Everyone was silent.

There was a strange and eerie silence.

After an unknown amount of time, the Imperial Grandson finally opened his mouth: “Please rise.”

His voice was flat, and there was no hint of happiness or displeasure. It was just that the voice was slightly lower than usual.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Ling Jingshu also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him, and stood up straight.

Maintaining the same posture was extremely tiring. Her whole body ached, her arms were sore, and her legs were numb. However, it was inconvenient to show it in front of everyone, let alone rub her arms and move her hands and feet.

Doctor Wei suddenly took a step forward and said with a smile: “Your Highness, I have to go into the study to take the pulse for His Highness, so I won’t stay with you.” 

The originally cold and awkward atmosphere softened due to the gentle and pleasant voice of the Imperial Physician Wei.

The Imperial Grandson hummed expressionlessly.

Imperial Physician Wei led the medicine boy Tiandong toward the study. As he passed by Ling Jingshu, he said casually: “Ninth Miss Ling, please take Ling Gongzi to the guest room to wait. I will be here in about half an hour.”

Ling Jingshu hurriedly responded with a smile, saying, “Yes, thank you very much, Imperial Physician Wei.”

The bright smile fell in the eyes of the Imperial Grandson, which was inexplicably dazzling.

The Imperial Grandson pursed his thin lips but said nothing.

Seeing the Imperial Grandson’s expression of concern, Ye Nǚguān stepped forward to excuse herself with some trepidation: “Your Highness, I will lead Ninth Miss Ling and the others to the guest room first.”

The Imperial Grandson nodded expressionlessly once more, his gaze swiftly passing over Ling Jingshu’s face before dispassionately shifting away, stepping forward and leaving ahead of the others.

Wang Tong and the servants on the side did not dare to neglect and hurriedly followed him.

…

As soon as the Imperial Grandson left, the suffocating feeling in the chest, almost breathless, immediately dissipated.

Ling Jingyan took a deep breath and quietly held Ling Jingshu’s hand.

Ling Jingshu’s palms were slightly wet. She didn’t know if it was the raindrops on her palms or the cold sweat just now.

Ling Jingyan’s palms were even more wet. She lowered her voice and sighed with lingering fear: “Ah Shu, you really scared me to death just now.”

Ling Jingshu laughed hoarsely: “I am the one who made His Highness the Imperial Grandson unhappy. What are you afraid of?”

Ling Jingyan rolled her eyes at Ling Jingshu dissatisfiedly: “Of course, I’m afraid that Your Highness will blame you!”

Before Ling Jingshu could be moved, Ling Jingyan continued: “We came together today, and we are grasshoppers on the same rope. If you are unlucky, we will definitely be affected by you.”

Ling Jingshu: “…”

Ling Jingshu was full of thoughts and didn’t know what to say for a while. She said, “I’m sorry for frightening you.”

“It wasn’t that frightening,” Ling Jingyan muttered under her breath. “It’s just that my heart was in my throat, and I didn’t dare to breathe until now.”

Ye Nǚguān had a sensitive ear. The whispers of the two girls could not escape her ears. However, she just pretended not to hear and quickly led everyone into the guest room in the courtyard.

“Please wait here for a moment, everyone. I need to report to the Crown Princess, so I won’t accompany you any longer.” After the recent incident, Ye Nǚguān put away her arrogance and her tone became much more polite.

Daring to confront the Imperial Grandson head-on, regardless of anything else, just based on this courage and bravery alone, was enough to earn one respect.

Jiang Shi hurriedly replied, “Ye Nǚguān, you just go back and report. We’ll wait here.”

…

After Ye Nǚguān left, Jiang Shi immediately looked at Ling Jingshu and asked with concern: “Ah Shu, Are you okay?”

Ling Jingshu pretended to smile calmly: “It’s nothing, just a little cold sweat on my palms.”

Jiang Shi was dumbfounded when she heard this. She wanted to say something, but looking at Ling Jingshu’s calm face, she suddenly felt that there was nothing more to say.

Ling Jingshu knew what she was doing and skillfully grasped the right balance to make her position clear. She hadn’t fallen out with the Imperial Grandson.

What else could she say?

“Ah Shu,” Ling Xiao fumbled and held Ling Jingshu’s cold hand, tears quickly soaking the gauze: “You always suffer because of me. I’m sorry, I won’t treat my eyes anymore. Let’s leave now.”

Ling Jingshu was startled and quickly comforted him in a low voice: “Ah Xiao, don’t blame yourself. What happened today has nothing to do with you, I did it on purpose.”

Ling Xiao sniffed, his voice choked with sobs: “Do you want to cut off the relationship with His Highness the Imperial Granson?” 

As expected of siblings, they have a clear understanding of each other. He guessed Ling Jingshu’s thoughts almost immediately.

Ling Jingshu did not hide it: “Yes, I do have this idea. We came here to ask for help, and we do so under the banner of His Highness the Imperial Grandson. The Crown Princess will become suspicious and misunderstand what my plans are for His Royal Highness. I had to take a stand sooner. This also prevents the Crown Princess from continuing to misunderstand.”

This kind of misunderstanding was very detrimental to her.

If the Crown Princess had a prejudice against her, she would probably have a lot of trouble in the future. Therefore, she would rather risk offending the Imperial Grandson to make her attitude clear.

When Ye Nǚguān went back to report, she indeed informed the Crown Princess Consort of the scene that had just unfolded.

    ……

“…His Royal Highness Taisun’s kindness was unexpected, but Ninth Miss Ling didn’t appreciate it and even said it on the spot. It was said that if Dr. Wei cured Ling Gongzi, the siblings would definitely do their best to repay the kindness.”

“His Highness’s expression changed at that time. Later, Ninth Miss Ling bowed and apologized. His Highness remained silent, and Ninth Miss Ling did not get up.”

Ye Nǚguān told everything that happened before.

The Crown Princess frowned slightly and her voice deepened: “Then what?”

Hearing the displeasure in the Crown Princess’s voice, Ye Nǚguān felt a chill in her heart. She bowed her head and replied, “After a while, His Highness allowed Ninth Miss Ling to stand upright. Later, Imperial Physician Wei entered the study, and His Highness Taisun also left. The servant led Ninth Miss Ling and the others into the guest room.”

The Crown Princess did not say a word, her eyes flickering.

After a long time, the Crown Princess slowly opened her mouth and asked: “In your opinion, what is the purpose of Ninth Miss Ling doing this?”

Wasn’t the intention obvious?

The Crown Princess was on guard. Ninth Miss Ling had no intention of trying to get along with someone else. She was doing this to make her position clear!

Ye Nǚguān knew full well what was going on, but she dared not expose it: “This servant is ignorant and cannot figure it out.”

The Crown Princess glanced at Ye Nǚguān and snorted softly: “You have a clear mind and a discerning heart, how could you not figure it out? You just dare not speak plainly, afraid that I will be displeased when I hear it!”

Ye Nǚguān had served the Crown Princess for several years and was very familiar with the Crown Princess’s temper. She didn’t dare to argue when she heard the words, so she acquiesced.

The Crown Princess’s expression changed.

After a long while, she said lightly, “It’s hard to tell for sure from just this incident. We can observe further in the future.”

…(To be continued.)

Author’s Note ^[1]PS: I have had severe morning sickness these past few days and am not feeling well. I went to the hospital for a check-up and the doctor recommended bed rest for a week. I have already asked for … Continue reading