Once you enter the palace gates, the depths are like the sea!

This saying was by no means empty talk. Past the palace gates stretched tall city walls and long, narrow passageways, and the eunuchs and palace maids coming and going all kept their heads bowed, not a word between them — oppressive and stifling.

Occasionally someone would look up and catch sight of Ling Jingshu’s unfamiliar face, yet they dared not show surprise, quickly lowering their gaze again.

Palace rules were strict; once inside the gates, one could only proceed on foot.

Xin Yun seemed concerned for Ling Jingshu, quickly glanced back at her, and said in a low voice: “Lingbo Palace is about half an hour’s walk from here — quite a distance.”

Ling Jingshu had already prepared herself for this, and replied quietly: “I can manage — Miss Xin Yun need not worry.”

Xin Yun said no more, but considerately slowed her pace slightly.

They walked the length of the long passageway, wound their way around a stretch of palace buildings, and finally arrived at Lingbo Palace.

The palace maids on duty at the gate saw Xin Yun and her party and quickly came forward with a smile: “Sister Xin Yun, you’re finally back. Her Ladyship has already sent someone to ask after you twice.”

Xin Yun smiled: “I shall go in at once to report to Her Ladyship.”

Ling Jingshu followed Xin Yun into Lingbo Palace and waited under the eaves outside the main hall.

Bai Yu, who had been strung tight with nerves the whole way, finally allowed herself to relax a little. Her gaze swept around the surroundings, and she said admiringly under her breath: “Miss, this Lingbo Palace is truly lovely and elegant.”

Ling Jingshu smiled and gave a soft hum.

All along the way, she had seen quite a number of palace buildings. Looking around, this Lingbo Palace was not the largest, yet it was arranged with a refined and exquisite neatness. One could see that Wei Jieyu was indeed rather well favored.

Very soon, Xin Yun came back out, and said with a smile: “Her Ladyship is waiting inside — please come in, Miss Ling.”

By palace rules, Bai Yu was not entitled to follow inside, and was led by a palace maid to wait elsewhere.

……

Ling Jingshu lowered her head slightly and followed behind Xin Yun into Lingbo Palace.

“Your Ladyship, Miss Ling has arrived.” Xin Yun reported respectfully.

Ling Jingshu promptly stepped forward and performed a proper kneeling bow: “This commoner girl, Ling Jingshu, pays her respects to Her Ladyship the Jieyu.”

“Miss Ling, please rise quickly.” Wei Jieyu’s voice was gentle and melodious, and exceedingly warm: “Xin Yun, offer Miss Ling a seat.”

Xin Yun acknowledged the order and brought a stool. Ling Jingshu gave her thanks before sitting down.

She and Wei Jieyu were no more than a few feet apart. To look directly and openly would be impudent and rude, so Ling Jingshu let her gaze rest at Wei Jieyu’s chin.

In that brief moment, Ling Jingshu took in Wei Jieyu’s features all at once, and could not help but silently admire her inwardly.

Dressed in a set of indigo blue palace robes, Wei Jieyu had clearly passed the age at which a woman is at her most beautiful, yet she remained breathtakingly beautiful, her elegance matchless. When her luminous eyes moved, even a woman would find her heart stirring.

No wonder Wei Jieyu had remained in the Emperor’s deep favor for years without waning.

Imperial Physician Wei was also a man of exceptional refinement and good looks; these siblings were quite alike in bearing and appearance, yet each had their own distinctiveness. Wei Jieyu’s countenance was gentle and amiable, her smile warm and welcoming. Imperial Physician Wei appeared mild-mannered, but was in truth detached and reserved, and not easily approached…

Even as Ling Jingshu quietly observed Wei Jieyu, Wei Jieyu was also looking at Ling Jingshu. However, Wei Jieyu had no need to conceal it, and did so openly and freely, with perfect ease.

What a beautiful and striking young lady!

Wei Jieyu had grown accustomed to seeing beauties in the palace, yet upon seeing Ling Jingshu now, she was still struck with admiration: “Miss Ling’s beauty is like flowers and the moon. This palace finds her most pleasing to look upon.”

