Yun Momo then took out a brocade box from indoors and placed it before the two of them.
"This is the Ruyi Dragon Phoenix White Jade Pendant, my dowry when I married. Today, I bestow it upon you two."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager..."
Ling Mohan and Feng Jin said in unison.
After a few pleasantries, the Empress Dowager, citing her fatigue, had the three of them withdraw.
"I shall return to review memorials. You two newlyweds can stroll around at your leisure and return after dinner."
Feng Jin had wanted to leave immediately, but Emperor Xuanwen spoke first, leaving her no choice but to stay.
"This Emperor is truly annoying. He didn't even ask if others were willing to stay, yet he forced them to dine."
Feng Jin muttered continuously at Emperor Xuanwen's retreating back.
Ling Mohan wore a helpless expression. While dining in the palace might be a great honor in the eyes of others, it had become a vexing matter for Feng Jin.
"Let's go to a side hall to sit for a while. We'll return to the mansion immediately after the banquet," Ling Mohan said to comfort Feng Jin. He held her hand and led her towards the side hall.
"Greetings, Young General, Young Madam. This servant is here on the orders of the Third Prince to deliver some pastries. The banquet won't start for some time. If the Young Madam is hungry, you may have some pastries to stave off your hunger."
Several maids following behind placed platters of exquisite pastries on the table.
Feng Jin glanced at them. These pastries were indeed exquisite. This Third Prince's excessive attentiveness was suspicious.
"Young General, Young Madam, please enjoy. This servant will take her leave."
After the maids retreated, Feng Jin picked up a pastry and examined it. "This Third Prince is truly intent on pleasing you."
"Why don't you say the Third Prince is intentionally trying to please you?" Ling Mohan took a sip of tea and asked in a deep voice.
Feng Jin took a bite of the pastry and snorted. "I have no power or influence, so why would the Third Prince try to please me? He's after your military power, the Ling family's influence in court. By gaining your support, he will be one step closer to ascending the throne. His intentions are as clear as day."
"You are indeed perceptive. By eating his pastries today, you've given him leverage."
"He sent them for me to eat. Not taking advantage of a good thing is being a fool."
Feng Jin picked up another pastry and stuffed it into her mouth, swallowing it whole without any semblance of grace. She knew she wouldn't be full at the banquet and intended to fill her stomach now.
"Eat slowly, don't choke," Ling Mohan said, handing her a cup of water. He gazed at Feng Jin eating, a faint smile unconsciously appearing at the corner of his lips.
...
The banquet was held in An Ya Pavilion. Even Chu Chenyi, who usually kept a low profile, appeared. Lin Yuwei was by his side, while Wang Qin was conveniently left behind at the Jing Prince's mansion.
Feng Jin sat there, immediately feeling uncomfortable. Her gaze swept casually, and she noticed a resentful stare fixed upon her. Following the source of the gaze, she saw the Sixth Princess glaring at her with fiery eyes. Feng Jin met her gaze with a smile, unperturbed. *Does she think her eyes are big? Who is she glaring at?*
Lin Yuwei also sensed something amiss and, unnoticed by others, sat beside Feng Jin. "Sister Feng Jin, that's the Empress's Sixth Princess. She's quite arrogant. I see the way she's looking at you..."
Feng Jin did not hide the morning's events as she recounted them to Lin Yuwei.
Lin Yuwei suppressed a smile. "This Sixth Princess is arrogant and overbearing, and this time she's been outsmarted by you. No wonder she's so furious."
"I think the Sixth Princess holds a grudge against me. You watch, she'll definitely cause trouble for me later. Don't stay too close to me, or you might get caught in it."
"Sister, what are you saying? You've helped me so many times. How can I turn a blind eye to you just because I'm afraid of getting into trouble? Would I still be human then!"
Although Lin Yuwei couldn't offer much practical help, Feng Jin was deeply touched by her words. She was indeed a good sister, loyal and righteous.
"Second Imperial Brother's wife, why are you sitting with such a vulgar person? Aren't you afraid of losing face? Don't incur your Second Imperial Brother's displeasure, or you might be divorced!"
The Sixth Princess, already displeased, became even more irate seeing the two of them chatting happily. Before Lin Yuwei could speak, Chu Chenyi stood up. "How can you speak to your Imperial Sister-in-law like this? Where are the manners and shame you learned!"
Although Chu Chenyi was in a wheelchair, his authority was undiminished. His words immediately stunned the Sixth Princess.
"Second Imperial Brother, you..."
"Hush. Yuwei is your Imperial Sister-in-law, and Feng Jin is the wife of Young General Ling, and also your sister-in-law. As a princess, you speak so recklessly. If this gets out, how will you be married? Apologize quickly!"
The Sixth Princess's lips were pressed tightly together, her hateful gaze fixed on Feng Jin and Lin Yuwei. After a long moment, she finally uttered two words from between her teeth: "Apologies..." Then she turned and left.
Feng Jin sighed, shaking her head. "The imperial family actually produced such a princess. It's truly disgraceful..."
"Discussing the imperial family is a grave offense. If you don't want to invite trouble, shut your mouth quickly!" Chu Chenyi rubbed his temples, saying with a somewhat helpless expression. *Can't Feng Jin control her mouth? Doesn't she know that words can lead to disaster?*
Feng Jin wanted to keep her life, so she quickly closed her mouth.
"Thank you for this time." Although she could handle the Sixth Princess herself, she would accept Chu Chenyi's help for now. "This young lady repays kindness with kindness and never owes anyone. I won't calculate the interest on the money you owe me this year..." She paused, fearing Chu Chenyi might get the idea not to repay the money, and quickly added, "However, the money still needs to be repaid."
Chu Chenyi glanced disdainfully at Feng Jin. *She's really fallen into greed.* "You two behave yourselves and don't stir up trouble." He couldn't rest assured about the two of them and gave them a few more instructions.
"We've noted it. Hurry and leave, you're an eyesore here," Lin Yuwei impatiently ushered him away and then continued chatting with Feng Jin, making small talk.
Chu Chenyi looked at the two of them happily conversing and sighed helplessly. *What could they possibly be talking about?*
"Second Imperial Brother, you always stay in your mansion and never go out. Why have you come to the banquet today?" Chu Yanxi sat in the seat next to Chu Chenyi and offered him a cup of wine.
"Third Brother, please forgive me. My health does not permit me to drink alcohol. I shall offer this tea as a toast to Third Brother." Chu Chenyi picked up the tea cup before him and drank it in one gulp.
"Second Imperial Brother is as usual, taciturn. However, His Majesty will surely be gratified to see you like this." Chu Yanxi awkwardly put down his wine glass, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Chu Chenyi's legs.