Yesterday, Ling Jingshu had pleaded with soft, earnest words, and the Crown Grandson hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge her.

How was it that after just one night, he’d changed his mind and was now offering to help on his own?

They say a woman’s heart is fickle. But this Crown Grandson’s mind was truly like a needle hidden at the bottom of the sea!

Forgetting yesterday’s lesson, Wang Tong couldn’t help exchanging another sighing glance with Ling Ji. Fortunately, the Crown Grandson didn’t turn around and didn’t notice Wang Tong’s subtle gesture.

Ling Daye was clearly startled too, but he quickly recovered and hastened to express his gratitude. “Many thanks for Your Highness’s grace. This subject will return to the ship at once and tell the siblings this good news, so they may come tomorrow to thank Your Highness in person.”

“There’s no need for that,” the Crown Grandson said, his expression indifferent. “For this prince, it was nothing more than a small effort. This prince is hardly the sort to grant favors expecting something in return.”

Ling Daye, of course, wasn’t about to take such words at face value, and said with eager flattery, “Your Highness is so benevolent and kind-hearted, granting favors without expecting reward — it truly moves and touches this subject’s heart with gratitude. Still, Your Highness’s small effort will let A’Xiao receive treatment at Huichun Hall that much sooner. This subject truly has no way to repay such kindness. Do let A’Shu and A’Xiao come kowtow their thanks to Your Highness…”

“No need,” the Crown Grandson said coldly. “This prince is tired. You may withdraw.”

Ling Daye: “…”

His Highness the Crown Grandson’s temper truly was fickle.

He’d been speaking so pleasantly just a moment ago — how had he suddenly turned cold?

Ling Daye didn’t dare let his vexation show, and had no choice but to rise and take his leave.

As before, it was Wang Tong who saw Ling Daye and his son off.

Ling Ji, deliberately or not, slowed his pace,

and Wang Tong, catching his meaning, also slowed his own steps on purpose.

“Commander Wang, you went through quite an ordeal yesterday,” Ling Ji said, his tone full of apology. “Let me offer you an apology on A’Shu’s behalf.”

Whatever displeasure Wang Tong had felt had largely faded after a night’s passing. Hearing this, he replied in a low voice, “None of this is Miss Ling the Ninth’s fault.”

Ling Ji glanced at Ling Daye’s figure walking a short distance ahead, then said in a low voice, “His Highness was still angry yesterday — why would he suddenly agree to help today?”

Wang Tong gave a helpless, wry laugh. “His Highness’s mind runs deep as the sea — how would I dare guess at it carelessly.” After a pause, he added, “To be honest with you, I was startled myself when I heard him say that just now.”

So it turned out that Wang Tong hadn’t known a thing about it beforehand either!

This Crown Grandson truly was… utterly unfathomable.

As Ling Ji was lost in thought, Wang Tong’s voice sounded again at his ear. “There’s something I should advise Young Master Ling on. His Highness is the sort who means exactly what he says. Since he’s already said there’s no need for Miss Ling the Ninth to come thank him, then there truly is no need. If Director Ling really were to bring her along, I fear His Highness would be displeased.”

Ling Ji hastily thanked him. “Many thanks for the reminder, Commander Wang. I know what to do now.”

Whatever the Crown Grandson’s intentions might be, in any case, it was best to keep Ling Jingshu out of sight these next few days.

Wang Tong, who had taken quite a liking to the mild-tempered, open-hearted Ling Ji, patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

After Wang Tong left, Ling Daye couldn’t help asking. “A’Ji. What were you and Commander Wang murmuring about just now?”

Ling Ji, naturally unwilling to tell the truth, answered vaguely. “Nothing much. Just some idle chitchat, to get a little closer with him.”

“You did well,” Ling Daye said, not doubting him in the least, praising Ling Ji with a smile. “Don’t underestimate Wang Tong. He’s been the Crown Grandson’s personal guard since His Highness was eight years old, and thanks to his outstanding performance, he later became guard commander. His words carry real weight before His Highness. Someday, when the Crown Grandson becomes Crown Prince in truth and eventually ascends the throne as Emperor, Wang Tong will surely become commander of the Imperial Guards. Stay on good terms with him now, and it’ll do you good later.”

Ling Ji had long been well aware of his father’s calculating, status-conscious nature, and didn’t bother explaining anything further. He just nodded along absently.

Ling Daye, his thoughts drifting somewhere, let out another long sigh.

“Why does Father sigh?” As a son, Ling Ji’s filial concern was beyond question.

Ling Daye looked at his eldest son with satisfaction, though his tone was full of regret. “A’Shu was born with such fine looks that even His Highness the Crown Grandson regards her with special favor. Who knows, she might end up with a fine marriage someday. A’Yan is just as lovely as a flower or jade — why hasn’t she caught His Highness’s eye at all?”

Ling Ji: “…”

Not noticing the strange look on Ling Ji’s face, Ling Daye went on. “Still, A’Shu is a daughter of our Ling family, my own blood niece. If she ends up with a fine future, naturally I, as her uncle, would be glad for her. Who knows — perhaps the future glory and prosperity of our entire Ling family will rest on her shoulders…”

“Father, isn’t it a bit early to be saying all this?”

Ling Ji gently interrupted his father’s wandering flights of fancy. “Besides, A’Shu’s lifelong marriage matters should be decided by Grandmother and Fifth Uncle. There’s really no need for Father to trouble himself over it!”

Ling Daye laughed dismissively. “I’m her own uncle — of course I’m thinking of her welfare in every way. Surely you don’t think I’d ever do her harm.”

It was simply a pity that the Crown Grandson had been thoroughly indifferent toward Ling Jingyan, showing not the slightest interest in her, while paying careful attention to Ling Jingshu at every turn instead.

Otherwise, why would he have set his mind on Ling Jingshu in the first place.

Ling Ji had no choice but to change the subject. “Right, about what His Highness just promised — let’s go tell A’Shu and A’Xiao first!”

Ling Daye, in rather good spirits, waved his hand. “A small matter like that — just go tell them yourself. Oh, and remind the two of them to come along with me tomorrow to pay their respects and thank His Highness.”

“Absolutely not!”

Hearing this, Ling Ji immediately frowned and objected. “Father, don’t forget — when the matter of thanking him came up just now, His Highness’s face showed clear displeasure. It really wouldn’t be worth angering him over such a small matter.”

That was true enough.

Ling Daye thought it over and laughed. “You make a good point. There’ll be plenty of chances to offer thanks later. No need to rush it these next few days.”

Having finally settled his father, Ling Ji secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Then Ling Ji went to Ling Jingshu’s cabin and told her the good news. “…A’Shu, His Highness said that once we reach the capital, we’re to go to the Crown Prince’s Residence to collect a calling card. With His Highness’s card in hand, we won’t have to suffer through the long wait at Huichun Hall anymore.”

Ling Jingshu: “…”

This Crown Grandson really did have a fickle temperament, utterly impossible to predict!

Yesterday she had taken the initiative to plead with him, and he hadn’t even deigned to glance her way. Yet after she’d thoroughly angered him, he was the one to offer help on his own…

Still, no matter how one looked at it, this was genuinely good news.

“Thank you, cousin.” Ling Jingshu quickly composed herself and thanked him with a smile. “Should I take A’Xiao to go thank His Highness in person?”

Ling Ji coughed and added, “Also, His Highness specifically instructed that you and A’Xiao needn’t come to thank him.”

Ling Jingshu: “…”