“Have you heard? At today’s palace banquet, the Crown Princess deliberately made things difficult, ordering Official Ling to serve the Crown Grandson Consort at her meal!”

“Who doesn’t know about this by now? I also heard that when His Highness the Crown Grandson saw it, he flew into a rage and scolded the Crown Grandson Consort right in front of everyone!”

“The Crown Grandson Consort, barely married in, already facing such cold treatment — how pitiable.”

“Indeed! But if you ask who’s truly the luckiest, it’s Official Ling. Who knows how she caught the Crown Grandson’s eye, but there’s no doubt wealth and glory await her in the future.”

“Perhaps there’s more to her becoming a female official than meets the eye. Otherwise, why would Her Majesty the Empress have summoned her into the palace out of nowhere? Who knows — one day she might even be granted a marriage decree, marrying the Crown Grandson as a secondary consort in grand style!”

“That’s right, such good fortune is truly enviable…”

In just a few short days, all sorts of rumors spread rapidly throughout the palace.

Not only did the maids and eunuchs gossip privately, but even when the palace consorts gathered together, they too could not help but whisper a few words about it.

“Sister Wei, you saw the scene that day with your own eyes too. I truly never expected the Crown Grandson would favor Official Ling.” The one bringing this gossip was Lady Wang, a consort of fairly low rank.

Lady Wang was in her early twenties, in the bloom of youth, and had once been quite favored by the Emperor. Unfortunately, these past months the Emperor had been recovering from illness, leaving her no chance to attend his bedchamber, and she could not help feeling a bit lonely. She often went about visiting the other consorts, chatting idly to pass the time, and was among the consorts most fond of gossip and rumor-spreading.

Wei Jieyu glanced at the eagerly chattering Lady Wang and said evenly: “Sister Wang ought to be more careful with her words. Remember, disaster comes from the mouth — you mustn’t speak carelessly of things with no basis.”

Lady Wang protested, unconvinced: “How is it careless talk? At the time, the Crown Grandson’s face was full of anger, and everyone saw it with their own eyes. If he didn’t harbor feelings for her, why would he have flown into a rage to stand up for Official Ling?”

Wei Jieyu frowned, her voice growing cold: “The Crown Grandson’s behavior that day was indeed somewhat strange. But it is not for us to make reckless guesses about it. If Sister Wang has nothing to do, there’s always music, chess, calligraphy, or painting to pass the time. It would be best to speak less gossip.”

Lady Wang, rebuffed and embarrassed, fell sullenly silent, sat for a little while longer, and soon left.

Wei Jieyu let out a long sigh, her face full of worry.

These idle rumors had now become known to everyone, thrusting Ling Jingshu right into the eye of the storm. There was no telling how it would all end.

Xinyun came quietly over and reported in a low voice: “Your Highness, Physician Wei has come to request an audience.”

Wei Jieyu collected herself and said quickly: “Let him in at once.”

Though brother and sister were both within the palace, opportunities for them to meet were not many. Every few days, Wei Jieyu would have someone summon Wei Yan to Lingbo Hall.

It was rare indeed for Wei Yan to come to Lingbo Hall of his own accord.

For him to come on his own initiative today must mean something important was at hand.

Wei Jieyu gave the order for all the maids and eunuchs to withdraw, then turned to Wei Yan: “A’Yan, did you come specially because you have something to ask of me?”

Wei Yan, in no mood to beat around the bush, nodded: “Yes. I’ve come to ask something of you.”

“Just say whatever it is. There’s no need to be so formal with me.” Wei Jieyu shot him a reproachful glance.

Warmth welled up in Wei Yan’s heart. His elder sister had always doted on him. From childhood to now, whatever he asked of her, she had never hesitated to agree.

“Sister,” Wei Yan said quietly, the restless unease in his heart already easing somewhat, “you must have heard the rumors spreading through the palace these past few days.”

Wei Jieyu sighed softly: “Who in this palace doesn’t know by now? To be honest, just before you arrived, Lady Wang had come to spread some gossip and only just left. I have no wish to listen to such talk, but I can’t control what others say.”

After a pause, she continued: “Ever since A’Shu entered the palace, she has always been cautious and kept a low profile, never drawing attention. Every day she dutifully carries out her duties, almost never leaving Jiaofang Hall. It’s just unfortunate that, though she has no wish to court trouble, trouble refuses to let her go. This time, she’s truly become the talk of the palace.”

Standing out and gaining notice should, in theory, be a good thing.

But the palace was a place where trouble could arise even out of nothing. For Ling Jingshu to draw such “attention” was by no means a good thing for her.

Even without Wei Jieyu saying so, Wei Yan understood all of this perfectly well.

Wei Yan fell silent for a moment, then blamed himself quietly: “I’m truly useless. I said I would protect her, yet when something like this happens, I’m utterly powerless, and can only come and beg you for help.”

Wei Jieyu, who had already guessed the reason for his visit, gave a wry smile upon hearing this: “A’Yan, I know you have feelings for her. Honestly, I’m quite fond of A’Shu myself. If the two of you could be united in marriage someday, I, as your elder sister, would finally be at ease.”

“But look at the situation now. On the very second day of his marriage, the Crown Grandson scolded his own Crown Grandson Consort over Ling Jingshu. Anyone with a head on their shoulders can see exactly how much weight Ling Jingshu carries in the Crown Grandson’s heart. Surely you don’t intend to compete with the Crown Grandson over her?”

“A’Yan, all I wish is for you to remain safe and well. Please, whatever you do, don’t do anything foolish!”

To contend with the Crown Grandson over a woman — Wei Yan would lose without a doubt!

Wei Yan offered no explanation, only saying quietly: “Don’t worry, Sister, I won’t do anything rash or impulsive.”

After so many years in the palace, he had long since learned the art of patience and forbearance.

To endure before overwhelming power was not cowardice, but a way of preserving himself for the future.

To wait amid pressing circumstances was not surrender, but a quiet patience for the best opportunity.

Seeing Wei Yan’s calm, composed expression, Wei Jieyu finally relaxed a little: “As long as you know what matters most. Now, what exactly is it you need my help with?”

Wei Yan lowered his voice and murmured a few words.

Wei Jieyu was stunned silent for a moment, then laughed helplessly: “Very well! For your sake, I’ll agree to it.”

Wei Yan looked up, his face full of gratitude: “Thank you, Sister. I know this puts you in a difficult position. But to avoid any suspicion, it’s truly inconvenient for me to act myself, so I had no choice but to come and ask you.”

“Enough, there’s no need to be so polite with me.” Wei Jieyu said with a smile: “Go back now and set your mind at ease.”

For Ling Jingshu, these past few days had also been especially hard to bear.

On the surface, she remained calm as usual, going about her duties as before. But she could not stop the strange looks from everyone around her.

No matter where she went, she drew ambiguous, knowing glances. The moment she turned around, she would hear whispers behind her back. Even the female officials she had once gotten along reasonably well with now spoke to her in a tone quite different from before.

Some spoke with sarcasm, some with cold mockery, and others with flattering obsequiousness.

Faces that had once seemed kind and friendly suddenly changed, revealing sides that were either bitterly sharp-tongued or utterly false.

A life she had once felt fairly settled and adjusted to had been turned completely upside down within just a few days.