Three days later, Ling Xiao’s vacation ended. Reluctant to part, he bid farewell to Ling Jingshu: “A’Shu, I have to return to the Imperial Academy.”

Ling Jingshu smiled and said: “Your studies are what matter most — go quickly! For the next few months I’ll be staying in the residence awaiting my wedding, not going out so much as half a step. When your rest days come and you return, you’ll be able to see me.”

Ling Xiao was still full of reluctance: “I only get one rest day every half a month.”

He had only just been praised for growing up and maturing, yet the moment he began to cling, that innocent and endearing manner of his from before came flooding back.

Ling Jingshu felt both tenderness and amusement, soothing him just as one would coax a child: “Half a month goes by in the blink of an eye.”

“You only have a few more months before you’re married.” Ling Xiao furrowed his brow, speaking in a low, dejected tone: “Once you’ve married and gone, you’ll be living together with Wei Yan. It won’t be easy for me to see you even when I want to.”

Ling Jingshu suppressed her laughter and, with perfect composure, made him a solemn promise: “Even after I’m married, I’ll still be your sister. You’re welcome to come see me whenever you like. Besides, the residence the Emperor bestowed is right here in the capital, very close to the Imperial Academy. By then, it’ll actually be more convenient for you to come visit me!”

After much persuasion, she finally coaxed Ling Xiao into a lighter mood, and he left in good spirits.

The moment Ling Xiao departed, Bai Yu — who had been holding back for quite some time — burst into laughter: “No wonder Young Master Xiao has been clinging to Miss these past few days. It turns out he simply can’t bear to be parted from her.”

Thinking of how pitiable Ling Xiao had looked, so afraid of being left behind all alone, Ling Jingshu found it both funny and a little heartbreaking. She let out a soft sigh and said: “I was in the palace for over two years. Not a single message could pass through those walls. We siblings grew up together from childhood, leaning on each other through everything — we’ve never been apart for so long before. Living alone in our eldest uncle’s residence, he must have been terribly lonely.”

And so, that was why he had been so especially clingy and reluctant to let her go.

Bai Yu smiled and offered comfort: “But hasn’t he already made it through? Once Miss marries Dr. Wei, you’ll also be living long-term in the capital. It’ll be convenient to look after Young Master Xiao as well. If he no longer wishes to stay at the Ling residence, he can simply move in and live with Miss from then on.”

She paused, then added with a mischievous smile: “Knowing the son-in-law’s temperament, I imagine he wouldn’t object.”

At the words “son-in-law,” Ling Jingshu’s fair cheeks flushed crimson in an instant. She gave Bai Yu a light reproachful tap: “Don’t go calling him that carelessly. We’re not even married yet — what son-in-law?”

If anyone were to hear it, she’d die of embarrassment.

Bai Yu grinned and said: “What is there to worry about? This marriage was arranged by Her Majesty the Empress herself — it’s as good as set in stone that Miss will be marrying the son-in-law. There’s no harm in this servant calling him son-in-law a few times ahead of time. Too bad he’s not here right now. If he heard this servant refer to him that way, he’d certainly be pleased enough to give this servant a reward.”

“Bai Yu, you — today you’re absolutely determined to tease me, aren’t you!” Ling Jingshu rose to her feet, her face flushed red: “Let me see if I can’t tear that mouth of yours!”

Mistress and maid dissolved into laughter, playfully wrangling with each other.

Qiao Yun suddenly stepped in, her tone carrying a peculiar weight of gravity: “Miss, this servant has something important to report.”

Ling Jingshu paused, her smile fading: “What important matter?”

Qiao Yun hesitated briefly, then produced a small, exquisite bamboo tube in front of Bai Yu: “His Highness the Crown Grandson has sent a letter. He also had this servant convey a verbal message — he says that the matter he once promised Miss has now been fulfilled.”

The matter he once promised…

The words had barely entered her ears when Ling Jingshu’s entire body gave a shudder.

She took the bamboo tube from Qiao Yun with barely restrained urgency, quickly unstopped it, then unrolled the paper inside and began to read.

