“On that day, we encountered bandits on the ship. Thanks to His Highness Prince Tai Sun’s timely rescue, those bandits were subdued. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for all of us from the Ling family to escape unharmed.”

“However, this matter is related to Ah Shu’s reputation and should not be publicized. His Highness Taisun also ordered that this matter does not need to be spread. Therefore, after returning to the capital, we have never formally visited to express our thanks. There are only a few people who know about this matter.”

The grateful look on Sun Shi’s face was not fake. She continued:

“His Royal Highness Taisun is so kind-hearted that he specially gave a name card to Ah Xiao. The siblings took His Highness’s name card to the Huichun Hall and saw Imperial Doctor Wei without queuing up to get the number. This kindness, everyone in our Ling family will bear this in mind.”

The Crown Princess’s eyes flashed repeatedly, and her expression became subtle.

Her son never told her about rescuing people.

She didn’t know anything about the reward.

None of this was the point. The point was, when did his cold-faced son become so kind-hearted? Both to save people and to give his name card to see the famous Doctor Wei?

Was it for the Ling family, or for this stunningly beautiful Miss Ling?

The Crown Princess’ eyes fell on Ling Jingshu’s face, and she unconsciously looked more carefully.

Since the Imperial Grandson turned fourteen, his marriage had become the top priority in the Crown Prince’s palace.

The Crown Princess had already been secretly searching for a suitable Tàisūn fēi, and she had a suitable candidate in mind.

Of course, beauty and talent were indispensable. What was more important was that she must be from a noble family and with an outstanding family background. Only then could she be worthy of the status of a Tàisūn fēi. Only then could she be qualified to be the future Crown Princess, and only then could she be qualified to be the mother of the world in the future.

Even the maids serving around the Imperial Grandson were carefully selected. They had a clean family background, were loyal and reliable, and had a beautiful appearance, all of which were indispensable.

How could the Crown Princess not be secretly suspicious of such a young lady from the Ling family who suddenly appeared?

Ling Jingshu originally lowered her head slightly, but now she raised her head with clear and sincere eyes: “His Royal Highness Taisun has been kind to me and helped Ah Xiao. We, my sister and brother, are deeply grateful. We shouldn’t bother you again. But because of Ah Xiao’s illness, I had to shamelessly come to ask for help.”

“Ah Xiao’s illness required acupuncture every five days. Imperial Physician Wei usually stays in the palace and rarely leaves. We came to know that Imperial Physician Wei visits the Prince’s residence every five days to diagnose His Highness’s pulse. If Ah Xiao comes to the Prince’s residence and waits for Imperial Physician Wei to diagnose the Prince’s pulse before administering acupuncture, it would be most helpful.”

With that, she pulled Ling Xiao forward, and the two siblings knelt down together.

“The little lady also knew that this matter was too abrupt and presumptuous, but she thought about it over and over again. There was really no other way. Only then did she muster up the courage to go to the house and ask for permission. I beg the Crown Princess to agree.”

After finishing speaking, she kowtowed solemnly and respectfully three times.

Jiang Shi also approached and gave a slight bow, saying, “The Crown Princess’s kind-heartedness makes it unbearable to refuse them at the door. As the saying goes, saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. This matter is just a small effort for the Crown Princess, but for my younger brother, it is a matter concerning his lifelong eye treatment. Please, Crown Princess, have mercy!”

The Crown Princess did not agree immediately.

Her gaze swept across Ling Jingshu’s beautiful face, her eyes unpredictable and she couldn’t tell what she was thinking. After a long wait, she slowly said: “Since it is about treating illnesses and saving people, I agree.”

Ling Jingshu breathed a sigh of relief, and kowtowed three more times with Ling Xiao: “Thank you, Crown Princess, for your grace.”

The Crown Princess twitched the corners of her lips, but in her eyes, there was not much smile in it: “It’s just a little effort, it doesn’t take much thought. It’s just preparing an empty guest room. You don’t have to kneel down. You can get up, no need for such courtesy!”

After Ling Jingshu and her brother stood up, the Crown Princess smiled again: “Miss Ling is not very old, but she speaks and behaves calmly. She thinks about her younger brother wholeheartedly. She is a smart and lovable girl.”

When she said the words “smart and lovable”, her tone seemed to be heavier.

Ling Jingshu sighed secretly in her heart.

It was evident that the Crown Princess regarded her as one of those scheming girls who deliberately approached the Imperial Grandson with ulterior motives.

She had this hidden worry before coming here, so she deliberately dressed plainly so as not to attract attention. After entering the Crown Prince’s Mansion today, she kept her head down and said nothing, trying her best to keep a low profile. But she did not expect that it could still arouse the Crown Princess’s fear and displeasure.

In order to treat Ah Xiao’s illness, she would frequently visit the Prince’s residence in the coming months. It was inevitable that she would have to interact with the Crown Princess. Leaving behind such an impression naturally wasn’t very pleasant.

Ling Jingshu pretended not to hear the implicit meaning behind the Crown Princess’s words and humbly and sincerely said, “The Crown Princess’s praise is too generous, this humble woman dare not accept. I have no other intentions, I only hope that Court Physician Wei can cure Ah Xiao’s eyes. As long as Ah Xiao can see the light again, this humble woman will be content.”

There was no other thought…

She was satisfied…

The Crown Princess raised her eyebrows. She took a deep look at Ling Jingshu and said with a faint smile: “One who is content is always happy. It is rare for Miss Ling to have such wisdom at such a young age.”

Ling Jingshu’s heart dropped slightly.

It seemed that her statement just now was of some use.

This Crown Princess looked gentle and approachable, but was actually unpredictable and not someone to be trifled with.

When the Crown Prince was young, he led troops in several battles. He had only two sons and one daughter. The Imperial Grandson was the legitimate son, the son of the Crown Princess. There was also a son and a daughter, both of whom were born to concubines.

Currently, with the Crown Prince’s delicate health requiring rest, it was best not to burden oneself with unnecessary stress. The majority of the Eastern Palace’s affairs had fallen upon the Imperial Grandson’s shoulders. Despite his youth, he had become the cornerstone of the Eastern Palace.

His marriage was by no means trivial.

No wonder the Crown Princess paid special attention to the girls in the boudoir whom the Crown Prince befriends.

. .

The purpose of coming had been achieved, and it was inconvenient for everyone to stay any longer.

Sun Shi stood up voluntarily: “Today’s visit may have caused some inconvenience. I will lead them out now.”

As the Crown Princess, there was no need for formalities towards the Ling family. Without even uttering a casual “stay and have lunch before leaving” type of polite remark, she simply nodded in agreement.

Sun Shi didn’t take it to heart.

What was her identity, and what was the identity of the Crown Princess? Did they still expect the noble princess to be attentive and warm to them?

Everyone was about to bow and leave together when a palace maid hurriedly walked in and reported: “To the Crown Princess, Princess Changping is here.”

Princess Changping?

Ling Jingshu’s heart beat violently several times, and blood rushed to her mind. A strange blush appeared on her downturned pretty face, and a frighteningly bright light flashed in her eyes.

Princess Changping!

It was her who was here!

Ling Jingshu clenched her fists subconsciously, and then slowly released them.

The other party’s status was noble and could not be matched by her now. She wanted revenge and must not reveal her whereabouts. She couldn’t even reveal the slightest bit of strangeness.

(To be continued.)