In the past few days, Ling Jingshu was busy making friends with Ling Jingyan and spent much less time with Ling Xiao.

Lu Hong accompanied Ling Xiao every day, patiently pointing and teaching him the classics, and this time, Ling Xiao benefited a lot. He didn’t have many opportunities to get along with teenagers of the same age, so he found it quite new. Lu Hong deliberately coaxed him again, and the two quickly became very close.

Ling Jingshu sent someone to ask Ling Xiao to come to Qiushui Pavilion for lunch, Ling Xiao naturally opened his mouth and invited Brother Lu Hong to come with him. Unexpectedly, Ling Jingshu would be unhappy because of this.

Even if he didn’t see anything, he could hear the indifference in Ling Jingshu’s impatient tone.

“Ah Shu,” Ling Xiao tugged at Ling Jingshu’s sleeves with some unease, and asked in a low voice, “Are you unhappy?”

Ling Jingshu’s expression immediately softened, and her tone was relaxed and cheerful: “There are many people eating together and it’s lively. How could I be unhappy, don’t worry too much. The food is ready, we’ll go there now.”

Then, she took Ling Xiao’s hand, and held Ling Jingyan’s hand again with a smile: “Yan tángjiě, let’s go in together.”

Lu Hong and Lu Qian who were intentionally or unintentionally snubbed: “…” 

The two brothers looked at each other, each concealing the disappointment in their hearts, and followed as if nothing had happened.

…

The meals were, of course, plentiful. There were no elders present, and there was less restraint.

Ling Jingyan took a glance, and couldn’t help laughing and said, “Are you going to have a whole fish feast today?”

Most of the dishes on the table were fish, and there was no need to elaborate on the various methods of steaming, braised, sweet and sour, and soup.

“Ah Xiao likes to eat fish the most.” Ling Jingshu smiled and explained briefly. Then she picked up a piece of fish, carefully and patiently removed all the fish bones, and put it in Ling Xiao’s bowl.

Ling Xiao liked to eat fish since he was a child. Once the eyes are out of sight, eating fish becomes a hassle. Ling Jingshu didn’t want to bother others, so she always did the picking of fishbones by herself.

Ling Xiao’s bowl was almost full, and Ling Jingshu stopped her hands, and said softly, “Ah Xiao, the fishbone has been picked out, so you can eat it without worry.”

Ling Xiao hummed happily and buried his head in eating.

Seeing Ling Xiao eating happily, Ling Jingshu also had a smile on her face.

That light and gentle smile instantly lit up her beautiful face, and her eyes were flowing, shining like jewels, and full of brilliance.

Under such a breathtaking radiance, all words seemed pale and feeble.

Lu Hong took a breath and stared at her uncontrollably.

So hot, so focused.

Impossible to ignore.

Ling Jingshu just turned a blind eye to it and brought food for Ling Jingyan with a smile: “Yan tángjiě, I don’t know if these dishes suit your taste. Don’t stand still, eat more.”

Ling Jingyan collected herself and responded with a smile.

Sitting in front of such a handsome young man, cousin Shu was not moved at all. This concentration is really amazing.

“Shu biǎojie, you’ve been picking fishbone for Cousin Xiao, and picking up vegetables for Yan tángjiě, and you haven’t eaten yet!” Lu Qian broke the silence with a smile, while enthusiastically picking up vegetables for Ling Jingshu, he piled up a bowl in a blink of an eye: “You must have lost your appetite these days. You look thinner. It’s better to eat more.”

Faced with such enthusiasm, Ling Jingshu couldn’t keep her face sullen, so she could only thank him.

At this point, the silent and weird atmosphere at the dinner table was slightly dissolved.

“Tomorrow is Grandma’s birthday. What birthday gift did you prepare?” Ling Jingyan asked curiously.

Ling Jingshu smiled and said, “It was prepared a long time ago. I made a pair of shoes for my grandmother. What about you? What have you prepared?”

“I originally planned to make clothes for my grandmother, but my mother said that I am not exquisite, and my grandmother would definitely not like the clothes I made. Later, I changed it into a sachet. I put some dried chrysanthemums in the sachet. Yes, it has the effect of calming the nerves, refreshing the mind, and calming the mind.” 

The two sisters were chattering away.

After all, Lu Hong was separated by a floor, so it was inconvenient to say anything.

Lu Qian had no scruples anymore, and interjected with a smile: “I copied a Buddhist scripture for my grandmother.” Then he asked Ling Xiao enthusiastically, “Xiao biǎoge, have you prepared a gift for our grandmother?”

Ling Xiao was a little embarrassed, He whispered: “I originally wanted to prepare the congratulatory gift myself. But my eyes are blind, so I can’t copy Buddhist scriptures…”

It was really a pot that can’t be opened! Knowing that Ling Xiao was blind and had to be taken care of in daily life, it is impossible to prepare any congratulatory gifts by himself!

Lu Qian was secretly annoyed and hurriedly said with a smile: “Having this kind of filial piety is more important than anything else. Even if you don’t give anything, Grandma won’t mind.”

Ling Xiao forced a smile, but his brows were a little unhappy.

“I came up with an idea.” Lu Hong suddenly smiled and said, “It doesn’t take too much thought, and it can make grandma happy.”

Ling Xiao’s face brightened, and he asked expectantly: “What solution did Hong biǎogē think of?”

