He paused, then continued, "She is the legitimate daughter of Marquis Pingyang. She should have married well. Since I cannot be devoted to her, why should I delay her?"
He had long known Lin Yuwei's feelings for him and had deliberately kept his distance and neglected her to extinguish any hope she might have.
Feng Jin was shocked by his words. In ancient times, men were respected and women were subordinate.
Women, before marriage, followed their fathers; after marriage, their husbands; and after their husbands' death, their sons. Their lives were dependent on men.
Although women from aristocratic families appeared noble, they had no control over their own marriages. Women were merely tools to consolidate and draw in power.
For him to consider a woman's feelings was truly rare.
"What is it?"凌墨寒 asked, noticing Feng Jin's momentary distraction.
Returning to her senses, Feng Jin shook her head, "It's nothing. I was just lamenting the difficult fate of women, who cannot live for themselves throughout their lives."
"Take my marriage to you, for instance. It was only because the Master calculated that my fate could help you. It was my good fortune that you recovered after your illness. Had my luck been worse, and you had died, people would have said I caused your death, and I would have been treated as a jinx. What would have awaited me then?"
Ling Mohan's heart trembled. If Feng Jin could not cure his poison, according to custom, she would likely have been forced into殉葬 (buried alive with the deceased).
It was no wonder Feng Jin was so intent on divorcing him.
"I will treat you well from now on!" Ling Mohan blurted out, surprising even himself.
Feng Jin, however, let out a dismissive snort, "Treat me well? Young General, how do you intend to treat me? By providing me with good food and drink, letting me manage your household, helping you take concubines, and looking after your children? Young General, do you truly believe this constitutes treating me well?"
"Isn't that what all you women are like?"
This was all he had seen and experienced. For a woman, to gain her husband's trust and respect was already a stroke of good fortune.
"This is not what I want. I've already told you clearly, Young General, that once the residual poison in your body is cleared, we will divorce, and neither of us will have any further connection."
She had no desire to be confined to the small world of the inner chambers, bound by countless rules.
Ling Mohan's expression changed drastically. She mentioned divorce constantly, but did she know that once a woman divorced, her future life would be subject to gossip, and she would find it difficult to remarry?
Even so, she still wanted a divorce from him.
"We can discuss this later. Let's go pay respects to the Old Madam of Marquisate of Pingyang first."
Ling Mohan said in a low voice. His leg was still injured, and if he wanted a divorce, it would have to be some time later. During this period, he had plenty of ways to make Feng Jin willing to stay.
"Greetings to the Old Madam. I wish you, Old Madam, blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountains!"
Feng Jin, unusually composed, bowed slightly to the Old Madam of Marquisate of Pingyang.
"Good, good... get up quickly." Old Madam Lin stepped forward, helped Feng Jin up, and pulled her to sit beside her. Her loving gaze swept over Feng Jin, and she murmured to herself, "You resemble her, you truly resemble her!"
"Old Madam, you..." Feng Jin felt that Old Madam Lin was looking at someone else through her.
Old Madam Lin took Feng Jin's hand, "Your maternal grandmother and I were sworn sisters. You truly resemble your maternal grandmother! Especially your eyes. It's a pity! She passed away so young. When she was dying, she entrusted me with the care of your mother, but I... alas! I have truly failed your maternal grandmother's trust!"
Old Madam Lin recalled the past with a heavy heart, her emotions churning. "Your mother married your father and suffered much misfortune. I wanted to intervene, but I was powerless!"
Back then, she had accompanied the Old Marquis on an assignment to Yangzhou. Upon learning of events in the capital, she had written to warn Feng Yuanping. By the time she arrived, she had already learned of Xiao Nanxi's death, and even the orphaned Feng Jin had been sent to a country estate for her upbringing.
She had inquired about Feng Jin's whereabouts many times and had searched for her in the countryside several times, but without success.
Constant worry had led her to believe she had failed her friend, and she had also fallen ill, her health not what it used to be.
To see Feng Jin return safely in her lifetime, and to marry well, she could face her friend in the afterlife with a smile.
Feng Jin listened to this story and was surprised. At that time, the original owner was too young. After such a significant change, she had no memories of it.
"Old Madam, Feng Jin is fortunate beyond measure to have earned your remembrance."
Old Madam Lin looked at Feng Jin with affection, "Child, I treated your mother like my own daughter. If you don't mind, I will recognize you as my granddaughter today. You can call me Grandmother from now on."
The Marquisate of Pingyang had endured for three dynasties, its family influence deeply entrenched.
Being able to form this relationship would provide her with support in the capital in the future.
"Feng Jin is willing. Greetings, Grandmother!"
Feng Jin, acting with great discretion, agreed, served tea to Old Madam Lin, and thus solidified their adoptive relationship.
"Jin'er, this is your grandmother's见面礼 (gift for the first meeting)!"
Old Madam Lin instructed a servant to bring a rosewood box and handed it to Feng Jin, "Look at the contents after you return."
Then, she turned her gaze to Ling Mohan, "Youngster Ling, please help Jin'er keep this safe for now."
"Yes, Old Madam."
Old Madam Lin then chatted with Feng Jin for a long time and insisted on having Feng Jin sit with her during the birthday banquet.
The Old Madam of Marquisate of Pingyang had always been aloof and reclusive, not doting even on her own granddaughters. She typically paid little attention to outsiders.
Today, however, she was holding Feng Jin, showing her warmth and affection, with a loving expression.
Everyone present was stunned.
The originally harmonious atmosphere was disrupted by a lady's startled cry.
"Ah!"
All eyes turned in that direction.
"Hiss... it hurts..."
"Madam!"
"County Princess!"
Madam Wang, the First Madam of Marquisate of Pingyang, rushed over to check the situation, "What happened? Quickly, carry County Princess Anping to a room, and send for midwives and imperial physicians immediately!"
"Young Master, first take the County Princess to her room. The midwives and imperial physicians will be here shortly."
County Princess Anping was the orphan of King Ning. The Empress Dowager had decreed her marriage to the legitimate son of the Duke of Yue. If something happened at the Marquisate of Pingyang, their entire household would be implicated.
"Young Master, I... I can't anymore. Save... save the child!"
County Princess Anping's face was pale, and her strength was failing.
"Ning'er, don't be afraid, it will be alright. You and the child will be fine." Liang Chen was also frightened and hurriedly held Chu Ning'er's hand to comfort her.
By the time the imperial physicians and midwives arrived, County Princess Anping was on the verge of death.
"Young Master, the delivery room is bloody. Please go out!"
The midwives ushered Liang Chen out, leaving only two maids.
Basins after basins of bloody water were carried out of the room. Liang Chen's face turned ashen, and he almost collapsed onto the ground.