Fifth Master Ling had a lot of social engagements. He received invitations and went out every day, either to meet friends for a drink or for literary events. He also went to brothels, painting boats or theaters with a group of wealthy and leisurely literati. He returned home only around midnight, and it was not unusual to not return home for a day or two.

Although they were biological father and daughter, Ling Jingshu and Fifth Master Ling were not close. So it was normal not to see each other for a few days. Even if they met face to face, they could only say a few words.

In the past few days, because of Old Lady Ling’s birthday banquet, it was rare for Fifth Master Ling to stay in the mansion for a few days honestly and peacefully. Every morning, he led his wife and children to Yonghe Hall, and at noon, he drank and talked with his brother and mèi fu^[1]husband of younger sister who rarely come back. Sometimes when the mood came, Lu An would be invited to play chess in the study.

Fifth Master Ling was good at playing chess, and Lu An was also a master of it. The two of them met each other and got along quite well.

“I lost!” Fifth Master Ling hesitated for a long time holding the black piece, and finally conceded helplessly: “My mèi fu’s chess skills are really superb, I am willing to bow down.” 

Lu An smiled and flicked the chessboard casually: “Fifth dàjiùzi ^[2]wife’s elder brother deliberately let me win, so I managed to win this game with luck.” Seeing that Fifth Master Ling still hadn’t finished, he smiled and said, “It’s still early, why don’t we start another game?” 

Fifth Master Ling nodded happily: “Alright.”

When the chessboard was about to be rearranged, a servant came in and reported: “Master, Miss is here, saying that she has something important to talk about with the Master.”

Fifth Master Ling was a little surprised.

On ordinary days, Ling Jingshu rarely took the initiative to come see him. In his impression, this daughter has always been submissive, quiet, and obedient. Since she took the initiative to come here today, he thought there must be something really important.

Girls who were raised in deep boudoirs usually didn’t see outsiders. However, Lu An was the gūfù ^[3]father’s sister’s husband of his biological sister, so there was no need to avoid suspicion.

Fifth Master Ling opened his mouth and said, “Let her in!”

The servant responded and quickly withdrew. After a while, Ling Jingshu opened the door and entered the study.

Ling Jingshu didn’t expect that Lu An was there, frowned slightly, and quickly returned to normal, walked forward calmly, and saluted: “I have seen my father, I have seen my gūfù.

” How polite.” Lu An said with a pleasant smile.

Although Lu An was over thirty years old, he was handsome and charming, exuding the grace and charm of a mature man in every gesture. Fifth Master Ling, who was known as the number one literati in Dingzhou, sat next to Lu An, but he was slightly inferior.

Ling Jingshu thanked her and got up, but her expression remained the same.

Fifth Master Ling was in a good mood today, and asked with a smile, “Ah Shu, you came to me with an important purpose, what exactly is it?”

Ling Jingshu didn’t speak, a pair of autumn-like eyes showed some embarrassment and hesitation.

Facing such a pair of talking eyes, even if Lu An was a little unhappy, it immediately dissipated and he stood up with a smile: “I suddenly remembered that there is something else I need to take care of, so I will go back first.” 

…… 

After Lu An left, the smile on Fifth MasterLing’s face also disappeared without a trace, and he said in a little unhappy tone: “What is it, that your gūfù can’t even listen to?”

Ling Jingyu has long given up hope of being close to this biologically desolate father. It was only ridiculous to hear such chilling words.

However, she had more important things to do this time, and she must obtain the approval and support of Fifth Master Ling, so she couldn’t even sneer at these words.

Ling Jingshu replied calmly: “Yes, what my daughter is going to say is very important, and only my father can know. Even if my mother was here, I won’t say it.” 

Ling Jingshu said so seriously, and Fifth Master Ling’s attitude also became very cautious: “There are only us, father and daughter, in this study. No one will come in without my order. If you have anything to say, just say it.”

Ling Jingshu took a step forward and suddenly knelt down: “My daughter has a very important request, and I hope my father will agree.”

Fifth Master Ling was stunned for a moment, and he became more and more confused: “What’s the matter? If you have something to say just say it, you don’t need to kneel down.” 

No matter how indifferent you are on a normal day, she was the only biological daughter after all. Seeing her kneeling on the cold and hard ground like this, Fifth Master Ling felt a twinge of distress in his heart.

Ling Jingshu didn’t plan to kneel down for long, so she got up and said why she came here: “Father, I came to you today because of Ah Xiao’s illness.” 

“When he was eight years old, he accidentally fell and hit his head. After that, his eyes could no longer see. He was originally smart and quick-witted and had a great talent for reading. After he became blind, everything was over. He could no longer study and take the imperial examinations, couldn’t take care of himself, and didn’t even want to go out as a guest. Just stay in the inner house every day…”

There was no need to be deliberately sensational, Ling Jingshu’s eyes became moist as she spoke.

