Ling Jingshu seemed not to hear the unkindness in Changping Gōngzhǔ’s tone, and responded respectfully: “Yes, the little girl’s maiden name is Jingshu, and she was born an hour earlier than her brother A Xiao.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ raised her eyebrows with a half-smile: “Jingshu, that’s a good name. As soon as you hear it, you will know that it is the daughter of a boudoir who is extremely beautiful and talented.”

It was obviously a compliment, but coming from Changping Gōngzhǔ, it felt a bit unpleasant.

The Crown Princess was most familiar with Changping Gōngzhǔ’s temperament and frowned slightly when she heard this.

This Changping was beautiful, jealous, and narrow-minded. The last thing she hated to see was a woman whose appearance was better than her own. She also heard about what she did in private.

This was the Crown Prince’s residence after all. If Changping Gōngzhǔ was allowed to make things difficult for the Ling family, where would that leave the dignity of the Crown Princess?

Moreover, this Ling Jingshu didn’t know what involvement she had with A Yao…

The Crown Princess’s thoughts were racing and she was about to open her mouth to rescue her.

She heard Ling Jingshu say with a smile: Your Highness, your praise is too kind, and I truly feel unworthy of it. In the past, in the city of Dingzhou, I also prided myself on having some talents and looks. But today, upon seeing Your Highness, I realize what true beauty is, what it means to be captivating. Compared to Your Highness, I am merely an inconspicuous green leaf beside a peony.”

Flattery was something everyone could do.

But being able to say such cheesy words with such sincerity and earnestness was not something everyone could achieve.

Changping Gōngzhǔ’s face suddenly looked much better, and she giggled: “Your mouth is very sweet, and it makes people happy.”

“I am naturally clumsy and tongue-tied, how can I coax people.” Ling Jingshu still looked sincere: ” Every word I say comes from my heart, and not a single word is false.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ felt relaxed after hearing this, with a smile on her eyes and eyebrows.

Jiang Shi: “…”

Sun Shi: “…”

Ling Jingshu didn’t show any false courtesy to the Imperial Grandson or King Yan. But now, facing Changping Gōngzhǔ, why does it seem like she’s become a different person?

The Crown Princess on the side was also a little surprised.

This Ling Jingshu looked gentle and shy before. Now she was very eloquent and smooth-tongued. Make Changping Gōngzhǔ so happy. .

Most of the wariness that had originally dissipated gathered again.

Ling Jingshu noticed the wariness in the Crown Princess’s eyes and sighed secretly in her heart. The previous efforts were in vain.

However, the most important thing now was to deal with Changping Gōngzhǔ first.

Ling Jingshu said respectfully and submissively: “Today I have the honor to meet Her Royal Highness Changping Gōngzhǔ. I am truly lucky. I hope to have the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness Changping Gōngzhǔ again in the future.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ was in a good mood and said with a casual smile: “What’s so difficult about this? In a few days, I will hold a lotus appreciation banquet at my house to cool off the summer heat. Then I will have someone send an invitation to the Ling family.”

Ling Jingshu revealed a well-timed surprise. It was a blessing: “Thank you, Your Highness, Gōngzhǔ.”

Ling Jingshu’s surprised and excited look made Changping Gōngzhǔ quite pleased with her, and the previous unhappiness had long been forgotten.

As for Sun Shi and Jiang Shi, they were so shocked by this scene that they were speechless.

. .

After the Ling family left, Changping Gōngzhǔ still smiled to herself: “This Ling Jingshu has a very clever mouth. She makes people happy.”

Wasn’t she just telling lies with open eyes and trying to trick people?

However, if Changping Gōngzhǔ was so happy, of course, the Crown Princess would not tell the truth. She smiled and said, “She wasn’t intentionally flattering you. Aren’t you the most dazzling peony in the capital? All the noble maidens in the city, when they stand before you, are nothing but mere green leaves.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ listened and took advantage of it, smiling. She said politely: “Huáng sǎo, please stop joking. By the way, why are the Ling family members coming to the Crown Prince’s Mansion for no reason? They are not here to seek an official position!”

