Today is the day Ling Family’s First Branch departs Dingzhou.

Lu An is also leaving Dingzhou today. Ling Shi plans to stay at the Ling household for two months before returning to Jizhou with Lu Qian.

As for Lu Hong, he had originally intended to stay longer at the Ling household — but a few days prior, he suddenly changed his mind, wishing to return to Jizhou with Lu An.

Only Lu Qian knew the real reason. Lu Hong was clearly heartbroken and too ashamed to face Ling Jingshu again, which is why he wanted to leave early.

Ever since Lu Qian learned of Lu Hong’s plan to leave, his mood had been soaring. With his annoying elder brother gone, only he and Ling Jingshu would remain — plenty of time to slowly nurture their relationship.

“Elder Brother, you’re leaving with Father today — I’ll truly miss you,” Lu Qian suppressed the joy in his heart and put on a look of reluctant farewell. But the happiness inside him was too great; traces of it leaked from the corners of his eyes and brows.

How could Lu Hong fail to see through Lu Qian’s insincerity?

The two brothers, once inseparable, had grown distant because of Ling Jingshu — almost turning against each other. The warmth of former days was gone. Lu Qian couldn’t wait for him to leave!

Thinking of this, Lu Hong felt a complex mixture of emotions, and mustered himself to say: “Second Brother, stay with Mother at the Ling household. Rein in whatever thoughts you have and don’t neglect your studies.”

Lu Qian smiled: “Thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother. I’ll go to the Ling family school to sit in on lessons every day — I won’t neglect my studies. As for the matter of Cousin Shu and me, Elder Brother needn’t worry. Just wait for the good news.”

His tone was flush with the satisfaction of a victor.

Lu Hong’s gaze darkened. Thinking of Ling Jingshu, waves of pain surged through him — he couldn’t smile no matter how he tried.

On the other side, Ling Shi was bidding farewell to Lu An: “My lord is leaving for Jizhou first, and your concubine cannot accompany you — my heart is truly uneasy.”

Lu An waved it off: “You haven’t returned to your maternal home since you married. Staying a while longer is fine — no need to worry about Jizhou. Let Concubine Liu manage the inner household for a time.”

At the mention of Concubine Liu’s name, a flash of jealousy crossed Ling Shi’s eyes — then vanished. She smiled: “My lord has good taste. Concubine Liu is gentle, magnanimous, and knows propriety. She is most suitable to manage the inner household in my stead.”

Lu An paid no mind to Ling Shi’s momentary expression and said directly: “The matter of A’Qian and Shu Jie’er’s betrothal — I leave it to you.”

Ling Shi accepted with a full smile.

As the hour grew late, Ling Shi said cheerfully: “My lord should take A’Hong to Yonghe Hall now, bid farewell to Mother, and set off early.”

The Lu family soon arrived at Yonghe Hall, already crowded with people gathered to see off the First Branch and Lu An’s father and son.

Old Madam Ling was holding Ling Daye’s hand, earnestly instructing him: “…The journey to the capital is a thousand li. Take care on the road. Once you arrive, send word home. Don’t worry about family matters — Fourth Master and Fifth Master are here to hold things together…”

Her eyes had already reddened.

Past seventy — already an exceptionally long life. After this parting, most likely only on the day he closed his eyes forever would Ling Daye return to Dingzhou.

Ling Daye understood this too. Looking at the white-haired, loving face of Old Madam Ling, tears glistened in his own eyes, and he choked: “Your son is unfilial, unable to remain by Mother’s side…”

Mother and son grew emotional, and the gathered crowd performed accordingly — some looking down, others dabbing at their eyes.

It was only when the Lu family arrived that Old Madam Ling stopped her weeping.

Lu An led Lu Hong forward to take their leave. Facing her son-in-law and a grandson with no blood tie, Old Madam Ling was less emotional — she gave a warm, mild farewell urging them to take care on the road.

Lu Qian’s gaze fell on Ling Jingshu with barely concealed urgency.

