A single glance was enough to see that Ling Jingshu was faring exceedingly well in Lingbo Palace.
Wei Yan felt the worry in his chest release at once.
He understood clearly enough that with Wei Xianfei here, no one would dare trouble or make things difficult for Ling Jingshu. Even so, he had needed to see it with his own eyes before his heart could be truly settled.
Wei Xianfei evidently understood the purpose of Wei Yan’s visit all too well, yet feigned ignorance and teased him with light-hearted amusement: “Imperial Physician Wei is busy every day attending to His Majesty. How is it that you found time today to come and visit this consort in Lingbo Palace?”
Wei Yan’s expression remained composed, betraying not the slightest hint of embarrassment: “Today is Imperial Physician Zhou’s shift. As this subject had some free time, he thought to come and pay his respects to my lady.”
Wei Xianfei playfully saw through him: “This consort recalls only going to Zichen Palace yesterday, where she saw Imperial Physician Wei at that time. After only a single day’s separation, he is already thinking of this consort again. This consort is truly deeply moved!”
Wei Yan: “…”
Even with his considerable nerve, Wei Yan felt the heat creep into his face.
A thread of sweetness stirred in Ling Jingshu’s chest. Looking at Wei Yan’s flustered expression, she could not help but curl the corners of her lips.
Wei Xianfei had genuine affection for her younger brother, and after teasing him a little, she could not bring herself to leave him in prolonged embarrassment. She took the initiative to help him out herself: “You have come at just the right moment. As it happens, there is an important matter this consort wished to ask you about. Xin Yun — all of you, please withdraw. Female Official Ling attending here is sufficient.”
Xin Yun smiled in response and led the other palace maids out of the room.
Only three people remained in the room.
Wei Xianfei no longer needed to maintain her formal posture, and asked with an easy smile: “A’Yan, why did you just come over to Lingbo Palace like this? Does His Majesty know?”
One could not allow even the faintest seed of suspicion to take root in His Majesty’s mind. If that happened, all the effort made before this would be entirely wasted!
Wei Yan perceived Wei Xianfei’s concern at once and answered with a calm smile: “Before I came, I had already specifically informed His Majesty. His Majesty did not show any suspicion. Elder Sister need not worry.”
Only then did Wei Xianfei exhale in genuine relief.
“Elder Sister, thank you for saving A’Shu.” Wei Yan cupped his hands and offered his gratitude with full solemnity.
This act of hers had undeniably carried risk. It was fortunate that His Majesty, weakened in body, had no further designs on Ling Jingshu, and had agreed without delay to release her.
When Wei Yan had learned of this, the great stone that had pressed upon his heart was instantly lifted. Knowing that Ling Jingshu would be safe from now on, his spirits over these past days had been exceptionally light and easy.
“Being able to do something for the two of you is simply what is right and proper for me as an elder sister. There is nothing worthy of gratitude.” Wei Xianfei refused to take any credit, and chided him in a warm tone: “With all this solemnity, are you treating me as an outsider?”
Wei Yan broke into a helpless laugh and said no more of such formalities.
Wei Xianfei then smiled and praised him: “Over these past days, A’Shu has been a great help to me. With her here, so much weight has been lifted off my shoulders. You might not have heard yet — A’Shu writes beautifully, is careful and attentive in all she does, and handles the abacus brilliantly!”
Wei Yan was visibly somewhat surprised, and instinctively looked toward Ling Jingshu: “You can use an abacus?”
In Wei Xianfei’s presence, Ling Jingshu felt a vague, inexplicable flutter of shyness, and even meeting Wei Yan’s gaze carried a certain bashfulness. She gave a soft sound of confirmation: “I learned when I was young. There was simply never an occasion to put it to use — I did not expect that it would now be able to help my lady. At least it was not learned in vain.”
Wei Xianfei caught Ling Jingshu’s unease and could not help but break into a knowing smile. She rose gracefully and said: “You two have a little talk. I will come back in a while.”