The Crown Princess’s eyes sparkled for a moment, half-jokingly replying, “Watch what you say about seeking official positions. If word of that reaches Imperial Father’s ears, he might not take kindly to it.”

When the Emperor was young, he could indeed be considered a wise ruler. However, as he grew older, his temperament became more unpredictable and prone to anger, making him difficult to understand. As long as the Crown Prince hadn’t ascended to the Dragon Throne, the position of the heir in the Eastern Palace was as precarious as walking on thin ice, requiring even greater caution in his actions.

Changping Gōngzhǔ looked disapproving: “It’s just a joke. Even if my Imperial Father knew about it, he wouldn’t be unhappy over such a trivial matter.”

This was not necessarily the case!

If someone with ulterior motives seized on the topic and stirred up trouble, it would be difficult to say.

Changping Gōngzhǔ was the daughter of Empress Xu. She often walked around with the Crown Prince, but she couldn’t be said to be particularly close. Some things were obviously inconvenient to say in front of Changping Gōngzhǔ.

The Crown Princess smiled noncommittally. She asked Changping Gōngzhǔ to take a seat and ordered tea to be served.

After the pair of gūsǎo ^[1]a woman and her brother’s wife sat down, they chatted.

“Huáng sǎo, how is my Imperial brother’s health these days?” Changping Gōngzhǔ asked earnestly.

Being part of the royal family was different from ordinary siblings; familial affection tended to be somewhat diluted. However, since Changping Gōngzhǔ was after all a woman, she posed no threat to the Crown Prince. They also often interacted in their daily lives.

The Crown Princess sighed softly: “It’s still the same. He can’t stand the cold and can’t blow the wind. He gets a fever and headache when he catches a cold, and he coughs all night.”

In his earlier years, the Crown Prince led troops in battles and suffered a severe injury to his lungs. After receiving treatment and several years of recuperation, his health was fairly good. However, he remained physically weak and frail. During winter, he seldom ventured out of his chambers to avoid catching a cold and falling ill.

Now that it was summer, the weather was hot and dry, but still, they didn’t I don’t dare to put too many ice basins in the house to cool down.

Changping Gōngzhǔ comforted the Crown Princess with a few unreasonable words: “Huáng sǎo, don’t worry. Ah Yao is in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Palace now. Imperial Brother doesn’t have to work hard, just take good care of himself.”

The Crown Princess nodded with a smile, thinking of her son, her heart was filled with tears. Feel a sense of pride.

Ah Yao was mature beyond his years, sharp-minded, with a keen intellect, and a decisive hand. He had considerable cunning and was on par with the Crown Prince, if not surpassing him. Moreover, he also managed to gain favor with the Emperor.

With Ah Yao here, the status of the Eastern Palace was as stable as Mount Tai, and no one could shake it.

Changping Gōngzhǔ smiled again and said: “Speaking of which, Ah Yao is already fifteen this year, and it’s time to think about life-long events. Does the Huáng sǎo have a suitable candidate in mind?”

Although the Crown Princess had plans in her mind, she refused to say them clearly and answered perfunctorily: “There are only a few candidates for the boudoir daughter who is talented and beautiful and has a good family background in the capital. Moreover, you have to ask his father, the Emperor, and the Empress about Yao’s marriage. Your imperial brother and I can’t decide.”

“Besides, Ah Yao himself is also very opinionated. For such a big matter, you have to get his approval.”

Changping Gōngzhǔ chuckled teasingly and glanced at the Crown Princess, who was pretending, “Alright, Your Royal Highness, there’s no need to hide anything from me. Do you really think I don’t know anything?”

“The second lady of the Su family is quiet and elegant, and the third lady of the Jiang family is innocent and kind. No matter which one you choose, it will be a happy event “

(To be continued.)