Ling Jingshu was taken aback for a moment as well, and without answering, quickly looked toward Ling Jingyan instead.
A flush rose in Ling Jingyan’s face once more. But this time it was not from shy delight — it was disappointment and humiliated anger.
Ever since chancing upon Prince Yan at Dingxiang Tower a few months ago, his image had been deeply etched into her heart. He had haunted her thoughts and dreams, never forgotten for a single day. She had gone to such great lengths, all just to see him once more…
Never had she imagined that, once they finally met, it would turn out like this!
He hadn’t so much as glanced at her twice, paying her no attention at all.
He didn’t even remember ever having met her!
Ling Jingyan bit down hard on her lip, her eyes quickly welling with tears, her heart filled with grievance and sorrow.
Seeing that Ling Jingshu remained indifferent and ignored Prince Yan entirely, Eunuch Xi flared up at once, snapping in a shrill voice, “How insolent! His Highness Prince Yan asked you a question, and you dare not answer! Are you tired of living?”
No sooner had he finished than Ling Jingshu’s gaze turned to him, and she asked coolly, “Who are you?”
Eunuch Xi was thrown for a moment, and answered out of reflex, “I am Eunuch Xi, the attendant by His Highness Prince Yan’s side.”
Only after he’d said it did he realize, with a start, that he had been outmatched in presence by a mere young woman — and felt his pride sting at once. He glared back fiercely, “And who are you, daring to act so brazenly before His Highness Prince Yan!”
Unfortunately, since Eunuch Xi was still kneeling before Prince Yan, twisting his body around to speak, he carried no intimidating presence at all — if anything, he looked rather comical.
Ling Jingshu’s lips indeed curved upward, mockery rising in her eyes. “So you’re Eunuch Xi. You keep insisting we’re being brazen, and that I’m tired of living — do you mean to punish me right now? Might I ask, is this His Highness Prince Yan’s wish, or your own idea?”
Eunuch Xi: “…”
What a sharp, biting tongue!
Before Eunuch Xi could argue back, Ling Jingshu continued, her expression unchanged. “We were taken aback at suddenly encountering a person of such standing, and reacted a moment too slowly. His Highness Prince Yan, broad-minded as he is, did not take offense. Yet you, his wicked servant, abuse his authority to bully others — truly despicable and odious. With a servant like you at his side, who knows how much trouble you’ve brought upon His Highness, or how much of a tyrannical, overbearing reputation you’ve burdened him with! I truly don’t know how you have the face to remain by His Highness’s side!”
Every word cut straight to the heart!
Eunuch Xi’s rage surged so violently his face turned crimson, his whole body trembling with fury, yet he no longer dared to retort. Suppressing his humiliated anger, he kowtowed repeatedly, weeping out his grievance. “Your Highness, this servant’s loyalty to you is as plain as the sun and moon. This wild girl from who knows where is slandering me with every word — this servant has been wronged…”
Prince Yan, however, showed not the slightest interest in him.
His gaze remained fixed on Ling Jingshu, whose expression stayed calm and detached. A glint of interest shone in his somewhat narrow eyes. “Who are you?”
Eunuch Xi’s question could be ignored, but Prince Yan’s could not.
Ling Jingshu composed herself, lowered her head slightly, and gave a proper bow. “In answer to Your Highness, this humble one is surnamed Ling, ninth among my siblings.”
Her given name, of course, was not something to share.
Prince Yan clearly had no concept of subtlety or tact, and asked bluntly, “What is your given name?”
Ling Jingshu answered without either servility or defiance, “A woman’s given name is known only to her family and isn’t fit to tell outsiders. Your Highness is well-read and understands propriety, so I imagine you wouldn’t wish to force the matter.”
What a sharp-tongued, clever girl!
Kneeling before Prince Yan, Eunuch Xi sneered inwardly with secret satisfaction. He had served Prince Yan for two years now and knew his temper very well.
Prince Yan, used to having his way in all things, could not tolerate anyone going against his wishes. For this Ninth Miss Ling to answer this way was simply asking for trouble. Just wait for His Highness’s wrath to erupt!
But the expected scene did not unfold!
Prince Yan did not grow angry. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You speak with reason. I was the one being presumptuous with a fair lady.”
He was extraordinarily handsome to begin with, and when he smiled, his narrow eyes suddenly flashed with a bewitching light, as if peach blossoms had bloomed across his face.
It was exactly this kind of smile that had made Ling Jingyan fall for him at first sight, utterly captivated.
But his eyes saw only Ling Jingshu; he hadn’t taken the least notice of her.
Tears welled in Ling Jingyan’s eyes, swimming there; had it not been for the last shred of stubbornness and pride holding her together, she likely would have burst into tears right then.
Jiang Shi, utterly shocked, found her thoughts already a tangled mess.
Still, for now she had to get through the present situation first. As for the rest… there would be plenty of time later to settle accounts with Ling Jingyan.
Jiang Shi steadied herself, stepped forward two paces, and bowed properly and formally. “This humble wife, surnamed Jiang, greets Your Highness Prince Yan. My husband’s name is Ling Ji, currently a student at the Imperial Academy. My father-in-law serves as Director of a Bureau in the Ministry of Works.”
Her identity and background were laid out clearly.
Prince Yan, too, attended to some duties of state and went to court each day to listen to government affairs. But the people he ordinarily dealt with were officials of ministerial rank — a mere fourth-rank Director in the Ministry of Works would naturally not register on his radar.
Hearing Jiang Shi’s words, only a vague image of a middle-aged man’s face flickered through Prince Yan’s mind. “You mean Director Ling, Ling Zhiyuan?”
Jiang Shi respectfully confirmed that it was so.
With Jiang Shi stepping forward, Prince Yan’s attention shifted, and it was no longer proper for him to keep staring at Ling Jingshu. “You’re surnamed Jiang — could you be a relative or descendant of the Duke of Ying’s household?”
“Yes, my father’s given name includes the character Hao, and he currently serves in the Ministry of Rites. I address the Duke of Ying as my paternal uncle’s cousin.” Jiang Shi, true to her noble upbringing, quickly steadied herself after her initial flusterment and introduced everyone methodically. “The one who spoke with Your Highness just now is my cousin-in-law from the fifth branch of the Ling family. Standing beside her is her twin younger brother, Ling Xiao.”
“And this is my husband’s younger sister, the youngest daughter of the Ling family’s eldest branch, eighth among her siblings.”
As she spoke, she shot Ling Jingyan a meaningful look. “A’Yan, what are you standing there in a daze for? Come quickly and pay your respects to His Highness Prince Yan.”
That look carried both a reminder and a warning.
This young man before them was no ordinary person — the Ling family could not possibly afford to offend him.
Jiang Shi was ordinarily gentle by temperament; such a serious, almost stern look was something she almost never gave.
A jolt ran through Ling Jingyan’s whole body, and she finally came to her senses. Biting her lip, she stepped forward and bowed. “This humble one, Ling Jingyan, greets Your Highness Prince Yan.”
Ling Jingshu: “…”
What woman would simply blurt out her own given name like that? Ling Jingyan really had lost her head over Prince Yan, casting aside even the reserve expected of a young lady.
Prince Yan glanced at Ling Jingyan offhandedly. “No need for formality.”
Without comparing her to Ling Jingshu, Ling Jingyan was, in truth, also a lovely, charming beauty. But with a gem beside her, her carefully made-up face seemed to fade into the background.
Prince Yan still did not recall that the two of them had once met before.