In those three days, Ling Jingshu had imagined countless times the scene of reuniting with Lady Ling — had anticipated the rage and agitation she would feel. Yet when the moment truly arrived, she found herself calm as ice and snow.
All hatred and fury were pressed down tight, buried deep within her heart.
Waiting patiently for the day they would surge forth.
Ling Jingshu let a faint smile spread across her lips. She stepped forward and bowed properly: “Your niece pays her respects to her aunt.”
Her voice was like the first song of an oriole — gentle and pleasant to the ear.
Lady Ling privately praised the sight before her, studying Ling Jingshu carefully for a moment. She saw a girl of incomparable beauty, her expression serene as still water. What made her even more remarkable was the complete absence of any restless or flighty manner — she inspired immediate goodwill in the beholder.
A flash of surprise and admiration crossed Lady Ling’s eyes. “When I left to marry, you weren’t even two years old — you couldn’t even say ‘auntie’ properly. And in the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into such a graceful and beautiful young lady.”
Ling Jingshu bowed her head and replied softly: “Shu’er would not dare accept such lavish praise from her aunt.”
Lady Ling smiled and took Ling Jingshu’s hand. “You were ill these past few days and couldn’t show your face. The gift I had prepared for you — I can finally give it today.”
As she spoke, she turned her head and instructed: “Wei Zi, go back to the room and fetch the brocade box from the dressing table.”
A maidservant dressed in indigo skirts acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Lady Ling seemed to take a particular liking to Ling Jingshu. Still holding her hand, she resumed chatting with the Old Madam: “I’ve been married into the Lu family for many years and only managed to bear one son, A’Qian. I’ve always wanted a daughter, but it was never to be. So whenever I see a gentle and well-behaved young girl, I feel especially envious!”
These words were said with such wit and humor that the Old Madam laughed without stopping: “You child, you’re a mother yourself now, and still this mischievous. Never mind — since you and Shu Jie’er are so well-matched, you might as well take her home with you when you leave.”
Even though she knew the Old Madam was joking, Ling Jingshu still felt a wave of cold dread rise in her heart.
Lady Ling’s familiar laughter rang out. “Mother said so herself. Second Sister-in-Law, Fourth Sister-in-Law, and Fifth Sister-in-Law all heard it — be my witnesses.”
The sisters-in-law naturally would not dampen the mood. They joined in cheerfully: “Alright, we’ll all bear witness. Even if Fifth Elder Brother comes back, he’ll have no grounds for complaint.”
Lady Ling had returned to her family home and was in high spirits; she laughed and picked up the thread: “Fifth Brother has only this one precious daughter. If I were to snatch her away, it would be a wonder if he didn’t fall out with me.”
Ling Jingshu suppressed the violent urge to wrench her hands away, keeping her head bowed, displaying precisely the right degree of coy delight.
Ling Jingxian, standing to one side, could barely manage a smile. The fire of jealousy blazed fiercely in her heart.
It was always like this! The moment Ling Jingshu appeared, everyone’s gaze would revolve around her…
Wei Zi returned shortly, carrying the brocade box.
Lady Ling opened the box and withdrew a pair of jade bracelets. “These bracelets aren’t the finest Hetian jade, but their quality is still superior. Come — your aunt will put them on you now.”
As she spoke, she personally slid the bracelets onto Ling Jingshu’s wrists.
Ling Jingshu displayed a timely expression of gratitude and moved emotion, and using the courtesy bow as cover, smoothly withdrew her hands.
After paying her respects, Ling Jingshu and Ling Jingxian moved together to stand at Ling Jingwan’s side.
The elders were conversing among themselves; the younger generation had no seats and stood together, inevitably exchanging whispered words.
“Wan Cousin-Sister,” Ling Jingxian asked quietly, “where are Hong Cousin-Brother and Qian Cousin-Brother? Why didn’t they come with our aunt?”
