"Indeed, you've improved significantly."
Compared to her previous state of merely sulking when encountering Wang Qin, Lin Yuwei's current prowess in battle was a testament to her rapid progress.
"That's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Sister. But why did Wang Xuan come to trouble you?"
Lin Yuwei sat beside Feng Jin and asked, turning her head. These Wang sisters were truly vexing; they seemed to appear everywhere.
"It's because Wang Xuan fancies Ling Mohan, so she naturally sees me as an enemy. There's nothing to be done about it. It's all Ling Mohan's fault for being so charming and attracting so much attention. If he were more well-behaved, I wouldn't have to deal with all these bothersome admirers for him."
Feng Jin was truly weary of dealing with such romantic entanglements. At one point, she'd even had the urge to scratch Ling Mohan's face, just to stop him from attracting attention wherever he went.
"Those sisters, Wang Qin and Wang Xuan, are truly shameless. Why do they always insist on being the 'third party'? Is it a family tradition?"
Sister Wang Qin had already shamelessly attached herself to Chu Chenyi, and now her sister was shamelessly trying to hook up with Ling Mohan. This reminded Lin Yuwei of a past event.
"Judging by your tone, it sounds like you have a story. Do tell."
"It's a story from a long time ago, and not really a secret in the capital. Wang Xuan's mother, Madam Liu, seduced Wang Xuan's father, who already had a wife, back then. She forced her way into the Wang family while pregnant, driving the original wife to divorce. The Wang clan elders, under pressure from both necessity and the Liu family's coercion, had no choice but to let Madam Liu in..."
"Pfft..." Feng Jin couldn't help but laugh. "So it truly is a family tradition. No wonder they could raise daughters like this. And Madam Liu's family has quite the reputation too."
"Let's not dwell on these matters. Shall we go watch the polo match? I heard that Sheng Sanlang is also attending the polo event today. They say Sheng Sanlang is exceptionally handsome, but unfortunately, he's always been sickly, suffering from an ailment since birth. Despite extensive medical treatments, there's been no improvement, making it difficult to even catch a glimpse of him. Feng Jin, Sister, let's go see him."
Lin Yuwei's primary purpose for attending was to see Sheng Sanlang and find out if his appearance was truly as heavenly as rumored.
"Ling Wan, come with us." Feng Jin pulled Ling Wan along.
As the three took a few steps, they heard a chorus of female screams.
"Sheng Sanlang, it's Sheng Sanlang..."
"There he is, quickly, let's go see!"
In an instant, all the women surged towards one direction.
Startled, Feng Jin pulled the two beside her back a step. As the saying goes, you can't stop fangirls, and you certainly can't get close to them.
She had witnessed firsthand the fanatical pursuit of these women after Ling Mohan; this was no less, and it was better to stay away.
"Hmph, all of them are so vulgar. That Sheng Sanlang is just a sickly person. It's only because these women covet his beauty that they're practically throwing themselves at him."
A sour voice sounded from behind. Feng Jin turned her head and saw Ling Muzhu standing behind her, fanning himself with an air of disdain.
Feng Jin glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "You're like the fox saying grapes are sour because it can't reach them. At least Sheng Sanlang is good-looking; it's not a waste to have lived. As for you... sigh... it's hard to say!"
After carefully observing Ling Muzhu, Feng Jin found it difficult to pinpoint any of his merits. While she used to find him annoying, she now found him merely tolerable, yet still no discernible virtues.
"Sister-in-law, how can you boost the morale of others while crushing our own? We are family. Is it appropriate for you to belittle me like this?"
Ling Muzhu's fur immediately bristled, and he spoke indignantly. Was it really okay to belittle him to nothing in front of outsiders?
"I think Sister-in-law is quite right. You don't seem to have many merits." Lin Yuwei chimed in. She had heard about Ling Muzhu's past misdeeds; he was a notorious dandy from a prominent family, and he had only slightly improved.
Under the relentless blows from both families, Ling Muzhu felt a surge of anger welling up in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
"You... forget it, I won't argue with you. Second Sister, tell me, am I really like that?"
Since they had reconciled, Ling Muzhu had been addressing Ling Wan as "Second Sister." Initially, Ling Wan felt a bit awkward, but as she heard it more often, she grew accustomed to it.
"I think... Sister-in-law isn't entirely wrong!"
The sliver of hope that had just arisen was instantly extinguished.
"Fine, you can just pretend I said nothing."
Ling Muzhu waved his hand, deciding it was best not to ask and to remain silent to avoid further damage to his fragile self-esteem.
"Feng Jin, Sister, let's go take a look too." Lin Yuwei said, then pulled Feng Jin and Ling Wan towards the crowd, determined to see what Sheng Sanlang looked like.
However, the crowd was too dense. Lin Yuwei struggled to push her way in several times but failed. In the end, she had to give up, realizing she wouldn't have the chance to see Sheng Sanlang.
"Forget it, let's go back and sit down."
Feng Jin shook her head helplessly. Being infatuated was a woman's exclusive pursuit in that era.
"You're already married. It's not very appropriate to be chasing after young men like this. Besides, if Chu Chenyi finds out about this, aren't you afraid he'll hold you accountable?"
"What's there to be afraid of? Didn't he also take Wang Qin as a concubine? I'm not even allowed to just glance at another man."
Lin Yuwei felt she had done nothing wrong. Besides, Chu Chenyi had taken a concubine first.
"That's right, I'm very satisfied with your reasoning. It should be like this. Why is it that men can embrace women on both sides and be called romantic, while we women merely glance at other men and are called promiscuous and shameless? This is the greatest injustice to women. We must stand up and resist."
Feng Jin put her arm around Lin Yuwei's shoulder, imparting new ideas and urging her to stand up for women.
Ling Wan, listening to the bold pronouncements of the two, trembled in fear. If these words were to get out, they would surely be subjected to public scorn.
"Sister-in-law, Wangfei, these words should be spoken with caution. If they get out..."
"What are you afraid of? We haven't said anything wrong. This is about standing up for us women."
Feng Jin intended to educate Ling Wan and instill new thoughts in her.
"Exactly, Sister Feng Jin is absolutely right." Ling Wan chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
"Since heaven and earth created both men and women, it means that men and women are equal. How can one be favored over the other?"