When they brushed past each other, Ling Jingxian glared at Ling Jingyu with a huff.

  Ling Jingxian was preoccupied with her own thoughts and didn't have the leisure to pay attention to Ling Jingyan's inexplicable provocation, so she quickly entered Yonghe Hall and paid her respects to Old Lady Ling.

  Ling Lao Tai Tai had just given birth to a belly full of stagnant air, and her tone was somewhat stiff: "Jiuniang, you've come again, what's the matter?"

  Ling Jingxiu sensitively caught the word "again" and associated it with the appearance of Yue Shi and Ling Jingxian's gloomy face, guessing a few points about the situation earlier: "Didn't Second Aunt and Xian Big Sister say something just now that displeased Grandmother?"

  Mrs. Ling let out a soft hum, her tone full of displeasure: "It's not a big deal, the two of them want to follow your second uncle on his new appointment. If they had just asked me directly, I wouldn't have made things difficult for them. But instead, they're being evasive and manipulative in front of me, really treating me like an old fool!"

  As the oldest and highest-ranking member of the Ling family, Old Mrs. Ling's temper was naturally not to be trifled with. Although she usually appeared gentle and kind, once she got really angry, all her sons and daughters-in-law would tremble with fear and listen attentively to her scolding.

  Ling Jingyu came to find Old Lady Ling today, also with an extremely urgent matter to request. Only if Old Lady Ling nodded would what she thought in her heart become reality. Of course, they had to coax Old Lady Ling into being happy, immediately responding: "Second Aunt is acting too unreasonably like this. Grandmother has always been kind-hearted, as long as it's a sincere request, there's absolutely no reason to refuse."

  That sounds much better.

  Mrs. Ling's temper had improved a lot, and her tone was much milder: "Alright, let's not talk about these annoying things anymore. Sister Rong, you've come to see me, is there something you want to say?"

  Ling Jingyu didn't beat around the bush and replied honestly, "Yes, I have something very important to tell my grandmother, and these words can only be heard by my grandmother. Can you please ask Mo Qiu and the others to leave first?"

  Family members should speak directly and straightforwardly!

  Mrs. Ling nodded with a smile and ordered Mo Kui and others to withdraw.

  ......

  In the vast Yonghe Hall, only two people were left: Old Lady Ling and Ling Jingyu.

  Old Lady Ling smiled and said: "What's so urgent, you can finally speak now!"

  "I came today because of Ah Xiao's matter..." Ling Jingyu repeated what she had previously said to Ling Wuya word for word.

  Old Lady Ling was initially smiling, but gradually became serious. When she heard about the famous doctor Wei in the capital who specialized in treating difficult and complicated diseases, she couldn't help but be moved: "Sister Rong, are you telling the truth? Is it possible for Doctor Wei to cure Ah Xiao's eyes?"

  "Whether it can be cured or not, it's still too early to say. However, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, I want to take Ah Xiao to try it out." Ling Jingxu's eyes shone with determination: "I've already asked Father for permission, and in a few days, we'll be going to the capital with Eldest Uncle's family. I still await Grandmother's consent."

  Mrs. Ling thought for a moment and said slowly, "If Ah Xiao's eyes can be cured and he can see again, it would be a great joy. However, I'm not at ease with just you accompanying Ah Xiao to the capital. You're a weak woman who has never been out on your own before, and it's not convenient for you to travel long distances and show yourself in public. It's better for your father to take Ah Xiao instead, and you can stay by your grandmother's side."

  As soon as the words fell, Ling Jingyu knelt down with a thud: "Grandmother thinks of me so much, I am really moved in my heart. But, I have an unavoidable reason to go."

  Reasons that can't be avoided?

  Mrs. Ling was taken aback for a moment, then said: "If there's anything difficult, just tell Grandma about it, no need to kneel."

  At this time, Old Lady Ling was still the kind and amiable grandmother in front of her juniors. She also had a few points of pity for Ling Jingxuan.

  Only when the family's survival is threatened will the iron-hearted and ruthless face be revealed.

  Ling Jingxian smiled coldly in her heart, but a worried expression appeared on her face: "Grandmother, I have contracted a strange illness. I want to accompany Ahxiang to the capital, not only to treat his eyes, but also to secretly cure my own disease."

  Mrs. Ling was startled and also forgot to call Ling Jingxu to get up: "What did you say? What strange disease have you contracted?"