Lady Ling had brought the brothers Lu Hong and Lu Qian with her on this visit. Lu Hong was born of the Yuanpei and was the eldest legitimate grandson of the Lu family’s main branch. Lu Qian was Lady Ling’s own son, twelve years old this year.
Lady Ling had married at the beginning of that year and became pregnant upon entering the household; the child was born premature at under eight months. The difficult labor had nearly cost Lady Ling her life, and for years afterward she had not conceived again.
Lu Qian had been frail and sickly since birth. Lady Ling had gone to tremendous lengths to ensure this son survived to adulthood, and she indulged him exceedingly.
Thinking of Lu Qian, Ling Jingshu unconsciously furrowed her brow, then smoothed her expression back to normal.
Ling Jingwan, of course, had not noticed that brief flicker from Ling Jingshu. She smiled and said: “Hong Cousin-Brother had been cooped up in the residence for three days and found it too stifling. Early this morning he took Qian Cousin-Brother with him to the Ling family school to sit in on lessons.”
“Hong Cousin-Brother is truly diligent and ambitious!” The moment Lu Hong’s name was mentioned, Ling Jingxian’s eyes lit up brilliantly. “I’ve heard that Hong Cousin-Brother has already earned the rank of Cultivated Talent. Surely he will pass the imperial examinations with distinction in the future.”
Ling Jingshu gave Ling Jingxian an amused sidelong glance.
Look at that excited, worked-up state of hers — what did Lu Hong passing the imperial examinations have to do with her?
Ling Jingwan was perceptive and sharp; she had clearly noticed something too. She smiled and said: “Hong Cousin-Brother does appear destined for great things — surely he will not remain a fish in a small pond. Though we are only cousins by marriage, we naturally all hope to see him make his mark in the world one day.”
She put deliberate, subtle emphasis on the words “cousins by marriage.”
To call them cousins by marriage was itself somewhat of a stretch. Lu Hong was born of the Yuanpei and shared not a single drop of blood with the Ling family.
Ling Jingxian fell somewhat sheepishly silent.
Ling Jingwan turned to look at Ling Jingshu, her smile carrying considerable warmth: “Cousin-Sister Shu, it seems you’ve finally fully recovered. I’ve been worried and anxious about you these past days — now I can finally set my mind at ease.”
If she had truly cared, why had she not come to the Qiushui Pavilion to visit even once in all those days?
Ling Jingshu smiled faintly. “Many thanks for your concern, Cousin-Sister Wan.”
Inner households were places rife with women, and thus rife with conflict. The Ling residence housed many people, none of them simple souls. Ling Jingwan appeared elegant and reserved, but her mind was nimble and astute.
The Old Madam favored and doted on Ling Jingshu above all others; Ling Jingxian harbored resentment, and Ling Jingwan was no saint — how could she feel no secret envy in her heart? Only, Ling Jingwan was far more adept at maintaining outward appearances, better at concealing it than Ling Jingxian. Moreover, Ling Jingwan’s marriage had been arranged at the beginning of the year; her thoughts now turned entirely toward awaiting that marriage, and her desire to compete with Ling Jingshu had considerably faded.
The Old Madam was advanced in years and delighted in lively company. At noon she kept everyone for lunch.
They were all women, so there was no need to sit at separate tables. They gathered around a large table.
By some unlucky arrangement, Ling Jingshu ended up seated directly across from Lady Ling. Each time she lifted her eyes, Lady Ling’s face — wreathed in a broad, radiant smile — filled her vision.
That familiar smile was a blade to the eyes.
There had never been a moment when Ling Jingshu had hated her own helplessness more than now. Her enemy sat right before her, within arm’s reach. And yet she could do nothing!
To take revenge — would she have to marry into the Lu family as she had in her previous life?
