silent.
Even though Old Madam Ling already knew how matters stood, she still could not help pressing for the full account: “And then what happened?”
“I am two years older than Cousin Qian. I have always thought of him as a child, and felt toward him only the affection between cousins. Naturally I refused him.” Ling Jingshu exhaled a soft, quiet sigh: “I did not expect his reaction to be so intense. He pressed close to me, insisting over and over that he would absolutely marry me. At that moment, my whole body trembled uncontrollably, and my stomach churned and heaved without cease — I retched again.”
“Once is chance; twice is no longer chance. My heart was in both a panic and a fright, yet I dared not tell anyone of this matter. Even when I saw Father just now, I did not have the courage to say it. In all this household, the one who cares for me most is Grandmother. And so I summoned my courage to come to you…”
As she spoke, Ling Jingshu’s eyes grew red again. She tilted her face up to look at Old Madam Ling, her gaze filled with trust and beseeching: “Grandmother, you will keep this secret for me, won’t you? You will help me, won’t you?”
Even the most hard-hearted person would be softened by such a gaze.
What was more, Ling Jingshu had grown up at Old Madam Ling’s side, and had always been the one most in her favor. Seeing Ling Jingshu so alone and helpless, a wave of tender pity surged up in her heart.
“Good child — none of this is your fault. You must not feel guilty or blame yourself.” Old Madam Ling sighed deeply, and gently stroked Ling Jingshu’s head: “Stop kneeling. Rise and let us speak properly. In all things, your grandmother will uphold justice for you.”