Ling Jingshu replied with a smile: “Before meeting Your Ladyship, I was still somewhat confident in my own appearance. But after today, no matter who praises me, I shall only feel ashamed.”

Wei Jieyu broke into a warm smile: “This palace has heard no end of compliments, yet none have been as pleasant to the ear as those two sentences just now.”

“This palace has only the one daughter, An’ya. Living in the palace all day, she is bound by so many rules and constraints, and the rare time she goes out, she makes mischief and causes trouble.”

Wei Jieyu said softly with a gentle sigh: “When this palace heard the news of An’ya falling into the water, the shock caused me to faint on the spot. Fortunately, you jumped into the lake in time and saved An’ya. This palace is deeply grateful, and today I summoned you here in order to thank you in person.”

With that, she actually rose to her feet and gave Ling Jingshu a bow.

Ling Jingshu had not expected Wei Jieyu to do such a thing; she was caught off guard and, unable to stop her in time, had no choice but to accept the bow, then immediately rose and returned the courtesy: “Your Ladyship truly puts me to shame. I only did what was called for. Knowing that Princess An’ya is safe and well, my heart is also filled with joy.”

Wei Jieyu smiled gently: “The bow you gave this palace earlier was out of ceremony; the bow this palace just gave you was as a mother, in thanks to the one who saved her daughter’s life. You need not feel unsettled. If it makes you uncomfortable, this palace will say no more on the matter. Please, sit and let us talk.”

After they sat back down, Wei Jieyu made light conversation for a few moments on small, ordinary matters — things such as Ling Jingshu’s age, birthday, and preferences.

Ling Jingshu had kept her heart on guard at first, but after some exchanges, she genuinely relaxed.

Ordinarily, one cannot truly see a person’s nature in a brief moment of acquaintance.

This Wei Jieyu, however, was an exception.

The Crown Princess’s warmth and amiability only skimmed the surface; Wei Jieyu’s gentleness and warmth were entirely sincere, truly making one feel as though bathed in spring breezes.

“By the way, this palace has heard that you accompanied your younger brother to the capital for medical treatment. Imperial Physician Wei occasionally comes to the Crown Prince’s residence to feel the Crown Prince’s pulse, and would also administer acupuncture to your brother along the way — is that so?” Wei Jieyu said in a seemingly casual tone, yet spoke with considerable detail and clarity.

Ling Jingshu replied candidly: “Yes. While I was still in Dingzhou, I had already heard of Imperial Physician Wei’s great renown. Coming to the capital this time was precisely to seek his medical care. Imperial Physician Wei’s medical skill is superb, and his heart is kind and benevolent. For my brother and me to have obtained his care is truly our blessing.”

She has good looks, an outstanding bearing, knows her place, and handles herself appropriately with grace and propriety. Her family background, while not exceptionally distinguished, is still that of a daughter from an established official household.

Such an all-around remarkable young woman — even she herself found her pleasing to look upon. Imperial Physician Wei was in frequent contact with her; how could he not be moved?

A thought stirred in Wei Jieyu’s heart, and she feigned casualness as she asked: “Miss Ling is fourteen in her prime years — has a marriage arrangement been settled for her at home?”

……Why the sudden inquiry about this?

A strange unease stirred in Ling Jingshu’s heart: “To answer Your Ladyship — no arrangement has been made for me yet.”

Good, no arrangement yet.

She would ask Imperial Physician Wei in detail when he came.

Wei Jieyu quietly made her plans and said in passing: “This palace merely asked on a whim — there is no other meaning. No need to be nervous.”

Ling Jingshu felt a slight flush of embarrassment. Had her nervousness just now really been that obvious?

Just then, a palace maid in blue robes came in to report: “Your Ladyship, Imperial Physician Wei has come to take the Princess’s pulse.”

Imperial Physician Wei had arrived!

Ling Jingshu’s heart skipped a beat.

Wei Jieyu’s lips curved into a smile, and she said pleasantly: “Please invite Imperial Physician Wei in at once.”