T/N Back from holiday, three updates this week

Sun Shi led everyone and followed the concierge into the Prince’s Mansion.

Thinking of meeting the Crown Princess soon, Sun Shi was both excited and a little unspeakably nervous.

This was not the first time for Jiang Shi to come to the Prince’s Mansion. After entering the Prince’s Mansion, she seemed much more calm than Sun Shi. Quietly whispering to Ling Jingshu: “Don’t be nervous when you meet the Crown Princess. Just follow me and salute and say hello.”

After even experiencing incredible things such as resurrection from the dead, Ling Jingshu’s heart was as heavy as water, and her patience and self-control were far better than before.

She actually didn’t feel nervous about asking to see the Crown Princess. However, this attitude must never be revealed. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the Crown Princess in the eyes of others.

Before being able to take revenge, it was more important to keep a low profile and protect herself.

Ling Jingshu nodded in agreement.

Jiang Shi felt something strange in her heart.

Ling Jingshu seemed to be a little different. The stubbornness and unconscious sharpness in her eyes quietly dissipated. Instead, she was gentle and docile…

Such a Ling Jingshu looked so gentle and delicate that she couldn’t be wary or guarded at all.

This was what a boudoir girl should look like!

When they arrived outside the Chuihua Gate, the porter stopped and smiled at the maid guarding the door: “Mr. Ling’s family has arrived. Please go in and let them know.”

The gatekeeper of the Crown Prince’s mansion always displayed a bit of the mansion’s pride when facing officials or family members who came to seek an audience. Just now, he had been indifferent to the Ling family members. But now, seeing a little palace maid at the gate, he smiled as bright as a flower…

Ling Jingshu was stunned and lowered her head slightly.

After waiting for a moment, a female officer about twenty years old came out. It was Ye nǚguān who was beside the Crown Princess.

Ye nǚguān’s behavior was reserved and decent, with a slight smile on her lips. She elegantly and perfectly demonstrated what it means to be condescending and polite: “The Crown Princess is waiting in the inner hall, please follow me in.”

Sun Shi smiled hurriedly and thanked her: “Thank you very much. I don’t know how to address you?”

Ye nǚguān smiled and said, “My surname is Ye, just call me Ye nǚguān.”

A gōngnǚ^[1]palace maid was someone who ran errands, delivered messages, and helped with dressing and grooming. But nǚguān didn’t do these trivial things. Instead, nǚguān helped the Crown Princess take care of the internal affairs and greeted the female family members who came to see her.

This Ye nǚguān was obviously a close confidant of the Crown Princess.

The smile on Sun Shi’s face became more polite: “I’d like to thank Ye nǚguān for your help.”

Ye nǚguān smiled slightly, her eyes passed over Jiang Shi, and then passed over Ling Jingshu, who had her head slightly lowered. The smile paused slightly.

She came to see the Crown Princess dressed so simply and casually!

Ye nǚguān suppressed some displeasure in her heart. Taking a quick look at Ling Jingshu’s face, she couldn’t help but be secretly surprised by her amazing appearance.

..

“Informing the Crown Princess, the family members of Master Ling have come to pay their respects.”

Ye nǚguān took the lead in entering the inner hall and reported respectfully.

The Crown Princess hummed lightly and raised her head. As soon as she glanced at them, she had the air of being reserved and unobtrusive as she had been in a high position for a long time.

Sun Shi calmed down and stepped forward, respectfully blessing her: “Qièshēn ^[2]this servant, a humble way to address oneself in front of someone like the Royal family Sun Shi, paying my respects to the Crown Princess.”

Jiang Shi and Ling Jingshu’s siblings also stepped forward to salute together.

The Crown Princess twitched the corners of her lips and said in a gentle voice: “No need for formalities, please rise.” Then she said to Ye nǚguān, “Show Mrs. Ling a seat and serve tea.”

Sun Shi was flattered and smiled quickly and thanked her: “Thank you, Princess.”

Very soon, a palace maid brought over a cushion, and Mrs. Sun sat down nervously. Jiang Shi and Ling Jingshu’s siblings didn’t have the privilege to sit and converse; they each stood beside Sun Shi.

Jiang Shi had met her several times, and the Crown Princess only looked at her briefly. Then she cast her eyes on the twin siblings Ling Jingshu, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

She had seen many beautiful girls and handsome young men, but those who stood out like this were really rare.

Especially this girl, who wore no makeup and was plainly dressed, yet had a pure and beautiful appearance. Standing there quietly, she looked like an excellent ink painting.

“Yuniang,” thanks to the Crown Princess’s good memory, she even remembered Jiang Shi’s maiden name, “Are these two also young masters and misses of the Ling family?”

Jiang Shi answered with a smile: “Back to the Crown Princess, they are siblings from the Ling family. They are from the fifth room. Táng mèi’s boudoir name is Jingshu, and tángdì’s name is Xiao. They are twins.”

The Crown Princess smiled and praised, “What a beautiful and refined pair of siblings. Today, I’ve truly broadened my horizons.”

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly, lowering her eyes slightly, and replied, “I dare not accept such high praise from the Crown Princess.”

She was so beautiful. The voice was gentle and sweet, and the look was gentle and respectful.

The Crown Princess couldn’t help but secretly nod her head and then looked at Sun Shi: “I have seen Yu Niang several times, but this is the first time that Mrs. Ling has come specifically to ask for a meeting. I think there must be something going on. If you have something to say, it doesn’t hurt to say it!”

In this way, she still saved some face for the Ling family.

Seeing that the Crown Princess was still relatively gentle, Mrs. Sun gained some courage and smiled as she spoke, “Today, I have come with a rather bold request. Since the Crown Princess has kindly inquired, I will take the liberty to speak.”

Sure enough, they came with a request.

The Crown Princess was not surprised and asked calmly: “Oh? What is it?”

There was an endless stream of people coming to ask for mercy, almost every day.

Some were to seek official status, and some were to plead for mercy. The Ling family and the Prince’s Mansion had no friendship, so they came eagerly and asked for something. It was very rare…

Sun Shi brightened up and wore a smile as she said, “In regards to this matter, there is also some connection with His Highness the Imperial Grandson. I ask the Crown Princess to please be patient and allow me to explain slowly.”

Why were you related to Imperial Grandson?

The Crown Princess felt a bit surprised in her heart, and a hint of it showed in her expression. She said, “Mrs. Ling, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Please, just say what you have to say!”

There was an undoubted majesty from above in her indifferent voice.

Sun Shi’s heart trembled, and she didn’t dare to whet her appetite anymore: “Here’s the thing. Ah Xiao fell down a few years ago and was injured, resulting in blindness for six years. Hearing that Dr. Wei’s medical skills were superb, he thought of going to the Huichun Hall for treatment with Dr. Wei. A month ago, we returned to the capital from Dingzhou, and their siblings also came to the capital with us…”

The Crown Princess’ expression remained unchanged, only her brows moved slightly.

Only Ye nǚguān, who was familiar with her temper, knew that the Crown Princess was impatient.

There were so many tedious things in the Crown Prince’s palace every day that the Crown Princess couldn’t even worry about. How can she be in the mood to listen to the Ling family’s request for medical treatment?

This Mrs. Ling kept talking for a long time and couldn’t explain what she was talking about. It was really unpleasant.

Just as the Crown Princess was barely holding back her impatience, Sun Shi finally came to the part where bandits were encountered on the boat in the middle of the night and His Highness the Imperial Grandson led troops to rescue them.

(To be continued.)