Furthermore, Ling Muzhu had been protected since childhood, having never traveled far from home except for the recent trip to Yingzhong Commandery. He worried about the dangers of the outside world and that something might happen to him.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, then go. To dare and to act is the style of us Ling family sons.”
Ling Mohan was very supportive of Ling Muzhu’s decision. A man should not live a life of mediocrity; he should venture out to prove himself worthy.
“Yes, elder brother.” Ling Mohan’s words undoubtedly gave Ling Muzhu immense confidence, making him even more certain that his decision was the right one.
Seeing that Ling Mohan’s mind was made up, and with a supporter behind him, Elder Master Ling knew that no amount of persuasion would change anything.
“You must think carefully. The places where officials are sent are often harsh and remote, unlike the capital. Once the arrow is loosed from the bow, there is no turning back.”
“Grandfather, my decision is made.” Ling Mohan’s tone was very firm. He was no longer the ignorant Ling Muzhu of the past. He now held his own beliefs in his heart.
Feng Jin also felt that the current Ling Muzhu was completely different from the one she knew before. After the events in Yingzhong Commandery, he had truly grown a lot.
In the dead of night, Feng Jin sat in the pavilion, enjoying a rare moment of leisure. The crisp, cold wind blew gently against her, making her feel slightly chilled. Feng Jin looked up at the bright moon in the sky.
A pang of homesickness involuntarily rose in her heart. She now understood why the ancients would gaze at the moon and think of their homeland.
“Eldest sister-in-law, it’s late. Why are you still awake?”
Ling Muzhu’s voice came from behind her. Feng Jin turned her head to look back and saw Ling Muzhu standing there in a white robe.
The scene of her first meeting with Ling Muzhu surfaced in her mind. He had seemed to be holding a sword, intending to seek justice for Ling Yan, and had even threatened to drive her out of the Ling family. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
To hear Ling Muzhu respectfully call her eldest sister-in-law made Feng Jin feel a little unreal.
This was mainly due to the significant contrast between Ling Muzhu’s past and present self. She couldn’t quite process it for a moment.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to sit for a while. Why are you still in the East Courtyard and not back with Second Uncle?”
“I’ve gotten used to living in the East Courtyard. If I went back now, I might not be able to adjust, so I’ve moved back here. Besides, it’s quiet here, which is conducive to my studies and exam preparation. Do you, eldest sister-in-law, find me bothersome and want to send me away?”
“Of course not. I just thought that since you’ve finally returned, you should spend more time with your father. He has been very concerned about you recently.”
Although Feng Jin disliked Second Master Ling, she had to admit that he was a good father and treated his children very well.
Compared to Ling Mohan, who was left at home from a young age to live with his grandfather, Ling Muzhu’s good fortune to have his parents’ companionship and care was truly enviable.
“I know, but…”
As soon as his father saw him, he would pressure him to beg his grandfather to bring their mother back. He couldn’t refuse, so he avoided seeing him to maintain some peace, hoping it wouldn’t damage their father-son relationship.
“Eldest sister-in-law, my mother and Ling Yan did many wrong things, but they have now received their due punishment. I implore you to be magnanimous and not hold grudges against them anymore.”
“For your sake, as long as the two of them behave themselves and do not cause trouble, I will not trouble them further. You can rest assured.”
Feng Jin’s principle in life was always to mind her own business. As long as Ling Yan and Madam Zhao could behave themselves, she would not actively seek trouble with them.
“Thank you, eldest sister-in-law. I will definitely advise them in the future.” Ling Muzhu thanked her repeatedly. Ling Yan was to be married in a few more days, and as long as she behaved, there wouldn’t be any more major disturbances.
However, Ling Muzhu was still worried. After a hurried farewell to Feng Jin, he rushed to find Ling Yan.
As he reached the door and raised his hand to knock, his hand stopped in mid-air, and he froze.
It had been several months since he last saw Ling Yan. After that incident, he had been unable to overcome the hurdle in his heart, and he had been deliberately avoiding Ling Yan.
After a long period of internal struggle, Ling Muzhu finally raised his hand and knocked on Ling Yan’s door.
After a moment of lingering at the door, it opened from the inside.
Their eyes met, and both were taken aback. Then, an awkward expression appeared on both their faces, and they both lowered their heads in silence.
After a pause, Ling Muzhu broke the awkward silence, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Ling Yan’s expression faltered. She looked up at Ling Muzhu, quickly moved aside, and invited him in.
“Have some water first. When did you return?” Ling Yan handed a cup of water to Ling Muzhu. She was currently confined to this room until her wedding day, so she didn’t know when Ling Muzhu had returned.
“I just returned today. How have you been all this time?”
“Fine… How can I be fine?”
Ling Yan let out a cold snort, and the hatred in her eyes deepened. “My appearance is ruined, and I can only marry far away from the capital. Everyone knows my fiancé is a man who frequents brothels and courtesans. Marrying him is like stepping into a coffin with one foot. I might as well be dead.”
Ling Muzhu’s gaze was indifferent. If it were in the past, he would have been provoked by Ling Yan and would have rushed to beg his father or grandfather not to punish Ling Yan.
It was a pity that he had believed and protected… his sister for so many years, only for it to be in vain.
“Muzhu, Mother is gone. In this Ling family, only you and I are blood relatives. Help me. Go and beg Father or Grandfather, don’t let me marry so far away.”
Far from the capital, where the emperor’s reach was limited, who would know if she suffered any great injustice in the future? She absolutely could not leave.
Their mother had been driven out of the Ling family, and their father only cared about Ling Muzhu as his son, so he wouldn’t care about her fate. Initially, she had also resigned herself to despair.
However, Ling Muzhu’s appearance reignited a spark of hope in her heart. This younger brother had always been the most obedient to her.
As long as she appeased Ling Muzhu well, he would definitely stand up for her.
“Your marriage was decided by Grandfather and Father. I am powerless to help. You should prepare for your wedding with peace of mind. On your wedding day, I will ask Father to prepare more dowry for you, so that you can live more comfortably in the future.”
Ling Muzhu, having witnessed Ling Yan’s ruthlessness and heartlessness, had long seen through her true nature. Ling Yan’s kindness towards him was for a purpose; she simply wanted him to stand up for her and use him as a pawn.
“What are you saying? I am your own sister. Have you forgotten that you had a high fever, and I stayed up all night to take care of you!”
“Who caused me to have that high fever? It was you, who pushed me into the water to win the rowing competition.”