Ling Wan spoke casually, but a trace of dejection crossed her face. As a daughter born to a concubine, she was completely neglected. Even learning to read and write was secretly taught to her by her mother.
Normally, she was only taught needlework by the governess, but she disliked such things.
Occasionally, acquiring a copy of the *Huangdi Neijing* became her treasure to pass the time.
"The content in the *Huangdi Neijing* has always been difficult to understand. Without a teacher to guide and explain, it's hard to memorize. The fact that you've memorized it through your own efforts is already remarkable. Take this medical book back to read. If you have any questions, come ask me."
"Thank you, sister-in-law." Ling Wan held the medical book as if she had received a priceless treasure.
"Young madam, Second Young Lady, Cousin Young Master, the food is ready. Let's eat first."
Cai Qing brought out the dishes, and the aroma of food filled the entire room.
Under Feng Jin's tutelage, Cai Qing's cooking skills had improved by leaps and bounds, making the dishes even more delicious than those from the imperial kitchen.
Even Ling Muzhu, who was always a picky eater, ate two large bowls of rice consecutively.
"Serve me another bowl." Ling Muzhu finished the food in his bowl and handed the empty bowl to Cai Qing, still wanting more.
Cai Qing took the bowl and was about to get up when Feng Jin reprimanded her, "If you want more, get it yourself. This is not the Ling manor, and you are not some young master here."
Feng Jin intended to teach Ling Muzhu the meaning of self-reliance today. His pampered young master ways needed to be corrected.
"I can't even serve myself rice," Ling Muzhu retorted indignantly. He stood up, picked up the spoon, and began serving rice, spilling more on the table than he managed to get into the bowl.
Feng Jin tapped the table displeasedly, "The rice here is for you to eat, not to waste. After you finish eating, pay for the meal."
Upon hearing this, Ling Muzhu's hand, holding the bowl, froze. Instantly, the food in his hands lost its appeal, as he was currently penniless and didn't have a single copper coin.
Sensing his predicament, Feng Jin generously decided to let him off the hook this time, "Since you have no money, you can work to repay the debt. After eating, clean the rooms. The delivery will arrive soon, so help carry the goods to the warehouse."
"Understood." So, he just had to do some work, why all the fuss? There was only one saying from the wise books that was true: women and petty men are hard to deal with.
After the meal, Ling Muzhu began his hard labor to repay his debt, cleaning every inch of the medical hall, inside and out.
He then carried two carts of medicinal herbs into the warehouse.
"Young madam, if you torment Cousin Young Master like this, and the Second Master Ling comes to cause trouble, how will we explain?" Cai Qing understood the deep affection of Second Master Ling and Madam Zhao for Ling Muzhu, fearing to drop him and afraid to melt him in their mouths. If they knew their beloved son was toiling here, they would surely throw a fit.
Ling Wan also said with some concern, "Yes, sister-in-law. Why not let him rest for a while?"
He had been busy for several hours without even a sip of water. Even a strong man couldn't endure it, let alone the pampered young master Ling Muzhu, who was afraid of getting tired just walking.
Feng Jin appeared unconcerned, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds in her hand, "Don't worry, he won't get too tired."
This little bit of work, how tiring could it be? In her opinion, Ling Muzhu lacked exercise.
If Ling Mohan had done this much, he wouldn't even be out of breath.
In contrast, Ling Muzhu, having done so little, was already sweating profusely and panting. They were both descendants of the Ling family, eating the same food, yet the difference was too great.
Ling Muzhu's legs felt weak and his head spun. The sack on his shoulder felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, pressing down on him so much that he couldn't even catch his breath. His hand slipped, and he fell to the ground with the sack.
Ling Mohan, just entering the door, saw Ling Muzhu lying sprawled on the ground. Without changing his expression, he looked at Feng Jin and asked, "What happened?"
"He fell himself," Feng Jin replied truthfully.
Ling Wan and Cai Qing also nodded in agreement.
Ling Mohan cast a look of disdain at Ling Muzhu, "Falling while chopping wood, falling while carrying a sack. He's tall and strong, but can't do anything. What kind of future can he have?"
"Lu Shi, help him up."
Lying there was embarrassing enough.
Lu Shi stepped forward to help Ling Muzhu up. This cousin young master, after not seeing him for two days, had become so frail.
Ling Muzhu, exhausted, slumped into a chair, his entire body propped on the table, feeling like he had fallen apart. He was panting heavily.
He had almost worked himself to death just now. This work was not for humans, it was too tiring.
"Cai Qing, pour him a cup of water." Feng Jin instructed. He was too weak; he shouldn't die on her account.
Ling Mohan looked at Ling Muzhu's listless state and sighed, taking Feng Jin's hand. "What did you do to him? He's become like this."
He had been quite lively when he left, but after a short while, he looked like he had lost half his life.
"I didn't do anything to him. I just had him clean the rooms and move things. I can do these things myself. How was I to know he was a gilded pillow, good to look at but useless? I even find him to be a big eater, having eaten so much of my food for nothing."
He ate a lot during meals, but when it came to work, he collapsed. All that food was eaten in vain.
"You're the useless one! I'm just tired. I'll go back to work now."
Ling Muzhu had some backbone. He got up stubbornly and went to work. After only two steps, his legs went soft, and he collapsed onto the ground.
"Stop pretending. Just admit you're weak. No one becomes a fatty overnight. If you exercise more in the future, you might still have a chance."
Feng Jin kindly offered words of comfort, but they sounded worse than silence to Ling Muzhu's ears.
He felt looked down upon by Feng Jin again, and instantly turned as stiff as stone.
Ling Mohan shook his head helplessly. Grandfather had asked Feng Jin to mentor Ling Muzhu, which was truly difficult for Ling Muzhu, as if stripping off a layer of skin.
It wasn't a bad thing for him either. Previously, being overly doted on and protected by his uncle had made him so soft and incompetent.
Having Feng Jin temper him properly wasn't a bad idea.
Looking at Ling Muzhu's state, he was clearly intimidated by Feng Jin.
"It's getting late. Pack up and return to the manor," Ling Mohan said in a low voice. As the sky darkened, it was time to go back.
On the way back, Ling Muzhu changed his tune. He refused to take the comfortable carriage and insisted on riding a horse back with Ling Mohan, claiming it was improper to share a carriage with a woman.
Feng Jin did not indulge him. With one less person, the carriage was more spacious. She directly handed him over to Ling Mohan and then let the coachman drive the carriage away.
Ling Mohan could only reluctantly give a horse to Ling Muzhu.