It's a brand new week again, seeking recommendation votes to rush into the new book chart ~ O (∩ _ ∩) O ~

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  "Ah Shu, you're really beautiful. From the moment I saw you for the first time, I had feelings for you..."

  A blurry man's face drew closer and closer, his eyes gleaming with ardent desire and twisted pleasure, mercilessly pinning her helpless body beneath him: "Now, you're finally mine..."

  Get out!

  You may be lustful and fond of beauty, but you shouldn't forcibly occupy your own daughter-in-law. What you're doing is no different from beasts!

  Lu Hong is back, what face does this father have to see him?

  "You're still thinking about Ah Huan? Don't be foolish anymore. He's already moved into the Princess's mansion, and is sleeping with her every night. Once the King of Yan ascends to the throne, he'll become the Emperor's brother-in-law, and his status will be beyond your wildest dreams. He's long forgotten you..."

  No! Won't do it.

  He had once sworn to be with her till the end of their days, never to betray her in this life or the next. He must have some unspoken secret. He wouldn't abandon them, mother and child...

  In the darkness, she struggled and cried out in helpless despair.

  But no one came to save her.

  The man who oppressed her did as he pleased, bringing her endless humiliation and suffering...

  Ling Jingxu suddenly opened her eyes, sat up straight, her heart racing like a drum, and her palms were covered in cold sweat. After taking a few deep breaths, her heaving chest finally calmed down slowly.

  Her face felt a bit cool. Before she knew it, her face was covered with tears.

  After rebirth, she kept telling herself that everything in her past life had become the past. She forced herself to suppress all her hatred and calmly face Ling Shi, who was as venomous as a scorpion, Lu Qian, who was infatuated with her but ultimately harmed her, and Lu Hong, who ruthlessly abandoned his wife and children...

  Until Lu An appeared, the real nightmare of her previous life came before her eyes. She only then realized that she was unable to forget the shameful past.

  "Miss, how did you wake up suddenly?" The white jade sleeping on the ground was awakened by the slight movement and got up, rubbing her eyes and lifting the mosquito net to ask: "Was it a nightmare?"

  Ling Jingyu calmed down, using her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Her voice was still relatively calm: "Mm, I had a nightmare and got startled awake. Don't worry, I'll be fine in a bit by myself."

  Bai Yu hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice, "If the young lady doesn't mind, I'll keep you company and sleep with you!" Having someone by her side would make it easier to fall asleep during the second half of the night.

  Ling Jingxu hummed in agreement.

  Bai Yu quickly climbed onto the bed and fell asleep beside Ling Jingxu.

  With Bai Yu's warm body temperature by her side, the cold chill that had permeated her entire body quietly dissipated. Ling Jingxuan leaned against Bai Yu and closed her eyes.

  Bai Yu kept her eyes closed, pretending to sleep, until she heard Ling Jingxiao's soft and even breathing, confirming that Ling Jingxiao had fallen asleep. Only then did she secretly let out a sigh of relief, open her eyes, and gaze at Ling Jingxiao's sleeping face.

  The young lady was also not very stable in her sleep, with a slight frown on her brow.

  After Miss woke up from her illness, she was completely different from before. Some things can be hidden from others, but not from this personal maid who is close to her.

  What's troubling Miss so much? Why is she so restless day and night?

  Bai Yu furrowed his brow and thought for a long time, but couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried. He simply stopped thinking about it. Carefully, he leaned his head close to Ling Jingxuan's ear, and they both fell into a deep sleep together.

  ......

  Every other morning, when Bai Yu opened her eyes, Ling Jingxu had already woken up. After washing and dressing neatly, she sat in front of the dresser to comb her hair.

  Bai Yu hastily got out of bed, scolding herself repeatedly: "I slept too soundly, and didn't even know when Miss got up. It's really inexcusable, please punish me, Miss."

  Ling Jing smiled slightly: "I saw that you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you up. I deliberately let you sleep for a while longer. What's there to blame? Alright, go wash and dress first, then come back and help me with my hair later."

  His expression was natural, his tone was relaxed, and he was no different from usual. Last night's nightmare had left no trace.

  Bai Yu glanced at Ling Jingyu and then put down her guard, smiling as she responded.

  After breakfast, I went to Yonghe Hall to pay respects to Old Lady Ling. With the meeting of the previous day, Ling Jingxian was much calmer when she saw Lu An again, and after paying her respects, she stood beside Ling Jingyan and took the initiative to talk to her.

  "Yan Tang sister, the jade hairpin on your head is exquisite and beautiful. It must be the latest style from the capital city! I've never seen such a design here in Dingzhou."

  In just two short sentences, Ling Jingyan's face had a smile on it, and she replied with a hint of pride: "This is the latest style from Zhenqiao Workshop in the capital. Even the imperial concubines would order their jewelry from Zhenqiao Workshop! This single jade hairpin alone cost eighty taels of silver."

  Buying a ten-year-old servant girl would cost no more than forty taels of silver. The cost of this jade hairpin is enough to buy two servant girls, it's really extravagant.

  Ling Jingyu's face showed a timely expression of envy: "I've heard that the capital city Luoyang is prosperous and extravagant, unfortunately I have no chance to see it. It's still Yan Tangjie who has good fortune, able to live in the capital with her uncle."

