After the bout of laughter and banter had passed, Sun Shi asked about the circumstances of Ling Xiao’s medical treatment.

Ling Jingshu did not conceal anything and explained it all one by one: “…Imperial Physician Wei cannot offer any certainty either. There is only a thirty-percent chance of recovery. And he would need to administer acupuncture once every five days.”

Acupuncture once every five days?

Sun Shi’s brow furrowed instinctively: “Imperial Physician Wei is required to be on duty in the palace. I am afraid he would have no time to leave.”

Ling Jingshu nodded: “That is so. However, Imperial Physician Wei proposed a compromise. Every five days, he makes a visit to the Crown Prince’s residence to take His Highness the Crown Prince’s routine health pulse. I can bring A’Xiao to the Crown Prince’s residence to wait. After Imperial Physician Wei has taken His Highness’s pulse, he can spare a moment to perform the acupuncture on A’Xiao. It will not take long and will not delay Imperial Physician Wei’s return to the palace.”

That was indeed a fine idea.

However, they would first need to call upon the residence in person and obtain this favor.

A hint of difficulty showed on Sun Shi’s face: “A’Shu, this matter is not exactly difficult, yet not exactly simple either. Our Ling Family has little dealings with the Crown Prince’s residence ordinarily. To suddenly arrive and beg for a favor like this — I am afraid the Crown Princess may not necessarily agree…”

Ling Daye had been enthusiastic about cultivating closer ties, yet had unfortunately never found a suitable opportunity.

“That may not necessarily be so.”

Ling Ji smiled and took up the thread of conversation: “What we are asking for is merely a guest room in which to wait while Imperial Physician Wei administers the acupuncture, after which we would leave. To the Crown Prince’s residence, it is no more than a small effort. The Crown Princess is benevolent and kind-hearted; she would not likely refuse.”

Madam Jiang also smiled and said: “Your daughter-in-law will accompany A’Shu to the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow to seek an audience with the Crown Princess.”

Sun Shi first nodded, then quickly added: “It may not be appropriate for just the two of you to go. I shall lead you both there together tomorrow!”

In a matter such as this, it was more proper for her as the elder to appear in person — that way proper decorum would be observed.

In truth, Ling Jingshu had been thinking the same thing, only it had not been convenient for her to say so outright.

Now that Sun Shi had raised it of her own accord, it could not have been better.

“I must trouble Great-Aunt in everything.” Ling Jingshu rose to her feet and performed a solemn bow.

Sun Shi laughed with mild reproach: “You silly girl, why stand on so much ceremony among family.” She paused, then added: “Visiting the Crown Prince’s residence is no small affair. Tonight, when your Great-Uncle returns, I shall discuss the matter carefully with him.”

Everyone shared the midday meal together, then each returned to their rooms to rest.

Ling Jingyan had been unable to follow them out of the residence, and felt it was quite a shame. She shamelessly followed Ling Jingshu to her room and pestered her into recounting the events of the outing in full, from beginning to end.

Given Ling Jingyan’s temperament, if her curiosity were not satisfied, she would certainly not give one any peace for the rest of the day.

Ling Jingshu had no choice but to spend considerable effort recounting everything — beginning from the moment the carriage arrived at Huichun Hall (as Ling Jingyan demanded, with every detail spared nothing), all the way through to Imperial Physician Wei’s completion of A’Xiao’s acupuncture and his departure from Huichun Hall.

Ling Jingyan listened with righteous indignation, even more agitated than Ling Jingshu herself.

“That Third Miss Liu is truly laughable. She made such a long journey, claiming it was to treat a servant’s illness. Hmph! Does she think everyone else is a fool? She clearly just wanted to use the occasion to get close to Imperial Physician Wei! And she deliberately provoked you too. Pfah! If I had been there, I would certainly have shot back at her: ‘Is your servant your sweetheart? Why are you so worried about him?'”

