By evening, Ling Daye, Ling Wuye, and Ling Ji returned to the residence one after another.
Ling Wuye had already met Zhang Jian before, but for Ling Daye and Ling Ji, this was their first time seeing him, and they couldn’t help feeling somewhat surprised.
At the very end of the year, every household was busy, and very few people went visiting at someone else’s residence during this time—unless they were an especially close friend or relative… however one looked at it, Zhang Jian didn’t seem to fall into that category!
So, Zhang Jian was exactly the sort of uninvited, not particularly welcome guest.
Strangely, though, Sun Shi had been rather warm toward Zhang Jian, and Ling Jingyan, Ling Jingshu, and Ling Xiao all appeared to be quite familiar and at ease with him as well.
Ling Daye and his son suppressed their inner astonishment and greeted Zhang Jian politely.
Toward Ling Jingyan’s father and elder male relatives, Zhang Jian dared not show the slightest negligence, conducting himself with great respect and courtesy. At the table, he drank little wine as well, fearing that even a single careless slip might cost him his composure and proper manners.
After Zhang Jian had taken his leave, Ling Daye and Ling Ji both spoke up at the same time, almost without meaning to: “Just who exactly is this Zhang Jian? Why would he suddenly come calling like this?”
Sun Shi gave a meaningful smile and recounted the whole story in a low voice.
Ling Daye and Ling Ji immediately understood, exchanged a glance, and each fell silent with a furrowed brow.
“Having met her only once, and he already comes seeking her out at her own home. Either he’s frivolous by nature, or he’s genuinely taken a liking to A’Yan,” Ling Ji said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
Judging from Zhang Jian’s behavior today, it had to be the latter.
Sun Shi said with a face full of pride: “A’Yan is pretty and lovable, lively and endearing. If he’s taken a liking to her, then he’s got a fair bit of good taste, at least.”
One might not guess it from how Sun Shi scolded and reprimanded Ling Jingyan all day long—and gave her a thorough dressing-down whenever she was angry—but in truth, she had always been proud of her daughter deep down. In her eyes, Ling Jingyan was without question the most beautiful, most lovable girl in the world.
Ling Daye thought it over and said: “Let’s wait a while first, and see what sort of character and temperament he has. If he truly has this intention, he’ll naturally take action and have his family come propose marriage. We can take our time weighing the matter then.”
One bows one’s head to take a wife, and lifts one’s chin to marry off a daughter.
If Zhang Jian wanted to become a son-in-law of the Ling family, he would need to show genuine sincerity.
Sun Shi nodded in agreement: “You’re quite right, my lord. I understand.”
…
The days slipped by one after another, until at last New Year’s Eve arrived.
The residence had long since been swept spotlessly clean. Couplets had been pasted on the doors, and festive red lanterns hung at the entrance. The maids, errand boys, and elderly female servants, having all received double their monthly wages, wore beaming smiles.
For once, the entire Ling household gathered together, sharing a lively reunion meal at midday.
After a few cups of wine, Ling Daye was a little tipsy, though his spirits were running high. He clapped Ling Wuye on the shoulder and said with a laugh: “Fifth Brother. All these years you’ve stayed in Dingzhou, and this year you’ve finally, for once, come to the capital. As your elder brother, I’m truly delighted.”
Ling Wuye laughed as well: “The three of us—me and the children—have been staying here all this while. It’s put you to a lot of trouble, Elder Brother.”
Ling Wuye said offhandedly: “What trouble is that? As long as you’re willing to stay in the capital, you can live here as long as you like.”
Then, lowering his voice, he asked: “Fifth Brother, you hold the rank of a provincial graduate—if you wanted to seek out an official post, it really wouldn’t be difficult. Once the New Year has passed, I’ll go work the connections at the Ministry of Personnel on your behalf and get your name registered as a candidate first. We’ll spend some silver to grease the relevant connections, and privately seek a favor from the Crown Grandson as well. Let’s first secure you some minor, undemanding post, and go from there.”
