Although Madam Zhao was unwilling, she dared not make further trouble, as the entire Zhao family was now in the hands of this unfilial son.
If she really angered this unfilial son, being sent to the manor would be disastrous. She couldn't bear a single day of hardship on the manor.
"Since nephew Shi is so understanding, I can rest assured. Guards, bring the divorce letter."
Old Master Ling had prepared the divorce letter long ago, waiting for the Zhao family to agree.
Master Ling's second son hesitated slightly as he held the brush, but still wrote his name on the divorce letter. Uncle Zhao, as the elder brother, signed on his behalf.
Feng Jin watched this farce like an onlooker. The Zhao family had been rampant in the Ling residence for years, and now they had come to such an end. Her latter half of life would likely be spent on the manor.
...
"Why isn't your sister here? Where did you take her?"
After leaving the Ling family, Madam Zhao, not seeing Madam Zhao in the carriage, immediately pointed at Uncle Zhao and questioned him.
"She has already been sent to the manor in the countryside. Mother, please return with me!"
"You... How could you be so heartless? That is your full sister. You actually sent her to the manor in the countryside. She has never suffered such hardship!"
Madam Zhao shed tears like rain, crying and pestering Uncle Zhao to send Madam Zhao back: "If you don't send your sister back, I will die, and you will bear the crime of forcing your mother to death. I want to see if you still want your son's official career!"
Uncle Zhao had reached his limit. Earlier, considering they were at the Ling residence, he had shown some consideration. Now, he truly could not tolerate it any longer.
"Enough. If you truly miss her, I will send you to the manor. If you want to commit suicide, do as you please. After your death, I will publicly announce that you died of a serious illness!"
These years, he had been considerate of family ties and done too many things against his will. Now, he did not want to be blackmailed into doing anything against his conscience.
"I worked hard to raise you, and since you are telling me to die, you unfilial son, unfilial son!"
"Mother, ask yourself, in all these years, have I ever refused any of your requests? How many heinous deeds has my sister committed, both openly and secretly, and how many messes have I cleaned up for her behind the scenes? What more do you want from me? Do you want to drag down the lives of the entire family, old and young, to bury with her before you can rest easy!"
Madam Zhao's face was filled with embarrassment. She knew all these things clearly, but that was her own daughter. She couldn't just ignore her.
"Then you can't treat your sister like this. She is your own sister, your blood relative!"
Seeing that force wouldn't work, Madam Zhao began to play the emotional card again. She understood her son very well. He spoke harshly, but his heart was most focused on emotions, and he cared about this sister.
It was a pity that this time, between the family and Madam Zhao, Uncle Zhao ultimately chose the former.
"It's a pity that my sister has never treated me as a blood relative. Why should I risk everything for such a cold-hearted person? Mother, do you truly not understand? The Ling family's determination to divorce her this time has captured all her leverage. One by one, let alone divorcing her, if this matter were to be brought to the Dali Temple, her life might not be saved. The Ling family doing this is already the utmost benevolence."
Yesterday, before leaving, someone had compiled the whole story, along with Madam Zhao's wrongdoings over the years, and sent it all to his study.
At this juncture, the Ling family sending these materials meant they wanted to save face for each other. As long as Madam Zhao was divorced and no longer part of the Ling family, and he brought Madam Zhao back, the two families would remain at peace.
Otherwise, the Zhao family was merely a merchant family, how could they be compared to the Ling family? Moreover, half of the Zhao family's influence came from the Ling family's support.
If they truly fell out, the Ling family, in their anger, could easily deal with them.
"Your father owed them a life-saving debt. It's just that their Ling family has now prospered and is thinking of severing ties with us. Absolutely not!"
Madam Zhao was convinced that the Ling family was ungrateful and her calculations began. As long as she, this old woman, was alive, they would not be allowed to have their way today.
"Mother, what are you planning to do again? Don't blame your son for not reminding you beforehand. If you cause trouble again, don't blame your son for being unfilial."
Uncle Zhao understood Madam Zhao's intentions too well. She was vindictive and would not easily let go of a grievance.
"What can I do? My daughter has been divorced by their Ling family and her whereabouts are now unknown. It's only human nature for a lonely old woman like me to want my granddaughter by my side. Are their Ling family truly so shameless that they won't even grant me this request!"
Her daughter had given birth to a son and a daughter for the Ling family. Her son was not close to her since childhood, so she couldn't reach him. But her daughter was in the Ling family.
After Madam Zhao returned to the manor, she went as far as to have maids and servants go to the Ling residence to demand the person.
After several disputes, it was Ling Yan herself who stepped forward, stating that she would go with them to the Zhao family, which finally ended the commotion.
In Old Master Ling's view, Ling Yan was ultimately a daughter who would eventually marry into another family. Even if she was taught badly by Madam Zhao, it was a minor matter, so he did not intervene, and simply let them go.
"Ling Yan was really taken away by the Zhao family?"
When Feng Jin learned of this, Ling Yan had already packed her belongings and left the Ling family. This surprised her. Why would Ling Yan willingly leave?
Could it be that she was so shocked by Madam Zhao's divorce that her mind had gone blank?
"Yes, Madam. I heard from people in the second branch that the second master originally did not want the young lady to go to the Zhao family. The two sides even argued for a while. In the end, it was the young lady herself who stepped forward and said she was willing to go to the Zhao family to show filial piety in place of Madam Zhao, and only then was the matter settled."
Feng Jin's hand, which was playing with the teacup, paused. Ling Yan voluntarily went to the Zhao family and showed filial piety in place of Madam Zhao. Given Ling Yan's disposition, could she really show filial piety? It would be a laughingstock if spread.
However, in a single day, the two most eyesore people in the Ling residence had left, and Feng Jin could not be happier.
During dinner that evening, her happiness made her eat more: "Cai Qing, serve me another bowl of rice."
"Don't eat anymore. Eating too much at night can lead to indigestion." Ling Mohan ruthlessly snatched the bowl and chopsticks from Feng Jin's hand. She had already eaten so much; if she continued, she would surely overeat.
Feng Jin cast a reluctant glance at Ling Mohan. He was being too nosy, not even allowing her to eat a meal.
In any case, there were still plenty of preserved fruits in the room, perfect for a nighttime snack. It was just a shame that there was no one to chat with.