Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Doctor Lin Who exactly are you? Mu Yuheng wondered. The girl on the bed gradually overlapped with the figure of that woman in his memories. They were equally stubborn and equally strong. If you really are her, I want to protect you properly. Just as dawn broke, the sound of the fifth watch’s clappers came from outside. Feng Yan gently placed Lingxue beside the bed where she had been keeping watch over Ling Jiayue, then quietly entered the room and said to Mu Yuheng, “Master, it’s almost light. We should leave. You still have court to attend.” “Mm.” Mu Yuheng took a deep look at Ling Jiayue before turning around and leaving the room with Feng Yan. The two of them leaped into the air and, after a few bounds, disappeared from the Ling Residence. At that moment, Ling Jiayue seemed to sense something and just happened to wake up. In her dreams the previous night, she had constantly felt someone watching her, yet she had slept exceptionally soundly. Looking at the empty space beside the bed, Ling Jiayue could not help mocking herself for imagining things. Even if someone had been watching her, who could it have been? As luck would have it, Lingxue had also just awakened. Ling Jiayue asked, “Lingxue, did anyone come by last night?” Lingxue replied in surprise, “No, Miss. After I served you to bed last night, no one came.” Ling Jiayue nodded, thinking, As expected, I was just imagining things. Still, I really did sleep well last night. “Miss, ever since you returned from the Buddhist temple, you’ve been plagued by nightmares. You must have been frightened out of your wits when you were abducted by bandits. In that case, perhaps we should return to the Buddhist temple to fulfill our vow,” Lingzhu said as she entered with a basin of water for washing her face. “Forget it. It’s nothing important; I know what to do. Go bring in some water. I want to bathe.” When Ling Jiayue heard Lingzhu mention her nightmares, she spoke listlessly. “Miss, it’s already early winter, and the weather is getting colder. Why don’t you wait a while before bathing?” Lingzhu advised. “Go on. I sweated all over last night, and I’m terribly uncomfortable. I want to bathe,” Ling Jiayue ordered. “Yes, Miss.” Lingxue and Lingzhu followed her instructions and left. Still dressed in her nightclothes, Ling Jiayue slowly rose from the bed. She casually picked up the outer garment hanging beside it and draped it over her shoulders, then put on her shoes and walked to the table. After sitting down, she poured herself a cup of tea and slowly drank it, her thoughts turning over various matters. Now that her engagement to the Third Prince had been broken, Ling Ziqi and Zhang-shi’s actions were all connected to the Third Prince. The assassin that night had also appeared after the engagement was canceled. It seemed the Third Prince wanted to put her to death. Yet Elder Xu, whom she had treated, had repeatedly insisted that the Third Prince was not that kind of person. It seemed Elder Xu and the Third Prince were very close. The Third Prince was the first stumbling block on her path to revenge. How could she win Elder Xu over, accumulate more strength, and bring down the Third Prince in one fell swoop? It was truly a difficult problem. But if she could not even bring down the Third Prince, how could she avenge herself and wipe away her hatred? That’s right—Doctor Lin! Doctor Lin often treated the various nobles in court and the merchants throughout the city. He was upright and impartial, and clearly enjoyed the favor of many influential figures. Moreover, Doctor Lin was extremely interested in her acupuncture. If she could win Doctor Lin over, that would be quite advantageous. It was just that so many things had happened over the past few days. Father would never allow her to leave the residence again. Even if Older Brother Ling Jiaxuan accompanied her, it would probably be inconvenient. Since she could not leave, she would simply invite Doctor Lin into the residence. With acupuncture involved, Doctor Lin would likely be willing to come. Thinking of this, Ling Jiayue smiled. Just then, Lingxue and Lingzhu carried in the bathing water. Lingxue smiled and said, “Miss, this water was just heated in the kitchen. We also added flower petals to moisturize your skin, along with various medicinal herbs to nourish the kidneys and replenish your qi. This medicinal bath is the most nourishing thing for a person in winter.” “Good.” Ling Jiayue nodded. Before long, Ling Jiayue had finished bathing and dressing. Madam Liu then sent a servant to invite Ling Jiayue to breakfast. Lingzhu took a gilded, embroidered hot-water warmer, heated it, and placed it in Ling Jiayue’s hands. Lingxue, meanwhile, took a bright and festive cloak and tied it around Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue teased them, “It’s only just the beginning of winter, and you’ve already wrapped me up like a dumpling. What will you do when deep winter arrives?” Lingzhu and Lingxue put on stern expressions and said, “When deep winter comes, we won’t let Miss leave the house. We’ll simply wrap you up in thick quilts.” Ling Jiayue burst out laughing. The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed toward Madam Liu’s courtyard. After passing through the garden and crossing a covered corridor, the three arrived at Fu'an Courtyard. The residence was stately and dignified, perfectly befitting the principal wife. Knowing how much Ling Jiayue loved plum blossoms, Madam Liu had planted various kinds of plum trees in the courtyard: red plums, white plums, and green plums. It was winter now, and the blossoms were in full, delicate bloom, making the sight a feast for the eyes. When the three reached Madam Liu’s door, an alert servant immediately lifted the curtain and respectfully invited Ling Jiayue inside. As Ling Jiayue entered Madam Liu’s room, she saw Ling Taian, Madam Liu, and Ling Jiaxuan waiting for her. Ling Taian was dressed in a black python robe, his hair combed without a strand out of place, which made him appear refined and extraordinary. Madam Liu wore simple everyday clothes, but the large red gemstone hair ornaments she had put on gave her a stately and noble air. Although Ling Jiaxuan was dressed simply in a blue outfit, he still looked handsome and distinguished. “Greetings to Father, Mother, and Older Brother. Yue’er is late and has kept you waiting. Please forgive me.” Ling Jiayue bowed, and Lingzhu and Lingxue followed her in kneeling and paying their respects. “Get up quickly. My child, why are you being so formal? Come and eat,” Madam Liu said lovingly. “Yes, Mother.” Ling Jiayue and the others took their seats according to rank. Throughout the meal, Madam Liu and Ling Jiaxuan kept putting food into Ling Jiayue’s bowl, afraid she would not eat enough. Ling Taian also said solicitously, “Yue’er, eat more.” Ling Jiayue nodded in agreement. Looking at the ever-growing pile of food in her bowl, she frowned and said, “Mother, Older Brother, if you keep putting food in Yue’er’s bowl, I’m going to grow into a Little Pig.” Ling Jiaxuan teased her, “Even if you become a Little Pig, you’ll be a beautiful Little Pig. There’s nothing to fear. At worst, Older Brother will support you for the rest of your life.” Ling Jiayue was amused, but Madam Liu scolded him affectionately, “How can you talk about your little sister like that? You’re learning nothing good, calling your little sister a Little Pig. Just wait and see how I punish you later.” Ling Jiaxuan begged for mercy, saying only, “I won’t dare do it again.” Ling Taian, Madam Liu, and Ling Jiayue all burst out laughing at Ling Jiaxuan’s antics. The whole family was filled with laughter and liveliness. While they were eating, Ling Jiayue said to Ling Taian and Madam Liu, “Father, Mother, I would like to invite Doctor Lin into the residence.” Madam Liu asked worriedly, “What’s wrong, Yue’er? Are you feeling unwell?” Ling Jiayue said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ve simply been tired these past few days, so I’d like to invite Doctor Lin to take a look and prescribe something to help me recuperate.” Ling Taian said, “That sounds fine. Yue’er has indeed been mentally exhausted these past few days. Some recuperation would do her good.” The matter of inviting Doctor Lin into the residence was thus settled.