Ling Wuye was quite tempted listening to this, yet also somewhat hesitant: “Elder Brother, to be honest with you, I’ve had this thought myself. It’s just that, if it comes to this, I’d most likely have to stay in the capital for good and could no longer go back to Dingzhou. Such an important matter—I really ought to consult Mother before deciding.”
Ling Daye laughed: “Write a letter home and ask Mother about it. Knowing her temperament, as long as you have a good future ahead of you, she’ll never stand in your way.”
As a mother, no matter how reluctant she might feel deep down, she would never obstruct her son’s future.
Ling Wuye nodded.
Ling Daye continued: “If you do truly make up your mind, you might as well write a letter to your wife and have her bring the two children to the capital as well. That way your whole family can be reunited too.”
Ling Wuye had been living a carefree, blissful life in the capital, with a soft, charming bed-maid by his side, and had also “befriended” a beautiful, alluring lady friend outside the house—he hadn’t given a single thought to the wife and children back home. At this, he replied vaguely: “There’s no rush on that for now—let’s talk about it later!”
If Li Shi came, she would surely turn jealous and possessive again, meddling in everything—and then where would these carefree, blissful days of his go?
Ling Daye could see right through Ling Wuye’s thoughts and couldn’t help a wry laugh, while secretly feeling a touch of envy in his heart.
With a fine daughter like Ling Jingshu, what did Ling Wuye have to worry about when it came to a bright future!
Just as they were talking, a knock suddenly sounded at the study door, and outside came Sun Shi’s voice, slightly sharp and high-pitched with excitement: “My lord, a phoenix decree has arrived from the palace!”
…
The door flew open at once, revealing Ling Daye’s startled face: “What phoenix decree?”
Sun Shi’s face was full of delight as she said hurriedly: “It’s a phoenix decree from Her Majesty the Empress, summoning me to enter the palace for an audience tomorrow.”
On New Year’s Day, the court would hold a grand assembly, with all the civil and military officials accompanying the Emperor in offering sacrifices to Heaven. The Empress, as Mother of the Nation, would likewise receive audiences from ranked, titled ladies at the Pepper Chamber Hall.
Given Ling Daye’s official rank, Sun Shi was naturally not qualified to enter the palace, and every year could only secretly envy those wives of officials who did have the privilege.
Yet unexpectedly, this year such good fortune had actually fallen upon her.
Never mind that her rank wasn’t sufficient—the Empress personally issuing a phoenix decree to summon her was already glory and honor enough to let her steal the spotlight entirely!
Hearing this news, Ling Daye’s spirits lifted as well: “Since it’s a phoenix decree personally issued by Her Majesty the Empress, you’d better get everything ready. You must rise at the third night watch tomorrow—you absolutely cannot be late.”
To have the privilege of entering the palace for an audience with the Empress—what an honor, what a mark of standing that was.
Sun Shi’s face radiated delight: “I understand this perfectly well, my lord—you need not worry.”
Ling Wuye came over as well, asking tentatively: “Sister-in-law, when you enter the palace tomorrow, will you be bringing A’Yan along?”
How could Sun Shi fail to see through Ling Wuye’s intentions? She answered with a smile: “Yuniang is pregnant and shouldn’t be rushed about or worn out, so she’ll have to stay at the residence. As for A’Yan and A’Shu, I’ll certainly be bringing both of them into the palace.”
She paused, then added in a low laugh: “A’Shu is quite favored by Consort Wei, and is often summoned into the palace to keep her company. It’s really for the sake of Consort Wei’s and A’Shu’s standing that Her Majesty the Empress went out of her way to issue this phoenix decree for me. To tell the truth, it’s only because of A’Shu that I have this opportunity at all. Fifth Brother, with a daughter as fine as her, you’re certainly bound for great fortune in the days ahead.”
That this phoenix decree should suddenly arrive with absolutely no connection to Ling Jingshu was, quite clearly, impossible.
These words left Ling Wuye feeling pleased through and through, and as he pictured everyone fawning over and currying favor with him in the future, he felt he could practically laugh out loud even in his dreams.
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