Hearing these words, Fifth Master Ling felt uncomfortable, sighed, and said: “Ah Shu, you and Ah Xiao are twin siblings, and the relationship is far closer than others. You love him dearly. I am a father. Don’t I feel sorry for him? Over the years, so many famous doctors have been invited, but they failed to cure his eyes. This is his fate! We can only accept our fate.” 

“No, I don’t accept this fate.”

Ling Jingshu’s eyes flashed with water, and her voice was full of determination: “We only invited doctors from Dingzhou City. The medical skills may not be very good. Most of the real medical masters are in the Imperial Hospital in the capital. I heard Cousin Yan say that there is a Wei imperial physician in the imperial hospital, who is skilled in medicine and is especially good at treating difficult and miscellaneous diseases. Maybe he can cure Ah Xiao’s eyes, and I want to take Ah Xiao to the capital.” 

Fifth Master Ling frowned, and in a deep voice said: “No way! Let’s not talk about whether the imperial doctor Wei is willing to treat Ah Xiao, or whether he can be cured. You are a boudoir girl, and you have never traveled far, and the capital is far away. You take Ah Xiao there. I really can’t help but worry.

“Father is right to be worried. It’s really inconvenient for me to go to the capital alone with Ah Xiao.”

Ling Jingshu was well prepared and immediately took over the conversation: “Fortunately, dàbó ^[4]father’s elder brother and his family are going back. They will return to the capital soon, and Ah Xiao and I will follow them on the journey. When we arrive in the capital, we will stay at dàbó’s house for a period of time, and then wait for the opportunity to go to Huichun Hall, and ask the imperial physician Wei to treat Ah Xiao.”

“There are many famous doctors in the capital, and if Doctor Wei can’t heal him well, I will look for other famous doctors. In short, as long as there is a glimmer of hope to cure Ah Xiao, I will not give up.” 

Ling Jingshu looked at Fifth Master Ling, her eyes were full of pleading: “Father, I am not impulsive. I have thought about it carefully. The worst result of going to the capital is that Ah Xiao’s eyes can’t be cured, just like now. But what if there is really a famous doctor who can cure Ah Xiao’s eyes, he can continue to study and take the imperial examinations, fight for a good future for himself, and make our Ling family shine.” 

“I beg my father to grant my daughter’s request.”

Fifth Master Ling frowned and slowly relaxed: “It’s rare that you are so thoughtful and considerate, and you only think about Ah Xiao. If I, a father, don’t agree, it would be unreasonable.” 

Ling Jingshu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, with joy in her eyes: ” Thank you, Father.” 

“This matter has to be long-term.” Fifth Master Ling said in a moment: “This is going to the capital, at least for a few months, living in your dàbó’s house, it is safe and convenient. However, it may inconvenience them so I have to go and talk to them personally. Also, when you are traveling, you will need to bring more money to defend yourself. You will also need money for Ah Xiao’s medicine, and the cost will be more. This matter must be approved by your grandmother.

“Yes”, Ling Jingshu immediately responded: “I will request Father to go talk to dàbó personally. Grandma’s place, let me go!” After a pause, she said in a low voice: ” Father, my daughter has something else to ask you. Don’t tell anyone about me and Ah Xiao going to the capital for now. Even if it’s the mother and elder brother, don’t tell anyone for now.” 

“What does this mean? Fifth Master Ling frowned reflexively: “Why do you want to hide this news?”

Ling Jingshu was silent for a moment and then said in a low voice: “Father, you love Ah Xiao, and you are glad to see that his eyes have the hope of being cured. But there are many people in this mansion with different thoughts, so not everyone thinks so. If the news spreads, I’m afraid there will be other accidents.”

Fifth Master Ling’s face changed: “What do you mean by this? Are you suspicious of your mother and your brother?”

Facing Fifth Master Ling’s aggressive anger, Ling Jingshu’s face was calm: “Father, please calm down. I don’t want to doubt anyone, I just don’t want to cause trouble, and I don’t want to take any risks.” 

Waiting for Fifth Master Ling to speak, she said lightly: “If my father doesn’t believe me, you might as well wait a while and announce this matter before Ah Xiao and I leave, and see how the people around you react, and everything will be clear.”

Fifth Master Ling was choked and speechless.

Thinking of Madam Li who was kind, gentle, and caring, Fifth Master Ling never believed that she would do anything unfavorable to Ling Xiao. But when Ling Jingshu said this with such surety, it didn’t seem like she was joking…

Fifth Master Ling thought about it and finally made up his mind: “Forget it, I won’t tell anyone about this before you leave. You should be relieved.”

Ling Jingshu convinced Ling Wuye, breathed a sigh of relief, and raised the corners of her lips: “Thank you, Father.”

After solving this matter, there was another more troublesome thing waiting for her.

Author’s note: Ashu’s counterattack has officially begun~O(∩_∩)O~