That thought had barely flitted through her mind before Ling Jingshu discarded it without hesitation. In this lifetime, she would never allow herself to be entangled with Lu Hong again. If she wanted revenge, she must find another way. And besides — Lady Ling was far from her only enemy…
“Why hasn’t Shu Jie’er touched her chopsticks? Does the food not suit your taste?” Li Shi looked over with feigned concern, performing the role of a doting, solicitous mother.
Instantly every gaze turned their way. Indeed, Ling Jingshu had barely touched the food in her bowl.
To sit across from Lady Ling and still have an appetite — now that would be strange.
Ling Jingshu replied evenly: “How could there be anything wrong with the food from Yonghe Hall? It’s only that I have just recovered from illness and my appetite is poor. I have troubled Mother with her worry.”
Coolly deflecting, leaving Li Shi with nothing to push against.
Li Shi seethed inwardly but kept her expression perfectly composed. “Illness comes crashing down like a mountain, but recedes thread by thread. A young woman’s constitution is naturally more delicate. You must take care to recover gradually — don’t let it become a lingering ailment.”
The Old Madam interjected with a mild reproach: “You child — if your appetite is poor, why didn’t you say so earlier? We could have had the kitchen prepare something lighter for you.”
Then she instructed Mo Kui: “Go to the kitchen now and have them steam a bowl of bird’s nest for Shu Jie’er.”
The moment those words fell, Ling Jingshu received four gazes laden with concealed resentment. Two of them naturally belonged to Ling Jingxian; the other was from Ling Jingwan.
Bird’s nest was a luxury; within the Ling residence, only the Old Madam had a bowl of it each day.
In truth, at that moment, not even bird’s nest would have held any appeal for Ling Jingshu — let alone dragon’s liver or phoenix gall. But this represented the Old Madam’s favor; it could not and must not be refused.
Ling Jingshu let a grateful smile show on her face. “Grandmother treats Shu’er so wonderfully. Shu’er must have accumulated virtue and good deeds in a previous life to be so fortunate as to be Grandmother’s granddaughter in this one.”
That flattery, she thought — it was so saccharine she nearly gagged on it herself.
The Old Madam, however, was entirely pleased. The wrinkled old face smoothed out as she turned, laughing, to say to Lady Ling: “A’Hui, before you married, you were always the best at making me happy. These years with daughters-in-law and granddaughters around me — I haven’t been lonely at all.”
Of course, no daughter-in-law’s place in the Old Madam’s heart could compare with her own daughter’s. And even among the many granddaughters, none could rival Lady Ling.
Lady Ling’s return these past few days had put the Old Madam in such high spirits that the smile had barely left her face.
“I don’t like hearing Mother say that. When I was young, I acted out of pure filial devotion — I was not trying to amuse you on purpose.” Lady Ling’s skill at charming people was truly first-rate; just two sentences had the Old Madam beaming with delight.
Bird’s nest needed to be simmered over low heat for a long time; by the time the bowl arrived, the meal was nearly over.
Ling Jingshu kept a face full of happy appreciation, and beneath the gazes of those who envied, resented, or watched her with calculating eyes, she consumed the bowl of bird’s nest without tasting a thing.
After lunch, the Old Madam followed her habit of taking an afternoon nap. The assembled guests tactfully excused themselves.
Just before she left, Ling Jingxian gave Ling Jingshu a long, complicated look.
Ling Jingshu pretended not to see it, and withdrew with Bai Yu.
“Young Miss has been staying in Qiushui Pavilion all these days — she must be terribly bored.” Bai Yu suggested with a smile: “The weather is fine today. How about visiting the peony garden? Those peony plants Young Miss cultivated last year should be ready to bloom in a little while.”
Something stirred in Ling Jingshu’s heart, and she nodded.
Since her rebirth, she had been shut away in Qiushui Pavilion, dark and painful memories churning in her heart day after day, and now she had to face Lady Ling on top of everything — it was hard not to feel oppressed and dispirited. Going to the peony garden to clear her head would do her good.