Fresh air?

Perhaps not.

“I’m not going.” Ling Jingxian said without a moment’s thought. “I’d rather be bored. I’ll stay on the ship.”

She would rather be beaten to death than dare wander idly about a dock again.

The bandits they’d encountered last time had been blind — completely failing to notice her, a beauty in full bloom. What if, this time, a gang with sharper eyes set their sights on her?

Jiang Rongyue also said, “A’Yan is right — let’s not go. We only have a few more days left; it’ll pass if we endure it.”

Ling Ji looked toward Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu’s expression remained composed. She smiled gently. “Since Cousin-in-Law and Cousin Sister A’Yan are staying on the ship, I’ll stay behind as well.”

Her smile was like a blossoming flower — warm and graceful.

Yet a vision surfaced unbidden in Ling Ji’s mind: that dagger, slicked with fresh blood… Ling Ji steadied himself, cleared his throat, and said, “Very well. The dock is crowded and mixed with all sorts of people — there’s nothing wrong with not going.”

“Still, it’s terribly stuffy for you all cooped up in this cabin all day. I’ll accompany you to the upper deck for some fresh air.”

Just standing on the deck for a while — surely that wouldn’t attract any bandits.

No one had any objection this time.

They called for Ling Xiao, and the party of five, along with maids and manservants, numbered over a dozen in total. Standing on the second-level deck of the official vessel, they made quite an impressive sight.

Fortunately, with six ships moored ahead to serve as a buffer, this particular official vessel was still some distance from the dock.

Ling Ji deliberately peered toward the dock for a few moments. From this far away everything was indistinct, with only vague, shadowy figures visible — and only then did he set his mind at ease.

Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao stood together, chatting quietly. Then, without quite knowing why, something stirred in her heart, and she looked up.

On the deck of the neighboring vessel, a handsome young man dressed in a black brocade robe stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

The brilliant afternoon sunlight cast a layer of gold across his face.

The cold severity that normally defined his fine features had softened somewhat, making him look a fraction less imposingly aristocratic — and only further highlighted his striking, exceptional appearance and the bearing that set him apart from all others.

On that first night they met, this Crown Grandson had not given her a particularly good first impression.

Cold. Arrogant. His eyes carrying the weight of one who looks down upon all living things from on high, as though the lives of others were no more than insects beneath his feet.

Even the fact that he had saved her life carried an air of casual indifference. Had she lost her composure and panicked in that moment… those stray arrows would not only have claimed the bandits’ lives — she would have met her end along with them.

In circumstances such as those, it was difficult for her to feel much gratitude toward this “lifesaving benefactor.” When she went to give thanks afterward, her guard had been raised to its fullest.

Over these past few days, she had heard a great deal about him from both Ling Jingxian and Jiang Rongyue, and her impression of this Crown Grandson had shifted — at least a little.

To have been born into the imperial family, to have been the eldest legitimate grandson from the very beginning, to be the future heir to the throne — on the surface, it seemed a position of great magnificence. In truth, it was fraught with danger on all sides. Countless eyes, known and unknown, must be fixed upon his every move at all times, waiting for the moment he let his guard down or made a mistake.

To have grown up in such an environment, it was inevitable that one would become deep, calculating, and ruthless.

The Crown Grandson was looking at Ling Jingshu as well.

The two ships lay side by side, no more than a few meters apart.

She could see him clearly, and he could see her clearly.

Gone was the ashen, unyielding look she had worn that night. Gone, too, was the wary vigilance she had carried the day she came to give her thanks. Her bright eyes were like clear water, rippling with a faint, easy smile. In the sunlight, she radiated a vivid, striking brilliance.

Her gaze brushed lightly across his — and then her smile faded, and she quickly turned her head away.

The Crown Grandson let out a quiet, inward scoff.

What was the meaning of this? She didn’t want to look at him? Then he would make it his business to deny her that wish.

“Wang Tong,” the Crown Grandson commanded with a deliberate air of nonchalance, “this Prince is alone here with no one to talk to. Go and summon Ling Ji to come over.”

