Ling Wushuang listened to the two talking in cryptic terms, but managed to glean key words from their fragmented conversation.
"Zhiyu, did Shen Mingyi do something to hurt you again?" Ling Wushuang grabbed Song Zhiyu's hand on the table, her tone indignant, as if she could immediately whip Shen Mingyi if Song Zhiyu answered yes.
"It's alright, I've already retaliated." Song Zhiyu smiled and shook her head, her gentle voice instantly calming Ling Wushuang's restless emotions.
Given Zhou Xingzhi's methods, it's uncertain whether Shen Mingyi is still alive and well.
Thinking of Zhou Xingzhi, Song Zhiyu's smile faded considerably.
The journey to Liangcheng is long, and the grain transport embezzlement case involves too many people with complex relationships. Those people will definitely try every means to prevent Zhou Xingzhi from finding clues.
Then there's Prince Li, ambitious and ruthless. The Crown Prince's departure from the capital is the perfect opportunity for him to strike; he certainly won't sit idly by and wait for his doom.
With wolves in front and tigers behind, Her Highness's journey is fraught with danger. Hopefully, her pills will come in handy in a critical moment.
Seeing Song Zhiyu's slightly furrowed brows and her seemingly lost in thought, Ling Chen paused in his fanning motion. "Mother's sixtieth birthday is in a few days. Have you all prepared your gifts?"
Ling Wushuang's attention was indeed diverted, and she nodded slightly. "Of course, I started preparing three months ago. I guarantee that my grandmother will like my gift."
After saying that, she turned to look at Song Zhiyu, her strikingly bright eyes filled with great interest, "Zhiyu, what congratulatory gift have you prepared?"
"A Buddha statue made of Phoebe zhennan wood." Song Zhiyu answered every question, and there was nothing to hide.
Although Ling Wushuang did not attend the auction, she had heard about what happened at the auction that day. "Is it the Buddha statue that you bought at the Treasure Pavilion auction last time? I was wondering why someone who doesn't worship Buddha would suddenly be interested in Buddha statues. So it turns out it's for Grandmother."
"I've heard that Madam Ling has been a devout Buddhist for many years and has countless Buddha statues. I'm just trying to please her." Song Zhiyu smiled gently. If she wanted to be good to someone, she would definitely go to great lengths to do so.
"You've put your heart into this." Ling Yuan, who hadn't spoken for a while, looked at Song Zhiyu with unusually gentle eyes, completely unlike his cold and hard demeanor in front of others.
Ling Yuanxiao's father was exceptionally handsome, but his personality was extremely cold. He was known as the "Black-faced General" in the army. He was indifferent to others, but only showed some gentleness when dealing with his family.
Song Zhiyu was the only person he treated gently, besides his family.
Perhaps it was because she healed his legs, or perhaps it was his inexplicable affinity for Song Zhiyu that made him unable to resist being even kinder to her.
Song Zhiyu's gaze involuntarily fell on Ling Yuan's legs, and she asked with concern, "How are the young general's legs recovering? Is there anything uncomfortable?"
Although she was confident in her medical skills, Ling Yuan's legs had been crippled for three years, and there was no guarantee that other unexpected situations wouldn't arise.
Ling Wushuang waved her hand casually, "It's nothing. My brother has started practicing martial arts these days. He even sparred with me a few days ago, showing no mercy at all."
"But you told me not to hold back, so how come it's my fault now?" Ling Yuan joked with a smile, his face visibly pleased.
Three years ago, when he became disabled in both legs and could no longer go to the battlefield, he was in pain and confused, and even thought that he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
But fate was kind to him, sending Song Zhiyu to him and giving him a chance to stand up again.
Three years ago, he probably never imagined that three years later he would be sitting here so happily, bickering with his sister.
Song Zhiyu was still a little worried, so she pushed a bottle of ointment she carried with her in front of Ling Yuan. "To prevent your old injuries from recurring, General, you should be more careful. This is a healing ointment I made myself. Apply it to the wound three times a day, and your old injuries will heal faster."
"Okay, I've got it." Ling Yuan didn't refuse. A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and the corners of his lips turned up high. Anyone could tell that he was in a good mood.
The group chatted and laughed, occasionally recounting amusing stories from the capital, and sometimes joining Ling Wushuang in angrily berating the people of the Chengen Marquis's mansion.
Ling Chen simply sipped his tea quietly, occasionally offering a few words of agreement, but he always managed to respond skillfully to each comment without spoiling the mood.
Just then, Ling Wushuang's personal maid suddenly came up to her and gave a slight curtsy, "Miss, the headdress you ordered from the Treasure Pavilion a few days ago has been finished."
"Zhiyu, come with me." Ling Wushuang stood up, casually rolled up her sleeves, and took Song Zhiyu with her.
Halfway there, Ling Wushuang turned around and waved to Ling Chen and his brother, "Uncle, brother, you two continue drinking your tea, we'll be leaving now."
In a short while, the two figures disappeared from sight, leaving them staring at each other in disbelief.
"This girl's personality really hasn't changed at all." Ling Chen shook his head with a smile, his tone quite helpless.
*
Treasure Pavilion.
"Miss Ling, these are the head ornaments you ordered from our shop a few days ago. Please take a look and see if they meet your expectations." When the shopkeeper took out the head ornaments, everyone present was amazed by their luxurious beauty.
The most eye-catching feature is the floral crown made of gold wire wrapped around the head. Its unique design and perfect weaving in every corner, along with the red agate gemstone in the center that shines brilliantly in the sunlight, demonstrates the exquisite craftsmanship.
"Not bad." Ling Wushuang gently stroked the intricately carved patterns on her head, quite satisfied.
As expected of Treasure Pavilion, the craftsmanship is exquisite, with not a single detail overlooked.
Ling Wushuang shoved the brocade box containing the jewelry into Song Zhiyu's arms. "Do you like it?"
"Is this for me?" Song Zhiyu was a little stunned to receive such a large gift for no reason.
"When the Prime Minister's wife holds the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, wear this headdress and you will surely amaze everyone. At that time, even the 'Flowing Clouds' will be nothing special."
She had already investigated and found that the woman who bought "Liuyun" was Shen Rushan's biological mother, and had some unclear relationship with Shen Feng.
On the day of the auction, Song Zhiyu seemed to be targeting her intentionally or unintentionally, suggesting that the two had some kind of grudge.
What good could anyone be associated with the Shen family?
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