Before the carriage turned into the lane leading to the Ling household, Wei Yan stepped down from the carriage.

After all, he had been secretly accompanying Ling Jingshu back home; it would not do for him to present himself so openly before the Ling family.

“A’Shu, I must go.” Wei Yan stood beside the carriage window, holding Ling Jingshu’s gaze with reluctance to part: “After this, it will not be easy for me to come and see you. If anything arises, I will write a letter and have it delivered.”

Ling Jingshu replied: “I understand. But a few months — bear with it and it will pass. Go now. We are already very close to the Ling household. If someone were to see you sending me home, that would not be entirely proper.”

Wei Yan gave a sound of agreement, fixed his gaze on Ling Jingshu for one long moment, then finally steeled himself and turned to leave.

Bai Yu and Qiao Yun took this opportunity to return to the carriage.

The two women were tactful, and neither acknowledged the flush that had not yet faded from Ling Jingshu’s face, nor her lips, which appeared slightly reddened and swollen.

Bai Yu smiled: “Young Miss, let us hurry back to the household. The Lord and Lady are surely waiting for us.”

Ling Jingshu gathered her thoughts and nodded with a smile.

The carriage swiftly made its way toward the Ling household.

The great gates of the Ling household soon came into view in the distance.

The main gates of the Ling household stood wide open, with many people gathered at the entrance. Through the carriage window, Ling Jingshu saw one familiar face after another. Her great-uncle, her great-aunt, her older cousin and his wife, and her blood brother Ling Xiao. Even Ling Jingyan had returned.

In an instant, Ling Jingshu’s emotions surged and overflowed.

“A’Shu!”

Unable to contain himself, Ling Xiao ran toward the carriage in a rush, his expression overwhelmed, his eyes glistening with excited, joyful tears: “A’Shu, you’re finally back. I’ve been standing at the gate waiting for you since first thing this morning.”

He reached through the carriage window and took Ling Jingshu’s hand.

Ling Jingshu quickly told the driver to stop the carriage right there. The moment she stepped down, the two siblings fell into each other’s arms in an overwhelmed embrace: “A’Xiao, I’m back. I’ve finally left the palace and come home.”

Ling Jingshu’s words tumbled out incoherently; tears ran freely down her face.

The scene of entering the palace felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, at last, she had emerged from it safely and returned.

Ling Jingyan — who had been married and was now five months with child — also hurried over quickly, crying as she wrapped her arms around Ling Jingshu: “A’Shu, yesterday I received word from my parents saying you were coming home. I was so happy I couldn’t sleep all night, and came back before dawn even broke… wuwuwu!”

Zhang Jian stepped forward quickly, both worried and exasperated as he tried to comfort her: “A’Yan, you are carrying a child. You cannot go on laughing or crying at will the way you used to — you must keep your emotions steady, or it will harm you.”

Ling Jingyan kept on crying: “I know everything you’re saying. But I just can’t control myself! Seeing A’Shu, my heart is truly so happy. When I’m happy, I can’t help wanting to cry.”

Ling Jingshu wiped her tears and took Ling Jingyan’s hand: “Cousin Yan, I won’t cry anymore — don’t you cry either. My coming home is something to be happy about. Today, everyone is to be joyful — no one is allowed to shed a single tear.”

Sun Shi wiped the corners of her eyes and managed a smile: “A’Shu is right. Today is a great and happy occasion worthy of celebration. Not a single tear from anyone.”

Ling Daye coughed once: “All right — let us all go inside and talk there!”

Ling Jingshu had brought almost no luggage with her. She had the two maids take their bundles ahead to settle in the bedchamber. As for herself, once she entered the inner hall, she was immediately engulfed by everyone speaking at once and asking questions.

“A’Shu, how were you treated in the palace? Was Her Majesty the Empress good to you?” This was Ling Jingyan’s question.

Sun Shi was concerned about something else: “How did this marriage come about? There wasn’t the slightest hint beforehand — how did it suddenly come to a bestowed marriage?”

Ling Xiao pressed: “A’Shu, has your illness been completely cured? Are you well enough to be wed?”

Ling Daye’s focus was on a different point altogether: “Her Majesty the Empress personally bestowed the marriage upon you and Imperial Physician Wei, and specifically prepared so many trousseau gifts. This alone demonstrates how highly the Empress regards Imperial Physician Wei, and how greatly she approves of you. This deep grace and favor — you must keep it ever in your heart. Once you are wed, do not forget to frequently enter the palace to accompany Her Majesty…”

Jiang Shi and Ling Ji could not find a moment to interject; Zhang Jian also held his silence for the time being.

Even so, Ling Jingshu’s ears were nearly overwhelmed.

Ling Jingshu said with a helpless smile: “Please, everyone, no need to rush. Ask your questions one at a time. I am home already and not going back to the palace. From today onward, there is all the time in the world.”

At these words, everyone broke into laughter.

After that, everyone was indeed far more patient, and listened as Ling Jingshu unhurriedly recounted the events of her time in the palace.

Of course, there were certain private matters that could not be spoken of in front of everyone. Such as the fact that she and Wei Yan had long since quietly developed feelings for one another…

But no one was a fool, and they quickly surmised how things had unfolded.

If Wei Yan had not set his heart on Ling Jingshu, how would Empress Wei have taken the initiative to bring this match together?

“My illness was cured more than a year ago,” Ling Jingshu said to everyone with a smile. “It was only that I was in the palace and conveying news was very difficult. I never found the right moment to tell all of you.”

Ling Xiao let out a long, deep breath, his expression one of pure relief: “As long as the illness is cured, that is all that matters.”

Ling Jingshu’s recovery, her leaving the palace, and her forthcoming marriage — nothing could be better news than this.

It was only now, with some leisure at last, that Ling Jingshu had a chance to look Ling Xiao over carefully.

In over a year of not seeing each other, Ling Xiao had shed every trace of adolescence. He had grown considerably taller, his frame was slender and upright, his gaze was clear and bright, and he carried himself with a great deal more maturity.

In her previous life, Ling Xiao had perished at the age of sixteen.

In this life, Ling Xiao had his eye condition healed, enrolled at the Imperial Academy, and had grown into a fine and outstanding young man with a bright and promising future ahead of him.

“A’Xiao, you’ve grown up,” Ling Jingshu said, looking at him, her deep gratification and wistfulness known to no one but herself.

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow and grinned: “People always grow up. Before, I was always hiding behind you, relying on you for everything. From now on, it should be your turn to rely on me.”

As he said this, he straightened his chest — no longer slight as it once had been.

Ling Jingshu let layers of warmth ripple through her eyes: “Naturally.”

Ling Xiao grinned again: “When you go to live in the Wei household, if your brother-in-law ever dares to mistreat you, I will certainly not let him off.”

Ling Jingshu’s fair cheeks flushed faintly; she shot Ling Xiao a coquettish glare: “You really have grown up — even I’m not spared from your teasing now.”

Ling Jingyan laughed and joined in merrily: “It’s not just A’Xiao backing you up — we all stand as your family here. If Wei Yan ever treats you poorly, I and our elder cousin and his wife will all come to his door together to call him to account.”

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian promptly spoke up in assurance: “A’Yan, rest easy — I will always treat you well. I will never make you sad or cause you grief.” Then to Ling Ji he said: “Elder cousin-in-law and Elder cousin coming to call as guests is perfectly welcome; coming to call him to account is quite unnecessary.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Ling Jingshu also laughed out loud.

This was what coming home felt like — truly wonderful.