  Ling Jingxian didn't need to pretend, and a bitter expression appeared on her face: "Except for Ah Xiao, I couldn't get close to any man. Even if I just touched their fingers, I would have an abnormal reaction, my whole body would convulse, and I would feel nauseous and vomit."

  Old Lady Ling: “......”

  What's wrong with her? What do you mean she can't get close to any man?

  Mrs. Ling's face was filled with incredulity, and she asked hesitantly: "Is what you said true? When did this happen?"

  Ling Jingyu bit her lip, and a hint of tears appeared in her eyes. Her voice was slightly choked: "Granddaughter dare not hide from grandmother. It's just that strange illness I discovered the other day."

  "You girl, why didn't you say this earlier?" Old Lady Ling furrowed her brow: "Speak quickly and in detail, don't hide a single thing."

  Ling Jingxu had a look of being at a loss for words, with tears welling up in her eyes.

  Mrs. Ling thought for a moment and guessed the reason why Ling Jingyu was reluctant to speak: "You're too ashamed to open your mouth, is it because some man touched your hand?"

  An unmarried girl, being alone with a man in private is already improper, and shaking hands, an intimate act like this, is even more out of bounds.

  Ling Jingxuan's eyes were red-rimmed, and she nodded slightly.

  Mrs. Ling was so astute that she almost immediately guessed who the other person was: "Is it Lu Hong?"

  Ling Jingxian lowered her head in a manner that seemed like she was ashamed, and stuttered: "It's not just him, but also my cousin."

  Mrs. Ling: "......"

  Old Lady Ling seemed to be choked with something, and after a long while, she squeezed out a few words: "There are no outsiders here, whatever you have to say, just speak your mind. Don't worry, this matter will never reach anyone's ears."

  ......

  This is exactly what I've been waiting for!

  Ling Jingyu wiped away her tears with her sleeve and spoke in a low voice, "On the day of grandmother's birthday, Ah Xiao had someone call me back to the Autumn Water Pavilion. After I returned, I found that Lu Shixiong was also there. It was an awkward situation, and I felt that Lu Shixiong was not right, so I wanted him to leave. But he not only refused to leave but also said some...nonsensical words to me. At the time, I was both shocked and frightened, and I sternly told him to leave. He became agitated and rushed forward to grab my hand. At that moment, I felt nauseous and vomited on the spot."

  "Lü Biāo Gē was probably scared off by my reaction and left quickly. Afterwards, he didn't mention this matter to anyone else either. I also felt ashamed to publicize this matter, thinking that it was just an occasional incident, so I didn't take it to heart."

  "Unexpectedly, yesterday's hidden younger brother came again to the Autumn Water Pavilion..."

  The next words seemed really hard to say.

  Ling Jingxu bit her lip, her pretty face flushing bright red.

  Mrs. Ling's heart sank and she quickly guessed what had happened: "Did Ah Qian tell you that he has a crush on you and wants your aunt to propose marriage to the Lings?"

  Ling Jing was silent.

  Mrs. Ling knew the outcome all along, but she couldn't help asking: "What happened next?"

  "I'm two years older than him, and I've always treated him like a kid, only having a sisterly affection for him, so I naturally rejected him." Ling Jingxuan sighed softly: "I didn't expect him to react so fiercely, pressing close to me, saying repeatedly that he must marry me. At the time, my whole body was trembling with fear, my stomach churning nonstop, and I threw up again."

  "Once is an accident, twice is not accidental. I'm anxious and afraid in my heart, but I don't dare to tell anyone about it. Just now when I saw my father, I didn't have the courage to speak out. In this mansion, the person who loves me the most is my grandmother. So, I plucked up the courage to find my grandmother..."

  Ling Jingyu's eyes reddened again as she looked up at Old Lady Ling, her eyes full of trust and pleading: "Grandmother, you'll keep my secret, won't you? You'll help me, won't you?"

  Even if one has a heart of stone, they would still be melted by such eyes.

  Moreover, Ling Jingxu grew up by the side of Old Lady Ling and was also the most favored by her. Seeing Ling Jingxu so helpless, a sympathetic feeling arose in her heart.

  "Good child, this matter is not your fault, you don't have to blame yourself." Old Lady Ling sighed and gently stroked Ling Jingxuan's head: "Don't kneel, get up and talk, grandmother will take charge of everything for you."

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  Starting double updates tomorrow ~O(∩_∩)O~