Remember "Bookworm" in one second.

  The official ship of the Ling family followed closely behind the imperial fleet of the Crown Prince.

  The shadow of the bandit's night raid still looms over everyone's hearts, like a startled bird, and even the slightest rustling of leaves will cause panic. Only by following in the wake of the Crown Prince's fleet can one feel at ease.

  Set sail together, travel by boat together, and rest at anchor together.

  When it was time for a break, Old Man Ling indeed took Ling Xi to the crown prince's boat to pay his respects. As for the womenfolk, they naturally did not follow along.

  Ling Xiao was blind and found it inconvenient to move around, so he didn't want to follow them. He sat in Ling Jingyu's room, staring blankly and not speaking, lost in thought.

  "Axiao, what's wrong with you?" Ling Jingyu asked anxiously.

  This day was busy and her mind was wandering, in the afternoon she spent half a day at Ling Jingyan's place, and for a while, she didn't even think about Ling Xiao. It wasn't until now that she noticed something was off about Ling Xiao.

  Ling Xiao forced out a smile: "Nothing, I'm fine."

  Forced smile is ugly.

  It's not nothing, it's clearly a heavy heart.

  Due to his blindness, Ling Xiao rarely came into contact with outsiders, and his thoughts were exceptionally keen and delicate.

  Ling Jing said in a soft voice: "Are you still thinking about last night's matter?"

  Ling Xiao didn't want to admit it, but he never lied in front of Ling Jingyu. After a long time, he finally nodded slightly. He had always grown up in the inner courtyard and had never experienced such a dangerous and frightening scene as last night.

  Ling Jingyu looked at Ling Xiao, her heart tightened, and she couldn't help but walk forward, embracing Ling Xiao's thin body: "Everything is over, don't think nonsense anymore."

  "Axu, I'm so useless. When we encountered bandits, I couldn't even protect you and instead became a burden. I'm really useless."

  When Ling Jing followed the bandits with determination, he was extremely grieved. He had never hated his own blindness and weakness so much!

  If he could see, at least stand in front of Ah Jiao! At least don't watch Ah Jiao being taken away with eyes open. At least be like Bai Yu, recklessly chasing after her, and live or die together with Ah Jiao.

  But he couldn't do anything else, tripped and fell on the cold deck. Listening to Ah-jiao's footsteps fading away, a weak and helpless cry...

  He's really useless!

  He's just a waste of space!

  Tears fell from Ling Xiao's eyes and landed on Ling Jingyu's hand, a faint coolness.

  "How can you be a burden." Ling Jingxu's heart was both sour and aching. Busily, she softly comforted: "A Xiao, in my heart, you are the best and most excellent youth in the world, also the most gentle and considerate good younger brother."

  Ling Xiao didn't say a word, his shoulders slightly heaving. From time to time, intermittent sobbing sounds came over.

  Ling Jingxian let out a soft sigh and didn't make another sound, only gently patting Ling Xiao's back.

  He's feeling down and it's good that he can pour out his emotions and cry about it. It's better than bottling it up inside.

  ......

  It wasn't until much later that Ling Xiao's crying finally subsided.

  Ling Jingxu used a handkerchief to wipe away his tears: "Are you feeling any better now?"

  Ling Xiao nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. At their age, they were still crying and wiping away tears... Even in front of Ling Jingxuan, who was the closest to him, he felt a little shy.

  "No one had expected such an accident to happen. Now that everything has been settled and the matter is over, let's just forget about it." Ling Jingxu said in a low voice: "You can't see with your eyes. There are many inconveniences. Let's wait until your eyes are cured before protecting me again."

  Ling Xiao nodded vigorously: "Ah Jiao, I really want to go to the capital immediately, see that Wei Taiyi immediately, and ask him to cure my eyes immediately."

  Three consecutive immediate (moments) made Ling Jingxu laugh.

  Ling Jingyu smiled softly and chimed in with a soothing tone, "Yes, yes, we'll arrive at the capital soon. Then we'll go to Hui Chun Tang to ask Wei Taiyi to diagnose and treat you. As long as he can cure your eyes, no matter how much silver it costs, it's worth it."

  Ling Xiao somewhat discontentedly protested: "A'jiu, I'm only a few hours younger than you, we're basically the same age. Can't you stop treating me like a child?"

  Look at this temper, obviously just a child who hasn't grown up yet!

  Ling Jing smiled and continued to coax: "Okay, okay. It's all my fault, I should have treated you like an adult long ago. You're already 14 years old, in a year or two you'll be getting married and having children, where is the child?"

  Ling Xiao: "......"

  The pretty and clean little face suddenly turned bright red.

  Ling Jingxu couldn't help but burst out laughing, yet in her heart she secretly sighed.

  In his previous life, Ling Xiao had already settled the marriage, but before he could get married, Li's family poisoned him. Poor Ling Xiao, who hadn't even had time to get married and have children, fell in his prime years.

  What she just said was half joking and half heartfelt sighs.

  She had no intention of remarrying or having children again in this life. She only hoped that Ling Xiang could marry and have children like ordinary people, and live a happy old age.

  "I don't want to get married early. After I recover from my eye illness, I still want to study and take the imperial examination to achieve a good reputation. In the future, I will find a good husband for you, after you get married, then I will get married."

  Ling Jing said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "I will never get married in this lifetime, so you don't have to worry about me."

  Ling Xiao's reaction was unexpectedly sharp, and he immediately furrowed his brow: "Ah Jiao, are you hiding something from me?"

  "Of course not." Ling Jingxu denied without thinking.

  She retorted too quickly!

  On the contrary, it became more conspicuous.

  Ling Xiao's gaze was distant and unfocused, but he looked over at her with precision: "Ah Jiu, we are siblings born of the same mother. You pity me and take care of me everywhere. My feelings are the same as yours. I also hope to become your reliance, perhaps I can do nothing now, at least I can share some worries for you."

  "Don't always treat me like a child, I've grown up. Don't keep everything from me anymore."

  Ling Jingxu hid her concerns extremely well, and even people like Ling Jingyan who were with her day and night were deceived. But how could she deceive Ling Xiao, who had a deep understanding of her heart?

  Ling Xiao never pursued it, which was also his tact and tolerance.

  Ling Jingxu looked at the face that was 70-80% similar to her own and suddenly felt a surge of impulse in her heart.

  Tell Ling Xiang everything!

  Although many people have betrayed and hurt her before, Ling Xiao will never abandon her.

  Carrying a heavy, dark past and hatred, like a huge stone weighing on her heart. Like a fish bone stuck in the throat, she can't eat or sleep well, thinking day and night. If someone could share her worries, maybe she would feel a little lighter...

  The words reached the tip of his tongue, but turned into a nonchalant perfunctory remark: "Ah Xiao, how could I possibly have anything to hide from you."

  Let her bear such heart-wrenching pain alone!

  A hint of disappointment flashed across Ling Xiao's face, but he didn't ask again.

  Ah-shu has a secret that she doesn't want to tell him, probably because she's afraid he'll worry too. He needs to grow up and become strong as soon as possible so that he can be Ah-shu's reliance.

  ......(。)，。