Standing beside Empress Xu, Princess Yan furrowed her brow slightly, studying Ling Jingshu carefully for a few moments.
She truly was a rare beauty, a girl seldom seen. That composure, calmness, and quick wit were also admirable. Given Prince Yan’s romantic, flirtatious nature, there was no way he wouldn’t be moved upon seeing a girl like this.
Empress Xu’s special favor toward her must surely stem from the idea of having her marry Prince Yan as a secondary consort…
Right in the midst of newlywed bliss, to think of such a thing — it was impossible to claim she didn’t mind in the slightest. Still, this was not the occasion to say much, nor was it wise to let her thoughts show.
Princess Yan maintained her faint smile, while the hand hidden in her sleeve quietly clenched.
Empress Xu clearly knew that she herself carried a strange affliction that prevented her from being close to men, that prevented her from marrying — what could she possibly intend by bringing this matter up repeatedly in public now?
Ling Jingshu’s thoughts raced like lightning, her guard quietly rising, though her mouth still spoke with humble, respectful, tactful refusal. “This humble girl thanks Her Majesty for such generous favor, but truly, I have no such intention.”
Empress Xu didn’t press the matter further. “Very well, very well. Since you insist so firmly, I won’t force the issue.”
Empress Xu had made such a grand show of bringing this up, only to let it go so lightly?
Ling Jingshu smiled and thanked her for her grace, though inwardly she remained as wary as ever.
Empress Xu, however, no longer looked at Ling Jingshu, and instead remarked to Wei Jieyu with a smile, “Ever since Lüzhu left, I haven’t had anyone by my side I could really talk to. I had thought of selecting some suitable women to bring into the palace, but unfortunately none ever quite satisfied me. Now, though, I’ve found one — clever and quick-witted — and I find myself truly delighted with her.”
…The meaning woven through these words made Wei Jieyu’s heart suddenly drop. She quickly glanced at Ling Jingshu, only to see that Ling Jingshu’s expression had shifted slightly as well.
It seemed Ling Jingshu had also sensed that something was off.
A flurry of thoughts flashed through Wei Jieyu’s mind, but her mouth followed along with Empress Xu’s implication. “I wonder which family’s young lady is so fortunate as to catch Her Majesty’s eye.”
Empress Xu let out a light laugh, her tone affectionately chiding. “It’s one thing for others not to know my temperament well. But you’ve served by my side for years — do you still not understand my nature? Do you really need to ask me out loud to find out who it is?”
Wei Jieyu could barely manage a smile anymore, forcing one out as she replied, “How would your humble servant dare presume to guess at Her Majesty’s thoughts.”
Empress Xu shot Wei Jieyu, who was playing dumb, a look that was half a smile and half not. “It’s been over a decade since you served as a palace maid by my side. After so many years, I suppose it’s no wonder you can’t read my intentions anymore.”
Wei Jieyu’s heart sank further and further.
Empress Xu’s meaning was now unmistakably clear.
The one she had set her sights on was Ling Jingshu! She wanted Ling Jingshu to come into Jiaofang Hall!
Just like she herself, years ago.
No one present was a fool — who couldn’t see something so obvious? The Empress’s “favor” was a gift bestowed, and not one that could be refused. Now that Empress Xu had only spoken half her meaning aloud, she was clearly waiting for Ling Jingshu to speak up of her own accord.
By rights, being able to enter the palace to attend Empress Xu should be a joyous occasion worth celebrating. With Empress Xu’s backing in the future, securing a good marriage would only be a matter of time.
But Empress Xu’s vague, ambiguous attitude now left things rather difficult to read.
Under what pretext would Ling Jingshu enter the palace? Once inside Jiaofang Hall, would she serve as a maid or as a female official? After entering, would Empress Xu release her after a year or so, or keep her for several years? What if Empress Xu intended to keep Ling Jingshu for years on end, delaying her prime years and her lifelong marriage prospects — wouldn’t that leave Ling Jingshu worse off than before?
…
Sun Shi’s expression had changed as well.
She had hoped Ling Jingshu would catch the eye of someone of high standing, so that she might smoothly marry into the Crown Prince’s household in the future. But she never could have anticipated Empress Xu pulling a move like this.
The Crown Prince and Empress Xu, mother and son, were outwardly cordial but inwardly at odds — sooner or later there would be a fierce clash between them. The Ling family had already firmly chosen the Crown Prince’s side. If Ling Jingshu ended up by Empress Xu’s side, what would that make of things?
This wouldn’t do!
She absolutely could not agree to this!
Even at the risk of provoking Empress Xu’s anger on the spot, she had to find a tactful way to decline.
Sun Shi made up her mind, steeled her resolve, and opened her mouth. “Your Majesty, your humble servant dares to…”
Before she could finish, Ling Jingshu’s voice rose up beside her. “Your Majesty, this humble girl has something she wishes to say. If anything I say is inappropriate, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness in advance.”
This girl — please don’t let her say something rash and improper out of impulse.
Sun Shi grew secretly anxious, yet didn’t dare to stop Ling Jingshu in front of everyone, and could only watch helplessly as Ling Jingshu once again became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Empress Xu looked at Ling Jingshu, the smile in her eyes gentle and warm. “Whatever you have to say, speak freely. I grant you immunity from blame in advance!”
Only Ling Jingshu could perceive just how much malice lay hidden within Empress Xu’s smile.
The calm of these past few months, it turned out, had only been the stillness before the storm.
Empress Xu had never once intended to let her go, not from the very beginning. She had simply been waiting in secret for the perfect moment to strike!
Thinking back on it now, these past months of Wei Yan “examining” her, “prescribing medicine” for her, “treating” her — surely none of it had escaped Empress Xu’s notice. Even knowing full well that she carried a strange affliction, Empress Xu still couldn’t tolerate her growing so close to Wei Yan.
Today’s visit to Jiaofang Hall had been a trap set by Empress Xu from the start. She had carelessly walked right into it, and there was no escaping unscathed now.
However, Empress Xu surely couldn’t have anticipated that, for someone single-mindedly bent on revenge, this matter was also an excellent opportunity.
She wanted revenge, but had lacked any good opportunity for it. Staying at the Ling household every day, she rarely even had the chance to go out, let alone get close to her enemy. Now, a chance to get close to Empress Xu lay right before her.
Even if the road ahead was murky and uncertain, even if countless schemes and traps awaited her up ahead, she would straighten her back and venture forward regardless!
“Regarding what Her Majesty and Lady Jieyu just discussed, this humble girl dares to be so bold and shameless as to ask — could the person Her Majesty has in mind perhaps be this humble girl?” Ling Jingshu lifted her head slightly, a flush of joyful, excited color rising on her pretty face.
A flicker passed through Empress Xu’s eyes as the corners of her lips curved upward. “This girl of yours really is sharp. That’s right, the person I spoke of is precisely you. Since you’ve guessed my intentions correctly, are you willing to enter the palace and attend me?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ling Jingshu knelt down and answered clearly, “Of course this humble girl is willing. To be able to attend Her Majesty’s side, to listen to her teachings every day, is something this humble girl could only wish for. This humble girl thanks Her Majesty for her grace!”
So saying, she knelt respectfully and kowtowed in gratitude.
Everyone present: “…”
This turn of events caught everyone off guard, carrying an air of almost absurd, farcical unreality.
Of course, no one had the nerve to gossip or comment openly in front of Empress Xu. And so, all eyes turned once again to Ling Jingshu.
After today, this beautiful, clever girl was bound to become the talk of the entire capital.
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