Aunt Bai’s eyes were tearful, and her gaze toward Ling Mohan was full of affection. That single address, "Aunt Bai," instantly pulled her thoughts back to Ling Mohan's childhood.
Back then, she was merely a maid beside the late madam, taking care of Ling Mohan's daily life.
After the late madam passed away, the eldest master was ordered to guard the border. Ling Mohan shouldered the heavy responsibility of the main branch. At a young age, he was appointed Imperial Tutor. From then on, his face lost all smiles; he became cold and distant, devoid of human warmth.
"Aunt Bai, I am deeply grateful for your care back then."
"No… no… Young Master, please don't say that. I was the late madam's maid, and taking care of you was my duty. If it weren't for the late madam's kindness, I wouldn't have what I have today."
Aunt Bai was also a kind-hearted person, always remembering the late madam's kindness to her. She had even asked the eldest master to take her as a concubine, which was an immense favor.
"It was my oversight before that caused you and your sister to suffer so much grievance. From now on, if you lack anything, tell Fengjin, and she will arrange it for you."
After Ling Mohan entered the room, he realized how impoverished Aunt Bai and her daughter lived. The room had no decent furnishings. The tables and chairs were all chipped, and even the teacups had nicks.
The house was old and in disrepair, with obvious cracks on the walls and even a few pieces of plaster peeling off. It was indeed no longer suitable for living.
"Aunt Bai, the walls of this house have cracks; it's no longer habitable. You and your daughter should move to the courtyard behind the East Courtyard. That courtyard was renovated just the year before last."
"No need, Young Master. It's just my daughter and me; we can make do. As long as we have enough to eat and are warm, that's all that matters. There’s no need for so much fuss. As long as you are well, my heart will be at peace. When I meet the late madam after death, I will have something to tell her."
Aunt Bai knew her status well. She was content to live peacefully in the Ling family. As long as Ling Yan could be married into a good family and become a proper wife, she could die with a smile.
"This house is severely damaged and truly cannot be lived in. Aunt Bai, you and Ling Wan should move there. Besides, Ling Wan is growing up, and it’s nearly time for her to be married. Let her stay by my side for guidance so I can arrange Ling Wan's marriage."
Feng Jin knew Ling Mohan's guilt towards Aunt Bai and her daughter. She held Aunt Bai's hand and persuaded her kindly, also helping Ling Mohan.
"Young Madam, I have no way to repay your great kindness!"
Aunt Bai's face was filled with joy as she repeatedly thanked Feng Jin, holding her hand.
Because Ling Wan was born to a concubine, her status was low, and she had no one to rely on. The eldest master was always away guarding the border, and the late madam had passed away early. Ling Wan's marriage had become her greatest worry.
Watching Ling Wan grow day by day, with her appearance becoming pure and elegant, her heart grew even more anxious, fearing that others might harbor ill intentions and send Ling Wan to become a concubine for royalty or nobility.
Now that Feng Jin managed the Ling family, and she had agreed to arrange Ling Wan's marriage, Aunt Bai could finally rest assured.
"We are family; there's no need for such formal words. Since Ling Wan calls me elder sister-in-law, I will definitely take her marriage to heart."
Feng Jin genuinely liked Ling Wan and cherished her as a sister, so she would naturally not let her be wronged.
"Thank you, Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law." Ling Wan repeatedly thanked them, her gaze toward Ling Mohan losing some of its fear.
"It's nothing. Ling Wan, please help pack Aunt Bai's belongings. I'll have Lu Shi bring some people over to help you move."
There was no time to delay. The courtyard was ready; they just needed to pack and move in. Feng Jin instructed the servants to help move everything.
The mother and daughter did not have many belongings, only packing some clothes and hair ornaments.
Just as they finished arranging their things in the new courtyard, noisy shouts echoed from outside the gate.
Feng Jin and Aunt Bai and her daughter, inside the house, heard the commotion and hurried out to investigate.
They saw Ling Muzhu and Ling Yan standing outside the courtyard, accompanied by many servants, each holding a stick. It seemed they were well-prepared.
"Be sensible and move out quickly! Grandfather gave this courtyard to me long ago!"
Ling Muzhu arrogantly pointed at the three of them with a stick.
A flicker of disgust flashed in Feng Jin's eyes. These two were truly persistent.
"Such airs! All of you holding sticks and barging in, have you forgotten who the true masters of the Ling family are, and who manages the Ling family?"
Feng Jin's words were powerful, her stern gaze sweeping over everyone.
The servants, who were originally aggressive, immediately became timid. Their eyes met, and some directly put down their sticks.
Seeing someone taking the lead, the others also put down their sticks.
After all, the power of the Ling family was now in the hands of the main branch. Although they worked for the second branch, they were ultimately affiliated with the Ling family and had to obey the head of the household.
"Who told you to put down your sticks? You… you ungrateful dogs!"
Ling Yan cursed viciously. In her eyes, servants were lowly beings, slaves she could scold and beat at will.
"Muzhu, you see it, don't you? Even this maid-born Ling Wan has climbed above us. If we don't teach them a lesson today, there will be no place for us in the Ling family."
Ling Yan knew Ling Muzhu's temperament. As long as she fanned the flames, Ling Muzhu would follow her commands.
Their father and mother doted on Ling Muzhu the most, making him go to the forefront. Even if something happened, their father would protect him.
She, on the other hand, was different. Ever since her appearance was ruined by that bitch Feng Jin, her parents no longer cherished her as before, treating her with scolding and beatings.
Even this lowly concubine-born Ling Wan was climbing over her; this was something she absolutely could not tolerate.
"Sister, what do you suggest we do?"
Ling Yan rolled her eyes in exasperation. How could she have such a foolish brother? Hoping he could pass the imperial examinations was truly the Ling family's ancestral graves smoking with good fortune.
"Grandfather said he would give the courtyard to you, didn't he? Are you willing to let Ling Wan and her mother occupy it? Just snatch it back…"
Ling Yan kept fanning the flames, and Ling Muzhu, being incredibly foolish, was led by the nose by Ling Yan. He picked up a stick and smashed open the door with a few swift movements.
A stick hit the table, knocking over a celadon teacup. Shards scattered across the floor, and with Ling Muzhu's next blow, the courtyard became a mess.
"Ling Muzhu, try smashing it one more time. Even your father wouldn't be able to save your life."