To lose in spirit is to lose the battle; one must never lose in morale.
One relies on clothing for appearance, as Buddha relies on gold plating. Feng Jin specially changed into a long skirt embroidered with silk and gold threads, and adorned herself with the ruby jewelry from beneath her dowry.
"Young Madam, you look truly beautiful dressed like this, more majestic than the imperial consorts in the palace," Cai Qing's small mouth was as sweet as if it were smeared with honey.
"There is some Flowing Light brocade in the storeroom. Take it and make clothes. You are young and should dress beautifully."
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Feng Jin, having finished her preparations in the room, then proceeded to the main hall. She sat in the main seat and signaled Cai Qing to have everyone enter one by one.
"I am new to the Ling family and am not familiar with you all. When you come to collect your monthly allowance, please state your names and which branch of the family you belong to."
Feng Jin commanded in a low voice, her expression stern, exuding an aura of dignified authority.
"Young Madam, I am Feiyue, a maid of the Second Madam. I am here to collect the monthly allowance for the First Madam of the Second household."
Feng Jin perused the ledger: "The monthly allowance for the First Madam of the Second household is twenty taels."
"Young Madam has not misremembered; it is indeed twenty taels."
Feng Jin, with a dark expression, closed the ledger: "Second Master Ling holds office in the capital, and his monthly stipend is one hundred taels. However, this money has never entered the public accounts, and the profits from Second Master Ling's businesses all go into the private residence of the Second household. Since the Second household's money is not contributed to public funds, there is no reason for the estate to continue supporting the people of the Second household."
Feiyue's expression changed: "When Second Master managed the household before, the people of the Second and Third households received monthly allowances. Why has it changed under Young Madam?"
When she arrived, Second Master and the First Madam had already instructed her that if the Young Madam did not give her a monthly allowance, or gave too little, she was to instigate the others to cause trouble.
"It is I who manage the household now, not Second Master Ling," Feng Jin stated, her face rigid, exuding a powerful aura that intimidated everyone present.
"Since the Second household's money is not turned over to the public accounts, they will not receive a single copper from the public accounts from now on. All provisions for the Second household are to be cut off."
The household's finances were not abundant to begin with. To support this large family, she would have to pour her own money in.
"Young Madam, are you not afraid of the Old Master's reprimand for doing this!"
Feiyue, gathering her courage, invoked the Old Master Ling as her last resort.
"The authority to manage the household was given to me by the Old Master himself. I do not relish this thankless task. If you are capable of persuading the Old Master to strip me of my household management authority, I would thank you kindly."
Feng Jin appeared indifferent, leaving everyone helpless.
"As for the people of the Third household, you had best think carefully whether you should be claiming this monthly allowance."
Feng Jin spoke coldly. In mere moments, half of the people present had left.
"Young Madam, I am the maid of Concubine Bai," the maid said timidly as she stepped forward.
Concubine Bai, Feng Jin frowned. How had she never heard of such a person? Was there such a person in the estate?
Feng Jin looked to Cai Qing for help.
"Young Madam, Concubine Bai is the concubine of the Eldest Master. She was originally a dowry maid of the deceased Eldest Madam, who was then elevated to the status of a concubine. The Eldest Master is away from home for extended periods, and Concubine Bai has only one daughter. Her status in the household is low, and she rarely ventures out," Cai Qing whispered into Feng Jin's ear.
"What is your name?"
"Reporting to Young Madam, my name is Chunlan."
This maid seemed to be an honest person. Following an unfavored mistress, she must have endured some hardships.
"Rise. Concubine Bai's monthly allowance is five taels. Concubine Bai's chambers house the young lady. From now on, her monthly allowance will be doubled. Cai Qing, tally it for her and take her to collect some other necessities."
"Thank you, Young Madam. Thank you, Young Madam."
Chunlan expressed her thanks repeatedly. There wasn't even a morsel of food in the concubine's chambers. When she arrived, she had been worried that the new Young Madam would be as difficult to deal with as those of the Second household. She never expected the Young Madam to be so benevolent.
"Young Madam, favoring her like this is against the rules."
Cai Qing was worried that this would provide the Second household with an excuse to cause trouble for the Young Madam.
"Rules are dead, people are alive. Don't you see the frayed and patched cuffs of Chunlan's clothes, and her worn-out shoes? Concubine Bai is raising a young child, is not favored, and with Eldest Master Ling absent, life is difficult for her. We should help where we can."
It was not easy for orphans and widows to survive in this devouring household.
"Have the congratulatory gifts I asked you to prepare been made ready?"
"A pair of Dragon and Phoenix jade tokens were taken from the storeroom. They are crafted from Hetian jade and are exquisitely beautiful, I guarantee they will not embarrass Young Madam."
Feng Jin took a sip of her clear tea: "The imperial decree of marriage was delivered to Marquis Pingyang's estate yesterday. We should take this opportunity to offer congratulations and also foster a good relationship with Lin Yuwei."
Feng Jin straightened her dress and gracefully stood up, then boarded the carriage.
"Young General, you are truly imposing today. It's a shame Lin Yuwei has no time to appreciate your honorable presence. What a pity, what a pity!"
Ling Mohan's face turned ashen; he desperately suppressed the urge to sew Feng Jin's mouth shut.
Upon arriving at Marquis Pingyang's estate, Feng Jin first paid her respects to the Old Madam. After exchanging pleasantries, she proceeded to see Lin Yuwei.
"You needn't go in shortly. This is a young lady's private chamber, and it's not appropriate for a married man like yourself to enter. Moreover, Miss Lin has deep affections for you, and seeing you might cause her distress. It would be better for you to wait outside."
Feng Jin pulled Ling Mohan aside, leaving him outside. Truly lacking in perception, he actually intended to go into a young lady's private room.
"Young Madam, I heard of your arrival long ago and have not yet had the chance to pay my respects. I apologize for troubling you to come and see me first," Lin Yuwei said with a faint smile, her tone still as gentle as ever.
Alas... it was a pity that such a fine young lady was to marry a cripple, a flower of beauty placed upon cow dung.
Feng Jin couldn't help but lament. Such a gem was about to step into a fiery pit.
"Young Madam, please be seated. Nianxia, serve tea."
"Miss Lin, I have prepared a pair of Dragon and Phoenix tokens as a gift for your betrothal. I hope Miss Lin will not find them too common."
"Young Madam, what are you saying? These Dragon and Phoenix tokens are clearly of superior quality. Thank you, Young Madam."
Lin Yuwei's cultured and sensible demeanor made Feng Jin's heart ache even more.
"Sister Feng Jin, you are older than I am. May I call you Sister? You can call me Sister, which is better than the distant address of 'Madam' and 'Miss'."
"Very good! Sister Yuwei," Feng Jin said with a smile. She paused, then took Lin Yuwei's hand, "Sister, this marriage is a bit of a hardship for you."
Such a fine young lady, yet she had to marry a cripple, truly...
"What hardship is there? Prince Jing is a prince, of noble birth. It is my great fortune to be able to marry Prince Jing."
Lin Yuwei's face was extremely calm. For her, not being able to marry the person she loved.