The Crown Prince’s Mansion in the Eastern Palace was very close to the Imperial Palace.

Calculating the distance, it only took a stick of incense to get from the palace gate to the gate of the Prince’s Mansion.

Prince An’s Mansion, Prince Kang’s Mansion, and Prince Yan’s Mansion were also close to the palace, not far from the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Princess Changping’s residence and Prince Rong’s residence were both near the palace.

In the inner city of Luoyang, every inch of land was precious, and ordinary people could not afford to buy houses. Most of them lived in the outer city. Those who could afford accommodation in the inner city were either wealthy or of high status. Officials like Mr. Ling, a fourth-rank official, lived with their large families in three-entry courtyards, which were quite common.

The streets here were more than twice as wide and smooth as ordinary city streets. Any mansion occupied an extremely large area, and its carved beams and painted edifices were extremely luxurious.

The imperial power was supreme, and the Yang family became the most noble bloodline in the Zhou Dynasty. The princes, queens, grandchildren, and royal relatives had become the most noble and special group of people in the world. They had all kinds of privileges that were above the laws of the country…

and her enemies were among them.

Ling Jingshu raised the car curtain, looked through the car window for a while, and then quietly lowered the car curtain.

Jiang Shi looked at Ling Jingshu’s calm profile and couldn’t guess what she was thinking.

A boudoir girl of this age had no worries about food and clothing every day. Shouldn’t she live happily every day with her biggest concern being thinking about the boy she likes, just like her xiǎogū Ling Jingyan?

(Ling Jingyan objected angrily: Hey, just give an example. Why do you always use me as a negative example?!)

Ling Jingshu was a few months younger than Ling Jingyan, but she didn’t have any impetuousness. She smiled and looked calm, no one could read her mind.

Today they were going to the Crown Prince’s Mansion to ask for an audience with the Crown Princess, but she didn’t see her being very nervous…

“Tangsao, why do you keep staring at me today?” Ling Jingshu’s smiling voice interrupted Jiang’s thoughts.

Jiang Shi snapped back to reality, she joked with a smile, “You’re the most attractive one in this carriage. If I don’t look at you, who else should I look at?”

Ling Jingshu smiled: “Tangsao, please don’t praise me like that. In my eyes, you are the one who is truly clever, kind, gentle, and considerate!”

Jiang Shi pursed her lips and smiled, “And you say I’m good at praising people, but you’re the real expert! Every word you say goes straight to my heart.”

While they were laughing, Sun Shi said abruptly: “Yu Niang has been married for a few years. There is really nothing to criticize. It would be even better if she could get pregnant and add a white, fat golden grandchild to our Ling family.”

here we go again!

Jiang Shi’s smile froze slightly.

Every time this topic was brought up, she seemed to be struck by her shortcomings, and she didn’t dare to say anything anymore.

Ling Jingshu intended to help Jiang Shi, and changed the topic with a smile: “Bomu, we must be very near to Crown Prince’s Mansion! We are traveling for almost an hour.”

Sun Shi lifted the curtain to look outside, and responded with a smile: “It’s just ahead.”

…

The regulations of the Crown Prince’s Mansion were higher than those of the other Prince and Princess’s Mansion.

Tall and mighty stone lions were located on both sides of the gate. The guards of the Eastern Palace wearing armor and holding spears stood neatly in two rows at the door, exuding majesty and coldness.

Of course, the carriage could not stop at the door. This was a great disrespect to His Royal Highness. There were still dozens of meters to go before the carriage had to be stopped. Then find the concierge at the side door to submit a name card.

After receiving the name card, the concierge of the Prince’s Mansion went in first to deliver the report. In the meantime, all they could do was wait for the Crown Princess…

The Crown Princess would only let people in if she agreed.

After Sun Shi sent someone to submit her invitation, she was a little worried: “I don’t know if the Crown Princess is free today. Would she like to see us?”

Logically speaking, if you wanted to see the Crown Princess, you should have sent the invitation two days in advance. Wait for the Crown Princess’s approval before visiting. This time, they were in a hurry to follow the Doctor’s advice, so they came to the door rashly. It would be embarrassing if they were turned away.

Compared to Sun Shi, Jiang Shi was much calmer and said with a smile: “The Crown Princess has a gentle and compassionate temperament. She should meet us whenever she is free.”

As a girl from the Jiang family, even if she was a shu daughter, the pride of a distinguished family flowed in her blood. When talking about the Crown Princess, her tone was much more natural than that of Sun Shi.

Sun Shi was comforted by her daughter-in-law, and her anxious mood immediately calmed down. She couldn’t help but think about her. The master put all the effort into marrying her back then, and it was indeed the right decision.

It would be better if her daughter-in-law could give birth to a grandson earlier!

…

The gatekeeper couldn’t enter the inner chambers, so he handed the visiting card to the palace maid at the gate, who then delivered the name card to Ye nǚguān^[1]a female official of the royal family, who was by the side of the Crown Princess.

Ye nǚguān was about twenty years old, with an oval face and quite a beautiful appearance. The skirt didn’t move when walking. Silently, she entered the inner hall lightly and said:

“To the Crown Princess, the family members of Langzhong Ling of the Ministry of Industry have sent a greeting letter to ask for an audience.”

The woman sitting in the inner hall had her head lowered and was looking through the account books in the mansion. Hearing this, she raised her head and asked casually: “Have they sent a greeting card before?”

This woman was the Crown Princess Su.

The Imperial Grandson was fifteen this year, and the Crown Princess gave birth to him when she was eighteen. In this way, the Crown Princess was about thirty-three this year. But the Crown Princess was pampered and well-maintained, with a face that was lightly made up, beautiful and dignified, and had an outstanding temperament. She looked to be in her twenties at most.

The Crown Princess came from a scholarly family background. Her father, Su Yu, was a prominent Confucian scholar of the current dynasty. He had served as the Supervisor of the National University and had also been the tutor of the Crown Prince. His students were widespread in the court and beyond, and he enjoyed a high reputation among scholars.

Ye nǚguān responded respectfully: “No, they were probably in a hurry to come to the door and forgot this etiquette in a moment of impatience.”

The Crown Princess didn’t say anything, only frowned slightly.

Ye nǚguān was very familiar with the Crown Princess’s temper, and asked tentatively: “If the Crown Princess doesn’t want to see them, can the concierge return the invitation?”

“Why bother! They are already here, let’s meet up with them!”

The Crown Princess said calmly: “The Ling family is nothing, but Mr. Ling is devoted to the Eastern Palace. It would be heartbreaking if I didn’t see their family members when they came to the Eastern Palace. Moreover, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Ling family is surnamed Jiang, and she is also a distant relative of His Royal Highness.”

In the final analysis, Jiang Shi’s weight was heavier.

Ye nǚguān understood clearly and responded with a smile. She turned around and went out, passing on the order before turning back.

“By the way, Changping sent someone to inform us a few days ago, saying she would come to our mansion today. Why haven’t we seen her yet?” The Crown Princess casually asked, as if remembering something.

Ye nǚguān quickly responded: “Perhaps something has delayed her. Otherwise, I will send someone to ask.”

The Crown Princess twitched her lips: “That’s not necessary.”

With Princess Changping’s whimsical temperament, once she encountered something new and interesting, she probably had already forgotten about this matter entirely.

If she really came, that would be terrible.

Seeing that she didn’t wait specifically and that the Ling family members were also present, Princess Changping would definitely throw a tantrum.

…(To be continued.)