Feng Jin covered her ears, refusing to listen to his nagging. "I'm definitely going, and what you say doesn't count."
With that, she threw down her words and got under the warm covers, falling asleep within moments, her breathing even and relaxed.
Glancing at the woman nestled in the bedding, Ling Mo Han sighed softly. He stepped forward, tucked the quilt in, and sat by the bedside. After watching Feng Jin fall into a deep sleep, he finally rose to leave.
In the study, Ling Mo Han stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window. Chu Chen Yi, standing behind him, lowered his gaze and spoke after a moment's silence, "The Emperor intends to spare Chu Yan Xi. Moreover, Chu Yan Xi has held sole dominance in court these past years, and it won't be easy to bring him down."
With their current influence, confronting Chu Yan Xi head-on would mean no chance of victory.
"Work to dismantle his influence from the shadows. On the surface, you must strive to gain the Emperor's favor and the people's support. Make Chu Yan Xi feel threatened, forcing him to make mistakes."
Ling Mo Han said in a deep voice. In a direct confrontation, they had no chance of winning. They could only use strategy to push Chu Yan Xi into a corner.
"Proceed as planned. Have you received an invitation for Chu Yan Xi's wedding to Feng Ruo Yan in a couple of days?"
By all accounts, only when marrying a principal wife was a grand ceremony held. This was merely taking in a concubine, yet they were widely distributing invitations. Should they attend this banquet or not?
High-ranking officials and noble ladies, how could they attend a banquet for the taking of a concubine?
"I have, two invitations."
Chu Chen Yi scoffed, "According to the rules, only when marrying a principal wife should a banquet be held. It's truly ridiculous that they're holding a banquet now for the taking of a concubine."
"This concubine is the daughter of Prime Minister Feng. Although she is of concubine birth, Chu Yan Xi will still show the Feng family due respect to win Prime Minister Feng over. However, for this banquet, how many of the noble families in the entire capital will truly go to offer their congratulations?"
Going would be awkward, and not going would also be awkward. Many people were likely troubled by this matter.
"Are you going or not?"
Chu Chen Yi was also vexed by this. As an elder brother, he should indeed attend the banquet, but he was also a dignified prince. Attending to congratulate the taking of a concubine was something he couldn't bring himself to do.
"It's not necessary for me to go. Someone is very willing to go and offer congratulations."
Given Feng Jin's nature, she would go to watch the commotion even if he tried to stop her.
Chu Chen Yi immediately understood who Ling Mo Han was referring to. He had heard about the animosity between Feng Jin and the Feng family and harbored deep hatred for Feng Ruo Yan, so he would not miss the opportunity to witness the spectacle.
After a pause, Chu Chen Yi's eyes lit up as if he had thought of something. Fortunately, Ling Mo Han had reminded him; how could he forget Lin Yu Wei?
He could simply find an excuse not to go and send Lin Yu Wei to attend the banquet. The Princess of Jing, attending, would be considered giving them ample face.
"This prince shall not go either."
"If you send Lin Yu Wei, aren't you afraid she'll cause trouble with Feng Jin?"
Ling Mo Han reminded him kindly. Feng Jin was going precisely to stir up trouble. If Lin Yu Wei joined her, who knew what chaos would ensue.
"What are you afraid of? Feng Jin, the primary culprit, will bear the brunt of everything. You should be the one worrying."
He had already figured it out. If anything happened, he would push all the blame onto Feng Jin.
With Feng Jin's ability to twist things around and her silver tongue, she could certainly make black appear white and bring the dead back to life. There was no need to worry at all.
Ling Mo Han shot Chu Chen Yi a sharp glare, his thin lips parting to utter a single word: "Scram!"
"No need for your escort, this prince can walk himself!" Chu Chen Yi turned and left.
…
"Young Madam, look at that flower, how beautiful! And it's a twin bloom?" Cai Qing looked around like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, finding everything novel.
"Today's attendees are all esteemed ladies. You must restrain yourself later and not lose face in front of outsiders."
Feng Jin cautioned. She touched the hair ornament dangling by her temple. This solid gold filigree hair ornament was truly heavy. Worn on only one side of her hair, it made her neck ache, forcing her to support her neck with effort.
These esteemed ladies valued demeanor the most. She would have to act the part later and couldn't give anyone a reason to mock her.
"Sister Feng Jin, you've come too." Lin Yu Wei walked quickly to Feng Jin's side, taking her hand affectionately. "Knowing you've always disliked these occasions, I didn't invite you. I didn't expect you to be here today. Sister, you're carrying a child, your body is heavy, quickly go sit down over there, don't get tired."
Lin Yu Wei supported Feng Jin and led her towards the pavilion, beckoning someone to sit. "Sister, have some fruit. These are from the Zhang family in the south of the city, they taste delicious."
Feng Jin picked up a piece and took a bite. It did taste good, sweet and sour, and most importantly, not cloying at all.
"Cai Qing, go buy some fruit later too."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"She's truly a country girl, raised in the countryside, never seen anything. Even fruits made by common folk, low-class贱民, are treated like treasures. How embarrassing."
A sarcastic voice fell directly into Feng Jin's ears, sounding quite abrupt. Feng Jin frowned slightly and looked towards the source of the voice.
She saw a woman in a pink scholarly dress, who seemed to want to wear all the jewelry on her head. Unfortunately, the Sixth Princess's appearance was not particularly good. The countless jewels piled on her head did not appear noble, but rather quite gaudy.
She was like a peacock displaying its plumage, swaggering through the street. Feng Jin couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
"How dare you mock this princess? You have great courage! Guards, slap her!"
The Sixth Princess harbored resentment towards Feng Jin from an earlier incident and would not miss such a good opportunity.
"Sixth Princess, please speak with caution. This is the Young Madam of the Ling family. His Majesty has already personally conferred upon her the title of Jia Ning County Princess. She is not someone from an ordinary official's family for the Sixth Princess to scold!"
Lin Yu Wei stepped forward, blocking Feng Jin, and faced the arrogant and overbearing Sixth Princess without any fear.
"Get out of my way! Don't think that just because you married my second brother, you can dictate to me. I am a princess born of the Empress, while Chu Chen Yi is merely born of a concubine. There is a vast difference between us, and you are even less qualified to stand in front of me. Move aside!"
Everyone present knew the Sixth Princess's temper, and no one dared to provoke her.
Feng Jin's eyes flashed with cold light. This Sixth Princess was truly overbearing, daring to slander her elder brother like this. Relying on her status as the Empress's legitimate daughter, she had committed many wicked deeds.
"Sixth Princess, you certainly have a grand air about you. Truly worthy of being the Empress's legitimate princess. The Empress has truly taught you well."
"Of course, this princess..."