It was indeed a great honor for the great King Yan to lead the way. No one could refuse.

Everyone exchanged helpless looks, sorted out their confused feelings, and followed.

Ling Jingshu frowned slightly, but soon relaxed her brows, took Ling Xiao’s hand, and walked side by side.

King Yan was a drinker, but his true intention wasn’t on the wine. ^[1]This proverb means that someone’s true focus or intention lies elsewhere, not on the surface activity they’re engaged in. Under the guise of speaking with Ling Xiao, he openly and confidently kept turning his head back, his bold gaze occasionally lingering on Ling Jingshu’s charming face.

Ling Jingshu resisted the urge to frown and lowered her eyes to avoid King Yan’s burning gaze.

At this moment, Doctor Wei suddenly quickened his pace, passed Ling Jingshu and her brother, and walked behind King Yan. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he blocked King Yan’s sight.

King Yan was a little unhappy, but he couldn’t say it out loud. He pulled the corner of his lips with a smile and said, “Imperial Physician Wei has to come to the Crown Prince’s Mansion every five days to check my brother’s pulse and give acupuncture to Master Ling. It’s really hard work.”

“As the imperial physician, I must see the Crown Prince in the consulting room. It is not hard at all.” Imperial Physician Wei replied calmly, “It is just a piece of cake to give acupuncture to Master Ling.”

King Yan glanced at the handsome face of Doctor Wei, which made all other men pale in comparison, and said with a hint of meaning: “As long as you can cure Master Ling’s eye disease, I will definitely reward you handsomely.”

…Whether Ling Xiao’s eye disease can be cured, what did it have to do with King Yan?

King Yan deliberately said this in front of him, not only to show goodwill to the Ling siblings but also to remind and warn in disguise!

Doctor Wei sneered in his heart but did not show it on his face. He smiled casually: “As a doctor, I must cure diseases and save lives. How dare I accept the generous gift from Your Highness! Moreover, Master Ling’s eye disease has been delayed for several years. Whether it can be cured now, I dare not assert it.”

“Doctor Wei, why are you so modest?” King Yan raised his eyebrows and grinned, “Your acupuncture skills are second to none in the Imperial Hospital, and both my father and mother trust you. Your superb medical skills are obvious to all, and I have great confidence in you. Please don’t let me down!”

Doctor Wei calmly replied, “I will do my best.”

Even the most innocent Ling Jingyan could hear the hidden meaning in King Yan’s aggressive words, not to mention Ling Jingshu.

Wasn’t Doctor Wei from Empress Xu’s and King Yan’s faction? But looking at King Yan’s attitude towards Doctor Wei, it seemed that was not the case…

Ling Jingshu pondered silently in her heart, raised her head, and the tall figure of Doctor Wei immediately came into her sight.

He was very tall, with broad shoulders and long legs. He walked with his back straight and his steps neither fast nor slow. His back looked very handsome.

He just blocked King Yan’s sight for her…

Talking to King Yan was also a deliberate attempt to attract his attention! This way, King Yan would have no time or energy to harass her…

Wait! What is she thinking about!

When Ling Jingshu realized what was in her mind, her face turned red.

Doctor Wei was a rare gentleman in the world, and he had vowed never to marry, so how could he look at her differently? She thought so much, which was a bit self-indulgent.

She must not let anyone notice these thoughts she had just now. Otherwise, she would be too ashamed to see Doctor Wei again.

Ling Jingshu calmed herself down and cleared away the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

Soon they arrived outside the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

King Yan was fond of luxury, and the carriage he rode in was also particularly luxurious. The carriage was twice as big as the Ling family’s carriage, and the horses pulling the carriage were all snow-white without a single stray hair and looked extremely majestic.

King Yan warmly invited Ling Xiao to ride in the same carriage: “Master Ling, my carriage is very spacious, and it won’t feel crowded even if more than a dozen people sit in it. Come and ride in my carriage!”

Without waiting for Ling Xiao to refuse, he looked at Ling Jingshu with a smile: “How about Miss Ling also join Master Ling?”

How could he invite a young girl to ride in the same carriage with him when he was not related to him?

Ling Jingshu was mentally prepared the moment King Yan opened his mouth. She did not feel embarrassed or angry when she heard it, and replied calmly, “Men and women are different. I can only appreciate your kindness, His Royal Highness.”

A beauty is a beauty, even when she looked indifferent, she was so attractive!

King Yan was in a good mood and did not take the rejection to heart. Girls were always shy, even if they were willing in their hearts, they would still say no.

Sooner or later, she would be willing and not feel shy to get into his carriage.

King Yan got on the carriage. Ling Xiao couldn’t find a reason to refuse, so he had to get on the carriage reluctantly.

Ling Jingshu was secretly worried. Ling Xiao was simple-minded, how could he handle the deep-minded King Yan?

At this moment, Doctor Wei walked to the side of Prince Yan’s carriage, bowed, and said with a smile: “Your Highness King Yan, I came here on foot from the Imperial Hospital today. Now I can only shamelessly bother you and take your carriage.”

King Yan hummed casually.

Seeing that Doctor Wei also got on the carriage, Ling Jingshu’s heart finally settled down. She got on the carriage with Jiang Shi and Ling Jingyan.

Finally, she didn’t have to face King Yan anymore and she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Jiang Shi exhaled and whispered, “Ah Shu, no matter what King Yan’s intention is, you can’t avoid going to King Yan’s Mansion today. You have to be extra careful.”

Ling Jingshu nodded: “Don’t worry, tangsao, I know what to do.”

…

Since Ninth Miss Ling left, the Imperial Grandson had not moved. He had been sitting in the pavilion, his expression stiff and his back stiff.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Imperial Grandson was in a very bad mood.

None of the guards dared to move forward, and Wang Tong did not want to run into bad luck, so he stood guard from a distance.

A guard walked up to Wang Tong and whispered something. Wang Tong nodded, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked into the pavilion to report: “Your Highness, His Royal Highness King Yan has left.”

After a pause, he continued, “Doctor Wei and the Ling family also left with His Royal Highness King Yan. According to the palace maids who were serving at the side at the time, His Royal Highness King Yan invited them to have lunch at King Yan’s mansion. Although Miss Ling and Master Ling were reluctant, they could not refuse. They had no choice but to go with him.”

The Imperial Grandson did not say anything, but a hint of coldness flashed across his eyes.

After Wang Tong finished his report, he stood with his hands down, waiting for instructions.

After a while, the Imperial Grandson said, “Have someone secretly monitor the movements of King Yan’s Mansion. If there is anything unusual, report back immediately.”

Wang Tong hurriedly responded and was about to leave when the Imperial Grandson suddenly said, “Wang Tong, let Lu Cai come to see me.”

Wang Tong was the leader of the guards around the Imperial Grandson, while Lü Cai was the leader of the secret guards, responsible for managing the Crown Prince’s secret forces, such as the secret guards and the hidden accomplices lurking everywhere.

Why did the Imperial Grandson suddenly want to see Lü Cai?

Wang Tong did not dare to show his surprise and withdrew.

(End of this chapter)