As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Qingwan suddenly realized that something was wrong.
No, she wasn't competing with Tan Jiao for Wei Xun, so what was there to talk about? When Ling Qingwan realized that she had said the wrong thing and wanted to explain to Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao already had a look of understanding, leaning against the window with his eyes squinted and dozing off.
Ling Qingwan knew that she would only make things worse if she explained more, so she simply stopped explaining. Marrying Wei Xun was better than being associated with Song Zhiqing anyway.
Forget it, forget it.
On the day when General Shen and Ling Xiao left the city, heavy snow fell from the sky. Overnight, the entire Tokyo city was covered in silver. Looking around, the city walls and buildings were all covered in white.
Ling Qingwan slept until noon and woke up. She learned that Ling Xiao had entered the palace early in the morning. She estimated the time and rushed to the city gate without even having time to wash and dress.
There were few pedestrians on the street. General Shen, dressed in military uniform, sat on his horse, waiting for Ling Xiao to negotiate with the commander guarding the gate and open the city gate to let everyone pass.
"elder brother!"
Fortunately, I made it in time.
Ling Qingwan lifted her skirt and trotted to Ling Xiao's side.
Hearing the voice, Ling Xiao looked behind him.
"Wanwan, why are you here?" Ling Xiao was extremely worried and rushed over to protect Ling Qingwan. "It's cold outside, you should stay in the house. If you catch a cold, wouldn't it be unnecessary for me and grandpa to worry?"
After saying that, he glared at Mingyue reproachfully.
"I have something to give you." Ling Qingwan just stood still, still panting. She took out a lotus root powder handkerchief from her sleeve, opened it carefully, and put two amulets inside.
Ling Xiao's eyes lit up and were filled with emotion.
"I made the pearl knot above by myself. It's a little rough, but it's the thought that counts. I hope it can bless you to return safely." Ling Qingwan spoke sincerely and stuffed the amulet into Ling Xiao's hand.
"The young lady also went to Jing'an Temple to ask for this amulet herself!" Qiao'er added.
Ling Xiao was even more moved, and he held the amulet tightly, as if he was holding some rare treasure and was afraid of losing it.
"Okay, let's go quickly and don't miss our trip." Ling Qingwan said softly.
In his previous life, whenever Ling Xiao went out of the city, he would bring back some strange little gadgets or snacks that were not available in Tokyo City for Ling Qingwan. Ling Qingwan knew that Ling Xiao cared about her the most. This amulet was Ling Qingwan's wish to protect Ling Xiao and General Shen's safety, and secondly, keeping Ling Qingwan's things with him would also make Ling Xiao feel more at ease.
Ling Qingwan had experienced the pain of the death of her grandfather and brother. Now that she hadn't seen them for some time, she felt uneasy, always afraid that something unexpected would happen.
"I heard that Suicheng is most famous for its rice flower cakes. I'll bring some back for you to try." Ling Xiao gently rubbed Ling Qingwan's head. "Just wait for me in the mansion."
Due to military rules, General Shen was not allowed to move around, so he could only watch Ling Xiao and Ling Qingwan talking from a distance. After a few pleasantries, Ling Xiao returned to the team.
Only after seeing him give one of the amulets to General Shen did Ling Qingwan reluctantly turn around and leave.
It was supposed to be a short farewell, and before Ling Xiao even left the city gate, Ling Qingwan already began to miss him a little.
"The young master is so gentle to the young lady." Qiao'er couldn't help but sigh.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Ling Xiao favored Ling Qing Wan. Moreover, Qiao Er served Ling Qing Wan day and night, so she could observe more thoroughly.
"Yes, brother loves me the most in this life." Ling Qingwan's mouth corners raised slightly.
How could Ling Qingwan not feel how sincere Ling Xiao was to her, someone who could die for her? Perhaps Ling Xiao's death in the previous life was ultimately due to her ignorance and trusting the evil man. After being reborn, Ling Qingwan felt a little guilty for Ling Xiao in addition to her brotherly love.
"The man you are going to marry in the future will probably have to treat you better than the young master did, so that he will feel at ease." Qiao'er joked in a gentle voice.
If that's the case, then she doesn't need to get married, Ling Qingwan thought. She didn't believe there was anyone in the world who treated her better than Ling Xiao.
Ever since she woke up, Ling Qingwan felt dizzy and weak all over. Now the feeling was even worse, and her legs were weak and she could not stand steadily.
She stroked her temple, shook her head, and grabbed Qiaoer's wrist.
"Miss! What's wrong with you?" Qiao'er asked hurriedly in panic.
A gust of wind blew by, and Ling Qingwan had a splitting headache.
"Maybe the wind was too strong, and I ran too fast just now, so I haven't recovered yet." Ling Qingwan replied softly.
"Otherwise, I'll help you go to the teahouse to sit for a while, and then send someone to call the mansion's carriage to pick you up." Qiao'er suggested, and then she helped Ling Qingwan walk to the teahouse on the side of the road.
After walking a few steps, Ling Qingwan's eyes turned black and she fainted on the ground.
"Miss! Miss!"
Qiao'er's cries came into her ears, and soon, Ling Qingwan lost consciousness completely.
When she woke up again, she was back at Iris Pavilion.
The doctor had just finished diagnosing Ling Qingwan and was talking to Ling Shenshi. Through a screen, Ling Qingwan could vaguely hear what the two were saying.
"The second young lady has been worrying too much recently. She is also weak and has become too anxious. She has damaged her heart and lungs and fainted." The court doctor told Ling Shenshi the results of the diagnosis.
"How serious is her condition? Will it endanger her life?" Ling Shen was extremely worried, her heart in her throat.
After all, Ling Qingwan had been involved in many accidents, both large and small, since she returned to the Marquis' Mansion. Ling Shen felt guilty, but was also afraid that Ling Qingwan's body could not withstand the repeated ordeal.
"That won't happen." The court doctor patiently comforted Ling Shen. "Don't worry, Madam. As long as she takes good care of herself, the second young lady will be fine."
"That's good, that's good." Ling Shen patted her chest and breathed a long sigh of relief.
"It's a coincidence that two people in the mansion have fallen ill due to excessive worry before winter is over." The mansion doctor helplessly advised Ling Shenshi. "Madam, you can spend more time with the second young lady and talk to her, so as not to keep everything in your heart, which is not good for your health."
The court doctor's casual sigh immediately caught Ling Qingwan's attention.
The only person who fell ill in this mansion besides her was Old Man Ling. In his previous life, Old Man Ling died of a serious illness and did not survive until the next spring. The family tradition of the Marquis's Mansion was strict. In order not to cause panic among the people in the mansion, Ling Feng kept the secret and did not let anyone know what disease Old Man Ling had.
The more Ling Qingwan thought about it, the more strange it seemed. It was not until Ling Shenshi walked to the bedside that she came to her senses.
"What are you thinking about? How come you didn't hear me even though I called you so many times?" Ling Shen asked casually. She took the medicine from the maid, put it on the bedside table, and carefully helped Ling Qingwan sit up.
"I just woke up and haven't recovered yet." Ling Qingwan grinned, her smile particularly brightly.
Seeing Ling Shenshi's red eyes, Ling Qingwan felt very guilty. She had her own plans, but she couldn't tell Ling Shenshi about these things.
"You, you are so weak, yet you can still laugh."