Ling Mohan's deep voice echoed as he stepped beside Feng Jin, taking her hand with feigned affection. He gazed at her with adoring eyes, asking, "Were you bullied?"
Chu Chenyi almost doubted his own eyes. When had Ling Mohan become so chivalrous?
"If she was bullied, you should first see the state of Wang Qin before saying that."
Who in this world could possibly bully Feng Jin?
"Your side concubine is arrogant, overbearing, crude, and unreasonable. My wife is gentle and docile. For someone as kind as my wife to be angered, your side concubine must be quite a handful. I advise you to divorce her quickly."
Ling Mohan was speaking utter falsehoods with his eyes wide open. Who could possibly see Feng Jin as gentle and docile? He was spewing lies without a second thought.
Feng Jin was extremely pleased with Ling Mohan's actions. He was truly teachable, becoming more and more adept.
"I see Your Highness Prince Jing is very doting on your side concubine now. Don't get sick over this matter; I have no money to hire a doctor for you."
Lin Yuwei's words were pointed. Chu Chenyi immediately lowered his head, not daring to speak.
After marrying into the Prince's manor, Lin Yuwei discovered that this grand estate was merely an empty shell, surviving solely on the meager official salary.
She had poured so much of her own money into maintaining their livelihood, and now she was expected to fund his concubine? Absolutely not.
She had worried that Wang Qin harbored ulterior motives, but it seemed she had been overly concerned. Their affections were evidently quite strong.
"Zhang Mama, pack your things and return to the Marquis's manor. I can't stay in Prince Jing's manor for another moment."
"Princess Consort... this..." Zhang Mama was an elder from the Old Madam's side, specifically assigned to serve Lin Yuwei.
Chu Chenyi panicked at her words and blocked Lin Yuwei's path, "You want to return to your parents' home over such a trivial matter? I have no affection for that Wang Qin; you know how much I dislike her."
"She is your side concubine; it's only natural for you to have feelings for her. I can't control that."
Lin Yuwei turned her head away, ignoring Chu Chenyi.
Feng Jin watched the unfolding drama, cracking melon seeds and lounging with her legs crossed, almost standing up to applaud Lin Yuwei. This was the right way to handle things; such men should not be indulged.
Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. She was being too accommodating.
"We shall not interfere in your marital dispute. We'll take our leave."
Ling Mohan did not share Feng Jin's penchant for meddling in others' affairs. He took her hand and led her away.
"Yuwei, don't be blinded by that scoundrel's sweet talk. Stay firm in your resolve. Remember, a man's mouth is a deceitful mouth!"
As Feng Jin left, she couldn't resist advising Lin Yuwei, completely unconcerned about stirring up more trouble.
"Hurry up and go. Someone see them out!"
Chu Chenyi was seething, wishing he could throw Feng Jin out.
Ling Mohan was exasperated and scooped Feng Jin up into his arms, carrying her away. If this continued, Feng Jin would surely meddle until the couple divorced.
"Put me down! I haven't finished speaking. Why are you pulling me out?"
Ling Mohan safely placed Feng Jin inside the carriage. "Their marriage was personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager. If you break it up, the Empress Dowager's wrath will fall upon you, and you'll suffer the consequences sooner or later."
Her courage was growing with each passing day; she feared nothing.
"If a couple's feelings are disharmonious, they should separate. Why force themselves to stay together? It's always the woman who suffers. I'm thinking of Lin Yuwei's well-being."
Feng Jin felt she had done nothing wrong. Such arranged marriages were inherently unsuitable. Since neither of them had feelings for the other, forcing them to stay together would only lead to unhappiness. They should part ways sooner, which would be better for everyone.
Ling Mohan knew he couldn't win an argument with Feng Jin, so he remained silent, choosing to concede.
He could only silently pray for the couple.
...
"Yuwei, are you truly leaving?"
Chu Chenyi stood blocking the doorway, looking at Lin Yuwei who was packing her belongings, feeling utterly powerless and defeated.
It was all Feng Jin's fault. Did she have a grudge against him from a past life, to constantly target him?
Lin Yuwei, holding her bundle, stood before Chu Chenyi with a look of resolute determination. "Move aside!"
"I won't... Let me explain. I have absolutely no liking for Wang Qin. I... I like... you..."
Chu Chenyi uttered the last two words very softly. Lin Yuwei, already furious, hadn't heard him.
"I don't care who you like. I'm leaving anyway. You continue your loving relationship with Wang Qin; it has nothing to do with me."
Lin Yuwei was indignant and just wanted to leave Prince Jing's manor quickly, to unsee what she had seen.
"You are not allowed to leave."
Chu Chenyi's attitude was firm; he stood stubbornly in the doorway, showing no sign of yielding.
"That is not for you to decide."
"Why are you all standing there? Hurry and push the Prince away; don't obstruct my view!"
The servants exchanged glances, unsure whom to obey. They couldn't afford to offend either of them.
"You don't even listen to me anymore!" Lin Yuwei raised her voice, seeing their inaction.
"Yes, Princess Consort."
Their wages were paid by the Princess Consort. Money was mightier than anything else. Mustering their courage, the servants pushed Chu Chenyi, wheelchair and all, away.
"You have so much nerve! Do you not wish to live!" Chu Chenyi roared in anger. However, his mobility was impaired, and the servants held the wheelchair firmly, leaving him no choice but to watch Lin Yuwei leave before his eyes.
"All of you, go and receive your punishment! You traitors!"
Chu Chenyi had never imagined he would be betrayed by his own household staff.
"What are you waiting for? Quickly prepare the sedan chair; this Prince is going to Pingyang Marquis's manor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
...
"Yuwei, why have you returned alone? Where is His Highness Prince Jing?" Madam Lin, having been informed by a servant of Lin Yuwei's return, hurried to greet her, only to find her daughter alone. She felt a pang of doubt.
Lin Yuwei stammered, "He's busy with something. I just missed you, Mother, so I came back alone."
This marriage had already caused her parents considerable worry, and she didn't want to trouble her mother further with these matters.
"If you and Prince Jing are alright, then your father and I can rest easy."
"Madam, Miss, His Highness Prince Jing has arrived and is speaking with the Master in the front hall. The Master has asked Miss to go over."
Hearing the maid's words, Madam Lin's expression turned grave. Why had they returned one after the other?
"Tell me, what exactly happened? Did you quarrel with Prince Jing?"
"No, nothing of the sort happened at all," Lin Yuwei stated directly. This Chu Chenyi was truly shameless to have followed her.
...
In the great hall, Chu Chenyi was chatting with Marquis Pingyang when a figure in pink rushed in.