After breakfast, Sun Shi instructed Ling Jingyan: “A’Shu and A’Xiao have only just arrived and aren’t familiar with their surroundings yet. Take the two of them around today and show them properly.”

Ling Jingyan agreed with a smile.

Ling Jingshu, in truth, had no interest in the Ling family estate. What she most wanted was to visit Huichun Hall.

However, today was only the fifth of the month, and there were still several days until the fifteenth. Even if she went to Huichun Hall now, she wouldn’t be able to see Imperial Physician Wei. Moreover, the Crown Grandson had only just returned to the capital, so asking to call on him for a name card would also have to wait a few more days…

She had already waited this many days — there was no need to rush now. Better to be patient.

Ling Jingyan, not noticing that Ling Jingshu’s mind was elsewhere, enthusiastically launched into an introduction of the Ling family’s grand residence: “…I heard from my mother that this estate originally belonged to a Vice Minister of Rites. Later, that Vice Minister retired and returned to his hometown, leaving the estate empty. Right when my father had just started at the Ministry of Works, he happened to hear that this estate was for sale, and bought it…”

As for the silver used to buy it, of course, that had been sent by Old Madam Ling, who was far away in Dingzhou.

For this one estate alone, a full thirty thousand taels of silver had been spent.

Later, when Ling Daye had been imprisoned on false charges, in order to save him from the prison, this estate had been sold off cheaply for only fifteen thousand taels. A good deal of the ancestral property at the old Ling family estate in Dingzhou had also been sold off. The once-great Ling family had, almost overnight, fallen into a state of decline.

It was only through the efforts of the Lu family that Ling Daye had been rescued. The Ling family thus owed the Lu family an enormous debt of gratitude. Under such circumstances, what right or standing did they have to turn against the Lu family? How could they possibly be willing to offend the Lu family for her sake?

Recalling the past, Ling Jingshu gave a mocking twist of her lips.

Completely unaware, Ling Jingyan pulled Ling Jingshu along and showed her around the entire Ling residence.

Finally, they stopped in the Ling family’s garden.

Calling it a “garden” was something of a stretch.

There was a small, delicate rockery, beside which sat an elegant little pavilion. Next to the pavilion was a modest pond planted with lotuses. It had just turned into the sixth month, and the blooming season hadn’t yet arrived, so only a few scattered lotus leaves floated on the water.

The garden was planted with no shortage of flowers, plants, and trees, and a section had been specially set aside for peonies.

The peony season had not yet passed; some flowers that had bloomed a little later were now at their fullest, and from a distance, the sight was a riot of dazzling color.

Ling Jingyan said with no small amount of pride, “A’Shu, don’t be fooled by how small this peony garden looks — there are actually dozens of varieties planted here! A few of them I planted myself. Let me point them out to you.”

She then went on, pointing them out one by one.

Naturally, Ling Jingshu would not disappoint Ling Jingyan, and made a point of praising her generously.

Ling Jingyan was thoroughly pleased with herself.

Ling Xiao, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up: “Does Cousin Yan really know how to plant peonies? Such a shame I can’t see them. Otherwise, I could have admired them properly too.”

Just as Ling Jingyan was about to beam with pride—

Ling Xiao politely added another question: “By the way, A’Shu also knows how to grow peonies. I wonder how the peonies Cousin Yan planted compare to hers?”

Ling Jingyan: “…”

No matter how thick-skinned she was, she couldn’t bring herself to say “of course my peonies are better.” After a long, awkward pause, she finally managed to squeeze out a few words: “About evenly matched.”

Several of the maids lowered their heads at the same moment.

If their mistress caught them stifling laughter, they would certainly get a thorough scolding.

Ling Jingshu generously held back her own laughter and stepped in to smooth things over for Ling Jingyan: “These peonies Cousin Yan planted have large blossoms, rich and vivid colors, and a fragrance that carries far — they’re truly rare, top-quality specimens. A’Xiao, once your eyes are healed, you’ll be able to see them with your own eyes.”

These days, Ling Xiao often heard the phrase “once your eyes are healed,” and it filled him with hope for the future. Hearing this, he nodded obediently and said nothing more.

Ling Jingyan secretly let out a breath of relief and quickly changed the subject: “We’ve been walking around for so long, I’m getting a bit tired — let’s head back and rest!”

Over the following days, Ling Jingshu stayed at the Ling residence.

Ling Ji was a student at the Imperial Academy, and had previously taken a special long leave to return to Dingzhou. Now that he was back in the capital, he had immediately returned to his studies there.

Ling Daye held the position of Bureau Director in the Ministry of Works — not a particularly high-ranking post, but the duties were demanding nonetheless. He also had many social obligations, leaving early and returning late every day; for several days running, he hadn’t eaten dinner at home even once.

That left the Ling household full of women, plus the blind Ling Xiao.

Originally, with only Sun Shi, Jiang Shi, and Ling Jingyan, the household had felt rather quiet, but with the addition of Ling Jingshu and her brother, it had become considerably livelier.

Ling Xiao was obedient and well-behaved, while Ling Jingshu was clever and sharp, and knew how to read a room. It didn’t take long for her to win Sun Shi’s favor, and Sun Shi grew noticeably more relaxed in how she spoke to her.

“Aunt, Cousin usually studies at the Imperial Academy — how often does he get to come home?” Ling Jingshu asked with a smile.

Sun Shi answered, “The Academy gives three days off each month, so he can come home once every ten days.”

Jiang Shi, quick of mind, quickly guessed what was really on Ling Jingshu’s thoughts, and said with a smile, “You’re really wondering when you can go to the Crown Prince’s residence to ask for a name card, aren’t you? Don’t worry about that — your cousin has kept it in mind all along. He’s bound to come home within the next couple of days…”

Before she could finish, a maid hurried in to report: “Young Master is back!”

Speak of the devil, and the devil appears!

Everyone burst out laughing.

When Sun Shi heard that Ling Ji had returned, her heart filled with joy, and she led everyone out to the gate to welcome him.

Ling Ji strode in with a wide grin. “No wonder I felt such an urge to come home today. It must be because all of you were thinking and talking about me!”

As he spoke, he winked at Jiang Shi.

A wave of sweetness rose in Jiang Shi’s heart, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

Sun Shi was not the kind of harsh mother-in-law who couldn’t bear to see her son and daughter-in-law happy together, so she pretended not to notice. “Don’t just stand there outside — come in and talk.”

“Wait! I need to give A’Shu something first.” Ling Ji smiled at Ling Jingshu and pulled out a thin, gleaming golden name card from a hidden pocket in his sleeve.

Ling Jingshu’s heart raced, her voice trembling slightly. “Cousin, this is…?”

“This is the Crown Grandson’s name card.”

Ling Ji said with a smile, “I knew you’d been anxiously waiting these past few days, and since you couldn’t see me to ask, there was nothing you could do to hurry things along. So this afternoon, I specially took leave and went to the Crown Prince’s residence to request an audience with the Crown Grandson. As it happened, His Highness had gone into the palace today and wasn’t at the residence. I thought I’d made the trip for nothing, but it turned out His Highness had already had a name card prepared in advance. As soon as I arrived, someone handed this card to me.”

Deeply moved, Ling Jingshu accepted the thin name card and offered her thanks with great solemnity: “Thank you, Cousin.”

Ling Ji waved it off with a casual smile. “No need to be so formal with me. Put the name card away safely. There are only a few days left until the fifteenth of the sixth month. Just take this card to Huichun Hall and you’ll be fine.”

Ling Jingshu clutched the name card tightly in her hand.

With this card in hand, she would finally be able to see Imperial Physician Wei before long!