With Wei Xianfei gone, the slightly taut atmosphere in the room relaxed all at once.
Ling Jingshu let out a soft breath, and the expression on her face softened.
Her eyes were bright and gentle, the corners of her lips gently curved.
Looking at Ling Jingshu like this, Wei Yan’s own heart felt a deep, quiet contentment. He drew closer by two steps, unable to help himself: “A’Shu, are you truly doing well?”
“Yes.” Ling Jingshu lifted her eyes, and their gazes met: “Since entering the palace, these have been the most peaceful and most fulfilling days I have known. No need to exhaust myself with constant scheming, no need to be endlessly on guard against those around me — I eat well and sleep soundly each day, and my heart is genuinely at ease. I am truly doing very well.”
Without Empress Xu’s predatory gaze bearing down on her, without His Majesty’s burning stare, she could finally return to being herself.
Wei Yan smiled along with her: “I am relieved to hear that. All these days, I kept worrying you would not be able to settle in here in Lingbo Palace.”
“How could I not settle in.” Ling Jingshu gave a soft smile: “The Noble Consort is generous and warm, and has been exceptionally kind to me — looking after me in every way. If I still could not settle in with all of that, then I would truly be far too pampered. Being able to help the Noble Consort now, and spending each day busily and contentedly — I find myself genuinely wishing I could stay in Lingbo Palace forever.”
The respect and affection Ling Jingshu held for Wei Xianfei radiated through every word.
Wei Yan saw this and felt a deep warmth settle within him.
Wei Xianfei was the elder sister upon whom he had always depended, and Ling Jingshu was the young woman who held all his heart. To see the two of them getting along so harmoniously was, for him, a source of genuine comfort and joy.
“You cannot stay in Lingbo Palace forever.” Wei Yan lowered his voice, a quiet smile in his eyes: “I still hope that someday I can take you out of the palace, beyond the capital, to see what lies in the world beyond these walls.”
For all its grandeur and splendor, the imperial palace was nothing more than a gilded and exquisite cage.
He wanted to step out of that cage and take her with him, far away and free.
Ling Jingshu let her mind drift toward the day she would walk out of the palace gates, and felt a deep, involuntary longing stir within her. Lost in thought for a moment, she did not notice that Wei Yan had drawn closer still.
The two of them were now nearly side by side. Wei Yan needed only to extend his arm slightly to draw her into his embrace.
For a man in the full vigor of his youth, to have the woman he loved within reach and feel no stirring impulse would have been impossible.
Yet given Ling Jingshu’s particular circumstances, Wei Yan restrained the restless yearning in his heart with great effort. He drew close with care and caution, watching attentively for any change in her expression. At the slightest sign of discomfort from her, he would withdraw at once.
“How is His Majesty’s condition now?” Ling Jingshu appeared not to be averse to his closeness, neither pulling away nor stepping back.
Wei Yan was quietly glad within and, maintaining this nearness, replied in a low voice: “He must still lie in bed each day. He requires someone to feed him his meals, and even when he manages to get up and move about a little, he needs support. At this rate, it will take at least a year or more before he recovers.”
“Moreover, even once he does recover, he will no longer have the strength to be intimate with the inner court. So you need not trouble yourself over that matter any longer.”
For a man who had spent a lifetime indulging in sensual pleasures, to have come to such a state was a fitting consequence of his own actions.
Ling Jingshu gave a soft sound of acknowledgment, then after a moment of thought, asked in a low voice: “I heard that Chief Eunuch Huang was punished and sent to sweep the palace gates?”
Chief Eunuch Huang had originally been the head eunuch of the Bureau of Palace Affairs — a figure of standing among the palace’s eunuchs. To have been demoted to the lowest post of sweeping attendant was indeed a pitiable fate.
Wei Yan let out a helpless sigh: “Elder Sister has already been lenient. At least she preserved his life.”
In this palace, a single life amounted to very little. To keep one’s life was already something to be grateful for.