Wang Tong acknowledged the order.

The Crown Grandson added with casual ease, “And invite Cousin Sister and the others along as well. More people, more liveliness.”

Wang Tong: “…”

Had His Highness the Crown Grandson not always disliked noise and commotion? Today he was actually taking the initiative to summon people over for company?

Had the sun risen in the west?

In that single moment of bewilderment, the esteemed Crown Grandson shot him another displeased glare. “Why haven’t you gone yet?”

Wang Tong bowed his head in acknowledgment and swiftly retreated to carry out his orders.

On this journey, His Highness had not brought any attendants or palace maids. As a result, he — the dignified head of the Eastern Palace’s guard — had been reduced to running errands and carrying messages. And he was frequently criticized and found fault with by His Highness for good measure.

The more he thought about it, the more forlorn it felt.

Wang Tong lamented inwardly, but his movements were brisk and efficient. He crossed swiftly to the neighboring deck and said with a smile to Ling Ji, “Master Ling, His Highness the Crown Grandson has nothing to do and invites you all over to talk.”

Ling Ji was somewhat surprised, though what he felt more was a flattered disbelief, and he promptly agreed.

These past several days he had called upon the Crown Grandson each morning alongside his father. But this particular Crown Grandson was not easy to please — he invariably maintained a cool and distant manner.

That was hardly surprising.

Ling Daye was merely a Section Director in the Ministry of Works — a man without even the standing to attend the minor court audiences. Naturally he would be beneath the Crown Grandson’s notice. Moreover, the Crown Grandson was accustomed to encountering nothing but fawning, flattering faces; he had long since grown weary and impatient of them all. He was hardly in any mood to concern himself with the Ling Family.

Still, the Crown Grandson had saved the Ling Family members during this journey, and they had been traveling together ever since. They saw each other often, and a measure of goodwill had naturally developed.

“Cousin, you and Cousin-in-Law go ahead — Xiao and I won’t be going.” Ling Jingshu spoke up suddenly.

The separation of men and women was a matter of propriety. An unmarried young woman truly ought not to put herself on display before others.

Ling Ji had been about to nod when Wang Tong smiled and said, “His Highness the Crown Grandson has said — more people, more liveliness. It is only a casual conversation. There is no need for the Ninth Young Miss of the Ling Family to feel constrained. Please do come along.”

Ling Ji: “…”

Ling Jingshu was also mildly surprised.

However, since Wang Tong had already put it this way, it would be awkward to refuse further. And besides — since she intended to leverage the Crown Grandson’s power to avenge herself, she would need opportunities to draw near to him sooner or later…

Ling Jingshu swiftly composed her thoughts and replied with a smile, “Thank you, Commander Wang. Then I shall accept the invitation without further ceremony.”

Ling Ji glanced at Ling Jingshu, who was smiling serenely, with a look of quiet contemplation — and held his tongue.

Jiang Rongyue, whose mind was sharp, exchanged a quick, knowing look with her husband, then took Ling Jingshu’s arm with a smile. “A’Shu, let’s go over now, before we keep His Highness the Crown Grandson waiting too long.”

Ling Jingshu agreed with perfect composure.

The party made their way over and were soon standing before the Crown Grandson.

Ling Ji was about to bow in salute when the Crown Grandson’s voice rang out first. “We see each other every day — dispense with these formalities.”

“This is most gracious of Your Highness!” Ling Ji, who was himself quick-witted, indeed forewent the salutation.

Since the Crown Grandson wished to present himself as approachable and unassuming, there was no need for them to insist on ceremony — that would only displease him.

The Crown Grandson was evidently not practiced at small talk, and the others dared not speak freely. A silence fell over the gathering, cold and uneasy, and the atmosphere grew quite awkward.

For her part, Ling Jingshu had no intention of speaking.

Her gaze swept briefly across the Crown Grandson’s face, and she lowered her eyes.

The Crown Grandson, who had been carefully watching her every move, naturally did not miss this small gesture. His brows and eyes darkened by a fraction.