Still facing death, Ling Yan did not forget her identity, always remembering that she was Miss Ling Jiu Ai.
And having her as Miss was the greatest failure of the Ling family.
Ling Yan was pressed onto a long bench by the old woman. Before Ling Yan could react, the heavy plank fell with a thud.
"Ah!" The entire courtyard was filled with Ling Yan's heart-rending shouts of rage.
Each plank was struck with full force. After just a few planks, the pampered Ling Yan was beaten until her skin and flesh were torn, and she fainted.
The old woman beside her checked her breath, "Young Madam has just fainted. There are still three planks left. Should we continue?"
Feng Jin had truly not expected Ling Yan to be so fragile. She couldn't hold on after only a few planks.
"Splash water on her to wake her up, then throw her directly into Dali Temple for immediate trial. No one is allowed to visit!"
"Your subordinate obeys."
Lu Shi acknowledged and immediately had the already unconscious Ling Yan dragged away.
Ling Muzhu watched Ling Yan's disheveled figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. A sour feeling spread through her chest. After all, they were siblings connected by blood. Ling Muzhu ultimately could not truly bring herself to be ruthless.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, may I go and see her?"
Ling Muzhu knew that once Ling Yan was imprisoned in Dali Temple, they might never see each other again in this life. As siblings, she felt a farewell was in order.
"After Ling Yan's sentencing, let Lu Shi take you to see her."
After all, they were blood relatives. Feng Jin also understood that this was an unbreakable bond, so she directly agreed to let Ling Muzhu have a final glimpse of Ling Yan.
With the matter decided, Ling Muhan directly issued an order to Dali Temple to try Ling Yan.
The evidence was conclusive, and with Ling Muhan's secret instructions, the case was decided in just half a day.
Given that she was from a noble family, and with Ling Er Ye's considerable efforts in the background, Ling Yan was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment.
Feng Jin did not react much upon hearing this. After all, the two children were unharmed, and Ling Yan was, in the end, a genuine member of the Ling family. Feng Jin was lenient in this matter.
In any case, ten years of imprisonment would be like a devastating blow to the pampered Miss Ling Yan.
Not seeing Ling Yan for ten years would bring a period of peace.
"Do you have anything to say?" Ling Muhan asked Feng Jin, surprised by her unusual calmness.
Given Feng Jin's usual temperament, she would have thought the sentence was too light and would have tried to find a way to increase Ling Yan's punishment.
"You also have no objections, so why should I say anything else?"
Feng Jin looked at Ling Muhan. Dali Temple had already communicated with him before the trial. Since he had no objections, why ask her again?
The man's silence further confirmed her guess.
"We are of one mind as husband and wife. Since you agree, I will not embarrass you further. The matter is over, and let us not mention it again."
"You truly don't blame me for the punishment of Ling Yan being too light? It's because Second Uncle spoke to me, asking me to let Ling Yan go and promising that she wouldn't..."
"There's no need to explain. I understand what you are thinking. Ling Yan is your family after all. I can understand your inability to be ruthless."
Feng Jin interrupted Ling Muhan, speaking gently. Although she said she understood, Feng Jin's heart felt a pang of bitterness.
She even began to doubt her and the children's position in Ling Muhan's heart.
If the two children had truly been harmed, how would Ling Muhan react?
Thinking of this, Feng Jin's heart sank, feeling sour and uncomfortable.
"I..." Ling Muhan looked at Feng Jin's slightly dejected back, the words on his lips unsure how to be spoken.
From the moment he agreed to Second Uncle's request, he began to regret and worry.
He regretted letting go of the culprit who had harmed his children, and he worried that Feng Jin would resent him if she found out.
However, what he worried about more was that if this matter escalated, Second Uncle and the Zhao family would resent Feng Jin, and then they would target Feng Jin and the children. If this matter could turn enemies into friends, it would be beneficial for everyone.
"I know you are angry. I would prefer you to scold me or hit me. I don't want to see you ignore me."
The calmer Feng Jin became, the more worried Ling Muhan felt.
"I'm fine. I understand what you did. I'm just wondering what you would do if the children or I had actually been poisoned this time."
Feng Jin said in a low voice, her gaze fixed on Ling Muhan.
Ling Muhan's heart suddenly tightened, and even his breathing became labored. He quickly pulled Feng Jin into his arms. Only when he truly felt Feng Jin by his side did his anxious heart settle.
"If you and the children were truly harmed, I would certainly not let the person who hurt you go. Feng Jin, you must know that without you, I would not wish to live alone."
In the latter half of his sentence, Ling Muhan's voice was still trembling slightly. He tightened his grip on Feng Jin, only he knew how important Feng Jin was to him. If he lost Feng Jin in this life, he would certainly not wish to live alone.
Feng Jin lifted her eyes and saw the man's well-defined jawline. For the past two days, he had been busy with Da Bao and Er Bao, not getting a full night's sleep. Stubble had appeared on his chin.
And she had actually blamed him just now. Thinking about it now, she felt a little guilty.
Clearing her throat to hide her awkwardness, Feng Jin rose from his embrace and pretended to be disgusted, "Look at the stubble on your chin, it's so ugly. Hurry and shave it, don't prick the children later."
"Is there?" Ling Muhan reached up and touched his chin. Indeed, it was a bit rough.
He hadn't had time to shave in the past two days while taking care of the two little ones.
Ling Muhan went to the bronze mirror and looked at his slightly tired reflection. Especially the stubble on his chin that Feng Jin had found unsightly. Looking at it this way, it actually gave him a sense of ruggedness.
In the past, Ling Muhan disliked being unshaven the most. Now, looking at himself like this, he found it somewhat handsome.
Perhaps his temperament had improved, making him feel handsome even with stubble.
With this realization, Ling Muhan found himself looking at himself with stubble increasingly handsome.
He could indeed consider growing a beard. Not only would it give him a rugged look, but also the charm of a mature man.
"I think I look quite handsome with a beard. What do you think if I kept it from now on?"
Ling Muhan, feeling good about himself, turned to ask Feng Jin for her opinion.