New book on the rise, seeking collection, recommendation votes and comments ~ O (∩ _ ∩) O

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  Memories hidden deep in the mind, sharp and piercing, suddenly gush forth, brutally tearing open the scars at the bottom of the heart, revealing blood-soaked pain.

  Ling Jingxu's eyes flashed with intense self-mockery and pain, her chest felt like it was being pressed down by a huge boulder, suffocating her.

  Bai Yu was the most meticulous and sensitive, had already detected Ling Jingxu's abnormality, and asked with concern: "Miss, what's wrong? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?"

  Ling Jingyu trembled as she stretched out her hand: "Bai Yu, let me lean on you for a while."

  She hugged Bai Yu and buried her head in Bai Yu's warm chest, her shoulders slightly heaving.

  Her mother died young, her twin brother was blind and needed care. As the elder sister, she had to protect her brother, strive to win the favor of her grandmother, and stand firm in the midst of her stepmother's and cousins' watchful eyes.

  She exhausted her mind and was extremely careful, not daring to make any mistakes. When she encountered grievances and difficulties, there was no one to confide in, so she could only lean on Bai Yu's bosom and cry quietly for a while.

  Bai Yu subconsciously hugged the slender figure in her arms tightly.

  Listening to Ling Jingxian's suppressed sobs, Bai Yu's heart was also tightened, and she softly comforted: "Miss, what's wrong? Is there something you can't tell me? Although I'm powerless to help Miss share your worries, at least I can share some of your concerns."

  The gentle whispers by my ear and the warmth in my memories.

  Ling Jingxu's crying gradually stopped, she sat up straight, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and slowly said: "I'm fine, it's just that my heart doesn't feel too comfortable, I'll be okay after a good cry."

  Bai Yu's greatest advantage is that she never talks too much. Ling Jingxu didn't want to say anything, so she wouldn't ask more questions, and followed Ling Jingxu's words: "It's okay if there's nothing. Miss, rest well, I'll go to the kitchen to cook some porridge."

  The meals of the masters of the Ling Mansion were all made by the large kitchen and sent over. Each courtyard had a small kitchen, convenient for boiling some hot water or making some snacks. Eating separately was possible, but once you started, you had to take care of it yourself.

  Ling Jingxu's body is weak and she should avoid eating greasy or strong-smelling foods, it's best to drink some light porridge.

  Ling Jingxu also felt hungry and nodded with a smile.

  After Bai Yu left, Ling Jingxian retracted her smile and silently told herself: Ling Jingxian, tears are only useful for making the person who hurt you anxious and worried, otherwise they have no use at all.

  From now on, she will no longer cry weakly and helplessly, but face everything that is about to come with strength.

  ......

  Ling Jingxu was "resting" in Qiushui Pavilion, and she had been lying on the couch for three days.

  The Wu family has a considerable population. Ling Wu Ye has four children, the eldest son Ling Feng is born to concubine Xia Niang, sisters and brothers Ling Jing are born to original wife Yao Shi, and Ling Yu is born to Li Shi, who is only six years old this year.

  Ling Wu's father was a romantic and famous scholar, who spent his days drinking wine, writing poetry, and socializing with friends outside. He didn't care about her physical condition at all. Her stepmother, Li, came to visit once out of courtesy, but only sat for a short while, said a few words without showing any concern, and then left.

  Ling Feng was busy reading books every day and had no time to visit her.

  Only Ling Xiao came to see her three times a day, once in the morning, noon and evening, more punctual than eating.

  The distinction between intimacy and estrangement can be seen at a glance.

  Ling Jingxu didn't feel disappointed or sad. To those who treated her with sincerity, she would respond with sincerity. As for those who didn't care about her, why should she bother with their words and actions?

  Old Lady Ling also sent Mo Kui over twice.

  Mo Qi spoke in a somewhat reserved and implicit manner, hinting that Ling Jingyu should take care of her body sooner.

  There is a distinguished guest in the house, and Ling Jingxian has been avoiding him all along, which is really not very polite. Although Old Lady Ling didn't say anything, she was actually quite displeased in her heart.

  Ling Jingxu didn't pretend not to understand Mo Kui's hint, and said with a smile: "Thank you for reminding me, Sister Mo Kui. To be honest, I'm really not doing well, and I've been lying in bed resting for the past few days, which has also worried my grandmother. Please go back and tell her on my behalf that I'll go to pay my respects tomorrow morning."

  As she spoke, Chong Baiyu gave her a signal with her eyes.

  Bai Yu immediately handed the prepared handbag to Mo Kui and whispered warmly, "Trouble Miss Mo Kui to speak kindly of our young lady in front of the old lady."

  Mo Qi reluctantly accepted after politely declining a few times.

  After Mo Kui left, Bai Yu sighed with a worried heart: "Miss, Mo Kui just made it very clear. You've been avoiding showing your face, and the old lady is not happy about it."

  In this manor, Old Lady Ling is the sky above everyone's head. If you want to live a good life in the manor, it's absolutely impossible to displease Old Lady Ling.

  This principle, without Bai Yu reminding her, Ling Jingxu also knew it in her heart. Although she resented Lao Taitai's coldness and ruthlessness, she absolutely couldn't show half a bit of it. She had to try her best to please Lao Taitai as usual.

  Otherwise, she will fall into real trouble.

  "Don't worry, I have a plan." Ling Jingxu smiled at Bai Yu, her eyebrows rising with confidence: "You can rest assured."

  Looking at Ling Jingxuan's confident smile, Bai Yu's anxious heart also calmed down.

  "Miss," Xiangcao came in to report: "Eighth Miss has come to see you."