Ling Jingshu: “…”

“And that Junzhu Fumin. Bullying others by relying on her status, and when she could not win with words, she resorted to striking people — truly odious and contemptible! If I had been there at the time… well, never mind. Even if I had been there, I could not have struck a junzhu back. With someone like that, it is best to keep a respectful distance.”

Ling Jingshu: “…”

Ling Jingyan continued pressing: “Right, and what happened afterward?”

Ling Jingshu collected herself and answered: “After A’Xiao came out, Junzhu Fumin also entered the inner hall. It seems she was ill and wanted Imperial Physician Wei to examine her.”

“She has ulterior motives — it is plain for all to see!” Ling Jingyan pursed her lips. “A pampered junzhu who has wanted for nothing her whole life — what illness could she possibly have? She was plainly feigning illness to see Imperial Physician Wei. With his skill and discernment, he would have seen through it at once. I wonder — how did Imperial Physician Wei send her away?”

Ling Jingshu recalled what had happened, and the corners of her lips curved ever so slightly upward: “I am not entirely sure of the specifics. However, after Junzhu Fumin came out, she flew into a great temper and slapped her personal maidservant. She also ordered the maidservant to go fetch medicine!”

It was obvious she had been rebuffed by Imperial Physician Wei and was venting her frustration on those around her.

Ling Jingyan broke into delighted laughter, clapping her hands: “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful — that is what she gets for her own foolish infatuation. Imperial Physician Wei refuses to be swayed by a beautiful woman — well done indeed.”

Then she smiled with exaggerated slyness: “A’Shu, what was Imperial Physician Wei’s reaction when he saw you?”

Ling Jingshu composed her features into an expression of serene indifference, without even a flicker of her brow: “Just like this.”

Ling Jingyan: “…”

Ling Jingyan’s eyes went wide, and she blurted out: “Not a single reaction? How is that possible!”

A beauty like A’Shu — what man could remain unmoved upon seeing her?

Even the proud and cold Crown Grandson had looked twice upon first meeting Ling Jingshu. To say nothing of the dashing and charming Prince Yan…

At the thought of Prince Yan, the excitement and exuberance in Ling Jingyan’s heart quieted somewhat.

On this point, Ling Jingshu’s heart actually harbored a tiny, subtle prickle of feeling.

Being constantly stared at or paid excessive attention to by men was invariably tiresome. To encounter one who had not given her a second glance was somehow inexplicably uncomfortable as well…

If she were to be honest — that small thread of vanity had been wounded.

Ling Jingshu gave a slight shrug and said with a deliberately nonchalant smile: “Imperial Physician Wei has spent years stationed in the palace. The palace is filled with beauties of every kind. Having seen more beautiful women than one could count, his heart remains as still as water — that is perfectly understandable.”

Ling Jingyan still felt something was not quite right, and ventured a fantastical guess: “Could it be that Imperial Physician Wei is actually a woman disguised as a man? Concealed in the Imperial Medical Academy for years, not daring to let anyone discover her identity as a woman, which is why she has always kept away from women…”

Ling Jingshu burst out laughing: “Elder Cousin Yan, please stop joking. Do you think everyone around him is blind?”

Imperial Physician Wei stood a little taller than the average man; his face, though of incomparable beauty, was entirely unlike a woman’s delicate features. One glance was enough to know he was a man — how could he possibly be a woman?

Ling Jingyan also laughed in embarrassment: “I was just speaking off the top of my head. No one should take it seriously.”

After a moment’s thought she said with conviction: “Still, Imperial Physician Wei must certainly have some secret.”

“Think about it — he is already over twenty years of age. Other men his age have long since been fathers of several children. Yet he has never married. So many women admire him, yet he is unmoved by any of them, and even a beauty like you failed to stir him. He either has some hidden physical ailment, or there is some other undisclosed circumstance!”

It was rare for Ling Jingyan to say something so sensible.

But then — whether Imperial Physician Wei was willing to marry had nothing to do with either of them. Why were they arguing so heatedly over it?