No one knew what was written in that letter, but Ling Jingshu read it once, then again, and again. Moisture welled up suddenly in her eyes, and the hand gripping the paper trembled without cease.

Although Bai Yu was bewildered and puzzled, she was considerate enough not to ask. She exchanged a glance with Qiao Yun, and the two of them quietly withdrew.

Only Ling Jingshu remained in the room.

Ling Jingshu could no longer contain the overwhelming emotion surging within her. Tears streamed ceaselessly from her eyes, falling onto the letter and blooming into faint, spreading stains of ink.

……

The case of Prince Yan’s assassination attempt against the Emperor and the Crown Prince had been transferred to the Court of the Imperial Clan and the Court of Judicial Review for joint interrogation. Prince Yan was the principal conspirator; Prince An was an accomplice. Also implicated in the case were a number of Prince Yan’s associates.

The Ministry of War’s Assistant Director of the Bureau, Lu Ping, had harbored treacherous intentions and secretly colluded with Prince Yan, participating in the assassination attempt at the imperial villa. After thorough investigation, the evidence is conclusive. According to the laws of Dazhou, guilt extends to all members of the Lu clan.

Lu Ping has been immediately removed from office and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, awaiting execution at a later date. Lu Ping’s elder brother, Lu An, has been stripped of his official position and is being escorted to the capital along with his family for sentencing.

This news has not yet spread through the court. Upon receiving this message, keep it to yourself and remember — do not speak of it openly. Do not breathe so much as a single word, not even to anyone within the Ling family.

The brief lines on the paper carried a cold and cutting edge of severity, striking her full in the face.

The Crown Grandson had truly kept his word. Within the span of just a few short months, he had “discovered” the evidence of Lu Ping’s treasonous rebellion.

The Lu Family was finished — completely and utterly finished!

Anyone even remotely connected to the word treason was guilty of a crime severe enough to warrant the extermination of nine familial clans. Prince Yan and Prince An were both imperial princes — the Emperor’s own flesh and blood. Whether they lived or died still rested entirely in the Emperor’s hands.

Lu Ping had no such fortune. As one of Prince Yan’s associates, he could not escape a death sentence. Lu An was Lu Ping’s elder brother by the same mother, and also the head of the Lu family — he, too, could not escape death.

As for the other members of the Lu family, some might end up imprisoned, others might have their assets seized and be exiled. In any case, the glory of the Lu family had, in a single night, dissolved into nothing but empty illusion.

The deep grievances of her past life had finally been avenged!

Her tears flowed freely and without restraint as every hidden hurt and pain she had buried within her heart poured out all at once.

Ling Jingshu did not know how long she wept — only that she stopped when her throat had gone hoarse. She read the letter once more, and then, despite herself, she began to smile.

Without even looking in a mirror, Ling Jingshu knew how disheveled she must appear at this moment.

Eyes red and swollen, cheeks streaked with tears. One moment weeping, the next laughing — like someone who had lost their mind entirely.

A soft knock came at the door, followed by Bai Yu’s voice, laced with worry and concern: “Miss, are you all right!”

Miss had been alone in that room for half a day now. Muffled sounds of suppressed, anguished weeping had drifted faintly through the door. Hearing it, Bai Yu felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest, yet she had no choice but to endure and hold herself back.

After a moment, Ling Jingshu’s voice finally came from within: “It’s all right. Leave me alone for a while and I’ll be fine. There’s no need to worry.”

Her voice was thick and nasal — clearly, she had cried long and hard.

Bai Yu said, somewhat helplessly: “Just now, Madam sent someone over and asked Miss to join her for the midday meal.”

In her current state, there was no way she could appear before Sun Shi.

Ling Jingshu steadied herself and said: “Send someone to give my reply to First Aunt. Tell her that I’m feeling a little unwell today and won’t be joining her for now. I’ll go pay my respects to First Aunt’s Mother tomorrow.”

Bai Yu acknowledged this and soon withdrew.

After weeping for so long, Ling Jingshu’s emotions had at last begun to slowly settle. She held the paper up to a flame and burned it to ash.