Since her rebirth, Ling Jingshu’s dress and appearance had changed considerably. She used to favor bright, tender colors — now she preferred simplicity and quiet elegance.

Today she wore a moon-white dress, her long hair drawn up in a simple style, adorned with nothing but a single gold hairpin. Her face was bare of powder and rouge — yet her eyes were dark as lacquer, her brows needed no painting, her lips needed no rouge, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Since that day, Lu Qian had kept his promise and never visited Qiushui Pavilion again. On the occasional encounter at Yonghe Hall, he only cast a glance from a distance and did not pester her.

Elder Brother is leaving today. After this, no one stands between him and Ling Jingshu anymore.

With that thought, Lu Qian could barely contain the joy and excitement surging in his chest. For a moment he hadn’t even noticed that Ling Jingshu and her brother were standing with the First Branch.

He soon realized something was wrong.

The First Branch was stepping forward one by one to bid farewell to Old Madam Ling… Why were Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao among them?

When Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao knelt respectfully to bid farewell to Old Madam Ling and Ling Wuye and his wife, the sense of dread in Lu Qian’s heart grew ever stronger.

Old Madam Ling said gently: “Shu Jie’er, you and A’Xiao are going to the capital with them this time. On the road, follow your First Uncle and First Aunt’s arrangements in all things. Once in the capital, no matter what you need to do, consult your First Aunt more…”

Boom.

Something seemed to explode in Lu Qian’s mind. His whole body went rigid.

In fact, it wasn’t only Lu Qian — others who didn’t know the inside story were equally stunned.

“Cousin Shu, why are you and Cousin Xiao going to the capital?” Ling Jingxian was the first unable to restrain herself. “When was this decided? How did none of us hear a word of it?”

With travel so arduous in these times, leaving home was no small matter. How could Ling Jingshu and her brother leave Dingzhou without so much as a whisper of it?

Ling Jingshu pursed her lips and smiled — and said nothing.

Sure enough, Old Madam Ling glanced at Ling Jingxian with displeasure: “Shu Jie’er is accompanying A’Xiao to the capital to seek medical treatment for his eyes. It’s not a pleasure trip — so there was no reason to announce it. Is it strange you didn’t know? Should she have beaten drums and made a great fuss beforehand?”

Because of the earlier ruckus with Yue Shi and her daughter insisting on leaving with Ling Erye, Old Madam Ling had been nursing her irritation — and now her words carried a pointed, indirect rebuke.

Ling Jingxian was thoroughly scolded into silence. Yue Shi felt embarrassed on her daughter’s behalf and wanted to intercede, but caught Ling Erye glaring fiercely at her — and swallowed her words.

Ling Shi, only coming to her senses now, quickly smiled: “So it’s for A’Xiao’s eye condition. The capital truly has many renowned physicians — going there to seek treatment is entirely the right course. Shu Jie’er is so devoted — truly admirable.”

But why had everyone been kept in the dark about this?

Lu Hong seemed to realize something and quickly glanced at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian at this moment — his fair face had drained of all color, his whole body stiff, like an abandoned small creature, and somehow pitiable to look at.

Lu Hong saw it and felt both pity and a sense of vindication.

Lu Qian had been insisting Ling Jingshu had feelings for him — but clearly it had been entirely one-sided. Otherwise, something as significant as Ling Jingshu leaving Dingzhou for the capital — why would she have deliberately hidden it from Lu Qian?

Perhaps… Ling Jingshu had left so suddenly precisely to avoid him.

If Lu Hong could think of this, how could Lu Qian not?

He desperately wanted to rush to Ling Jingshu and demand answers — his feet had already shifted involuntarily — then he wrenched himself still.

No!

He couldn’t be this impulsive!

Lu Qian bit down hard and told himself to stay calm.

The bitter lessons of his past life were vivid before him. If he made a scene like he had in his past life, Ling Jingshu’s revulsion toward him would only deepen… The dock was still a good half-day’s journey away. He still had time to approach her, still had a chance to clarify everything.