Old Madam Ling led everyone to see the First Branch and Lu An’s party off at the gate.

Outside the Ling mansion, eight carriages stood ready and waiting.

Three carriages held clothing and luggage; of the remaining five, Lu An and his son shared one, Ling Daye and his eldest son Ling Ji shared another, maids and servants took two more — and Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao rode with First Aunt Sun Shi and the others in the last one.

Lu Qian, seizing a moment when no one was paying attention, slipped into the carriage too.

Ling Shi was both exasperated and amused: “A’Qian, stop making trouble — get down quickly.”

Lu Qian said only one thing: “I’m sending Father and Elder Brother to the dock. Once they board the ship I’ll come back.” After that he said nothing, refusing all of Ling Shi’s coaxing.

Ling Shi was helpless against her stubborn, willful son and let him be.

The carriages ahead began to slowly move.

Ling Jingshu was sitting in the second carriage. Lu Qian leaned out, his gaze fixed tightly on that carriage — as if he could see through the thick wooden panels to Ling Jingshu’s figure.

After a long while, Lu Qian drew back his gaze — and met Lu Hong’s probing eyes.

“Second Brother — did you really have no idea beforehand that Cousin Shu was leaving Dingzhou for the capital?” Lu Hong pressed precisely where it hurt most.

Lu Qian bit back his feelings, feigning composure: “Cousin Shu must have been afraid I’d feel sad if she told me early — so she kept it from me on purpose. This time she’s going to the capital to find a renowned physician for Cousin Xiao’s eyes. Once his eyes are healed she’ll return soon.”

“Even if she has to stay in the capital two years, it doesn’t matter. I haven’t come of age yet — even if we were betrothed, we’d need to wait a few years to marry anyway. I’ll simply wait for her.”

Whether he was trying to convince Lu Hong, or himself, was unclear.

Lu Hong, at bottom, was not the sort to kick a man when he was down. Though he could see Lu Hong’s frantic agitation and forced calm perfectly clearly, he didn’t expose it — he simply gave a noncommittal sound and fell silent.

But Lu An frowned and sternly reproached: “A’Qian, you and Shu Jie’er have not formally settled a betrothal — there may well be changes down the road. Do not speak of this again.”

Lu An was worldly-wise; from today’s events alone he had guessed something of the truth. If Ling Jingshu were willing for this match, she would never have deliberately concealed her departure. This was clearly her way of avoiding Lu Qian.

Looking at Lu An’s handsome, distinguished face, a surge of hatred flooded Lu Qian’s heart in an instant.

If not for what Lu An had done — that act beneath the dignity of a human being — how would Ling Jingshu have ended up in such a miserable fate? Ling Jingshu loathed the entire Lu household to the bone, had no desire to ever marry into the Lu family, and thus avoided him at every turn…

“I don’t care what changes may come. I will marry no one but her.” Lu Qian shoved back hard.

Lu An’s fatherly authority had been challenged — he was furious to his very core: “Insolent wretch! How dare you speak to me like this! Where has your filial piety and loyalty gone?!”

Lu Hong grew alarmed at the outburst and frantically signaled Lu Qian with his eyes: “Second Brother, apologize to Father quickly!” Then he appealed on Lu Qian’s behalf: “Second Brother is so deeply devoted to Cousin Shu — he lost his sense of proportion in his agitation. Please, Father, calm your anger.”

Lu Qian gritted his teeth and lowered his head: “Your son spoke wrongly. I await Father’s punishment.”

In a moving carriage, what punishment could be administered?

Lu An gave a heavy huff, settled his expression, and said nothing more.

After that, the carriage fell silent — the atmosphere oppressive and suffocating.

Ling Jingshu, however, was in excellent spirits.

Ling Xiao was also leaving home for the first time; his heart was both excitedly eager and a little wordlessly anxious. He instinctively reached out and grabbed Ling Jingshu’s sleeve, asking quietly: “A’Shu, is the dock far now?”

Ling Jingshu laughed softly: “Still a good while yet! We’ve only been traveling a little over half an hour — at least two more hours of road ahead.”

Ling Xiao murmured acknowledgment, and naturally slid a little closer to Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu felt a surge of tenderness and simply took his hand, striking up a quiet, easy conversation with him. Having something to talk about steadied his nerves, and the unease dissipated; smiles began to appear on his face.

Sitting in the same carriage, Sun Shi and the others took in the whole scene.

Even though she had grown used in recent days to witnessing the closeness of this pair of twins, Sun Shi still couldn’t help a quiet inward surprise.

Males and females do not share seats after the age of eight — as they grew older, even full blood siblings should keep some distance. The closeness between Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao like this was genuinely rare.

“A’Shu, you and A’Xiao are truly devoted to each other — inseparable even for a moment,” Sun Shi said with a half-joking tease. “I had originally planned to have you room with A’Yan, but looking at the two of you now, it seems you and your brother should stay together.”

Ling Jingshu smiled and went with the flow: “That would be best — A’Xiao and I see each other every day from morning to night. Being separated would feel strange.”

In an unfamiliar city, there would inevitably be much to adjust to. With Ling Xiao’s blindness, if she were not by his side, he would surely feel anxious and unsettled.

Sun Shi, having lived in the capital and not being close to this niece and nephew, exchanged a few words and let the subject drop.

Two hours later, they finally arrived at the dock.

The official boat was already moored and waiting, with maids, matrons, and servants busily ferrying luggage aboard. The masters and mistresses had only to board and settle.

Ling Jingshu stepped down from the carriage first, then carefully helped Ling Xiao down.

A familiar voice sounded behind her: “Cousin Shu.”

Lu Qian had indeed come after her.

Ling Jingshu quickly furrowed her brow — then smoothed it — and turned around with a smile: “Cousin Qian, you came too?” Her manner was composed, her expression easy — even genuinely friendly.

As if the two were nothing more than ordinary cousins.

Even so, the surrounding crowd looked over with curiosity.

Lu Qian steadied himself and managed a smile: “Cousin Shu and Cousin Xiao are going to the capital — I came specially to see you off.”

Ling Jingshu continued to smile: “Thank you, Cousin Qian. We’re leaving with First Uncle under his care — there’s no need to worry about us.”

Lu Qian had imagined various reactions from Ling Jingshu — shock, guilty unease, avoiding him entirely. He had never imagined this…

Calm. Composed. Face graced with a smile.

Like wearing a perfect, flawless mask — all true emotions hidden completely beneath it.

The soft, gentle girl of his past life, who would cry at the slightest provocation — she had been reborn through fire, and was no longer the figure from his memories.

Thinking of this, Lu Qian felt a strange, creeping panic — and bit out: “Cousin Shu, I have something to say to you. This place is too busy for conversation. Could we go to the carriage over there for a moment?”

Ling Jingshu, surprisingly, did not refuse: “Very well. Wait just a moment — let me see that someone helps A’Xiao board first.”

She turned and instructed Bai Yu: “Bai Yu, you and Jingyu take A’Xiao aboard first. I’ll go speak with Cousin Qian for a moment and be right back.”

Bai Yu hesitated and murmured: “Miss — let me come with you.” The last time Miss had been alone with Lu Qian was still vivid in her memory. If something like that happened again in front of everyone, Miss would be publicly humiliated.

Ling Jingshu saw through Bai Yu’s worry and gave her a reassuring smile: “Don’t worry. I’ll be back shortly.”

Bai Yu could only nod and agree.

Ling Jingshu looked back at Lu Qian with a smile: “Cousin Qian, the boat departs shortly — time is short. Shall we go now?”

Lu Qian, completely put on the defensive, nodded blankly.