  ......

  Ling Jingxian walked in with a light and quick pace, smiling and calling out "Jiuniang, little sister".

  Today's Ling Jingyan, wearing a goose-yellow dress, with a light makeup on her face, radiant and beautiful. A pair of eyes, shining with an unusual luster.

  A faintly mocking smile flashed across Ling Jingxu's eyes.

  When a girl's heart first opens up, she almost writes all the joy on her face... She was also this silly back then!

  Ling Jingxian and she had never gotten along, but today she came specifically to "visit" her, obviously with ulterior motives.

  As expected, Ling Jingxian chatted for a few sentences before quickly turning the topic to Lu's older brother: "......Jiutang younger sister, you've been staying indoors these past few days and haven't seen Hong older brother yet, have you?"

  Hong Biao Ge... really called so intimately.

  Ling Jingyu slightly curled up the corner of her lips, but there was no smile in her eyes. She replied casually, "Do I need to ask about such an obvious thing? Of course, I haven't seen it before. Why did my sister suddenly bring this up? Is there something wrong with this cousin?"

  Ling Jingxian bit her lip, and a faint blush rose to her face: "Nothing's wrong. It's just...just..."

  It took half a day and still couldn't say what's below.

  Ling Jingxu coldly watched Ling Jingxuan pretending to be innocent.

  When the Lu family arrived at the Ling's house, she went to greet them with everyone else. Then, she and Lu Xuan fell in love at first sight. Lu Xuan only had eyes for her, no longer able to accommodate anyone else. Although Ling Jingyan was infatuated with Lu Xuan, unfortunately, it was a case of "the flower has an intention but the water is unfeeling". She could only watch as he and she exchanged vows under the moonlight.

  Lu Hong asked Ling's family to propose a marriage for him. As Lu Hong's stepmother, Ling had always been lukewarm towards him. Lu Hong was infatuated with his maternal cousin, and naturally, Ling was delighted to see them together, so she quickly proposed the marriage to Old Lady Ling.

  Old Lady Ling almost didn't hesitate and agreed right away.

  The Lu family is a prominent and respected clan in the Great Zhou Dynasty, while the Ling family, although not bad, pales in comparison. The Ling matriarch was only a concubine when she married into the Lu family years ago. Now that the legitimate eldest son of the Lu family's main branch wants to marry the Ling family's granddaughter, how could the Ling family possibly refuse?

  Moreover, Lu Hong is young and handsome, elegant and refined, learned and talented. Standing with Ling Jingxuan, they are like a pair of heavenly matched lovers, and will not humiliate Ling Jingxuan at all. Besides, after marrying into the Lu family, her mother-in-law is actually her own aunt, so she won't be treated harshly.

  Mrs. Ling also had some private thoughts that she didn't share with outsiders. As the second wife who married into a distant family and had a cold relationship with her stepson, she was always a potential threat. Now that her niece from her natal family had become her daughter-in-law, it was certain that in the future she would stand on Mrs. Ling's side. With Mrs. Ling in charge of providing for the family, things could be done more smoothly and easily.

  Mrs. Ling made the decision to arrange the marriage, and Mr. Ling was quite satisfied with the Lu family's background. He also greatly admired Lu Hong's literary talent and refinement, and he too was pleased with this union.

  At that time, who would have thought that this "Golden Jade Good Omen" which everyone praised would end up in such a state?

  ......

  My mind is wandering and I'm thinking of something far away.

  Only talk about the present. In this life, she has been avoiding showing her face. Lu Hong had not met her yet, and naturally there was no beautiful story of love at first sight as in previous years. The first person to see Lu Hong was Ling Jingxian!

  She thought, she probably guessed Ling Jingxian's intention...

  Ling Jing hesitated for a moment before finally gathering her courage and saying: "Jiuniang, I have something important to tell you."

  Ling Jingxu glanced at Ling Jingyan with a smile that was not quite a smile, and the knowing look in her eyes made Ling Jingyan feel a twinge of guilt, causing her to subconsciously lower her head.

  "Bai Yu, you few go back first. Without my order, no one is allowed to come in." Ling Jingyu ordered calmly.

  The maids all withdrew quickly.

  Only Ling Jingxu and Ling Jingyan were left in the house.

  Ling Jingxian looked at Ling Jingxuan and said calmly: "Xuan sister, what do you want to say now? Can't you just say it already?"

  Ling Jingyan's face turned red as she said in a low voice: "Mei sister, I will be coming of age in May."

  After wearing hairpins, it's time to talk about marriage.

  Ling Jing's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly said, "Yan Tang sister, have you fallen in love with that Hong Shu brother?"

  Ling Jingxian: "......"

  She was suddenly struck by the truth, and Ling Jingxian's heart skipped a beat. After all, she was still a young girl waiting to be married, and her pretty face instantly turned bright red. Yet she didn't deny it.

  After a while, Ling Jingxian finally spoke in a low voice: "Jiutang sister, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. In the past two years, I've followed my mother out to visit relatives and have seen some young men around my age. But I never had any thoughts about them. Three days ago, when I first saw Hong Shixiong, I liked him immediately."

  "He was born with a beauty like jade, just like the bright moon in the sky. When he smiled at me, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. These days, I've been enchanted, thinking about him every moment..."

  Listening to Ling Jingxian's emotional confession, it was as if I saw that naive and silly self from back then.

  Ling Jing's mood was a bit unstable, and she impatiently interrupted Ling Jingxian: "Xian, you like Hong Shu, you should quietly tell your mother, think of ways to bring about the marriage. Tell me what to do?"