The news that Ling Xiao’s eyesight had been restored quickly reached the ears of the Lu family.
By both sentiment and propriety, the Lu family was obliged to pay a visit and offer their congratulations.
On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Ping brought the two brothers, Lu Hong and Lu Qian, to the Ling residence.
Because of the connection through Lu An, the Lu and Ling families had always exchanged visits during festivals. However, Ling Daye, who prided himself on standing for orthodoxy, looked down on the way Lu Ping fawned over and curried favor with Prince Yan. The two were not close in ordinary times, and at most exchanged a few polite words when they happened to meet.
But today, with Lu Ping coming as a proper, formally announced guest, it would not do to treat him carelessly.
Ling Daye and Ling Wuye sat with Lu Ping in the main hall, making conversation. The younger generation all sat by, listening, with hardly any chance to speak.
Lu Ping was two years younger than his elder brother Lu An, but his looks fell far short of Lu An’s handsomeness. His skin was somewhat dark, his stature unremarkable, and his small eyes carried a shrewd, slippery glint. When he spoke, he affected great warmth:
“I heard that Imperial Physician Wei cured A’Xiao’s eye trouble — when I learned the happy news, I was truly delighted. Today I’ve brought A’Hong and A’Qian especially to offer our congratulations, and I’ve brought along some tonics too, just a small token of regard from this elder of the family. Fifth Brother Ling, please don’t think it beneath you.”
Ling Wuye hastily replied with a smile, “Second Brother Lu, your thoughtfulness alone fills me with gratitude — how could I think it beneath me?” Then he turned and instructed Ling Xiao, “A’Xiao, come quickly and thank Second Uncle Lu.”
Ling Xiao did as told, stepping forward, cupping his hands and bowing. “Thank you, Second Uncle Lu.”
Lu Ping looked Ling Xiao over and praised him repeatedly. “Young Master Xiao has such fine, clear features and such a fine bearing — anyone can see he’s exceptionally clever. His future is sure to know no bounds.”
Ling Xiao replied politely and modestly, “Compared to Cousin Hong, I fall far short. I really don’t deserve such praise from Second Uncle Lu.”
Ling Wuye chimed in at just the right moment, smiling. “Once the New Year passes and the Imperial Academy takes in new students, I’d like A’Xiao to try his luck there too. If he’s fortunate enough to get in, I’ll have to ask A’Hong to look after him.”
Lu Hong immediately replied with a smile, “Fifth Uncle is too courteous to say so. A’Xiao and I are cousins — it’s only right that we look out for each other. Truth be told, I’m embarrassed to say that even after all this time at the Academy, I still haven’t truly settled in.”
Ling Ji, standing nearby, teased with a laugh, “Cousin Hong, why be so modest? In this year’s end-of-term examinations, you scored top marks in every subject. You’ve made quite a name for yourself at the Academy — it’s enough to put this older cousin of yours to shame.”
Lu Hong smiled, his face showing no trace of pride. “It was only luck. The Academy is full of talented people — I’m nothing remarkable among them. I still have much to work on.”
Neither boastful nor impatient. Diligent, eager to improve, and modest in manner.
Although Ling Daye and Ling Wuye privately held some reservations about Lu Hong because of Ling Jingshu’s illness, faced with him in person, they simply could not bring themselves to dislike him.
Hearing Ling Daye and Ling Wuye praise Lu Hong, Lu Ping stroked his beard and smiled, feeling rather proud of himself.
Among the sons and grandsons of his generation in the Lu family, Lu Hong was both the eldest and the most outstanding. At only sixteen, he already held an official scholarly title. In less than three months at the Imperial Academy, he had already begun to distinguish himself, outshining everyone else.
So young, and already so accomplished — his future truly knew no bounds.
What pleased Lu Ping even more was that Lu Hong had chanced to meet Princess Changping, and had unexpectedly caught her favor. After that encounter, Lu Hong had called at her residence with generous gifts to apologize, and Princess Changping had kept him for lunch. Afterward, she had sent several more invitations asking him to visit.
Such obvious favor and overture left Lu Ping secretly overjoyed.
Princess Changping was truly imperial blood, a flower of the golden branch!
If Lu Hong could attach himself to Princess Changping, he would enjoy inexhaustible wealth and glory, and the Lu family could truly latch onto the two great pillars of Empress Xu and Prince Yan. Once Prince Yan removed the Crown Prince and ascended the throne, the Lu family’s rise to prominence would be only a matter of time!
This was nothing short of heaven opening its eyes and delivering a golden opportunity straight to the Lu family’s doorstep.
What was infuriating was that Lu Hong showed no enthusiasm for Princess Changping’s favor — if anything, he seemed eager to avoid it. After receiving her invitations, he had gone only once, and refused to attend again.
The Imperial Academy kept strict rules, granting leave only once every half month. Lu Hong used his studies as an excuse, refusing to return to the Lu residence even on his days off. However domineering Princess Changping might be, she could hardly march into the Academy to drag him out. With no other choice, she had to let the matter rest for the time being.
What a thick-headed, stubborn fool, utterly unable to see reason!
Every time Lu Ping thought of this, he felt the exasperation of wanting iron to become steel and being disappointed.
So what if Princess Changping already had a consort? If she truly set her mind to it, replacing him would be no difficult matter.
Once the chance arose, he would have to give Lu Hong some proper “guidance.”
While silently scheming, Lu Ping spoke up with a smile. “All right, the rest of us are talking business — it must be tiresome for you young ones to sit here. Why don’t you go out and wander about, find somewhere to chat among yourselves?”
The suggestion suited Ling Ji and the others perfectly, and they all quickly agreed.
…
Once they left the main hall, everyone’s expression relaxed.
Ling Ji proposed with a smile, “I acquired a few paintings and scrolls recently — why don’t you all come to my study and take a look?”
Lu Hong agreed with a smile.
Lu Qian, however, was somewhat distracted and had not even caught what Ling Ji said. When Ling Ji asked him with a smile, he nodded vaguely in reply. On the way to the study, he kept glancing around, as though the figure on his mind might appear before him at any moment.
Everyone noticed Lu Qian’s distraction.
Ling Xiao’s eyesight had gradually been restored, and he too saw clearly how lost and dazed Lu Qian looked. He could not help frowning.
Ever since learning of Ling Jingshu’s illness, Ling Xiao had not had a shred of goodwill left for either of the Lu brothers.
Lu Qian especially — two years younger than A’Shu, and already so hopelessly infatuated and clinging at such an age. Far from being touching, it left people with an odd sense of discomfort.
Just as he was thinking this, Lu Qian had already drifted closer. “Cousin Xiao, why haven’t I seen Cousin Shu at all today?”
The smile on Ling Xiao’s face faded. He answered flatly, “A’Shu has been staying in her chambers these days. She rarely comes out.”
If Lu Qian dared to suggest visiting A’Shu, Ling Xiao would not spare his dignity in the least — he would refuse without the slightest courtesy!
The coldness in Ling Xiao’s tone was unmistakable.
Lu Qian glanced at Ling Xiao, seemed about to say something, but silently swallowed it back.
Over the past two months, he had thought countless times of calling on Ling Jingshu. But every time the thought arose, the words Imperial Physician Wei had once spoken would echo endlessly in his mind, cutting him to the heart, leaving him with no courage to come see her.
He hoped with all his heart that she would recover from her illness soon and be restored to how she once was!
So he could not let himself appear before her!
Whenever these thoughts crossed his mind, it felt as though a sharp blade were twisting in his chest, drawing blood, the pain unbearable.
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