Lu Hong leaned into Ling Xiao’s ear and whispered a few words. Ling Xiao nodded excitedly while listening.

Ling Jingshu was also aroused by curiosity and wanted to open her mouth to ask. But as soon as she saw Lu Hong’s tender eyes, she felt sick to her stomach and swallowed the words silently.

……

The Ling family was a well-known family in Dingzhou, Uncle Ling was an official in the capital, and Fifth Master Ling was a well-known romantic literati in Dingzhou City, so it goes without saying that he had a wide range of friends. There was also Lu An, the son-in-law who came back from a long way and was the governor of Jizhou, and so the old lady Ling’s 70th birthday banquet was naturally very lively.

Early in the morning, Ling Mansion opened the front door to welcome guests.

A cloud of guests came to celebrate birthdays and give gifts, and the Ling family’s sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters all went to the battle to greet the guests, and they were so busy that they didn’t touch the ground.

Ling Jingshu also had no leisure. She, Ling Jingxian, Ling Jingwan, and Ling Jingyan was responsible for greeting the young girls who came to visit with their elders.

Those who were eligible to visit were all well-known boudoir daughters in Dingzhou City. Most of them were acquainted with Ling Jingshu, and it was inevitable to have a warm greeting when meeting each other.

After a long time, Ling Jingshu’s mouth was dry and her throat was almost smoking.

Due to his blindness, Ling Xiao couldn’t come out to greet the guests, but he was happy and relaxed. He had been sitting obediently by Old Lady Ling’s side.

The female relatives who came to celebrate Mrs. Ling’s birthday would inevitably look at Ling Xiao regretfully when they were talking to Mrs. Ling.

This beautiful, delicate, and intelligent young man happened to be blind in an accident. Unable to read and write, and have to be taken care of in daily life, just like a disabled person. What a pity.

Ling Xiao didn’t notice these strange eyes… Maybe he noticed it, but so what? Since he was eight years old, he has lived under such gazes. Over time, you have to get used to it.

The guests congratulating and giving gifts finally came to an end.

The old lady Ling was very energetic today, and she didn’t feel tired, she smiled at Madam Ling: “Your father left early, I have been raising your brothers and sisters alone for so many years, and I am getting old after such a dazzling effort.”

Seventy years of life were rare in ancient times. If you live to be seventy years old and still be so energetic, you were indeed living a long life.

Madam Ling’s mouth had been sweet since she was a child, and she was used to coaxing old Lady Ling. Hearing this, she immediately smiled and said, “Mother, your complexion is ruddy and you look energetic. You look at most fifty years old, so you don’t look old.”

This coaxed a hearty smile.

Ling Xiao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and said, “Grandmother, grandson has also prepared a birthday gift for you!”

Old Lady Ling suddenly became interested: “Since you have prepared a gift, why didn’t you just go with Sister Shu and the others?” Bring it up?”

“Grandson prepared a different gift.” Ling Xiao smiled clearly, like a child who doesn’t understand the world, with an innocent innocence.

The old lady Ling always cherished Ling Xiao, and she smiled lovingly: “What kind of gift is it? After you say that, Grandma is curious and looking forward to it.”

Ling Xiao stood up, and cleared his throat: “For Grandma’s birthday, this grandson made a special poem.”

It turned out to be a birthday poem.

Old Lady Ling listened with great interest.

“Fragrant wine of fortune fills the air, as guests pause in reverence, like gathering blessings, longevity, and celestial spirits. In the eastern pavilion, emerald peaks and graceful cranes, a wide sea with a heart full of glory. With blessings and auspiciousness, they reflect the sun and moon, offering poetic wishes for a long life. The southern sky moves, placing the sacred banyan tree, and the mountain bestows immortal peaches into the pavilion.” Lingxiao recited slowly and melodiously, his voice clear and captivating.

The old lady Ling was very knowledgeable, she smiled happily when she heard it and nodded repeatedly: “Okay! This poem is really well done! Grandma received so many gifts today, and this gift is the most suitable one.” 

As soon as the old lady Ling spoke, others naturally want to make fun of and praise a few words.

Ling Xiao was very happy when he came back to the limelight. It’s a pity that Ah Shu accompanied a group of girls to enjoy the flowers in the garden, and she couldn’t share his joy because she wasn’t here.

A familiar boy’s voice rang in his ears: “Xiao biǎodì, your birthday poem is really good.”

Ling Xiao grinned: “Thank you, Hong biǎogē, for giving me such a good idea.”

Lu Hong didn’t take credit for it, and smiled modestly: “I just mentioned casually, you made this birthday poem by yourself, and I didn’t help at all.”

After a pause, he asked tentatively “Xiao biǎodì, did you want to find Shu biǎomèi just now? It’s difficult for you to walk alone, so let me go out with you to find her!”

Ling Xiao was taken aback and nodded quickly.

Lu Hong suppressed the joy in his heart and slipped out of the inner hall with Ling Xiao while everyone was not paying attention.

It was indeed the right decision to make friends with Ling Xiao. This was the most convenient way to get close to Ling Jingshu. The most wonderful thing was that this time, taking advantage of the crowd, Lu Qian was also thrown off. Lu Qian always followed behind him, so he couldn’t find a chance to confess his feelings…

Lu Hong was thinking charmingly when Ling Xiao suddenly stopped and whispered in a volume that only two people could hear: “Hong biǎogē, do you like Ah Shu?”

Lu Hong: “…”