  Ling Jingyan listened to these words, feeling very pleased in her heart, and smiled slightly without reserve: "Sister Jie doesn't have to belittle herself, maybe someday you'll also have the chance to live in the capital for a long time."

  Although he said so with his mouth, he did not think so in his heart.

  Ling Wu Ye has made no progress in the imperial examination for many years and can only stay at home. How could Ling Jing Xiu possibly have the opportunity to go to Beijing?

  Ling Jingxian saw the subtle changes in Ling Jingyan's expression, and continued to smile without a change in her tone: "I don't have such good fortune. By the way, didn't Eldest Sister Yan say she would teach me the art of cultivating peonies? If there's nothing else today, why not do it today?"

  Originally had a slightly lower meaning, now in Ling Jingxu's mouth, it has become "pointing".

  Ling Jingyan's vanity was greatly satisfied, and Ling Jingxiao suddenly became more pleasing to the eye, smiling and nodding in agreement.

  ......

  Ling Jingyan's original pride suddenly dissipated more than half after Ling Jingxiao turned around in the garden.

  In the peony garden of the Ling family, many famous varieties of peonies were planted. At this time, it was early April, and the blooming period was approaching. The buds of various colored peonies were hidden among the lush green leaves, waiting to bloom, with a unique charm and elegance.

  Ling Jingyan had seen many famous peony gardens in the capital city, but surprisingly, the Ling family's garden was not inferior to them.

  When she saw the blooming Luoyang brocade, Ling Jingyan was even more surprised, and subconsciously stopped in her tracks.

  Ling Jingxian didn't seize the opportunity to mock her, but instead smiled intimately and said: "Yan Tangjie, this bi-colored peony is also known as Erqiao or Luoyang Brocade."

  "Eldest Sister, how did you manage to cultivate this Luoyang Brocade?"

  Ling Jingyan also put down her reserve and curiously asked: "The blooming period of peonies is in mid-to-late April, but now it's only early April, and the Luoyang brocade is already in full bloom. Did they start blooming in March?"

  Ling Jingxian smiled and said, "There are indeed some tricks to this. Since Yantang is interested, I'll tell you carefully. First, choose the variety that needs to be grafted, then select a high-temperature August to graft and plant..."

  Not a single detail was spared, and he shared his years of experience in cultivating peonies in great detail.

  Ling Jingyan also had a lot of experience in planting peonies. After listening to her, it was clear that Ling Jingxuan was pouring out all her knowledge. She felt a little moved and also a little honored: "Jingxuan younger sister, this is your carefully guarded secret skill, you're telling me everything... I really feel unworthy..."

  Ling Jingxian smiled and said, holding Ling Jingyan's hand: "When others ask me these things, I really don't want to say them. But when you ask me, Yan sister, I don't mind at all, I just want to tell you everything clearly. It seems that this is also the fate between us two sisters."

  A bright and sincere smile, makes everything around it dull and unremarkable. Beauty is crystal clear and delicate, beauty is exquisite and flawless, even making it impossible for people to feel jealous.

  Ling Jingyan was taken aback at first, then turned around and grasped Ling Jingxuan's hand, also smiling: "Yes, I think we two are unusually compatible!"

  ......

  Ling Jingyan has a somewhat arrogant personality, thinking she is superior to others. Apart from that, there's nothing else particularly unusual about her. Once you get used to it, she's not difficult to get along with.

  Ling Jingxian intentionally got along well with Ling Jingyan, and when speaking with her, she deliberately lowered her posture, flattering Ling Jingyan in every word. In just a few days, the two became close sisters. Their conversation also became more familiar and casual.

  "Tomorrow is Grandma's birthday. Second Uncle finally made it back in time." Ling Jingyan smiled and said, "If he didn't make it, he would have lost face in front of Grandma from now on."

  Ling Er Ye, although only a seventh-rank county magistrate, is still the parent official of the entire county. With numerous miscellaneous tasks to attend to daily, he had barely managed to extricate himself and return home. However, due to illness, he was delayed on the road for several days, only returning to the manor yesterday.

  Ling Jingxiao nodded with a smile, and then sighed: "Second Uncle brought his concubine and illegitimate son back this time. The forced smile on Second Aunt's face is really unbearable to look at."

  She didn't have a very good impression of her sharp-tongued mother-in-law. But yesterday, seeing her mother-in-law forcing a smile on her face, she couldn't help but feel some sympathy for her.

  Men can have three wives and four concubines, embracing left and right, while women must adhere to the three obediences and four virtues, content with their lot and guarding themselves. The inner chamber is a world unto itself. Once her husband becomes disloyal and heartless, a woman has no choice but to resent and lament...

  In an instant, the painful memories of past life flashed through his mind again.

  Ling Jingyu cast aside those annoying memories and changed the subject with a calm expression: "Let's not talk about that anymore. Yan Tangjie, I've never been to the capital, tell me more about it so I can broaden my horizons."

  This topic, Ling Jingyan was most happy to talk about, and she could also show off a bit. She immediately smiled and asked: "I've told you a lot about the popular clothing and accessories in Beijing. What else do you want to hear?"

  Ling Jingyu was already prepared and immediately said: "Yan Tangjie and I will tell you about the famous doctors in Beijing!"