Feng Yuanping, though puzzled as to why the Empress Dowager had issued an imperial edict to posthumously honor He Miaoqing, hastily offered his thanks. After all, such an honorific decree bestowing the title of "Gao Ming Furen" was rare and would greatly glorify his Feng family's lineage.
"Young General and Princess Jianiang are also present. This old servant offers his respects."
"Greetings, Eunuch De. You have traveled far. Please come in and have a cup of clear tea to rest for a moment."
Eunuch De was a seasoned elder by the Empress Dowager's side, and Feng Jin treated him with utmost courtesy.
"Thank you for your kindness, Princess. This old servant must return to the palace quickly to attend to the Empress Dowager, so I shall not linger."
After Eunuch De departed, Feng Jin tightly clutched the imperial edict in bright yellow silk. She raised her eyelids and scrutinized the two accomplices, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Prime Minister Feng, the Empress Dowager has issued her decree. It is time to open the ancestral hall and inform the ancestors of the Feng family."
"Naturally, naturally... this is a great honor for the Feng family. Guards, open the ancestral hall, light incense, and inform our ancestors."
Feng Yuanping's face lit up with overwhelming joy. Finally, something worthy of celebration.
"My mother has been posthumously honored as a first-rank Gao Ming Furen. As for Sun, a mere concubine elevated to the status of a primary wife, she is not even worthy of kneeling within the ancestral hall. She is only fit to kneel outside the hall, with the deference befitting a concubine."
Feng Jin's voice was icy as her few words struck Sun Shi like two harsh slaps.
The Empress Dowager's bestowal of title was a matter of great importance. For his own benefit, Feng Yuanping had no choice but to follow Feng Jin's words.
"You were originally a concubine elevated to primary wife. Before Miaoqing, you were only a concubine. You will kneel outside the ancestral hall and pay homage to Miaoqing with the rites of a concubine."
"Yes, Master..."
Sun Shi acknowledged through gritted teeth and took a step back.
"Someone, bring a kneeling cushion for Aunt Sun, and have her kneel outside the ancestral hall."
Feng Jin commanded in a cold voice. A young attendant brought a kneeling mat and placed it before Sun Shi.
"What is it? Does Aunt Sun intend to defy the Empress Dowager's imperial edict?"
Seeing Sun Shi unmoving, Feng Jin's voice grew impatient, her eyes filled with disgust.
Sun Shi clenched her fists tightly, her lips pressed together as she uttered two words: "I will kneel."
Sun Shi lifted her skirt and knelt. She should have eliminated the root of the problem and killed this wretched Feng Jin back then. Now, this brat had gained the upper hand and was humiliating her.
And He Miaoqing, that ill-fated ghost. She was no match for her when alive, and she certainly wouldn't be able to suppress her after death.
Once her Yan'er became Empress, she would torment Feng Jin to death and smash He Miaoqing's spirit tablet, burning it all to ashes, leaving her as a lonely wanderer with no peace even in the underworld.
Feng Jin reached out and wiped away the dust from He Miaoqing's spirit tablet. "I have taken over your daughter's body. I will seek justice for you and ensure Feng Yuanping and Sun Shi meet their just deserts. You can rest in peace in the netherworld."
After wiping it clean, Feng Jin carefully placed the spirit tablet back. She took out a simple wooden hairpin from her embrace and placed it in front of the tablet.
This wooden hairpin was crafted by the original owner in her childhood as a gift for He Miaoqing. Unfortunately, He Miaoqing had passed away before it could be completed. Now, Feng Jin would fulfill the original owner's wish and present the hairpin, thus resolving a lingering concern.
Their mother-daughter bond was shallow in this life, but she hoped they could rekindle their mother-daughter affection in the next.
After returning from the Feng residence, Feng Jin had been dispirited, losing her appetite. She ate a few bites casually before retiring to her room.
Feng Jin sat by the window, gazing up at the crescent moon in the sky, and sighed.
"Why the long face?" Ling Mohan pushed open the door and saw Feng Jin sitting by the window with a sorrowful expression, sighing intermittently.
"It's nothing. I'm just contemplating life," Feng Jin murmured, lowering her head. She tidied her clothes and stood up, her long hair cascading loosely behind her, adding to a sense of melancholy.
"A person's life is but a hundred short years, yet they must endure countless hardships. To sacrifice one's life for others, to ruin one's entire existence, truly isn't worth it!"
"I will absolutely not let you suffer like your mother. I will never let you endure hardships, nor will I let you sacrifice your life for me."
Ling Mohan's romantic eloquence skills were at their peak. In a few words, he dispelled Feng Jin's gloom.
Feng Jin's lips curved into a smile. She was no longer a young girl who would be easily swayed by a few romantic words, but when someone spoke such words for her, Feng Jin still felt a sliver of warmth, like a warm current sweeping through her body.
"Are you so glib-tongued now? Have you learned from Gu Beichen?"
She knew Gu Beichen wasn't a good influence, having corrupted Ling Mohan into such a smooth-talking rogue.
"Everything I say comes from my heart and mind. There isn't a single false word, nor am I being perfunctory with you..."
Ling Mohan eagerly explained, afraid Feng Jin would misunderstand him as trying to deceive her.
"I naturally know that everything you say is true," Feng Jin said in a deep voice, implying it would be harder to make him lie.
Ling Mohan drew Feng Jin's frail body into his embrace, resting his head lightly on her shoulder. "Everything I say is true. If I ever do anything to wrong you, you can divorce me as soon as possible. I will have no complaints."
Ling Mohan spoke with conviction, for he was certain he would never do anything to betray Feng Jin.
"That's what you said. If you dare to take a concubine, I will decisively divorce you and never see you again."
Feng Jin's character was resolute. Once she decided to part ways, she would end it completely. Why linger, only to invite more trouble?
"I will definitely not take a concubine. In this life, you will be my only wife. Therefore, cast away all those chaotic thoughts from your mind."
Ling Mohan adjusted Feng Jin's head to face him, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Do not be bothered by these matters anymore."
"I've asked the small kitchen to prepare a few dishes. Eat something before you sleep."
Ling Mohan took Feng Jin's hand and they sat down. He opened the food container, and the overwhelming aroma of chili stimulated Feng Jin's senses, causing her to swallow. The smell was truly intoxicating and a feast for the taste buds.
Mapo Tofu, spicy boiled fish... these were her usual favorites.
Feng Jin eagerly stuffed food into her mouth. This was simply heavenly. If only it were accompanied by a cup of chilled grape juice, it would be perfect.
"Slow down, drink some water so you don't choke," Ling Mohan reminded her, taking out iced grape juice from the food container and handing it to Feng Jin.
"Grape juice..." Feng Jin quickly took it and took a sip. "It's cold, too. Where did you get ice?"
It was difficult to obtain ice during this season.
"Every winter, royalty and nobility store ice for summer use. Although the Ling family doesn't spend a fortune to store ice, we can afford to buy some to make a cup of grape water for you."