Remember "Bookworm" in one second.

  "Ah Shu......" Ling Xi's mood was complex, and he wanted to speak but hesitated.

  "Ayao......" Jiang's sister-in-law hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

  "Ah-shu......" Ling Jingyan's elder sister, who was still shaken in her heart, wanted to speak but hesitated.

  Three people stood neatly in front of Ling Jingxu, looking at her simultaneously, opening their mouths in unison, and then let out a long sigh.

  Ling Jingxu was amused by their expressions: "Look at you guys, why are you all looking at me with such eyes? I'll feel a lot of pressure!"

  "It's come to this and you still have the mood to joke!"

  Ling Jingyan didn't know whether to laugh or get annoyed, thinking of glaring at her. But then she thought about how Ling Jingxiao had just faced the Crown Prince with such wit and poise, and her tone softened: "Ah-jie, where did you get the nerve to speak to the Crown Prince like that? Weren't you afraid he'd turn on you in anger?"

  Ling Xi and Jiang Shi remained silent, but the meaning in their eyes was clearly the same as Ling Jingyan's.

  Ling Jingxiao smiled and asked in return: "After I and Ah Xiao left, did the Crown Prince scold you guys?"

  "This is not the case." Ling Jingyan shook her head: "However, His Highness Wang was furious with him and punished him to wipe the deck for an entire afternoon! The reason being that he raised his eyebrows and lost the dignity of the East Palace Guard!"

  This ridiculous reason is obviously just a pretext for venting anger!

  Ling Jing smiled leisurely: "Anyway, it's His Highness' people who are being punished, not us. What do you have to be anxious about?"

  That makes sense!

  She was left speechless!

  Ling Jingyan's lips moved slightly, but in the end, she didn't say anything.

  After settling Ling Jingyan, Ling Jingxiao turned to face Ling Xifu and his wife with a serious expression: "Elder brother, elder sister-in-law, you also saw the situation at that time. If I had swallowed my anger silently, it wouldn't have been anything, but I was also looked down upon by Prince Taishun. This would also lead to our Ling family being belittled."

  "The prince's status is even more noble, and we don't have to rely on others or be manipulated by them. That's why I responded lightly. To be honest, every word I said was within bounds and didn't show any disrespect. Even if the prince is unhappy in his heart, he can't find anything wrong with what I said...and won't vent his anger on you..."

  "Azhu, you misunderstood our intention." Ling Xi immediately said: "I'm not afraid that Taishun will be angry with the Ling family, but I'm worried that you'll provoke Taishun and he'll bear a grudge against you."

  "It's all my fault today," Jiang said with a sigh of self-reproach. "If I hadn't spoken too much, this wouldn't have happened."

  Ling Jingxu smiled indifferently: "After all, it's because of the difference in status and position. We have to ask for help from others, so we can't avoid being treated with disdain. I'm also someone who can't stand being stifled. That's how I responded. The one who is truly suffocating now is Prince Ta Sun, not me."

  Ling Xi: "......"

  Chiang: "......"

  ......

  The consolation didn't work out and instead, Ling Jingyu and her husband were comforted by each other. They returned to their cabin with extremely complicated feelings.

  The two sat opposite each other for a moment before simultaneously opening their mouths.

  "Don't tell this to Father and Mother!"

  "We must keep this matter from our grandparents."

  It's indeed a meeting of minds! They actually thought of going together. The husband and wife exchanged a glance, smiled at each other, and started whispering to each other.

  "This cousin of mine is born beautiful and stunning, intelligent and clever with a sharp tongue. She will definitely not be an ordinary person in the future." Jiang sighed sincerely.

  There was another sentence that Chiang did not say out loud.

  Originally, Ling Jingyan was also considered a beauty. But compared to Ling Jingxiao, she instantly became dull and unremarkable. Just like ordinary pearls, they happened to be placed together with rare and precious night pearls...

  Ling Xi naturally heard the implication behind Jiang's words.

  Even if he is biased towards his own sister, he has to admit that Ling Jingxu is much better than Ling Jingyan.

  "I think Ah-shu's beauty, intelligence and strong character are far superior to those of ordinary women. This may not be entirely good for her." Ling Xi still had a lingering fear thinking about the dagger covered in blood that night.

  "It's better for girls to be gentle and obedient, being so stubborn and having their own ideas may lead to suffering in marriage."

  Ling Jingxu, this stunningly beautiful peony. Once in the capital, it's hard to hide, and I'm afraid it will soon attract attention from many people, or even covetous glances with ulterior motives.

  The Ling family is considered a prominent clan in Dingzhou, but in the capital city, they are nothing special.

  Ling Dage is just a fourth-rank official. Can he protect Ling Jingyu?

  To tell the truth, Leng is extremely selfish. If he really met a noble and beautiful person like Ling Jingyu, it would be good if he didn't take the initiative to curry favor with them, let alone protect them...

  Ling Xi began to worry about what might happen in the future.

  Jiang saw Ling Xi's solemn face and asked with a smile: "Look at your worried look, what are you thinking about?"

  Ling Xi and Jiang were a loving couple. They had a harmonious relationship, discussing everything openly. Except for that one night when Ling Jingxuan killed the bandit, they never kept anything from each other, immediately sharing their concerns with each other.

  "... Yu Niang, I won't hide it from you, these past few days my heart has been feeling somewhat uneasy. I keep thinking that something big will happen in the future." Ling Xi let out a long sigh: "You've been married to me for four years now, and you also know Father's temperament. If we really encounter such a situation in the future, I'm afraid Father will..."

  The son does not speak of his father.

  Even in private conversations, as a son, one should not speak ill of his father.

  Ling Xi let out another sigh and didn't continue speaking.

  Jiang's nature is clear, and he knows that his father-in-law is a self-interested person who likes to take advantage of situations. Ling Xi's concerns are not unreasonable either. Smiling reassuringly, she said: "Don't worry unnecessarily. Things haven't happened yet, what's the use of thinking wildly here? In my opinion, Ah Jiao has her own ideas and isn't someone who can be easily manipulated. If that day really comes, you should be worried about your father-in-law instead."

  Ling Xi heard and was speechless with laughter, her hidden worries all gone. She hugged Jiang Shi: "You're right, I shouldn't think too much about it. With this time, I should think about how to get you pregnant..."

  Jiang's face turned red with anger, and she lightly scolded Ling Xi: "In broad daylight, aren't you ashamed to say such things?"

  Ling Xi's heart was stirred with emotion, and he smiled as he tightly wrapped his arms around Jiang Shi's slender waist. Just as he was about to turn the thoughts in his mind into action, there was a sudden knock at the door.

  "Master, sir is calling for you."

  Jiang was startled and hastily pushed Ling Xi away, hurriedly adjusting his clothes.

  Ling Xi opened the door with a helpless expression and went into Ling Dajie's cabin: "Father specially called his son to come, I don't know what he wants to ask?"

  Ling Da Ye nodded to Ling Xi to look out of the window together with him.

  All that was seen on the adjacent boat was a sturdy and robust young man kneeling on the deck, rubbing it vigorously.

  Ling Xi: "......" (silence).

  PS: Spending the New Year at my hometown is really lively. I'm hiding in the house writing, feeling so out of place... So today there will be two updates, and probably for the next few days of the new year as well. If I have time to write more, there might even be three updates! Wishing everyone a happy New Year~ O(∩_∩)O~